Inside Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, the tension from earlier had softened into uneasy conversation. Glasses clinked lightly while the Straw Hats tried to process everything they had learned.
Nami crossed her arms, sighing. "You know… we keep running into Ada's crew lately."
She shook her head.
"A bunch of monsters. Every single one of them."
Zoro leaned back against the wall.
"Yeah," he muttered. "Their presence alone is overwhelming… especially Mihawk… and that Bullet guy."
Several of the crew nodded immediately.
Usopp shivered. "I still get chills remembering that pressure…"
Chopper hugged himself. "They didn't even look like they were trying!"
Rayleigh chuckled softly from his seat. "Oh? So you've met them already?"
He took a sip of his drink. "Well, being strong is a given. Ada never recruits someone without potential."
The crew leaned in slightly.
"As far as I remember," Rayleigh continued, "when Ada recruited Mihawk… he was still just a teenager."
Zoro's eye widened. "…What?"
Rayleigh smiled faintly. "She trained him herself."
The room froze.
Zoro straightened instantly. "You mean to tell me… Ada trained Mihawk personally?!"
Rayleigh nodded casually. "Yes."
Zoro's grip tightened around his swords.
"…Is that why he became the World's Strongest Swordsman?"
Before Rayleigh could answer, Shakky spoke while calmly wiping a glass behind the counter.
"Not entirely."
Everyone turned toward her.
Shakky set the glass down.
"It was during the incident at Marie Geoise," she said casually. "Back then… Mihawk faced one of the Three Admirals."
The room went still.
"And not just him," she continued. "Bullet, Mihawk, and Ada — the three of them each fought an Admiral during that invasion."
A heavy silence fell.
"…and they defeated them."
For a full second, nobody reacted.
Then—
"THEY DID WHAT?!" Usopp screamed.
Chopper nearly toppled backward off his chair. "Marie Geoise?! The land of the Celestial Dragons?! And they fought ADMIRALS?!"
Sanji's cigarette slipped dangerously from his lips. "You're telling me they attacked the Holy Land… and won?!"
Franky's jaw dropped. "That's beyond SUPER…"
Robin's eyes widened slightly in realization.
"…So that was what Jinbe mentioned back on Conomi Island to you guys."
Sanji blinked. "Come to think of it… yeah. That's exactly what he said."
He exhaled slowly, shaking his head.
"But to imagine it was Ada's crew…"
He gave a small, stunned laugh.
"…really a bunch of monsters."
Rayleigh chuckled quietly from his seat, swirling his drink.
"You know… even before that incident," he added, "Ada once fought all three Admirals by herself."
The Straw Hats froze again.
"…Huh?" Nami whispered.
Rayleigh nodded casually.
"They weren't Admirals yet back then — only Vice Admirals."
Still.
The implication hit like lightning.
"She beat them… alone."
"ALL THREE?!" Usopp shrieked.
Chopper's eyes spun. "That's impossible!!"
Zoro's expression hardened, equal parts shock and excitement. "…She defeated three future Admirals by herself…"
Shakky leaned against the counter with a nostalgic smile. "Yes. After that battle, the world officially recognized Ada as the first Emperor of the Sea."
The crew stared at her in disbelief.
"And not long after," Shakky continued, "the other four Emperors began to rise."
Robin folded her arms thoughtfully. "So the balance of power…"
Shakky nodded.
"If you think about it," she said softly, "Ada was the one who started the Age of the Five Emperors."
Silence filled the bar again.
The Straw Hats could only stare, trying to comprehend the scale of the legend they kept hearing about.
Usopp gulped loudly. "…We've really been crossing paths with terrifying people…"
Franky whistled. "SUPER insane…"
Usopp suddenly remembered something and pointed. "Wait! What about that giant?! Loki — the Prince of Elbaf!"
Rayleigh's relaxed expression cracked slightly in surprise.
"…Loki?"
"So she recruited him too?" he asked.
Usopp nodded rapidly. "Yeah! That's what Loki himself said!"
