Unknown Island with Beasts.
Deep inside the lush and mist-veiled forest, a line of fallen creatures marked the trail where Zino and his group had passed. Massive animals—boars the size of boulders, lions with manes like burning grass, and thick-skinned rhinos—lay sprawled along the path, unconscious or groaning faintly from the blows they had received.
"These beasts are definitely more feral than I expected," Zino muttered, casually flicking his finger at a massive boar that came charging through the trees. The air cracked, and the beast was launched sideways, smashing into a tree with a pained grunt before collapsing.
Behind him, Usopp and Stev kept glancing around nervously, gripping their weapons tight.
"Are you sure this is the right place for the scavengers to live?" Usopp asked, eyeing a pair of unconscious tigers stacked on top of each other like firewood.
"Yeah, I mean, these animals are huge, and super aggressive," Stev added. "One wrong step and someone could get eaten."
"You're not wrong," Zino replied calmly. "But everything can be managed. Even this."
As they moved deeper into the jungle, the trees thickened, and the air turned heavy with mist. Zino paused suddenly. His Haki flared slightly as he scanned the area.
"There's something going on deeper in," he said, eyes narrowing. "Looks like three powerful beasts are clashing over territory. They're not just wandering animals… they're fighting for dominance."
"Territorial beasts?" Alvida asked, whacking an oversized rat with her iron mace. "Sounds like they're the bosses of this jungle."
Zino nodded. "Let's check it out."
Before they advanced, a new wave of giant creatures burst through the foliage, drawn by the sounds of conflict. Zino sighed and raised one hand. With a thought, he released a controlled burst of Conqueror's Haki, projecting it directly forward like a blade of will.
The result was immediate. The charging animals froze mid-step. Their eyes widened in primal fear, legs shaking violently. A few managed a few desperate steps backward before collapsing, foam bubbling from their mouths.
Usopp flinched. Stev took a step back. Even Alvida raised an eyebrow.
"Conqueror's Haki," Mikita said with a serious expression. "That pressure… it felt like my entire body wanted to kneel. Zino, you can aim it now?"
"To some degree, yes," Zino replied, walking calmly past the fallen animals. "But I still can't control its strength. Sometimes it's too weak to knock out a mouse. Other times… well."
He gestured to the snoring rhino nearby.
"Conqueror Haki is terrifying,*" Usopp muttered. "If someone used that on us seriously... we'd be in real trouble."
Stev looked at Zino with awe. "I wish I could use Conqueror's Haki too."
Zino glanced at him and smiled slightly. "Maybe you can."
"Really?! I can have that too?" Stev's eyes lit up.
Zino nodded, "Maybe someday you will awaken it."
Stev full name is Jovus D. Stev. So, Zino have a feeling that this guy might really awaken a Conqueror Haki. He also hoped that all of his crew can awaken it.
As they continued deeper into the forest, the frequency of giant beasts increased. Gigantic elk, bears the size of ships, and snakes thick as tree trunks emerged one after another. Yet, none of them posed much threat.
Zino calmly raised his hand every time, unleashing waves of Conqueror's Haki that sent the creatures collapsing like dominoes. Some convulsed in fear before fainting, while others simply froze mid-charge and fell face-first into the earth.
Occasionally, Zino tried something new—taming.
He walked up to a towering lion with molten-gold fur, trying to suppress his Haki just enough to subdue but not knock out. The lion roared, took one hesitant step toward him… and immediately passed out with a loud thud.
Zino clicked his tongue. "Tch. This is harder to control than I thought."
"Yeah, not exactly the best charm for making friends," Usopp said, side-eying the dozens of unconscious animals littering the jungle floor.
"Maybe if you smiled more?" Stev suggested.
Zino gave him a flat look. "I am smiling."
Suddenly, the ground trembled.
A deep, reverberating GOOOOON!! echoed across the entire forest like an underwater sonar. Birds exploded out of the trees in panic. Smaller creatures dove into burrows or scurried away. Even the air seemed to quiver with tension.
Usopp's eyes widened. "What the hell was that?"
"I don't like that sound…" Mikita muttered.
Zino looked up to the sky. "It was not from the ground, but from the sky."
Farther ahead, deep in the heart of the island, three titanic beasts that had been locked in fierce battle suddenly froze. A hulking ape, a monstrous werewolf, and a massive sabertooth tiger—all scarred and snarling—turned their gazes upward, alerted by the same sound.
