In a secluded corner of the Sabaody Archipelago, far removed from the bustling crowds and chaotic energy of the main groves, a slender yet remarkably elegant young man sat quietly upon the sparse, dew-kissed grass of the open plain. His hair, a striking shade of pure white and wildly disheveled, cascaded in uneven, asymmetrical strands that framed his sharp features, while a delicate, thin braid adorned with a vivid red ornament draped gracefully down the left side of his face, serving as a subtle yet undeniably captivating accent that drew the eye.
What truly captured one's attention, however, were his piercing red eyes, glowing with an intensity reminiscent of smoldering embers caught in the ethereal, filtered sunlight that danced through the iridescent bubbles characteristic of Sabaody's unique atmosphere.
His attire stood out starkly against the natural surroundings: a flowing white cloak made from lightweight fabric that billowed gently in the salty sea breeze, partially concealing the dark, form-fitting garments he wore underneath. At first glance, one might mistake him for a member of the world nobility, given the refined elegance of his appearance… but the mere absence of one of those grotesque, bubble-encased helmets was irrefutable proof that he did not belong to that elitist caste, nor did he share their eccentric penchant for ostentatious, over-the-top clothing that screamed privilege and detachment from reality.
He remained there, utterly still and composed, seated directly on the ground, gazing blankly toward the distant horizon in a state of apparent astonishment. Yet, his eyes were not truly focused on the tangible world unfolding before him.
Instead, they were locked onto something invisible to anyone else, a private vision that existed solely within his perception.
A translucent interface hovered suspended in the air right in front of him, shimmering with letters that appeared as if they had been meticulously carved from pure light itself:
[Successful Summon: Victoria of Rhodos]
And in an instant, a brilliant flash erupted, accompanied by a beam of radiant light that descended dramatically right before him. There she stood—a woman with cascading long blonde hair that shimmered like spun gold, her beautiful amber eyes reflecting a faint spark of curiosity, though her brow furrowed slightly as she turned her gaze toward the man seated in front of her. The salty wind whipped around them, causing her light red dress—almost a soft, rosy pink—to flutter elegantly in the breeze, while the emblematic necklace of the Elders hung prominently around her neck, a symbol of ancient power and authority.
"You must be Davy D. Zero," she stated, her voice smooth and velvety, yet laced with an underlying authority that commanded respect. "It will indeed be a pleasure to serve you."
With a fluid and poised motion, she raised the edge of her skirt just a touch, embodying the impeccable etiquette of a highborn lady formally introducing herself to her rightful monarch.
Zero blinked once, still mentally processing the surreal unfolding of events before him.
'Apparently, they come pre-programmed with loyalty at its absolute peak… exactly as the system had indicated.'
He drew in a deep breath, striving to conceal the immense weight he felt in the presence of this extraordinary woman. Then, he performed a courteous bow of his own.
"I am Davy D. Zero," he declared firmly. "It is a genuine pleasure to share this journey with you, Victoria de Rhodos."
But inwardly… he was trembling with a mix of awe and apprehension.
Victoria was infamous—or rather, deeply feared—for her intricate and challenging personality: profoundly narcissistic, selfishly egoistic, and prideful to an extreme degree. She stood as the most powerful among the Elders, the one who, with a single devastating strike, had once severed entire constellations from the sky in her epic confrontation against the Iron Witch.
Having someone of her caliber standing before him… obedient, offering a gentle smile…
It felt as reassuring as grasping a bolt of lightning barehanded, a precarious balance between exhilaration and potential catastrophe.
And yes, he was indeed one of the sons of the legendary Rocks. As a direct consequence, he was also the brother of Marshall D. Teach—specifically, the younger sibling. However, the two had been forcibly separated during their early childhood, torn apart by their own mother for reasons that Zero only fully understood once he inherited the memories associated with this body.
Because those recollections… they were not originally his own.
Zero was, in fact, a transmigrator from another world entirely.
He vividly remembered the exact moment of his death in his previous life, followed immediately by his awakening inside the body of a child burdened by the infamous legacy of Rocks. Since that fateful day, several years had already passed—years filled with aimless wandering, rigorous training, and sheer survival without any special advantages, no guiding system, no mystical aid, absolutely nothing to ease his path.
Until, quite suddenly… the system had finally activated itself.
And this activation had led him straight to this precise moment, marking his very first summon: Victoria de Rhodos.
But before he could fully immerse himself in these swirling thoughts, a metallic chime resonated within his mind, accompanied by the cool, luminous glow of the interface once again.
[As this is your first summon, you are granted all of Victoria's capabilities.]
Zero froze in place, his body tensing as the implications sank in.
The interface persisted, displaying line after line of information:
[EST: Immense]
[Physical: Maximum]
[GIFT: Light — Mastery: Maximum]
[Conqueror's Haki — Mastery: Maximum]
[Armament Haki — Mastery: Maximum]
[Observation Haki — Mastery: Maximum]
Each entry hit him like a powerful blow to his very breath. Maximum mastery… in every single category. It was as though his body had abruptly awakened from an eternal slumber, with raw, unadulterated energy surging through his muscles, nerves, and bones alike. The surrounding light responded subtly, flickering as if acknowledging him as the new gravitational center of the environment.
