For several long seconds, neither of them spoke.
The wind moved softly through the branches above, rustling leaves in a quiet rhythm. From afar, the distant noise of Loguetown's harbor drifted in—waves brushing against docks, sailors calling out, the faint creak of anchored ships.
The world continued as normal.
But beneath this tree—
Something far more significant was unfolding.
The tall man finally broke the silence.
His voice was calm. Measured. Controlled.
"How did you know I was here… Kael-kun?"
Kael raised an eyebrow slightly.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
(Oh?)
(He's not asking how I know who he is… but how I sensed him.)
(Straight to the real question. No hesitation. No wasted words.)
(As expected of Dragon.)
(…And what's with this 'Kael-kun'? Seriously…)
Kael shrugged casually, as if the question meant little.
"What do you think, Dragon-san?"
Dragon's eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
A silent pressure seemed to build in the air.
It can't be Observation Haki.
If he possessed it, I would have sensed it immediately…
Before the thought could fully settle—
Kael spoke.
"I have Observation Haki."
Dragon's eyes widened.
"…What?"
For the first time since their meeting began—
Clear, undisguised surprise appeared on the face of Monkey D. Dragon.
"How is that possible?"
Kael simply closed his eyes for a brief moment, as if confirming something internally.
(Just as I thought.)
(Someone like Dragon—or even Mihawk—should easily detect another user's haki.)
(Yet Mihawk only confirmed my Armament after I used it in front of him.)
(Observation is different… I had already used it near him at sea.)
(But Dragon… he sensed nothing.)
(Which means—)
(The system's haki has no detectable presence.)
(To others… it doesn't exist.)
Kael opened his eyes again.
Seeing the confusion still lingering in Dragon's expression, he gave a small, relaxed smile.
"It's only mid-level Observation Haki."
"I sensed your… rather monstrous presence the moment you started following me toward Smoker's office."
Dragon frowned.
"Mid-level…?"
His thoughts churned rapidly.
Impossible.
I couldn't sense mid-stage haki… from someone standing right in front of me?
Kael sighed lightly, almost amused.
"Don't overthink it, Dragon-san."
"My haki is… a little special."
"That's why you couldn't sense it."
Dragon remained silent for a moment.
Then, slowly—
"…Alright."
He accepted it.
For now.
But his gaze sharpened again almost immediately.
"But now I have a question."
Kael tilted his head slightly.
"Go ahead."
Dragon spoke calmly, yet there was weight behind every word.
"Why did you assume I was following you?"
Kael studied him for a second.
Then answered without hesitation.
"You sensed something from me."
"Something similar to your own power."
Dragon's eyes flickered.
Surprise. Recognition.
Kael sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.
"I should've guessed."
(Damn this system…)
(You can give me undetectable haki, but not something simple like Wind Breathing?)
(Because of this weird aura, I've already attracted two monsters.)
(Who knows how many more are coming…)
Dragon's gaze grew sharper.
"…You know about my power?"
Kael smiled casually.
"Just a lucky guess."
But internally—
(Storms. Wind. Lightning. Every time he appears.)
(You don't need to be a genius to connect the dots.)
Dragon stared at him for a few seconds longer.
Then he shook his head slightly.
"Lucky guess… huh."
His expression shifted.
More serious now.
"The conversation you had earlier—with Smoker and Kuzan."
"Were you serious?"
Kael met his gaze directly.
Without even a flicker of hesitation.
"Yes."
Dragon's eyes sharpened further.
"Even if it means making every faction in this world your enemy?"
Kael didn't pause.
Didn't hesitate.
Didn't rethink.
"Yes."
Silence.
The wind passed between them once more.
Then—
A proud smile slowly formed on Dragon's face.
"Truly… impressive."
He lowered his hood.
The wind brushed against his dark hair, revealing his face fully—the sharp features, the calm authority, and the distinctive red marking along the side.
A man who stood at the very top of the world's most dangerous force.
Dragon extended his hand.
"Kael Sylvarion."
