The New World was calm for once.
The Oro Jackson drifted through waters kissed by twilight, its sails catching the soft breeze that rolled between islands.
The chaos of the previous months — Mihawk's new position, the Marines' growing movements, the whispers of Yonko tensions — all seemed to fade into a strange stillness.
Ada stood at the bow, the wind brushing strands of dark hair across her face. Her eyes were fixed on the horizon — but not the one her crew could see. It was as if she were looking beyond the map itself, toward a sea long left behind.
Behind her, Lilith adjusted a small recording device, its lenses flickering with light. "The sea's quieter than usual," she murmured. "Almost feels like it's waiting for something."
"Or someone," Okiku added softly.
Ada didn't respond. Her gloved fingers traced the faint etching carved into the ship's railing — an old mark Roger had left years ago. His laughter seemed to echo faintly through her memory.
From below, Bullet's heavy footsteps broke the silence. "So, what's next, Captain? We sail back to familiar waters? Maybe give the Marines some room to breathe?"
Ada's voice came low, calm — but resolute. "No."
That single word drew every gaze on deck.
Bullet frowned. "No?"
Ada turned slightly, the silver Nyx insignia on her cloak catching the dying light.
"There's another sea I need to see again."
Lilith tilted her head. "Then where?"
Ada looked eastward — truly eastward — to where the light of the setting sun touched the horizon.
"The East Blue."
A long silence followed. Even Fisher Tiger, unshakable as stone, paused.
Perona floated closer, parasol tilted. "East Blue? There's nothing but small pirates and sleepy villages out there."
"It's the weakest of the seas," Bullet muttered. "No glory to be had there."
Ada's lips curved faintly. "Not everything worth visiting is meant for fighting."
From near the mast, Mihawk closed the book he'd been reading, eyes sharp beneath the brim of his hat. "You're going to see him, aren't you?"
The words fell heavy into the quiet. No one needed to ask who him meant.
Ada didn't deny it. "It's been years. I've fought gods and kings, burned their thrones to ash… but I've never once looked upon my own son."
Lilith's mechanical eye dimmed softly, as if her circuits understood the gravity. "Luffy," she whispered.
Ada nodded once.
Okiku's expression softened. "You miss him."
Ada smiled faintly. "A mother always does."
Even Bullet, usually brash and loud, said nothing. The deck was filled with quiet reverence — the kind that only came when legends showed their humanity.
Mihawk's voice broke the silence. "You'll leave the ship to me, then."
Ada turned to him, meeting his calm, unflinching gaze. "Yes. You're already one of the Warlords. The Marines will move carefully now. Keep the crew steady. Watch the tides."
Mihawk inclined his head. "Understood."
Enel hovered lazily above the mast, lightning flickering faintly from his drums. "Heh. The world's strongest mother, going soft."
Fisher Tiger gave him a firm look. "Watch your tongue."
Enel smirked. "Just saying — never thought I'd see that look on her face."
Ada laughed softly — a rare, almost ethereal sound. "I've looked at the sea with hatred, longing, purpose… but never peace. Maybe it's time I remember what peace looks like."
Lilith smiled. "It suits you, Captain."
Ada's eyes lifted toward the fading sun. "He should be seven now… maybe eight. Old enough to dream. Old enough to shout what he wants to be."
The warmth in her tone silenced them all. For the first time in years, she sounded not like a captain — but a mother.
Tesoro chuckled. "Bet he's just as reckless as you."
Ada laughed again, the sound lighter this time. "He'll have to be. The world doesn't raise gentle children."
⸻————————
By dawn, the Oro Jackson had changed course. The unpredictable winds of the New World gave way to open skies and gentle currents. The crew could feel the difference immediately — the air grew softer, the light warmer.
Lilith adjusted her lenses, peering ahead. "We'll reach the first route into East Blue by morning."
Ada nodded, eyes fixed on the horizon. "Once we're near Loguetown, we stop. I'll disembark there."
Fisher Tiger frowned. "You're going alone?"
Ada's voice softened. "He doesn't know me. Not yet. I'd rather it stay that way — for now."
Okiku looked up at her captain's profile. "Do you think he's like you?"
Ada smiled wistfully. "No. He's freer."
That answer silenced the crew more than any lecture ever could.
Mihawk studied her in quiet thought. "You've seen the worst of this world, Ada. Perhaps seeing him will remind you what it's worth saving."
Ada turned, meeting his gaze. "Perhaps that's exactly why I'm going."
⸻————
Night fell like silk over the ship. The Oro Jackson drifted beneath a full moon, silver light spilling across the deck.
The crew shared a quiet meal — no grand feasts or raucous laughter this time. Only quiet talk, the sound of waves, and the warmth of camaraderie.
Perona sipped her drink thoughtfully. "So the kid's the son of you and Dragon, huh? No wonder the Marines twitch when they hear your name."
Bullet smirked. "They'd lose their minds if they ever found out."
Lilith grinned faintly. "Imagine the headlines: 'World Government's Greatest Enemies Had a Child.'"
Ada actually chuckled. "They'd start a war just to erase his name from the records."
Okiku poured her another cup of tea. "And yet you're sailing into their sea — the one they ignore because they think it's harmless."
Ada took a sip, the steam curling around her face. "It's the only sea that still believes in peace. That's why it's perfect."
Fisher Tiger leaned forward. "And when you see him?"
