Alder Kaede

Statistics
Japanese Name:	アルダー・カエデ
Romanized Name:	Arudā Kaede
Official English Name:	Kaede Alder
Debut:	Seeing Red
Species:
Affiliations:	Redwing Pirates
Occupations:	Pirate; Quartermaster(Former) Spitfire Fighter (Former)
Relatives:	Alder Yua  * Red Fox Mink  *
Residence:	Redwing Ship Spitfire Isle (Former)
Alias:	Flying Maple Fox (飛楓狐, Hifūko?) (Former)
Age:	27 (1584) 22 (1579)
Status:	Alive; In North Blue
Height:	4ft. 6inch.
Weight:	79lbs.
Bounty:	500,000 (Removed)

It’s clear you lack any brains to realise how manipulation and kidnapping works so let me put it this way. I was taken at such a young tender age I thought it was my destiny to take on everything that came my way. I took on people twice - no… thrice - your size and won. I spent nine fucking years fighting for my life! ... Know that your place is not above me just because you can look down on me.Kaede to Wendell.

Touch her and you're dead.Sakky

Alder Kaede (アルダー・カエデ,, Arudā Kaede^?) is a who joined the Redwing Pirates, working as their Quartermaster. After fighting with two marines she ended up imprisoned. Seeing some potential in Kaede, Logan struck a deal and she now wanders around on a form of parole. She is also a well-versed in swordsmanship after being kidnapped and thrown into the Spitfire Fights for nine years. As of now she has been seen around the North Blue.

Appearance

Gallery

Kaede's full body appearance

Relationships

Redwing Pirates

For the most part, Kaede has a really good relationship with most of the crew members, however, she has been noted to be quite a pain through the chaos she spreads. Be it a minor argument over nothing on the crew or causing messes for the crew to clean up behind her. Kaede always leaves something for the Redwing Pirates to do and sometimes it has to be questioned how they manage to get anywhere at all.

Gonbei

Gonbei (権兵衛,, Gonbeei^?) is the Captain of the Redwing Pirates and is highly respected by Kaede despite his less mature nature than most Captains.

Wendell

Wendell (ウェンデル,, Wenderu^?) is the Helmsman of the Redwing Pirates and one of Kaede's sworn "enemies". The two are known to endlessly clash and hardly agree on anything. . . .

Anasha

Anasha (アナハ,, Anaha^?) is the Doctor and mother-figure of the Redwing Pirates. Kaede often looks up to Anasha for advice but is also rather scared of her with Anasha being one of the main people to put Kaede in her place.

Hana

Hana (花,, Hana^?) is the Cook of the Redwing Pirates and one of the crewmates Kaede is the closest with. Though Kaede is unsure why, she constantly feels like she knows Hana from somewhere else but has not been able to figure out who she is. Hana is actually Kaede's biological mother.

Megâlo Entente

With the Megâlo Entente being a new group, most of the members have very little information to go on. Kaede for the most part is doesn't remember most who are apart of the alliance though a few people are notable in their interactions between one another or aid that they supplied.

Gai

Gai (ゲー,, Gee^?) is the Captain of the Slaughter Pirates and met during the Megâlo Entente was first created. During the meeting, Kaede . . .

Nero

Nero (後先,, Nero^?) is the Captain and members of the Mirror Pirates and met during the Megâlo Entente was first created. During the meeting, many of the Neros didn't seem to enjoy the presence of Kaede after she caused may ruckuses. Not only did she intrude on the meeting where she wasn't initially welcomed too, she also started many fights with her crew member Wendell, causing most Neros to come to the conclusion Kaede is childish and annoying. Kaede, however, sees the Neros as a calm unit that are rather level-headed and though she doesn't quite understand what they are, she respects them enough to listen, sometimes.

Sacramentum

Sacramentum (サクラメント,, Sakuramento^?) is one of the many people she met during the Megâlo Entente first was created. Soon after joining the Redwing Pirates as a proxy, the two were put together as part of a operation to take over Ismeretlen. The two then fought Samuel Axe and Logan, with the latter Marine focusing on Sacramentum.

Spitfire Isles

Very few people are still alive from the Spitfire Isles, but the few who have survived have all types of different thoughts on their relationship with Kaede. Freed or not, Kaede had killed many people to survive where she is today and some don't want to forgive that.

Marines

Unknown to Kaede of what a marine truly does and what is right and wrong, Kaede has more of a focus on what she is told rather than her own thoughts on the people she had met. Even worse, most of the marines she has met is during when she is trying to take over areas with her crew and alliance.

Logan

Logan (ローガン,, Rōgan^?) was apart of the Marines that tried to stop Kaede and Sacramentum from taking over Ismeretlen. Logan personally clashed with Sacramentum rather than Kaede but . . .

