The Grand Line did not welcome gently.
Waves crashed endlessly against Reverse Mountain's base, currents twisting like living serpents beneath the surface. The lighthouse stood firm against it all, tall and weathered, its beam cutting through mist and sea spray.
Inside, however, peace reigned.
Tempest D. Kai slept comfortably in a wooden chair near the entrance, feet propped casually against a crate. One hand loosely held a fishing rod, the line cast into the restless waters below.
His breathing was slow.
Steady.
Unbothered.
A faint breeze drifted through the doorway, carrying the scent of salt and storm.
Then the sea trembled.
A colossal shadow moved beneath the surface.
Moments later, the water split open as a massive whale emerged near the Red Line, its gigantic body dwarfing ships and cliffs alike. It exhaled with a thunderous burst of air before slowly drifting closer to the lighthouse.
From within the whale's interior passageway, a small boat slid out.
Dr. Crocus stepped onto the lighthouse dock, adjusting his coat lazily.
He stretched his back once.
"Another quiet day," he muttered to himself. "Good."
He began walking toward the lighthouse entrance, half-asleep and uninterested in the world.
Then he froze.
A child sat in his chair.
Using his fishing rod.
Sleeping comfortably.
Crocus stared.
The corner of his mouth twitched.
"What…" he muttered slowly.
He stepped closer.
The boy looked about six years old, black hair slightly tousled, expression peaceful. The fishing line dipped into the water below as if this were the most natural thing in the world.
Crocus's eyebrow twitched harder.
"Hey," he barked. "Who the hell are you, brat?"
Kai's right eye opened lazily.
He didn't move otherwise.
He looked at Crocus for a moment, then sighed.
"Sigh… old man, these days people have no manners," he said calmly. "You should introduce your name first. You don't even know that much?"
Silence.
Crocus's mouth twitched again.
"You brat," he growled. "Fine. My name is—"
Before he could finish, Kai spoke again without changing posture.
"My name is Kai. Tempest D. Kai," he said casually. "Unlike some old man, I have manners to introduce myself."
Crocus stared.
Veins bulged faintly on his forehead.
"I should be the one saying that!" he snapped.
Kai closed his eye again.
"Then you should have been faster," he replied lazily.
Crocus inhaled deeply.
He exhaled slowly.
"Get up," he said flatly. "You're sitting in my chair."
Kai shifted slightly.
"Your name," he said without opening his eyes.
Crocus paused.
"…Crocus."
Kai nodded faintly.
"See? Was that so hard?"
Crocus's eye twitched violently.
"I could throw you into the sea," he threatened calmly.
Kai opened both eyes this time and glanced toward the ocean.
"You could try," he said lightly. "But that whale out there might not appreciate the splash."
Crocus narrowed his gaze.
"You know about Laboon?"
Kai yawned slightly.
"Hard not to," he said. "He's massive."
Crocus studied him more carefully now.
"You're not from around here," he said slowly. "No kid just wanders into Reverse Mountain alone."
Kai sat up finally, stretching his arms lazily.
"You'd be surprised what kids can do," he replied.
Crocus folded his arms.
"How did you get here?"
"Flew."
Crocus blinked once.
"…Excuse me?"
Kai pointed upward casually.
"Wings."
Crocus stared at him for a long moment.
"You're a Devil Fruit user," he concluded.
Kai tilted his head slightly.
"Sharp for your age," he replied dryly.
"I'm seventy-one," Crocus snapped.
"Still sharp," Kai answered.
Crocus squinted at him.
"What are you doing here?"
Kai leaned back into the chair again.
"Fishing."
The line tugged slightly.
Crocus's eyebrow twitched again.
"That's my rod."
"You weren't using it," Kai said simply.
A brief silence stretched between them.
Crocus sighed heavily.
"You have guts, kid."
Kai smirked faintly.
"I've been told worse."
Crocus walked past him into the lighthouse, muttering under his breath.
"Brat has no fear."
Kai closed his eyes again.
"Fear wastes energy," he replied calmly.
Crocus stopped mid-step.
"You can't just stay here."
"I can," Kai responded without hesitation. "And I will."
Crocus turned slowly.
"And why exactly should I allow that?"
Kai opened one eye again.
"Because I won't cause trouble," he said evenly. "And because Laboon might like me."
Crocus scoffed.
"You think Laboon cares about some six-year-old kid?"
Kai's gaze shifted toward the sea.
"I know why he waits," he said quietly.
Crocus froze.
The air shifted.
"…What did you say?"
Kai's voice remained calm.
"He's waiting for pirates who promised to return," he continued. "He rams the Red Line because he thinks they'll hear him."
Crocus's expression hardened.
"How do you know that?"
Kai shrugged lightly.
"Stories travel," he replied. "And I listen."
Crocus studied him intensely now.
"You're strange."
Kai smiled faintly.
"Thanks."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"I'll take it as one."
Crocus rubbed his temple.
"You're not normal," he said flatly.
Kai finally stood from the chair, picking up the fishing rod properly.
"Normal people don't survive the Grand Line," he replied.
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment, Crocus felt something beneath that calm exterior.
Not childishness.
Not recklessness.
Something heavier.
Older.
"Where are you headed?" Crocus asked.
"The Grand Line," Kai answered simply.
"That's obvious."
Kai considered for a moment.
"Let's say… I'm preparing for a war that hasn't happened yet."
Crocus blinked.
"…You're six."
Kai smiled.
"And you're seventy-one."
Crocus exhaled slowly.
"Unbelievable."
Kai reeled in the fishing line slightly.
"If it bothers you that much, I'll help with lighthouse chores," he offered casually. "Consider it rent."
Crocus looked at him skeptically.
"You can cook?"
Kai paused.
"…Define cook."
Crocus sighed deeply.
"Fine. Stay."
Kai's lips curved faintly.
"Thank you, Crocus."
Crocus turned away grumbling.
"You're still a brat."
Kai cast the line again.
"Old man," he called lightly.
Crocus stopped without turning.
"Yes?"
"If pirates pass through here," Kai said calmly, "let me know."
Crocus glanced back slightly.
"And why would I do that?"
Kai smiled faintly.
"I might want to borrow something."
Crocus stared at him.
"…I don't want to know."
Kai leaned back into the chair once more.
Outside, Laboon's massive form drifted peacefully near the Red Line.
Inside the lighthouse, an old doctor tolerated an impossible child.
And somewhere in the vast expanse of the Grand Line, fate quietly adjusted itself.
Because Tempest D. Kai had arrived.