I woke slowly, rocked by the gentle sway of the Merry. The morning breeze brushed against my face, and a blanket—carefully draped over me—still shielded me from the dawn chill. The sun had just begun its ascent, stretching its first golden rays over the calm sea. I stretched lazily, a long yawn escaping my lips, which drew a small laugh from behind me.
Turning around, I saw Nami, an amused smile playing on her lips, a glass of tangerine juice in her hand."Here," she said, handing me the glass before sitting beside me on the lounge chair. "I thought you'd like this."
"Thanks," I replied, taking a slow sip. The tangy-sweet flavor filled my mouth, the freshness so pleasant it drew an honest smile from me."Sleep well?" I asked, setting the glass down on the edge of the deck.
"More or less…" she sighed. "Except that Kaya thinks I'm her stuffed animal and clings to me all night."
I noticed faint dark circles under her eyes—proof of her restless sleep."Is it the clinging that bothers you," I asked curiously, "or the fact that she moves too much in her sleep?"
"She's a complete ball of nerves…" Nami rolled her eyes. "And even more so since she got that rabbit fruit. I pity Usopp later—because with all that energy she's got now…"
"EHHH!"
We both jumped as Kaya, her face beet-red, appeared in the doorway. Usopp was watching her thoughtfully, clearly already imagining his future.
I smirked."Usopp's pretty energetic himself. I think they'll get along just fine," I teased, making Kaya blush even harder before she fled into the Merry's dining room, with a bewildered Usopp following behind.
Nami rubbed her temples, amused despite herself."Anyway… yeah, it's just that she moves too much. I'll see if we can rearrange the sleeping spots."
Without thinking, I slipped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her gently against me."You know," I murmured with a grin, "I wouldn't mind being your pillow from time to time."
Her cheeks flushed a little, her gaze darting away, but she didn't immediately pull back. For a brief moment, her body stayed relaxed, as if she were hesitating—then, of course, Luffy burst out of the dorm yelling:"I'M HUNGRYYYY!!!"
Nami jumped out of my arms, fuming, while I couldn't help but laugh at the scene. The peaceful morning serenity instantly gave way to our captain's usual chaos.
Luffy's thunderous shout had woken the two in the crow's nest. Kuina dropped down gracefully, while Zoro, still half-asleep, slid down lazily, arms crossed behind his head. As for me, I decided to take advantage of the cool sea—throwing on my shorts, I dove into the water, sending up a silvery splash.
Beneath the waves, Meumeuh swam lazily, her large round eyes lighting up with joy when she saw me. I released two Torpilotes who began to spiral around her, their dark shapes slicing through the water like living torpedoes. The sea cow, delighted, whipped her tail playfully, joining their chase in a dance that almost looked childlike.
After a few minutes of play, I caught a huge lone tuna that had the misfortune of swimming too close. In one smooth motion, I hauled it back onto the Merry, seawater still dripping from my hair. Sanji was already waiting, cigarette in the corner of his mouth, cutting board ready.
"You're saving me, Jordan. With Luffy's appetite and the Merry's pathetic food reserves, I'm always worried we'll run out," he said, taking the fish. His tone was light, but I could see a flicker of genuine concern in his eyes.
"I get it. This ship wasn't exactly designed for long-distance sailing without resupply. And with all the extra food we need because of training… your job's getting heavier," I replied with a shrug. Then, smirking, I added, "But don't worry, we've got Meumeuh to bring us fresh stuff, and I've still got a few marine Heartless in reserve. As long as your spices hold out, we'll never go hungry."
Sanji chuckled softly before handing me a quick breakfast dish. I sat down beside Zoro, who was leaning against the railing, and Luffy, already munching away on dried meat with both hands.
"We should reach Kotzia within a day," I said more seriously. "According to the info Xaheis and Hector gave me, it's the headquarters of East Blue's bounty hunters. With our bounties, expect trouble."