Shakky smiled faintly, nostalgic. "Well… Ada met Loki when he was still a child in Elbaf."
Chopper blinked. "She knew him that long ago?"
"Seems Ada has a habit of picking up dangerous people early," Robin observed calmly.
Zoro smirked faintly. "Sounds like she builds monsters."
Rayleigh laughed quietly. "Or maybe she just recognizes them before the world does."
The conversation lingered for a moment before Luffy suddenly stood up, stretching his arms.
"Anyway!" he said brightly. "Enough stories!"
Everyone looked at him. "Wanna go explore? And check if the Sunny's okay?"
Instantly, the crew's mood shifted.
"Oh! Good idea!" Chopper said.
"Yeah, after all that chaos, who knows what happened outside," Nami added.
Franky grinned. "I gotta check on my SUPER ship anyway!"
The crew began gathering their things.
Shakky leaned against the counter, watching them with an amused smile.
"Be careful out there," she warned casually.
"The Admiral might already be searching for you."
The Straw Hats paused briefly.
Usopp turned pale. "A-Admiral already?!"
Luffy just grinned. "Then we'll just run into him when we do."
Zoro smirked. "Heh. Sounds fun."
Nami groaned. "You two are impossible…"
As the Straw Hats stepped out of the bar, the peaceful atmosphere faded behind them.
Outside, Sabaody was no longer calm.
The Marines were moving.
And somewhere above the mangrove roots… light itself was beginning to descend.
————————-
The Straw Hats walked cautiously along the mangrove groves of Sabaody, the massive roots towering above them like pillars. The air felt tense — too quiet.
Luffy stretched his arms behind his head. "Man, this place feels weird…"
Nami glanced around nervously. "Shakky did warn us an Admiral might already be here…"
Suddenly—
THOOM. THOOM. THOOM.
Heavy metallic footsteps echoed through the grove.
Everyone stopped.
A massive figure emerged from the shadows.
Bartholomew Kuma.
—or at least, someone who looked exactly like him.
Usopp's eyes bulged. "W-WHAT THE?!"
Chopper pointed shakily. "K-Kuma?! He's here already?!"
Luffy frowned. "Oi… that guy…"
Zoro narrowed his eyes immediately.
"…No."
The crew looked at him.
"That's not the real Kuma."
Nami blinked. "Huh? How can you tell?"
Zoro rested a hand on his swords, gaze sharp. "The real one felt… different. Like a person."
His eyes hardened. "This one feels like a machine."
The figure raised its head slowly. Its expression was empty — lifeless.
A mechanical whirring sound echoed.
Robin's eyes widened slightly. "A weapon…?"
Suddenly, the figure's mouth began to glow.
"MOVE!" Sanji shouted.
A beam of blinding light fired—
BOOOOM!!
The ground exploded where they had stood seconds earlier.
Usopp screamed while running. "IT SHOOTS LASERS?! THAT'S NOT NORMAL!"
Franky stared in shock. "That's Vegapunk-level tech!!"
The Pacifista stepped forward again, emotionless, palm lifting toward them.
Another beam charged.
Luffy grinned slightly, cracking his knuckles.
"Okay… now I'm annoyed."
The Straw Hats rushed forward together.
Zoro dashed first, blades drawn.
"SANTORYU!"
He slashed — sparks flew as steel met an impossibly hard body.
"Tch! It's tough!"
Sanji spun in from the side, leg igniting in flames.
"Diable Jambe!"
He kicked hard—
"Collier Shoot!"
The Pacifista barely staggered.
Chopper gasped. "It didn't even flinch!"
A laser fired again, forcing everyone to scatter.
Nami shouted, "We can't beat this thing one by one!"
Luffy landed beside Zoro and Sanji, grin fading into focus.
"…Then we hit it together."
Zoro smirked.
"Finally talking sense."
Sanji exhaled smoke, flames building around his leg.
"Let's finish this quickly."
The Pacifista raised both arms, preparing another blast—
But the three were already moving.
