Far beyond the calm shorelines and the laughter of the recovering brothers, something ancient stirred beneath the waves.
The peace was an illusion.
And in the hidden corners of the world, the serpent bared its fangs.
New World — Unknown Region
A hidden fortress carved into a mountain of black stone stood like a scar upon the earth. It was surrounded by jagged cliffs, eternal storm clouds, and waters so dark they swallowed light.
Within its core, the council of the Seven-Eyed Serpent convened again.
The leader, known only as Veyron, stepped into a dimly lit chamber where seven hooded figures waited.
He placed a single artifact on the obsidian table: a broken shard of obsidian-metal… from Arkan's blade.
"We have analyzed it," he said coldly. "This confirms what we feared. His Haki is evolving. He's no longer just a threat to balance—he is a threat to reality."
Another voice hissed, "Then we strike first. No more watching."
A third figure opened a scroll. "Operation Eclipse will commence."
Veyron raised a hand. "Not yet. We need leverage."
He snapped his fingers.
Guards dragged in a prisoner—bloody, bruised, but alive.
It was Koza, former rebel of Alabasta, and friend of Luffy.
Veyron's voice was ice.
"Let's see how quickly the D. brothers move… when their friends start to die."
Meanwhile — Skies above the New World
Arkan rode atop his winged beast, cutting across the clouds.
He flew over lightning and storm, searching for something ancient… something buried.
On his wrist was a compass forged long ago by his father Roger—a compass that pointed not to islands, but to disturbances in the world.
And now, it spun erratically.
Below, a massive whirlpool emerged. From within it, something… called.
Arkan narrowed his eyes.
He dove.
Elsewhere — Thousand Sunny, mid-voyage
Nami studied the weather while Zoro slept, and Sanji served lunch.
Then a den den mushi buzzed.
Robin answered. Her face grew pale.
"It's from Koza's camp in Alabasta… they've been attacked. He's missing."
Luffy stood abruptly, fists clenched. "Koza…?"
Brook looked serious for once. "It begins again."
Luffy stared out at the horizon. "I have to find Arkan."
In the ruins beneath the whirlpool
Arkan landed in a massive, submerged temple. Symbols glowed faintly—ancient markings of the Void Century.
He stepped forward slowly.
On the wall, a carving: a man with a single letter engraved on his chest… D.
And across from it, a snake devouring the sun.
Arkan's expression darkened. "So it's true… the prophecy wasn't a myth."
Suddenly, the walls trembled.
A voice boomed across the chamber.
"You were not meant to find this place, Arkan."
He turned.
A cloaked figure with six mechanical limbs stepped from the darkness—one of the Seven-Eyed Serpent's assassins.
"Then you should have hidden it better," Arkan replied, drawing his blade.
The temple shook as power met power.
And far above, as storm clouds swirled and empires shifted, the world entered a new chapter—not of war between pirates and marines… but of ancient forces long thought extinct.
And Arkan was standing at the gate.