The group began moving.
Step after step—
Toward the capital.
But then after some time—
Kael stopped.
Abruptly.
Everyone halted.
Koza frowned.
"Kael… what is it?"
Kael sighed lightly.
"…Looks like we've got company."
Before anyone could react—
A voice echoed through the air.
"Fufufufu…"
"Finally…"
"…we get to see the fools in person."
All eyes snapped forward.
In the distance—
Four figures appeared.
Walking calmly toward them.
Mr. 1.
Miss Doublefinger.
Mr. 4.
Miss Merry Christmas.
Vivi's expression hardened instantly.
"…Why are they here…?"
Kael simply smiled.
"We'll find out soon enough."
Moments later—
The four agents stopped right in front of them.
Both sides stood still.
Watching each other.
No one spoke.
But the tension—
Was suffocating.
The calm before the storm.
A faint desert wind swept through the battlefield—
Dragging grains of sand across the ground.
Loose cloth fluttered.
Weapons creaked in tightening grips.
Even the distant cries of injured soldiers seemed to fade—
As if the world itself was holding its breath.
Koza's men instinctively stepped back.
Not out of fear—
But pressure.
An invisible weight pressed down on them.
Heavy.
Unforgiving.
Vivi could feel it too.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Not because of the agents—
But because of what their presence meant.
Baroque Works…
Crocodile…
Everything was accelerating.
Beside her, Nami subtly adjusted her stance.
Eyes sharp.
Calculating.
No jokes.
No complaints.
Just focus.
Tashigi's hand rested firmly on her sword.
Her breathing steady—
But her gaze locked entirely on one man.
Mr. 1.
Although not a swordsman in a traditional sense but still someone skilled enough with the blades.
Dangerous.
Kaya remained calm—
But her eyes moved constantly.
Observing.
Analyzing.
Preparing.
And at the center of it all—
Kael stood still.
Composed.
Unbothered.
As if none of this…
Meant anything at all.
That calmness—
Was what made it terrifying.
For a few seconds—
Both sides simply stared at each other.
Tension thickened in the air.
Then—
Miss Merry Christmas broke the silence.
"Huh…"
She tilted her head, looking at Kael mockingly.
"So you're that famous rookie… Kael Sylvarion or something?"
A sneer spread across her face.
"I wasn't expecting much to begin with…"
"But you're even worse than I imagined."
Mr. 4 and Miss Doublefinger burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha!!"
"Exactly!!"
Koza stepped forward, anger flaring.
"You bastards—!! How dare y—"
A hand stopped him.
Kael.
Calm.
Smiling.
He shook his head slightly.
Koza clenched his fists—
But stopped.
Meanwhile—
Mr. 1 observed silently.
These idiots…
His gaze locked onto Kael.
Miss All Sunday was right…
This man… is strong.
He analyzed quickly.
He dealt with the rebel army—yet there isn't a single injury on him…
But that wasn't all.
His eyes narrowed further.
There's something else…
Something unusual.
Something—
Oppressive.
His fists clenched unconsciously.
What is this feeling…?
A pause.
Then realization.
…Fear?
His brows furrowed.
Am I… scared?
For the first time?
Miss Doublefinger noticed his expression.
"Huh? What's wrong, Mr. 1?"
"Bad stomach or something?"
He ignored her completely.
Still staring at Kael.
"I assume…"
"…you've already dealt with the rebel army."
"Is that correct?"
Kael nodded lightly.
"Yeah, but not in the way you thi—"
He stopped.
Mid-sentence.
A notification appeared before his eyes.
[Ding!]
[Mission Triggered: Stop and Defeat Crocodile within the next few hours]
[Completion Reward: Random from Reward Pool]
[Failure Penalty: Nefertari Cobra and Nico Robin will die]
Kael blinked.
(Don't you think you're a little late issuing this mission?)
The system responded immediately.
[Host, you might want to read the description again… instead of pointing out my mistakes.]
Kael paused.
(Huh?)
He looked again.
Carefully.
And this time—
His expression changed.
(Wait… what do you mean they will die—)
He froze.
Then—
His eyes snapped toward the agents.
Still staring at him.
(No… don't tell me…)
He spoke casually, masking his urgency.
"By the way…"
"I was expecting your leader to show up personally…"
A faint smirk.
"Don't tell me he—"
"Watch your mouth, brat!!"
Mr. 4 snapped angrily.
"Our boss has more important matters to attend to!"
"With that corrupt king!"
"He doesn't have time to play with kids like you!"
"That's why he sent us to—"
BAM!
Mr. 1's punch sent him flying several blocks away.
"You idiot."
"You were about to reveal everything."
Miss Merry Christmas rushed toward Mr. 4 in panic.
But—
Kael wasn't listening anymore.
(As I thought…)
(Crocodile is with King Cobra…)
(Which means they're heading to the Tomb of the Kings…)
(To read the Poneglyph.)
His jaw tightened.
(This happened before…)
(And since Robin won't reveal Pluton's location…)
(He'll kill her… and Cobra.)
His fists clenched.
(Damn it… I should've anticipated this.)
The others noticed his sudden change.
Tashigi stepped forward.
"Kael-san…"
"Is something wrong?"
Kael exhaled.
Then looked at everyone.
"Listen."
"I need to leave for the capital, immediately."
Silence.
Shock.
Vivi stepped forward immediately.
"Kael-san… what happened?"
Kaya followed.
"Yes… did something occur?"
Kael's expression turned serious.
"King Cobra's life is in danger."
"WHAT?!!"
The reaction was instant.
