The Grand Line was quiet — unnaturally so.
The Oro Jackson sailed steady beneath a bruised sky, her black-and-silver sails glinting faintly with moonlight. The ocean wind howled across the deck, tugging at Ada's long red dress as she leaned over the railing, eyes narrowing toward the distant specks on the horizon.
A convoy.
No, a slave ship.
Her gaze hardened. "That's a Celestial Dragon vessel," she murmured. "Marijeois-bound."
Behind her, the rest of the crew gathered.
Mihawk adjusted his hat, eyes like blades. "You're certain?"
"Because," Ada said, her tone flat, "I can hear chains."
Enel, standing near the mast, frowned slightly. "Chains?" His young voice was quiet, uncertain. Lightning flickered faintly around his hands. "You mean… slaves?"
Ada didn't answer right away. Her gaze hardened as the wind shifted.
"The World Government's moving them to Marijoa," she said. "Another offering to the Celestial Dragons."
Ada nodded once. "It also carries the World Government's insignia. The slaves are below deck. I can feel their Haki — faint, fading."
Bullet's grin cracked wide. "Heh. So we're taking on the World Government again already? Fine by me."
Bullet's grin widened, predatory. "So… are we sinking it?"
Ada turned her head slightly, her hair catching the sun. "We're freeing it."
——————-
The Oro Jackson veered sharply, the hull creaking as it cut toward the distant Marine ships. Seagulls scattered, cannon towers gleaming in the light ahead.
The crew readied themselves. Mihawk's hand rested on Yoru's hilt, Bullet's fists glowed red with Haki, and Enel's body shimmered with voltage.
Ada's voice cut through the wind. "No mercy for slavers. Leave no ship standing."
"This'll be a slaughter," Bullet said, grinning.
She raised her pistols.
Both glowed faintly violet, humming with the energy of her Pierce-Pierce Fruit.
The slave ship and Marine ships noticed them instantly. Panic rippled across the decks.
"Open fire!"
"Sink that ship!"
"It's her — Nyx D. Ada!"
Sirens blared.
Cannons turned.
"FIRE!" someone screamed.
BOOM—BOOM—BOOM!
Cannonballs screamed across the air — but Ada didn't flinch. Her eyes narrowed, and her arm blurred.
BANG, BANG, BANG!
Three shots.
Three explosions midair.
The cannonballs disintegrated into dust, fragments raining harmlessly into the sea.
Bullet barked a laugh. "Heh! You never miss, Captain."
"Wasn't planning to," Ada replied coolly, spinning her pistols and holstering one. "Now move."
—————-
As the Oro Jackson closed in, Bullet roared and leapt, slamming down onto the nearest Marine ship.
KRAKOOM!
The entire deck splintered from his impact.
"Let's see if you dogs can still bark!" he bellowed, throwing his fist straight through a line of soldiers.
Mihawk followed, blade gleaming, slicing through the ship's mast like butter. SLASH!
The wood cracked, and the mast toppled, crushing dozens of Marines.
Above them, Enel hovered, lightning dancing along his arms.
ZRAKAAAM!
A blinding arc of lightning tore through the rear deck, frying every Marine still standing.
Ada landed last. She didn't need to rush. She walked across the shattered deck, firelight reflecting in her eyes. The Marines faltered as she passed — her bounty poster had been burned into their minds for years.
"Nyx D. Ada — Former member of the Roger Pirates."
Alive. Dangerous. A global-level threat.
One Marine captain stammered, "Y-you why are here! You—"
BANG!
He fell before he could finish. Ada didn't even look at him.
"Dead men dont need answers," she said, holstering her pistol.
—————
Below deck, the cries were softer — the sound of broken voices and rattling chains. Ada descended the stairs, followed by Mihawk, Enel and Bullet. The air was heavy with dampness and despair. Rows of cages lined the walls, filled with slaves — men, women, fishmen, and children.
Ada motioned for Mihawk and Enel to follow. The boy hesitated, clutching his staff of gold lightning. "Captain," he murmured, "why do they do this? Humans… hurting their own."
Ada's boots creaked against the wood. "Because power blinds. And fear feeds it."
When they saw Ada, they froze. Her long dress trailed behind her, crimson eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. For a moment, they didn't know whether she was savior or executioner.
Ada stopped before the first cell. Her voice was low. "Who holds the keys?"
A trembling Marine behind her tried to draw his sword — but before he could, Mihawk's blade flashed.
SHING!
The sword clattered uselessly to the ground. The man fell silent, a thin line of red across his chest.
Ada turned back to the locks. Her fingers traced them, Haki pulsing from her palm.
CLICK.
The first chain shattered. Then another.
And another.
As the final lock fell, the first freed man — tall, broad, scales faintly glimmering beneath his torn shirt — stepped forward. His skin was sunburnt, his eyes fierce yet cautious.
He was a Fishman.
Fisher Tiger.
Tiger's voice was hoarse. "You… freed us?"
Ada nodded. "You're from the sea. You should never have been caged."
Tiger stared, disbelief and rage mixing in his gaze. "You're a human. Why would you care?"
Ada met his eyes evenly. "Because the sea doesn't care what we are. Pirate, fishman, giant, god — we're all her children. And I won't let anyone chain her children again."
Her words hung in the damp air.
Behind her, Bullet chuckled. "She's got a way with speeches, huh?"
