From the towering wooden watchtower of Gentle Breeze Town, a pair of vigilant eyes remained ever watchful. The lookouts stationed along the coastline of Uzu Island were well-accustomed to the ceaseless lullaby of crashing waves and the rare silhouette of passing merchant ships or drifting sea beasts. But tonight, the routine serenity was suddenly disturbed.
"Ship approaching from the south!" a watchman roared, his voice tearing through the stillness of the night like a cracked whip.
Another lookout jerked forward in alarm, quickly raising a well-polished copper spyglass to his eye. The moment he adjusted the lens, his breath hitched.
"That is… that is the Jolly Roger of the Red Hair Pirates!"
A hush fell between the two men as they exchanged a knowing look, the kind that needed no words.
Within moments, a messenger hawk was launched into the air, its wings slicing through the cool night like twin blades, racing toward the central tower of Uzu. Down below, the island's defenders stirred to life, shaking off sleep like old cloaks. Warriors melted into the rivers and woodlands with silent precision, vanishing into the darkness, shadows among shadows.
Even though word had arrived ahead of time that the Uzukage awaited these guests, protocol remained absolute. No one received special treatment.
Not even a Yonko.
Uzu's safety always came first.
…
Meanwhile, the mighty flagship of the Red Hair Pirates pressed forward, having successfully braved the perilous stretch of sea surrounding the island. The waters of Uzu were notorious for being treacherous, riddled with whirlpools and guarded by monstrous creatures older than tales themselves. Yet tonight, they had crossed through.
A salty breeze rolled across the deck. Cloaks rippled and hair whipped in the wind, but the usual cheerful banter that often filled the Red Hair Pirates' ship was strangely absent. The crew stood quietly, their expressions tinted with awe, caution, and the faint thrill of approaching forbidden territory. Some leaned against the railing, their gazes fixed ahead. Others stared down into the dark waters, their instincts whispering warnings.
For seasoned sailors who had survived storms, sea battles, and journeys across unpredictable currents, there was something else. They could feel a deep thrumming beneath the hull, almost like a heartbeat resonating through the ocean. The sea felt alive, aware, and watchful.
They knew exactly what lurked beneath them.
Ace stood at the rail, arms crossed over his chest, a faint flicker of flame dancing along his shoulders in restless agitation.
"I forgot how heavy the air feels around this place," he muttered to no one in particular, though several heard him clearly.
Shanks chuckled beside him, the beads in his red hair clicking as the wind played with them. "A dangerous territory unclaimed for many decades, is now owned by someone completely unexpected. What a feat!"
As the younger brother of the Uzukage, Ace had visited Uzu more than once. His familiarity with the island was something the others lacked. For the Whitebeard Pirates and the Red Hair Pirates, however, this was their very first time setting foot upon the famed and feared Uzu.
Long ago, before the Uzukage seized control, both Whitebeard and Shanks had attempted to approach the island. The allure of mystery had beckoned them. But the colossal Sea Kings that prowled the surrounding waters were relentless. Even men of their caliber, with all their strength and reputation, chose not to provoke beasts that dwarfed mountains.
So when news spread that Uzu had fallen under the dominion of a single individual, the world had been stunned.
"The waters seem strangely calm tonight," Yasopp remarked, scanning the surface with narrowed eyes. "I remember hearing that the Sea Kings here do not exactly welcome visitors."
"Maybe they are taking a nap," someone muttered jokingly.
"A lot of the Sea Kings have submitted to Naru," Ace said casually, though the proud glint in his eyes betrayed how much it meant to him. "So long as you don't provoke them, they won't attack without cause."
"She tamed Sea Kings?!"
"She has that Nine-Tailed Fox too, right?"
"I swear, if I could just catch a glimpse of that fox in person again…"
Suddenly, a lookout shouted from above, his voice cracking with urgency. "Five figures incoming. They are approaching fast!"
All heads snapped in the direction he pointed. Five silhouettes emerged from the dark water, cutting through the surface with smooth, effortless strokes.
A commanding voice rose from below. "All aboard the vessel, identify yourselves and state your purpose!"
Shanks stepped forward without hesitation. He lifted a burning lamp, holding it so the golden glow illuminated his face. The firelight danced across his familiar features, casting dramatic shadows over the three scars etched across his left eye.
Below, five Uzu warriors floated beside the ship, spears held firmly, expressions sharp and disciplined.
"Shanks," he announced with a steady, authoritative tone. "Captain of the Red Hair Pirates. Accompanied by Fire Fist Ace."
Ace moved beside him. A burst of flame ignited around his hand, casting a fiery glow over his face. The expression he wore was composed, fierce, but tinged with a heaviness acquired from recent events.
The five Uzu warriors exchanged glances, their stances relaxing slightly. While they weren't that familiar with the redhead Yonko, they were familiar with Ace.
"Our Uzukage has been expecting your arrival," one of them replied with fromal courtesy. "Please proceed and follow our lead."
Soon, the Red Force sailed forward, guided by the warriors of Uzu as they entered from the southern gateway. Their destination lay beyond the Green Woodlands, a region thick with jungle, rivers, and ancient trees whose roots drank deeply from enchanted soil.
Even at this late hour, the island pulsed with quiet vitality.
