"Looks like it's time to use that."
Kael's words had barely left his mouth when hurried footsteps sounded behind him, sharp and urgent against the damp ground.
Nami, Kaya, Tashigi, and Crocus rushed out of the house, their expressions tense after hearing the massive cries echoing through Laboon's body. The air itself still carried the lingering weight of that sorrowful roar.
Crocus was the first to reach him.
"What are you—"
His words stopped instantly.
Cut off mid-sentence.
Because he felt it.
A presence.
A pressure.
Subtle at first—
Almost unnoticeable.
Then rising.
Slowly.
Steadily.
Like the calm before a storm that hadn't yet revealed its true fury.
Crocus' eyes widened.
For decades, he had sailed alongside legends. As a former member of the Roger Pirates, his senses were far sharper than most. His Observation Haki had long since reached an advanced stage, refined through countless battles and years on the sea.
The moment he saw someone—
He could sense the nature of their spirit.
Their intent.
Their will.
Their very presence.
He had done exactly that when Kael's crew first arrived.
Kaya had surprised him slightly.
The girl possessed Observation Haki—though extremely raw, barely awakened, like a candle just beginning to flicker in the darkness.
Nami and Tashigi had none.
Completely normal.
And their captain…
Nothing.
Not a single trace.
No Armament.
No Observation.
No ripple.
No presence.
Nothing at all.
Crocus had assumed Kael was simply a talented young pirate without Haki.
Or perhaps—
Someone hiding it so perfectly that even he couldn't notice.
Which, in itself, would have been terrifying.
But now—
Now he felt it.
Clear.
Undeniable.
And the realization hit him like a thunderbolt.
This young man…
Had Haki.
Not just any Haki.
Crocus' breath caught in his throat.
His heart pounded once—hard.
Conqueror's…
Even among the Roger Pirates—
It had been rare.
Exceptionally rare.
Gol D. Roger.
Silvers Rayleigh.
Scopper Gaban.
Douglas Bullet.
Shanks.
That was it.
Out of the entire legendary crew—
Only five.
Each one a monster.
Each one a figure who stood at the absolute peak of the seas.
Each one capable of shaking the world with their mere presence.
And now—
Standing in front of him—
A young pirate, barely beginning his journey…
Was releasing that same overwhelming will.
Kael stepped forward.
Slow.
Deliberate.
His expression sharpened, the casual ease from moments ago completely gone.
Then—
His aura exploded outward.
An invisible force rippled through the air like a violent storm unleashed in an instant.
"CALM DOWN!"
Kael's voice thundered, echoing through the massive interior.
"DON'T HURT YOURSELF!"
The Conqueror's Haki burst outward from his body, spreading through the vast interior of Laboon like a shockwave.
The water beneath their feet trembled.
Tiny ripples formed across the inland sea, expanding outward in chaotic patterns.
The very air seemed to shiver.
Loose objects inside the house rattled faintly, reacting to the invisible pressure that now dominated the space.
Even the faint light filtering in from above seemed to distort for a moment—
As if the world itself acknowledged that will.
High above them—
The gigantic whale froze.
Laboon felt it.
The will of a king.
It didn't creep toward him.
It didn't hesitate.
It slammed into him like a wave crashing against the shore.
But—
It wasn't violent.
It wasn't oppressive.
It didn't seek to crush him.
It was firm.
Commanding.
Resolute.
Unyielding.
Stop.
Don't hurt yourself.
The message struck directly at his mind.
Clear.
Absolute.
Behind Kael, Tashigi stared at the scene unfolding before her.
Her eyes widened in shock.
Her breath hitched.
"T-This is…!"
Her voice trembled, unable to hide the disbelief.
"Conqueror's Haki…?!"
Nami blinked.
Completely lost.
"Huh?"
Kaya tilted her head slightly, confusion evident on her face.
"…Conqueror's?"
Both of them turned toward Tashigi, searching for answers.
But Tashigi barely noticed them.
Her entire focus was locked onto Kael.