Zoro leapt forward first, swords spinning.
"Santoryu…"
Power gathered around his blades.
"Six Hundred Pound Cannon!!"
A massive shockwave of slashes blasted forward.
At the same moment—
Luffy launched himself into the air, arm compressing with explosive force.
"Gomu Gomu no… Jet Cannon!!"
His fist rocketed forward like a cannonball.
And from below—
Sanji vanished in a burst of speed, flames roaring brighter.
"Diable Jambe… Mouton Shot!!"
All three attacks struck simultaneously.
BAAAAAAAM!!!
The grove shook violently as the Pacifista was overwhelmed by the combined impact. Its metallic body cracked, sparks bursting everywhere.
For a moment, it stood frozen.
Then—
KRRRZZZT… BOOM!!
The machine exploded, collapsing into smoking wreckage.
Silence followed.
Smoke drifted through the grove.
Usopp slowly peeked out from behind a tree. "…Is it… dead?"
Franky walked closer, inspecting the remains. "Yeah… totally scrap metal now."
Chopper stared wide-eyed. "We actually beat it…"
Luffy stretched his arms with a grin. "That guy was tough."
Zoro sheathed his swords. "…If that's just a copy, the real one must be insane."
Sanji lit another cigarette, exhaling slowly.
"…And Shakky said an Admiral might be here."
The crew exchanged uneasy looks.
Somewhere deeper in the grove, another heavy metallic footstep echoed faintly.
They weren't alone yet.
The smoke from the destroyed Pacifista had barely settled when—
CLAP. CLAP. CLAP.
Slow footsteps echoed through the grove.
A Marine officer stepped forward, carrying a massive axe over his shoulder. Behind him… another towering figure appeared.
The Straw Hats froze.
"…Another Kuma?!" Usopp shouted.
Nami's face went pale. "That's impossible! We just defeated one!"
The large Marine smirked confidently.
"You pirates really don't know anything, huh?"
He tapped the Pacifista beside him.
"They're mass-produced human weapons. Pacifistas."
Zoro exhaled through his nose, gripping his swords.
"…So it wasn't the real Kuma after all."
He smirked faintly.
"Guess I was right."
The Marine nodded proudly. "I'm Sentomaru, not an offical Marine yet but I will capture you all!"
The Pacifista beside him stepped forward, its mechanical eyes glowing.
The Straw Hats prepared themselves again, already exhausted but ready to fight.
Luffy cracked his knuckles. "Guess we're doing round two."
But then—
A strange golden light shimmered from the other side of the grove.
Particles of light gathered in the air… condensing into a human shape.
The temperature itself seemed to change.
Sanji's eyes widened. "…No way…"
A tall man in a yellow-striped suit fully materialized, hands in his pockets.
Admiral Kizaru.
Sentomaru sighed. "You're late, ojisan."
Kizaru scratched his cheek lazily. "Hooh… don't mind me, Sentomaru-kun."
His calm gaze shifted toward the Straw Hats.
"So… these are the Straw Hat Pirates?"
Sentomaru nodded. "Yes. The ones who assaulted a Celestial Dragon."
Kizaru's expression barely changed. "Well now… that's scary."
He adjusted his glasses. "Either surrender peacefully…"
Light began gathering around his body.
"…or die trying."
Luffy stepped forward immediately. "No way in hell!"
Zoro grinned beside him. "Yeah… not happening."
For a brief moment—
Everything was still.
Then—
FLASH.
Kizaru vanished.
Before anyone could react—
BOOM!!
A devastating kick slammed into Zoro's side.
The swordsman flew across the grove, crashing violently into the ground.
"ZORO!!" the crew screamed.
Sanji's eyes widened in shock. "What the hell— so fast?!"
Kizaru reappeared casually above Zoro's fallen body, standing in midair as if gravity didn't matter.
Zoro struggled to move, blood at the corner of his mouth.
"…Too… fast…"
Kizaru lifted his foot slowly, light gathering around it. "Well then… shall we end this?"