Samuel Axe

Samuel Axe (サミュエル・アクス,, Samuyeru Akusu^?) was apart of the Marines that tried to stop Kaede and Sacramentum from taking over Ismeretlen. Kaede personally clashed with Axe and . . .

Other

Arsen

Arsen (アーセン,, Ārusen^?) . . .

Goldie Gold

Goldie Gold (ゴールディ・ゴールド,, Gōrudi Gōrudo^?) . . .

Powers and Abilities

Physical Abilities

Combat Capabilities

Speed

Racial Abilities

Strength

Senses

Intelligence

Fighting Style

Insert Martial Art Here ...

Water Principle (水風 (すいふう,) , Suifū^?) is a type of style applied to any martial arts, focusing on mainly more defensive and non-violent techniques. The principle is a simple one, to flow and act like water itself. The user has to become water and know how it acts in unique and different situations they will be put in during a fight. To put it in an easier sense, Kaede has been training this style for many years to improve and perform closely as she can to water.

Stances are tell-tale of the type of water a person is about to try and achieve. Each stance is focused on the opponent's size and abilities and then how much danger the user is in. From there Kaede must process 'how would water act' in this situation. This flow that comes from water and quick actions is the goal of the water principle. A lack of movement is also part of the water principle in a lot of places, focusing the user to stay ready for anything, including a sudden switch in tactics.

Water, naturally, flows in one straight line unless an outside force changes this. It can also be found to be still and quiet, no sounds and nature living peaceful with it, in a variety of small and large forms. A puddle can still be unsuspecting to uneducated people and drown them. Water does not need to move to achieve its goal of survival or to get to a place. With no rush, it will wait until the earth allows a path to move.

These ideals are important to remember for the water principle. Standing still, doing nothing and waiting are not wasteful actions. Getting the right place at the right time is extremely important for any martial arts yet is the most forgotten part. Most either manage to complete this form without thinking or find themselves rushing without much thought to their process. Information gathering is also an important part that is highly important and can only really be achieved when the user stops and prepares themselves. Kaede often pauses in fights, staying in a calm stance and not moving until an opponent makes their move. From there they can learn a pattern.

Water also always flows downhill, heading towards sea level so it can become one with the ocean. Its overall goal in life is to return to the sea the best it can by either joining a river, overflowing or allowing the earth's forces to make a path.

These aspects are the more movement-based area of the principle. Conserving the user's energy allows for the moment of attack to be more powerful if they remember to follow gravity and attack in a downward pattern. It also means dodging and stances should be focused on gravity. Since gravity wills something to be on the ground, it is much easier and far more natural to move like this. To jump and avoid attack means to force so much more energy than to duck.

The objective of this principle and technique of fighting is rather simple. Kaede, and any other users, wishes to not engage but rather end the fight without a striking landing on either party. Striking the opponent should be down in small levels and once complete should allow the flow and technique to keep Kaede safe from all types of races, size differences and strengths. Using her speed to the advantage, she should dodge and absorb the incoming attacks, making any disadvantage look neutral.

A body cannot absorb all attacks directed to them, the flow would become broken to attempt this and the body will weaken no matter how strong the user is. They also cannot dodge infinitely against their opponent even if their speed and stamina are greater than them. It is not a true fight and not fair. The principle was taken to be unfair to those who are reckless but not to those who fight honourably. As such, information gathering is a vital piece of the puzzle.

Through the information and pattern analyse during a battle, Kaede is able to process when to avoid attacks, when to absorb the attack and when to find and/or create an opening to allow a deadly blow. Far less talented individuals will fall victim to these sharp blows more often which are focused with the legs and elbows. The sharp blows aim to knock out, not kill or brutally shame the _target.

Another part to remember is that though water can appear graceful and light, it can also be heavy and dangerous. The user must be able to tell when it is time to be light on their feet to when it is time to end. Naturally, with the way this principle is set up, one blow is made to end the entire battle. This does not work on tougher or more advanced beings but it is also not impossible. It is vital to keep the idea of one blow to complete the battle than to worry about the strength of the person before them.

The element of surprise is always a great opportunity to value off if given. Water will always take the ways given to it if the chance is there. As such, if a surprise can be made, it is important the user profits from it. Of course, a surprise only works when it is a surprise and is highly situational. The principle is about not taking risks and staying safe. Ensure this opportunity is truly great and not a ruse put on by an opponent.

In a short summary, the user must be ready for all types of attacks from their opponent and focus on the flow of their body. To be able to watch and learn from battle is key to victory. To add, the point of the principle is to keep the user safe, as such, it is far more defensive than offensive. This does not mean when striking is needed, the user will be incapable of doing so.

