One Piece - Heaven Defying Comprehension!

Calm Belt.

This part of the ocean is devoid of both wind and currents, making the waters eerily still. Because of its treacherous nature, it is almost impossible to navigate. Additionally, the Calm Belt is home to a large number of colossal Sea Kings, each one dozens, or even hundreds, of times larger than the typical Sea King.

Before the Marines developed warships capable of traversing the Calm Belt, it was nearly impenetrable and thus considered safe from intruders.

Within this perilous sea lies an island known as Amazon Lily, also referred to as the Isle of Women.

At this moment, in the grandest palace on Amazon Lily, a woman of exceptional beauty and flawless figure sat atop the highest throne. 

Her long black hair was styled in a traditional princess hairstyle. She had striking eyes, sharp and slightly cold almond-shaped pupils, with delicate features: a high nose, soft lips, and no wrinkles marring her perfect face. Snake-shaped golden earrings dangled from her ears, and she exuded an air of nobility and elegance.

This woman was known across the seas as the most beautiful in the world—one of the Seven Shichibukai of the Sea, and the user of the Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, the Love-Love Fruit: Pirate Empress Boa Hancock.

On either side of her stood her two younger sisters, Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold, whose appearances starkly contrasted with Hancock's.

Standing before them was an elderly woman with a cane, holding a stack of newspapers and a wanted poster. This was Granny Nyon, the former Empress of Amazon Lily.

"Snake Princess, something big has happened on the seas," Granny Nyon said, holding up the newspaper. "A fifth Emperor has been crowned."

"A fifth Emperor?" Sandersonia and Marigold's eyes widened in shock.

Although Hancock was revered as the Pirate Empress and one of the Seven Shichibukai, the Four Emperors of the New World reigned supreme, ruling over the second half of the Grand Line like true monarchs. The gap between them and the Shichibukai was vast—they operated on entirely different levels.

After all, Hancock had joined the Seven Shichibukai primarily to protect Amazon Lily, as it had become vulnerable after the Marines invented warships capable of sailing through the Calm Belt.

The Seven Shichibukai of the Sea were a system created by the World Government to help maintain balance, allowing the Navy to contend with the Four Emperors.

Now, a new Emperor had emerged?

"Who permitted you to enter my palace unannounced?" Hancock asked, lifting her chin slightly as she rested it against her hand, her face regal and proud.

"I don't care about this news," she said dismissively. "Just throw her out."

Her words were indifferent, but her expression was cold.

"Wait! Snake Princess! I was the previous Empress—you can't treat me like this!" Granny Nyon cried as the guards moved toward her, their eyes filled with hostility.

"No matter what I do, I'll always be forgiven," Hancock said with a radiant smile.

"Because I am... so beautiful."

"Ah! Hancock-sama!" The palace guards swooned over her beauty, immediately turning into love-struck admirers.

Ignoring Granny Nyon's protests, they lifted her up and carried her out.

"Sister, Granny Nyon only means well," Sandersonia tried to intercede.

"I haven't been in a good mood lately," Hancock muttered, rubbing her temples as her eyes became distant.

Sandersonia and Marigold exchanged knowing glances, both aware of what was troubling their sister. It was likely the summons to the upcoming Shichibukai meeting in the Holy Land, Mariejois.

The name Mariejois brought dark memories for the sisters. Just hearing it left them feeling uneasy.

"Still, this Fifth Emperor sounds formidable," Marigold said, hoping to shift Hancock's focus as she picked up the discarded newspaper.

"He destroyed Enies Lobby, one of the three great pillars of the World Government. He also attacked the Marine reinforcements that came to their aid, killing one Vice Admiral and severely wounding four others. Not only that, but he's recruited top-tier Devil Fruit users under his command: Sand-Sand Fruit, Thunder Fruit, and Bird-Bird Fruit—Mythical Model: Phoenix! They're all immensely powerful!"

Marigold read aloud while keeping an eye on Hancock's reaction, but Hancock didn't seem interested. She simply frowned deeper.

"Well, sister, you should get some rest. We'll leave you be," Marigold said gently, beginning to walk away, but then froze as a piece of the newspaper slipped from her hand.

"This... this can't be!" Marigold's eyes widened in shock.

"What is it?" Sandersonia asked, retrieving the paper.

Hancock, noticing her sisters' sudden alarm, turned her attention towards them, her eyes now sharp.

"This is breaking news from the World Economic Journal!" Sandersonia gasped.

"Breaking news: The Fifth Emperor of the Sea, Portgas D. Ace, disrupted the Shichibukai meeting in the Holy Land, Mariejois. Through unknown means, Ace used a transponder snail to exude his Conqueror's Haki, knocking out numerous Celestial Dragons and plunging the holy city into chaos!"

Marigold's words made Hancock's pupils contract.

She snatched the newspaper from Sandersonia and read it with wide, astonished eyes.

"Conqueror's Haki? The same ability as mine, transmitted through a transponder snail? And he knocked out Celestial Dragons... in Mariejois?!"

Sandersonia's voice trembled. "Marine reports that Ace's Conqueror's Haki is on par with the Red-Haired Emperor, Shanks. His mastery of it far surpasses ours. And he dared to target the Celestial Dragons in the Holy Land!"

"The Fifth Emperor of the Sea... Portgas D. Ace..." Hancock whispered, staring at the bounty poster of Ace.

She bit her lip, the weight of the situation sinking in.

"Summon Granny Nyon."

Her voice was sharp and commanding.

"Yes, sister," Sandersonia responded immediately and rushed out of the room.

"Someone actually dared to challenge the Celestial Dragons... in Mariejois, no less? Are there really people foolish enough to do such a thing?"