Her entire body trembled.
Yet—
It wasn't fear.
It wasn't intimidation.
It was excitement.
Pure.
Unfiltered.
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Kael standing before the raging whale, as if witnessing something she had only ever heard about in stories.
"Observation and Armament were already incredible…"
Her voice carried undisguised admiration.
"But Kael-san even possesses Conqueror's Haki as well!"
"As expected of the man I decided to follow!"
Nami and Kaya exchanged a glance.
"…What is that?" Nami whispered under her breath.
Kaya shook her head slowly.
"I have no idea…"
Meanwhile—
Kael clenched his teeth.
His jaw tightened under the strain.
Sweat ran down his forehead, trailing along his temple.
"Damn it…"
Even speaking was slightly difficult.
"…Even after practicing a few days…"
"…this power is still hard to control."
His will continued pouring outward.
Relentless.
Pressing against Laboon's raging emotions.
Trying to suppress.
Trying to stabilize.
Trying to reach him.
Crocus finally snapped back to reality.
"NO!"
He rushed forward, urgency in every step.
"Stop this, young man!"
"You'll hurt Laboon even more!"
"Stop right now!"
To most people, Conqueror's Haki was a terrifying force.
Unpredictable.
Overwhelming.
When uncontrolled, it could easily crush weaker minds, render people unconscious, or even cause physical harm through sheer pressure.
If Kael lost control—
The already wounded whale could suffer even more damage.
Crocus prepared to intervene.
His muscles tensed.
His instincts screamed at him to act.
But then—
Something changed.
The shaking slowed.
Gradually.
The violent tremors that had been rattling Laboon's massive body began to fade.
The repeated impacts against the Red Line stopped.
The air—
Once suffocating—
Began to settle.
Even the echoes of Laboon's cries softened, turning into low, strained breaths.
Crocus froze.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
"…He actually did it?"
For a brief moment—
Hope flickered.
Then his expression darkened.
"No."
"Something's wrong here."
He closed his eyes.
Observation Haki surged outward.
Invisible waves spread through Laboon's entire body.
Every inch.
Every scar.
Every wound.
Every movement.
He scanned everything carefully.
Meticulously.
Looking for damage.
Looking for signs of collapse.
For a few tense seconds—
Crocus remained completely still.
Then—
His Observation Haki slowly withdrew.
And he stood there—
Completely stunned.
The injuries—
Were still there.
The scars.
The fresh wounds from hitting the Red Line moments ago.
The countless marks carved by decades of smashing himself against an immovable wall.
But—
No additional damage.
None.
No internal rupture.
No worsening of injuries.
No mental collapse.
No loss of consciousness.
Laboon was—
Calm.
Hurting.
But calm.
Breathing steadily.
Aware.
His consciousness fully intact.
Only his eyes were red from crying.
Tears continued falling silently.
But the violent madness from moments ago—
Had vanished.
Completely.
Crocus slowly turned toward Kael's crew.
Nami and Kaya stood there perfectly fine.
Neither of them had collapsed.
Neither had even shown discomfort.
They were simply staring—more curious than anything—at Tashigi.
Tashigi, meanwhile, looked ready to explode from excitement.
Her eyes were locked onto Kael like a child witnessing a living legend.
Her hands clenched tightly, as if trying to contain the overwhelming surge of admiration rising within her chest.
Crocus frowned deeply.
How…?
He looked back at Kael.
The young pirate was clearly struggling to control his Haki.
The aura around him fluctuated slightly.
Unstable.
Unrefined.
Yet—
Not a single person had been harmed.
Not Laboon.
Not his crewmates.
Not even Crocus himself.
This shouldn't be possible.
A novice Conqueror's Haki user was usually dangerous to everyone around them.
Especially when their emotions ran high.
Collateral damage was inevitable.
But Kael's Haki…
It behaved differently.
It felt… selective.
Controlled.
Almost instinctively guided.
As if his will itself was choosing its targets.
Crocus narrowed his eyes.
A deep frown forming.
