While the whole sea was drowning in chaos, one man sat quietly by a crackling fire on a nameless island somewhere along the Grand Line—
the very man responsible for that chaos.
Lucian Vale leaned back lazily, turning a piece of roasting meat over the flames. The scent filled the night air as he stared at the glowing holographic screen of his system panel, watching his reputation points skyrocket with visible amusement.
"The World Government," he mused, "is truly… adorable."
Every passing second, as the news of the Impel Down breakout spread farther, his reputation rose like a tidal wave.
From five digits, to six—
and now, it was already climbing toward seven.
He smirked.
"Karp and Sengoku… ah, such good-hearted men."
"They were so afraid I couldn't assemble a proper Shinigami-level pirate crew, they decided to help me advertise."
Lucian sighed in satisfaction and took a bite of his perfectly roasted meat.
If Garp or Sengoku could've heard that, they would've probably dropped dead from sheer fury.
He wiped his hands and said casually, "System, open my status panel."
A luminous screen unfolded before him.
[Host: Lucian Vale]
[Inherited Fusion: Aizen Sōsuke, Gin Ichimaru (in progress)]
[Skills: Swordsmanship, Hand-to-Hand Combat, Shunpo, Kido, Hōgyoku Fusion Techniques…]
[Items: Zanpakutō – Kyōka Suigetsu | Hōgyoku]
[Subordinates: None]
"Gin's inheritance will finish merging in about two months," Lucian murmured, scanning the display. "Until then…"
He paused, gazing toward the endless expanse of stars above.
"I need a ship—and a few monsters strong enough to be called Espada."
Flying through the air was convenient, sure—but not everyone could do it. Not everyone had the Hōgyoku pulsing in their chest.
He needed:
a ship, a navigator, a helmsman, and a crew.
Because, truth be told… Lucian had no idea how to sail.
"Tsk. Troublesome."
He kicked a pebble into the fire.
"If I'd woken up a few years earlier, I could've stolen all of Luffy's crew before he even met them."
The regret in his voice was theatrical—but real.
Time, after all, was the one thing even the Hōgyoku couldn't reverse.
Still—he wasn't out of options.
By his calculations, the Straw Hat Pirates had just descended from Skypiea and were likely heading toward Water Seven to repair the Going Merry.
Nami was off-limits; her loyalty was already anchored too deep.
But Nico Robin…
she was a different story.
At this point in the timeline, Robin wasn't truly loyal to the Straw Hats. She merely traveled with them to access their strength—tools to uncover the truth of the Void Century and the ancient poneglyphs.
Lucian didn't want her for sentiment.
He wanted her mind.
Her gift for information, infiltration, and survival was unmatched.
"Perfect," he murmured.
Decision made, Lucian turned toward the east. His body glowed faintly with azure light—then launched into the sky like a comet streaking over the sea.
…
Water Seven — Galley-La Company Headquarters, Mayor Iceburg's Estate
The mayor's mansion, fortified and guarded better than most royal palaces, was supposed to be unbreachable.
Yet that evening, without so much as a knock, its defenses failed.
Iceburg sat at his desk, surrounded by stacks of contracts and blueprints, when the air suddenly shimmered—
and a tall figure in a black kimono materialized before him.
The air pressure changed instantly.
Iceburg froze.
"Who are you? State your purpose." His voice remained steady, though his instincts screamed danger.
"My name is Lucian Vale," the intruder said simply. His tone was smooth, calm—like a man discussing the weather.
"With your current ties to the World Government, I'm certain you recognize it."
Iceburg's pupils contracted.
Of course he knew the name.
The man who destroyed Impel Down.
Who humiliated the Admirals.
Who had shaken the entire sea in a single week.
And now, that same man stood in his office.
Lucian continued, unbothered. "As for my purpose—I want you to build me a ship."
Iceburg took a deep breath. "I don't build ships for pirates."
"Please leave."
Even as his heart pounded, Iceburg's tone stayed firm.
He remembered his mentor—Tom—the man who built the Oro Jackson and paid the ultimate price for it.
He would not repeat that mistake.
Lucian smiled faintly. "No need to refuse so quickly."
"I prefer deals of equal exchange."
"You build me a ship… and I remove the threat that's about to destroy your city."
Iceburg's expression faltered. "…I don't know what you mean. If you're done, please—leave."
Lucian chuckled. "Still stubborn."
He tilted his head slightly. "Fine, let's stop pretending. The blueprints for the Ancient Weapon—Pluton."
"They're with Franky, aren't they?"
Iceburg froze completely.
His pen dropped from his hand.
"I… don't know what you mean," he said quietly, but his trembling fingers betrayed him.
Lucian's smile widened.
"Your secretary—Kalifa. She's been CP9 for years."
Iceburg's eyes shot wide.
Lucian's tone stayed calm, almost conversational.
"CP9 has been watching you since Tom's execution. The World Government's patience is wearing thin. When they come for you—and they will—they'll tear Water Seven apart looking for Pluton."
"So tell me," he said softly, "how long do you think your city will survive?"
Iceburg's fists clenched beneath the desk. His lips pressed into a hard line.
He wanted to deny it. He wanted to stand proud.
But he couldn't.
Tom's words echoed in his memory:
Never let Pluton fall into the Government's hands.
Lucian took a step closer, shadows flickering behind him.
"You have one way out."
"Work with me."
"You build me a ship, and I erase every threat on this island. The Government will chase me, not you. The storm will pass Water Seven entirely."
He folded his arms, voice quiet but commanding.
"You have ten seconds to decide."
The ticking silence filled the office.
Iceburg's thoughts raced.
This was madness.
But refusing meant death.
He had no soldiers.
No protection.
And no time.
At the final second, he looked up.
"…Fine," he said at last. "I agree."
Lucian nodded approvingly, his eyes gleaming.
"Smart man."
"Don't worry—" he said as he turned toward the window,
"this will be the best decision you've ever made."
The wind stirred as he vanished into light.
Iceburg sat motionless for a long while, staring at the empty space where the man had stood.
The flames from a nearby lantern flickered softly, casting the bounty poster lying on his desk into shadow—
Lucian Vale — 850,000,000 Beli.
And below the name, in faint ink—
Illusionary Blade.
The sea's new storm had just arrived at Water Seven.
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