The Dual Principle' (二重理,, Nijūri^?) is a sword style that involves dual-wielding two swords. Kaede prefers to focus on the Water Principle over this type of Principle, seeing it as distasteful. When the time calls, however, Kaede will use this Principle mainly to block and create a more aggressive version of the Water Principle. It is possible to refer to this style of technique as a ' (二刀流,, Nitōryū^?) sword style, however, Kaede was unaware of this style, as such it was renamed and designed around her.

Kaede using Electro on a sword during Spitfire Fights

Electro (エレクトロ,, Erekutoro^?) is a type of electric current and technique the are able to use. Kaede is no exception to this rule, despite being only half mink, and often uses this type of technique on her swords. She will also use Electro to create a stronger impact on her punches and kicks.

The Mink Tribe are known for the usage of Electro far and wide, with very few not knowing of these abilities. The few who don't being sheltered, much like Kaede was for most of the life she can remember. As such, there has been a lot of issues when using her Electro that has forced it to be quite a bit weaker than what has been normally displayed. These issues are the focus of two properties: the fact she is only half mink and the fact she does not know the full capabilities of Electro itself.

Since Kaede is half human-half mink, her Electro's capabilities are weakened slightly. The main weakness of this was the currents of which are far weaker than a full-blooded mink. This does not mean the Electro is weak in any way but if challenged against another mink, it will surely break against those currents. This also means if someone is used to the power of a full-blooded mink Electro, they may have some resistance against Kaede's personal Electro.

This does not hinder Kaede's control over Electro. With Electro feeling like it's own limb Kaede can control, she has no issues moving Electro from one place to another, nor does she have an issue controlling how wild the Electro may be. What she does have an issue of is knowing the full capabilities and power Electro is truly capable of.

Having stayed in nine years in a cage and self-taught herself the power and abilities of Electro, every single thing is from fights or the small part of the training she was able to do during rest. With no Mink to talk to about aid on what she could do to help herself, everything was built upon what seemed to work and what seemed to not work. This left Kaede realising that Electro existed but not the true manipulation of this project.

Kaede, as of now, believes Electro can only be controlled and use on another element, such as a sword or her fists. She is yet to learn that it is possible to extend Electro further and create, shape and fully control what Electro does. Without someone to tell her otherwise, it is highly likely Kaede will only be able to strengthen her Electro so much further before hitting a wall and forced to stay at a certain power level, unable to increase further beyond.

This only seems to worsen when you consider the abilities of her half mink weaknesses with her inability to know the truth behind Electro. When using this Electro there are some times when the blue current snaps back. Though Kaede is able to control this Electro well enough at times, depending on what she is wearing can sometimes cause the Electro to grow much wilder than normal. This can force the Electro to backfire and harm Kaede or spread through items she is not prepared to be covered in Electro.

These experiences have happened only a couple time, mainly during her Spitfire Fights, where she was forced to wear the Flying Maple Foxes Armour. The metal at times attracted the Electro and causing Kaede to get hurt while using it. Most other times, Kaede is able to control this force with ease, mainly due to using it for almost nine years now.

Equipment

Crimson Red Vermillion (紅赤朱,, Kurenai Seki Shu^?) or three very normal katanas, are the chosen weapons of choice Kaede has come across over the years. The three swords are practically the exact same with the only difference being between the handles, each being deeper shades of red. Despite this, Kaede has developed personalities between the three and considers them to be of different power ranges. This serves as her own mind block on how far she goes with her sword skills and abilities. Despite it being mistaken, Kaede owning three katanas is not meant to follow Zoro's style of fighting.

The naming, given personalities and appearances were used to give Kaede someone to talk too when she was alone. Unable to give this up while she is now given to a more normal society, they act as guardians over her or as things she didn't have for a long period of time. She often vouches to protect these blades with her life and are considered her most valuable objects.

Each katana has an iron blade that has been sharpened quite a few times. There is a couple of scratches on each of them but for the most part, they are in fine condition despite being in use for some time. Each blade is then wrapped with a red string at the handle. They are highly basic in appearance and usage as they were simply cheap katanas given to her for the Spitfire Fights. Vermillion was the blade 'gifted' to her by the gangs while Crimson and Red were taken off people who were killed by her.

Major Battles

• Showdown: Kaede vs. Arsen - Lost

• A Hollow Shell: Kaede and Sacramentum vs. Logan and Samuel Axe - Lost, Imprisoned

Quotes

Weren't these marines suppose to be like... I don't know, Gai and Gonbei didn't prepare them to be this, ya know.Kaede's first meeting of Marines

Trivia

• Kaede's pre-skip appearance is based on Shimaji-nee from the manga series, Slime Tensei. Daikenja ga Youjo Elf ni Dakishimeraretemasu.
  • These images were coloured and edited by the author.
  • A slight exception to this rule is one of the personality images, which was edited to be a gif by Nearó. The colouring and other edits were still completed by the author.
• Kaede's post-skip appearance was done by @Plantskid on twitter.