Panic spread through the crew.
The closest were Sanji, Usopp, and Brook — rushing toward him desperately.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Luffy, Franky, Robin, Nami, and Chopper were forced to hold off the second Pacifista firing lasers nonstop.
"LUFFY! WE CAN'T GET THROUGH!" Franky shouted.
Suddenly—
FWOOOSH.
Another figure appeared beside the Pacifista.
Another Kuma.
Without hesitation, he raised his paw.
SLAP.
The Pacifista vanished instantly—
POOF.
Gone.
Franky stared, jaw dropping. "WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?!"
Nami blinked rapidly. "He… disappeared?!"
But their attention snapped back when they saw Zoro lying motionless on the ground.
Luffy's voice rang out in panic. "USOPP!!! HELP HIM!!"
Usopp snapped back to reality. "R-RIGHT!"
He fired a shot toward Kizaru—
It passed straight through him.
"…Huh?"
Brook lunged with his sword.
"Yah!"
His blade sliced through light itself.
Nothing.
They froze.
"Why can't we hit you?!" Usopp shouted.
Kizaru glanced down calmly. "I'm made of light."
He spoke casually. "I ate the Pika Pika no Mi."
Usopp trembled. "A… a light person?! How are we supposed to beat that?!"
Kizaru's glowing foot descended toward Zoro's head.
"Well then… goodbye."
The crew screamed—
"ZOROOOO!!"
And then—
CLANG!!
A powerful shockwave burst through the grove.
Kizaru's kick was stopped midair.
Another leg blocked it perfectly.
Silence fell.
Standing between Kizaru and Zoro…
was an old man with silver hair and calm eyes.
Rayleigh.
He smiled lightly. "Well now… attacking youngsters so seriously…"
His gaze sharpened.
"…that's not very admirable behavior, Admiral."
Kizaru tilted his head, amused. "Ooh… this is troublesome."
A small grin formed on his face. "The Dark King himself… Silvers Rayleigh."
The moment Rayleigh blocked the kick, the entire grove seemed to breathe again.
Relief washed over the Straw Hats.
"OLD MAN!!!" Luffy shouted, grinning despite the chaos.
Rayleigh didn't look back, his foot still locked against Kizaru's glowing strike.
He spoke calmly. "Can't you just let these youngsters go?"
His tone was light, almost casual.
"They haven't even reached their full potential yet. You Marines are being far too serious."
Kizaru adjusted his glasses, expression unreadable.
"That's precisely why we must end them now."
Light flickered around his body.
"Before they ever reach that potential."
His gaze sharpened slightly. "And you yourself… Dark King."
A faint smirk appeared. "Do you really think the world can forgive you? You were Gol D. Roger's right hand."
Rayleigh chuckled softly. "Well… that's all in the past now."
Behind them, Usopp struggled as he carried the heavily injured Zoro toward safety.
"Hang on, Zoro! Don't die on me!"
Suddenly—
A massive shadow appeared before them.
Usopp froze. "…Huh?"
Standing silently in their path was Bartholomew Kuma.
Zoro's eyes widened despite his injuries.
"…This one…"
He grit his teeth. "…This is the real Kuma."
Kuma's calm mechanical voice echoed.
"So you survived after all… Roronoa Zoro… Black Leg Sanji."
Sanji stepped forward defensively, flames flickering around his leg. "Well, not thanks to you, that's for sure."
Zoro forced himself upright, gripping his swords.
"…I can still fight—"
Usopp panicked. "ARE YOU CRAZY?! There's no time! We need to run!"
But Kuma suddenly spoke again.
His tone was strangely calm. "If you could take a vacation…"
The crew blinked in confusion.
"…where would you like to go?"
Zoro frowned. "…Huh?"
Before anyone could react—
Kuma raised his massive paw.
FWAP.
The air itself exploded.
Zoro vanished.
POOF.
Gone.
Silence.
Usopp stared at the empty space where Zoro had been.
His hands trembled. "…Zoro?"
His voice cracked.
