On the deck, the sea breeze carried a faint chill.
Although Hancock was still young, the arrogance in her bones and the reverence she showed toward her savior formed a strangely endearing contrast.
She took a deep breath,整理着脑中零碎的信息,声音清脆而认真:
"My lord… it is now the year 1504."
"It has been eight years since the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, was executed in Loguetown."
"But the seas did not calm because of Roger's death. Instead, they grew even more frenzied. Countless people rushed to the ocean in pursuit of the legendary One Piece. This era is known as the Great Pirate Era."
Tobirama leaned back in his chair. His long, slender fingers tapped lightly against the armrest, his expression calm and indifferent.
"Continue."
Hancock stole a glance at Tobirama's cold, flawless profile. Her heart skipped involuntarily. She hurriedly lowered her head and continued:
"In order to suppress pirates, Marine Headquarters' overall combat power has reached an unprecedented level."
"The Fleet Admiral is known as the 'Man of Steel.'"
"And under his command are Admiral Sengoku, famed for his strategy; Admiral Sakazuki, infamous for his ruthless methods; and Admiral Kuzan…"
At this point, a trace of fear flashed through Hancock's eyes.
To pirates, the title of Admiral itself represented despair.
"As for pirates…"
Hancock paused, her tone growing solemn.
"In the New World, four monsters reign like emperors. They are known as the Four Emperors."
"The world's strongest man—Edward Newgate, Whitebeard."
"Kaido of the Beasts, known as the strongest creature."
"Charlotte Linlin, the ruler of Totto Land."
"And the youngest of them all—Red-Haired Shanks."
After hearing this, Tobirama nodded slightly.
So that's how it is.
1504.
He quickly calculated the timeline in his mind.
If his memory was correct, Monkey D. Luffy should still be a newborn, crying and wetting the bed in Foosha Village.
And the Ohara incident that shocked the world—the Buster Call—should have happened about two years ago.
In other words…
Nico Robin, the so-called "Demon Child" who could decipher the Poneglyphs, was currently in the most desperate period of her wandering life.
A faint, amused smile curled Tobirama's lips.
Pirate King?
Joy Boy?
Now that I have arrived, the script of this world will be written according to my will.
The will of the D. clan? Eight hundred years of destiny?
In the face of absolute power, all of it is nothing but a joke.
"From today onward, there is no longer any need for a Pirate King on these seas."
"The only king will be me—Uchiha Tobirama."
As for that Luffy…
If that rubber-headed brat learns to kneel properly in the future, I might spare his life and keep him around as a mascot.
If anyone dares to shout nonsense like 'I'll beat you!' at me, I'll crush them without hesitation.
With that thought, Tobirama returned from his reverie and looked back at Hancock.
At this time, Hancock was only twelve or thirteen years old, yet her potential to shake nations was already impossible to conceal.
More importantly—her eyes.
The gaze she held was filled with worship, awe, and an innocent sense of wonder.
"Hancock."
Tobirama straightened slightly and looked directly at her.
"Since you have nowhere to go, why not join my ranks?"
"This ship happens to be short of people."
"My goal is to conquer the world. Follow me, and you will witness the most magnificent scenery this world has to offer."
"How about it?"
The words had barely fallen.
Boom.
Hancock froze.
Not from fear, but from shock.
So cool!
In a world filled with crude pirates and corrupt nobles, the man before her was powerful, mysterious, noble, and aloof—and he had saved her life.
And now, he was inviting her aboard his ship?
Even promising to take her to the summit of the world?
Is this… destiny?!
In an instant, Hancock's fair face flushed bright red.
She clutched her cheeks, her thoughts spiraling wildly, her entire mind filled with dazzling fantasies.
Her two younger sisters, Sandersonia and Marigold, stared at their eldest sister in horror.
"Big sister! Wake up!"
"What are you thinking?! He's just recruiting subordinates!"
"You're spacing out again!"
They shook Hancock desperately before she finally snapped back to her senses.
She hurriedly wiped her mouth, forced herself to stand straight, bowed deeply to Tobirama, and shouted with all her strength:
"Yes!!"
"No matter where you go in this world, I am willing to follow you, Lord Tobirama!!"
Tobirama nodded in satisfaction.
Subduing the future empress was easier than he had imagined.
After all, this was a world that judged by strength.
"Very good."
"Now, it's time to find the wandering Demon Child—Nico Robin."
"System, I no longer need your location guidance. You're too slow."
Tobirama rose and walked toward the bow of the ship.
The sea wind stirred his divine robe, and the Uchiha fan emblem on his back gleamed under the sunlight.
He slowly closed his eyes.
"Divine perception—cover the entire world."
Boom!
An invisible yet terrifying spiritual wave erupted outward, centered on the merchant ship.
It ignored distance and the obstruction of the sea itself.
One thousand kilometers… ten thousand… one hundred thousand…
In an instant, nearly half of the world unfolded within his mind.
—
In the New World, aboard the Moby Dick.
Whitebeard slammed his wine bowl to the ground, his muscles tensing as he stared at the sky.
"Dad? What's wrong?" Marco asked urgently.
"That presence…" Whitebeard's pupils contracted. "This isn't Haki. It's something else entirely—like a gaze looking down on the whole world. What kind of monster is this?!"
—
On Onigashima.
Kaido, half-drunk, suddenly shuddered as if stared at by some ancient beast.
"What the hell is this pressure?!"
—
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Kong and Sengoku rushed out of the office at the same time, their expressions filled with shock.
"This isn't Observation Haki… Observation Haki can't possibly reach this far!"
—
At this moment, the world's top experts all felt a tremor deep within their souls.
It was as though a pair of invisible eyes had appeared above the world, calmly surveying all living beings.
At the center of it all, Tobirama raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Found you."
Amid the countless chaotic signals, he locked onto a faint yet distinctive presence.
That quiet, scholarly aura unique to archaeologists—and a profound sense of loneliness and despair.
The location…
The weakest sea—the East Blue.
A chaotic town near a small village.
Robin was likely hiding within some underground organization, forced to survive by doing menial work or translating useless documents.
Nico Robin. Twelve years old.
The most painful period of her life.
He turned back toward Hancock, who was still barely restraining her excitement.
"Hancock."
"Yes! M-my lord!" Hancock snapped to attention, her face still flushed.
Tobirama pointed toward the direction of the East Blue.
"Raise the sails. Full speed ahead."
"Destination: East Blue."
"We're picking up our fourth member."
Hancock stiffened.
A fourth member?
Male or female?
If it's a woman…
Her eyes burned with determination.
"Yes! Full speed ahead!!"
She rushed toward the helm.
No matter who it is, if they dare to get close to Lord Tobirama, she'll see just how strong a warrior from Amazon Lily can be.
The massive merchant ship cut through the waves, leaving a white trail as it charged toward the East Blue.