"Join the Revolutionary Army."
"A man willing to challenge injustice like you belongs with us."
"I'll appoint you directly as one of our commanders."
The offer was absurd.
Not just generous—
Unprecedented.
Kael looked at the outstretched hand.
Then at Dragon.
Seconds passed.
Then he smiled.
"I'm honored by the offer."
"But I'll have to refuse."
Dragon's eyebrow lifted slightly.
"I have my own crew."
"And they have dreams."
Kael's tone remained calm, but firm.
"I intend to see those dreams fulfilled."
Dragon slowly lowered his hand.
"I see."
"A shame."
Kael shook his head and extended his own hand instead.
"But we can still be allies."
Dragon frowned slightly.
"What do you—"
"You strike the World Government from the shadows."
"I'll strike them openly."
Kael's eyes sharpened.
"You break their foundations."
"I destroy their image."
The words hung in the air.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Visionary.
Dragon stared at him.
Then—
He laughed quietly.
"…You've given me quite a few surprises today, Kael-kun."
He grasped Kael's hand firmly.
"I look forward to seeing how far you go."
Kael nodded once.
"You will."
Then—
His expression changed.
The air shifted.
A faint killing intent leaked out—subtle, but unmistakable.
Dragon noticed immediately.
But he didn't move.
Didn't react.
Didn't retreat.
Kael spoke quietly.
"I don't care which faction someone belongs to."
"If they're trash… I'll dispose of them."
His gaze locked onto Dragon's.
"That includes the Revolutionary Army."
Silence.
Then—
Dragon smiled.
Not offended.
Not angered.
But… proud.
"I would expect nothing less."
"I'll make sure the Revolutionary Army never produces such people."
"You have my word."
The killing intent vanished.
Just like that.
Kael's calm demeanor returned.
"To be honest…"
"I don't have much hostility toward your army."
"You're fighting for the right reasons."
"And I believe that."
Dragon's smile softened slightly.
"I'm honored to hear that."
Kael gave a small nod and turned, preparing to leave.
But just as he took a step—
"Uh… Kael-kun."
Dragon's voice stopped him.
This time—
There was hesitation in it.
Kael turned back, eyebrow raised.
"Sure. Go ahead."
Dragon cleared his throat lightly.
A rare hint of awkwardness flickered across his otherwise composed face.
"…I have a small request."
Kael crossed his arms, intrigued.
"A request from the leader of the Revolutionary Army?"
"That sounds serious."
Dragon shook his head.
"It's nothing like that."
He paused briefly.
Then continued.
"There's a pirate from East Blue. Like you."
"He wears a straw hat… acts like an idiot most of the time… and causes trouble wherever he goes."
Despite the words—
There was unmistakable warmth in his voice.
"But he's a good boy."
Dragon looked directly at Kael.
"So if you ever meet him… and he annoys you…"
"I hope you won't harm him. For my sake."
He added quietly—
"He would never hurt innocent people."
Before he could finish—
Kael chuckled.
"You're talking about your son, right?"
Dragon froze.
Kael waved his hand casually.
"Don't worry."
"I could never harm Luffy."
A faint grin appeared.
"He's my friend, after all."
Dragon stared at him.
"And besides," Kael added with amusement, "I already know that idiot is a good person."
He turned and began walking away.
"Well then… see you around."
He raised a hand lazily, waving without looking back.
Dragon remained under the tree.
Still.
Silent.
Seconds passed before he finally reacted.
He's Luffy's friend…
His brows slowly furrowed.
More importantly…
He knows I'm Luffy's father?
Dragon lowered his head slightly.
Then—
A quiet laugh escaped him.
A faint smile formed as he pulled his hood back up.
"You've given me yet another surprise today, Kael-kun."
The wind stirred once more.
And far beyond the horizon—
Dark clouds began gathering over the sea.
Inside the Marine Office
The room felt… heavier than before.
Smoker sat behind his desk, cigar burning slowly between his fingers. Smoke curled upward in lazy spirals, filling the silence.
