Smoke drifted lazily from the shattered ruins of Arlong Park, curling in thin gray ribbons into the brightening sky. The sun glinted off broken stone and collapsed towers, turning the remnants of tyranny into a graveyard of jagged shadows.
The once-imposing fortress was now nothing more than rubble, crushed pillars, scattered debris…
and silence.
Real silence.
The first silence Cocoyashi Village had heard in eight years.
Slowly, hesitantly, villagers emerged from their homes. Men with wrinkled, sunburned skin. Mothers clutching their children. Elderly folk who had forgotten what it meant to walk freely. They stood on the dirt paths, peering toward the ruins with disbelief etched into their faces.
"Arlong Park… is gone…"
"Is this a dream…?"
"Somebody… somebody pinch me…"
Then they saw him.
At the center of it all—
Monkey D. Luffy.
Standing tall.
Hat tilted forward.
Chest heaving from exertion and adrenaline.
Dust clinging to his clothes like battle scars.
And Nami stepped forward, slow and trembling, clutching the straw hat he had placed on her head moments earlier.
Her voice broke.
"It's over…"
It was a fragile whisper.
But the moment it left her lips—
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Then a shout.
Then another.
And like a spark to dry leaves—
Cocoyashi Village erupted.
Cheering.
Screaming.
Laughing.
Crying.
A sound so powerful it seemed to shake the sky.
Villagers collapsed to their knees in relief.
Women clung to each other.
Children ran in circles.
Men roared as if they had just been reborn.
Eight long years of terror, of stolen money, of lost hope—
All washed away in a tidal wave of joy.
Nojiko rushed to Nami and wrapped her in a fierce embrace.
"We're free," Nojiko whispered, voice cracking. "We're finally free."
Nami buried her face into her sister's shoulder, sobbing wordlessly.
Genzo turned away, wiping his eyes with his arm so no one could see—even though everyone saw anyway.
Sanji struck a match with trembling fingers, lighting a cigarette just to hide the wobble of his jaw.
Zoro crossed his arms, pretending he wasn't smiling just a little.
Usopp blew his nose so loudly several villagers jumped.
And Jinbe—
The knight of the sea himself—
stood slightly apart, arms folded, eyes softening.
"Tiger… Otohime… your dream breathes today." His voice was low, reverent.
A prayer to ghosts.
Then suddenly—
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
Gunshots shattered the celebration.
Villagers froze. Children shrieked. People dove for cover, instinctively reliving old fear.
A Marine squad marched up the broken road, rifles raised, boots pounding against the dirt. Leading them.
Captain Nezumi.
The rat-faced Marine strutted forward with false pride, whiskers twitching as he surveyed the destruction.
His eyes went wide. "Arlong… was defeated…?! HIS BASE—DESTROYED?!"
Genzo stepped forward, hatred burning. "You're late."
Nezumi's shock instantly twisted into outrage. "WHO—who did this?! WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TAMPERING WITH MARINE-PROTECTED PROPERTY?!"
The villagers exploded in fury.
"Marine-protected?!"
"You never protected US!"
"You protected HIM!!"
Nezumi ignored them.
His beady eyes locked onto Jinbe.
"J-J-J-JINBE?!" he squeaked. "A Warlord of the Sea?! YOU defeated Arlong?!"
Jinbe shook his head firmly. "No. The one who defeated him… was this boy."
He gestured at Luffy.
Luffy stood there with dust in his hair and scratches on his cheeks, but his expression was calm, almost bored.
Nezumi blinked as if slapped. "T-THAT brat?! That scrawny–?!"
Before Luffy could even respond, Nami stormed forward, fury burning in her eyes like wildfire.
"And YOU—!" she shouted. "YOU stole my 100 million berries!"
The crowd gasped.
Nezumi snarled, "That money was MARINE PROPERTY!"
"No!" Nami screamed. "You took it because you were working with Arlong! That's why no Marines EVER came when we begged for help!"
The villagers roared behind her.
"You filthy coward!"
"Traitor!"
"You left us to die!"
Nezumi's face twisted.
"You insolent little—!"
But he never finished that sentence.
Because Luffy stepped forward.
And punched him.
