The restaurant had grown quieter as the evening wore on.
Most of the diners had already returned to their own conversations, the earlier tension fading into little more than a story—something exaggerated, retold, and debated over drinks later that night.
At Kael's table, however, the discussion had taken a different turn.
Luffy suddenly leaned forward, eyes shining with excitement.
"Kael!"
He pointed dramatically at him.
"Join my crew! You're so cool!!"
Thwack.
Usopp smacked the back of his head without hesitation.
"Idiot! You can't just recruit people like that!"
Luffy rubbed his head, but the grin on his face didn't fade in the slightest.
Across the table, Kael chuckled softly.
"Thanks for the offer."
He leaned back slightly, relaxed.
"But I already have my own crew… and my own adventures to follow."
As he spoke, his gaze drifted—just briefly—
Toward Kaya and Nami beside him.
Both of them smiled.
Next to them, Tashigi lowered her eyes.
A faint, unfamiliar ache tugged at her chest.
Why…?
Is it because he looked at them… but not at me?
Her fingers tightened slightly against her sleeve.
That's ridiculous.
I'm a Marine.
Why would that even bother me…?
She frowned faintly, trying to push the thought away.
Across the table, Luffy accepted the refusal without hesitation.
"Oh. Okay!"
Just like that.
No disappointment.
No pressure.
Kael spoke again, casual as ever.
"So where are you heading next? Loguetown, I assume."
Luffy's face lit up instantly.
"Yes!"
He pumped his fist excitedly.
"That's where the Pirate King was executed! I want to see it!"
Kael nodded once.
"Our next destination is Loguetown as well."
Usopp leaned forward immediately.
"Then Kael, why don't we travel together?!"
Luffy slammed both hands onto the table.
"Yeah! That'd be awesome! Let's go together!"
Kael shook his head.
"I'll have to refuse."
Both of them froze.
"WHY?!"
Kael gestured calmly across the table toward Zoro.
Zoro, who had been silent until now, flinched slightly.
"He clearly needs more time to recover."
Zoro frowned, but didn't argue.
Kael continued, tone steady.
"Meanwhile, we have to leave tomorrow morning."
Then—
He pointed toward the kitchen doors.
Behind them, someone stiffened.
A blond cook had been standing just out of sight, quietly listening.
Did he know I was here the whole time?
Sanji frowned.
That's impossible… right?
Kael kept his finger aimed at the doors.
"And he still hasn't agreed to join your crew."
The group paused.
Then—
Luffy and Usopp slowly nodded.
Zoro snorted.
"Hmph. I don't need rest. I'm fine to travel."
Kael smiled faintly.
"Did you forget the promise you made to your captain earlier?"
Zoro's eye widened.
Kael continued calmly.
"Could you defeat a strong opponent in your current condition?"
Silence.
Zoro looked down.
His fists clenched tightly.
He's right.
I can't.
"…Damnit."
Luffy nodded quietly.
Usopp scratched the back of his head.
"Then why don't you wait a few days too?"
Kael shook his head.
"I can't."
"I'm in a hurry."
He gestured toward Tashigi.
The Straw Hats blinked.
Usopp pointed.
"Wait—why are you traveling with a Marine?"
Zoro narrowed his eye.
"I wanted to ask that earlier."
"What's going on?"
Kael sighed lightly.
"It's a long story."
"I'm basically giving her a ride back to Loguetown."
"And I have something important to do there as well."
Tashigi shot him a quick, annoyed glance.
Across the table, the Straw Hats slowly nodded, accepting the explanation without digging deeper.
The conversation gradually faded after that.
Chairs shifted.
People stretched.
The weight of the long day finally began catching up to everyone.
"Guess it's time to rest," Usopp muttered.
With quiet goodnights exchanged, everyone began heading toward their rooms.
Tomorrow would bring another journey.
Farewells:
Morning arrived quietly over the Baratie.
Golden sunlight stretched across the calm sea, reflecting softly against the polished wood of the deck. The chaos of the previous day had completely faded, replaced by the steady rhythm of sailors preparing for another voyage.
Near the harbor side, Kael's crew prepared their ship.
Ropes were checked.
Supplies secured.
Sails loosened, ready to catch the wind.
Earlier that morning, a small but important change had already taken place.
After a brief but intense argument with Zeff, Sanji had finally agreed to leave with Luffy's crew.
The argument had been shorter than expected.
Mostly because of a conversation Sanji had shared with Kael before sunrise.
Kael hadn't said much.
Just a few simple things.
That Luffy's crew might act like idiots.
But they were good people.
And sometimes—
The right path wasn't the comfortable one.
Sanji hadn't answered at the time.
But now, standing on the Baratie's deck with a cigarette in hand—
The decision had already been made.
Nearby, the Sylvarion Pirates finished preparing their ship.
One by one—
Goodbyes began.
Kael approached Usopp first.
Usopp straightened immediately, trying to appear confident as he extended his hand.
"Next time we meet…"
His voice carried determination.
