The sea was calm.
Too calm.
The Oro Jackson cut through the New World's waters with effortless authority—its hull dark and weathered, its presence alone enough to make lesser pirate crews flee before even confirming its flag.
At its helm—
Sat a woman with one leg crossed over the other, elbow resting casually on the arm of her chair, eyes half-lidded as she read the freshly delivered newspaper.
Nyx D. Ada.
Around her, the deck was alive with familiar figures.
Mihawk leaned against the railing, arms crossed, golden eyes sharp as ever as he silently read over Ada's shoulder.
Perona hovered upside down nearby, ghostly forms drifting lazily around her. "Ughhh, why do Marines always make the news sound so dramatic~?"
Hiyori sat gracefully on a cushion near the mast, tea in hand, her expression thoughtful.
Okiku stood beside her, posture straight, hands folded calmly within her sleeves.
Pedro leaned against a crate, ears twitching as he skimmed another report.
Carrot bounced beside him, tail swishing excitedly. "Whaaa?! They really did that?!"
Ada's lips curved upward.
"So," she said softly, tapping the paper, "they burned it."
Mihawk finally spoke. "…They declared war."
The headline screamed in bold ink.
STRAW HAT PIRATES RAMPAGE AT ENIES LOBBY — WORLD GOVERNMENT FLAG BURNED
Carrot's eyes sparkled. "They burned the flag?! That's awesome!"
Pedro nodded slowly. "To defy Enies Lobby itself… that is no small thing."
Perona floated closer. "They're crazy~! You don't just burn the World Government's flag!"
Ada chuckled. "That's exactly why they did."
Perona grinned. "Ehehe~ setting the world on fire just to save one person~ how romantic!"
Ada chuckled softly. "As expected."
She folded the paper slightly, eyes gleaming with quiet pride. "Luffy would never kneel."
Hiyori smiled gently. "To defy the world for someone you care for… that resolve is beautiful."
Okiku inclined her head. "It mirrors your own, Lady Ada."
A low voice cut in.
"He's following your footsteps."
Mihawk's golden eyes lifted from the horizon.
"Burning the World Government's flag," he continued evenly. "That kind of declaration isn't learned overnight."
Perona floated closer, grinning wider. "Hehehe~ defying the World Government already~"
She tilted her head toward Ada. "That's something he picked up from you… and Dragon."
Ada's gaze returned to the newspaper.
For a moment—
She was silent.
Then her lips curved upward, just slightly.
"…Good," she said.
She closed the newspaper and set it aside, gaze drifting toward the endless horizon.
"That's how it always is," Ada continued calmly. "For those of us who bear the D."
The wind picked up, snapping the sails of the Oro Jackson.
"We don't inherit thrones," she said. "We don't ask permission."
Mihawk watched her quietly.
"We challenge the world," Ada went on, voice steady and certain. "Whether we mean to or not."
Her eyes sharpened.
"His father is already doing it."
"And so am I."
Perona floated upside down beside her. "Hehehe~ so it's like a family tradition~?"
Ada smirked faintly. "More like a curse."
Hiyori's expression softened. "A curse… that brings change."
Ada nodded once.
"Yes," she said. "And once it starts—"
The sea surged beneath the Oro Jackson, waves rolling outward as if answering her will.
"It doesn't stop."
Ada's gaze then flicked back to the paper.
"…Now," she said calmly, "let's see how well Bullet played his part."
She flipped the page.
No one gasped.
No one shouted.
They had expected this much.
NYX PIRATE DOUGLAS BULLET ENGAGES ADMIRAL AOKIJI: ADMIRAL DEFEATED
VICE ADMIRAL GARP INTERVENES — BULLET CAPTURED: TRANSFERRED TO IMPEL DOWN
Carrot broke the silence first, ears twitching.
"So… he beat Kuzan."
Pedro nodded slowly. "That was never in doubt."
Perona crossed her arms, floating sideways.
"Pfft. An Admiral losing to Bullet isn't news."
Her tone shifted. "…But Garp?"
Mihawk's golden eyes narrowed. "That is different."
Okiku lowered her gaze. "To draw out the Hero of the Marines himself…"
Hiyori folded her hands. "The world must have shaken."
Ada smiled faintly. "He did exactly what I sent him to do."
No one reacted in shock.
No one questioned it.
This was expected.
Carrot nodded, ears twitching lightly.
"So he made it to Impel Down."
Pedro crossed his arms. "And forced Garp's hand in the process."
Ada leaned back, folding the paper neatly, completely at ease.
"Bullet's assignment was never Enies Lobby," she said. "It wasn't Kuzan either."
Her eyes sharpened—not cruel, but precise.
"It was Impel Down."
Mihawk spoke without looking away from the sea. "To enter Level Six alive, capture was the only outcome."
Ada smirked. "And only Garp could accomplish that without killing him."
Hiyori exhaled softly. "You entrusted Bullet with a role that few could survive."
"I entrusted him with one he'd enjoy," Ada replied flatly.
Perona snickered, spinning in the air.
"Ehehe~ getting beaten up by legends and thrown into the world's worst prison~ very Bullet~"
Pedro nodded. "Ivankov will find him."
