Sea Circle Calendar Year 1504
Two years since the flames of Ohara swallowed knowledge itself.
The world had changed. Not slowly — but violently, as though the seas themselves had torn their own laws apart.
The Grand Line, once divided by mystery and fear, was now ruled by something else entirely.
power.
And that power had a name — Nyx D. Ada, the First Emperor of the Sea.
Two years ago, she had split the sea in half and crushed the might of three Vice Admirals in a single day. Two years ago, she declared the dawn of her own law. Now, her flag — black and silver with the crescent moon — flew over dozens of islands scattered across the New World.
To some, it was a symbol of safety.
To others, of dominion.
But to the Marines… it was a declaration of war.
The Oro Jackson, refitted and reinforced, cut through the raging waters like a blade. On the deck stood Ada, her dress whipping violently in the wind. She watched the horizon, her expression calm, but her presence radiated something heavy — the kind of authority that made the air itself bow.
Below, her crew worked in seamless silence. Bullet shouted orders as Fisher Tiger and Mihawk helped secure the sails. Even Enel — taller and older now, his lightning humming faintly against his skin — moved with uncharacteristic focus. Two years under Ada's command had hardened them all.
"Another island under our protection," Bullet said as he approached, his voice rough but steady. "The people called us 'saviors' this time."
Ada didn't turn. "They'll call us conquerors tomorrow."
He smirked. "What's the difference?"
She looked over her shoulder, eyes glinting beneath the shadow of her hair. "Who's writing the story."
Bullet let out a low laugh. "Heh. Fair enough."
The wind shifted, bringing the faint sound of seagulls — and something else. A loud, metallic cry rang through the air. Enel's eyes flicked upward, catching the shadow of a large carrier bird slicing through the clouds.
"News Coo," he muttered, raising an arm. A paper dropped neatly into his hand. "Fresh off the press."
He tossed it toward Ada.
She caught it effortlessly, her gaze scanning the bold black headline — the kind that made the world stop moving for a heartbeat.
"THE BIRTH OF THE FOUR EMPERORS — BALANCE OF POWER DESTROYED"
Below the headline were four faces — hers at the top, framed in black.
The rest, faces she knew all too well.
Edward Newgate. Charlotte Linlin. Kaido.
Her old crewmates from the Rocks Pirates.
Her equals, in strength if not in will.
Mihawk approached, silent as a shadow, and glanced at the page. "Emperors of the Sea," he said with faint amusement. "Quite the title."
Ada's gaze lingered on the paper, her voice low. "Titles don't interest me."
Fisher Tiger chuckled, his massive arms crossed. "They interest everyone else."
Ada folded the newspaper neatly, eyes narrowing as she looked at the waves stretching endlessly before her. "Then let them call us whatever they want. The world can't change what we already are."
Across the seas, the World Economic Journal spread like wildfire. In every corner tavern, every marketplace, and every Marine base, the same word whispered through the air. Yonko.
The Four Emperors.
The seas had finally found their rulers.
——————-
At Marine Headquarters, tension ran thicker than fog. The meeting room was filled with the sharp rustle of papers, the hum of Den Den Mushi, and the sound of boots pacing against marble.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood at the center of it all, his usually calm face marked by exhaustion. Garp leaned lazily against a wall nearby, munching on crackers as if the world weren't collapsing outside. Tsuru stood beside Sengoku, arms crossed, eyes sharp as ever.
"This can't continue," Sengoku muttered, slamming a folder onto the table. "Four monsters now rule the New World. Ada was bad enough. Now Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido are carving territories as if the sea belongs to them."
Tsuru exhaled slowly. "In a way, it does. The World Government's presence in the New World has collapsed. Every island we had a base on has either fallen to pirate control… or pledged allegiance to one of the four."
"Pledged allegiance?" Sengoku echoed bitterly. "You mean they're grateful."
Tsuru nodded grimly. "Yes. Ada's rule brought protection. Whitebeard's crew protects towns under his flag. Big Mom enforces stability through fear, and Kaido builds armies that crush bandits. They're monsters, Sengoku — but monsters the people have started to rely on."
Garp chewed noisily before speaking. "Heh. Guess people got tired of waitin' on the Marines to show up."
Sengoku shot him a glare. "Don't start, Garp."
But Garp only grinned wider. "I ain't sayin' they're saints. But I've seen what the Government does too. Maybe people are just pickin' the lesser devils now."
Sengoku's hand clenched at his side. "This isn't about devils. It's about control. If we let them keep growing unchecked—"
"Then it's already too late," Tsuru interrupted softly. "The seas have already chosen their kings."
Sengoku turned away, the weight of her words pressing into him like a physical blow. For the first time, he looked tired — truly tired. "So this is what it's come to… Emperors ruling the seas while the Navy scrambles to pick up scraps."
Garp took another bite and shrugged. "Welcome to the new age."
—————
In the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, the mood was far darker.
The Five Elders sat in the quiet of their chamber, the air heavy with incense and tension. The candlelight reflected off their glasses and balding heads, turning their faces into masks of grim patience.
"The world is slipping," one said bitterly, flipping through a report. "Two years ago, we silenced the scholars of Ohara to preserve order. Now? The seas are more chaotic than ever."