Victoria, standing beside him, arched an eyebrow in mild intrigue, her amber eyes sparkling with a knowing amusement, as if she were already fully aware of the internal transformation occurring within him.
After a few tense moments, Zero's muscles finally began to relax. A fresh, invigorating sensation—vibrant, pure, and almost divine—coursed through his entire being. He felt as light as a feather drifting on the wind, so weightless that he imagined he could levitate at will if he so desired. Compared to his previous physical state… it was akin to having spent his whole life shackled beneath unimaginable tons of lead, only to have those chains shatter and fall away in an instant.
Zero couldn't help but smile broadly.
Recalling the precise instructions that Engen had once taught to Ihwa in the tale of Hero Killer, he closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and visualized: pure light, concentrated and utterly obedient to his command.
A tiny beam materialized at the tip of his fingers, minuscule enough to fit beneath a fingernail.
And yet…
BOOM—
The beam shot forth, slicing through the air like a divine blade of unparalleled sharpness. One of Sabaody's colossal trees—enormous, ancient, and resilient enough to withstand centuries of atmospheric pressures—was utterly obliterated, erased from existence as if it had never been there at all.
The ensuing silence hung in the air like a sacred hush, heavy with awe.
"Not bad at all," Victoria remarked casually, her amber eyes surveying the path of destruction with a gleam of interest. A slow, dangerously alluring smile spread across her lips as she strode purposefully toward him.
She came to a halt right beside him. The natural light around them seemed to bend slightly toward her—or perhaps away from her—in subtle deference.
"Finally… you're going to provide me with some context, aren't you?" she said.
The statement was phrased as a question, but her tone carried the unmistakable weight of a command. Firm and unyielding, it pierced deeper than any beam of light ever could.
Zero shivered inwardly, not out of outright fear, but from the sheer overwhelming presence of the Elder. The aura she emanated, even without any deliberate effort, was comparable to that of a celestial beast that had graciously chosen not to devour the world in that very moment, purely out of polite restraint.
Victoria tilted her head expectantly, awaiting his response, and her gaze conveyed a clear message: "Do not make me repeat myself."
It was truly intimidating. Even with her loyalty locked at a perfect 100%, Victoria remained true to her core nature: a narcissistic egotist, a living anomaly wrapped in absolute, unchallenged power. She respected Zero, without question… but that did not alter the fundamental truth that she was a being whose very existence defied all logic, reason, and stability.
She wasn't merely a physical monster of unparalleled strength. She was also one of the nine most dreaded Gift users from her entire world, a title that evoked terror across realms.
Zero took a steadying breath before he began to speak.
"Well… we are currently in what is known as the Age of Pirates. This era began after the execution of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. He was put to death in Loguetown several years ago, and his final words set the entire world ablaze with ambition: he proclaimed that his legendary treasure, the fabled One Piece, awaited anyone bold enough to claim it. Ever since that momentous declaration, dreamers, outlaws, and adventurers from all walks of life have flooded the seas in pursuit of glory and fortune. It's an age of utter chaos, where pirates rule the waves with impunity, the Marines desperately strive to maintain some semblance of order, and entire empires rise and crumble like fleeting waves in the midst of a raging storm."
He gestured expansively toward the bubbling horizon beyond them. Sabaody itself was a vibrant mosaic of shimmering light, floating bubbles, and ancient, gnarled wood. Towering trees formed the backbone of the archipelago, their roots exuding bubbles that lazily ascended into the salty air. The numbered islets interconnected like the pieces of a living puzzle, blending shipyards, hidden bars, auction houses, and shadowy alleys where human lives were traded as mere commodities without a second thought.
"This place is Sabaody. Those bubbles you see are produced from the sap of these gigantic trees, and they make the ground quite treacherous if you're not accustomed to navigating it carefully. It's the final major stop before entering the treacherous New World. Pirates flock here to repair their ships, merchants engage in deceitful trades as if it were a sport, and bounty hunters prowl in search of their next big score. The Groves numbered 1 through 29 are the more luxurious areas, filled with high-end auctions and upscale bars catering to the nobility; from 30 to 49, you'll find rowdy taverns and disreputable brothels; and beyond 50, the territory shifts to gang-controlled zones and illicit workshops. We're currently near Grove 70, which is relatively isolated and discreet, making it an ideal spot to avoid unwanted attention or witnesses."
He rose slowly to his feet, his white cloak rippling like a flag caught between declarations of peace and impending war.
"The Marines maintain a massive base in Grove 66. Admirals, vice-admirals… even the Shichibukai occasionally make appearances here, posing as guardians of justice and order. But the real poison lurking in this place…"
Zero's red eyes narrowed sharply as he fixed his gaze on the opulent ships visible in the distance.
