Morning sunlight stretched across the deck of the Sovereign Gale as the ship sailed steadily toward Loguetown.
The sea was calm.
The wind steady.
On the open deck, the sharp sound of steel slicing through air repeated again and again—rhythmic, relentless.
"Three hundred forty-seven."
"Three hundred forty-eight."
"Three hundred forty-nine."
Sweat ran down the side of Tashigi's face, tracing along her jaw before falling to the wooden planks below. Her grip remained firm, her breathing controlled despite the strain building in her muscles.
Each strike was powerful. Controlled. Disciplined.
Her experience as a swordswoman was obvious in every movement.
But repetition—hundreds upon hundreds of swings without pause—was a different kind of trial altogether. One that tested not skill, but endurance, willpower… and focus.
Nearby, Kael observed quietly, his gaze sharp and unwavering.
After a few moments, he stepped closer.
"Your shoulders."
Tashigi paused mid-motion, blade hovering in the air.
"They're tightening," he said calmly. "Relax them, or your swing speed will drop."
He stepped in slightly and lightly tapped her elbow, adjusting the angle with precise control.
"Let the force come from your hips instead. You're overusing your upper body."
Tashigi froze.
Her face immediately turned red.
"I—I know that!"
But despite her protest, she corrected her stance exactly as instructed.
Then resumed swinging.
Faster this time.
Cleaner.
Behind them, Nami and Kaya watched from near the railing.
Both were trying—very hard—not to laugh.
Because every single time he stepped closer to correct something—
Tashigi flinched.
And blushed.
Every. Single. Time.
Nami crossed her arms, barely holding back a grin.
"…She's doing it again."
Kaya covered her mouth, a soft laugh escaping anyway.
"I think she's trying very hard not to."
The training continued.
Steel cut through the air in steady succession as Tashigi pushed through the growing burn in her arms, refusing to slow down.
Time passed.
Eventually, Kaya turned toward the cabin.
Nami noticed immediately.
"Hey, where are you going?"
Kaya smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I'm going to practice for a bit."
Then she added gently,
"I'll see you later."
Without waiting, she disappeared into the cabin.
Inside her room were several neatly packed bags she had brought from home.
Medical books.
Carefully chosen.
Carefully preserved.
A piece of the life she had left behind.
She sat down at the small desk, opening one of the books with quiet focus. Pages filled with detailed notes and diagrams spread before her as she began reviewing them.
At the same time, a faint glow gathered around her fingers.
Careful.
Measured.
She practiced controlling the ability of her Heal-Heal Fruit, guiding its energy with increasing precision. The soft light flickered, then stabilized, responding to her growing control.
Back on deck, Nami remained near the railing.
The sea stretched endlessly ahead, shimmering under the morning sun.
Behind her, the sound of training continued.
Steady.
Relentless.
She lowered her gaze to the wooden planks beneath her feet.
A quiet thought surfaced.
Everyone is improving…
Tashigi is training.
Kaya is practicing her healing.
Her fingers tightened slightly against the railing.
What about me?
Am I just… hiding behind him?
The thought lingered.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
I don't want to always run away while he handles everything alone.
Before it could sink deeper—
A warm hand rested gently on her head.
Nami blinked in surprise.
He stood beside her.
"You don't need to force yourself to change."
His voice was calm. Steady. Certain.
"You will never be a burden to me."
Her eyes widened slightly.
There was no hesitation in his tone. No doubt.
Just truth.
Still, she hesitated.
"But…"
Her voice softened.
"I don't want to keep running away while you deal with everything by yourself."
He smiled faintly.
"For now, just focus on navigation."
Then added,
"If you still want to learn how to fight later, I'll find something suitable for you."
Nami slowly looked up at him.
For a brief moment, she simply stared.
Then she nodded.
"…Okay."
A faint blush spread across her cheeks as she turned back toward the open sea, the earlier heaviness in her chest easing just a little.
Several days passed on the open sea.
Life aboard the Sovereign Gale settled into a steady rhythm.
Mornings began with training. Without fail.
Tashigi completed her thousand swings every day, pushing through exhaustion with sheer determination. Occasionally, Kael would step in—correcting a movement, adjusting her stance, refining her technique little by little.
Kaya spent long hours immersed in medical texts, balancing study with practice as she honed her control over her Devil Fruit.
Nami remained at the helm or near the charts, studying currents, wind patterns, and navigation routes with increasing focus.
The voyage itself remained peaceful.
No storms.
No enemies.
No interruptions.
Just the endless horizon…
…and the quiet sound of waves brushing against the hull.
One morning, Kael glanced toward the helm.
"How far?"
Nami checked the chart briefly, tracing a line with her finger.
"A few hours," she replied. "We should reach Loguetown before noon."
The news lifted the mood instantly.
Breakfast that morning was more lively than usual.
Food was spread across the table as conversation flowed easily between them—speculation, curiosity, small jokes.
