Open Sea – New World
A storm prowled across the Grand Line, its black belly rumbling like an ancient beast roused from slumber. Forked lightning clawed at the horizon, illuminating a jagged silhouette — Moonfang Isle, barely visible through the rain-mist.
Kael D. Raen's gaze, however, was locked on the real threat: the Marine fleet cutting across the waves ahead.
On the deck of the flagship Vulture's Maw, Vice Admiral Calhoun — the Bone-Eater — stood like a monument to cruelty, his grin split across a scar-pitted face. Behind him, cages lined the decks, bodies slumped in defeat: men, women, children… shackled and starved.
One captive, however, refused to bow.
A green-haired woman clutched the bars of her cage, chin high despite the blood drying on her skin.
Makino.
The woman who had once raised four sons of the sea — Ace, Sabo, Luffy… and Kael.
⸻
[Primary Task Generated]
Objective: Rescue Makino and free the captives aboard Vice Admiral Calhoun's fleet.
Rewards:
• New Crewmate: Makino
• Rare Metal Cache (Ship Upgrades)
• Weapon Blueprint: Stormfang (Mythical-Grade Customizable Blade)
• +250,000,000 Beli Bounty Increase
• ???
Failure: Makino's Death. Disappointment from brothers. -50,000,000 Beli Bounty Decrease. Loss of potential new crew members.
⸻
Wind tore at Kael's crimson-streaked black hair, his eyes gleaming storm-bright.
"They took one of my mothers."
The air warped as a flicker of raw, untamed Conqueror's Haki pulsed from him. The storm itself seemed to answer.
"I'll handle this."
Yamato grinned, kanabō slung casually over her shoulder.
"Leave a few standing for me."
Smoothie smirked.
"Bring me back a souvenir, Oni."
Mihawk's golden gaze was unreadable.
Kael didn't bother replying — he simply stepped into the storm and vanished.
⸻
Aboard the Vulture's Maw
Calhoun had only enough time to turn before the heavens split open.
A crimson bolt of lightning slammed into the flagship's deck, exploding in a shockwave of wood splinters and rain. Screams tore through the chaos.
Kael stood in the smoking crater like a storm-wreathed god, his voice low and lethal.
"You touched my family."
The Vice Admiral sneered, hefting his serrated glaive.
"Another cursed half-breed. You'll die the same as the rest."
Kael's Haki detonated outward — a savage, suffocating wave that dropped half the Marines instantly. Chains rattled, and the captives dared to hope.
From the shadows of her cage, Makino's eyes widened as the boy she'd once cradled dismantled a fleet singlehandedly.
Kael's hybrid form tore into the ship — a single swipe splintered a gunboat, a brutal cleave severed a mast. Calhoun charged, their weapons clashing in a storm's roar.
But Kael wasn't a child anymore.
A second wave of Haki ripped the air apart, staggering Calhoun long enough for Kael's storm-lit blade to slip past his guard.
One strike.
One final roar of thunder.
The Vice Admiral's broken body tumbled into the roiling sea.
Silence fell, broken only by the rain.
"Open them. Now."
The remaining Marines obeyed without hesitation. Chains fell. Slaves wept.
Makino stepped forward — bloodied, bruised, but still Makino.
"You… grew up."
Kael's voice was low, dangerous with emotion.
"I promised Ace. I promised Luffy. No one would ever harm you or Dadan again."
They embraced. For a heartbeat, the storm stilled.
⸻
[Task Complete]
• New Crewmate: Makino
• Rare Metal Cache Acquired
• Weapon Blueprint: Stormfang (Legendary Weapon – Customizable)
• +250,000,000 Beli Bounty Increase
• Conqueror's Haki: Dormant Potential Awakened
⸻
The Devil Fruit Discovery
The captain's quarters were half-collapsed, but a crimson-lined safe lay buried beneath the wreckage.
[System Notification: Devil Fruit Signature Detected]
Kael forced it open, revealing a Devil Fruit unlike any he'd seen — deep silver-black with storm-striped veins.
[Item Acquired: Neko Neko no Mi, Model: Raijintora]
• Mythical Zoan
• Abilities: Lightning Pounce, Storm Surge Claws, Conqueror's Roar, Raijin Hybrid Form
Kael's jaw tightened.
"You Celestial bastard."
Before he could dwell on it, Smoothie and Mihawk arrived.
Smoothie's eyes glimmered.
"Another Mythical Zoan? He keeps finding them."
Mihawk's tone was silk over steel.
"I'll be claiming that one, my dear beloved."
Kael sighed.
"Fight for it. Winner takes all. No killing."
⸻
[New Task Generated: Smoothie vs Mihawk]
Reward: Raijintora Fruit
Bonus: Title Upgrade – Stormblade Commander
⸻
Moonfang Arena: Three Flames Collide
While Kael tore through the fleet, the women fought like storms of their own.
Yamato snarled in her Fenrir hybrid form, lightning crackling around her.
"He's my storm to chase, damn it!"
Smoothie's Paramecia awakened, her blade rippling with elemental fury.
"Captain's mine. Get in line, princess."
Mihawk smirked.
"Claim him if you can."
The Raijintora fruit gleamed in the center of the arena, daring them.
Kael returned, bloodied but unbowed.
"One of you take it. Winner gets a date, too."
Three women, three storms — the clash was cataclysmic.
⸻
Aftermath – Mihawk's Victory
Hours later, Mihawk stood over the battlefield, battered but victorious. She retrieved the Raijintora fruit, turning to Kael.
"Mine."
The transponder snail on her belt buzzed. She clicked it open.
"Mama," came Shakky's voice, warm but edged with knowing. "Rayleigh's smirking. Says he saw your little duel in the paper."
Mihawk's lips curved faintly. "Of course he did."
Shakky paused — the kind of pause only a mother can make.
"You only fight like that for something worth bleeding for. And your father and I have noticed you're smiling more these days."
Mihawk's eyes slid to Kael. "Don't read into it."
"Oh, love, reading into you is my job," Shakky teased. Then her voice softened into warning. "Just remember — hearts are harder to guard than swords. Don't lose either."
"They'll have to take them from my cold, dead hands."
Shakky chuckled — low, knowing, proud. "They just tripled your bounty."
"Good," Mihawk murmured, gaze locked on Kael. "Let them come."
⸻
Across the Seas – The World Stirs
Kaido snarled. "Jack! Bring Yamato home."
Big Mom grinned. "News from Pekoms and Tamago."
Sengoku slammed his fist. "Admirals move now! No more games."
Whitebeard stirred. "Marco. Call Ace. Tell him to go find his brother."
Shanks raised a mug. "Beckman, warn the boy. The Government's coming for him."
⸻
Kael Stands Alone
On Moonfang's cliffside, Kael held the Raijintora fruit, lightning curling in the clouds behind him.
The world had chosen its Stormbringer.
And Kael D. Raen's legend was only just beginning.