"…ZORO?!"
He spun around wildly.
"WHERE ARE YOU?! WHAT HAPPENED?!"
Sanji's cigarette fell from his mouth, eyes wide in disbelief. "…He… disappeared…"
Across the battlefield, Luffy and the others froze mid-fight.
Nami gasped. "Zoro…?"
Chopper's voice shook. "He's gone…!"
Even Rayleigh briefly glanced back, his expression turning serious.
Kizaru watched calmly, hands in his pockets.
"Ooh… how scary."
The realization slowly spread through the Straw Hats.
One of them—
had just vanished.
The shock of Zoro's disappearance had barely settled when Luffy's voice suddenly rang across the battlefield.
"EVERYONE—!!"
His tone was different.
Desperate.
Urgent.
"All of you focus on escaping!!"
The crew froze.
Luffy clenched his fists, teeth gritted as he stared at the overwhelming enemies surrounding them.
"As of now… we're too weak!"
His voice trembled with frustration. "We can't defeat them!!"
The words hit the crew harder than any attack.
Luffy… admitting defeat?
Usopp's eyes widened. Nami stared at him in disbelief. Chopper felt his chest tighten.
Behind them, Sentomaru smirked, resting his axe on his shoulder.
"Oh? Escaping now, are we?"
Kizaru lazily tilted his head. "How unfortunate… I can't really allow that."
Luffy ignored them and shouted at the top of his lungs—
"SANJI!! USOPP!! BROOK!! RUN!!!"
Usopp grabbed Brook instinctively, panic taking over.
"R-RIGHT!!"
But Sanji didn't move away.
Instead—
he dashed forward. "Like hell I'm running while my crewmates disappear!!"
Flames burst around his leg.
"DIABLE JAMBE!!"
He spun and launched a blazing kick straight at Kuma.
BOOM!
The impact echoed—
—but Kuma didn't budge.
His massive paw rose calmly and intercepted the attack.
Sanji's eyes widened. "…What—?!"
Kuma pushed forward.
FWAP.
The air detonated again.
"SANJI!!!" Luffy screamed.
Sanji vanished instantly.
POOF.
Gone.
The battlefield fell into stunned silence.
Luffy's pupils shook.
"…Sa…nji…"
Across the grove, Nami covered her mouth, her voice trembling.
"…Sanji-kun…?"
Tears welled in her eyes.
"…He's gone…?"
Fear spread through the Straw Hats like wildfire.
One by one—
they were disappearing.
Kuma slowly turned.
His emotionless eyes locked onto the remaining Straw Hats.
As he began walking forward, Usopp stumbled backward in fear.
"D-Don't come any closer…!"
Before Kuma could move further—
Brook suddenly stepped in front of him, spreading his arms wide.
"I will not allow you to harm my friends any longer!"
"Brook—NO!!" Usopp screamed.
Brook drew his sword, his empty eye sockets burning with resolve.
"A gentleman protects his crew… even at the cost of his life!"
He lunged forward—
But Kuma's paw was already raised.
FWAP.
A burst of compressed air exploded outward.
"YOHO—!!"
POOF.
Brook vanished.
Usopp froze.
"…B…Brook?"
His hands trembled violently as Kuma turned toward him next.
Panic consumed him.
"S-STAY AWAY FROM ME!!"
Usopp fired desperately.
"Firebird Star!!"
The shot exploded against Kuma's body—
—but did nothing.
Kuma didn't even slow down.
Usopp's voice cracked. "I… I don't wanna disappear…!"
The paw came forward.
FWAP.
"LUFFYYYYY!!!"
POOF.
Usopp vanished.
Across the battlefield, Franky grabbed Nami as they tried to escape.
"RUN, Nami!!"
But Kuma suddenly appeared in front of them, blocking their path.
Nami gasped, falling backward. "W-When did he—?!"
Franky stepped forward protectively. "You bastard…!"
His arm transformed instantly.
"STRONG RIGHT!!"
BOOM!
The punch landed squarely—
Smoke burst outward.
