The Crimson Raiju sliced through the waves under a grey morning sky, wind snapping its blood-red sails. Mist coiled across the deck as Kael leaned against the helm, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon.
Yamato and Smoothie approached from either side, the scent of salt and fire still lingering on them.
"So, Captain," Yamato asked, slinging her kanabō over her shoulder. "Where's our first stop?"
Smoothie added, arms crossed, "And more importantly… what's the name of this little circus we're running?"
Kael opened his mouth to answer, but at that moment the wind shifted.
A sharp, metallic chime echoed across the deck.
[Alert: Potential Hostile Encounter Detected]
[Crew Identified: East Blue Pirate Crew – "Sir Carnus the Collector"]
[Bounty: 32,000,000 Beli]
[Threat Level: Moderate | Targets: Female Combatants]
A grotesque warship emerged from the fog, built like a floating iron maw. Chains rattled from its sides like teeth. On its splintered deck stood a towering man with slicked-back hair, oil-slick skin, and a cracked monocle. His coat fluttered in the wind, revealing belts of tools, shackles, and weapons.
Sir Carnus grinned like a butcher eyeing meat. "Well, well," he purred. "An exotic Oni and a Sweet Commander? Rare catches. Big Mom and Kaido want their daughters back. I'll sell you both or maybe keep you for myself."
Smoothie's eyes narrowed. "You can try."
Kael stepped forward, stormlight dancing across his shoulders.
"You can fight," he said coldly, "or you can kneel."
Carnus sneered. "I don't kneel."
[Hebi Hebi no Mi – Kuraokami Hybrid Form: Engaged]
Kael's form shifted—silver-blue scales racing over his skin, mist hissing from his pores. Storm wings unfurled behind him.
"Thunder Pulse."
A shriek of compressed lightning burst from his palm, obliterating the enemy mast in a blaze of searing light.
Carnus staggered back, raising his hand.
"Kachi Kachi no Mi – Chain Bind."
With a snap of his fingers, chains erupted from the deck, thick and rusted, wrapping around Smoothie and Yamato in an instant. The chains began tightening, draining their energy with each constricting coil.
"You'll make fine prizes," Carnus sneered. "My chains don't just restrain—they bind the soul."
Yamato roared, slamming her kanabō down, but the chains shifted, avoiding her strikes and squeezing tighter around Smoothie.
Kael's voice dropped, cold as ice. "That's not going to stop us."
He lunged forward, and the silver mist swirled around him.
"Thunder Pulse!"
The lightning tore through the chains, sizzling and disintegrating them in a flash of blue fire. Carnus staggered back, his chains sparking from the electric blast.
Carnus grimaced. "You're no ordinary pirate. But you still can't escape my chains!"
With a roar, more chains erupted from the ground, lashing out to entangle Kael's limbs. They pulled him down to the deck, the weight of them trying to sap his strength.
Yamato grinned, undeterred.
"Raimei Hakke!"
She hurled herself into the air, swinging her kanabō with tremendous force. The ship's bow splintered under the attack, sending Carnus's men flying into the sea.
Smoothie's blade flashed as she drew moisture from the air, preparing for the final strike.
"Let's drown the rest."
She unleashed a crashing wave of pressure, her blade cleaving the remaining chains like they were paper. The ship's deck shattered beneath the onslaught, and the remaining pirates were sent spiraling into the waves.
Within moments, the Trophy Maw, Carnus's grotesque warship, was reduced to wreckage, floating like driftwood.
Kael landed lightly on the wreckage, lifting a soaked and wheezing Carnus by the collar.
"You thought," he growled, "anyone on my crew could be taken?"
Carnus coughed blood, gasping. "You're just a name waiting to die. Your family will suffer for your hubris."
Kael's eyes glinted, cold as the sea.
"They never beat my adoptive grandfather," he said, his tone unyielding. "Even in their prime."
