Deep within an underground base, hidden beneath layers of rock and metal, a man sat in front of a panel of flickering monitors. The screens displayed various parts of the island: hidden jungle paths, dark hallways, and clandestine ports.
Suddenly, one of the cameras picked up something interesting. Very interesting.
"Well, well... "the man murmured, narrowing his eyes behind a pair of thin-framed dark glasses". Zoro has arrived... and with him, the Straw Hats.
Just a few seconds later, a communicator vibrated beside him.
"Urgent report: several members of the bounty hunter guild"specifically... those from Fairy Tail"are on the move. They've destroyed one of our underground human trafficking networks.
The silence that followed was almost surreal.
The man let out a low, guttural laugh that rose like a crescendo in a sinister opera.
"Tsk... tsk... Looks like the flies have started buzzing. What a curious coincidence... so many of them connected, one way or another, to that woman "he said with a twisted, almost euphoric grin.
His back was adorned with pale pink feathers that swayed gently in the artificial breeze of the room, and his fingers moved through the air as if conducting an invisible symphony.
"The curtain rises... and the game finally begins.
"Sir... "said a deep voice behind him. A burly man, casually holding a pork chop against his cheek, stared at him with a serious expression". If they discover this base and alert the Marines... even we could be in danger.
"Don't worry, Vergo "the man replied with venomous calm". They're just pups playing in the jaws of the New World.
He stood up, elegant and unhurried, as if he already knew the end of the play.
"Besides... this is the perfect opportunity to settle old scores. It's time we avenge Diamante... and the others. By eliminating their family.
Vergo nodded with a formal bow.
"Yes, young master.
Without another word, he exited through the door like a heavy shadow.
A strange sound began to fill the room. A cloud of gas started forming next to the monitors, swirling until it took shape.
"Shurororororo... How exciting. New specimens for my experiments "said Caesar Clown, his grin twisted by euphoria.
"Careful, Caesar "warned the man as he walked away, hands calmly in his pockets, his figure fading into the shadows". Get too confident... and you might end up like all the others.
And with that, silence returned.
But the island... had already begun to move.
Like a chessboard in the hands of a cruel master.
...…
Meanwhile, on one of the northern coasts of the island, the landscape was unsettling.
The ground seemed to have been burned to charcoal, then coated with a layer of ice that still steamed. The sea itself had frozen at the shore, creating a scene as unnatural as it was ominous.
"Land at last! "Natsu exclaimed with a radiant smile, leaping from the ship in a single bound. His energy was infectious, and he seemed to have completely forgotten the deadly seasickness that had him on the verge of collapse just moments before.
"It's strange... "Lucy commented as she carefully descended a makeshift staircase of ice Grey had created with a casual flick of his hand". Most of this world is divided into islands.
"Yeah, but that just makes it more exciting, doesn't it? "said Wendy innocently as she looked around". Every island seems to have its own culture, its own climate... everything. Right, Charle?
Charle, however, frowned.
"I'm not so sure, Wendy. An island completely covered in fire... doesn't sound very fun to me.
"Aye... "murmured Happy, a note of doubt in his voice". Still... I think I recognize the kind of person who could leave an island in this state.
The island's desolate appearance didn't feel natural. It looked as though it had been dismembered, cut into pieces with surgical brutality, and then abandoned to rot.
"Obviously, it was Kara "Grey said with the certainty of someone who had seen that kind of destruction before.
"Enough talk "Erza interrupted, her eyes fixed on the horizon, her voice as sharp as her sword". Let's find the person hiding on this island. Our mission is clear: locate them... and deliver them to the Marines.
Originally, the mission had seemed simple.
Find a missing man.
Nothing unusual for the guild.
But soon, they found something more: a secret network of abduction and human trafficking, filled with cages... and the faces of children behind the bars.
Children.
Dozens of them.
Fairy Tail crushed them without mercy.
But their leader was not present.
Only after some "interrogations" did they manage to extract clues.
The clues led them across the map.
In every corner: corruption, cover-ups, lies.
Even a Marine base had been compromised.
And now... it all pointed to this island.
Lucy looked at the devastated landscape, her lips pressed into a thin line.
"I still find it hard to believe how dark this world is compared to ours... "she finally said quietly.
Natsu shrugged, still smiling.
"What do you mean? The first time we met, you were about to be kidnapped and sold as a slave to another kingdom.