Just what kind of will does this boy possess…?
At that moment—
Kael exhaled sharply.
The tension left his shoulders all at once.
The invisible pressure vanished.
Like a storm that had suddenly dissipated.
He retracted his Haki.
And instantly—
His legs gave out.
Kael dropped to one knee—
Before collapsing onto the ground.
"...Damn."
He wiped the sweat from his face with the back of his hand.
"Half my stamina and strength…"
"…gone just like that."
His fingers curled tightly against the ground.
"I seriously need to train more."
"Kael-san!"
Kaya rushed forward immediately.
Her expression filled with concern, all hesitation gone.
"What happened?!"
"Let me check."
Kael waved weakly.
"It's fine."
"Just a little tired."
But Kaya had already begun examining him, completely ignoring his dismissal.
"You shouldn't push yourself like this!"
She pulled out medical supplies with practiced efficiency, movements quick and precise.
"You're overexerting your body!"
"Your pulse is elevated!"
"You need proper rest!"
Kael opened his mouth to protest—
But Kaya had already begun treating him.
Applying light medicine.
Checking his breathing.
Inspecting him from head to toe.
Lecturing him all at once.
Kael sighed helplessly.
"…Yes, doctor."
Nami smirked slightly, arms crossed.
"You deserve it."
Tashigi chuckled softly, still riding the high of what she had just witnessed.
Crocus remained silent.
Still processing everything.
Everything he had just seen—
Everything that shouldn't have been possible.
Eventually, Kaya finished her quick inspection.
"You need to rest."
Kael stood up slowly.
"I'll rest later."
But Kaya immediately grabbed his arm.
Firm.
Unyielding.
"Now."
"…Yes, doctor."
The group began walking back toward the house.
Kaya continued scolding him the entire way.
"You used too much energy."
"You didn't warn anyone."
"You're lucky nothing worse happened."
Kael nodded obediently, knowing full well that resisting would only make things worse.
Behind them—
Crocus walked in silence.
His mind racing.
Questions piling one after another.
About Kael.
About his Haki.
About that impossible control.
Then—
Kael suddenly stopped.
Everyone halted.
He turned around slowly.
And looked upward.
Toward the massive whale above.
"By the way, Laboon."
His voice echoed calmly through the vast interior, carrying clearly despite the distance.
"I have something to tell you."
Nami blinked.
"…What now?"
Kaya looked up curiously.
Even Crocus frowned slightly.
High above them—
Laboon remained still.
His massive eyes stared downward.
Still filled with sorrow.
Still filled with pain.
He didn't understand how this human had calmed him earlier.
But since that moment—
The overwhelming urge to keep smashing his head against the Red Line had disappeared.
Something about Kael's presence…
Made him pause.
Made him listen.
Now that same human was speaking again.
Laboon felt conflicted.
This human had just delivered the worst news imaginable.
The death of the Rumbar Pirates.
His family.
His friends.
His crew.
The hope he had clung to for fifty years—
Destroyed in a single moment.
Even if Kael meant no harm…
Laboon still resented him.
Just a little.
Why?
Because Kael had shattered the last illusion he had held onto.
And now—
This human was saying he had something else to tell him.
Laboon didn't want to hear it.
Not anymore.
I don't want to hear anything…
Not from you…
He slowly opened his mouth.
Preparing to release a cry of refusal.
To reject whatever came next.
But before the sound could leave his throat—
Kael grinned.
Wide.
Confident.
Almost daring.
And shouted loudly enough for the entire whale to hear—
"BROOK IS STILL ALIVE!"
Silence exploded across the sea inside Laboon.
Absolute.
Total.
Every single person froze.
Nami's mouth fell open.
Tashigi blinked rapidly.
Kaya stared at Kael as if she had completely misheard him.
Crocus' pupils shrank.
His breath stopped.
Even Laboon—
The gigantic whale towering above them—
Stopped moving entirely.
Time itself seemed to halt.
His mind—
Went blank.
The words echoed.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Alive…?
Brook…?