Somewhere in the New World
The skies over Ada's flagship, The Oro Jackson, were a deep violet that bled into crimson as dawn broke.
The morning paper fluttered down from the wings of a News Coo, landing gently beside Ada's cup of steaming black tea.
Mihawk's keen eyes traced the bold headline before she even looked at it.
"REVERIE CONCLUDES — KINGS DEBATE YONKO THREAT"
He clicked his tongue quietly. "Seems your name echoed through the Holy Land again."
Ada took the paper, scanning it without emotion. Her expression was unreadable — calm, cold, and distant as ever. The sunlight caught her golden eyes like liquid metal.
'The First Empress — Nyx D. Ada, protector of Fishman Island and ruler of the southern seas.'
'Her actions divide the monarchs of the world.'
She read in silence. The sound of the waves was the only thing between her and the world's judgment.
Okiku stood nearby, adjusting the rigging lines. "They talk as if you're a demon, Lady Ada."
Hiyori frowned softly. "But also as if you're a savior."
Ada folded the newspaper once and set it down on the table. "Neither title means anything," she said. "Both are given by those who fear what they don't understand."
Bullet leaned against the mast, arms crossed. "Still, it's amusing. Kings talking about you like scared little nobles. You've already done more than all of them combined."
She exhaled softly and set the paper aside. "Fools. They gather to talk of peace while their world rots beneath them."
Okiku looked up from polishing her blade. "They talk of you as if you're the reason they fear the sea."
Bullet snorted. "They should be afraid."
Mihawk smirked faintly. "And yet," he said, "you seem quiet today."
Ada gazed out toward the endless horizon. The wind tugged at her coat. "The Reverie will lead to war one day. The seeds are already sown — fear, ambition, ignorance. When men of titles talk of balance, it only means they've already lost it."
She turned away from the sea, her tone dropping into something cold and foreboding.
"Even kings cannot stop what's coming."
The crew exchanged uneasy glances.
They had heard that tone before — the one that usually preceded storms, both literal and political.
————————
By midday, The Oro Jackson had anchored near a small, nameless island — a lush, sunlit place dotted with windmills and flower fields.
Ada had chosen to resupply there before continuing deeper into the New World.
Enel was the first to complain. "Tch. Why do we always stop in these boring places? I could just call lightning to cook the rations!"
"Because you'd burn the ship again," Hiyori muttered.
Bullet barked a laugh. "He's not wrong, though. At least lightning's faster than whatever these villagers are using."
Ada ignored them both as she walked down the path into the island's central square, her presence instantly drawing whispers.
Even out here, the name "Ada" carried weight. Pirates, merchants, and even marines disguised as traders all lowered their eyes as she passed.
As Ada led the group through the central square, whispers rippled among the villagers.
"That's her… the First Emeperor of the New World…"
"She looks so calm… like she owns the sea…"
But amid the murmurs and bustle, a small cry broke the monotony.
"Stop it! Leave me alone!"
Ada's eyes narrowed.
Across the street, near a broken fence, a group of rough older boys — local brats, sons of dockhands — were shoving a tiny pink-haired girl into the dirt. Her dress was torn, her eyes wide but defiant.
"Freak!" one boy sneered. "Your ghost tricks don't scare us anymore!"
"I told you, I can really do it!" the girl yelled, clutching her small hands into fists. "I'll curse you all!"
The boys laughed — until Ada's shadow fell across them.
Her voice was soft. Calm. Dangerous.
"Is that so?" she said.
The bullies froze instantly. Even a child could feel that cold, crushing aura that came from her.
The boys ran — not even daring to look back.
Ada crouched down before the girl, brushing dust from her sleeve.
"You have spirit," Ada said, tone even. "What's your name?"
The little girl sniffled. "P-Perona."
"Hmm." Ada tilted her head. "A ghost girl named Perona. That's fitting."
Before Ada could say more, Enel and Bullet came strolling up the path, clearly amused by what they'd seen.
"Oi, Captain," Bullet said, grinning. "Playing savior again?"
The girl frowned, stepping back. "You're all pirates! I don't need your help!"
Enel smirked, folding his arms. "So this tiny thing's gonna fight us? Go ahead, little one. Show me your thunder if you can."
Perona's cheeks puffed up. "Fine! You asked for it!"
She stuck out her tongue and yelled.
"Negative Hollow!"
At once, ghost-like shapes floated from her body — eerie and translucent, with wide grins.
They drifted toward Bullet and Enel before either could react.
"Oi, what the—"
"Eh?! Ghosts—?"
The hollows passed through them.
Instantly, Bullet dropped to his knees, eyes wide and hollow.