Hard.
A thunderous CRACK echoed across Cocoyashi.
Nezumi flew back like a ragdoll shot out of a cannon—
spinning through the air, shrieking,
crashing into a pile of rubble with a squeal that would haunt small animals.
His Marines scrambled in panic.
"A-Aim your rifles—!"
"Protect the captain—!"
They swung their guns up—
And instantly regretted it.
Zoro stepped forward, hand on his swords.
Sanji rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck.
Usopp pulled back his slingshot, shaking violently but trying to look terrifying.
Their shadows loomed over the Marines.
Zoro spoke first. "Try it."
Sanji smirked. "I'll give you a matching bruise."
Usopp yelled, "I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING BUT I'M READY!!"
The Marines slowly—
very slowly—
lowered their weapons.
Nezumi staggered to his feet, bruised and filthy, pointing a trembling finger. "You… you'll regret this…! I'll report this to the authorities! YOU'RE FINISHED! ALL OF YOU!"
He scrambled away with his squad.
The villagers began laughing.
Openly.
Mockingly.
Genzo snorted. "About damn time someone punched that rat."
Nami crossed her arms, chin lifted proudly.
"Thank you, Luffy."
Luffy beamed. "Anytime."
And Cocoyashi Village burst into celebration once more—
this time louder, freer, brighter than ever.
——————
For the first time in eight years, sunlight felt warm.
Not oppressive.
Not distant.
Warm.
Golden rays washed across the ruins of Arlong Park, turning shattered stone into glittering dust. The smoke from battle lifted slowly, carried away by a gentle sea breeze that smelled—not of fear—but of freedom.
And Cocoyashi Village erupted again.
Villagers danced barefoot across the dirt roads, laughing and crying, hugging whoever stood closest. Children sprinted in circles, shouting victory chants they made up on the spot.
Elderly folk who once walked with heavy, weary steps now moved with surprising energy, as if time itself had been rolled back.
Even the tangerine groves looked brighter, their leaves catching the sun like newly polished emeralds.
Men tied ropes around unconscious fishmen, dragging them out of the village square. Women passed out food and drinks as if feeding a festival. Someone brought out drums. Someone else found old bottles and started clinking them together to make music.
This was not celebration.
This was rebirth.
Through the crowd, Jinbe strode toward the Straw Hat crew with steady, calm steps. Behind him, the remnants of the Sun Pirates prepared their ship, hauling Arlong and the surviving fishmen—bound, unconscious, and stripped of their weapons.
Jinbe's presence alone was enough to hush the villagers nearby. Respect radiated from him like tides drawn to the moon.
He stopped before Luffy and bowed slightly.
"I will take Arlong and the surviving fishmen back to Fishman Island," he said, voice deep and steady. "They will face judgement there. By our laws—and by the weight of the sins they chose."
Luffy nodded. "Good."
But Nami stepped forward.
Her hands trembled—not with fear, but with something far heavier.
"Jinbe… tell me the truth." Her voice shook. "Was any of this preventable? Everything Arlong did… everything he took… everything we lost…"
The villagers quieted again.
Jinbe inhaled slowly.
Then bowed.
Deep.
So deep his forehead nearly touched the ground.
"I am sorry," he said. "Truly. Arlong's freedom was our responsibility. And we… failed to stop him before he caused such pain. Before he hurt you. Before he damaged the peace we should have protected."
The apology of a Warlord.
Of a Knight of the Sea.
Of a man carrying the weight of generations.
Nami's breath hitched.
For a moment, she looked like the little girl she once was—terrified, lost, and angry at the world.
But then she exhaled.
Her eyes softened.
"…Thank you," she whispered. "For coming. For helping us now."
Jinbe raised his head and smiled—warm, gentle, filled with hope.
"Your heart is strong," he said. "Fisher Tiger and Queen Otohime would have admired your spirit."
Behind him, the Sun Pirates finished loading the fishmen aboard.
Jinbe stepped onto the gangplank, saluted the crew, and called out. "Monkey D. Luffy! I will remember your name. The sea will, too."
Luffy flashed a grin. "Come visit sometime Jinbe!"