"The Celestial Dragons. The Tenryubito. These so-called 'gods' who treat ordinary humans like disposable trash. They don those ridiculous bubble helmets, parade around in absurdly gaudy outfits, and purchase slaves at the human auctions in Grove 1 as if they were nothing more than toys for their amusement. If you so much as lay a finger on one of them, an admiral will descend upon you, ready to annihilate not just you, but everyone in the vicinity. The entire world lives in fear of these parasitic elites."
Victoria listened to his explanation in complete silence. Her arms were crossed firmly over her chest, her posture impeccably straight, her expression remaining neutral and composed, though her amber eyes gleamed like blades forged from compressed light. The wind toyed with her golden hair, and her rosy dress billowed as if it possessed a will of its own. The Elders' necklace around her throat shone like a captive sun, radiating an otherworldly brilliance.
When Zero concluded his overview, she tilted her head just a fraction. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth—approving, condescending, and laced with a hint of cruelty.
"Intriguing," she murmured, her voice as soft and sharp as silk edged with razor blades. "Gods who cower inside bubbles and beg for protection from mere mortals. Pirates chasing after a phantom treasure… What a primitive era. Adorably chaotic in its simplicity."
Then, her eyes locked onto Zero, beautiful yet menacing in their intensity.
"And you? What is your role in all of this? You certainly don't strike me as the type who would bow down to these self-proclaimed 'gods'."
Zero swallowed hard. The question appeared straightforward on the surface, but her tone carried the gravity of a solemn judgment. The system interface flickered before his eyes once more, as if sensing his momentary hesitation:
[Initial Mission: Establish Dominance — Survive the First 7 Days in Sabaody with Victoria.]
[Reward: Additional Summon Unlocked.]
He extended his hand toward her, masking the inner turmoil with an air of unwavering confidence. Light pulsed through his veins like divine blood, invigorating him.
"My place?" He smiled broadly. "At the very top. And we'll begin by conquering this archipelago… one Grove at a time."
Upon hearing his request for context, Victoria allowed a savage smile to bloom across her lips—not the polite, cordial one she had employed earlier, but something far sharper, more predatory in nature. Her amber eyes sparkled with malicious intent as she turned her head toward Grove 1, where the Tenryubito's infamous auction was underway. The distant clamor, the arrogant voices echoing faintly… it all seemed like sweet music to her discerning ears.
She lifted her chin high, as if the entire world lay prostrate beneath her feet.
"To demonstrate that we stand at the pinnacle of the world…" she murmured, each word dripping with unbridled arrogance and delight. "I believe it's best if we put on a little show."
Her smile widened further, almost deceptively innocent, though only a fool would fall for such a facade.
"These pathetic creatures crawling about here seem in dire need of a reminder," she continued, leaning in slightly closer to Zero with a tone that was intimate yet laced with shared menace. "A reminder that there exist beings far superior to them. Infinitely above."
She traced her fingers lightly over her own necklace, the symbol of the Elders, with an overwhelming sense of pride.
"We are the ones who define what 'power' truly means, after all, aren't we?"
There was absolute loyalty embedded in her words… but expressed in Victoria's unique style: positioning herself alongside him, yet towering over everything and everyone else. She took a step forward, the wind lifting her reddish dress in a dramatic flourish.
"And since you now possess my abilities… it only seems fair that the world learns of this in the most spectacular fashion imaginable." Her amber gaze sparked with sadistic excitement. "Let's demolish that auction and rewrite the hierarchy of this ocean's food chain."
She turned back to him with a narcissistic smile, as if bestowing upon him a magnificent gift.
"What do you think, my king?"
Hearing her words, Zero immediately grasped the deeper intentions hidden behind that predatory grin. Victoria wasn't merely advocating for senseless destruction; she was meticulously crafting the birth of a legend. A symbol of supremacy. Just as she had done in her own world: starting as a feared pirate, evolving into a heroic figure of her Clan… but always rising above the "pitiful" masses.
And now, she sought to elevate Zero right alongside her.
He couldn't resist. A similarly wild smile spread across his slender face, illuminated by the newfound aura surging within him. The lightness of his enhanced body, the power bubbling just beneath his skin, his crimson eyes brimming with newfound confidence—all of it coalesced into a singular emotion: the time had finally arrived.
He inclined his head toward her, accepting the proposal as one might claim a long-awaited throne.
"But of course!"
Victoria let out a low, elegant laugh, rich with superiority. A gleam of satisfied cruelty danced in her amber eyes.
"Excellent," she murmured, drawing nearer to him with the assured poise of someone who knew victory was an inevitability. "Then let's show the world that it belongs to us both… and that no one, absolutely no one, can afford to ignore that truth."
The wind howled around them, tugging at her reddish dress sideways, while the light surrounding Zero began to hum and vibrate with anticipation.
That "show" was on the verge of commencing.