The Grand Line was merciless.
But for the Spade Pirates—
It had become their stage.
Two months.
Two months of chaos, growth, and legend-building.
They didn't just sail.
They left marks.
A kingdom freed from the control of three pirate factions—
Ace breaking their alliance with pure force.
A corrupt Marine base reduced to rubble—
Reiji dismantling its structure like it was nothing.
Battles in the middle of storms—
Lightning cutting the sky while Deuce's flames answered back.
And through all of it—
Their ship endured.
The Piece of Spadille.
A gift.
A symbol.
A home.
Its wood cracked in places.
Its sails patched multiple times.
But it stood strong.
Just like its crew.
And the world had noticed.
New bounties spread across the seas.
"PHANTOM SPIDER ACE — 80,000,000"
"SILVER PALM REIJI — 78,000,000 (ONLY ALIVE)"
"FIRE TORNADO DEUCE — 50,000,000"
"POISON PRINCESS REIJU — 70,000,000 (ONLY ALIVE)"
"SKULL 'THE CRUSHER' — 25,000,000"
"MIHAL 'THE TEACHER' — 30,000,000"
"KOTATSU — 30 BERRIES"
They were no longer unknown.
They were a rising force.
And Big News Morgans loved it.
"THE NEW STORM OF THE GRAND LINE!!"
"SPADE PIRATES RISE!!"
"WHO WILL STOP THEM?!"
Present — At Sea
The sun was high.
The sea calm.
For once—
Peace.
Reiji sat inside the captain's cabin.
A cup of coffee in his hand.
"…Water 7…"
He stared at a rough map.
"…reinforce the hull…"
"…improve mobility…"
"…maybe integrate impact-resistant plating…"
He tapped the table lightly.
"…if we're entering deeper waters…"
"…we need durability above all."
A pause.
…and eventually… we'll face monsters…
He leaned back slightly.
"…we also need to start thinking about Haki training…"
A small grin.
"…this is getting interesting."
Deck
Laughter echoed.
Ace was running in circles—
Chasing Kotatsu's tail.
"COME BACK HERE!!"
Kotatsu dodged lazily.
Clearly faster.
"…YOU'RE CHEATING!!"
He stretched his arm—
Trying to grab her.
Missed.
Deuce laughed.
"…you're getting outplayed by a cat…"
Ace pointed at him.
"…she's not normal!!"
Kotatsu flicked her tail proudly.
Near the railing
Reiju leaned casually.
Watching the sea.
Deuce approached.
Trying to act natural.
Failing slightly.
"…nice weather today…"
Reiju smirked.
"…that's your opening line?"
Deuce coughed.
"…I had a better one…"
"…you forgot it?"
"…yes."
She laughed softly.
"…you're hopeless."
Deuce scratched his head.
"…but consistent."
"…I'll give you that."
He smiled.
…progress… maybe…
Side of the ship
Mihal sat quietly.
Reading.
"…calm before escalation…"
He turned a page.
…statistically unlikely to last…
Helm
Skull controlled the ship.
Focused.
"…wind stable…"
"…current favorable…"
He adjusted slightly.
…this is almost too perfect…
His eyes narrowed.
"…wait…"
He leaned forward.
"…something's off…"
Horizon
Dots.
Many.
Ships.
A fleet.
Skull's eyes widened.
"…CONTACT!!"
His voice echoed across the ship.
"MULTIPLE SHIPS—FAST APPROACH!!"
Everyone froze.
Then moved instantly.
Reiji stepped out of the cabin.
Calm.
"…how many?"
"…a fleet…"
Skull swallowed.
"…this isn't normal…"
Mihal stood.
Closing his book.
"…formation suggests organized command…"
Reiju's expression changed.
"…this isn't random…"
Ace grinned.
Wide.
"…finally."
Enemy Fleet
At the center—
A large ship.
A man stood on deck.
Hanafuda.
A former pirate.
Now a Shichibukai.
A predator.
A subordinate approached him.
"…sir… confirmed…"
"…the Spade Pirates…"
"…combined bounty exceeds 100 million…"
Hanafuda smiled.
Slow.
Dangerous.
"…how convenient…"
He looked ahead.
"…a prize delivered to me…"
His tongue ran across his teeth.
"…don't let a single one escape."
He raised his hand.
"…begin the hunt."
Behind him—
Cannons adjusted.
Sails shifted.
Ships spread.
A net closing.
Back to the Spade Pirates
Skull shouted.
"…they're surrounding us!!"
Deuce's flames ignited lightly in his hand.
"…this is bad…"
Reiju clenched her fist.
"…this isn't a normal fight…"
Mihal analyzed quickly.
"…enemy advantage: numbers…"
"…unknown commander…"
Reiji stepped forward.
Looking at the fleet.
Silent.
Then—
A small smile.
"…good."
Ace cracked his knuckles.
"…I was getting bored."
Reiji glanced at him.
"…this isn't just any enemy."
Ace grinned wider.
"…even better."
Reiju looked at the crew.
…they're ready…
…but this… is different…
Deuce took a deep breath.
…no running…
Skull tightened his grip.
…this is it… real Grand Line…
Mihal loaded calmly.
…adapt… survive… win…
Kotatsu stood.
Fur bristling.
The sea grew heavy.
Two forces.
About to collide.
Reiji looked ahead.
…this will change everything…
Ace stepped to the front of the ship.
Grinning.
Fearless.
"…bring it on."
And the distance between them—
Closed.
To be continued. 🔥
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