A LONG TIME AGO

Nico Olvia was only eighteen.

In her life, she had already hit rock bottom and tasted the dark side. She had experienced a lot of suffering and loss. She also learned that time is very flexible and malleable in skillful hands. But despite all the difficulties, the girl held her head high. Ever since the Vice Admiral of the former Navy beheaded her.

Two graceful arms were always on her back and held head a couple of inches above the stump of the neck. Hana-Hana fruit kept her from dying, though it took a lot of time and grueling training to keep this passive effect effortless.

Olvia walked with her eyes closed, treading barefoot on the cold metal floor. She was returning from a hidden underground chamber. From where secrets lurked among the permafrost. The deed had been done. Perhaps the blackest deed she was capable of. But Olvia had no choice. She personally directed the operation, personally made sure that the servants of the Great House were in the right place and time to strike.

Fisher Tiger. Rumbar Pirates. Carpenter Tom. They and many others were successfully extracted before they could do any damage. There were some issues with the Red Hair Pirates. They and Garp put up a challenge, but eventually were dealt with.

Sora Vinsmoke died in childbirth of her youngest son. Bell-mere did not participate in the battle with the pirates in the Kingdom of Oikot. Refugee ships from Wano got caught in a storm and did not make it to East Blue. The mysterious devil fruit was successfully delivered to its destination and hidden far from mortal eyes.

Her new masters could not directly destroy this crew. But they could make sure it never existed. Waves of chaos, unpredictable consequences swept across the world. The butterfly effect. Now history could turn in any direction, which was still preferable to the events that had transpired for them.

When she stepped out of the elevator, a tall young man in a business suit was already waiting for her. His golden hair glistened in the dim light of the electric lamps. The young man frowned when he saw the thick purple tears on Olvia's face. She never opened her eyes, but still bestowed him with an indulgent smile. “Rosinante.”

“You did press the big red button, didn't you, Niko-san?”

“It's for the best.”

“Not for them, though” He grinned, but there was anxiety in his smile. This young girl had just erased her own daughter from reality. Her beauty was quite deceptive.

“Not for everyone. Just for those who truly matter.” Another hand grew from Olvia's shoulder and took the young man under the elbow. “Shall we go?”

They reached the elevator in silence before Rosinante, as if by accident, blurted. “The harpy has escaped.”

“Do you know where she is now?” Olvia asked.

“No. But we know exactly when she is”

“So be it.” She shrugged. “What can this woman even do? Who would believe her? Just another mad person in the crowd.”

Rosinante watched through the glass of the elevator cab at the great hall. Hundreds of fighters of all shapes and sizes in sleek black armor stood below, ready for battle. There were still many who resisted Unification. The revolutionaries, granted. The remnants of the Navy. The strong pirates. But their conversion or their demise was only a matter of time. He took out a cigarette. “Do you mind?”

“When had that ever stopped you?”

The young man exhaled a cloud of blue smoke. “Sometimes even one person can change history. Wasn't the point of this entire thing to prevent something like this from happening?”

“Only the Sun God could prevent the gathering. But as long as the drums of liberation are silent, there will be no issue.” Olvia looked at him with an unseeing gaze and said again. “What could she do? Put a crew together? She doesn't have the brains for that. And even if she could, they are just ordinary people now. Without ambition, gray masses, just like everyone else. It only takes a slight change in the course of events, and that's it... Nothing outstanding remains. There's no feat if there's no hero. And there will be heroes left when we finish. Except of Great House.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“Just a suggestion, but maybe you shouldn't underestimate..." He dropped the burning ash on his sleeve. The fabric burst into flames. “Ugh!”

“Are you worried about her? Oh yes, she was your brother's subordinate, wasn't she?” Olvia snorted. “Fear not. Unlike his, her death will be quick and easy.”

“I have no doubts about that, Niko-san.” He replied calmly, continuing to look down and shaking the ash off his ruined suit. The third in a month. Olvia's hand rested on his shoulder.

