Ren rode the Nimbus across the fractured skies of the New World, golden vapor trailing behind him like a second sun cutting through storm clouds. Ships below slowed mid-voyage as sailors pointed upward, mouths agape at the sight of a man flying freely above the sea.
"Is that him?" someone shouted from a merchant vessel. "The one guarding Fish-Man Island?"
"Ren!" another voice called. "That's Ren!"
News traveled faster than cannon fire. By the time Ren crossed three territories, Den Den Mushi were already ringing across underworld ports and Marine outposts alike. The protector of Fish-Man Island had entered the New World.
In a smoky tavern somewhere along the Grand Line's darker routes, slave traders burst into laughter. Their mugs slammed against wooden tables as mockery filled the air.
"What, couldn't stay there any longer?" one jeered.
"Hahahah! After all, how can a strong man stay under the sea protecting those Fish-Men?" another spat.
A third leaned back smugly. "He must've done it to make his name famous. Nothing more. Boys, to Fish-Man Island."
"Yeah!" someone shouted. "Because of him, Fish-Men prices have increased. Let's go!"
Ships sailed confidently toward the Red Zone. None returned.
Within days, Morgans spread a fresh headline that shook the seas: Ten Hair Clones Guard Fish-Man Island. The article detailed how identical figures had been spotted eliminating entire crews without pause, their power unrelenting.
Shock rippled through pirate circles and Marine headquarters alike.
---
Marineford
Sengoku rubbed the bridge of his nose, frustration and unease coiling together in his chest. Reports lay scattered across his desk, each one confirming the same impossible detail.
"Sigh… we have to find a way to deal with this guy as quickly as possible," he muttered gravely.
Garp, seated casually nearby with a bag of crackers, burst into loud laughter. "Bhahahahahahaha! The boy really knows how to entertain people!"
Sengoku shot him a glare. "This isn't entertainment."
Garp waved a dismissive hand. "And why worry so much? He isn't even a pirate yet and has no bounty. So why worry?"
Sengoku slammed his palm against the desk. "Shut your damn mouth, you old bastard! Don't you see he can create ten clones strong enough to guard an island?"
His voice lowered but grew sharper. "If he becomes a pirate, he will be our worst nightmare."
Garp leaned back, still chuckling. "Bhahaha! What's the big deal? He's doing our job anyway."
The laughter faded slightly near the end of his sentence, replaced by something heavier—disappointment.
Sengoku's face paled faintly. "You old bastard… what are you thinking of doing? I'm warning you, Garp, don't do anything reckless. You are no longer young."
Garp stood, stretching lazily. "Bhahahaha!" he replied, offering no clarification before walking out.
Sengoku barked orders immediately. "Keep an eye on Vice Admiral Garp! I want constant updates!"
The Fleet Admiral exhaled sharply. "That fool is going to give me a heart attack."
---
Wano
After days of travel, Ren arrived at the isolated nation. Storm clouds rolled above its towering cliffs, waterfalls cascading down like silver scars across the rock face.
He shrank his body to the size of an insect before crossing the barrier. No sentry noticed. No patrol sensed him.
Once inside, he shifted appearances entirely, blending seamlessly among civilians during the day. His Observation Haki quietly mapped the land's suffering.
Polluted rivers stank of rot. Forests stood skeletal and gray. The air itself felt bruised.
At night, unseen by human eyes, Ren moved along riverbanks. He activated Devour, absorbing entire sections of contaminated water into his stomach space.
Within that inner realm, Azure Dark Green energy churned and refined, separating poison from purity. Moments later, he released fresh, clean water back into the rivers.
Day after day, he repeated the process.
"Filth upon filth," he murmured once while observing a dead forest clearing. "You've been choking for years."
When he finished surveying the land, he turned his focus toward Onigashima.
He shrank once more, becoming smaller than an ant, and flew quietly across the sea to the fortress island. The structure loomed like a demon's skull against the horizon.
He slipped through cracks in stone, exploring underground corridors and prison chambers. Yamato would be confined somewhere isolated after clashing with Kaido repeatedly.
Finally, he found a heavily guarded cell. A single guard stood outside, bored yet alert. Behind the iron bars pulsed a powerful presence—bruised but unbroken.
Ren moved swiftly. The guard collapsed before even sensing him.
Ren returned to normal size and peered inside. It was her.
Yamato sat against the wall, body battered from Kaido's beating.
Ren leaned casually against the bars. "Yooo. Do you know the way around here? I'm kinda lost."
Yamato nearly jumped out of her skin. She hadn't sensed him approach, and she wasn't actively using Haki while resting.
She steadied herself and stared at him. Her first thought flashed embarrassingly fast. Damn, a handsome guy.
Then her brain corrected violently. Wait. I'm Oden. I'm a man.
She looked again, scanning black hair and Azure blue eyes. "Hmmm… have I seen you before? N-no wait. Who the hell are you?"
Her eyes widened as reality set in. "Doesn't matter who you are. Don't stay here! Run! This is Onigashima—Kaido's island!"
She stepped closer to the bars despite her injuries. "Run and don't come back, or you will be killed."
Her voice trembled slightly. "I don't want anyone else to die because of me."
Ren shrugged casually, shrinking and slipping through the bars before returning to normal size inside the cell.
He sat lazily against the wall and began pulling dishes from his stomach space—Fish-Man Island delicacies arranged neatly before them.
Yamato stared. Then stared harder. The smell reached her, and her stomach growled loudly.
"Stop doing whatever you're doing and leave before someone comes," she insisted, though her gaze kept drifting toward the food.
Ren tilted his head. "But didn't you just say no one comes here? So it should be fine."
Yamato nodded instinctively—then immediately shook her head. "Hey! Stop playing word games with—"
Her protest was cut short as Ren shoved a piece of meat into her mouth.
The flavor exploded across her tongue. Her body reacted before her pride could. She chewed. Swallowed.
Then fear flooded her eyes. Tears began to spill.
"If Kaido finds out… he'll torture and kill you because of me," she whispered.
Ren rolled his eyes slightly. "Can you stop acting like I'm dying and just eat it?"
He leaned back casually. "I came all the way here unnoticed. Do you really think I would die that easily?"
She sniffed, trying to regain composure. "Who are you?"
"Ren," he replied simply.
Recognition dawned in her expression. "You're… the one who killed all those slave traders on Fish-Man Island."
Ren shrugged. "They were irritating."
She swallowed again, more steadily this time. "Why are you here?"
"To take Wano from Kaido, of course."
Yamato blinked—then laughed despite herself. "You're really funny. Do you even know how strong that monster is?"
She barely finished before another piece of meat silenced her.
"Come on, I said eat," Ren muttered. "Why are you asking so much? Troublesome girl."
Her cheeks puffed indignantly. "Who are you calling troublesome, you stupid guy?"
She grabbed another dish herself this time, muttering under her breath while eating.
Ren watched quietly, then placed his hand gently against her shoulder. Azure Dark Green energy flowed into her battered body.
A link formed—steady, warm, sustaining.
Yamato froze briefly as warmth spread through her muscles. Bruises began fading. Internal strain eased.
She opened her mouth to question him—but her stomach growled again.
"…I'll ask later," she muttered, continuing to eat.
Ren leaned back against the cold stone wall of Kaido's prison cell, eyes calm and faintly amused.
"Eat first," he said softly. "Then we'll go meet your father."