Mihawk's tone was measured. "Yes she does. She speaks truth."
Tiger clenched his fists. "Then I owe you a debt."
Ada shook her head. "You owe me nothing. But if you wish to make that debt matter… sail with us. We're heading through the New World — through Fishman Island."
The Fishman's eyes widened. "Fishman Island…"
"You'll see your home again," Ada said softly. "But not as a slave. As a free man."
For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, slowly, he rose, towering over her. "My name's Fisher Tiger."
Ada gave a faint nod. "Ada. Captain of the Nyx Pirates."
—————
The surviving Marines staggered onto the deck above, trying to regroup.
Their surviving ships were in disarray, fires licking the sails.
"She's here — the woman from Roger's crew!"
"Retreat! Don't engage unless you're Admiral-level!"
"Where's HQ?! We need backup!"
Their panic only fueled the chaos.
Ada emerged from the lower deck, Tiger following behind her, chains still hanging loosely from his wrists. Mihawk and Bullet flanked her like wolves guarding a queen.
A surviving Marine officer screamed orders. "Aim for her! Kill the woman and sink the ship!"
Ada's gaze turned sharp. Her rifle glowed faintly in her hands.
"Pierce Art—"
Her voice cut through the smoke.
"Lunar Requiem."
BOOOOOOM.
A single shot. A violet beam exploded across the water, tearing through the enemy's flagship in one stroke. The blast silenced everything — fire, waves, and screams swallowed in blinding light.
When the smoke cleared, only wreckage remained.
The entire ship buckled, then exploded, scattering wreckage across the sea.
The sea swallowed what remained.
The Marines stared in horror as their last ship split apart.
"Mon… monster…" one whispered.
"She's not human…" another stammered.
"She's a Devil!"
Ada turned away. "Call me what you want," she said softly. "I'm done being human."
——————
When the smoke cleared, the Oro Jackson sailed quietly beside the ruined wreckage. Freed slaves were brought aboard, wrapped in blankets, given food and water. Fisher Tiger stood at the bow, staring at the endless ocean — his first taste of freedom in years.
Ada approached, standing beside him. The wind whipped at her dress.
"You can rest," she said.
Tiger shook his head. "No. Not yet. My people are still chained below the seas."
Ada's eyes flicked toward him. "Then free them. When the time comes."
He looked at her, silent for a moment. Then, slowly, he nodded. "You fight like a demon, Captain. But you speak like someone who's lost too much."
Ada smiled faintly, eyes distant. "Maybe that's why I fight."
Below deck, Bullet leaned back in his chair, cracking open a bottle. "That Fishman's got spirit. I like him."
Mihawk gave a quiet hum. "He has conviction. Ada attracts people like that."
Enel sat near the window, lightning flickering lazily along his fingers. "Conviction. Such a strange concept. She commands power without demanding it."
Bullet laughed. "She doesn't need to. The sea already listens to her."
————
Later, as the moon rose high, the Oro Jackson sailed in silence. Ada stood at the helm, the wind carrying the faint scent of smoke and salt. The night sky stretched endless above — stars shimmering like scattered treasure.
Mihawk approached, arms folded. "You didn't hesitate back there."
"I never do," Ada replied. "Hesitation kills more than bullets."
He glanced at the freed captives sleeping below deck. "You think the World Government will let this go?"
"They won't," Ada said. "But they can't stop it either. You can't unchain what's already free."
She turned to face him, her crimson eyes glinting. "The seas are about to change, Mihawk. And we'll be the ones steering the storm."
The young Enel watched them quietly, sitting cross-legged near the mast. His voice was soft, almost thoughtful. "You're not like other humans."
Ada glanced over at him. "Neither are you, Enel."
He blinked, surprised. "What do you mean?"
"You see the world differently," Ada said, her tone low. "Not as something to rule… but as something that can change."
Enel looked away, his young face serious. "Then I'll get stronger. So no one can chain me either."
Ada smiled faintly. "Good. Keep that fire."
——————
By dawn, the wreckage of the slave ship had vanished beneath the waves. The Nyx Pirates had set course once again.
Bullet yawned from the bow. "So, Captain — where to next?"
Ada glanced at the map laid out on the railing. Her finger traced a familiar path.
"Sabaody Archipelago."
Mihawk's brow rose slightly. "The entryway to Fishman Island."
Ada nodded. "We'll resupply there — and then dive. It's time Fisher Tiger saw his home again."
Tiger looked up from the lower deck, the morning light glinting in his eyes. "You mean it?"
Ada smiled faintly, eyes soft for once. "A promise is a promise."
Tiger's jaw tightened. "A human… returning a Fishman to his home." He looked at her, almost laughing. "I thought I'd never see the day."
Ada's tone softened — barely. "Then consider it a new day."
The Oro Jackson sailed onward, silver sails catching the morning light. The sea was calm again — but behind it, whispers began to spread across the world.
"Nyx D. Ada challenged the World Government!."
"She destroyed a Marine and slave ship convoy."
"The woman from Roger's crew… she's freeing slaves now."
And somewhere, in the halls of Marijoa, a Celestial Dragon shattered a glass of wine in rage.
But on the sea below, Ada closed her eyes and let the wind carry the ship forward.
Her voice was soft, almost lost to the waves.
"Every chain will break — one by one."
The Nyx Pirates had set their next course.
Sabaody Archipelago.