Law and Marya sit at a table near the window of the tavern, the warm amber glow of lanterns casting soft shadows across their faces. Marya sips from a glass of deep red wine, her golden-ringed eyes half-lidded with contentment. Law nurses a glass of Awamori, the clear liquid glinting in the light as he swirls it slowly.
Rowland stands before them, his small hands balled into fists at his sides, his stormy grey eyes blazing with determination.
"You have to take me with you!"
Marya looks over the rim of her glass, one eyebrow raised. She lowers the glass slowly, her voice flat.
"No."
Rowland's brow furrows, his freckled face twisting with frustration. "But I have to go to the sea! How am I supposed to get there if you don't take me?"
Law looks at him with a deadpan expression, his voice dry as old parchment. "Get a crew and a ship, then go to sea."
Rowland pouts, his arms crossing over his chest. "How am I supposed to do that? I want to go now!"
Marya swirls her glass, watching the wine climb the sides. "The sea isn't going anywhere. It is always waiting. When you are ready—"
"But I am ready now!" Rowland yells, his voice cracking with desperation.
"Marya! Law!"
Their heads snap around at the sound of Atlas's voice. He stands at the tavern door, one hand braced against the frame, the other pointing over his shoulder.
"The tide is right. We should go."
Marya and Law nod. Their chairs screech across the wooden floor as they rise.
---
Theodore waits at the dock, his massive frame silhouetted against the glowing sky. Jannali, Bō-Zak, and Kaburo stand with him, their eyes fixed on the approaching group.
Atlas, Law, and Marya walk toward them, Rowland trailing behind like a persistent shadow.
Theodore greets them, his voice booming across the water. "By the Laughing Sun! The time has come!"
Jannali curses, her attention fixed on the Choros-Anemos circling her wrist. The silver rings reflecting in the light, their etched names shifting as she turns her arm.
Kaburo comments, his voice flat. "You are still struggling."
Jannali shakes her head, frustration creasing her brow. "I am properly stumped."
Bō-Zak smirks, blowing out a stream of smoke that curls toward the sky. "I think I might know someone who can help you out."
Jannali's head tilts, her eyes narrowing. "Who's that then?"
Bō-Zak's grin widens, his gold-flecked eyes sparkling. "Pith helmet. Glasses. Talks a lot."
Jannali's eyes narrow further, a groan escaping her lips. "Bloody hell. Not him."
Marya chuckles as they close the gap, her voice warm with amusement. "He's not wrong."
Jannali's head flops forward, her afro bouncing. "He's a right royal pain in the arse."
Marya smirks, her voice carrying a hint of teasing. "Yeah, but you can't deny he's a brilliant pain in the ass."
Jannali groans, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'll never hear the end of it. I will have to leave the crew."
Rowland perks up, his eyes brightening. "Does that mean there will be a spot available?"
Law snaps, "No!"
Theodore chuckles, his voice warm and paternal. "May Nika's light guide you on your travels!"
Law's jaw flexes, his patience wearing thin. "Let's just go already!"
Law starts for the hatch, his boots clanging against the metal. Marya lingers for a moment, her eyes finding Atlas. He steps forward, pressing a transponder snail into her hands.
The others begin to file into the submarine, their footsteps echoing against the hull.
Marya turns to Theodore, holding out the snail. "This is yours. Call us, and we will come."
Rowland's eyes grow wide as he watches Theodore take the snail. "So you are coming back?"
Marya sighs, her voice carrying the weight of uncertainty. "Maybe. But not for a long time."
Rowland beams, pointing a thumb at his chest. "The next time you come, I am joining your crew!"
Marya's eyes slide sideways, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "You better get stronger then."
Rowland beams even more, his grin threatening to split his face. "I am going to get stronger than you!"
Marya turns her attention to Theodore, her voice dropping to something softer. "Nika did not conquer with a blade. He conquered with laughter."
Theodore's eyes widen, his breath catching.
Marya raises a brow, her voice steady. "Should the day come when a blade is needed, we will answer."
Theodore nods slowly, his massive hands clasping the transponder snail like a sacred relic.
Atlas calls from the hatch, "Boss!"
Marya nods, turning to go.
Rowland calls out, his voice carrying across the dock. "I am joining your crew when you come back!"