Lucy frowned.
"You don't have to put it so bluntly...
"The Tower of Heaven "Happy added with unusual seriousness". Where kids were forced to build a cursed tower for a resurrection ritual.
"Oración Seis. Dark guilds that didn't hesitate to use torture and forbidden magic "Wendy said, in a tone far too mature for her age.
"And Lullaby "Happy concluded". A cursed flute designed to kill guild masters. It ended up turning into a giant demon.
Lucy crossed her arms, staring at the ground.
"Alright... I get it. I was just trying to hold onto the idea of the world I remember. Is it so wrong to want to believe there's light, too?
No one answered.
Silence was the only response.
Because they knew.
Their world wasn't kinder.
It just had better smiles to hide the scars.
...….
Zoro, who was at the other end of the island, noticed a massive steel door half-hidden among rubble and vegetation. His instincts told him something important was on the other side. He approached calmly… just in time to see it slowly open.
"Hmm? "Zoro frowned and stopped in his tracks as he felt a rush of hurried voices approaching.
A group came running out: Franky, Nami, Sanji, Rab… and behind them, a crowd of children. Some wore torn clothes, others were dirty and scared. They all froze when they saw Zoro standing at the entrance, arms crossed, eyes fixed on them.
"So it was you… "Sanji spat furiously the moment he saw him, and without thinking twice, he lunged with a furious kick.
"What the hell are you talking about? "Zoro growled, drawing his sword swiftly to block the attack with ease.
"You guys run! I'll stop him! "Sanji shouted to the others, not taking his eyes off Zoro.
"D-did he say run?! "Rab repeated before yelling". Let's go, inside!!
"But why?! That guy has the Marine symbol! "said one of the giant children, staring fearfully at Zoro's coat.
"Exactly! We're pirates! "Rab shouted as he led them back into the facility.
"Wait, idiots! It's Zoro! "Nami yelled, stopping them with a shout as she smacked both Rab and Franky on the head at the same time.
"Why me?! I was just following them! "protested Franky, rubbing his head.
After the brief confusion, everyone regrouped in front of Zoro. Their faces were serious. The children, uneasy.
"So you got here following Luffy… got separated, captured… and ended up locked up in some kind of daycare for kidnapped kids "Zoro summarized with a frown". Where are the others?
"We don't know. They came in from the other side of the island. We… "Nami looked down". Fell because of some gas… and woke up in cells. There was no way out. Just… lost children.
Sanji, behind them, was covered in lumps. His attempt to protect his friends had caused chaos among the kids, who ended up beating him up in a group, mistaking him for an enemy.
"I see "Zoro nodded gravely". So what do you plan to do now?
"Can you contact Kara? "Nami asked". Maybe she can send help for the children.
"Hmph… I guess there's no other way "Zoro replied, pulling out his Den Den Mushi.
Burururururu... gacha!
"What's up?
"Kara! Thank goodness you picked up. We need your help "Nami said quickly.
"Oh, that's Nami's voice. Hey, Nami. Had fun with your training? Bet those old guys didn't even dare raise their voice at you "Kara said from the other side, sounding relaxed and teasing.
"That can wait! Listen to me! This is urgent "Nami snapped.
"Hmm… if you're calling with Zoro's snail, that means you found him "Kara deduced aloud, her tone turning more serious.
"Yes. We're on the same island. We found children and"…
Click.
The line suddenly cut off.
"Kara? Hello! Kara! Damn it! "Nami looked at the snail, frustrated.
"That wasn't her… "Rab said, examining the now completely still snail". She passed out. That means someone is jamming the signal. And they know we're here…
Zoro closed his eyes for a moment and murmured coldly:
"So they're watching us.
"Damn it… Where the hell did Luffy go? "Nami said, clenching her fists, her voice trembling between anger and fear.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side of the island…
Luffy walked along calmly, eating his favorite bento. Beside him, Gin, Robin, and Usopp followed, visibly less relaxed than he was.
...
In a hidden resort…
Under the bright sun, Kara enjoyed a cocktail served by beautiful women in bikinis. Her Den Den Mushi, still in her hand, was now completely silent.
She looked at the snail seriously. She took off her sunglasses and stood up.
"Tsk… looks like my vacation's over "she said coldly.
She grabbed her admiral's cape and threw it over her bikini without hesitation. Her eyes were now filled with determination.