Several days had passed since Kael's birthday party. That absurdly flamboyant statue of solid gold had now become the most eye-catching landmark in the villa's backyard.
Every morning, Enel would behave like the most devout believer, worshipping the statue for a full hour, murmuring nonstop, basically praising the Supreme God's greatness and radiance.
Every time Crocodile walked past, he would snort coldly and pick up his pace, afraid that lunatic's chanting might be contagious.
The others gradually got used to the statue's presence too. They even started to feel that having something so glittering "guarding the house" was not a bad thing.
As for Kael himself, he returned to his unshakable lazy-fish mode.
He lay on the rooftop of the villa with an iced fruit juice in hand, eyes half closed, soaking up the sun.
"Sigh… so boring…"
Kael took a long drink and let out a deep sigh.
Once life truly slowed down, he felt restless all over.
The World Government had chickened out. They were holed up licking their wounds, and they had not even updated the bounties, leaving him with no chance to find something fun to do.
And his people had been almost too well-behaved lately.
Ever since he tossed Enel and Crocodile onto that deserted island and "trained" them once, those two problem children had not dared to cause trouble again.
Mihawk was obsessed with sword training. Moria was studying shadows. Tesoro was busy making money. Doflamingo was out there enjoying life as a Warlord of the Sea. Everyone had their own thing.
The whole team looked prosperous and orderly.
But Kael still felt like something was missing.
Something… like cohesion.
His crew were all unruly monsters, each with their own pride and ambitions.
Mihawk pursued the pinnacle of swordsmanship. Crocodile pursued the truth of the world. Doflamingo pursued revenge. Moria pursued his lost glory.
They gathered around Kael because Kael was strong enough, because he could shelter them and give them a platform to chase what they wanted.
It was a relationship built on strength, solid but cold.
They were subordinates, officers. Even if they were willing to work together because they respected Kael, between them there still was not the feeling of true "companions."
"This won't do…" Kael muttered.
If he wanted to create a world where he could do whatever he pleased, he could not do it alone.
He needed people who could truly fight alongside him, not just trail behind and pick up scraps.
"Gotta give them something to do. Deepen that 'team bond.'"
Kael sat up, a familiar wholesome smile spreading across his face.
A brilliant "team building" plan quickly took shape in his mind.
…
Half a day later.
Inside the meeting room of Kael's villa on the Sabaody Archipelago, the atmosphere was… strange.
Around a massive round table sat a group of monsters who could give Marine Headquarters a fatal headache.
The world's greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk.
The Sand Crocodile, Crocodile.
Gecko Moria of Nightmare fame.
The Golden Emperor, Gild Tesoro.
And in the corner, a figure hidden in shadow, chuckling with a low "Fufufufu." The "Joker" who had secretly rushed back from Dressrosa, Donquixote Doflamingo.
Aside from the comparatively weaker Caron, Robin who handled overall strategy, and Hancock who could not get away, every one of Kael's top-tier fighters was present.
"Boss, calling everyone back so suddenly… something big going down? Kishishishi!" Moria was the first to break the silence. He loved trouble more than anyone.
Crocodile, cigar in his mouth, said nothing, but his eyes carried the same probing look.
He did not believe Kael would gather them like this for no reason.
"Lord Kael, did the World Government make another move?" Tesoro asked in a low voice. He was already prepared to mobilize every last bit of capital and fight a financial war at Kael's command.
From the shadows, Doflamingo laughed. "Fufufufu. Whatever you want to do, I'll back you all the way. Is it time to show those Celestial Dragon trash a little color?"
Only Mihawk remained calm as ever, arms around Yoru, eyes closed as if nothing around him mattered.
Kael leaned back in the head seat, smiling as he looked at them.
"Relax. We're not going to war," he said leisurely. "I've just been bored out of my mind lately. Figured we'd do a small activity to build some team spirit."
"Activity?" Everyone blinked.
"That's right. I call it… hell team building." Kael grinned, teeth flashing white. "I had Caron find an uninhabited island big enough. For the next while, we're going to play a little game there."
"Game?" Crocodile frowned. A bad feeling crawled up his spine.
Kael raised one finger and lightly shook it.
"The rules are simple."
His gaze swept across everyone at the table. In those golden eyes, a chilling light flickered.
"You five, together."
"Mihawk. Crocodile. Moria. Tesoro. And Doflamingo."
"And the goal is just one thing…"
Kael leaned forward slightly. His tone turned eerie, laced with teasing.
"Kill me."
The moment the words fell, the air in the room froze solid.
Moria's laugh stuck in his throat. Tesoro's pupils shrank. Crocodile forgot to draw on his cigar. Even Doflamingo's laughter cut off mid-breath.
Even Mihawk, who had been resting with eyes closed, snapped them open. His hawk-like gaze locked onto Kael, and for the first time, something called shock appeared in his eyes.
"L… Lord Kael," Tesoro's voice went dry. "You're joking, right?"
Each of the five of them was a powerhouse capable of stirring storms across the seas.
Together, they could probably even clash with Marine Headquarters without blinking.
And now Kael was telling them to unite and kill him?
What arrogance. What confidence.
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Kael's smile did not change. "I just think you've gotten a little too comfortable. You're improving way too slowly. Anyone who can't keep up with me gets left behind by the era."
"I'm giving you a chance. A chance to challenge me."
"Let me see what you problem children I personally picked… are really worth."
"If you can hurt me, you win."
Every word Kael spoke landed like a hammer, smashing into their chests.
And they could not argue.
Because the one saying it was Kael.
The monster who had stormed Mariejois alone, fought the Five Elders head-on, and successfully killed one of them.
Crocodile's expression darkened until it could drip water.
He remembered Alabasta, the way Kael had crushed him with ease. That helplessness was still his nightmare.
Behind Doflamingo's sunglasses, his eyes shone with madness and excitement.
Challenge Kael? That was even more thrilling than overthrowing the World Government. His blood began to boil.
Moria clenched his fists. He wanted to know how far he had come since his defeat to Kaido.
Tesoro took a deep breath, his gaze sharpening again. If he could not pass this, he would lose the right to stand beside this man.
"I understand."
Mihawk rose. No extra words. He simply placed a hand on the hilt of Yoru.
"I'll go all out."
A fire he had not felt in ages blazed in his hawk eyes.
A no-holds-barred fight with this man… it had been far too long.
Seeing their reactions, Kael nodded with satisfaction.
"Good. Looks like nobody objects."
He stood up and swept an arm.
"Then let's go."
"Team building officially begins."
A huge pirate ship carried a group of monsters with their own thoughts and motives deep into the Grand Line, toward the chosen "hell stage."
On deck, the five of them stood apart, each keeping their distance, the air so heavy it felt suffocating.
All of them were thinking about how to face the coming "game."
And Kael?
Kael lounged on a deck chair at the bow, humming an off-key tune, as if what awaited was not a life-or-death battle, but an easy vacation.
He was looking forward to it.
Just how big a surprise these problem children he had pinned his hopes on could bring him.
Or rather… how much "fun."