Marya gives a single wave without looking back. Atlas closes the hatch behind them.
---
Rowland Marlbrow and Theodore Trebonianus stand on the dock, watching the small submarine pull away. The water ripples in its wake, the surface shifting the reflection of the sun.
Rowland mutters, his voice fierce with determination. "I am going to the sea!"
Then his eyes squint. He places a hand over his eyes, peering into the horizon.
Theodore asks, "What is it? Do you see something?"
Rowland looks back, pointing. "Yeah, there is something there. And it's coming."
He squints harder, his brow furrowing.
"There is a black sail. With a straw hat."
---
Jinbe stands at the helm of the Sunny, his massive hands steady on the wheel. The sea stretches before him, calm and blue, dotted with the distant shapes of islands.
Zoro's voice crackles over the intercom from the crow's nest. "Hey! I see an island!"
Yamato bursts out of the galley, Luffy right behind her. They race to the bow of the Sunny, leaning over the railing.
Yamato calls out, her voice bright with excitement. "An island! There is an island!"
Zoro calls back over the intercom, his voice dry. "That's what I said!"
Sanji bursts out onto the deck, a cigarette dangling from his lips. "Say it more clearly, moss head! No one understands you!"
Zoro's voice crackles back down. "What did you just say?"
Sanji yells back, "You heard me! Or do you have moss in your ears too?"
Sanji lights his cigarette, the flame flaring briefly.
Zoro is about to snap a reply when Nami steps out, her voice sharp. "Would you two knock it off!"
Sanji tells her, his voice smooth as silk, "It's not my fault moss head has moss in his ears too. Maybe if he would clean them out—"
Zoro yells over the speakers, "You want to come up here and—"
Nami interrupts them, her voice cutting through the chaos. "Would you shut up for a moment!"
Robin steps up to Nami as she examines the map, her voice calm. "What is it, navigator?"
Nami shakes her head, her brow furrowed. "This island isn't on any maps. It shouldn't be here."
Usopp peers his head over a railing, his voice trembling. "It's not on a map? Then maybe we should go around."
Usopp looks up, his eyes wide. "What if it's a ghost island?"
Chopper bounces out of his office, his voice high with alarm. "Did someone say ghosts?"
Brook squeals, his skeleton frame rattling as he squeals. " Ghosts?"
Luffy's ears perk up from the bow of the ship. "Did someone say ghosts?"
Usopp whines, his face pale. "Oh no. He heard us."
Yamato looks over, her eyes bright. "Ghosts? This island has ghosts?"
Nami shakes her head, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I didn't say this island has ghosts. I said it is a ghost island."
Franky strikes a pose, his massive arms flexing. "SUPER ghost island!"
Jinbe belts out a laugh, his voice warm and steady. "It doesn't look like a ghost island to me. But we should be there soon!"
Luffy stretches, his rubber limbs carrying him to the Sunny's figurehead. Yamato stands beside him, her hand on the lion's mane.
Luffy points, his voice ringing across the deck. "Nami! Take us to the ghost island!"
Yamato repeats him, pointing. "To the ghost island!"
Nami snaps, "What do you think it is we're doing?"
Luffy looks at her, his grin wide. "Go faster!"
Nami snaps back, "We can't go faster! It will break the ship!"
Sanji pulls on his cigarette, his voice calm. "You should listen to her. She is the navigator."
Luffy snaps, "Well, I am the captain."
Usopp replies, his voice trembling. "I think I have I-can't-go-onto-ghost-island disease."
Chopper replies, his voice equally shaky. "Me too."
Brook replies, his skull rattling. "Me three."
Franky adds, his voice flat. "But Brook, you are a ghost."
Brook gasps in mock offense, his hand flying to his chest. "How can you say such a thing? I am a skeleton."
Sanji tells him, "Same thing."
Robin leans on the railing, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "We could turn into ghosts when we get there."
Luffy yells out, his eyes sparkling. "Ew! That sounds cool!"
Nami groans, her head falling into her hands.
The Sunny sails on, cutting through the calm waters, carrying its chaotic crew toward an island that shouldn't exist.
And somewhere ahead, a boy with stormy grey eyes and freckles watches from a dock, his heart pounding with the promise of adventure.
The New Dawn has come.
And nothing will ever be the same.
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