Sea Circle Calendar Year 1512.
Three years since the Raid on Marie Geoise.
The world had changed, though on the surface it looked the same.
The seas still rolled, kings still ruled, and the World Government still wore its mask of control — but beneath it all, something vast had shifted.
Whispers of Nyx D. Ada lingered in every port and tavern.
To the nobles, she was the pirate who set the heavens on fire.
To the slaves she freed, she was salvation.
To pirates, she was proof that even gods could bleed.
The world had not forgotten the name Nyx D. Ada.
Her voice — the woman who burned heaven — still echoed in whispers across every sea. Children played pretending to be the pirate who defied gods. Men cursed her name in fear. Kingdoms rewrote their histories to explain the fire that fell from the Red Line.
And the World Government, no matter how hard they rebuilt the Holy Land, could not rebuild its myth.
The raid on Marie Geoise had changed everything.
The nobles called it the Night of the Red Dawn.
But the common people — the ones who saw her broadcast — simply called it Hope.
Now, three years later, the sea had entered a quiet age — a deceptive calm, the kind that came before history changed again.
———————
Foosha Village, Dawn Island — East Blue.
The morning sun washed the small harbor in gold. Seagulls called, and waves lapped gently at the shore. It was a simple place — far from the politics of the world, untouched by the chaos of the New World.
A single pirate ship sat anchored by the docks — bright red sails and a flag marked with a grinning skull and three scars.
The Red Force.
From the deck, a tall, red-haired man leaned casually on the railing, smiling as he watched a small boy pester his crew.
"Hey, Shanks! When are you gonna take me out to sea?!"
The boy's voice cracked with excitement.
Shanks leaned on the railing, grinning. "You again, huh? I told you already, Luffy — you're still too young."
"I'm not a kid!" Luffy protested, stomping his foot. "I'm strong! I could fight a Sea King if I had to!"
The crew laughed from the deck.
Lucky Roux munched on a hunk of meat. "A Sea King? You'd be a snack before you even touched the water!"
Luffy's cheeks puffed. "I'm serious!"
Shanks ruffled the boy's messy black hair. "You sure talk big for someone who can't even swim."
The crew laughed heartily. Yasopp nearly fell over his barrel. "Captain, he might be stronger than you soon!"
"I'll learn!" Luffy said proudly, puffing out his chest. "And then I'll go to sea with you!"
The pirates burst out laughing again. Benn Beckman exhaled smoke from his pipe, smirking. "You? Go to sea? You'd drown before the first island."
Shanks tilted his head, amused. There was something in that boy's tone — that same defiance, that same conviction — that reminded him of another voice, long ago.
Luffy nodded furiously. "I'm gonna do it! You'll see!"
"Then you'll have to get stronger first," Shanks said, crouching to meet his eyes. "The sea doesn't go easy on dreamers."
Luffy beamed. "That's fine! I'll just punch the sea too!"
The crew roared with laughter again. Shanks laughed hardest of all. "You really are something, kid."
Luffy then grinned. "Dreams are free, right?"
For a second, Shanks froze. That line — the way he said it — it echoed someone else.
A woman with crimson eyes, standing at the prow of the Oro Jackson, wind in her hair, smiling at Roger as the sea roared around them.
"Dreams are free, Captain. But the price of chasing them isn't."
Ada's voice lingered in his memory like a ghost carried by the waves. She had said those words the day she left the Roger Pirates — the day she sailed toward her own fate.
Shanks smiled faintly, though his chest ached with a memory he couldn't explain to a child.
He reached out, placing his hand on Luffy's straw hat. "Yeah, dreams are free. But don't lose sight of what they cost."
Luffy blinked, confused for a moment — then grinned again. "I won't!"
——————————
Partys Bar
That evening, the Red-Haired Pirates filled the small tavern with noise and warmth. Tankards clinked, music played, and Makino moved easily between tables with her familiar smile.
Luffy sat at the counter, legs dangling off the stool, watching the pirates with admiration so bright it could've lit the whole room. He tried to sip from a sake bottle, but Makino plucked it from his hands and replaced it with juice.
"No drinking till you're older," she chided gently.
"Aww, come on, Makino!" Luffy groaned.