Sanji frowned slightly. "Hm… do we really have to stop at that island?" he asked—not out of fear, but with that pragmatic reluctance of someone already foreseeing the chaos to come.
Luffy lifted his head from his meal, eyes gleaming with unshakable resolve."I want to explore every sea before we step onto the Grand Line," he declared firmly. "It's my dream… and also to help Jordan achieve his." He paused for a moment, his tone deepening. "Without him, I probably would've been forced to join the Marines because of Gramps… I never would've met you all—or helped any of you." A wide grin split his face, as always.
I slung an arm around his shoulders. "No problem, Captain. We're friends." Then I turned to Sanji. "And about your question… I plan to settle the Mirks affair once and for all. Xaheis will take his place. No more corruption among the bounty hunters—and we'll finally have a reliable source of information."
Usopp nodded seriously—a rare sight for him. "He's right. Information is everything. Knowing who our enemies are, what's happening in the world… that's a weapon on its own." Kaya, nestled beside him, gave him an admiring look, and I couldn't help but notice how different this Usopp was from the one in the canon timeline—calmer, more confident, a true crewmate.
Then Koby, who had been quiet until now, suddenly spoke up. His eyes shone with timid determination."Jordan… I want to infiltrate the Marines."
The deck fell silent. Everyone turned to him. I took a slow breath, fixing my eyes on him."Go on. I'm listening."
Luffy said nothing, leaving it to me—he knew Koby was here because of me.
"I've realized the world isn't just black and white," Koby began, his voice trembling but steady. "Staying with you helps me grow… but you're all already so strong that I feel… left behind. I want to help in another way. If I rise high within the Marines, I could gain access to vital resources, important information… and I could help differently. Like Xaheis—but from the inside."
His gaze met mine, anxious but filled with sincere will.
I slowly shook my head. "Koby, listen to me carefully. You are not a burden. You're young, but you're getting stronger—just like the rest of us. The Marines are far more corrupt than you think, rotting from the inside and controlled by those who pull the strings. I won't let them sink their claws into you."
He lowered his eyes, his throat tight, but I placed a firm hand on his shoulder."If you truly want to help in another way… then when the time comes—on the Grand Line—I'll give you that chance. You'll face a Warlord of the Sea and take his place. You'll serve our cause… and you'll keep sailing with us."
A wave of relief swept through the group. The tension broke like mist.
Usopp ruffled Koby's pink hair with a teasing grin."Looks like you're stuck with us, partner."
Marine Headquarters – Fleet Admiral's Office
The atmosphere in Sengoku's office was heavy. Piles of reports were stacked high on his desk, but it was the sharp figure of Tsuru who entered first, a carefully folded document in hand. Behind her came Spandine, his nasally grin plastered across his face.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, this is a directive from the Gorosei. Execute it immediately," Spandine announced, his honeyed tone failing to mask his arrogance. Before the Five Elders, he was as timid as a mouse—but in front of the Admirals, he liked to play the part of a superior.
Sengoku grunted, his brow furrowing with irritation. Garp, leaning casually against the wall, raised his fist slightly, a predatory grin spreading across his face. The gesture alone was enough to remind Spandine he wasn't in control here. The man paled a little, swallowing hard before continuing.
Tsuru, composed as always, placed the report on Sengoku's desk."Saint Saturn has requested an increase in the bounty of the individual known as Sora. According to their intelligence, he directly defied the Celestial Dragons' authority by attacking the Tequila Wolf construction site." Her voice remained icy and even.
Spandine took the opportunity to add,"I also bring additional intelligence for threat assessment… Sora reportedly defeated two CP0 agents. They both possessed mastery of Armament and Observation Haki, as well as the full Rokushiki technique set." With that, he slipped quickly out of the room.
A heavy silence followed. Sengoku rested both hands on the desk, his expression dark."…So he's not relying solely on his creatures."
His gaze turned toward Garp. "Jordan, your grandson's companion, he fought him when you were together. Is he stronger than Sora?"
