The Vedrfolnir's sea trial was an overwhelming success.
The performance of this aerospace battleship far exceeded even Kael's expectations.
Not only did it boast terrifying firepower and near absurd durability, with Enel running full output, its flight speed was downright obscene.
This was, in the purest sense, a dimensionality reduction strike.
After that, life settled back into calm.
The officers who had survived the "hellish team building" and the new ship's trial were fired up like they'd been injected with adrenaline, throwing themselves into their work and training with renewed fervor.
Even the atmosphere within the team grew smoother than it had ever been.
Crocodile and Doflamingo, the two schemers, now met frequently, plotting how to use their respective intelligence networks and influence to trip up the World Government.
Moria and Tesoro became an oddly matched pair. One studied shadows, the other studied gold, and every so often they would cook up some new trick that even made Kael raise an eyebrow.
Mihawk trained day and night, swearing that next time, he would leave a real wound on Kael's body.
Everything was moving in a good direction.
That afternoon, Kael lay in his study, savoring a rare moment of peace, when Sakura entered silently with an envelope in hand.
"Lord Kael. A letter for you."
"Hm?" Kael lazily cracked an eye open. "From who?"
"Foosha Village in the East Blue. The sender is Madam Rouge."
"Rouge?"
Kael sat up at once and took the envelope.
How long had it been since he'd last received a letter from Rouge? Ever since he'd settled Rouge and Ace in Foosha Village, they only exchanged letters a few times a year, just to report they were safe. And when Kael happened to be bored, he would swing by and tease the three brats for fun.
He opened the envelope, and that familiar neat handwriting came into view.
The letter was long. Between the lines was a mother's pride in her son, along with a faint, lingering worry.
"Dear Kael,
It's been so long. How have you been? Ace and I are doing well in Foosha Village, so please don't worry about us.
I'm writing to tell you something. Ace has grown up, and he has found the path he wants to walk.
One year ago, he officially joined the Marines."
At this, Kael's expression turned strangely complicated. Robin's intelligence reports had all been read, hadn't they? Why didn't he remember seeing this?
Huh?
Damn it, Robin. You actually dared to blind my eyes.
The Marines?
So his childhood nonsense had come true?
He could practically picture how loudly that old bastard Garp would laugh when he heard the news.
Rouge mentioned Garp in the letter as well.
"...When Mr. Garp found out, he was so happy he could barely stand it. He hugged Ace and cried like a child.
He said Ace was his greatest pride. He even ran off and beat Luffy, who keeps yelling that he'll become Pirate King, saying Luffy needed to learn from his big brother."
A scene instantly formed in Kael's head.
Garp wiping tears away while pummeling his own grandson with a Fist of Love.
Just imagining it made Kael want to laugh.
"Oy, oy, oy, Roger. Don't blame me for this. Ace chose his own road," Kael muttered, leaning back in his chair.
He kept reading.
"Ace is truly talented. In the Marine training camp, he has always been the best student. Not long ago, during a mission, he unexpectedly obtained a Devil Fruit called the Flame Flame Fruit, and he has become even stronger.
He is now a Rear Admiral candidate at Marine Headquarters, and he even has a direct squad under his command, a unit completely loyal to him, called 'Spade.' Mr. Garp says Ace is the future of the Marines, the light of justice for the new era."
Inside the letter, there was also a clipping.
In the photo was a young man in a Marine uniform, looking sharp and spirited.
He had slightly wavy black hair, a bright, sunny smile, and a few cute freckles on his cheeks.
It was Ace, grown up.
Staring at the photo of that high spirited boy, Kael's feelings grew complicated.
On one hand, he was happy. Ace had found his own path, and he was living with such sunlight in his eyes.
On the other hand, a faint worry pressed against his chest.
Portgas D. Ace.
The future of the Marines? The light of justice?
The brighter those halos shone, the heavier the darkness would become when the truth of his bloodline was exposed.
The World Government would never allow the Pirate King's blood to become the "hero" they held up as a banner.
Kael let out a quiet sigh, imagining the fate waiting for that boy.
"But with your fourth uncle around, nobody gets to lay a hand on you."
He carefully put the clipping away and continued to the final section of the letter.
"...Ace is excellent, but he is still young. Recently, he received a very difficult mission, to pursue a great pirate from the New World. I'm worried about him, but I don't know how to say it to his face. Kael, you've seen more of the world than anyone. Could you... keep an eye on him for me? Please."
The letter ended with Rouge's request, heavy with concern.
A child travels a thousand miles, and his mother worries the whole way.
Kael set the paper down and remained silent for a long time.
Then he stood, walked to the window, and stared out at the calm sea.
"Keep an eye on him, huh..."
He picked up the Den Den Mushi on the desk and dialed a number.
"Bururururu..."
"Get me the current general location of Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral candidate Portgas D. Ace, and the 'Spade' unit under his command."
"And everything you've got on their mission target."
When he hung up, Kael sat back down.
He looked at Rouge's letter, his gaze deepening.
Five minutes later, an encrypted file arrived.
Kael opened it, and line after line of chilling information appeared before his eyes.
[Target: Hānefuza]
[Alias: "King of Lizards"]
[Former Affiliation: Beasts Pirates, former "Drought" All Star]
[Devil Fruit: Ancient Zoan, Dragon Dragon Fruit, Model: Tyrannosaurus Rex]
[Bounty: 1,390,000,000 berries (former)]
[Notes: Left the Beasts Pirates for unknown reasons. Extremely powerful. Brutal, bloodthirsty. Highly dangerous.]
Kael's brow drew tight as he read.
A former "Drought" of the Beasts Pirates? An Ancient Zoan Tyrannosaurus fruit?