The Sovereign Gale cut smoothly through the morning sea.
The vast ocean stretched endlessly in every direction, shimmering under the soft golden light of the rising sun. Gentle waves lapped against the hull in a steady rhythm, almost as if the sea itself was breathing.
Wind filled the sails, causing them to billow proudly as the ship glided forward with effortless grace across the calm waters of East Blue's final stretch.
The sky above was clear—an endless blue canvas dotted with scattered clouds drifting lazily, as though even the heavens had decided to grant them a peaceful farewell before the chaos that awaited ahead.
A quiet calm settled over the deck.
Standing near the railing at the front, Kael watched the horizon in silence.
The ocean wind tugged lightly at his coat, causing its edges to flutter behind him. Strands of his hair shifted with the breeze, but his posture remained steady—unmoving, almost statue-like.
For a while, he simply stood there.
Calm.
Thoughtful.
Observing.
Then his gaze lowered slightly, his sharp eyes losing focus on the horizon as his thoughts turned inward.
(As expected…)
(Claiming Yubashiri didn't trigger any reward.)
His expression didn't change, but there was a faint shift in his eyes—an acknowledgment, not disappointment.
(It wasn't Zoro's main sword in the original timeline anyway.)
(And it eventually broke during Enies Lobby.)
A quiet sigh escaped his lips, barely audible beneath the whisper of the wind.
There was no frustration in it.
Only acceptance.
Then, without moving from his spot, he spoke calmly in his mind.
(System.)
A familiar mechanical voice responded immediately, crisp and emotionless as ever.
[Yes, Host.]
(Show me the storage space.)
A transparent screen appeared in his vision, hovering faintly before his eyes without obstructing his view of the sea.
[Storage:]
[Water Breathing Technique.]
[Skill: Stormborn.]
[1× Observation Haki Fruit.]
Kael scanned the list briefly, his gaze moving across each item with measured calm.
Then he gave a small nod.
(Good.)
The interface vanished instantly as he dismissed it. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, allowing the sea breeze to wash over him, grounding his thoughts.
Footsteps approached from behind.
Light.
Familiar.
When he opened his eyes again, Nami had already reached his side.
Her expression was serious—far more serious than usual.
In her hands was a rolled map, gripped tightly as if it carried something important… something urgent.
"Kael," she said firmly. "Look at this."
He turned his attention toward her, his calm demeanor unchanged.
"What happened, Nami?"
Without answering immediately, she unfolded the map with quick, precise movements and pointed at a specific location.
Kael leaned slightly closer, his eyes following her finger.
His gaze settled on the drawn landmark.
Then he looked back at her.
"Yes… and?"
For a moment, Nami simply stared at him.
Her lips twitched.
Her brows furrowed.
Then—
her face tightened in visible frustration.
"WHY ARE YOU SO CALM ABOUT IT?!"
Her voice exploded across the deck, loud enough to startle even the seagulls flying nearby.
"DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS PLACE IS?!"
Kael blinked once.
Just once.
Still calm.
Nami jabbed her finger at the map again, nearly crumpling the paper in the process.
"This is Reverse Mountain!"
"Every ship that wants to enter the Grand Line has to pass through this place!"
The commotion quickly drew attention.
The cabin door creaked open as Kaya stepped out, a medical book still in her hands, her expression shifting from curiosity to concern.
At the same time, Tashigi paused her training near the mast. She lowered her sword, wiping a bit of sweat from her brow before walking over.
"What's going on?" Tashigi asked, glancing between them.
But Nami didn't respond.
Her focus remained entirely on Kael.
"Ships get destroyed trying to cross that mountain!"
Her voice carried both urgency and fear now.
"Currents flowing up a mountain, massive waves, unpredictable winds—"
"Most ships never even make it across!"
"And the few that do barely survive the crossing!"
Her grip on the map tightened.
Her voice lowered slightly, almost as if she was admitting something she didn't want to.
"It's almost impossible…"
Kael listened patiently, not interrupting her even once.
Then, after a brief pause, he shook his head slightly and placed a hand gently on top of her head.
"Calm down, Nami."
She stiffened.
The sudden warmth of his hand caught her off guard.
For a split second, her thoughts blanked out—but the worry in her chest still lingered.
"But many ships get completely destroyed before even crossing the mountain!"
"And even if they somehow succeed, their ships are usually too damaged to continue!"
"It's impossi—"
Kael smiled faintly.
"Impossible?"
He tilted his head slightly, his tone almost curious.
"Who decided that?"
Just then—
A familiar voice echoed in his mind.
[Got the reference?]
Kael blinked.
His expression shifted ever so slightly.
(…What's that supposed to mean?)
There was a brief pause before the system responded again, almost dismissively—
[Ignore it.]
[That question wasn't for you anyway.]
Kael frowned.
(Huh?)
(Then who are you talking to?)
[…]
No response.
Only silence.
Then—
[Focus, Host.]
The connection cut off as if nothing had happened.
Kael's brows furrowed slightly.
(…Weird bastard.)
Meanwhile—
Nami had already frozen mid-sentence.
Her thoughts completely derailed by his words.
Her words died in her throat.
Confusion flickered across her face.
Kael's gaze remained steady—calm, confident, unwavering.
"It might be impossible for others," he continued.
"But for us?"
A faint sharpness entered his eyes.
"For the Sylvarion Pirates…"
He folded his arms.
"Nothing is impossible."
Silence fell.
Not an empty silence—but one filled with something heavier.
Tashigi blinked, momentarily stunned.
Kaya's expression brightened almost instantly, admiration shining in her eyes.
Nami stood there, still processing his words.
Before she could respond—
Kael added casually,
"And don't forget."
He glanced at her.
"We have the best navigator in the world."
For a moment—
time seemed to stop.