Then, with a final flick of his wrist, he hurled Carnus into the depths.
"Let the storm swallow you."
[Devil Fruit Acquired — Initiating Protocol…]
→ Select Action:
• Use Now
• Store for Later
• Convert to Points
Kael chose to store it, saving it for the right warrior.
They looted the ship of weapons, maps, and Carnus's custom bounty ledgers. As the Crimson Raiju set sail again, Yamato wiped blood from her cheek.
"Guess we're enemies of two Emperors now."
Kael chuckled. "Guess so there is no turning back now."
He turned toward the figurehead.
"I name this crew... The Thundering Dawn."
[Achievement Unlocked: Name Your Crew]
[Reward Gained: One Rare treasure map | Title Bestowed: Court Sovereign]
Smoothie grinned, twirling her blade. "Well, Thundering Dawn, how about we stop at the Baratie for dinner?"
She arched a brow. "Mama used to say that Zeff was one of the only chefs worth stealing from."
Kael nodded. "Luffy got his damn cook from that place. And knowing him… he's still racking up the tab."
Baratie – Floating Restaurant
The scent of spice, garlic, and salt hit them as they docked. Inside, laughter echoed and chefs shouted orders.
Zeff turned, one good eye widening as he spotted Kael.
"Well, I'll be damned. Another D. with a storm in his wake."
Kael smirked. "I need food and wine for my crew. And I'll leave enough to cover my brother's bill."
Zeff barked a gale-force laugh. "Damn right you will. That kid never paid a single beri."
He eyed Yamato and Smoothie.
"All of Garp's grandkids are just as bad as him."
Kael only smiled.
That Evening – Aboard the Crimson Raiju
Rain pattered gently on the deck, mist curling in the lamplight. In the captain's quarters, Yamato sat across from Kael, hair damp and loose, a towel around her shoulders.
"You didn't have to do that for me," she muttered.
Kael didn't look up. "I didn't."
She frowned.
"I did it for us," he said. "You believed in me before I had a ship. That matters."
Yamato flushed slightly. "You just said that 'cause I'm strong."
"No," Kael said, voice like distant thunder. "Because you're purpose."
His eyes met hers.
"I'm not here for thrones. I'm here to build something unbreakable. A family, no navy, no emperor, no god can tear apart."
Her throat tightened.
"You're different from other pirates."
"Good," he said quietly. "I plan to be."
The door slammed open.
"Ugh," Smoothie groaned, biting into a pear. "Am I interrupting a feelings circle?"
Yamato leapt up. "You want to settle this, wringer woman?!"
"Anytime, club girl."
Kael sighed, grinning behind his sake jug. [New Task Added: Bond of Rivals]
The Next Morning – Open Sea
Kael scanned a bounty flyer just dropped from the news gull. Yamato leaned in beside him.
"Proud of him?"
Kael's eyes lingered on the mist beyond.
"I'm proud of the man he's becoming."
[New Major Task Unlocked]
Task: The First Court
Objective: Recruit One Summon, One Legendary Blacksmith Spirit, and Establish a Port Base.
Reward: Ship Upgrade Tier II, hidden training manual, Rare Weapon Token
Kael let out a low whistle. "Looks like the world's finally spinning in our direction."
Smoothie appeared beside him. "Then let's burn our name into it."
Yamato leaned on her kanabō. "Yeah. And don't think you're stronger than me yet, smoothie stick."
"I don't need to be," Smoothie said smugly. "I'm already prettier."
Lightning snapped between them.
Kael took the wheel, eyes glowing with stormlight.
"Next stop: Loguetown. After that, an abandoned vault rumored to hide a Devil Fruit so rare the World Government erased its name."
Smoothie arched a brow. "Now you're speaking my language."
"I'll race you to it," Yamato grinned.
"Like hell you will."
The Crimson Raiju surged through the mist like a blade through silk.
Kael's voice rang across the sea like a war song.
"Let's carve our legend."