Across from him stood Tashigi.
Her posture was stiff.
Her breathing uneven.
A thin layer of sweat had formed along her temples.
Finally—
Smoker spoke.
"I'll give you one chance."
His voice was low.
Serious.
"Explain what the hell is wrong with you."
Tashigi flinched.
"W-What… are you talking about, Smoker-san?"
She forced a weak smile.
"I'm completely fine."
"DON'T."
The sudden shout froze her in place.
Smoker leaned forward slightly.
Eyes narrowing.
"Don't play dumb with me, Tashigi."
His tone hardened.
"Your expression during that entire conversation."
"The way you looked at him."
"Pride. Respect."
"And something else… admiration."
Tashigi's lips trembled.
"You kept calling him Kael-san."
"Your confidence has changed."
"That usual clumsiness of yours?"
"Gone."
Smoker tapped ash from his cigar.
"And your strength has improved."
His gaze sharpened further.
"All of this… in a few days."
His voice dropped.
Cold.
"What did he do to you?"
Tashigi shook her head quickly.
"N-Nothing!"
"Kael-san is just a good person!"
She clenched her hands.
"I respect his strength… and his ideals!"
"He trained me—but he never crossed a line."
"Even after learning I came to investigate him… he and his crew still treated me with kindness."
Her voice softened.
"With respect."
"With trust."
"And… with care."
She stopped.
Because Smoker had raised his hand.
Then he asked quietly—
"Then tell me something, Tashigi."
His eyes locked onto hers.
"Why do I feel like you trust him more than you trust me?"
She froze.
Completely.
Those words—
Hit deeper than anything else.
Suddenly—
SLAM!
Smoker's fist crashed against the desk.
"Did that bastard corrupt you?!"
His voice thundered.
"You met him a few days ago and now you're praising him like some crazed fan!"
He stood abruptly.
"Fine."
"Let's call him back."
"That bastard has a lot to explain."
Tears welled in Tashigi's eyes.
"It's not Kael-san's fault!"
Her voice cracked.
"I don't even understand what's happening to me…!"
She wiped her tears helplessly.
"But he really is a good person!"
"He never tried to manipulate me!"
Silence.
Smoker stared at her.
Then—
A long exhale.
Smoke drifted slowly from his lips.
"…Go."
Tashigi blinked.
"Huh?"
"I won't repeat myself."
"Go."
"Follow the person you trust the most."
Her eyes widened.
"N-No! Captain Smoker, I—"
"Remember what Kuzan said?"
His tone was calmer now.
"If you believe something will help you pursue your justice… do it."
He glanced at her briefly.
"Your heart wants to follow him."
Tashigi shook her head desperately.
"I can't join a pirate crew!"
"Even if it's his!"
"I can't betray the Marines!"
Smoker shrugged.
"I'm betraying them too."
She fell silent.
"At least you won't be doing it in the shadows like me."
He turned toward the window.
"Go, Tashigi."
"You'll be labeled a traitor."
"There'll be a bounty on your head."
"But I'll delay that report as long as I can."
His voice softened.
"Just… follow what you believe in."
Tears streamed down her face.
Slowly—
She removed her Marine coat.
Hung it carefully.
Then turned.
And bowed deeply.
"I will never forget everything you've done for me, Smoker-san!"
Smoker waved irritably.
"Stop yelling."
"Just go."
She took one last look at him.
Then left.
The door closed softly.
Silence returned.
Smoker stood alone.
Staring out at the harbor.
"…Kael."
His grip tightened around the cigar.
"If anything happens to her…"
"I'll skin you alive."
Meanwhile — Loguetown Marketplace
Kael suddenly stopped mid-step.
A cold shiver ran down his spine.
Sweat formed on his forehead.
"…Why do I feel the same danger I felt from Genzo earlier?"
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Dammit…"
"What did I do now?"
Around him—
The market buzzed with life.
Completely unaware—
Of the storm quietly forming around one man.