West Blue.
In some forgotten corner of this sea, there was a dim, hidden tavern.
The air inside was thick with the sharp stink of cheap liquor and damp mildew.
Yellowed lamps swayed overhead, barely illuminating the mottled walls around them.
Wooden tables and chairs were scattered in complete disorder, while the floor was covered in stains and scraps, silently telling of the noise and chaos that had filled this place for years.
"Did you hear?"
A low, hoarse voice cut through the tavern's usual clamor.
The speaker deliberately lowered his tone, but the shock and curiosity in it were still impossible to hide.
"The entire Pegasus Pirates crew got Devil Fruits!"
The news exploded through every corner of the tavern like a bomb.
"What?! That trash crew whose captain doesn't even have a bounty of fifty million?"
Someone widened his eyes in disbelief and shouted back in a rough voice.
In his mind, a small-time crew like that had no right to possess such a precious source of power.
The people around him also cast doubtful looks at one another, whispering and arguing among themselves.
The whole tavern immediately became lively.
"Not anymore…"
Someone else slowly spoke, his tone carrying a trace of awe and fear.
"Their captain ate the Zoan-type Cheetah Fruit. His speed is like the wind now, and his strength is terrifying. Their vice-captain got the Paramecia-type Steel-Steel Fruit. His body's as hard as iron—blades and bullets can't touch him. With just those two abilities, they wiped out a Marine branch yesterday!"
The moment that news spread, the tavern burst into an uproar.
In the frantic movement that followed, cups hit the floor one after another, shattering with crisp, piercing sounds.
The pirates who had been drinking lazily or bragging loudly now had greedy, feverish light burning in their eyes.
Like sharks that had caught the scent of blood, they began desperately searching for ways to contact the Eternal Divine Kingdom, eager to borrow the power of that mysterious organization and snatch those mouthwatering Devil Fruits from the Pegasus Pirates.
At every Devil Fruit handover ceremony, the envoy of the Eternal Divine Kingdom would read out the rules in a solemn, firm voice, then require every recipient to sign them into the contract.
These rules were not merely restrictions on individual behavior.
They were meant to maintain order across the seas.
"First, you must not bully the weak or harm civilians."
"This is the most basic respect owed to life, and it is also the bottom line we should possess as pirates."
The envoy's voice was powerful and clear, each word seeming to carry endless weight.
"Second, you must not plunder towns, rob homes, or raid civilian settlements. This is our own moral boundary, as well as a warning to other pirates."
His words carried unquestionable authority, making people afraid to treat them lightly.
"Third, you must obey the Divine Kingdom's deployment orders. This is your duty, and it is also the path through which you may obtain greater power."
The envoy's voice rang out again, this time carrying a mysterious temptation that made people want to uncover the secrets behind it.
At first, some people sneered at these rules, believing they were nothing but chains meant to bind them.
However, as time passed, they gradually came to understand just how important those rules were.
Those who violated them all paid terrible prices in the end.
Whether it was pirate crews that died mysteriously or ships destroyed by terrifying power, each example became ironclad proof that these rules could not be broken.
Little by little, the pirates began to realize that these rules had not been made without reason.
No matter where they hid, as long as they broke the rules, they would be punished by some unknown force.
That power was mysterious and unfathomable, yet seemingly everywhere, leaving every pirate afraid to casually cross the forbidden line.
At the same time, the pirate crews that obeyed the rules were growing at terrifying speed.
Following the Divine Kingdom's instructions, they specifically hunted down other pirates who broke the law and caused chaos, exchanging enemy heads for stronger Devil Fruits.
This kind of "righteous" action not only brought them more resources and greater power, but also earned them respect and trust from other pirates.
And so, more and more people began joining this so-called righteous movement.
They no longer fought solely for their own selfish desires, but for the protection of peace and order across the sea.
...
North Blue.
Here sailed the fearsome Steel Fleet, and its flagship, the Nemesis, lurked among the great waves like a sleeping beast, giving off a terrifying presence.
In the early morning, the soft yet powerful sun slowly rose. Its golden light pierced through the layers of morning mist covering the sea like a blade.
That dazzling radiance spilled down without reserve, shining generously across the Steel Fleet, which was made up of thirty mighty warships.
Every warship looked like a carefully crafted work of art.
Their sturdy hulls gleamed with cold metallic light, speaking of the glory and toughness earned through countless battles.
Looking closely, one could see two flags flying from the top of every towering mast.
One was the flag of the Eternal Divine Kingdom, representing dignity and authority, its design exquisite and its colors bright.
The other was the signature skull flag of the Iron Hook Pirates, its fierce skull seeming to announce their bravery and fearlessness to the world.
The two flags flew side by side, snapping sharply in the sea wind.
Their crisp, powerful sound was like an intense battle song being played across the waves.
On the deck, three hundred pirates in matching uniforms stood in perfect formation.
Their backs were straight, like rows of green pines, displaying remarkable discipline and unity.
Pinned to each of their chests was a badge symbolizing an ability user.
When sunlight fell upon those badges, they refracted dazzling, multicolored light.
The badges of Zoan-type ability users were a steady bronze-brown, as though carrying the strength of the earth.
The badges of Paramecia-type ability users shone with clean silver light, giving off a detached, extraordinary air.
The badges of Logia-type ability users radiated brilliant golden light, as if the entire sun had been captured within them.
At that moment, "Iron Hook" Morris stood firmly on the platform at the bow.
His brand-new mechanical prosthetic let out rhythmic clicks with the slight movements of his body, as though keeping time for the grand scene before him.
Thinking back to the past, the hook that had once been rusty and worn had now undergone a complete transformation.