Chapter 21: Fractured World
The sea was calm the next morning.
The storm had passed, leaving the sky a brilliant, scrubbed blue.
We were sailing southeast, following the new Log Pose Elara had swiped from Guff's safe....
I sat on the quarterdeck, the morning sun warming my skin, restoring the power that had waned in the night.
I felt good. Strong. Path of Strength was progressing. My crew was fed, armed, and loyal.
But the peace was broken by the frantic flapping of wings.
A News Coo descended, dropping a heavy bundle of newspapers onto the table where Vasco was serving breakfast (Giant Scorpion omelletes, harvested from the island's caves).
Riyon grabbed the top paper. He froze.
"Captain," he said, his voice uncharacteristically grave. "You need to see this."
I took the paper. The ink smeared slightly on my warm fingers.
The headline was not about me. It was not about Garp. It was about the end of an era, and the terrifying beginning of a new one.
THE ROCKS PIRATES DISBANDED!
THE ERA OF THE THREE ARMY BEGINS!
I scanned the article, my heart hammering against my ribs. The World Government couldn't hide the disappearance of an entire island forever, nor could they hide the sudden splintering of the world's most dangerous crew. The official story of God Valley was still "Garp's Heroism," but the result was now public.
Rocks D. Xebec was listed as "Defeated." Not dead. Just defeated.
But his crew... his monsters... they had risen from the ashes.
I turned the page. There were three massive wanted posters, dominating the spread.
"Whitebeard" Edward Newgate
Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates
Bounty: 2,800,000,000 Berries
The photo showed him standing on the deck of a new ship, the Moby Dick. He looked majestic, powerful, and terrifying. The article described him claiming Sphinx Island and declaring it under his protection. He wasn't conquering; he was building a family.
"Big Mom" Charlotte Linlin
Captain of the Big Mom Pirates
Bounty: 1,900,000,000 Berries
She was pictured laughing, surrounded by singing food—Homies. She had seized a cluster of islands and was turning them into her own twisted "Totland." She was carving out a kingdom.
And the third...
My hand tightened on the paper, smoking slightly.
"Kaido of the Beasts"
Captain of the Beast Pirates
Bounty: 2,000,000,000 Berries
The picture was blurry, taken from a distance. It showed a man—no, a creature—wreathed in blue scales, holding a kanabo club. He looked... demonic. The article mentioned he was gathering "monsters" and heading for a secluded country in the New World. Wano.
Riyon's home.
"They survived," I whispered. "They all survived."
"Not just survived," Elara said, reading over my shoulder, her face pale. "They evolved. Rocks held them together by force. Now? Now they're free. They're carving the New World into territories. They're becoming... Emperors."
[System Notification]
[World Event Triggered: The Rise of the Yonko]
[The power balance of the sea has shifted. The Era of Rocks is over. The Era of Strife has begun.]
[New Main Quest: The Emperor's Shadow]
Objective: The seas are no longer free. To be the King, you must surpass the Emperors.
Sub-Objective: Survive an encounter with a member of a Yonko crew.
Reward: +1000 EP, Title: [Survivor].
I turned the page again. There was one more story. Smaller, but perhaps more significant.
GOL D. ROGER SIGHTED IN ELBAF!
The Pirate Star of this Era Seeks Audience with Giant King!
The article was speculative, full of rumors. It claimed Roger had been seen drinking with the Giants of Elbaf, searching for "The Last Road."
Elbaf. The land of warriors. The land of the War God.
"Why Elbaf?" Vasco asked, pouring coffee. "They hate humans. Even Roger would have a hard time not getting squashed."
"He's looking for something," I said, the memories of my past life—the lore of One Piece—flickering in my mind. The Road Poneglyph. The man marked by flames. The secrets of the Void Century. Roger was starting his final lap. The race for the One Piece had officially begun.
I put the paper down. The weight of it was immense.
I was a rookie. A 250,000,000 Berry upstart.
And out there, monsters worth billions were carving up the world like a cake.
Riyon looked at me, his eyes searching. He saw the names. He saw Kaido heading for Wano. He saw the insurmountable wall of power ahead of us.
"It's a big ocean, Captain," he said quietly. "Are we ready for this? These aren't Marine Commodores. These are... catastrophes."
I stood up. I walked to the rail and looked out at the endless, dangerous blue of the Grand Line. The sun was rising higher, filling me with strength.
"Ready?" I asked, a slow smile spreading across my face.
I turned back to them. My eyes were glowing gold.
"Riyon. Vasco. Elara. Look at those bounties. Two billion. Three billion."
I pointed to the paper.
"They are dividing the world amongst themselves because they think there is no one strong enough to stop them. They think they are the suns of this era."
I clenched my fist, and the air around me distorted with heat.
"But there is only one Sun. Let them build their empires. Let them gather their armies. It just means there will be more to burn when we arrive."
Vasco laughed, a manic, delighted sound. "That's the spirit! I'll start marinating the steaks! We'll need the protein!"
"Elbaf is too far for us now," Elara noted, checking the map. "But... if we follow this Log Pose... our next destination is Alabasta. A kingdom of sand."
"Sand," I mused. "A place where the sun is always welcome. Set the course, Elara. We have a world to catch up to."
[Main Quest Updated: The Grand Line Rookie]
Objective: Reach Alabasta.
Hidden Objective: ???
Reward: ???
The Purgatory surged forward. The world was fracturing, monsters were rising, and the path to the King was paved with giants.
But as I looked at the Suncorch flag snapping in the wind, I felt no fear. Only Pride.