The New World, a lush spring island. Sunlight filtered through dense forest leaves, dappling the ground in golden patterns. Red-Haired Shanks leaned against a tree, a newspaper in hand. "Hawkeye Mihawk clashed fiercely with Sephiroth in the East Blue and lost! The title of World's Greatest Swordsman has changed hands... I never expected this. Hawkeye, you actually fell to Sephiroth..."
Shanks waved the World Economic News paper in front of Mihawk, his laughter booming through the forest. "Hahaha! Unbelievable! I'm framing this newspaper—something to revisit when I need a good laugh." Mihawk remained silent, his golden eyes sharp.
"Care to explain how you lost to Sephiroth?" Shanks asked, his curiosity piqued.
Mihawk shot him a sidelong glance, then spoke plainly. "The battlefield was shrouded in dense fog. He used a technique that blocked my Observation Haki. That's all." Shanks stroked his chin, intrigued. "I see. No wonder you lost. I'd like to cross blades with him someday."
Shanks' expression shifted, his tone turning thoughtful. "Speaking of the East Blue, I came across an interesting pirate there. It reminded me of a story you once told me." He reached into his coat and pulled out a wanted poster, handing it to Mihawk.
Shanks' eyes lit up as he looked at the poster. "Hahaha! Luffy, you've finally made it!" Mihawk raised an eyebrow. "Whitebeard mentioned Luffy earlier. It reminded me of something—do you remember Ace, Luffy's older brother? He visited you once."
Shanks paused, his expression darkening slightly. "What about Ace?"
"I heard Thatch of Whitebeard's Fourth Division was killed by Teach of the Second Division over a Devil Fruit. Ace, as Second Division Captain, volunteered to hunt him down."
"Teach..." Shanks' hand instinctively touched the scars over his left eye, remnants of a battle long past. Teach's sudden burst of power had left Shanks with more than just scars—he'd knocked out several of Teach's teeth in return. "That man's strength is no joke. Ace is strong, but he's young. There's a gap between him and Teach. They shouldn't clash yet."
Shanks fell silent for a moment, then gestured to a nearby crewmate. "Bring me paper and pen." He quickly penned a letter, his handwriting swift and decisive. Once finished, he handed it to Rocks D. Star, a newcomer in his crew. "Deliver this to Whitebeard Newgate."
When asked why he didn't go himself, Shanks shook his head. "As a Yonko, barging into Whitebeard's territory to discuss his crew's internal affairs? That's meddling. It'd only provoke him."
Based on Red-Haired Shanks' understanding of Whitebeard Newgate, the man's temper was as volatile as the seas he ruled. A confrontation was inevitable.
Meanwhile, in Lulusia Kingdom, the sun shone brightly over the bustling streets. At the entrance of a restaurant named "PASTA LAKE," several chefs and waiters burst out, shouting, "Hey!"
"You haven't paid yet!" The shouts echoed through the streets. "Get that guy who's eating without paying!"
"Damn bastard, if you've got guts, don't run!"
"Stop him!"
"You dare eat that much and skip the bill?"
The figure sprinting ahead of the chasing staff had short black hair dotted with freckles, a fishbone clamped between his teeth. His orange hat sat askew above bare shoulders, black pants the only clothing covering his lean frame.
Portgas D. Ace - Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, 500 million Berry bounty - was growing impatient with the pursuit. With a powerful leap, he vaulted onto a rooftop, scanning the surroundings while ignoring the commotion below.
When the restaurant staff began scaling the buildings after him, Ace took off running again. He wove through alleys and streets, questioning locals about Blackbeard Teach's whereabouts until he found himself at the docks. Approaching a bald dockworker, Ace wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Hey brother, ever heard of someone called Blackbeard Teach?"
"Blackbeard Teach...?" The dockworker scratched his head. "What's he look like?"
"Wears a bandana, black curly hair, heavyset—"
"Now that you mention it..." The dockworker's eyes lit with recognition. "There's someone like that in Gus Village next door."
Ace opened his mouth to ask more when angry shouts cut through the air. He turned to see the restaurant staff closing in. "Ah! Thanks for the tip!" With a quick wave, Ace sprang back onto the rooftops, fleeing toward the port's edge.
Suddenly—
A dark shape plummeted from the sky, landing directly in Ace's path. Silver hair gleamed under the sun as the figure straightened—a young man in a black suit with twin swords at his waist.
"Sephiroth! Long time no see!" Ace grinned at the familiar face.
"Likewise." Sephiroth's voice carried no warmth. "I hear you're hunting Blackbeard Teach."
"Damn right!" Ace's smile vanished. "That bastard killed my friend Thatch. Broke our crew's iron rule. Disgraced Whitebeard's name." His fists clenched. "I won't let this slide."
"Listen to me—Teach's stronger than you realize. Unless Whitebeard himself comes, none of your crew can take him down consistently."
"He was my subordinate. His crime's my responsibility." Ace's voice turned flint-hard.
"At least return to your crew first."
"No." Ace shook his head. "Every day that traitor breathes is another insult to Whitebeard's honor."
"You've changed, Ace." Sephiroth's expression darkened. "The man I knew wouldn't settle for being under anyone—not even for Whitebeard. What happened to reaching the top?"
"I have changed." Ace's smile returned, fierce and bright. "Now I want to make Whitebeard Pirate King."
"Same as always—in one ear, out the other." Sephiroth gave a bitter chuckle.
Ace studied the silver-haired swordsman, his own expression hardening. "I don't know why you're so invested in protecting Teach, Sephiroth. Enough to intercept me like this. But here's the thing—" He stepped forward, flames licking at his fingertips. "I'm dealing with Whitebeard's traitor. Today."
"Stay out of pirate business." The words made Sephiroth's eyebrow twitch, his expression darkening.
"Explain yourself." His voice cut through the air like steel.
Ace just shrugged, already turning away. "Means what it says." With that, he took off at a sprint, leaving nothing but dust in his wake. Sephiroth watched him go, muttering under his breath, "Like mother, like son—always running from something."
The silver-haired warrior shook his head, fingers curling around the hilt of his cleaver. A slash through empty air tore open a portal, and he stepped through without hesitation. That boy was Whitebeard's lapdog now—no ambition, no fire. As long as Edward Newgate breathed, Ace would never be more than a loyal son.
This kind of guy is no longer worth Sephiroth's continued expectations, especially after that display. No point wasting breath on a lost cause. His thoughts turned darker, lips curling. Teach... you'd better stir the pot properly. Turn this world inside out. Don't disappoint me.