But when it cleared…
Kuma stood completely unharmed.
"…You gotta be kidding me," Franky muttered.
Kuma's paw rose.
FWAP.
POOF.
Franky disappeared.
Nami collapsed onto the ground, frozen with terror.
Tears streamed down her face as Kuma approached. "N-No… please…"
She looked past him desperately. "LUFFY!! HELP ME!!"
Luffy sprinted toward her, eyes wide with panic.
"NAMIIII!!!"
But he was too late.
FWAP.
"AAAAAH—!"
POOF.
Nami vanished.
Luffy stopped dead.
Silence rang in his ears.
Then rage exploded.
"…You bastard."
Steam burst from his body.
"GEAR SECOND!!"
Robin grabbed his arm urgently.
"Luffy, stop—!"
But Luffy vanished in a blur.
"GOMU GOMU NO… JET PISTOL!!"
His punch slammed into Kuma's palm—
A massive shockwave blasted outward, tearing the ground apart.
For a moment—
it looked like it worked.
Then Kuma's paw tilted.
The force rebounded.
Luffy's attack was completely deflected.
Kuma disappeared.
Luffy's eyes widened. "…Where—?!"
He reappeared beside Robin.
"ROBIN!!!" Luffy screamed.
Robin looked back at him, calm yet frightened.
"…Luffy—"
FWAP.
She vanished instantly. "ROBINNN!!!"
A roar of fury echoed as Chopper, still in Monster Point, charged forward.
"DON'T TAKE ANYONE ELSE!!!"
He swung with all his strength—
—but Kuma's paw met him mid-attack.
FWAP.
Chopper disappeared.
The battlefield fell silent.
Only Luffy remained.
The sounds of battle faded. The smoke drifted slowly through the air.
Luffy's breathing grew uneven.
His hands shook.
"…They're gone…"
He fell to his knees.
"I'm… too weak…"
His fists slammed into the dirt again and again.
"I couldn't save anyone…!"
Tears streamed uncontrollably down his face.
"I couldn't protect my crew!!"
His voice broke as despair consumed him.
"I… can't do anything…"
He kept punching the ground, sobbing, shoulders shaking violently.
Then—
a shadow loomed over him.
Kuma stood silently behind him.
Luffy didn't resist.
Didn't move.
Didn't even look up.
"…I failed…"
Kuma raised his paw one last time.
FWAP.
The air burst outward.
And in an instant—
POOF.
Monkey D. Luffy vanished.
The grove fell completely silent.
One by one…
the Straw Hat Pirates had disappeared.
———————
Kuma stood silently in the ruined grove.
Smoke drifted through the shattered mangrove trees. The battlefield that had once echoed with explosions and desperate cries was now completely still.
Broken ground. Scattered debris.
And no sign of the Straw Hats.
Footsteps approached slowly from behind.
Silvers Rayleigh emerged from the shadows, dusting off his coat as if the chaos moments ago had been nothing more than an inconvenience. His sharp eyes scanned the empty battlefield — the place where the Straw Hat crew had vanished one by one.
He stopped a few steps behind Kuma.
A faint smile crossed his face.
"…So," Rayleigh said calmly, "you've finished?"
Kuma remained facing forward.
"…Yes."
His deep mechanical voice carried through the quiet grove.
Rayleigh slipped his hands into his pockets, studying him.
"But to think," he continued, amused, "that it was Ada who gave you the orders."
Kuma answered without hesitation. "…I cannot go against someone who has helped me my entire life. Now can I?"
Rayleigh let out a soft laugh. "Hahaha… fair enough."
The wind rustled through the mangroves as silence settled again between them.
Rayleigh's expression turned more curious.
"Tell me, Kuma… what does Ada want with Luffy?"
He tilted his head slightly. "And you mentioned before… you work for the Revolutionary Army, don't you?"
Kuma nodded once.
"Yes. I work for Dragon."
A brief pause followed.
"But Ada… is also my benefactor."