A moment later, Tashigi entered.
Sweat still glistened on her face from training. She wiped it away with a cloth before taking a seat, joining the others without hesitation.
Kael glanced at her briefly while continuing to eat.
(She's really dedicated with the training…)
(It's only been a few days, yet she's improved a lot.)
Three women heard the thought clearly.
Tashigi paused for a moment.
Then a faint, almost shy smile appeared before she resumed eating.
Kaya and Nami continued chatting as if nothing had happened. By now, they were used to it—those stray thoughts drifting into their minds without warning.
A few minutes later, Kael finished his meal and stood.
His gaze shifted toward the three women, who were laughing quietly together.
(This is a problem.)
(They've seriously gotten used to her during these past few days…)
(Like a crewmate.)
The laughter at the table stopped instantly.
The realization settled heavily in the air.
When they reached Loguetown…
She would leave.
She was a Marine.
Her place was under Smoker.
She wouldn't sail with them again.
Tashigi's chopsticks froze mid-air.
Her hands slowly clenched.
No…
I'm a Marine.
I can't…
Even if they're good people…
I can't.
Kael walked toward the door without looking back.
One last thought crossed his mind.
(Who am I to judge them…)
(I consider her a crewmate too.)
(Sigh… it's a shame.)
The door closed behind him.
A quiet click.
Tashigi remained frozen in her seat, staring down at the table as something tightened painfully in her chest.
Across from her, Nami and Kaya exchanged a glance.
Then Kaya spoke softly.
"Tashigi… you heard him."
"He wouldn't reject you."
Nami nodded immediately.
"Yes."
"Join us."
She looked up at them.
They had already explained everything days ago—the strange thoughts, the unspoken rule, the connection they now shared.
So she understood.
Completely.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
For a moment…
It looked like she might say yes.
But instead—
"I… I'm sorry."
Her voice shook.
"I can't betray the Marines."
She stood abruptly.
Her eyes were red as she turned away and walked out.
The door closed quietly behind her.
This time… heavier.
The silhouette of a town slowly rose on the horizon.
Tall buildings.
Clustered docks.
And towering above it all—
The execution platform.
Loguetown.
The island where the Pirate King began his journey…
…and where it ended.
The Sovereign Gale glided smoothly into the harbor, cutting through the water with practiced ease before anchoring at one of the docks.
Ropes were secured.
The gangplank dropped.
Moments later, Kael stepped onto solid ground, the others following behind.
He stretched his arms overhead and took a slow breath.
The air was different.
Livelier.
(Finally…)
(The Town of Beginning and Ends.)
Nami and Kaya stepped beside him, both looking around with clear excitement.
The streets were alive.
Merchants shouted from colorful stalls stacked with fruits, spices, and freshly caught fish. Sailors hauled cargo across the docks while Marines patrolled in small groups, their coats fluttering in the sea breeze.
Laughter.
Arguments.
The ringing of distant bells.
All of it blended into a vibrant, chaotic rhythm.
He reached into his coat and pulled out a heavy bag.
Then tossed it casually toward Nami.
"Here."
"Go buy yourselves some clothes… or whatever you girls like."
The bag landed in her hands with a solid clink.
Kaya smiled softly.
Nami opened it slightly—
—and froze.
Her eyes transformed instantly.
Shining.
Sparkling.
The bag was packed with Berries.
"Kael!! You're the best!!"
She jumped forward.
Standing on her tiptoes, she still couldn't quite reach him.
So she grabbed his collar—
Pulled him down—
Peck.
Her lips brushed his cheek.
For a moment…
Time stopped.
Two seconds later—
Reality hit.
Hard.
Nami's face turned completely red.
She immediately pulled back and turned toward Kaya—
Who was staring at her.
Eyes narrowed.
"You…!"
A realization had clearly struck.
Nami kissed him before me.
Panic.
Immediate.
"Shopping time!!"
She grabbed Kaya's hands and bolted down the street at full speed.
Gone within seconds.
Swallowed by the crowd.
Kael stood there, completely still.
Behind him, Tashigi looked like she had just been dropped into boiling water.
Her entire face was red.
Even her ears.
His lips twitched faintly.
(This crazy girl.)
He cleared his throat and glanced at her.
"So…"
"Shall we go handle what we came here for?"
She nodded quickly.
Too quickly.
Then turned and started walking ahead without another word.
He followed behind.
Their path led straight into the Marine district.
The atmosphere changed gradually.
Noise faded.
The lively chaos of the harbor gave way to order and structure.
Merchant stalls disappeared, replaced by uniform buildings marked with the Marine insignia. Patrols passed by at regular intervals, their movements disciplined and alert.
Some Marines nodded at Tashigi in recognition.
But their eyes lingered on Kael.
Cautious.
Watchful.
The deeper they went…
The quieter it became.
Like stepping into a different world entirely.