The night was still. Too still.
Ada Wong stood on the fortress balcony, watching the fires of Hachinosu flicker below. Pirates drank, brawled, gambled — but even through the chaos, Ada felt it. A hollow note in the air.
Something was wrong.
Ada had learned to trust her instincts — and her instincts screamed danger.
She turned to her subordinate. "Where's Shakky?"
The pirate saluted nervously. "Still at her tavern, Vice Captain. She closed early tonight."
Ada frowned. "Closed early…? That's not like her."
A runner then stumbled up the steps, panting. "Vice Captain! It's Don Marlon—! You should come quick!"
Ada was already gone before he finished the sentence.
By the time Ada reached Shakky's Tavern, the door was already splintered. Inside Shakky's Tavern, everything was broken — chairs overturned, glasses shattered, and the smell of iron heavy in the air.
At the center of the room lay Don Marlon, the crew's quartermaster, blood pooling beneath him. His lifeless hand clutched a bullet casing.
Ada crouched beside him, closing his eyes. "You didn't even have time to draw," she whispered.
A blood trail led out the back door to the cliffs, where boot prints vanished into the sea.
But on the railing, Ada found something else — a familiar insignia burned into the wood:
a jagged mark shaped like a fang.
Ada froze. Her jaw tightened.
"…Ochoku."
The name fell like venom.
Ochoku — once Rocks' proud strategist and commander, and a man whom even Kaido had respected.
He had vanished months ago after clashing with Rocks over spoils and command. Ada had suspected he was waiting for his chance.
Now she knew what that chance was.
She kicked the door open and stormed out into the street, her voice echoing like thunder.
"WHERE IS SHE!?"
Dozens of pirates froze. Even Kaido, who'd been drinking, straightened at her tone.
"Vice Captain—!" one of them started, but Ada's glare cut him off.
She clenched her pistol, whispering through her teeth, "They took her."
The next day, the crew gathered in the war hall, where the storm of rage boiled.
Kaido smashed a table in half. "That bastard killed Marlon and ran off like a rat!"
Shiki shrieked, "He took Shakky! That slippery snake sold her out!"
Even Whitebeard's fists were clenched, silent fury trembling through him.
Rocks sat motionless on his throne, eyes dark. Ada stood beside him, her pistol holstered but her aura sharp.
Rocks finally spoke. "Ochoku was one of mine. My own blood on this deck. And he turned traitor."
Ada's voice was low, steady. "He didn't just turn traitor. He sold Shakky to the World Government."
A ripple of disbelief went through the room.
"They're using her," she continued, "as the centerpiece of a Celestial Dragon festival. A year from now, in God Valley. A 'prize' for the kings and nobles who think they own the world."
Rocks' fist slammed the table, splitting it. "They'll regret ever touching one of mine!"
Ada's hand brushed her pistol grip. "Then we hunt him first. Ochoku dies before I set foot on that island."
One Year Later — The World Trembles
Twelve months passed, and the seas changed color with the blood spilled in Ada's hunt for Ochoku.
Entire islands whispered of her wrath — she burned pirate fortresses, silenced spies, and erased anyone linked to the traitor.
But Ochoku had fled to the one place even the Ada did not think of — under Government protection, serving as an intermediary for the Celestial Dragons.
When the news broke, it shattered the seas.
The Headlines
"THE CELESTIALS' GOD FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED! SHAKUYAKU, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN AS GRAND PRIZE!"
The newsprint hit taverns, castles, and warships across the world.
It described the event in grotesque detail — nobles, kings, and pirates invited to God Valley, lured by treasures, slaves, and one particular prize, the infamous Shakuyaku.
Rumors claimed that Ochoku himself had delivered her to the Celestial Dragons' custody — and been rewarded with gold and a fleet under his command.
The bounty list that followed was terrifying:
Rocks D. Xebec – 2,247,000,000 Berries
Ada Wong "The Crimson Shadow" – 1,720,000,000 Berries
Edward Newgate – 1,602,000,000 Berries
Charlotte Linlin – 1,548,000,000 Berries
Kaido – 1,150,000,000 Berries
Shiki "The Golden Lion" – 1,325,000,000 Berries
Captain John – 970,000,000 Berries
Stussy – 840,000,000 Berries
Gloriosa "The Snake Empress" –720,000,000 Berries
Silver Axe – 680,000,000 Berries
Barbel – 640,000,000 Berries
Gill Bastar – 590,000,000 Berries
"The Rocks Pirates have vanished from the seas," one article read. "But the world knows—they are gathering."
Marine Headquarters – Marineford
Fleet Admiral Kong slammed the paper on the conference table.
"God Valley is turning into a death trap. Every monster from the New World will come for that prize."
Sengoku adjusted his glasses. "And at the center of it, Ada Wong. She's been quiet for a year, but we both know she's never idle."
Garp crossed his arms. "That woman's not chasing treasure. She's going for blood."
