The Rocks Pirates ruled the seas like no one before them. Islands surrendered at the mention of their flag, kingdoms bent under Rocks' shadow, and even the World Government whispered with unease.
But Ada Wong knew empires of chaos never lasted. And in every silence between battles, she could hear the cracks widening.
The crew feasted again after plundering a Marine supply base. Meat, wine, treasure—it overflowed across the deck.
Big Mom accused Captain John of stealing sweets meant for her.
Kaido demanded another fight from anyone who would listen.
Shiki laughed at their bickering while plotting his own rise.
Silver Axe and Ochoku nearly killed each other over a chest of gold.
Ada sat apart, polishing her rifle. Her crimson eyes watched every argument, every boast, every careless laugh. She could see it—the hunger in each of them, a hunger not for loyalty, but for thrones of their own.
Rocks stormed into the hall then, laughter booming, but his eyes… Ada noticed the glint of strain behind the madness. He was holding them together through fear and ambition, not trust.
And one day, fear would no longer be enough.
Weeks later, the Rocks fleet clashed with another legend of the sea—Harald, Captain of the Giant Pirates. His ships dwarfed even Rocks', sails darkening the horizon.
On the battlefield, Harald stood tall, nearly brushing the clouds, his axe gleaming like a mountain of steel. His voice thundered across the waves.
"Rocks D. Xebec! You may terrorize men, but the giants will never kneel!"
The Rocks crew howled for blood, but Rocks only grinned, his laughter rolling like thunder.
"Then you'll fall first just like last time, Harald!"
The clash shook the seas. Whitebeard locked weapons with the giant, the impact splitting waves for miles. Big Mom's homies tore into the giant fleet. Kaido fought like a demon, bloodied but laughing. Shiki sent Harald's ships crashing from the sky.
And Ada… Ada climbed the rigging of a burning ship, rifle steady. She fired, not at Harald—who was far too vast—but at the signalmen on his decks, the captains giving orders, the chain of command that kept the giant army moving. One by one, her bullets cut the strings holding the colossus together.
Finally, Harald roared in pain as Rocks himself drove him back. But he did not fall.
The battle ended in stalemate. The Rocks Pirates withdrew, bloodied but alive, while Harald swore the giants would see them crushed one day.
That night, in the captain's quarters, Rocks and Ada sat in silence. Maps lay torn across the table, rum spilled carelessly.
Rocks' grin had faded. For once, his voice was low, not booming.
"They call me mad, Ada. A devil chasing dreams too big for any man."
Ada's gaze sharpened. "…And are they wrong?"
Rocks leaned forward, eyes blazing even in the dark. "The Will of D. isn't just to destroy. It's to rule. I'll drag the Celestial Dragons from their thrones, burn the World Government to ash, and make this world mine."
Ada stayed quiet, though her thoughts churned. She had seen his dream. She had fought for it. But she had also seen Kaido's hunger, Linlin's greed, Shiki's ambition. They weren't wolves following an alpha. They were predators waiting for the chance to bite the hand that fed them.
"…Dreams that big," she said at last, "draw knives in the dark."
Rocks smirked. "Then it's a good thing I have you—my shadow—to spot them first."
Ada's crimson eyes narrowed. She gave no promise.
On deck, the crew laughed, feasted, and fought as if nothing had changed. But Ada's gaze lingered on them. She saw Kaido sharpening his mace, Linlin hoarding sweets like a dragon its gold, Whitebeard staring silently into the horizon, Shiki whispering schemes under his breath.
The Rocks Pirates were unstoppable.
But Nyx D. Ada knew shadows better than anyone.
And in those shadows, betrayal was already taking root.