Shanks watched them with a grin. "Careful, Makino. He might challenge you to a duel next."
She rolled her eyes. "If he does, I'll win."
The laughter that followed felt alive — the kind of laughter that only belonged to people who'd already chosen freedom.
When the crowd began to thin, Benn Beckman leaned beside Shanks. "You're quiet today."
"Just thinking," Shanks said softly.
"About her?"
Shanks didn't answer right away. The candlelight flickered against his scarred face, casting deep shadows.
"It's been three years since Ada burned Marie Geoise," he finally said. "And the world still hasn't stopped shaking."
Beckman nodded. "Some say she disappeared. Others say she's still out there, watching."
"She's out there," Shanks said. "I can feel it. The sea hasn't gone still yet."
Beckman nodded. "Word is the World Government rebuilt Marie Geoise. But they can't rebuild the lies she broke."
"Yeah," Shanks said softly. "She tore the curtain open. Now everyone's waiting for the next act."
He glanced toward the window, where the sea shimmered under the moonlight. "The balance won't last. The seas are restless."
Beckman gave a half-smile. "And you think this brat's part of it?"
Shanks looked at Luffy — the boy laughing at Makino's scolding, full of unshakable energy.
He felt something stir in his chest. The same strange presence he'd once felt on the Oro Jackson, standing between Roger and Ada — that electric hum of fate that seemed to wrap itself around the ones the world couldn't forget.
"I don't know," Shanks admitted. "The sea has its own way of choosing. Maybe he's one of its answers."
———————-
Elsewhere — The Grand Line.
The world had quieted, but it hadn't healed.
The Marines had rebuilt their fortress. The Five Elders had resumed their silent reign. And in the shadows of the rebuilt Holy Land, Imu's throne stood whole again — though the cracks from Ada's touch still ran faintly through its stone.
And somewhere across the sea, the Oro Jackson still sailed — unseen, untouched by time.
Mihawk was still Mihawk — quiet, composed, always sharpening Yoru.
Bullet still trained like every sunrise was a challenge.
Enel vanished now and then, saying he was "checking on the weather," though everyone knew it meant he was flying around out of boredom.
Fisher Tiger kept the younger ones — Perona and Hiyori — busy with drills and chores, though half the time they just ended up arguing.
Okiku, ever calm and graceful, often joined their sessions. Her swordsmanship was elegant yet unyielding, and she treated Perona and Hiyori like younger sisters.
Tesoro had fit in surprisingly well. He'd learned to use his Gold-Gold Fruit for repairs and small creations, which kept the ship shining and Bullet amused.
Lilith worked on her devices as always, her machines humming softly through the nights.
And Ada…
Ada watched it all quietly from the deck, leaning against the rail as the waves shimmered under the moonlight.
Three years since Mariejois. Since Imu. Since the world changed — but not enough.
She exhaled softly. "The world still spins," she murmured.
Fisher Tiger approached, resting an elbow on the rail beside her. "You're thinking again."
"I always am," Ada said with a faint smile.
"About the past?"
Her gaze drifted toward the stars. "About someone… small. Probably running around somewhere now. Doesn't know what kind of storm he'll walk into."
Tiger blinked. "Someone you know?"
Ada's lips curved faintly. "You could say that."
Tiger gave her a curious look, waiting for more, and Ada added quietly, "You sound like a mother," he said with a chuckle.
"Maybe I do," she replied.
Fisher Tiger froze for a second, his expression halfway between confusion and shock.
"You— wait, are you serious?"
Ada laughed softly, turning away toward the sea. "Relax, Tiger. It's a joke."
He exhaled in relief, shaking his head. "Don't scare me like that, Captain."
"Then stop asking questions," she teased lightly.
The two stood in silence after that, listening to the soft rhythm of the waves.
The waves lapped against the hull, calm and steady.
She looked out toward the horizon — toward the East Blue, though she didn't say it aloud.
"Keep growing strong, Luffy," she whispered to herself. "The sea's waiting for you."
And somewhere far away, on a quiet island by the coast, a red-haired pirate laughed with a young boy who dreamed of becoming king of the seas.
