Eryndor soared swiftly above the sea and descended onto a nameless island.
As he landed, golden motes of light gathered beside him, coalescing into a golden-haired girl clad in silver-white armor. In her left hand, she gripped the iris flag, which flowed in the wind like light itself.
It was Ruler—Jeanne d'Arc.
This was the overseer the system had arranged for him to summon, supposedly to "take care of a newcomer."
It confirmed one thing: Heroic Spirits really could be summoned.
And not just any Heroic Spirits—they were from the Nasuverse itself.
Pfft…
The laugh slipped out, half mockery at the absurdity of the world, half exhilaration for the feast that was about to begin.
Truth be told, Eryndor had no real desire to summon an overseer to aid him. After all, he was not some puppet of this broken system.
But when he thought it through, having a Ruler around might actually make the game more entertaining.
If a Ruler had joined the war, then the usual seven Masters and Servants felt far too small and petty.
If he doubled the number of contestants, wouldn't that be much more reasonable?
The system had only mentioned a Holy Grail War—so why couldn't it be a 14 vs 14 Grand Grail War?
As a "golden finger," the system's rewards were still unclear. For now, it was nothing more than a tool for his amusement. But even without rewards, the chance to connect two worlds was already an unimaginable opportunity.
And when that bridge between worlds was opened, he would make sure that all would know—on the seas, the true Uncrowned King was him.
His thoughts were interrupted by Jeanne's soft voice:
"Master, those two participants earlier—who exactly are they?"
Eryndor looked at the petite maiden, without the slightest air of superiority. He turned his gaze toward the distant news-bird's position, smiling faintly.
"One is a blazing youth who burns for his family. The other, a terrifying man of ambition."
Jeanne pouted. "Ambition… what an unsettling title."
"In the knowledge I've been given, this world is chaotic. But I will stand by your side and fulfill my duties as overseer."
Eryndor chuckled. "That is indeed reassuring."
He wasn't merely flattering her. Enhanced by his fruit, his memory was sharp, and he remembered the true might of this Saint who saved a nation. In this world, few—if any—could break through her Noble Phantasm's defense.
Not even that magma brat at Marine Headquarters.
With a flap of wings, a news-bird dove from the sky and landed on Eryndor's arm.
Seated by the shore, feeling the sea breeze and the warmth of the sun on his face, he gently stroked the bird's head before taking a newspaper and letting it fly off.
"Safe travels…"
Jeanne sat obediently at his side, her frame so small she seemed almost like a child beside him.
"Master," she said softly, "you're actually very gentle. Truly, like an angel."
Eryndor turned with a smile but said nothing.
After a while, he rose. "Let's go. I've decided on the next Master."
He handed Jeanne the paper and pointed to a small line of text in the corner:
[East Blue Rookie: The Straw Hat Pirates]
"Come. We're heading to East Blue."
Eryndor was just about to activate his power when Jeanne spoke quickly:
"Wait, Master. I sense a massive surge of magical energy… it must be one of the participants summoning their Servant."
Flag in hand, she gazed into the distance.
Eryndor's lips curled into a grin.
"So impatient… Could it be you'll summon the Fire-Fire Fruit's spirit? Ace's Heroic Spirit… Roger—could it be you? Hahaha! How could I possibly miss such a spectacle?"
In that instant, his pupils turned molten gold.
With the spread of his wings, Observation Haki surged outward.
The roar of the waves, the breath of life, sky, sea, earth, beasts, birds, humans—the entire world unfolded before him.
His sight pierced toward the Whitebeard Pirates' domain. The scene unfolded as vividly as if he were there in person.
This was one of the Angel Fruit's powers—"World Surveillance."
"How long has it been since I last used this? Years… decades? Watching too much only grew boring. But now…"
---
Time rewound.
After Eryndor's departure, Ace pressed the Command Seals on his right hand against a wooden barrel.
The crowd packed tightly around him, division commanders pushing forward for a better view. Even Whitebeard, pretending indifference, snuck glances between gulps of sake.
Pirates could not resist the idea of summoning Heroic Spirits.
Ace stared back at the eager faces of his crewmates.
Diamond Jozu stomped, the deck booming.
"Ace! Hurry up and summon!"
The others erupted in chants:
"Yeah! Show us!"
"Summon! Summon! Summon!"
Ace shoved his family back, their faces nearly pressed against his.
"But I don't even know how to summon!"
Flower Sword Vista stroked his mustache. "Didn't Eryndor say the Command Seals would guide you? Maybe ask them?"
Ace glared. "Then why don't you ask them yourself?"
The remark drew a wave of laughter.
Among them, Blackbeard's chuckle never stopped, his bandaged right hand hidden from sight.
Sachi carried over a tray of roasted meat. "Vista might be right. You should try asking the Command Seals—maybe in a different way."
Ace chewed thoughtfully. "Like… using Haki?"
At once, Blackbeard's eyes flashed.
But before anyone could respond, Whitebeard spoke softly from the back:
"Your wish, Ace… Mix it with your will, and reach out."
Ace froze, then slowly nodded.
Blackbeard only sneered inwardly. Old man, always spouting mysticism. Still, tonight, I'll test it myself… Let Ace be the experiment.
Ace sat cross-legged, gently brushing his right hand's Command Seals.
"I want to help Pops become Pirate King…"
No.
A hollow voice echoed.
Ace's head snapped up—the ship, the sea, everything was gone.
"Who's there?! Pops, where are you?!"
The scene shifted—he was shoved into a plaza by a massive crowd.
"Want my treasure? You can have it! Search for it if you like!"
Ace's eyes widened. "Roger…"
Darkness swallowed the plaza. The ethereal voice spoke again:
"Blood of the devil… doubting the meaning of your birth…"
Ace roared: "Who are you?! My life has meaning! Pops accepted me! I'll help him become Pirate King!"
The voice fell silent. His Command Seals flared with light.
"If you doubt, then seek. Summon, and through this war, chase the meaning of your existence."
Ace's eyes snapped open. Only a heartbeat had passed aboard the Moby Dick.
Flames swirled around him, the Command Seals glowing crimson.
The aura shook the world. The ripple of fire surged outward.
Big Mom and Kaido's eyes opened far away.
Admirals Kizaru, Aokiji, and Akainu all froze mid-motion.
And under Eryndor's surveillance, the scene was crystal clear.
"Interesting. Just arrived and already a grand performance."
Whitebeard set his cup down, eyes locked on Ace.
Guided by the Command Seals, fire etched a complex summoning circle into the deck.
Ace's gaze was firm as he chanted:
"I declare. Your body shall be under me, and my fate shall be your sword."
"If you abide by the destination of the Holy Grail, then respond!"
"By this oath, I am one who shall embody all good in the world, and I am one who shall oppose all evil in the world."
"Severed by the three great words of heaven, come forth from the wheel of restraint, O Guardian of the Scales!"
The deck blazed with a surge of light.
When it faded, standing in the charred circle was a white-haired man clad in golden armor, a golden spear gleaming in his hand.
He opened his eyes slowly.
"Servant—Lancer. True name: Karna. Pleased to meet you."