By the next day, Roger had finished trading for everything his crew needed.
In exchange for gems and other valuables, the Roger Pirates obtained fresh water, food, alcohol, and several detailed navigation charts.
Kael had purchased a number of them from passing merchant ships over the years.
As traffic across the Grand Line increased, an entire trade had gradually formed around charting reliable routes.
Fast merchant vessels traveled between islands, recording currents, weather patterns, landmarks, and safe passages so that later travelers—adventurers, pirates, or even Marines operating independently—could buy reliable navigation records.
Kael had stockpiled a few useful routes.
From Kuraigana Island, he had charts leading toward the Sabaody Archipelago, along with records of routes approaching the Calm Belt near Amazon Lily and Impel Down.
Roger bought the chart for Sabaody.
Judging by that choice, he was preparing to make another push toward the final stage of his journey.
At the harbor, Shanks looked thoroughly unwilling to leave.
He stood in front of Mihawk with his fists clenched.
“Leaving before I beat you really pisses me off!” His usual confidence had already returned.
“I’m going to train like crazy while we’re sailing.” “And when I come back, I’ll definitely beat you!” “Oh.” Mihawk nodded.
That was all.
Still, he watched Shanks for a moment longer than usual.
Even after losing so badly, the red-haired boy had recovered almost immediately and was smiling again as if defeat had only given him something new to chase.
Kael had once told Mihawk something about people like that.
A strong heart wasn’t one that never failed.
It was one that could face its own weakness, remember the mistake, and come back better.
Tap.
A hand settled on Mihawk’s shoulder.
The young swordsman stiffened slightly and looked back.
“Brother?” Kael smiled.
“Feels pretty good making a friend, doesn’t it?” Mihawk went quiet.
He didn’t answer.
But neither did he deny it.
Kael’s smile widened slightly.
So far, he had spent most of his life on Kuraigana Island, but plenty of outsiders had passed through over the years.
Pirates were hardly unusual.
Even a veteran Marine Admiral had once visited.
Kael had shared a few drinks with him and offered one piece of advice: Maybe stop sailing around with ships full of trainees.
If the wrong pirate crew attacked, an entire generation of recruits could end up slaughtered—and the Admiral himself might not walk away unharmed.
Beyond that, Black Rose Castle had received bounty hunters, wealthy merchants, news couriers from the World Economy News, Marines, and pirates of every kind.
There was only one group Kael had never welcomed.
Dragon’s Freedom Fighters.
And he had no particular interest in changing that.
Kael turned away from the departing Roger Pirates.
“This winter is going to be colder than usual.” He looked toward Mihawk.
“Have the islanders gather whatever grain and fruit they can spare after keeping enough for themselves.” “We’ll take the surplus to Sabaody and sell it.” Mihawk nodded.
Then Kael added casually, “Once winter is over, I’ll take you out to see the world.” Mihawk’s eyes widened.
“Really?!” For once, his usual composure vanished completely.
He had spent his entire life on Kuraigana Island.
Was he finally going to see what the rest of the sea was really like?
…
Whoosh!
Boom!
Kael brought Requiem down with both hands.
A single casual swing sent a violent gust tearing across the training grounds, forcing the surrounding grass and trees to bend beneath the pressure.
A faint golden sheen occasionally flickered along Requiem’s blade.
Combined with Kael’s natural bearing, it gave him an almost regal presence.
Quinn and the other castle guards watched in stunned silence.
He’s already reached this level?
A casual swing was enough to produce that much force.
If such a strike landed directly on someone, even the strongest armor might be split apart.
Kael spoke quietly as he moved.
“Power gives a blade its force.” Quinn’s eyes lit up.
“He’s starting!” At once, dozens of guards pulled out notebooks.
Thirty or forty men gathered around the edge of the training ground, waiting eagerly.
Kael had developed a strange habit over the past three years.
Whenever he became fully absorbed in sword training, he occasionally murmured his thoughts aloud.
A sentence here.
A fragment there.
Yet even those scraps were enough for the guards to take home, think over, and gain something from.
It was one of the reasons more and more fighters had chosen to remain at Black Rose Castle.
Kael’s gaze sharpened.
Requiem began to move.
One slash flowed into another.
The long, elegant blade traced silver arcs through the air, each movement smooth enough to resemble a dance.
Advance and cut.
Sidestep and thrust.
Step in and cleave.
Retreat and slash.
Leap backward and counter.
Every transition came naturally.
Nothing looked forced.
Kael’s control over his own body had reached an extraordinary level.
“A sword isn’t only about cutting.” His voice remained calm.
“Footwork has to become part of the blade.” “Only then do body and sword move as one.” Advance like a predator.
Retreat like a fortress.
…
Whoosh.
Shhk.
Kael flicked a bead of dew from Requiem’s tip.
Then he sheathed the blade.
The wind died.
The grass slowly straightened.
Silence returned to the training ground.
A system notification sounded in his mind.
[Daily Swordsmanship Training Completed] [Reward: Strength +10] [Reward: Agility +10] This was Kael’s daily routine.
The rewards didn’t appear dramatically.
They simply became part of him, strengthening his body little by little.
Ten points in a single day might not seem overwhelming.
But accumulated over months and years…
The difference became terrifying.
“Brother!” Kael looked over.
Mihawk was approaching from the distance, dressed in a burgundy floral shirt.
His golden eyes had grown noticeably sharper over the years.
He stopped before Kael and gave a slight bow.
“I’ve notified everyone.” “The villagers said they’ll keep only what they need for themselves and send the rest of their grain to the castle for you.” There was unmistakable pride in Mihawk’s voice.
The people admired Kael.
Not because he had forced them into submission.
Not because they feared his sword.
They genuinely trusted him.
Over the years, Kuraigana Island’s population had steadily recovered.
The settlements behind Black Rose Castle now housed more than three thousand people.
That alone was proof of the loyalty Kael had built.
Kael nodded.
“Good.” “Tell Rolin to have the ship prepared.” Mihawk blinked.
“We’re leaving?” “Tomorrow.” Kael smiled faintly.
“We’re going to Sabaody.” Mihawk’s eyes immediately lit up.
“Right!” Every chance to leave the island excited him.
And besides…
Even Mihawk had begun to realize something.
His brother seemed to have quite a reputation on Sabaody Archipelago already.
Add to library.
Send some Power Stones.