The night before the storm was too quiet.
The colossal flagship of the Rocks Pirates, loomed over the harbor of Hachinosu like a sleeping monster. Its deck was alive with activity—crewmates hauling crates of gunpowder, sharpening blades, and singing drunken war songs. Beneath the chaos, deep within the war room, the true heart of the Rocks Pirates gathered.
Smoke curled from half-burned cigars. Maps, compasses, and empty bottles littered the table. The air was thick with ambition, greed, and the faint scent of blood.
At the head of the table sat Rocks D. Xebec, his cloak draped over the back of his chair like the wings of a fallen god. His grin was razor-sharp. To his right stood his vice-captain—Ada Wong, dressed in black and red, arms folded, eyes as calm and dangerous as the sea itself.
Around them were the monsters that made up the most infamous crew in history.
"West," Big Mom barked, slamming her massive hand onto the map. The wood cracked beneath her strength. "We attack from the west side! That's where the nobles will be gathering their treasures—I can smell it from here!"
Kaido, lounging in the corner, snorted out smoke. "You think with your gut again, Linlin. The Marines are stationed there, too. You'll be chewin' on cannonballs, not candy."
"Better that than your ego!" she roared, grabbing a bottle of rum and drinking it whole.
Laughter filled the room. Whitebeard chuckled quietly, swirling his sake. "You two'll sink the island before we even start."
Shiki smirked, golden hair glinting under the lanterns. "Heh. That's fine by me. Let the world see what chaos really looks like."
At the far side, Stussy leaned back with a feline smile, watching the argument unfold. "Men and monsters… all so loud," she purred, her voice dripping like honey. "Newgate, you're the only one here who looks civilized."
Whitebeard raised a brow. "Hah. Is that supposed to be flattery?"
"Oh, it's whatever you want it to be." Stussy leaned closer, tracing her gloved finger along his massive arm. "Strong men like you shouldn't risk their pretty faces in someone else's war."
Whitebeard laughed—a deep, rumbling sound that filled the room. "You sound like Linlin when she's drunk."
Stussy pouted. "Tch. I know how to be gentle."
"Gentle?" Kaido barked, choking on his drink. "You? The woman who shot her last boyfriend in the foot?"
The table erupted in laughter again. Even Rocks cracked a grin. Amid the chaos, Ada remained silent, leaning against the wall, her gaze on the map.
"You're all missing the point," she finally said, her voice soft but sharp enough to slice through the noise.
The laughter faded. All eyes turned to her.
"This isn't just a raid," Ada continued. "It's a message. The world's watching. When we strike God Valley, they won't just call us pirates—they'll call us devils."
Rocks' grin widened. "Good," he said. "Let them. Devils don't kneel to gods."
"You're all arguing about the current situation," she said calmly, "but no one's asked what happens after."
The room fell quiet for a moment.
Rocks looked up from his map, eyes narrowing. "After?"
Ada met his gaze. "Once we take God Valley… what then? You plan to burn the Celestial Dragons, topple Mariejois. But the world doesn't end with fire. It rebuilds. Who leads it then?"
Rocks grinned. "After I become king of the world, maybe you can handle those affairs. You've got more sense than most of these animals."
Kaido laughed, pounding the table. "Hah! Ada? She's got the heart of a killer, but not a tyrant."
"Careful," Shiki smirked. "She's the only one here who could slit your throat before you blink."
Ada shot him a sidelong look, eyes flashing red. "Try me."
Even Kaido fell silent for a moment — then roared with laughter.
Big Mom's booming voice cut through the noise. "Hah! You talk too much, all of you! We're the Rocks Pirates! The world should be terrified, not debating who rules it!"
Whitebeard sighed, a quiet smile forming. "Maybe that's why the world will remember us."
Ada looked at him. "You don't sound like a man chasing power."
"I'm not," Whitebeard replied. "Just chasing family."
Ada's expression softened. "You might be the only one here who understands what that means."