————————-
Back at Party's Bar
The door burst open with a crash. A gang of rough men strode in, led by a tall one with a scar down his cheek — Higuma.
"Well, well," the bandit sneered. "So this is the famous Pirates. Heard you're not much of a fighter for a pirate."
Makino froze. "Please, don't start trouble—"
Higuma slammed his fist on the counter, making the cups rattle. "We're not here for trouble. Just sake. Twelve barrels."
Shanks turned in his seat, smile still easy. "Sorry, friend. You're a little late. We drank it all."
For a moment, the room went silent.
Then Higuma's grin turned sharp. "You're saying there's none left… for us?"
Shanks shrugged. "'Fraid not. Next shipment's tomorrow."
A bottle smashed across the floor.
Higuma grabbed one of the unopened crates, pulled out a half-empty bottle, and poured it over Shanks' head. "How about that, pirate? A drink for you, then!"
The crew stiffened, hands hovering near their weapons — but Shanks just blinked as the sake dripped down his face.
Then he laughed. "Guess I needed a wash anyway."
The bar erupted with mocking laughter from the bandits. Higuma smirked, turning to leave. "You pirates aren't much to fear after all."
The crew stayed silent. Shanks picked up the bottle, brushed off the spilled sake — then laughed. "Go ahead. No harm done."
Higuma blinked, confused by the lack of reaction. "What, no fight? Some pirates you are."
The door slammed shut behind Higuma and his men, the smell of spilled sake still thick in the air. For a moment, the room was silent — then Benn Beckman exhaled a puff of smoke and started laughing.
Lucky Roux slapped the table. "Pfft—did you see his face when the sake spilled? Thought Captain was gonna bite his head off!"
The whole crew erupted into laughter. Shanks wiped his face with a rag, sake dripping from his red hair, grinning good-naturedly.
"Ahh, what a waste," he said. "That was good sake, too."
Luffy, sitting at the counter, still trembled with frustration. "Why are you laughing?! They made fun of you!"
Shanks smiled at him. "Luffy, listen. You can't go through life picking fights with everyone who insults you."
"But—!"
Shanks held up a hand, still smiling. "Hey, hey. You'll understand one day."
He turned back to the bar. "Makino, got anything left to eat? I'm starving."
Makino chuckled. "You just had four plates."
Before Shanks could answer, Luffy grabbed a strange purple fruit sitting on the counter — round, swirling, glistening in the sunlight.
"Then I'll eat this!" Luffy declared.
Shanks blinked. "Wait—Luffy, not that—"
CHOMP!
Luffy took a huge bite, his face instantly twisting. "Bleh! Gross! What kinda fruit is this?!"
The room went dead silent.
Every pirate froze.
Lucky Roux dropped his meat. Beckman's cigarette fell from his lips. Shanks' smile disappeared completely.
"…Tell me you didn't just eat that," Shanks said slowly.
Luffy blinked. "Eat what?"
Shanks grabbed the box the fruit had been in — the side still labeled in gold letters. Gomu Gomu no Mi.
The crew groaned. Yasopp slapped his forehead. "You've gotta be kidding me!"
Luffy looked from one stunned face to another. "W-what's wrong? It's just fruit!"
Shanks ran a hand down his face. "That wasn't just fruit, Luffy! That was a Devil Fruit!"
"A… Devil Fruit?"
Shanks pointed dramatically toward him. "You'll never be able to swim again!"
Luffy froze. "Wait—what?! Never?! Not even a little bit?!"
"Not even a splash!" Shanks barked, half exasperated, half amused. "You dumbass!"
The crew burst out laughing again.
Lucky Roux was on the floor wheezing. "Hahaha! He actually ate it!"
Yasopp banged the table. "First time I've ever seen a kid eat a Devil Fruit by accident!"
Luffy stomped his foot, puffing his cheeks. "Don't call me dumb! I didn't know!"
Shanks sighed, ruffling the boy's hair. "Guess you've got some learning to do before you sail the seas, huh?"
Luffy crossed his arms. "Then I'll just become strong enough that I don't need to swim!"
Shanks chuckled. "Good luck with that, rubber boy."
The entire bar filled with laughter again — the kind that warmed the room and echoed against the wooden walls, long after the sun had dipped below the horizon.