Inside the quiet interior of the shop, silence lingered.
It wasn't just the absence of sound—it was the kind of stillness that pressed down on the room, thick with tension.
Behind the counter, Ipponmatsu stood frozen, his gaze locked onto Kael.
Seconds passed.
Then more.
His expression remained caught somewhere between fear, confusion… and disbelief.
Meanwhile, beside Kael, Tashigi stood motionless.
Her eyes were lowered, fixed on the wooden floor beneath her boots.
But her mind—
Her mind was in chaos.
Sandai Kitetsu…?
A Great Grade blade…
Her fingers slowly curled into fists at her sides.
I've spent years stationed in Loguetown…
And I never discovered that two famous swords were hiding here…
A sharp wave of frustration rose within her chest.
How careless…
How could I miss something like this…
For someone who had dedicated years of her life to studying and collecting legendary blades—
The realization stung far more than she expected.
It wasn't just disappointment.
It was failure.
The shopkeeper finally broke the silence.
His voice trembled, though he tried to suppress it.
"N-No."
"I can't give you that cursed blade."
He swallowed hard, forcing himself to meet Kael's gaze.
"Even if you kill me."
Despite the fear etched into his face, he straightened his back slightly.
The effort to appear brave was obvious.
Fragile—but real.
Kael watched him for a moment.
Then—
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
"Relax, old man."
"I'm not here to rob you."
The shopkeeper blinked, caught off guard.
"Huh?"
Kael shrugged, his tone casual.
"I just want to see the sword."
The confusion on the man's face deepened.
"You… just want to see it?"
His eyes narrowed slightly, trying to read Kael's intentions.
"Does that mean…"
Kael nodded.
"I'm not taking it."
That answer clearly wasn't what the shopkeeper had expected.
For a moment, he simply stared.
Then—
His shoulders loosened ever so slightly.
Still, hesitation lingered.
The Sandai Kitetsu wasn't just any sword.
It was infamous.
A blade whispered about in fear.
A weapon said to bring misfortune upon all who dared to wield it.
But after a few seconds of silent deliberation, the man turned.
"I'll bring it."
He disappeared into the back room.
The moment he was gone, Tashigi leaned slightly closer to Kael.
Her voice dropped to a whisper, barely containing her excitement.
"A Great Grade sword…"
"I never thought I'd get to see one here."
There was a faint tremor in her voice—not fear, but pure anticipation.
Kael didn't respond.
He simply smiled faintly.
Moments later, the shopkeeper returned.
In his hands rested a sheathed sword, carefully wrapped in cloth.
He approached slowly.
With deliberate care, he unwrapped it.
Then—
He slid the blade halfway out.
A faint metallic whisper echoed through the shop.
"Be careful."
His voice had changed.
No longer fearful—
But serious.
"That sword is cursed."
Kael crouched slightly and accepted it without hesitation.
"Don't worry."
With a smooth motion, he drew the blade fully.
A sharp, clean sound cut through the air.
The sword was elegant.
Slightly curved.
Its edge shimmered faintly beneath the dim shop lights.
And yet—
There was something about it.
Something subtle.
Unsettling.
Like a presence that didn't belong.
Behind him, Tashigi instinctively stepped closer, leaning just enough to observe over his shoulder.
Her eyes were wide, absorbing every detail.
Every curve.
Every reflection.
For someone like her—
This wasn't just a sword.
It was history.
A legend made tangible.
Her breathing slowed unconsciously, as if afraid to disturb the moment.
Kael rotated the blade slowly in his hand.
Testing.
Weight.
Balance.
Presence.
Not just the physical qualities—
But something deeper.
Several seconds passed in silence.
Then—
He gave a small nod.
"Truly an impressive weapon."
Without hesitation, he returned it.
"Here."
The shopkeeper accepted it carefully, almost instinctively.
His brows lifted slightly.
The pirate had kept his word.
No greed.
No attempt to take it.
Just… observation.
As the blade slid back into its sheath, the shopkeeper found himself studying Kael more closely.
Strange…
He doesn't look anything like the reports describe him…
Meanwhile, Kael reached into his coat.
He pulled out a small pouch and placed it on the counter.
The soft—but heavy—clink of coins echoed in the quiet shop.
The shopkeeper blinked.
"S-Sir…?"
Kael pushed it forward.
"For the swords."
The man immediately shook his head, panic returning.
"No, no!"
"You don't have to pay anything!"
His hands waved nervously.
"I'm just glad you didn't take them by force!"
Kael nudged the pouch closer.
"Take it."
The tone wasn't forceful.
But it wasn't negotiable either.
After a brief hesitation, the shopkeeper picked it up.
He opened it—
And froze.
"S-Sir!"
"This is far too much!"
"I can't possibly—"
Kael cut him off calmly.
"It's for both the Yubashiri and the Sandai Kitetsu."
The shopkeeper blinked.
"…Huh?"
"But you said you weren't buying the cursed blade."
Kael nodded.
"That's correct."
"I'm only taking the Yubashiri."
The confusion deepened further.
"Then why pay for the other one?"
A faint smile appeared on Kael's face.
"In a day or two…"
"A green-haired idiot will come here."
Silence.
Both Tashigi and the shopkeeper stared at him.
"Give this sword to him."
