Morning broke quietly across the Grand Line. But it was not peace — it was the kind of silence that comes before history trembles.
Seagulls scattered from Marine couriers in every direction, carrying a single sheet of paper that would change the world.
The ink was still wet when it hit the streets of Water 7, Mock Town, Dressrosa, and the farthest isles of the New World.
Everywhere, the same face.
A woman standing atop wrecked warships, the sea split open behind her — eyes calm, expression like carved steel.
"NYX D. ADA — 6,102,000,000 BERI"
"The First Emperor of the Sea."
The ink bled into every heart that read it.
The era of balance had just ended.
—————————
ACROSS THE SEAS
In a crowded bar at Water 7, men froze mid-drink as the newspaper hit the counter.
"Six billion?!" someone shouted. "That's more than the Pirate King himself!"
Another pirate whistled low, eyes wide. "They're callin' her an Emperor… Emperor of the Sea! Ain't that title for legends?"
The bartender leaned close, staring at the photo. "Legends die. Monsters keep sailing."
On a slave port near Sabaody, a group of freed captives stared at her image in awe.
"That's her…" one whispered. "The woman who destroyed the slave ship to save us."
Another, younger man clenched his fists, tears in his eyes. "She didn't just fight for treasure. She fought for us."
In the markets of Alabasta, even nobles whispered her name in fear.
"She carries the name of D… and defied the Holy Land itself."
Children drew her flag in the sand — the crescent moon and piercing streak. The mark of the woman who had turned the world upside down.
———————
MARIEJOA
In the holy chamber of the Five Elders, sunlight filtered through stained glass, painting blood-red light over the polished floor.
They said nothing for a long time. Only the quiet rustle of paper — Ada's bounty poster — broke the silence.
The bald elder with the katana finally spoke. "So she's done it. She's the first."
Another elder, the one with the long white beard, nodded slowly. "The First Emperor of the Sea. She's not only matched Roger's legacy… she's eclipsed it."
The blond elder's eyes narrowed, his voice like ice. "She was part of the Rocks Pirates, then Roger's. She's the last thread tying together two of history's greatest devils."
"The woman has seen the truth of the world," the scarred elder muttered. "And now she commands the power to unmake it."
For a long moment, the room fell into an uneasy silence.
Then the oldest among them — the one with the crescent scar over his head — leaned forward.
"The seas have chosen their ruler," he said quietly. "And the world government has chosen its storm."
He turned toward the window, watching the distant horizon.
"She's no longer just a pirate. She's the sea itself."
——————-
NEW WORLD — THE MOBY DICK
A deep, rumbling laugh echoed across the deck.
"Gurararara! So the little devil finally takes her crown," Whitebeard said, slamming his sake jug against the railing.
The crew looked up as Marco handed him the newspaper. "Six billion, Pops. The government's calling her Emperor of the Sea. The first one."
Whitebeard's smile widened beneath his mustache. "First Emperor, eh? Heh… she always said she'd change the ocean one day."
He looked down at the photo, remembering a younger woman standing beside Rocks, eyes burning brighter than any fire.
"Back in Rock's ship, she didn't follow anyone — not even Rocks himself. Guess the world's finally caught up."
Vista chuckled softly. "You knew her that well, Pops?"
Whitebeard's gaze softened, far away. "She was my vice captain once. Tougher than any of us. Even Rocks respected her. And now… she's what we all failed to become."
He looked toward the horizon, the sun glinting off the waves.
"Gurararara… Ada, the First Emperor of the Sea. You've outsailed us all."
———————
WHOLE CAKE ISLAND
Inside the candy-coated halls of Totto Land, Big Mom's laughter shook the chandeliers.
"Maaammamma~! So the seas finally have a queen again!"
Perospero grinned nervously beside her, tapping the newspaper. "Not a queen, Mama — an Emperor. The World Government officially named her the first one."
Big Mom's expression darkened, the laughter twisting into something more dangerous.
"Emperor of the Sea… they gave her that title before me?"
Smoothie frowned. "She was once your crewmate, wasn't she? Back in the Rocks Pirates."
Big Mom's eyes flickered, memories surfacing like ghosts. "Aye. She was our vice captain. A monster even Rocks couldn't tame. I thought she'd die with Roger — but no… that woman's too stubborn to die."
She leaned back, smiling with teeth like pearls and knives.