"I'll be stronger."
Kael shook his hand firmly.
"I believe you."
A moment later, Zoro stepped forward.
His expression was serious.
No handshake.
No dramatics.
Just quiet resolve.
"I'm nowhere near you right now."
His voice was steady.
"But one day… I'll challenge you."
"And I'll win."
Kael smiled slightly.
"I have no doubt you'll become far stronger."
Then he added calmly—
"But don't challenge me for a title."
"I told you before."
"I'm not interested in those."
He shrugged lightly.
"But a spar someday?"
"That sounds fine."
Zoro nodded once.
Nothing more needed to be said.
Next, Kael walked toward Sanji.
A dangerous smile formed on his face.
"Stop being a pervert."
"Especially around those three."
Sanji visibly shivered.
He had already been warned once.
But hearing it again—from Kael—
Felt different.
"Y-yeah, yeah… I got it."
Behind them, the three women reacted differently.
Kaya smiled brightly.
Nami crossed her arms, amused.
"Oh?"
Her eyes gleamed slightly.
"So you can get jealous."
Beside her, Tashigi looked down immediately.
Her face flushed red.
Finally, Kael stepped toward Luffy.
The two captains clasped hands.
Both were smiling.
Not formally.
Not politely.
But with a natural understanding—something instinctive.
After a moment, Kael spoke.
"I'll be following your adventures."
"And the chaos you're about to cause."
Luffy grinned widely.
"Yes!!"
"I'm excited to see what you'll do too!"
Kael chuckled.
"You'll see soon."
Then his expression sharpened slightly.
"One last piece of advice."
"Don't rush into every problem."
"You're responsible for your crew too."
For once—
Luffy actually paused to think.
Then he nodded.
"…Okay."
With that—
The farewells were complete.
Kael and his crew boarded their ship.
Moments later, the Sovereign Gale slowly pulled away from the Baratie.
From the deck, Kael and the others gave a final wave as the distance widened.
On the restaurant deck—
Zoro stood silently, eyes filled with determination.
Sanji exhaled smoke and muttered,
"Lucky bastard…"
Usopp wiped his face dramatically, tears streaming.
And Luffy stood at the front—
Grinning widely, waving both arms toward the horizon.
Toward the newest friend he had made at sea.
Forward Winds:
The Sovereign Gale cut smoothly across the morning sea.
Behind them, the Baratie slowly faded into the distance—its tall structure shrinking into the horizon.
Kael stood at the railing for a moment, watching it disappear.
A small smile formed on his lips.
(Luffy was exactly as I imagined.)
Behind him—
Three pairs of eyes rolled almost in perfect sync.
"Of course you knew him already," Nami said dryly.
Kaya giggled softly.
Tashigi adjusted her glasses, pretending not to react.
Kael turned slightly, unfazed.
"Full speed."
His gaze shifted toward Nami.
"Loguetown."
Nami nodded and gave the order.
Moments later, the sails filled with wind, and the ship surged forward toward their next destination.
Time passed.
The sea stretched endlessly in every direction.
On the open deck, Kael had already begun his routine.
Push-ups.
Squats.
Controlled breathing.
Each movement steady. Intentional.
Disciplined.
After finishing a set, he picked up his sword.
He began practicing swings and thrusts.
Each strike—
Sharp.
Precise.
Efficient.
When he finished, he stood still.
Eyes closed.
Senses expanding outward.
Observation training.
Then—
He shifted again.
This time focusing on maintaining Haki along his arms.
The invisible pressure lingered for several seconds—
Before fading as exhaustion set in.
Nearby, Tashigi had been watching the entire time.
Quiet.
Nervous.
After several moments of hesitation, she stepped forward.
"K-K-Kael-san… I…"
Kael opened his eyes.
"Yes, Tashigi. Do you need something?"
She straightened instantly and bowed.
"Please… can you train me!"
Her voice trembled slightly—
But the determination was undeniable.
"Even a little would be enough."
"I just want to get stronger."
Kael studied her expression.
Tashigi continued quickly.
"That attack earlier…"
"I—I wouldn't have survived it."
"But you did."
Kael shook his head.
"Don't treat it like a miracle."
"He wasn't even using half his strength."
"If he had been, I'd be in far worse condition."
Tashigi's eyes widened.
(That wasn't even half…?)
But she shook her head firmly.
"Even so… you endured it."
"And you weren't using your full strength either, right?"
Her grip tightened on her sword.
"Please… teach me."
Kael watched her for a moment longer.
Then—
He nodded.
"Alright."
Tashigi blinked.
"Take out your sword."
She obeyed instantly.
Kael gestured toward the open deck.
"Start with one thousand swings."
"Full power."
For a second—
She simply stared at him.
He agreed…
He really agreed…
Then—
Without wasting another moment, she drew her blade and began.
Swing.
Swing.
Swing.
Steel cut through the air again and again as the Sovereign Gale sailed forward.
Ahead of them—
Loguetown awaited.