Across the table, Stussy leaned in with Gloriosa beside her, and asked while smirking. "And what about you, Ada? What are you chasing?"
Ada hesitated — then looked toward the map of God Valley.
"Answers," she said quietly. "And maybe freedom."
Rocks slammed his fist on the table, breaking the moment. "Freedom's at the end of this war, woman! We'll burn the gods, and the world will kneel before no one!"
From the far side, Gloriosa spoke up, her tone gentle but firm. "All of you talk about messages and revenge, but Shakky's still out there—alone, captured, humiliated. I don't care about the Celestials or their treasures. I just want her back."
The room fell quiet. Even Big Mom's laughter died down.
Ada looked at Gloriosa with rare softness. "We'll get her back," she said simply. "You have my word."
Gloriosa nodded, though her hands trembled. "She's my sister, Ada. Not by blood—but by the life we shared under the Kuja Pirates. If anything happens to her—"
"It won't," Ada interrupted. "Not while I'm still breathing."
For a moment, there was something almost human in Ada's eyes. Then it was gone.
Rocks rose from his chair, towering over them all. "Enough talk," he declared. "Tomorrow, we sail for God Valley. The nobles will gather for their little festival—and we'll give them the ending they deserve."
He slammed his fist onto the table, cracking it in half. The candlelight flickered across his face like fire. "We'll burn the Celestials. We'll destroy Mariejois. And when the world's in ashes, the name Rocks D. Xebec will stand at the top!"
The crew roared in response. Kaido's laughter shook the walls. Linlin's booming voice echoed through the ship. Shiki stood and drew his sword, stabbing it into the table. "To hell with the gods!" he shouted.
Ada stepped forward, calm amidst the storm. "Our ships are ready," she said, unfolding a chart. "Shiki's scouts confirmed Marine blockades. Sengoku and Garp are both stationed at God Valley. We'll divide into three groups. Kaido and Linlin on the front. Shiki, John, and Silver Axe handle the flanks. I'll lead infiltration with Rocks and Whitebeard."
Rocks' grin returned. "Perfect. You're the only one I trust with my back, Ada."
As the meeting broke up, laughter and tension mixed in the smoky air.
Kaido was already boasting about crushing Marines, Linlin demanded extra food for her "children," and Shiki was humming a sea shanty about treasure and blood.
Ada stood apart from it all by the wide window, the sea reflecting silver beneath the moonlight. Her reflection stared back — calm, focused, and unflinching. Not a trace of fear, only calculation.
Footsteps approached behind her.
Gloriosa's reflection appeared beside hers, her expression weary but kind.
"You've got that look again," she said softly.
Ada didn't turn. "What look?"
"The one of someone walking into hell with their head held high."
Ada's lips curved slightly — not a smile, but close. "Then I suppose hell should be afraid."
Gloriosa chuckled under her breath. "You really think you can fight gods?"
Ada's gaze never wavered from the horizon. "I don't believe in gods," she said. "Only men who pretend to be them. And men can bleed."
For a moment, silence stretched between them, broken only by the creak of the ship and the wind outside.
Gloriosa studied her — the young woman who had risen from nothing, who spoke to monsters and captains like equals, whose presence alone steadied the chaos around her.
"You really haven't changed, have you?" she murmured.
Ada finally looked at her, eyes gleaming crimson in the dim light. "Change is for those who've lost themselves. I know exactly who I am."
Then she turned back to the sea, her coat fluttering in the night breeze.
"Tomorrow," she said calmly, "we're not walking into hell, Gloriosa. We're walking into history."
Gloriosa smiled faintly, her heart easing despite the storm that loomed ahead. "Just make sure history remembers the right side of you."
"It will," Ada replied, voice steady as the sea. "I'll make sure of it."
Outside, the waves thundered against the hull as the ship sailed toward its destiny.
The world whispered that the Rocks Pirates were doomed.
But Ada Wong — the Crimson Shadow — did not believe in doom.
She believed in purpose.
And she was ready to carve hers into the bones of the world.