Vivi trembled.
"Kael-san… what are you saying…?"
"Father… how could…?"
Koza frowned.
"If this is some kind of joke—"
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
Kael's gaze met his.
Koza stiffened.
Nami narrowed her eyes.
"How do you even know something like that so suddenly?"
Kael shrugged slightly.
"Does it matter?"
Then—
His tone shifted.
Decisive.
He looked at Tashigi.
"You wanted to fight Mr. 1, right?"
Tashigi blinked.
Then nodded firmly.
"Yes."
"He's yours."
She straightened.
"Understood."
Kael turned to Nami.
"This is a good chance to test your strength."
Nami frowned at first.
Confused.
Kael pointed toward Miss Doublefinger.
"Deal with her."
Nami stared at him for a few seconds.
Then turned toward her opponent.
A slow smile formed.
"Good."
"I was getting tired of being useless anyway."
Flick.
Kael tapped her forehead.
"You'll never be—"
"Yeah yeah, I'll never be useless to you."
Nami turned away, face slightly red.
"No need to repeat it."
"Just go already, idiot."
But her small smile—
Didn't go unnoticed.
Kael chuckled faintly.
Then looked at Kaya.
"You know what to do."
Kaya smiled gently.
"Leave it to me."
Finally—
He turned to Vivi.
She stood there, trembling.
Worried.
Scared.
Kael placed a hand on her head.
"Nothing will happen."
"I promise."
Her fists clenched.
But she nodded silently.
Kael turned to Koza.
"You're in charge."
"Escort them to the capital safely."
Koza gritted his teeth.
Frustrated.
He wanted to help.
But he knew—
Against Crocodile—
He'd only be a burden.
"…Understood."
"Make sure you save the king."
"I need to apologize… properly."
Kael smiled.
"I will."
He turned to leave—
But suddenly—
A hand grabbed his sleeve.
He looked back.
Vivi.
Tears in her eyes.
"Promise me…"
"You'll be safe too."
Kael grinned.
"I promise."
Then he turned forward again.
Looking at the agents.
"Sorry."
"I'm in a hurry."
"Let's do this some other day."
Miss Doublefinger frowned.
"Huh? What nonsense are you—"
But before she could finish—
Kael moved.
Whoosh.
A blur.
Gone.
Running straight toward the capital.
"Wait—!!"
Mr. 1 reacted instantly.
Appearing in his path.
"Who said you could leave—"
But—
Kael vanished again.
The next moment—
He was already past him.
"…Tch."
Mr. 1 turned sharply.
"Damn it…"
"He's fast."
Ahead—
Mr. 4 and Miss Merry Christmas blocked the way.
Battle stance ready.
"Not so fast, brat!!"
"Let's play a little!!"
Kael stopped briefly.
Sighed.
"Not sure what childish games you prefer…"
"…but I like this one."
His hand moved.
Sword drawn instantly.
And—
The air changed.
Heavier.
Sharper.
Dangerous.
Even Miss Doublefinger felt it this time.
Her eyes widened.
"What… is this…?"
Mr. 1 watched silently.
A faint smile forming.
"…Good."
"Show me."
The most pressure fell on—
Mr. 4 and Miss Merry Christmas.
Their instincts screamed.
They attacked immediately.
"400 BASE HITS!!"
"MOGURAZUKA HIGHWAY!!"
But—
They were too late.
Kael had already moved.
Position perfect.
Calm.
Unshaken.
"…Fifth Form."
"Clean Blade."
A single thrust.
Fast.
Precise.
Deadly.
Slash.
Both bodies froze.
Then—
Collapsed.
Simultaneously.
No screams.
No resistance.
Multiple vital points pierced.
Blood spread across the sand.
Alive?
Dead?
Unknown.
But unmoving.
Kael didn't even look back.
He simply dashed forward.
Toward the capital.
Behind him—
Silence.
Miss Doublefinger stood frozen.
"…What just happened…?"
Mr. 1 exhaled slowly.
Looking at the fallen agents.
"…Looks like the boss is in for a real fight."
"I need to head back as wel--
Clang.
A blade struck.
Mr. 1 was pushed back slightly.
He blinked.
Then looked at his arm.
A shallow cut.
Bleeding.
His gaze shifted.
Tashigi stood before him.
Sword raised.
Eyes sharp.
"You look surprised."
Mr. 1 smirked faintly.
"I am."
"Didn't expect someone that small…"
"…to have this much strength."
Tashigi's grip tightened.
"Then prepare yourself."
"You haven't seen anything yet."
Mr. 1's arm transformed.
Into a blade.
"Good."
"Show me if you're even half as capable as your captain."
Tashigi replied honestly.
"I'm not."
A step forward.
"But I'm strong enough to defeat you."
Mr. 1's smile widened.
"Let's find out."
They charged.
Elsewhere—
Miss Doublefinger finally snapped out of her daze.
"Hey!!"
Nami's voice cut through.
"What are you staring at?"
"He's already gone."
Miss Doublefinger turned sharply.
"Huh?"
Nami cracked her knuckles.
Wind currents forming around her fists.
"What?"
"Impressed by the guy you were mocking earlier?"
The agent frowned.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
"Are you insane?"
Nami smiled.
Dangerous.
"Insane?"
She stepped forward.
Battle stance ready.
"Then let me show you…"
"…just how insane I can be."
Miss Doublefinger flinched.
Her hands transformed—
Sharp spikes emerging.
"…What kind of freaks are filled in this crew…?"
The battlefield—
Split once more.
Into battles.
And a race—
Against time.