The New World was eerily still that morning — a silence that only came before something world-shaking.
The Oro Jackson glided through fog like a phantom, its moon-shaped sails catching faint light as if the sea itself feared to stir.
Ahead, a vast shadow grew — a leviathan of wood and willpower. The Moby Dick.
Ada stood at the bow, her dress trailing in the wind. Her expression was calm, but there was a tension in her shoulders — the kind that came before the storm.
Behind her, her crew murmured among themselves.
Mihawk, sharp-eyed and composed, observed the enormous ship.
"So that's the Moby Dick," he said coolly. "The Whitebeard Pirates' flagship."
Bullet cracked his neck, smirking. "Heh, figures. Only a monster like him could call you an old comrade."
Tiger crossed his arms. "Whitebeard… they say the sea itself bends to his will."
Enel, leaning lazily against the mast, frowned. "So this is another of those old pirates from your era, huh? He doesn't look like much from here."
Fisher Tiger crossed his arms. "Don't underestimate the man they call Whitebeard. He's the only one the sea itself seems to bow to."
Ada didn't reply. Her gaze remained fixed on the distant figure at the rail — a towering man with a crescent mustache gleaming under the sun.
By her side, Okiku held Hiyori close, both still wearing travel-worn kimonos. Hiyori clutched Ada's cloak, peering nervously at the massive ship.
Ada placed a reassuring hand on the girl's head. "Don't be afraid. That man was your father's brother-in-arms."
When the two ships met side by side, a hush spread across both decks.
Then, laughter — deep, booming, familiar.
"Gurararara! So it's true! I thought the sea was lyin' to me when they said you'd come sniffin' around my waters, Ada."
Whitebeard's voice carried across the waves, thunderous and warm.
Ada stepped onto the bridge plank that connected the ships. "It's been a while, Newgate."
Whitebeard grinned broadly, resting his bisento against his shoulder. "Vice-captain of Rocks crew, Crew mate of the Pirate King… and now one of the Emperors of the Sea. The tides haven't tamed you one bit, have they?"
Ada smirked faintly. "They never learned how."
Their words rippled through both crews. The air between them wasn't hostile — but heavy with history, and ghosts that refused to die.
Then, from behind Whitebeard, a voice broke through the murmuring crowd.
"…Lady Ada?"
Izou stood frozen mid-step, eyes locked on the two figures beside Ada — Okiku and Hiyori.
His voice faltered. "Okiku…?"
Okiku's breath caught. "Brother!"
She ran across the bridge, tears already streaking her cheeks. Izou met her halfway, catching her in a tight embrace. His body trembled as he held her — years of grief melting into disbelief.
"I thought you were gone," Izou whispered.
Okiku smiled through her tears. "I almost was. But Lady Ada found us."
Behind them, Ada stepped forward, Hiyori still holding her hand. "She was protecting this one when we found them."
Izou's gaze shifted to the girl — and his heart nearly stopped.
Hiyori looked up shyly, her blue eyes shimmering. "…I'm Kozuki Hiyori."
The name froze the entire deck.
Whitebeard's hand tightened around his bisento. The air grew heavier.
Ada stepped closer, her tone solemn. "Oden's daughter. She and Okiku survived Kaido's purge. They've been hiding ever since."
The word Kaido hit like a cannon shot.
Whitebeard's massive frame stiffened. "Kaido…?"
Ada's voice lowered. "He executed Oden. Took Wano for himself."
For a moment, no one spoke. Even the wind seemed to halt.
Whitebeard's jaw clenched — a growl built in his chest, low and shaking. "That bastard… that fool drunk on his own power!"
He slammed his bisento into the deck with a thunderous crack. Wood splintered. The Moby Dick groaned under the force.
"Gurarararara! Damn it all, Oden was a man of honor — too good for the world that betrayed him!"
Ada's eyes softened. "He was. He believed in something the world couldn't yet understand."
Whitebeard turned toward her, his fury fading into sorrow. "And you bring his children here. Why?"
Ada looked him straight in the eye. "So you would know they live. I thought… maybe you'd want to hear it from someone who still remembers him."