No one spoke.
Then Kaya smiled widely.
Tashigi gave a firm nod, fully agreeing.
Nami's eyes widened.
"You…"
Her voice softened.
A faint blush spread across her cheeks as she lowered her gaze, suddenly unable to meet his eyes.
Then—
she clenched her fists.
"Alright!"
She raised her head again, determination blazing in her eyes.
"If you believe in me that much…"
"Then I'll definitely succeed!"
But that confidence didn't last long.
Her expression dimmed slightly.
"But…"
Her voice lowered, laced with concern.
"Even if we successfully cross Reverse Mountain…"
"The Sovereign Gale will still be damaged."
Silence returned.
Heavier this time.
Kael frowned slightly.
(That is actually worrisome.)
The thought slipped out unconsciously.
Nami, Kaya, and Tashigi all heard it.
And their expressions fell.
Because for them—
the Sovereign Gale wasn't just a ship.
It was their home.
Their companion.
The very thing carrying their dreams forward.
The idea of it being heavily damaged…
hurt.
Kael remained quiet.
But this time, his thoughts stayed locked within his mind.
(One of the biggest reasons the Going Merry began falling apart was the damage it received during the Reverse Mountain crossing.)
(It was repaired afterward, but that was only a temporary fix.)
(And the Knock-Up Stream later made things worse.)
His eyes drifted briefly toward the deck beneath his feet.
The wood.
The structure.
The ship that carried everything they had.
(Unlike the Straw Hats in the original timeline…)
(I'm not planning to replace my ship.)
(The Sovereign Gale will always be my ship.)
(Which means it can't afford to suffer irreparable damage this early.)
He paused.
Then—
a faint smile appeared.
(But fortunately…)
His gaze lifted.
Nami stood a few steps away, shoulders slightly slumped.
"I'm sorry…"
She muttered.
"I'm usele—"
A finger pressed gently against her lips.
"Shh."
Nami froze completely.
Kael's voice was calm—but firm.
"Never."
His eyes softened.
"You will never be useless to me."
"…or to us."
Tashigi stepped forward immediately.
"Yes, Nami. You're our navigator."
Kaya nodded warmly.
"And the best one we could ask for."
Nami looked at them.
Her vision blurred.
Her eyes began to water.
"You guys…"
Her voice trembled.
"Why do you trust me so much…?"
Kael answered without hesitation.
"You should trust yourself more."
Then he added casually—
"And as for the damage problem…"
"Don't worry about it too much."
"I have a solution."
The three women blinked.
In perfect sync.
Nami's head snapped up.
"WHAT?!"
"You have a solution?!"
Tashigi stepped closer, curiosity filling her eyes.
"What is it, Kael-san?"
Kaya simply smiled, completely unsurprised.
"As expected of Kael-san."
Kael chuckled lightly.
But instead of answering—
he spoke in his mind again.
(System.)
[Yes, Host.]
[If you are thinking to give Nami the Stormborn Skill…]
There was no delay.
[Yes.]
[Nami possesses the highest possible compatibility with the Stormborn skill.]
Kael blinked.
(Huh? How do you even know that's what I was thinking?)
[Our consciousness is connected, remember?]
He paused.
(I didn't realize you could see my exact thoughts.)
[Only the appropriate ones.]
Kael frowned.
(What does that even mean?)
A brief pause.
[You are a man, after all.]
His brows twitched.
(…What does that have to do with anything?)
Ignoring that, he focused back on reality.
A grin appeared on his face.
"Yes."
"I have a skill that can enhance your navigation ability even further."
Nami leaned forward instantly.
"What?!"
Kael continued—
"Once you obtain it, you won't just become one of the greatest navigators in the world."
His gaze sharpened.
"You'll also gain enough power to fight alongside me."
"Just like you always wanted."
All three froze.
Nami's eyes sparkled like stars.
"You're serious?!"
"You have a skill like that—and you can give it to me?!"
Tashigi looked completely confused.
"But how is that possible?"
"Giving a skill to someone else…?"
"Is it a Devil Fruit ability?"
"But Kael-san isn't a Devil Fruit user…"
Kaya just smiled.
"Kael-san, you're becoming more impressive every day."
Before Kael could respond—
Nami suddenly lunged forward.
"KAEL!"
She wrapped around him like a panda clinging to a tree.
"Quick! Give me the skill already!"
Kael staggered slightly.
"Alright— alright!"
"Get off me first!"
But Nami refused.
Clinging tighter.
Like a koala.
Finally freeing one arm, Kael spoke again mentally—
(System. Since the skill isn't a physical object… how do I give it to her?)
The system paused.
[…]
Kael frowned.
(Why aren't you answering? Another update?)
[No, Host. I am still here.]
(Good. Then tell me what I need to do.)
[It is actually very simple.]
(Then say it already.)
[The transfer process takes less than two minutes.]
(And?)
Another pause.
Then—
[There is only one condition.]
Kael narrowed his eyes.
(What condition?)
The answer came calmly.
[You must kiss her.]
For several seconds—
Kael's brain stopped.
Completely.
Then—
"WHATTT?!"
His shout exploded across the deck.
Nami, Tashigi, and Kaya all jumped.
"What happened?!" Nami asked.
Tashigi frowned.
"Kael-san, are you alright?"
Kaya rushed forward.
"Wait, let me check—"
Kael raised both hands quickly.
"I-It's nothing!"
He forced a smile.
"Just… surprised about something."
They looked unconvinced.
But stepped back.
Meanwhile—
inside his mind—
(WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY, YOU BASTARD?!)
(What kind of ridiculous condition is that?!)
The system replied calmly.
[Host, it is not my fault.]
[The condition was set by the Auth—]
(DAMN YOU!)
(DAMN YOUR AUTHOR!!)