Jinbe laughed—a deep, rolling laugh like waves hitting a cliff. "Perhaps I will."
The Sun Pirates' ship drifted away, toward the horizon, toward judgement and closure.
The villagers waved until they were nothing but specks.
——————-
By late morning, the Going Merry rested proudly at the docks, bright and polished after the chaos of battle. The waves lapped gently against its hull, as if excited to carry the Straw Hat crew to their next adventure.
Luffy stood on deck, tapping his foot impatiently. "Where's Nami? Didn't she say she was coming?"
Usopp shrugged. "Maybe she changed her mind."
Sanji collapsed dramatically. "NOOOO, MY NAMI-SWAAAAN!"
Zoro rolled his eyes. "You're pathetic."
Then—
Footsteps approached.
The crew turned.
Nami walked down the docks with a confidence that lit up the whole village. Her new outfit blew lightly in the breeze, her bags slung over her shoulder, and on her arm—
A brand-new tattoo.
A tangerine and a windmill.
A symbol of home.
Of family.
Of freedom.
She stopped at the base of the gangplank, placed one hand on her hip, and grinned.
"So…" she teased. "Need a navigator?"
Luffy's entire face split into the biggest grin he'd had all day. "Yeah!"
Usopp pumped his fists. "YES! We're complete!"
Zoro smirked. "About time."
Sanji fell to his knees, tears flying everywhere. "NAMI-SWAAAAN!! WELCOME HOMEEE!!"
Johnny and Yosaku shouted from the pier, waving wildly.
"Take care of her, Nii-chan!"
"We'll miss you, Sister Nami!"
Nami stepped aboard.
"Let's set sail," she said.
With that simple sentence—
her journey truly began.
———————
Days Later
A shadow passed overhead.
The crew looked up.
A News Coo glided gracefully over the Going Merry, dropped a newspaper and a small envelope onto the deck, then flew off with a cheerful squawk.
"What's this?" Usopp said.
Sanji picked up the newspaper. "Probably boring political stuff."
But Nami grabbed the envelope.
And froze.
"Uh… guys?" she whispered.
Usopp leaned over her shoulder. "What's inside?"
Nami slowly pulled out a sheet of paper—crinkled, rough, printed in dark ink.
Her eyes widened.
Then she held it up.
A breeze caught it, slapping it against the mast.
WANTED
MONKEY D. LUFFY
30,000,000 BERRIES
DEAD OR ALIVE
Sanji dropped his cigarette, jaw hanging open. "THIRTY MILLION?!"
Usopp grabbed Luffy by the shoulders and shook him aggressively. "WE HAVE A REAL PIRATE CAPTAIN!!!"
Zoro smirked, crossing his arms. "Not bad. You're officially the big shot of East Blue."
Luffy tilted his head. "So I'm famous now?"
Nami bonked Luffy on the head. "YES, YOU IDIOT! YOU'RE FAMOUS NOW!"
Luffy held the poster up, eyes sparkling.
"Hehehe… I look cool."
The crew laughed.
The sun shined.
The wind picked up.
The Going Merry sailed onward, leaving a village of smiles behind…
and carrying a crew whose legend was just beginning.
————————
Across the Vast Sea — The New World
The New World skies churned with swirling clouds, streaked crimson by the setting sun. The sea below was calm only in appearance—its surface glassy, its depths hiding monsters and currents violent enough to swallow islands.
Cutting across those waters with serene confidence…
Was a coffin.
A black, ominous coffin-boat shaped like a floating grave, slicing forward with unnatural steadiness. At its helm sat Dracule Mihawk, the greatest swordsman in the world, cloak fluttering lightly behind him.
At his side drifted Perona, seated cross-legged in midair, floating on a comfortable pink ghost like it was a plush sofa. Her parasol rested over her shoulder, and several smaller ghosts circled her like bored children.
The News Coo swooped down, dropped a paper onto the coffin roof, and flew away.
Perona lazily reached for it. "What if it's just politics again…? Boring…"
She flicked the paper open—
—and her jaw dropped so fast she almost fell off her ghost. "MI—MI—MIHAWK!!!!! LOOK!!! LOOKLOOKLOOKLOOKLOOK!!!"