Ada nodded once in return. "Chaos recognizes its own."
Carrot tilted her head thoughtfully. "If Bullet crossed paths with Luffy at Enies Lobby…"
Ada paused for a brief moment.
"…Then it happened," she said simply.
Mihawk spoke calmly. "If they met, Bullet would have noticed immediately."
Ada let out a quiet chuckle. "And Luffy would've felt him before he saw him."
Pedro nodded in agreement. "Bullet's presence alone is enough to make even veterans hesitate."
Perona floated upside down, grinning.
"Hehehe~ among all of us, he's definitely the scariest~"
Carrot blinked. "Eh? Scarier than Mihawk?"
Perona laughed. "Ominous! Dominating! Like the air gets heavier when he's around~"
Mihawk did not deny it.
Ada's smile softened just slightly. "If Bullet chose to help them, he would've done so quietly."
"And if he didn't," Pedro added, "they would've remembered him anyway."
Perona giggled. "Nyx-style family introductions don't need punches~"
She waved a ghost dramatically. "Just one look and you know you've met someone you shouldn't forget~!"
Ada stood, her coat catching the wind as the Oro Jackson surged forward, cutting through the New World's sea like a blade.
"Bullet's piece is set," she said. "Ivankov will move when the time comes."
Her gaze drifted toward the horizon—toward chaos, toward destiny.
"And Luffy…"
A smile touched her lips—soft, proud, and dangerous. "He's already setting the world on fire."
The Oro Jackson sailed on.
And far beneath the world—
A prison door waited to open.
———————-
Water 7
The sound of hammers rang through the shipyard.
Metal clanged.
Wood groaned.
Sparks flew like fireworks against the dusk sky.
At the heart of it all, a ship was being born.
Its keel was laid straight and true, its ribs curved with purpose. Each plank was reinforced, not just with steel and craftsmanship—but with intent. This wasn't a vessel meant to drift through the sea.
It was built to challenge it.
Franky stood atop a steel beam, arms crossed over his chest, sunglasses gleaming as he surveyed the chaos below.
"Alright, listen up!" he shouted. "Since I'm buildin' the greatest ship ever—"
He jabbed a finger outward dramatically.
"—I gotta know what rooms you weirdos want!"
Nami raised her hand instantly.
"A treasure room," she said sharply.
"With locks."
"Lots of locks."
"And traps."
Franky grinned. "Security queen. Noted."
Robin folded her hands in her lap, smiling softly.
"A library."
"Somewhere quiet. With space."
Franky nodded. "Knowledge bunker. SUPER classy."
Usopp puffed out his chest. "A weapons workshop!"
"For new ammo, traps, dials—everything!"
Franky's eyes sparkled. "Explosions approved!"
Chopper bounced in place.
"A doctor's room!"
"With medicine!"
"And cotton candy storage!"
Franky gave a thumbs-up. "Multi-purpose infirmary. SUPER cute."
Sanji lit a cigarette, exhaling slowly. "A kitchen worthy of a king."
"A place where I can cook properly."
Franky smirked. "Gonna make it legendary."
Zoro yawned, arms folded.
"…Somewhere quiet."
"So I can sleep."
Franky blinked. "…That's it?"
Zoro shrugged. "As long as it doesn't move."
Franky laughed. "SUPER minimalist!"
Luffy sat on a crate, chewing meat.
"I want a place to nap."
Franky stared at him. "…You already nap everywhere."
"Exactly!"
Franky threw his arms up. "THIS SHIP IS GONNA BE PERFECT!"
And then—
Heavy footsteps echoed.
"OI! STRAW HATS!"
Zambai burst into the yard, panting, eyes wide with urgency.
"They're out!" he yelled. "The new bounties just dropped!"
For a split second—
Silence.
Then—
"WHAT?!"
"ALREADY?!"
"NO WAY!"
Zambai slammed the posters down on a crate.
STRAW HAT
MONKEY D. LUFFY
DEAD OR ALIVE
300,000,000 BERRIES
Luffy blinked. "…Huh."
Usopp screamed.
"THREE HUNDRED MILLION?!"
"YOU'RE WORTH A SMALL COUNTRY!"
Zoro smirked as his poster came up.
RORONOA ZORO
DEAD OR ALIVE
120,000,000 BERRIES
"Hah," he muttered. "Guess they noticed."
Nami swallowed hard as she read hers.
"Cat Burglar Nami…Sixteen million."
Her face went pale.
"WHY DO I HAVE A BOUNTY?!"
Chopper picked up his poster with shaking hooves. "…One hundred berries."
Silence. "…Eh?"
Chopper's lip trembled. "I'M… I'M WORTH LESS THAN A PET?!"
He collapsed dramatically.
Usopp doubled over laughing—until—
SOGEKING
DEAD OR ALIVE
30,000,000 BERRIES
"…WHO IS THAT?!" Usopp screamed.
Sanji snatched his poster.
"Seventy-seven million—"
He froze.
"…WHY IS THERE NO PICTURE?!"
He squinted.
"And who drew this ugly face?!"