Whitebeard's expression gentled. "You didn't have to come all this way for that, girl."
"I did," she said quietly. "Because Oden's dream hasn't died. And one day… that dream will need allies."
Finally, he sighed — a long, weary exhale that seemed to shake the air. "So, you've come to give me grief and ghosts, huh?"
Ada gave a faint smile. "No. Just truth."
He barked out a laugh. "Still the same sharp tongue. You and Roger both had that fire."
She turned slightly, glancing at Izou and Okiku, still embracing. "He's got his sister back. That's something, at least."
A silence followed — not grief this time, but understanding.
Whitebeard nodded slowly. "You're protectin' them then."
Ada's hand brushed over Hiyori's hair. "For now. Until they can choose their own path."
The old man chuckled softly. "Heh… sounds like somethin' Roger would say."
Ada gave a faint smirk. "Then I suppose I'm in good company."
Behind her, Mihawk murmured to Bullet, "Even legends carry ghosts."
Bullet shrugged. "Tch. I'd rather carry scars."
Whitebeard's gaze swept over Ada's crew. "Quite the family you've built, Ada. You've still got the eye for strength."
"They're more than weapons," she replied simply. "They're my compass."
Whitebeard laughed deeply. "Gurararara! And what does that compass point to these days?"
Ada's expression turned distant. "Not revenge. Not yet. Wano's storm will settle when it's time. Until then, the seas will keep their balance — one way or another."
Whitebeard's grin softened. "You've grown, girl. Maybe wiser than the rest of us."
"I had to," Ada replied. "The sea doesn't forgive slow learners."
He roared with laughter again, loud and full. "You haven't changed one damn bit!"
But when his laughter faded, his eyes fell once more on Okiku and Hiyori — then on Ada.
"Take care of them," he said, voice low but steady. "For Oden's sake."
"I will," Ada promised. "When the world's ready, I'll bring them home."
The two pirates stood there — two legends from different tides, bound by the same ghost.
Whitebeard finally raised his bisento in salute. "Then sail safe, Ada. You carry the hopes of a man the world couldn't kill."
Ada inclined her head. "And you, old man — carry the sea as you always have."
As Ada and her crew turned back toward the Oro Jackson, Izou called after her, voice trembling.
"Thank you, Lady Ada. For saving them."
Ada smiled faintly, without turning. "Tell Oden's spirit that his children are safe. That's thanks enough."
She boarded her ship once more. The gangplank was lifted. Slowly, the two great vessels began to drift apart, carried by the breath of the sea.
From the Moby Dick, Whitebeard's booming voice carried across the waters:
"Gurararara! The world's changin', Ada! Don't you die before it does!"
Ada looked back over her shoulder, wind tangling her hair. "I'll try not to."
The two ships parted — the moon and the mustache fading into opposite horizons.
But when the wind shifted, Izou's smile faltered.
Standing at Ada's side on the deck of her ship was Okiku — her hair fluttering in the sea breeze, eyes bright with tears.
Izou's breath caught. "Okiku…"
Ada met his gaze across the widening distance and nodded once — a silent promise. I'll keep her safe.
Okiku bowed deeply toward her brother, her voice carried faintly by the wind.
"I'll be all right, brother! I'll protect Lady Hiyori — and Lady Ada too!"
Izou clenched a fist over his heart, fighting back emotion. "You always were the brave one, Kiku…"
Beside him, Whitebeard folded his arms, his expression grave yet warm. "Let her go, Izou. The girl's got a fire in her. She'll be fine under Ada's flag."
Izou exhaled shakily and nodded. "Aye… she will."
As the Oro Jackson faded into the distance, Izou whispered softly, "Pops will we see them again?"
Whitebeard's deep laugh rumbled through the air like distant thunder.
"Gurararara! If fate wills it, little one — the sea always brings people back together."
He turned his gaze toward the horizon, watching Ada's sails vanish into the golden light.
"So… the New Era still shines, eh? Then maybe this world's got a chance left after all."
The waves rolled on — whispering of legends, of Oden's dream, and of a sea preparing for the next great dawn.