Marineford- fleet admiral's office
Fleet Admiral Sakazuki — Akainu — stood before a wall of bounty posters. His jaw was clenched so tight it cracked.
A new poster had just arrived.
WANTED — Monkey D. Lila
Bounty: 240,000,000 Berries
Alias: The Wind Demon
Affiliation: Unknown
He crumpled the paper in his fist with a force that made it scream.
"Another D. Another damn problem. She should have died in that god damn riot all those years ago!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru entered, exuding an unshakeable calmness amidst the storm. "She's not a pirate. She's not a revolutionary. She's something else."
Akainu's voice crashed through the room. "The girl is dangerous. We eliminate dangers." He slammed his fist down. "Dragon's spawn—that's what makes her our concern. Her and that Luffy brat." A vein throbbed at his temple as his jaw clenched. "I won't rest until that entire cursed lineage is wiped from existence."
He turned with fierce intent to the Den Den Mushi on his desk. "Deploy Kizaru. I want her found. I want her broken."
He scoffed, "She kept to herself for two years and now wants to create a commotion. Sure, she used to stir up trouble, but this time it's different. She's seeking attention, and I'll make sure she gets exactly what she's asking for, foolish brat."
***
Revolutionary army HQ
The wind whipped ferociously against the ancient stone walls of the fortress, its mournful howl echoing through the corridors. Inside the dimly lit war room, Monkey D. Dragon stood solitary, his silhouette cast against the flickering candlelight. He loomed over a sprawling world map spread across the oak table, where multicolored pins punctuated the surface, each representing a strategic target. Crimson threads wove a web of rebellion, linking various uprisings across the continents. Yet, his intense gaze remained anchored to a single, weathered report held tightly in his hand, its edges frayed and ink smudged from countless readings.
"Monkey D. Lila sighted near Fish-Man Island."
"Destroyed three Marine vessels."
"Freed over 40 prisoners."
"Confirmed Devil Fruit: Kaze Kaze no Mi."
He said nothing.
Ivankov entered, eyes wide. "Dragon… is it true? Is she—?"
Dragon didn't look up. "She's alive."
Ivankov hesitated. "Will you reach out to her?"
Dragon's voice was quiet. "She doesn't want to be found. Also, I don't know if she even wants to see me," he utters.
***
A thousand sunny. Somewhere in the New World.
The Straw Hat crew gathered around the dining table, the wooden surface cluttered with plates and cutlery, as a crisp newspaper lay unfolded in their midst. Luffy, his straw hat tilted back, leaned in to scrutinize the bold, black headline: "WIND DEMON RETURNS — DAUGHTER OF DRAGON STRIKES AGAIN!"
Nami, her brow furrowed with concern, tapped the paper with her finger. "She's near Fish-Man Island," she said, her voice tinged with urgency. "That's not far from here."
Zoro, reclining in his chair with arms crossed, cast a wary glance at the article. "She's dangerous," he remarked in a low, steady tone. "She took out three ships all by herself."
Sanji, the glow from his freshly lit cigarette casting a warm light on his face, exhaled a thin stream of smoke. "She's not a pirate," he mused, his voice carrying a note of skepticism. "She's not anything official. You don't even know how she looks; they only show a picture of her when she was a child. She could look like anything now."
In contrast, Robin's eyes sharpened with intrigue, her gaze fixed intently on the words before her. "She's a ghost the World Government tried to bury," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "A riot happened years back, and news broke out about how she and many others died."
Luffy suddenly stood, his fists clenched with determination, the intensity of his stance drawing everyone's attention. "She's my family," he declared with unwavering conviction.
The crew's eyes widened in collective surprise, each face turning toward Luffy in unison.
"She's the daughter of Dragon," he went on, his tone calm yet charged with intense emotion. "That means she's my sister."
Usopp, caught off guard, sputtered mid-sip, the liquid threatening to spill from his glass. "Wait—WHAT?!" he exclaimed, eyes wide with shock.
Luffy, his trademark grin spreading across his face, radiated a sense of excitement. "I wanna meet her," he announced, his voice brimming with anticipation.
***
Tenshū.
Lila stood regally at the bow of her ship, the wind tousling her hair into a makeshift crown of wild curls. The sea sprawled out before her like a vast, blue tapestry, yet her gaze was tethered to the sky above, lost in thought. Buzz sidled up beside her, his movements as quiet as a cat's.
"You made the papers again," he announced, waving a piece of newsprint like a flag. "They still didn't catch your face. People will probably think a small child is causing chaos. Which is hilarious."
Lila remained silent, her focus unbroken.
With a flourish, Buzz presented the bounty poster. "They've given you a new moniker. Wind Demon."
Lila took the paper with a sigh, scanning it briefly before releasing it to the whims of the breeze. She had always found the name rather uninspired—Wind Demon? Really? With all the creativity in the world, that's the best they could muster? She thought. The wind gleefully snatched the paper away, swirling it into the sky.
"They can dub me whatever they wish," she declared, her shoulders lifting in a nonchalant shrug. Her voice carried a hint of defiance as she continued, "It won't deter me." With a graceful pivot, she turned to face her crew, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous gleam that promised adventure. "Next mission: a World Government lab lurking off the coast nearby. Rumor has it, they're experimenting with children."
The crew, a diverse assembly of rugged individuals with eyes hardened by the sea, exchanged knowing glances and nodded in silent agreement. The air around them seemed to hum with unspoken resolve.
With a dramatic sweep of her hand, Lila summoned the wind, coaxing it to dance and swirl around them like an eager, invisible companion ready to heed her call. The ship creaked as if it were awakening from a slumber.
"Let's remind them of the storm they've unleashed," she announced, her voice carrying over the sound of the waves crashing against the hull. In her mind, a fierce determination echoed: No one suffers at their hands or the hands of pirates.