Ada's eyes softened. "I'll just watch. For now. I want to see what kind of boy he's become."
That quiet, heartfelt answer rippled through the deck. Even the restless ones — Bullet, Enel, Tesoro — fell silent.
For the first time in years, their captain wasn't talking about war. She was talking about life.
⸻————
By sunrise, the Oro Jackson had left the chaos of the Grand Line behind.
The water turned crystal blue, the wind softer. The gulls cried overhead — cheerful, unbothered by the world's turmoil.
Lilith's voice came from the crow's nest. "We've officially crossed into East Blue."
Ada stepped to the bow, removing her gloves. For a moment, she simply let the morning air brush against her bare hands. "This sea…" she whispered. "It's like breathing again after holding your breath too long."
Bullet looked unimpressed. "Doesn't look like much."
Ada smiled. "That's what Roger said too."
Mihawk's eyes gleamed faintly. "The sea that birthed legends."
Ada nodded. "And maybe another one."
Fisher Tiger crossed his arms. "You think your boy will be one?"
Ada looked out over the waves. "He doesn't need to be a legend. Just someone who keeps laughing, no matter what the world throws at him."
Perona grinned. "He really is your son, then."
Ada laughed lightly. "Maybe."
Fisher Tiger placed a hand on the railing. "He'd be what now? Seven?"
Ada nodded. "About that."
"Time flies," Tiger said softly.
"Faster than we ever expect it to," Ada replied, her tone wistful. "It feels like yesterday he was just a bundle in my arms… and now he's out there — breathing this same air."
Mihawk approached her slowly, his boots echoing against the deck. "You've decided, then."
Ada smiled faintly. "You'll command the crew while I'm gone. Keep them out of trouble."
A flicker of amusement passed through his eyes. "And if they cause it anyway?"
"Then make sure it's trouble worth making," Ada said with a small grin.
Bullet folded his arms. "Can't believe you're leaving us again, Captain."
Ada turned to him. "You'll survive. Besides, you still owe me a rematch."
Enel chuckled. "So, we're babysitting Mihawk now?"
"Hardly," Mihawk said dryly. "But I'll make sure your lightning doesn't fry the ship."
Tesoro leaned against the mast. "I'll keep an eye on the coffers. No promises about spending."
Perona pouted. "And what are we supposed to do while you're gone?"
"Rest," Ada said simply. "And wait."
Okiku smiled softly. "We'll keep the ship ready for your return, Captain"
She walked to the rail, one hand resting against the polished wood. "You'll head back the moment I disembark. No detours."
Fisher Tiger frowned slightly. "You sure you don't want one of us to stay?"
Ada shook her head. "No. This is something I need to do alone."
Lilith hesitated, then finally nodded. "Understood, Captain."
Ada gave her a faint smile. "You've all done enough. The world hasn't stopped moving — and neither will we."
Lilith's device clicked. "Captain, we're approaching a small island chain. Loguetown should be ahead."
Ada nodded. "Prepare a small boat. I'll go alone."
Mihawk frowned slightly. "If you step foot in that town, the Government might sense your presence."
Ada smirked. "Let them. I'm just a mother visiting her child."
Even Mihawk couldn't suppress a small smile at that.
As the crew lowered the longboat, Fisher Tiger stepped forward. "You'll come back?"
Ada gave him a warm, sure smile. "Always."
The longboat was lowered quietly into the water. Ada stepped inside, her cloak fluttering as she turned to face her crew one last time.
"Take care of the ship," she said softly. "And of each other."
The crew saluted her in their own ways — Mihawk with a small nod, Tiger with a hand over his heart, Bullet with a smirk, Enel with a casual wave, Perona tearfully clutching Hiyori's hand.
Mihawk steadied the boat. "Don't do anything reckless."
Ada glanced up, teasing. "Since when do I ever?"
Mihawk sighed, the faintest hint of a smirk ghosting his face. "That's what worries me."
Laughter rippled across the deck as Ada pushed away.
The small boat drifted into the morning fog, the golden light of dawn glinting on the calm waves.
⸻———
The East Blue stretched endlessly before her — calm, vast, innocent.
Ada leaned back in the boat, hand trailing through the cool water. The salt was lighter here, the current gentle. It didn't roar like the New World seas. It whispered.
"This is where he's growing up," she murmured. "A sea that doesn't hate. Maybe that's enough for now."
Her eyes lifted to the open sky. She could almost hear a boy's laughter — and Roger's words echoing through memory.
"Dreams are free," she whispered. "But the price of chasing them isn't."
Her lips curved into a soft smile. "I wonder what kind of dream you have, Luffy."
Seagulls circled above, following her quiet passage eastward.
For the first time in years, Nyx D. Ada — the woman who defied gods, toppled kings, and scarred the world — felt something she had long forgotten.
Peace.
⸻————
Far behind her, the Oro Jackson sailed steadily west.
Mihawk stood silently at the rail, the wind tugging at his coat. Fisher Tiger joined him, folding his arms. "She's different when it comes to him."
Mihawk's golden eyes stayed on the horizon. "Every warrior has something they'd die for. For her… it's not a cause. It's him."
Bullet chuckled lowly. "Guess the sea ain't ready for when those two finally meet."
Lilith's voice hummed softly. "The sea waits for the ones it loves."
Mihawk glanced her way. "And it's waiting still."
The Oro Jackson drifted onward — its captain now somewhere beyond the mist, heading toward the boy who would one day shake the world.