Rayleigh raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Kuma slowly turned his head slightly, just enough to acknowledge him.
"As for why Ada is interested in them…"
He paused.
"…Perhaps you will discover that yourself, Dark King."
Without another word, Kuma activated his ability.
A sudden thump echoed—
—and he vanished instantly.
The grove fell silent once more.
Rayleigh stared at the empty space where Kuma had stood.
"…How suspicious."
He chuckled to himself, shaking his head lightly.
"Well… at least they're safe."
His gaze lifted toward the distant sky above Sabaody.
"Now then, Luffy…"
"…let's see how much stronger you'll become."
————————
Flashback — Aboard the Oro Jackson
The sea was calm, the sunset painting the deck gold.
Standing at the center of the ship was Ada, leaning casually against the railing, her coat fluttering in the wind.
Behind her stood several powerful figures.
Mihawk, arms crossed and silent.
Perona floating lazily nearby.
Lilith observing quietly.
Okiku and Hiyori standing together.
Carrot and Pedro watching curiously from the side.
A heavy set of footsteps approached.
Bartholomew Kuma stepped onto the deck.
Ada glanced back slightly.
"So," she said calmly, "what did you want to talk about, Kuma?"
Kuma bowed his head slightly.
"I recently encountered your son at Thriller Bark."
The crew stirred in interest.
"They defeated Gecko Moria."
Ada's eyebrow lifted, impressed.
"…Oh?"
A small smile appeared on her face.
"So he defeated another Warlord already."
She turned fully toward Kuma.
"Tell me, Kuma… do you think he's ready for the New World?"
Kuma answered without hesitation.
"…Unfortunately, no."
The crew grew quiet.
"They do not know Haki yet. If they enter the New World now… they will be swallowed by the Emperors."
Mihawk spoke calmly from behind her. "Well, that is only natural."
His sharp eyes narrowed slightly. "So what do you plan to do, Ada?"
Ada looked toward the horizon, thoughtful.
"They'll reach Sabaody before entering the New World…"
She paused.
Then spoke plainly.
"…Separate them."
The entire crew reacted.
"What?!" Carrot exclaimed.
"That's harsh…" Pedro muttered.
Perona crossed her arms, smirking faintly.
"Well… that's how mothers are."
Even Kuma seemed surprised. "…Why?"
Ada's expression softened — rare and gentle.
"It may sound cruel," she admitted. "But as a mother… I want him and his crew to survive."
Her gaze hardened with resolve.
"If they stay together as they are now, they'll rely only on Luffy's strength."
She turned back toward Kuma.
"But if they're scattered… each of them will be forced to grow."
Her voice carried quiet certainty.
"I want them to train. To become ready for the New World."
The wind swept across the deck of the Oro Jackson, fluttering coats and hair as everyone listened in silence.
Ada stepped closer to Kuma, her gaze steady.
"Do this for me… as a favor."
Kuma nodded slowly, but Ada continued speaking before he could respond.
"…It is also too early, Kuma."
Kuma tilted his head slightly.
"Too early?"
Ada looked out toward the horizon, eyes distant — as if she were seeing a future no one else could.
"Yes," she said quietly. "That day is drawing near."
Her voice grew firmer.
"And I am certain… my son is the one who will fulfill it."
The crew exchanged confused glances.
"But right now," Ada continued, "he arrived too soon."
She turned back toward Kuma.
"Two years too early."
Kuma's expression remained unreadable.
"You speak in riddles, Ada. What role will your son fulfill?"
For a moment, only the sound of waves answered.
Then Ada spoke.
"…The awakening of Joy Boy."
The entire crew froze in shock.
Mihawk's eyes narrowed slightly. Perona blinked in disbelief. Even Kuma stiffened.
"I am certain of it," Ada continued calmly. "After all… he possesses that Devil Fruit."
Perona raised her hand immediately.
"Wait— Devil Fruit? I thought his power was just the Rubber Fruit!"
Ada smiled faintly.
"That is only what the world believes."