Garp crossed his arms, uncharacteristically serious."Jordan's… strange. I wouldn't say he's on CP0 level. But either Sora wasn't fighting seriously in that other dimension… or he's getting stronger every time he appears." He paused, his eyes narrowing. "And I already warned you—he's got a technique that makes him deadly in one-on-one combat. He can… stop someone's time. Even for just a few seconds, that's enough to kill."
Sengoku grimaced, rubbing his temple. "Hmph. An ability like that… we'll have to keep a very close eye on him. Set his bounty at 600 million. It'll send a clear message. He hasn't even stepped on the Grand Line yet… Let's see how he fares against established pirates."
Tsuru cleared her throat softly, regaining the room's attention, and produced a second report."Sengoku… there's another problem."
"I'm listening," he replied wearily.
She nodded and unfolded the documents."The internal purge at Headquarters has already begun. Sora's creatures—whether by intent or instinct—seem to target members of the Hawks faction by default. We've already uncovered two commodores taking bribes from pirates, twelve frigate captains slaughtering civilians for amusement… Counting their subordinates, that's over six hundred men compromised. Here, in the heart of Marine HQ."
Sengoku briefly closed his eyes, as if crushed by the weight of that revelation. Garp clenched his fists, his jaw tightening.
Tsuru continued in an implacable tone:"The traitors are being transformed into various creatures. And here's the disturbing part: the innocent Marines are no longer afraid to use them. They've begun taking these things to sea—onto the Grand Line, even into Paradise. The creatures fight alongside them, but remain weak… until a pirate crew is defeated."
Sengoku opened one eye, focused again. "Go on."
"When that happens," Tsuru said, "stronger white creatures appear. But they don't stay. They vanish into bright portals almost immediately. Sometimes, they look exactly like the fallen pirates. And often, they're accompanied by two entities: one dark, with glowing blue eyes like Sora's creatures… and the other, a perfect replica of the pirate himself."
A chill ran through the room.
Garp broke the silence, his voice grim."So these damn things copy our enemies… and sometimes replace them."
Tsuru nodded gravely."The dark humanoid versions are executed on sight for safety reasons… but the clones—they disappear like the white ones. We still don't know if they would've been docile like the smaller ones… or hostile, like the pirates they're based on."
Sengoku crossed his arms, his gaze distant for a moment before he sighed."Hmph… we'll need to give them a proper name. We can't keep calling them 'creatures' over and over."His eyes settled on Garp, who already wore a mischievous, almost feral grin."You look like you've got an idea, Garp?"
The vice-admiral let out a chuckle and puffed out his chest."Of course I do! Why not name them after the one who brought them to light? He was the first to deal with them… and thanks to him, the Marines even learned they existed." His grin widened."Heatless D. Jordan… let's call these things Heartless!"
His fists tightened, and he suddenly burst into booming laughter that made the windows rattle."DO-RA-RA-RA-RA-RA-RA-RA!!!"
Tsuru pinched the bridge of her nose, exasperated."Garp, this isn't the time to be fooling around…"
Even Sengoku, despite his sternness, allowed himself a faint smirk."…Insolent to the very end, that boy. But fine. The name's simple—and memorable. Very well. From today onward, these creatures will be officially classified as Heartless."
He grew more solemn, pointing to the reports spread across his desk."You'll send the order down the hierarchy, Tsuru. The dark variants with blue eyes will be designated Dark Heartless. As for the white copies that vanish right after appearing… they'll be catalogued as Light Heartless."
Garp, still laughing, dropped heavily into a chair, roaring:"DO-RA-RA-RA-RA-RA-RA-RA!!!""I'd pay good money to see Jordan's face when he finds out about this! Ahahahaha!"
Tsuru shook her head with a long, tired sigh, while Sengoku closed the folder with a sharp motion, ending the discussion.
(Author's note: If I find time, I'll send one more chapter tomorrow ^^)