The New world was unpredictable, and in its turbulent waters, alliances were as fragile as an eggshell.
That day, the sky was gray as death, and the waves rose as if Neptune himself anticipated chaos.
In front of Nadropel Island, a land rich in caramelized trees and rivers of sugar — a territory disputed between emperors — two colossal fleets faced each other.
Big Mom's Pirates had dispatched an expedition led by Snack, one of her former Sweet Commanders, accompanied by Amande, the swordswoman of the Charlotte family, and armed companies from Totto Land's army.
The mission was clear: claim the island and wipe out any trace of the Whitebeard flag.
What they didn't expect was that the Whitebeard Pirates would respond just as quickly. Aboard the Moby Dick came Thatch (Fourth Division Commander), Vista (Fifth Division Commander)… and with them, the young prodigy…
Zed, the Crimson Phoenix.
The War BeginsA roar of cannons split the sea, and the battle erupted.
Explosions, fire, screams. The ships boarded each other in a deadly dance. Hundreds of pirates clashed in open war on deck, while the commanders sought out their equals for duels that would go down in history.
Zed descended from the sky like a blazing bullet, crashing into the lead ship from Totto Land in an explosion of red and orange fire.
—"It's the Whitebeard brat!" —yelled a Big Mom soldier—. "That damn Phoenix!"
Zed wielded his sword wrapped in weak but sharp Armament Haki, enough to slice through common blades with ease. Crimson energy slashes tore through the air.
—"Back off!" —he shouted—. "This island is protected by the old man!"
Four enemies lunged at him.
Zed dodged using his Observation Haki, spun on his axis, and launched a horizontal slash. A fiery blast followed, charring part of the mast and forcing his enemies back.
One of them, a Paka Paka no Mi user, tried to trap him in a cage of energy, but Zed leapt high, spreading fiery wings of crimson feathers and crashing down like a meteor.
—"Crimson Beak!"
He struck the enemy in the chest with a winged dive. The impact shattered the deck and hurled the foe into the sea.
Duel of CommandersOn the main ship, Vista was already crossing swords with Amande, both wrapped in a deadly dance of slashes and counters. Each clash echoed like thunder across the battlefield.
Amande: —"Didn't expect to find one of the New World's most famous swordsmen here, Vista."
Vista: —"And I expected Big Mom to send someone harder to cut."
With a swift move, Vista unleashed a triple-slash technique that forced Amande to retreat. His gaze was calm, but his hands were lightning fast.
Meanwhile, Snack faced off against Thatch in a duel of brute force versus agility. Thatch, wielding two flaming swords, fought in rough terrain, dodging Snack's crushing blows while landing precise thrusts.
Snack: —"One of Whitebeard's sons! I'll rip your heart out and serve it to mama!"
Thatch: —"With fries? Because I'm getting hungry."
Both laughed as steel clashed and fire crackled.
Zed Versus Totto Land's TerrorAmidst the combat, Zed was surrounded by three Totto Land lieutenants: a fish-man with claws, a woman who controlled sugar whips, and a slender swordsman who spoke only in whispers.
—"Kid or not, your head's worth a fortune," —murmured the swordsman.
Zed took a deep breath, activating his hybrid Phoenix form. His arms ignited, his legs too, and blazing wings spread from his back.
—"Come! And be ready to burn!"
What followed was a fierce battle. Zed burned, slashed, dodged. He was wounded in the leg, but his partial regeneration kept him going. He cut down the whispering swordsman with a chest slash, knocked the woman out with a heat wave that warped her whip, and finally drove his sword into the fish-man's shoulder.
From afar, Marco, who had arrived to assist, watched with a smile.
—"That brat's going places…"
Retreat and VictoryThe battle raged for hours.
In the end, with heavy casualties and Snack gravely wounded by Thatch, Big Mom's Pirates retreated.
—"Damn Whitebeard! This isn't over!" —Snack shouted as he was evacuated.
Amande, bloodied and breathing heavily, stared at Vista with hate.
—"We'll be back…"
Vista sheathed his sword.
—"I'll be waiting."
Aboard the Moby DickBack on the ship, bandaged and wounded, Zed sat on the deck looking at the sky.
Thatch approached with a bottle.
—"Good job, kid. Not many your age could endure that."
Marco knelt beside him and patted his shoulder.
—"Your fire's growing, Zed. But remember… the brighter the flame, the faster it consumes the soul."
Zed looked at his hand, wrapped in red fire.
—"Then I'll become eternal flame."
Vista smiled from afar.
—"Crimson Phoenix… that name's already starting to spread fear."
And within the Moby Dick, Whitebeard's family celebrated another victory… knowing the war in the New World was only growing more dangerous.