After the great war, the world wanted to know what became of those two defeated Emperors of the Sea?
Let's take a peek.
Charlotte Linlin's fleet had already left the shores of Wano. On the deck of her flagship, Big Mom sat in silence. Her enormous frame trembled faintly, her eyes flashing with barely restrained fury… and, for once, a rare hint of clarity.
Well, you could say Ritter hit her so hard she got enlightened.
"Mom…" Katakuri stepped forward, voice low and heavy. "What… what do we do now?"
Linlin clenched her fists, her knuckles cracking like thunder. For a moment, the storm within her nearly burst out but then, with a deep breath, she forced it down.
"Return to Totto Land," she growled. "For now, we avoid that brat's blade. Strengthen our defenses. Don't let anyone exploit our weakness."
Her tired gaze swept over the remaining children those still standing. For the first time, even her iron will seemed weary. Then, as her ship cut through the dark sea, her lips twisted into a bloodthirsty grin.
"Ritter… when Mama recovers, I'll make you pay in blood."
Elsewhere, Kaido of the Beasts had been dragged from the ocean by his battered crew. Gone was the terrifying majesty of the Azure Dragon; what remained was a broken titan, stripped of scales, his body torn by the wounds left by both Oden and Ritter. Blood pooled beneath him, soaking the deck crimson.
Ritter (from the distance): "A fake dragon is still a fake dragon."
"Boss Kaido," Jack muttered, voice thick with defeat. "Should we… head for Whole Cake Island? Or…"
Kaido's eyes flickered open, cold and dim. "No. We go somewhere quiet. Somewhere to heal." His voice was low, rough, almost human. "We underestimated them."
King was silent for a moment before asking, "Should we form an alliance?"
Kaido let out a dark laugh. "Alliance? Who could possibly stand against Ritter and Whitebeard together?" He struggled to his feet, glancing toward the distant horizon of Wano. "He's far more dangerous than we imagined."
He took a swig from his gourd, liquor dribbling down his chin. "Just wait. Once I recover… the New World's sky will change again."
Even as he said it, there was no conviction behind his words. For the first time, the so-called "Strongest Creature in the World" was uncertain. Ritter's ability to reach across the battlefield to seize life from afar still haunted him.
Ritter (off-screen): "If you can force that mist out of your body, I'll start calling you Kaidot from now on!"
(Narrator's whisper): The two defeated Emperors, without even speaking, both chose to lie low. They knew well that under the shadow of Ritter and Whitebeard's combined might, any rash move would lead straight to their doom. Hibernation wasn't surrender it was preparation. For the next, more vicious storm.
Ritter (distant laugh): "Heh, you two still carrying a little piece of my mist inside you, huh?"
The sea remained vast and wild. Yet beneath its waves, new currents began to stir.
When the latest issue of the World Economy News and the Mole Times spread across the globe, the world trembled with excitement.
And on a quiet, unnamed island somewhere in the New World, beneath the golden afternoon sun, Ritter was sprawled lazily on the beach.
He had long left Wano behind. The affairs of daimyo and samurai were none of his concern he wasn't their babysitter.
A soft breeze brushed his hair as he tilted his chair back, newspaper in hand.
"Morgans, that sly old bird… and that lunatic Mole," he chuckled, tossing both newspapers into the sea. "Fine by me. Let the Marines lose some sleep for once."
Behind him, Gild Tesoro strolled over, a golden cigar case glinting in the sunlight. He offered Ritter one with a grin. "Just got word. Whitebeard's pirates are pulling back their territories."
"People say old legends can't adapt," Ritter mused, lighting his cigar. "But that man? He sees clearer than most." He squinted toward the shimmering horizon. "We'll take whatever he leaves behind. The sea's generous, but only to those bold enough to claim it."
He turned slightly, a sharp gleam in his eye. "Oh and send a message to Kaido's and Big Mom's territories. I want one-third of their seas under our flag."
Tesoro's grin widened. "You got it, boss."
Far away, waves lapped quietly against another lonely shore. A single hand reached out from the shadows, plucking a soggy newspaper from the surf. Beneath a black hat, a faint smile curved the lips of a man marked by a familiar dragon tattoo.
"So… Ritter moves again," Dragon murmured. "As expected. The wind's shifting."
As the narrator once said, "You eat only as much as your fists can earn." And after that war, Ritter's fists had earned plenty.
The balance of the world had changed. The pieces on the grand chessboard of the seas were being rearranged:
The Twin Emperors: "Mist Lord" Ritter and "Whitebeard" Newgate.
The Two Warlords of the Old Age: "Beast" Kaido and "Big Mom" Charlotte Linlin.
The Shichibukai: Seven empty thrones vacant ever since Ritter's own "first appointed Warlord" had turned traitor, publicly humiliating the World Government.
As for the rest? Just the countless small fry pirates who danced in their shadows.
Meanwhile, back in Foosha Village, the setting sun cast a warm orange glow across the wooden floorboards.
Rouge sat quietly in a rocking chair, age having barely touched her gentle features. A half-knitted sweater rested in her lap as she looked fondly out the window.
Outside, eight-year-old Ace was swinging a wooden stick through the air, shouting excitedly, "Mist Style! Ghost Slash!" Each strike cut through the wind with a satisfying whoosh!
In the corner of the room, another child also eight sat quietly. Ann, with long golden hair and bright blue eyes, held a small handmade doll in her hands. It was embroidered with a sunflower a gift Ritter had sent home.
He'd written in his letter that he'd chosen it for her himself. Her small fingers brushed over the stitching as if she could feel his warmth through the thread.
It was funny. When the kids were younger, Ritter had come home every year. But back then, they were too small to remember much.
By the time they grew up enough to truly miss him, Ritter was deep in the New World fighting, building, dreaming. Rouge had told him not to worry about coming back. "You've got your own path to walk," she'd said.
Still, every year, gifts arrived. Boxes of sweets, toys, and trinkets from all corners of the sea.
For their training, well… Grandpa Garp handled that part personally. Ace's swings had Garp's power written all over them.
The door suddenly burst open. Makino hurried in, clutching a newspaper, excitement glowing on her face. "Rouge! Big news!"
Rouge looked up, her soft smile never fading. "Oh? What's gotten you so worked up?"
Makino spread the paper across the table. The headline blared in bold letters:
"Morgans? Outdated! The New King of News Rises Exclusive: The True Legacy of Captain Ritter, The Blood-Stained Dawn!"
Below it was a photo that stopped Rouge's breath.
Ritter sat lazily upon a throne of crimson mist, the ruins of Wano burning beneath him. Smoke curled through the air, but he looked utterly calm one hand supporting his chin, a faint, teasing smile tugging at his lips.
He didn't look like a conqueror. He looked like a king.
A terrifyingly elegant, distant king who ruled the seas themselves.
Rouge's smile froze.
Her fingers trembled slightly as they traced the image on the paper. And the first words that escaped her lips weren't of pride or awe but quiet worry.
"…Was he hurt?"
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