The shopkeeper's expression hardened slightly.
"No."
"I can't give this blade to just anyone."
His tone steadied, firm despite the lingering fear.
"That sword brings misfortune."
Kael chuckled softly.
"Relax."
"You'll know when you see him."
The shopkeeper frowned.
"I find that hard to believe."
Kael shrugged.
"Trust your instincts."
Then—
He turned toward the door.
Tashigi followed, though her thoughts were still tangled in everything she had just witnessed.
Right before stepping out, Kael paused.
Without turning fully, he said—
"You'll feel it yourself."
Then he left.
The bell above the door rang softly as it closed behind them.
Inside the shop, silence returned.
The shopkeeper stood motionless.
The pouch of berries felt unusually heavy in his hand.
Slowly—
His gaze shifted toward the wrapped sword resting on the counter.
The Sandai Kitetsu.
After a long moment, he muttered under his breath—
"…A green-haired idiot, huh?"
He didn't know why.
But for some reason—
He felt it.
A strange certainty.
As if the pirate's words weren't speculation—
But inevitability.
By the time Kael and Tashigi returned to the harbor, the morning sun had risen higher, casting warm light across Loguetown.
The docks were alive with activity.
Sailors shouted across ships. Merchants pushed carts filled with supplies. The salty wind carried the familiar scent of the sea.
Moored near the far end—
Their ship.
The Sovereign Gale.
The vessel stood ready.
Sails secured neatly. Ropes tied tight. Cargo loaded with precision.
On the deck, two figures waited.
Nami and Kaya.
The moment they spotted Kael and Tashigi approaching, Nami crossed her arms.
"Finally back?"
Her tone carried clear annoyance.
Kaya, in contrast, smiled gently.
"You were gone longer than expected," she said softly. "Did you get what you went there for, Kael-san?"
Kael stepped aboard and nodded.
"Of course."
Behind him, Tashigi boarded carefully, her hand resting on the hilt of her newly acquired blade—Yubashiri.
There was a quiet satisfaction in her expression.
Nami's eyes flickered briefly toward the sword before returning to Kael.
"Good."
Then she turned toward the sea.
"So… are we leaving now?"
"Or do you plan to delay things again?"
Kael sighed.
"I already said I'm sorry."
"Hmph."
Nami turned away, unimpressed.
Kaya let out a small, amused laugh.
Kael turned toward Tashigi.
"You sure you don't want to meet him one more time?"
She paused.
Her expression softened slightly.
She didn't need to ask who he meant.
Smoker
Her former superior.
A man she respected deeply.
For a few seconds, she looked toward the harbor in silence.
Then—
She shook her head, a small but genuine smile forming.
"No."
"It's better this way."
Kael studied her briefly.
Then nodded.
"Fair enough."
He turned toward Nami.
"Prepare to depart."
This time, Nami didn't argue.
She simply moved.
"Untie the mooring ropes!"
"Raise the sails!"
The crew acted immediately.
Within moments, the sails of the Sovereign Gale unfurled, catching the wind.
The ship began to move.
Slowly at first—
Then steadily.
Loguetown started drifting away behind them.
At the railing, Tashigi looked back one last time.
That's when she saw him.
Standing near the docks—
Smoker
Arms crossed.
Cigar in hand.
Exactly as always.
He wasn't waving.
Wasn't calling out.
Just watching.
Kael noticed him too.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Tashigi lowered her head in a small, respectful bow.
A quiet goodbye.
Smoker exhaled a cloud of smoke.
You better stay on the right path… Kael Sylvarion.
Or next time we meet…
I won't hesitate.
But Kael's gaze didn't leave the island yet.
It shifted.
Toward the eastern side of the harbor.
There—
Standing atop a quiet rooftop—
Was a cloaked figure.
Still.
Watching.
The wind stirred his cloak slightly.
Kael recognized him instantly.
Monkey D. Dragon
Even from a distance, there was something calm about him.
Something… knowing.
For a brief moment—
Their eyes met.
Across the harbor.
Kael raised his voice slightly.
"We'll meet again soon…"
"Dragon-san."
The wind carried the words.
And they reached him.
Because of Observation Haki.
A faint, knowing smile appeared on Dragon's face.
"We will," he murmured.
"We will, young man."
Finally—
Kael turned away.
Loguetown was already fading into the distance.
The town that marked the end of East Blue.
Ahead—
Endless ocean.
And beyond it—
The Grand Line.
Kael stepped forward.
The wind pressed against his coat as the ship picked up speed.
He crossed his arms and looked ahead.
(Grand Line…)
His eyes sharpened.
(Get ready.)
(Here we come.)
Behind him—
The three women listened.
Nami leaned casually against the railing, a confident smile forming.
Kaya watched the horizon, her eyes filled with quiet excitement.
Tashigi rested her hand gently on Yubashiri.
The three exchanged a glance.
Then—
A silent agreement.
We'll support him.
With everything we have.
The journey ahead would be dangerous.
Unpredictable.
Filled with enemies.
And unknown challenges.
But none of them felt fear.
Only excitement.
The Sovereign Gale cut cleanly through the waves.
Loguetown disappeared beyond the horizon.
And just like that—
Their journey toward the Grand Line had truly begun.
Toward a far greater adventure.