The mist above the treetops parted.
A colossal silhouette began descending from the foggy sky. The creature was enormous—easily dwarfing even the three giant beasts. Its body was sleek black and white, shaped almost like a bullet. It had no wings, no visible means of flight, and yet it hovered with grace and power.
"What… is that?" Alvida asked, squinting.
The three ground beasts didn't wait to be approached. The ape began thumping its chest, trying to show dominance.
"ROAR!!" it bellowed.
The werewolf let out a long, eerie howl. "AWOOOO!!"
Then came the sabertooth.
"Miaow!"
Everyone paused.
"…Did it just meow?" Robin asked with a completely straight face.
Zino blinked. Usopp gawked. Even the mighty ape looked sideways at the sabertooth.
"Hey, Robin, don't provoke it. That thing still has fangs," Usopp whispered urgently.
Robin smiled slightly. "I'm just saying, it sounded like a house cat."
Then came the sound again.
GOOOOOOOON!!
The second sonar pulse was even louder. The jungle trembled. Trees bent. The three titanic beasts suddenly lost all bravado. Their knees wobbled. The ape's chest-thumping stopped mid-slap. The werewolf lowered its ears. The sabertooth whimpered and backed up.
The creature from the sky began to descend fully into view.
Zino's eyes widened in surprise. "Orca?"
It was indeed a massive orca. Its body shimmered as if coated in scales of light, and its eyes burned with intelligence. Its enormous mouth opened slightly, revealing rows of saw-like teeth—three layers deep.
"GOOOOOON!!" it cried once more.
The three ground titans finally submitted. Heads bowed. Bodies lowered. The mighty ape, werewolf, and sabertooth tiger knelt before the airborne ruler of the island.
Seeing the three colossal beasts lower their heads in submission, the giant orca shifted its gaze to Zino and his group. Its enormous eyes glowed with a deep, intelligent light, almost unnerving in how aware they felt.
Suddenly, a voice echoed—not through the air, but inside their minds.
"Humans? What are you all doing here?"
The group froze. No lips moved. No sound had actually been made. Yet, each of them clearly heard the voice inside their heads, as if it had been spoken directly into their thoughts.
Usopp staggered back. "D-Did it just talk?" His knees were already shaking.
"It's communicating telepathically," Robin said calmly, observing the massive beast with fascination.
"W-We're gonna die, aren't we?" Stev muttered under his breath.
Zino, however, stood firm, completely calm. He stepped forward with a polite smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Zino. May I ask your name?"
The orca's eyes widened slightly. Despite its immense size and overwhelming presence, it seemed surprised by Zino's composure.
"You may call me Paus," the voice responded. "Human, what business do you have entering my territory?"
"Your territory?" Zino raised an eyebrow, then gestured toward the unconscious ape, werewolf, and sabertooth. "I thought they were the ones ruling this jungle."
"They are nothing more than ground lords," Paus said dismissively. "This entire island—land and sky—belongs to me. They would not last a day in my sky domain."
"Sky domain?" Zino blinked. "You mean… there's something in the sky? Are you referring to a White Sea?"
Paus's eyes glinted with recognition. "So, you're familiar with the White Sea."
Zino nodded. "I've been to one before. Have you heard of Skypiea?"
"Skypiea… Yes, I visited that floating island many years ago," Paus said, his tone almost nostalgic. Then, his eyes narrowed again. "But tell me, why have you come here, human? Are you trying to take over my territory?"
Zino paused, thinking. He had declared his intention to plant the Orca Pirates' flag here—but not through conquest. Still, honesty was the best approach.
"I'll be honest with you," he said. "We're from the Orca Pirates. We arrived here just yesterday."
"Pirates… and Orca?" The orca's massive body tilted slightly in interest. "Why would you name yourselves as Orca?"
Zino smiled. "Our ship resembles an orca and is named Silent Orca. That became the inspiration for our crew's name."
For a long moment, Paus said nothing. His giant eyes remained fixed on Zino, processing the information. Then, without warning, he spoke again.
"Let me see your ship."
"Uh… our ship is still docked near the shoreline," Zino replied.
"Then let us go there."
Zino blinked. He glanced at the others, who were still standing stiffly, clearly trying not to provoke the enormous creature.