The elevator doors opened. The lamps on this level burned too brightly. It was time for him to face the Assembly.

“Heads up, Rosinante. A whole new world awaits us.” she said, and without flinching stepped out into the blinding light.

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ANOTHER TIME. CERTAIN SMALL ISLAND IN THE EAST

The shaggy, dark-haired boy sat on a rock and stared at the ocean. His stomach rumbled loudly. He had been sitting on the rock for a long time and was really hungry by now. But his grandfather told him to wait here, so the boy was afraid to even move. Grandfather is like that; he can beat the boy with his fist for disobedience. It is not a good thing to hit children, but boy is already an adult, at almost four years old. He can take it.

The sun fell below the horizon, and the moon rose. The boy fell asleep right on the stone, and when he woke up it was already hot afternoon. Somewhere far away a ship glimpsed and disappeared just as quickly. Toward the evening of the second day, the boy heard the flapping of huge wings. He thought it was another big sea bird that came to eat him and hid behind this big rock.

The bird landed on the beach nearby. It had long legs, like a heron, with big shiny claws. It also had short shorts, a dirty T-shirt, and dark green hair tied back in a ponytail. Birds didn't usually wear glasses, but the boy didn't know much about birds. As he peeked out from his hiding place, he saw a strange woman with wings and bird legs. She wandered slowly along the shore, as if looking for someone. “Come on, come out. Be a good boy…”

At first, he noticed the smell. Then boy saw a steamed meat bun in her "hand." Her broad feathers held it like fingers. Hunger overcame fear. The boy didn't notice how he was already crawling along the sand towards the bun.

“Right. It was easier than I thought.” The winged lady said with a smile and handed him the treat. “Here we go. Don’t be scared. I won’t bite you.”

He almost chewed the feathers. The bun disappeared in a flash.

“Poor little thing. How long have you been here? Wow, what a good appetite. It's all right, I've got more.”

The entire food supply was soon destroyed by the insatiable child.

All the while, she watched him with a smile.

“Thank you, big sis.”  The boy muttered contentedly. “Got a snack?”

“Seriously? You just ate three days' worth of food. But I know where to find more. If you get in my backpack, I'll take you there.”

He shook his head. “Uh-uh. I have to stay here. Otherwise, Grandpa won't find me when he comes back, and then he'll give me a real beating!”

The winged lady suddenly became serious and turned back to look at the ocean. It was still empty. She exhaled and patted the boy on the head. “Listen, Luffy-kun. I’ve met your grandfather. He told me a lot about you. He also asked me to take you away from here. He can't make it yet. You're not gonna wait for him on the rock forever, right? He'll find us later, you'll see!”

Luffy picked his nose while thinking.

“My name is Monet. I think we're going to be great friends.”

The boy's gears were grinding in his head.

“If we fly now, we can make it in time for dinner.” she added.

A moment later he was already in his backpack.

“We'll definitely be friends.” Monet said with a grin as she rose into the air.

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14 YEARS LATER. WORLD ECONOMIC NEWS

Excitement continues to build as city centers around the globe prepare to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of Unification Day. Tens of thousands gather at the site of the signing of the historic treaty that ended the tyranny of the so-called World Government and began the enlightened federation of the Allied Islands. The Great House of Shinrei keeps the oath made to the people of this world and continues to lead them into a bright, equal future. Twenty new conversion centers will be built in select cities before the end of the year.

Despite increased attacks by radical elements and demonic breakthroughs, the situation remains stable thanks to the wise leadership of the Assembly. Four Everchosen are always vigilant and Adepts of the Leng Clan respond swiftly to any threats.

A reminder that eating a Devil Fruit can be dangerous to your health. Spawn rate of Cursed Fruits has increased by 29% in the last ten years.

Additionally, if you have awakened unknown abilities without consuming the fruit, you should contact the nearest Great House Consulate immediately. Concealment of unauthorized abilities is punishable by up to twenty years or death. Any peaceful contact between civilians and demons is also punishable by death.

We wish you a pleasant and holy day!