Hidden eyes watched them from the foliage. Warriors swam silently alongside the ship, their movements smooth and natural, blending seamlessly with the current. High in the trees, shadows shifted. Behind a massive trunk, two giants peeked out with childish fascination, their enormous eyes gleaming. Once they recognized the Uzu escort, the giants nodded once and disappeared back into the forest, their massive forms nearly soundless.
The journey continued in hushed reverence. No music played. No voices rose. The ship glided forward, the journey quiet and steady, until they finally reached a hidden shore nestled in the trees. There, waiting for them under the canopy of night and moonlight, was a group of figures standing in formation. At the center stood a tall, imposing woman with flowing blonde hair that shimmered under the stars like threads of sunlight.
The Uzukage herself.
Her posture radiated authority, and her expression remained unreadable, serene yet imposing, like a ruler carved from the stillness of ice. At her side stood General Nalan Yue, her hawk-like gaze observing every detail with calculating sharpness. Several other figures lined up behind them. Many were unfamiliar to the Red Hair Pirates, but Ace recognized them instantly.
Shanks cast a sidelong glance at the younger man standing beside him, a knowing grin tugging at the corners of his lips.
Ace looked like he had swallowed a stone. Pale, stiff, and unquestionably nervous.
The ship finally docked, creaking as it settled against the berth, and Naru's gaze followed the passengers disembarking. Both the Red Hair Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates stepped onto the land. It wasn not difficult to distinguish between the two factions.
After all, there had been no recent reports or rumors of the Red Hair Pirates engaging in any battles. Which could only mean that the bruised, bandaged, and visibly worn-down individuals emerging now were the surviving members of the Whitebeard Crew.
Among them, of course, was her dearly cherished brother.
Naru's piercing stare bore into him, unwavering and sharp enough to cut through steel. Ace returned the glance for a split second before dropping his eyes to the ground. His appearance was just as ragged and exhausted as his crewmates, but at least he was alive.
When he finally stood before her, he mumbled weakly, "...I'm sorry."
Despite the weight behind those two words, seeing him alive and in one piece was enough for Naru. Without warning, she placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed hard enough to make him flinch. "Be grateful you did not die. That would have annoyed me."
Her gaze shifted then, locking onto Marco and a few other familiar faces trailing close behind him. "You all made it too."
It did not escape her notice how their numbers had thinned out drastically. Even someone with half a brain could tell what that meant. Too many missing faces. Too many names left unspoken.
"To avoid unnecessary rumors, it's better if you all stay here for the time being," she told Marco. "If you need anything, absolutely anything, don't hesitate to come and find me."
Marco inclined his head, his voice low and sincere. "Thanks for the help, Kitsune. Just giving us a place to rest is already more than enough."
"Oh, spare me the formalities," Naru waved him off lightly. "We're friends, aren't we?"
"…Yeah. You're right." Marco did not challenge her words. Instead, he offered a small, genuine smile, one filled with unspoken gratitude and shared understanding.
Very few in the world understood the depth of Naru's connection with the Whitebeard Pirates. Their friendship began long ago, when she sought out Whitebeard with a bold request for cooperation. At the time, she was still a masked enigma, a fierce young woman determined to return enslaved merfolk she had rescued to the safety of Fish Man Island. Whitebeard ruled those waters, and she needed his help.
Seeking him out had been the logical choice.
What she did not expect was for the grizzled pirate to take a liking to her. To the old pirate, she was an amusing, sharp-tongued little spitfire. And somehow, from that unlikely pairing, a solid friendship bloomed. Since then, she had become a frequent guest aboard his ship, Kitsune by name, ally by heart.
Ace being in the crew was also largely thanks to Kitsune, who often talked about her brothers to Whitebeard.
A shame, really…
Naru exhaled slowly, watching as the injured members of what was left of the former grand fleet of the Whitebeard Crew being led away deeper into the forest. There, a hidden cabin waited for them. A secluded and safe haven, perfect for recovery. The Red Hair Pirates, meanwhile, remained near the shore, some of them already making themselves comfortable, lounging as if they owned the place
Naru's sharp gaze swept across the clearing once more, taking in every detail. But the one person she was searching for was conspicuously absent. It seemed her brother had slipped away.
"If you are looking for him," Shanks said behind her, "he went in that direction." He motioned lazily toward a small forest path branching off from the main clearing.
Naru turned her gaze to Shanks, and said, "I hope he isn't being difficult these few days."
Shanks chuckled, that trademark lopsided grin lingering on his face. "Depends on your definition of difficult. He's got a storm brewing in that thick skull of his, I can tell you that much. But he's not out there picking fights or raising hell. Just… quiet. Withdrawn." He paused, then added more seriously, "I think it's the guilt eating him alive."
Naru let out a small, derisive snort, though she did not offer any further comment.
"I suppose I should go check on him," she said at last, rubbing her temples in exaggerated exasperation. "One of these days, I swear, every single one of them is going to send me to an early grave."
With that declaration, she pivoted on her heel and began to stride toward the path Shanks had indicated.
Shanks remained exactly where he stood, watching her departure but making no move to follow. He understood perfectly well that this was not a moment where he should intrude. Although he had known Naru and her brothers since their childhood days, there was always a certain boundary when it came to family matters, especially when emotions ran this deep.
Ace was hurting, and his self-blame ran far deeper than he let on. And while Shanks could offer support, jokes, or an open ear, none of those could penetrate the fortress of guilt surrounding the younger man.
If anyone in the world had a chance at pulling him out of the shadows he had wrapped himself in, it would be his older sister.