Tsuru nodded. "Ochoku's betrayal fractured the Rocks. But if Ada and Rocks still move together, we'll be facing something worse than war."
Garp, arms crossed, grunted. "That girl—Ada Wong—she's the one keeping them organized. If she wasn't with Xebec, the crew would've eaten itself long ago."
Kong exhaled slowly. "And that's what makes her the most dangerous of them all."
Vice Admiral Tsuru folded her arms. "If they reach God Valley, the nobles won't stand a chance. We'll have to send every available Marine force."
Kong's voice dropped to a growl. "Then do it. The Rocks Pirates end here."
Back on Hachinosu
Storms rolled across the island as the Rocks Pirates prepared their fleet.
Ships were armed, flags raised — black sails rippled like thunderclouds.
Rocks stood at the helm, eyes alight with fury. "We're taking back what's ours."
Ada approached silently, her crimson eyes fixed on the horizon.
"God Valley," she said. "Where the gods play kings, and traitors hide under crowns."
Rocks grinned. "Fitting, isn't it? That's where we'll show them what monsters really look like."
Ada didn't smile. "When we find Ochoku, he's mine."
Rocks' grin widened. "He's all yours, Ada. Just make sure he dies screaming."
She looked back one last time at the island that had become their empire.
The wind howled through the cliffs as she whispered, "For Shakky. For Marlon. For the Rocks pirates."
From the East Blue to the Grand Line, whispers filled the taverns.
"They're heading for God Valley…"
"The Rocks Pirates are marching to war."
"Ada Wong—the Crimson Shadow—was seen leading their fleet herself."
And somewhere in the shadows, an old broker whispered the truth.
"They say Ada doesn't want glory or treasure. She just wants the traitor's heart."
That night, as lightning carved the sky, Ada stood at the prow of the flagship beside Rocks.
The storm's reflection shimmered in her crimson eyes.
Rocks turned to her, voice quiet but heavy.
"There's something I never told you, Ada."
he said. "About who I am. About God Valley."
She didn't look at him. "You're about to, aren't you?"
Rocks smiled — that mad, charming smile that burned with purpose.
"That island… that cursed valley… it's where my story began."
He smirked. "My name. My true name. Davy D. Xebec."
Ada's voice was quiet. "You said earlier that your story began there. You were born on God Valley?"
Rocks smirked faintly, his eyes shadowed by candlelight.
"My birthplace. My home. My wife and son are still there."
Ada's eyes softened. "And your name… Davy D. Xebec. That middle initial — 'D.' You carry it proudly."
He nodded slowly. "The will of D… it's a curse and a promise. The world fears it because it's the memory of freedom."
She tilted her head. "So… Davy D. Xebec. That name—'Davy'—is that why sailors whisper about Davy Jones, the demon of the sea?"
Rocks chuckled darkly. "Heh. They twisted the truth into a myth. Davy Jones wasn't a monster — he was a man. One of the first Ds. A pirate who tried to challenge the World Government centuries ago. They erased him from history… and made him a ghost story."
Ada blinked, stunned. "Then you're saying—"
"I'm saying the D name is older than the World Nobles themselves," Rocks interrupted. "It's the fire they've tried to snuff out for centuries."
He leaned forward, voice lowering. "And I know why."
Ada frowned. "Why?"
Rocks' tone dropped into something cold, ancient, dangerous.
"Because when I raided Mariejois, years ago… I saw something the world doesn't believe exists."
Ada's breath caught. "You… raided Mariejois?"
He smiled grimly. "Briefly. Long before you joined. I expected gold, slaves, corruption. But I found something worse."
He stared out the window, his reflection flickering in the rain.
"In the Hall of Pangea, where no one's supposed to sit… there was a throne."
Ada froze. "The Empty Throne? The one they say belongs to no one?"
Rocks' eyes hardened. "It wasn't empty."
Silence filled the room.
"There was someone sitting on it," he said finally. "A figure cloaked in shadow. Eyes like black glass. They called him Imu. He looked down on me like I was an insect. And in that moment, I realized something, Ada."
Ada's heartbeat quickened. "What did you realize?"
"That the Celestial Dragons aren't the rulers of this world," Rocks growled. "They're just the mask. The real king—the real god—has been sitting on that throne for centuries."
Ada's voice came out barely above a whisper. "You met him."
Rocks nodded slowly. "And I swore that day… I'd drag him off that throne with my own hands."
Ada stared at him in silence. For the first time since joining the Rocks, she saw not just ambition — but truth.
"So that's what this is really about," she said. "Not treasure. Not pride."
He met her gaze. "No. It's about ending an illusion."
For the first time, Ada saw something almost human in his madness — grief, burning beneath rage.
"So this isn't just war," she murmured. "It's revenge."
Rocks' voice cracked into a snarl. "For everything they stole. For everyone they caged. For everyone like us."
Ada nodded once. "Then let's burn their paradise."