Another elder growled, "It began with her — Nyx D. Ada. She defied the world's balance, and the others followed her lead. Now every monster from that cursed Rocks era is rising again."
"She was Roger's crewmate," a third murmured. "And Rocks' Vice Captain before that. It's as if the will of both lives in her."
The oldest among them sighed, setting down his scroll. "If she continues to expand her domain, the entire New World will fall under her rule. Even the Navy can't touch her without losing half its fleet."
"Then what do you propose?" another snapped. "A second Buster Call? Against an Emperor?"
The room fell silent. None dared suggest it — not after she split the sea in half.
Finally, the eldest leaned back, his voice measured and cold. "We do nothing. Let the other Emperors challenge her. Let their greed devour one another. The sea will balance itself through blood."
"And if it doesn't?" one asked softly.
His answer came without hesitation.
"Then we'll burn the world itself if we must."
———————
Meanwhile, in the far reaches of the New World, the seas raged beneath the power struggle. Islands once peaceful had turned into fortresses. Pirate crews clashed daily, fighting for favor, protection, or survival under one of the four banners.
But among all, one symbol commanded the most fear — the Crescent Moon of Nyx, Ada's flag.
Her rule was different. She didn't demand loyalty — she earned it. Her territory spanned dozens of islands, each thriving under strict but fair rule. Pirates who broke her laws vanished without a trace. Merchants sailed under her sigil for safe passage.
In the eyes of many, she had become what the Marines failed to be — justice, on her own terms.
On the Oro Jackson's deck, the sunset painted the sea in gold and crimson. Ada stood at the bow, wind brushing through her hair. Behind her, the crew gathered, each member more tempered, sharper than before.
Bullet leaned against the rail, grinning. "Word's out, Captain. They're calling us the strongest crew in the world."
Enel laughed softly, sparks dancing at his fingertips. "Of course they are. Who else could stand against the heavens themselves?"
Mihawk glanced at him sideways. "You still talk too much."
Fisher Tiger chuckled. "He's young. Let him dream."
Ada turned slightly, her voice low but clear. "Dreams are fine, so long as they're not illusions."
The crew fell silent — a quiet respect that had long since replaced the awe they once felt toward her.
After a moment, Fisher Tiger broke the silence. "You've been quiet since the paper arrived. You don't like being called Emperor?"
Ada's lips curved faintly, though her eyes stayed fixed on the horizon. "The world calls you a monster long enough, you stop arguing."
Bullet smirked. "So what are we now? Monsters?"
Her answer came like the whisper of a blade. "No. We're the ones who walk above them."
The waves crashed against the hull, almost as if the sea itself bowed in response.
In the following weeks, news of Ada's continued expansion spread like wildfire. She claimed two more islands — Vastora and Eidria — both once under Marine control. Instead of enslaving the people, she rebuilt their ports, protected their trade routes, and established strict but fair governance.
Her rule brought peace — but also fear.
Even the common folk couldn't decide whether to cheer or pray.
In the bars and markets, whispers spread faster than ships.
"Did you hear? The Emperor Nyx D. Ada stopped a pirate armada from attacking Vastora. Sank every ship herself."
"They say she can split the sea with a thought."
"And she doesn't kill without reason. Even Marines get spared if they surrender."
"Then maybe she's not evil after all…"
"Evil or not, she's untouchable."
Weeks later, the World Economic Journal printed a special edition.
The front page bore four flags side by side:
The Crescent Moon of Nyx. The Jolly Roger of Whitebeard. The Crest of Big Mom. The Mark of Kaido.
THE FOUR EMPERORS RULE THE NEW WORLD — A BALANCE OF TERROR.
"Two years after the rise of Nyx D. Ada, the seas have stabilized under four powers now referred to as the Yonko — the Four Emperors of the Sea.
Each holds territory vast enough to rival entire nations. The Marines, unable to maintain order, now operate solely along controlled borders. A new equilibrium has formed — one of fear, respect, and fragile peace."
—————-
On the other side of the world, within the quiet of a high mountain base, Monkey D. Dragon lowered the paper, his expression unreadable.
The wind howled outside, tugging at his cloak. His gaze lingered on Ada's portrait — the faint curve of her smile, the glint in her eyes that the world called dangerous, but he remembered as determined.
"She's changing the world," he murmured.
Beside him, the wind rustled the leaves — silent agreement.
He folded the newspaper slowly, his voice low but certain.
"And the world will never be the same again."
—————
Far away, aboard the Oro Jackson, Ada stood beneath the moonlight, her flag billowing above her.
The sea was calm tonight — too calm.
Her reflection wavered in the waves as she whispered to no one in particular, "The seas are shifting, and they'll soon drown in their own order."
Her hand brushed over the hilt of her blade, and her eyes burned faintly in the dark.
"Let them call me Emperor. I'll be the storm that makes the title mean something."
As thunder rolled across the horizon, the Nyx Pirates' sails filled with wind once more, carrying them toward another dawn — toward another battle, another island, another change in the world that refused to stay still.
Sea Circle Calendar Year 1504 — The Four Emperors have risen.
And the first among them, the Crescent Moon of Nyx, rules the tides.