"Well… alright," he said reluctantly. "Let's head back."
They began to turn—only for Paus's voice to echo once more.
"You move too slowly. Just point the direction. I will take you there."
Zino paused. "It's… that way," he said, pointing toward the coast.
The moment his finger extended, they were lifted. A strange, invisible force enveloped them, gently pulling them upward. Their feet left the ground.
"Whoa! I'm flying?!" Usopp yelped, flailing slightly.
"This… feels kind of peaceful, actually," Mikita said, arms stretched out.
Robin remained calm, floating beside Zino as they rose toward Paus's side.
Suspended in the air beside the colossal orca, they were carried with surprising speed toward the shore—soaring above the treetops on the invisible power of a sky lord who clearly didn't take 'no' for an answer.
...
Back on the Shore
The camp was bustling with activity. The Orcas were diligently teaching the scavenger people everything they could in the limited time they had.
Moris and Chloris led a group near the tree line, demonstrating how to plant and cultivate seeds properly. A little farther away, Hibari and Binko were teaching basic ship construction, using parts of driftwood and salvaged materials.
Sanji showed a group how to prepare food from wild herbs and game. Nami was going over navigation basics, while Zoro gave sword handling tips to a group of curious youths. Even Marianne and Kaya were busy painting the wax houses, turning them into livable homes with color and creativity.
The scavengers listened intently, taking notes, asking questions, and practicing. There was no laziness here. Everyone was motivated—urgently so.
They knew that the Orcas wouldn't stay forever. This opportunity was a rare one. Most of these people were born in the junkyard-like platform hub, surrounded by scrap metal, artificial lights, and polluted air. Many had never even seen real soil, running rivers, trees, or stars unclouded by smog.
Now that they had this chance to live on a real island, they were desperate to learn everything—farming, crafting, tool-making, cooking, survival.
Then suddenly, a shadow loomed over the camp.
One of the scavengers looked up and screamed, "M-Monster!"
"Sea beast!"
"It's flying!!"
"It's floating above us—run!!"
Panic broke out. Many dove for cover, shielding their families and children. Even some of the Orcas froze, their eyes widening at the sight above.
Hovering over the camp was a colossal orca—black and white, wingless, but somehow suspended in the air. The sight was majestic, terrifying, and unnatural all at once.
Then slowly, six figures descended from the sky. It was Zino, Alvida, Robin, Mikita, Usopp, and Stev—riding alongside the enormous flying creature.
The beast hovered without touching the ground, scanning the people below with curious eyes.
Paus floated above the camp like a divine guardian, then turned his head toward the shoreline. He caught sight of the Silent Orca, anchored peacefully on the sand.
"So this is your ship," Paus said, his voice resonating in everyone's minds. "The Silent Orca?"
"Yes," Zino replied proudly. "She's our ship."
Just then, the Silent Orca trembled. Her soft, feminine voice echoed from within the ship. "A-An ancestor…?"
Paus raised a brow. "Oh? You've already awakened? You can speak?"
"Y-Yes. It's an honor to meet you, ancestor," the ship replied timidly. Her voice was shaky, filled with awe—and perhaps fear. To her, Paus was not just a being of power, but something ancient, perhaps divine.
Paus looked at the ship in silence for a moment before speaking again. "It's fate that you've awakened. We are, in a way, connected."
"Connected?" Silent Orca asked.
"Yes," Paus said. "Let me show you something."
As he spoke, Paus's massive orca form began to glow. Slowly, his body shifted, morphing before their very eyes. What once looked like a living orca transformed into a massive, elegant ship—ornate, weathered by time, but alive with power.
"He… he's actually a ship?!" Usopp gasped, eyes wide.
Zino's crew stared in disbelief. Even Zino was surprised.
"How did a ship turn into a living orca?" Stev asked, skeptical.
"It's possible," Paus answered calmly. "When a ship sails long enough… through enough storms, with strong emotions and bonds from its crew… it can awaken. It becomes conscious. Alive."
Stev frowned. "That's… hard to believe."
"Is it?" Paus countered. "Your own ship has already awakened. Why is that so impossible?"
No one had an answer. All they could do was accept the truth before their eyes.
The flying sea beast was not a creature of myth, but a ship—one that had transcended its purpose and gained life.
And now, it had come to meet its kin.