Hancock's lips tightened, and her eyes sparkled with intrigue as she continued reading.

Revolutionary Army Headquarters

At this moment, laughter echoed through the halls.

"Sabo, you did great this time. You completed the mission perfectly," said a girl with orange hair, smiling at a man with wavy blonde hair and a scar over his left eye.

"Hahaha! He truly is the pride of our revolutionary army! It won't be long before you become the second-in-command!" added a fishman with a hearty laugh.

"Koala, Hack, I just did what needed to be done. As for becoming the second-in-command, I'm still not qualified enough," Sabo said, smiling modestly. The man with wavy blonde hair was none other than Sabo, the brother of Ace and Luffy.

"With your skills, Sabo, age doesn't matter at all," replied another man, this one with large tattoos on his face. He was none other than Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army and the world government's most wanted criminal.

"Take some rest, Sabo. The next mission will be even tougher. The seas are already in turmoil," Dragon sighed.

"Yes, there's truly someone remarkable on the seas now... The fifth Emperor of the Sea, a user of Conqueror's Haki rivaling even Red-Haired Shanks. He possesses the powers of the Mera-Mera Fruit. They call him the Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace. Quite an amazing title," one of the cadres remarked, glancing at Sabo. "He seems to be around your age, Sabo. So don't keep talking about being too young for the second-in-command role."

Sabo had been walking away but suddenly froze. "Mera-Mera Fruit user... Emperor of Flame... Portgas D. Ace?!"

With a loud thud, Sabo snatched the newspaper from the cadre's hand so forcefully that the cadre was knocked aside.

"Hey, Sabo! What's wrong?" Koala asked, alarmed.

Dragon, too, turned his attention to Sabo, his gaze sharpening.

Sabo, usually calm and protective of his comrades, was now trembling, tears dripping onto the newspaper.

"Portgas D. Ace? No! Ace! He's... he's my brother!" Sabo cried out, tears streaming down his face.

"Your brother?!" The revolutionary army cadres gasped in shock.

"Ace... I remember now. And Luffy too. They're both my brothers. Your name is echoing across the seas, Ace. I've heard it! Even after losing my memories, I've found you again!"

Sabo's tear-filled face lit up with the brightest smile since he'd left Windmill Village.

He recalled a time when the three of them—Sabo, Ace, and Luffy—had talked about the future while drinking together.

"Ace, should we come up with a way to stay in touch? A code of some kind?" Sabo had asked back then.

Ace had turned to face the ocean, his smile brimming with confidence. "We don't need anything like that," Ace laughed. "My name will be known across the entire sea. Sabo, Luffy—no matter where you are, you'll hear of me."

Sabo's heart swelled with emotion. "You were right, Ace. Even in the revolutionary army, even with my lost memories... Your name reached me. I remember everything now, my brother."

With tears of joy, Sabo exclaimed, "Ace, my brother!"

"Hey, Sabo, is this Portgas D. Ace really your brother?" Koala asked, still in disbelief.

"I'll explain everything in time, Leader," Sabo said, wiping his tears as he turned to Dragon.

Dragon raised an eyebrow, noticing the fiery determination in Sabo's eyes.

"I want to talk to you about the future, Leader. My brother, Portgas D. Ace, spoke of building a future. I want to be his right hand, to help him shape that future!" Sabo declared.

"Let me hear it," Dragon replied, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he headed toward the conference room.

Sabo clenched his fists and followed closely behind, his eyes burning with renewed resolve.

"Ace, I remember everything. I'm no longer weak. But even now, I'm still not on your level, the fifth Emperor of the Sea. But I'll get stronger! I'll be strong enough to stand by your side, like Luffy, and help you achieve your great dream."

Sabo's lips curled into a smile as he followed Dragon into the room.

---

Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office

In his office, Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat with a hand pressed against his forehead, frustration etched into his features.

Opposite him sat Tsuru, calmly sipping tea. Next to her was Gion, still recovering from recent injuries, wrapped in bandages.

"Damn that Morgans!" Sengoku slammed a newspaper onto the table. "Broadcasting the events of the Shichibukai meeting! Our Marine is in deep trouble now!"

During the meeting, Ace had used Conqueror's Haki to knock out countless Celestial Dragons. It had been an unspoken understanding between the World Government and the Marines to suppress the incident, as the nobility's image must remain untarnished. If the Celestial Dragons were harmed, the Marines were duty-bound to send Admirals to their aid and arrest the perpetrators.

But Morgans, always eager for sensational news, had uncovered the story and broadcast it to the world, throwing the Marines into chaos.

"Boom!" 

Just as Sengoku was lost in thought, the door flew open.

"Fleet Admiral! The Red-Haired Pirates have disappeared from their base in the New World and are headed toward the first half of the Grand Line!" a Marine officer reported urgently.

"What?!" Sengoku's eyes widened in shock. Tsuru's face also turned grim, and even Gion looked alarmed.

"And it's not just them. Kaido has also left Onigashima, transforming into his Azure Dragon form and heading for the same location—the first half of the Grand Line!" 

Beads of sweat appeared on Sengoku's forehead. Two of the Four Emperors were moving toward the first half of the Grand Line?!

What could possibly be happening there to draw the attention of both emperors?

Sengoku and Tsuru exchanged horrified glances.

"Portgas D. Ace!" they both muttered simultaneously.

Could the three Emperors be planning a clash in the first half of the Grand Line?

"Get Garp back here immediately! Summon all Vice Admirals and above for an emergency meeting! Cancel all leave for any available officers!" Sengoku barked orders.

"Yes, sir!" The Marine officer hurried off.

"The seas are about to erupt into chaos," Tsuru sighed.

Gion's face was pale, and Sengoku's expression darkened.

A war could be on the horizon.