"If Ada's claimed the seas, then I'll take the land. And when the time comes…" She licked her lips. "We'll see who devours who."
Her laughter thundered again, echoing across Whole Cake Island like a storm.
————————
WANO
Lightning flashed over Wano as Kaido roared with laughter, sake spilling from his jug.
"So she finally did it! Emperor of the Sea — with only five people in her crew!"
King stood beside him, unreadable. "You knew her before, didn't you? The Rocks Pirates."
Kaido's grin widened, eyes gleaming with wild respect. "Back then, even Rocks called her a monster. She wasn't human — not the way we are. She had that will… the kind that bends others without speaking."
He cracked his neck, the grin turning feral. "I always thought she'd be the one to outlast us all. Guess I was right."
King raised a brow. "She split the ocean, Captain. That's not something even you've done."
Kaido's laughter grew louder. "Then I'll have to try harder, won't I? The world's finally got someone worth fighting."
He lifted his jug toward the horizon, voice booming like thunder.
"To the First Emperor of the Sea — Nyx D. Ada! Hah! The seas just got interesting again!"
————————
BALTIGO — REVOLUTIONARY BASE
Far from the eyes of the world, in the cold mountains of Baltigo, the Revolutionary Army's banners fluttered in the wind.
A lone figure stood at the cliff's edge, cloak rippling against the sharp breeze. The faint light of dawn glinted off his piercing eyes.
Monkey D. Dragon held the newspaper in his hand — the ink barely dry.
The words seemed to hum with power.
"Nyx D. Ada — 6,102,000,000 Beli.
The First Emperor of the Sea."
For a moment, he said nothing. Only the sound of the wind filled the silence.
Then, a quiet laugh escaped him — low, thoughtful, and edged with something like respect.
"So… she's done it," he murmured. "The woman who stood beside Roger and defied the world itself."
He folded the paper carefully, eyes narrowing toward the horizon — toward the seas where Ada sailed.
"She's not just making waves anymore. She's reshaping the tide."
Ivankov, standing a few paces behind, tilted his head. "So what now, Dragon? You plannin' to take on an Emperor?"
Dragon's cloak fluttered as he turned slightly, the faintest trace of a smile ghosting his lips.
"No," he said simply. "Not yet."
He gazed into the distance, where the morning sun burned like a rising storm.
"Nyx D. Ada… the seas may call her Emperor."
His voice hardened, resolve clear.
"But soon, I'll contact her myself. The world's changing — and if her goal aligns with mine…"
He turned away, cloak billowing like a banner.
"Then the revolution might have just found its greatest ally."
———————
The name "Nyx D. Ada" spread faster than any current.
In taverns and ports, pirates argued whether she was human or god.
In the East Blue, fishermen raised their cups to her name, saying she split the sea for freedom.
In the deserts of Alabasta, merchants whispered that the balance of power had shifted.
And in Fishman Island, Ada's flag fluttered proudly — a promise of protection under the moon and pierce.
To the slaves of the world, she was salvation.
To pirates, she was proof that the seas could be ruled by strength alone.
To nobles, she was a nightmare reborn.
And to history — she was the first Emperor of the Sea.
————————
ABOARD THE ORO JACKSON
The night wind howled softly as the Oro Jackson sailed through the calm belt. Moonlight shimmered across the water, glinting off the black sails that bore the crescent moon.
Ada stood at the bow, dress flowing like a tide, staring into the endless dark. Behind her, the crew spoke in hushed tones, their laughter carrying faintly through the night.
Bullet leaned against the railing. "Six billion, huh? Guess we're finally worth somethin'."
Enel chuckled from the mast, sparks flickering around him. "The world calls you Emperor now. Fitting, don't you think?"
Mihawk's golden eyes glimmered as he stepped forward, hat tilted low. "You've become what every pirate dreams to be — and what every god fears."
Fisher Tiger rested his arms on the rail, his deep voice quiet but steady. "The seas will follow you now, Ada. Fishmen, humans, even the ones above the clouds."
Ada's gaze didn't waver from the horizon. Her tone was calm, almost distant.
"The world's just starting to wake up. Let them talk. Let them crown whoever they wish."
She turned, the faintest smile ghosting across her lips.
"We're not done yet."
The wind caught the sails as the Oro Jackson cut across the silver waters.
Behind them, the flags of nations trembled.
Ahead of them — the new world awaited its ruler.
And in that still moment, beneath the light of the moon, the age of emperors began.