Mihawk glanced over without moving his head.
Perona slammed the newspaper into his face.
The wanted poster fluttered down into his hand.
WANTED
MONKEY D. LUFFY
30,000,000 BERRIES
DEAD OR ALIVE
Mihawk blinked once. "…30 million, already?"
His voice carried that calm, deep rumble that meant nothing surprised him—
but something definitely pleased him.
Perona was vibrating like a shaken soda can.
"You weren't kidding! He really is special! He took down Arlong?! He's just a baby pirate!"
Mihawk sipped from a bottle of wine he'd wedged between two coffin rails.
"I told you," he said simply.
Perona crossed her arms. "Ugh! Why do you always sound so smug when you're right?!"
"Because I am always right."
She screeched, throwing ghosts everywhere.
Mihawk stood, cloak billowing dramatically—even though there was no wind.
"We're visiting Shanks."
Perona blinked. "Now? Like… right this second?"
"Yes."
"But we're in the middle of the sea!"
"And?"
Perona sighed, floating higher. "Ugh. Fine. But Shanks better have snacks."
The coffin boat turned toward the Red Hair Pirates' territory.
Over them, storm clouds parted.
Ahead of them, an old rivalry stirred.
Mihawk rested a hand on Yoru. "This boy… will shake the world just as you said Ada."
———————-
Far from Mihawk, deep in the New World where storms themselves feared to wander, the Oro Jackson cut through the black waves.
Inside the captain's quarters, a woman sat at a map table.
Nyx D. Ada.
The First Emeperor.
The Strongest Emperor.
The woman whose bounty had once terrified entire kingdoms.
Her short black hair fell over her shoulders in faint waves. Her face—ageless despite her 52 years—held the sharpness of a hawk and the softness of a mother.
A loud knock sounded.
BANG!
The door swung wide.
Lilith charged in—boots hammering the wood, braids bouncing wildly, eyes shining like she'd just seen the afterlife.
"CAPTAIN!! You need to see this! NOW!"
Ada lifted an eyebrow, amused by her scientists dramatic entrance.
"What is it this time?" she asked dryly. "Another pirate crew begging for mercy before we even face them?"
Lilith slammed a newspaper onto the table.
"No! BETTER!"
Ada blinked once… then lowered her gaze.
Her breath caught.
The room went still.
WANTED
MONKEY D. LUFFY
30,000,000 BERRIES
DEAD OR ALIVE
Ada's fingers hovered over the poster—just above her son's face.
A long, silent moment passed.
Then—
A faint, tender smile curved across her lips.
"…Luffy."
Her voice trembled. Very softly. Very briefly.
Not in fear.
In pride.
Carrot burst into the room, ears twitching. "Is it true you have a son?! And he just got a bounty?! Let me see!!!"
Bullet barged in behind her. "Finally! The brat started making waves!"
Okiku and Hiyori peeked in, smiling warmly.
Pedro crossed his arms. "Thirty million. Impressive… for the East Blue."
Lilith grinned ear to ear, poking Ada's cheek. "Your son made the news for the first time, Captain!"
Ada finally touched the poster—fingertips brushing Luffy's smile as if he might feel it across the sea.
"He's growing," she whispered. "Faster than I expected."
Lilith leaned in with a mischievous smirk. "You look like a proud mom right now."
"I am," Ada replied simply, without shame.
The crew exchanged glances—half amused, half touched.
Ada folded the poster gently—careful, precise, reverent.
"Good," she murmured. "Very good."
Thunder cracked outside, but lightning reflected in Ada's eyes—not from fear, but fierce determination.
"Keep going, Luffy."
Her voice grew quiet, yet strong enough to shake kingdoms.
"The world is watching you."
She looked toward the storm-covered horizon, toward the distant blues where her son chased his dream.
"And so am I."
The Oro Jackson plunged forward, cutting the waves like a blade.
The New World stirred.
The Empress smiled.
And somewhere far ahead, the boy she loved more than the sea itself took his first true step into legend.
——————
Somewhere deep within the New World, an entire island shook under the weight of celebration.
Bonfires roared.
Meat sizzled.
Barrels burst open.
