The morning sun spilled gold across the deck of the Oro Jackson.
Waves lapped gently against the hull, the sea calm for once — a rare peace in the New World.
Ada stood at the center of the deck, her crimson eyes narrowed, one hand resting on the hilt of Rocks' sword, now cleaned and ready for battle.
Across from her stood Silvers Rayleigh, bare-chested, with a sword in hand, smiling lazily.
"You've got good form, Ada," Rayleigh said, his voice calm but playful. "But you're holding back."
Ada twirled the blade in her hand, the steel catching the light. "Holding back keeps people alive, old man."
He grinned. "Ha! You sound like Gaban. But that's not what the Captain wants from you.
Rayleigh then chuckled. "That might work for assassins, but pirates like us? We live for the edge."
He shifted forward, lowering his stance. "Come on. Show me the power that shook God Valley."
Ada smirked faintly, tilting her head. "You sure you're ready for it?"
Rayleigh's grin widened. "Try me."
She stepped forward, her boots clicking against the deck. The air thickened — a faint hum of tension building as both of them let their Haki leak into the space between them.
The crew began to gather around the deck — curious and excited.
Gaban leaned against the railing, arms crossed. "Bet you fifty berries Rayleigh gets knocked on his ass."
Seagull laughed. "You're on."
Roger himself came strolling from the helm, hands on his hips and grin wide. "BAHAHAHA! A sparring match between my first mate and my newest monster? This I have to see!"
Ada rolled her neck, her eyes glinting. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
Then, without another word, they lunged simultaneously.
The sound of both steel colliding split the air — CRAAANG! — sparks and Haki lightning erupted between them. The crew watched from the sidelines — Gaban, Seagull, and Roger himself leaning against the railing, smiling proudly.
Roger laughed. "Now that's a fight! Didn't think I'd ever see Rayleigh go all out against someone other than me!"
Ada was faster — a blur of red and steel, her strikes sharp and precise, her footwork honed from years of assassination and battle.
Rayleigh blocked, parried, and countered with calm precision, every swing calculated to test her rhythm.
The clash grew fiercer.
Ada's movements were sharp and elegant, her strikes calculated and merciless.
Rayleigh parried her blade, countered, and pushed forward — but Ada's reflexes were sharper. She twisted, disarmed him briefly, and swung the edge of Rocks' sword near his neck.
He barely blocked it with his blade, the impact sending a crack of Haoshoku Haki across the deck.
The entire ship trembled.
The deck fell silent.
Rayleigh grinned. "Not bad, kid."
Then his own Haki flared — BOOM!
A wave of invisible pressure pushed Ada back, making her skid across the deck. The crew shielded their eyes as the two titans' wills collided.
Roger laughed like thunder. "That's it! Let's see which of you breaks first!"
Ada's eyes glowed with determination. She steadied her breath, channeling her will into her sword — and then unleashed it.
A black lightning bolt tore through the deck, cracking the wood beneath her feet. Ropes snapped. Nearby barrels burst open.
Several weaker crew members fell to their knees, some collapsed, unconscious, foam bubbling at their mouths. The sky itself seemed to darken for an instant, as if the world were bowing under her will.
Even Rayleigh's stance faltered for a heartbeat — just long enough for Ada to step in, blade pressing against his sword with such force that it almost cracked.
When the light faded, both of them stood still — breathing hard.
Roger's eyes widened — and then, he laughed louder.
"BAHAHAHA! That's Conqueror's Haki! You weren't kidding when you said she's got it!"
Rayleigh let his sword drop to his side, eyes still glimmering with surprise. "You weren't kidding when you said she's special."
Ada steadied her breathing, sweat beading her forehead. She sheathed her sword, eyes glowing faintly with that same crimson resolve.
"Sorry… sometimes it slips."
Rayleigh lowered his sword, panting slightly but smiling.
"Slips? That wasn't a slip — that was a storm."
Roger clapped his hands together, booming laughter echoing across the deck.
"BAHAHA! That's the kind of power I like! You could have been my rival if you weren't already part of my crew!"
Ada's gaze softened slightly at his words, though she still looked a bit uncomfortable. "You're all too loud sometimes."
Rayleigh approached, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"You don't use your Conqueror's Haki often, do you?"
Ada's gaze dropped to the ground. "No… it brings back memories I'd rather forget."