Robin studied hers calmly.
"Eighty million."
She smiled faintly. "It seems I remain a problem."
Then—
Zambai lifted the last poster.
"Cyborg Franky—"
"44 million."
Franky stared.
"…Eh?"
He pointed at himself. "ME TOO?!"
Iceburg laughed from nearby.
"Congratulations."
"You're officially a wanted man."
Franky slowly grinned.
"…SUPER."
—————————-
Baltigo — The Revolutionary Headquarters
The wind howled across the jagged cliffs, carrying sand, salt, and the distant scent of the sea.
At the highest point of the fortress, a lone figure stood unmoving, his green cloak snapping violently behind him.
Monkey D. Dragon.
A Revolutionary handed him the freshly printed newspaper, hands steady but respectful. Dragon took it without a word.
His eyes moved slowly across the headlines.
STRAW HAT PIRATES DESTROY ENIES LOBBY
WORLD GOVERNMENT FLAG BURNED
NICO ROBIN RESCUED
The wind surged harder.
Dragon's mouth curved—just slightly.
"…So," he murmured, "the winds have begun to change."
Dragon folded the paper, eyes lifting toward the storming horizon.
"My son," he said quietly, "you've stepped onto the path from which there is no turning back."
The air shifted, pressure thick with unspoken futures.
"The day we meet," Dragon continued, "draws closer with every choice you make."
His gaze softened—just a fraction.
"I wonder," he said, "will you meet your mother first… or me?"
The wind roared, as if answering him.
Dragon's lips curved faintly. "But knowing Ada…"
A low, knowing chuckle escaped him.
"…you'll meet her first."
He turned away from the edge, cloak billowing like a banner of rebellion.
"Because she never waits for fate."
The storm above Baltigo churned.
——————
Days Later.
The sun dipped lower over Water 7, staining the canals gold.
Hammers slowed.
Sparks died out.
And finally—
CLANK.
The last bolt was tightened.
Franky wiped the sweat from his brow, rolled his shoulders, and stepped back.
The shipyard fell into an unnatural silence.
There she was.
A ship unlike any other.
Sleek and powerful, her hull gleaming, her mast towering proudly against the sky. Every curve spoke of speed. Every beam whispered strength. Not just wood and steel—
—but dreams, defiance, and freedom made real.
The waves lapped gently against her hull, as if greeting her for the first time.
The Straw Hats stood together at the dock.
No one spoke.
Luffy's eyes were wide, shining brighter than the sun itself.
"…Woooaaah."
Usopp swallowed hard. "Sh-she's beautiful…"
Nami's breath caught. "She's… perfect."
Robin smiled softly. "A ship born from will."
Chopper bounced in place. "IT'S SO COOOL!"
Sanji exhaled smoke slowly, eyes serious.
"…She'll cross any sea."
Zoro rested a hand on his swords.
"Hmph. Looks sturdy enough."
Franky crossed his arms, chest puffed out proudly. "…She's done."
For a moment—
Nothing else existed.
Then Luffy grinned.
A big, reckless, unmistakable grin.
He stepped forward, slapped a hand against the railing, and shouted—
"OI, FRANKY!"
Franky looked over. "Huh?"
Luffy pointed at the ship.
"GET ON MY SHIP!"
The world stopped.
"…Eh?"
Everyone froze.
Franky blinked. "…Your ship already, huh?"
Luffy nodded without hesitation. "YEAH!"
Franky laughed, loud and unrestrained.
"BWAHAHAHA!"
He jumped down from the dock, landing with a heavy thud.
"Then I gotta make sure she survives the Grand Line," he said, "before you idiots destroy her!"
The Straw Hats whipped their heads toward him.
"WAIT—WHAT?!" Usopp yelled. "He just—joined?!"
Nami's jaw dropped. "THAT WAS SO CASUAL!"
Chopper gasped. "Is that how crews work?!"
Sanji narrowed his eyes. "…You're serious?"
Franky cracked his knuckles. "Dead serious."
He jerked a thumb toward the bounty posters still pinned nearby.
"I'm a wanted man now," he said with a grin.
"World Government ain't exactly throwin' me welcome parties."
Robin's eyes softened. "…And the crew?"
Franky looked at them—really looked.
A reckless captain.
A swordsman with death in his eyes.
A navigator who ruled money like a tyrant.
A cook who fought like a demon.
A liar with courage buried deep.
A doctor with a heart too big.
An archaeologist carrying the weight of the world.
Then he smiled wider.
"I like the vibes."
Luffy laughed. "YEAH! That's what I thought!"
Zoro smirked. "Tch. Guess you're stuck with us."
Sanji sighed. "Great. Another idiot."
Franky threw an arm around Luffy's shoulders.
"Don't worry, captain," he said proudly. "I'll make her strong enough to carry all your stupid dreams."
Luffy beamed. "She's gonna sail everywhere!"
The sun finally dipped below the horizon.
The new ship stood tall.
Ready.
And as the Straw Hats stepped aboard—
The sea itself seemed to lean closer.
Because a new voyage had begun.
And somewhere beyond the horizon—
The age of Emperors stirred.