The Red Hair Pirates were partying so hard that even the local Sea Kings swam a little farther away.
Shanks sat right in the middle of it all, roaring with laughter as Beckman puffed on a cigarette—quietly despairing at the chaos spreading across the shore.
And then—
A scout skidded through the sand, face pale and soaked in sweat. "B–BOSS! WE GOT TROUBLE!! BAD trouble!!"
Shanks raised an eyebrow. "What is it? Admirals? Yonko? Marine fleet?"
The scout shook his head violently. "No—worse!! Dracule Mihawk and the Ghost Princess!!"
The entire party froze mid-drink.
Someone dropped a whole roasted boar.
Shanks slowly stood, stretching his back.
"…Mihawk, huh?"
Right on cue—
The coffin boat sliced through the waves, silent and regal.
Mihawk stepped onto the sand with predatory grace.
Perona floated behind him, umbrella resting on her shoulder.
Shanks spread his arms wide. "Well? You here for a duel or a drink?"
Mihawk snorted. "I have no intention of dueling a one-armed drunk."
The party EXPLODED into laughter.
Beckman nearly died choking on his cigarette.
Perona twirled in the air. "Hi Shanks! It's been ages!"
Shanks laughed. "Yo, Perona! Been a long time! Don't tell me Ada sent you to keep Mihawk in line again?"
Perona puffed her cheeks. "You say that like he's easy to handle!"
The pirates roared.
Shanks crossed his arms, grin sharpened.
"So? Why'd you come, old friend? I doubt you crossed the sea because you missed my handsome face."
Mihawk reached into his coat…
…and tossed a crumpled sheet of paper.
Shanks caught it.
He unfolded the bounty poster.
He saw the face.
Everything stopped.
The bonfire's crackling.
The sea breeze.
The laughter.
Shanks whispered—
"…Luffy."
His lips curled into one of the rarest, gentlest smiles.
"You really did it, kid."
He raised the poster high. "RED HAIR PIRATES!!! PREPARE THE TABLES!!!"
"CAPTAIN WANTS A PARTY!!!" the crew yelled.
Barrels rolled.
Meat flew.
The island practically shook.
Perona floated to the nearest barrel. "I could use a drink after all this sailing."
Mihawk sighed and sat down. "Just one."
Shanks dropped beside him, slamming a mug onto the table.
"You knew, didn't you?" he asked quietly.
Mihawk sipped calmly. "Knowing he is Ada's son—and the boy you bet your arm on—his rise was inevitable."
Shanks smirked. "Still pretending you don't care?"
"I don't," Mihawk replied. "I simply expected this outcome."
Perona poked Mihawk's shoulder. "He was smiling when he saw the poster."
"I was not," Mihawk said, deadpan.
Shanks burst with laughter. "So you came all the way here… just to tell me this boy is making waves?"
Mihawk closed his eyes. "There are few people whose growth interests me. Luffy happens to be one of them. And Ada's reaction will likely shake the seas."
Shanks grinned. "Hah! You softie."
"I will leave."
"No you won't," Shanks said, slinging an arm around his shoulders.
Mihawk glared. "Remove your arm or lose it."
Shanks only laughed harder.
Perona raised her drink high, cheeks pink and eyes shining with excitement. "To Luffy! The captain's son who's gonna shake the whole damn world! Fate's chosen child!"
A wave of cheers erupted—mugs slamming together, barrels cracking open, pirates howling.
But Shanks froze mid-swig.
He lowered his mug just a little, eye narrowing playfully.
"Fate's chosen child, huh?" he echoed, smirking. "And what makes you say that?"
Perona hovered closer, swirling her drink dramatically.
"Isn't it obvious?" she said, raising an eyebrow. "With that bloodline—and the way fate and luck practically cling to him like glue?"
Shanks blinked.
Then burst out laughing, loud enough that even the sea birds scrambled away.
"Dahahahaha! Well—when you put it like that… you might be right!"
Beckman shook his head, amused.
Lucky Roo toasted with a giant turkey leg.
Yasopp laughed into the sky.
Mihawk simply sipped his wine with the faintest ghost of a smirk.
And across the New World—
Monkey D. Luffy's name echoed like the start of a coming storm.