The sails of the Going Merry groaned gently under the strange wind.
Above them, the sky swirled with soft colors that shouldn't exist — pale reds melting into oceanic blue, stars faintly visible despite the sun above. The air had changed. The sea felt heavier. Thicker. Like a breath that never fully exhaled.
This was no ordinary ocean.
This was the Grand Line.
Nami adjusted her compass — or tried to.
"This is broken," she muttered. "No… wait. It's spinning. Nonstop."
Usopp peeked over her shoulder, confused. "Did we break the world?"
Sanji flicked his cigarette away. "The Grand Line messes with navigation. That's why we need the special compasses, right?"
"Log Poses," Nami nodded. "They track magnetic fields, not direction. The weather and currents here change constantly."
Zoro yawned. "Sounds fun."
Luffy grinned wide, arms stretched behind his head. "Let's see what this sea can do!"
Rex stood at the back of the deck, coat trailing in the wind, gaze fixed forward. The wind curled around his boots, playful and cold. But his eyes were steady.
The Grand Line didn't feel unfamiliar.
It felt like it had been waiting for them.
The journey had barely begun when the clouds shifted.
Not a storm.
Something stranger.
Shadows moved in the distance, and Nami spotted the outline of an island through her spyglass.
"There!" she shouted. "Land ahead!"
Zoro squinted. "Already?"
Sanji leaned forward, confused. "There's… smoke coming from the edge."
Luffy punched the air. "First adventure! Let's go!"
But Rex didn't move.
His eyes narrowed.
[…Unusual topography. Island shape inconsistent with mapped records. Civilian heat signatures present. Life signs… rising in aggression. Probability of ambush: 87%.]
He turned slightly to Nami.
"Be ready. This island hunts."
Whiskey Peak
At first glance, it looked welcoming — flags, torches, open docks, smiling faces.
A celebration.
Music.
Drinks.
Laughter.
Dozens of people waved as the Going Merry docked, shouting blessings and throwing petals.
"WELCOME, PIRATES! WELCOME TO THE GRAND LINE!"
Luffy leapt ashore without hesitation. "PARTY!!"
Usopp followed. "FREE FOOD!!"
Zoro raised an eyebrow, but shrugged. "Not suspicious at all…"
Nami walked slowly, eyes scanning the crowd.
Sanji carried a crate of wine like royalty.
And Rex…
Didn't step off the ship.
He remained on the deck.
Watching.
Waiting.
A girl approached the ship, bowing politely.
"I'm Igaram's assistant. Please, come enjoy yourselves. You've survived Reverse Mountain — that's worth a feast!"
Nami gave Rex a glance.
He said nothing.
So she went.
The others followed.
But Rex… kept his eyes on the shadows.
Hours Later — Whiskey Peak, Main Hall
Luffy was passed out, mouth full of meat.
Usopp was snoring beside a wine barrel.
Zoro sat with arms folded, eyes half-closed, lips barely smirking.
Because he felt it too.
And across the rooftops, shapes began to move.
Blades drawn.
Guns cocked.
Agents of Baroque Works in disguise.
The feast… was a trap.
Zoro rose first.
Then struck.
Steel clashed in the moonlight as Zoro launched into the ambush, blades flashing. His movements were precise, unrelenting — a storm of swords and scorn.
And then—
One of the rooftops collapsed.
A man with twin daggers dove straight for Zoro's blind side—
CLANG!
His blade was caught mid-air by a hand.
A hand wearing a dark fingerless glove.
Rex had landed silently behind Zoro, eyes glowing cold.
"You took too long," he said.
Zoro smirked. "I left one for you."
Another six agents rushed from the shadows — Rex twisted through them like a gust of black wind, feet barely touching the tiles.
One kick.
One punch.
A wrist snapped.
A jaw broke.
He danced between them without pause, barely making a sound.
The lead agent screamed and raised his blade—
Rex leaned forward and pressed two fingers into the man's ribs.
CRACK.
The agent folded.
Then silence.
Zoro flicked blood off his sword.
Rex dusted his gloves.
They nodded once to each other.
Nothing more needed to be said.
Back at the Inn
Luffy finally woke up to the sound of glass breaking.
"Are we fighting?"
Usopp groaned. "I missed the fight again?!"
Sanji stormed in with a frying pan, ready to defend Nami.
But Nami sat calmly at a table, gold coins spilled across it.
"I made some deals," she said. "We're rich now."
The wind howled outside.
And behind the inn… the last of the Baroque agents limped into the shadows, clutching broken ribs, muttering in fear about the one who didn't speak.