She paused, letting the weight of her words settle.
"Its true name is the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Sun God Nika."
Silence crashed over the deck.
Kuma's eyes widened slightly. "…Nika?"
His voice lowered with reverence. "You mean… our savior?"
Ada nodded.
"Yes."
Her expression softened — pride and certainty unmistakable in her eyes.
"I'm sure of it."
"My son… inherited his will."
Kuma nodded immediately.
"…Consider it done Ada."
"You have helped me many times before."
He turned to leave.
As he walked away, Ada looked out at the sea once more.
"…Grow stronger, my son."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
————————-
Inside the quiet warmth of Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, the evening air was calm — a sharp contrast to the chaos that had just unfolded across the groves.
Glasses clinked softly behind the counter as Shakky leaned against it, casually reading a newspaper.
The door creaked open.
Footsteps entered.
Without even looking up, Shakky smiled faintly.
"So… how were they, Ray-san?"
Silvers Rayleigh removed his coat and sighed, walking further inside before taking a seat at the counter.
"…They're gone," he said calmly. "All of them."
Shakky finally lowered the newspaper slightly, listening.
Rayleigh poured himself a drink before continuing.
"Kuma scattered the Straw Hats across the seas. One by one… sent flying before they could even understand what was happening."
He took a slow sip.
"But it wasn't random."
Shakky's eyes sharpened slightly.
"Oh?"
Rayleigh nodded.
"Kuma said it himself. It was a favor… requested by Ada."
The paper lowered completely now.
"Ada?" Shakky repeated thoughtfully. "She's taken an interest in Monkey-chan?"
She hummed quietly, tapping the edge of the newspaper against the counter.
"Hmmm… maybe he's her son."
Rayleigh nearly choked on his drink.
"…That's a wild conclusion, don't you think?"
Shakky ignored him, already deep in thought.
"Kuma mentioned he works for Dragon, right?"
Rayleigh nodded slowly.
"Yes. He confirmed he's with the Revolutionary Army."
Shakky's smile grew faint but knowing.
"Then there might be a connection."
She folded the newspaper neatly.
"Maybe Ada's maternal instincts are kicking in. She probably judged that Monkey-chan and his crew aren't ready for the New World yet."
Rayleigh chuckled, shaking his head.
"Maybe you're overthinking things a bit too much, Shakky. Ada and Dragon having a son? And that being Luffy-kun of all people?"
He took another sip.
"That sounds a little far-fetched."
Shakky only smiled calmly.
"Well… it's only a woman's intuition."
She paused, then added casually,
"Besides… I did say before that Monkey-chan kind of looks like Ada when she was younger."
Rayleigh blinked.
"…You did?"
Shakky nodded, completely serious.
"So maybe it's true."
Rayleigh stared at her for a moment before letting out a quiet laugh.
"You really don't let ideas go once they enter your head, do you?"
A brief silence settled between them as the waves outside gently echoed through the mangroves.
Then Shakky's expression slowly turned serious as she looked back down at the newspaper.
"And besides… with news like this…"
Her voice lowered.
"The world is about to fall into chaos again."
Rayleigh raised an eyebrow.
"News?"
Without a word, Shakky turned the newspaper toward him.
The bold headline filled the front page.
EXECUTION ANNOUNCED — WHITEBEARD PIRATES' 2ND DIVISION COMMANDER, PORTGAS D. ACE
Rayleigh's smile faded.
The bar fell completely silent.
————————————
Author's Note
Long chapter this time, everyone! First of all, I want to apologize for the late update. It took almost a week 😅. Honestly, the past few days have been a bit rough for me. I've been feeling pretty down lately, and things haven't really been going the way I hoped they would. Sometimes life just slows you down whether you want it to or not.
Also thank you for supporting the story. Your comments and reactions really keep me motivated to continue, especially on days when motivation is hard to find.
Anyway, enough of the serious talk. Here's the new chapter! I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it. More is coming soon, and I'll do my best not to keep you waiting too long next time.
As always, thank you for reading 💙