"I'm… useless," he muttered, voice trembling. "What's even the point of being strong…"
Enel collapsed beside him, lightning sparking weakly from his fingers. "Gods are… overrated… what's the use of living…"
Okiku burst into laughter so hard she nearly dropped her sword. "Oh, my! Even Lord Enel is depressed!"
Ada raised an eyebrow — impressed, but keeping her composure.
"A Paramecia ability," she said softly. "Emotional inversion. She can project negativity."
Perona stood proudly, arms crossed. "Told you I'm scary!"
Hiyori knelt beside Ada, smiling faintly. "She's quite something, isn't she?"
Ada nodded once. "Indeed. The power to crush morale is rarer than brute strength."
Bullet continued muttering on the ground. "I'll… never lift weights again…"
Enel, still slumped, whimpered, "The sky's… too far away…"
Ada sighed. "Enough," she said, snapping her fingers. The hollows dissolved instantly, freeing them from the curse.
Both men snapped upright, furious.
"What was that?!" Enel roared, lightning sparking.
"Who do you think you're messing with?!" Bullet shouted, fists clenched.
Perona giggled and hid behind Ada. "You two are funny!"
Ada turned to her crew, voice low and commanding. "Calm yourselves. You were defeated by a child. Learn from it."
They froze. Neither dared to speak again.
Then she looked down at Perona. "You said your name is Perona?"
"Mm-hm."
Ada stood. "Then you'll come with us."
Perona blinked. "Huh?"
"You'll have food, safety, and a room. In return, you'll train your ability properly. You've potential — more than you realize."
The girl hesitated. "You're not… gonna sell me or something?"
Ada smirked faintly, almost teasing. "Sell you? Hardly. You're worth more as yourself than any fool's coin could measure."
Mihawk chuckled under his breath. "That's one way to recruit a child."
Bullet grinned. "That's the Captain for you — even her kindness sounds like a threat."
Ada turned her gaze toward the sea, cloak fluttering with the wind. "Come, girl. The world's too cruel for the softhearted — but maybe, just maybe, we can teach you to survive it."
Perona smiled. For the first time, someone had looked at her not with fear, but acknowledgment.
"Then… okay!" she said brightly. "But I want a big room!"
Enel groaned. "Oh great, another loud brat…"
Okiku chuckled. "Careful, Enel. She might make you cry again."
Ada's coat flared as she turned back toward the ship. "We set sail at dawn."
——————-
That night, on deck beneath the moonlight, Ada stood alone by the railing.
Perona was already asleep below deck — her small laughter still echoing faintly from the cabin.
Mihawk approached quietly, a glass of wine in hand. "You've picked up another stray."
Ada didn't look at him. "She's not a stray. She's a spark."
He tilted his head. "A spark for what?"
Ada's eyes were fixed on the sea — black and endless. "For the world that's sinking. Even in despair, she made others feel it. Imagine what she'll become when she learns to control it."
Mihawk studied her for a moment, then said quietly, "You sound almost… hopeful."
Ada's lips curved into the faintest of smiles. "Hope," she said, "is just another weapon, Mihawk. But sometimes… it's the sharpest one."
Then a sudden crash shook the deck.
"AHHH! DON'T TOUCH THAT!" Lilith shouted from below.
Enel screamed, "WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY DRUMS, WOMAN?!"
The crew turned to see Vegapunk Lilith, the mechanical genius herself, sprinting out of the lower deck — her hands covered in oil and sparks flying from her backpack thrusters.
"I was upgrading your ship's propulsion system!" she said defensively.
Ada raised an eyebrow. "Without permission?"
Lilith crossed her arms. "I'm a scientist. Permission is a myth!"
Suddenly, smoke erupted from one of the side engines, and Enel's hair stood on end from static discharge.
Bullet groaned, covering his face. "Why do we even let her near the engine room?"
Hiyori laughed nervously. "She said she could make the ship faster…"
Ada gave Lilith a long, steady look. "Next time," she said slowly, "test it on a rowboat."
Lilith huffed, cheeks puffed out. "Fine! But you'll be sorry when I invent flight!"
Mihawk smirked. "At this rate, you'll invent our deaths first."
Ada couldn't help the smallest hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
Perona poked her head out from behind the mast, her stuffed bear clutched in her arms. "She's crazy."
Lilith turned around dramatically. "I heard that, ghost brat!"
Ada raised a hand sharply. "Enough."
The deck went still.
She glanced over her crew — the strongest warriors, the most chaotic minds, the strangest souls in the New World — and sighed softly.
"This ship," she said, "has become more unpredictable than the sea itself."
Mihawk tilted his glass toward her. "And yet, Captain, it still sails straight."
Ada smirked faintly. "For now."