The crew fell silent. Even Roger, usually loud and unshakable, watched her quietly.
"I only use it when there's no other choice," Ada said softly. "My parents once told me—people born with that power attract chaos. That the world itself hunts those who dare to defy it."
Rayleigh crossed his arms. "Sounds like they were smart people."
Ada's gaze turned distant — her voice softening as a faint memory stirred.
Flashback – Sea Circle Calendar Year 1478, North Blue - 2 years before her parents death
The memory came unbidden.
A storm raged over the North Blue coastal town, wind howling through the small village where a young Ada lived with her parents.
The scent of salt and wood smoke filled the air — and fear.
Inside a cramped wooden house, a young Ada sat trembling beside her mother, who clutched her close as shouting echoed outside.
"They're coming again!" her father hissed, barricading the door. "World Government agents! They found out about us!"
Ada's eyes glistened with fear. "Mama, why do they hate us?"
Her mother knelt, cupping her cheeks gently. "Because they fear what they can't control."
A crash outside. A scream.
Then — the door splintered open. Armed men in noble armor stormed in.
"By order of the Celestial Seal — you're to be taken for questioning!"
Her father stepped forward, shouting, "We've done nothing wrong!"
One raised his gun toward Ada's parents.
A gunshot.
He fell.
Ada screamed, running to him, but her mother pulled her back — just as another soldier aimed his rifle.
Something inside her snapped.
The world tilted. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
The air thickened, her vision darkened — and suddenly, power exploded from her body.
Invisible force tore through the room, flinging the soldiers through walls. The torches snuffed out. The ground trembled.
Her mother shielded her eyes, barely breathing.
"Ada… what did you do?"
Young Ada stared at her trembling hands — the air around them shimmering with unseen energy.
Her father, still alive but bleeding heavily, smiled weakly from the floor. "So it's true… you inherited it after all."
"What?" she cried, tears streaming down her face.
Her mother knelt, gripping her shoulders tightly.
"Listen to me, Ada. Promise me you'll hide that power. Don't let them know what you are. Only use that power when the you have no choice left."
"What… what am I?" she cried.
Her mother and father both pressed their forehead to Ada's.
"You are our light. Never let them take that from you."
The words seared into her heart — moments before the flames swallowed the room.
Back to the Present
The ship was silent when Ada's voice trailed off.
Even the waves seemed to hush, as if listening.
Rayleigh exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"You've been carrying that since you were a child."
Ada nodded once. "It's not something you talk about. Especially when the world calls people like us 'monsters.'"
Roger's expression softened, his usual grin replaced by something gentler.
"You know, that's what makes you one of us."
Ada blinked. "What?"
"Every person on this ship carries something heavy. A dream, a scar, a sin. The sea doesn't judge — it just tests who survives."
Ada smiled faintly — the kind of smile that came from someone who'd forgotten how to.
"Guess I'm starting to fit in around here," she said quietly.
Roger laughed, booming and bright. "Of course — you're one of us!"
The crew cheered, raising their mugs and voices over the sea breeze.
Rayleigh smirked. "Careful, Captain. At this rate, she might outrank you."
Roger grinned wide. "BAHAHA! She'll have to catch up first!"
Ada rolled her eyes, holstering her pistol. "Don't tempt me."
As the laughter faded, the sun began to set, painting the sky orange and gold.
Ada leaned against the railing, staring out over the calm sea.
Below deck, the soft cry of a baby echoed.
Roger turned, smiling faintly. "Sounds like the little one's awake."
Rayleigh chuckled. "Shanks is growing fast. One year old already, isn't he?"
Roger nodded proudly. "Aye. One year old — turning two soon. Can you believe it?"
Ada looked down at the deck below, where Seagull and a crew member were cooing at the tiny red-haired baby.
Her eyes softened.
"The sea moves fast," she said quietly. "One day you're fighting for your life. The next… you're surrounded by laughter."
Rayleigh stepped beside her, following her gaze.
"Maybe that's the point. Every wave carries a new beginning."
Ada smiled — faint, but real. "Yeah. Maybe it does."
As the Oro Jackson sailed into the fading light, Ada felt something stir deep within her —
not vengeance, not rage, but the faint, unfamiliar spark of peace.
And for the first time in her life, she felt alive.