The sea was a vast canvas of undulating blue, lit by the gentle glow of a waning afternoon sun. Aboard the Voidreign, an imposing and sleek vessel that now carried the legacy of a newly crowned emperor, Jessie stood on the foredeck, deep in thought. The silence of the sea had long replaced the clamor of past battles, and now was a moment of rare tranquility. But within that quiet, Jessie's mind was a whirlwind of calculations, reviews, and expectations as he surveyed his extraordinary crew.
It had been a month since the void-shattering victories that had sealed Voidreign's reputation. The world now trembled at the very mention of their name. Jessie knew that to navigate the New World, where every island and every enemy could mean life or death, his crew's hierarchy had to be as clear as it was formidable. Today, he intended to review and solidify the strength ranking among his closest allies—a process that was as much for strategy as it was for the pride of his family of pirates.
A Hierarchy of Might
Jessie paced slowly along the polished deck, eyes scanning his crew gathered in a semicircle on the main deck. His tone was thoughtful, yet carried the authority of a captain who had seen battle and now looked ahead with unyielding resolve.
"In our ranks, we have those who can shape the fate of the seas," he began, his voice projecting clear and firm over the gentle sway of the ship. "Our strength must not only be measured by our actions on the battlefield but by the legacy we carry and the potential we hold."
He paused, his gaze drifting toward each comrade as if weighing their very souls.
"At the pinnacle, we have our Emperor Levels," he continued. "Uta, Kuina, and Meruem—your strength, your skills, and your resolve have reached heights worthy of emperors. Uta's voice can now move mountains and mend broken hearts, Kuina's blade dances with the ferocity of a tempest, and Meruem, your raw, almost divine power makes you a force unlike any other."
Jessie nodded thoughtfully, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he recalled the moments he had witnessed their might in battle. He then continued, his voice carrying the weight of careful deliberation.
"Just below, in our Pseudo-Emperor tier, stands BlackEye—the embodiment of unexpected fury and relentless determination. Though you may appear like a placid creature lost in your own world of bamboo, your strength belies your unassuming facade. You hold the weight of an emperor in your heart."
A ripple of quiet laughter and mutual respect passed among the crew, each member acknowledging BlackEye's remarkable transformation since his days as a simple, unremarkable panda.
"And then, at the Admiral Level, we count on Vash the Stampede, and the Seraphim—both Mihawk and Hancock. Your mastery over your respective arts is not just a weapon against our enemies but a testament to what true strength can achieve when honed to perfection." Jessie's eyes glinted with satisfaction as he recalled the battles: Vash's sublime marksmanship that turned the tide of skirmishes; Mihawk's calculated, elegant brutality with his sword; and Hancock's sublime grace and power in every movement.
A Moment of Transformation
Later that day, Jessie made his way to the training yard, where the raw energy of his crew found its expression in motion and blade. The yard was a controlled chaos of clashing steel, spirited shouts, and the occasional roar of exertion. Among the flurry of movement, his attention was drawn to Kuina.
There, in a small clearing, Kuina practiced her swordsmanship with an intensity that bordered on transcendental. Her usual jet-blue hair was not as it had always been; as she entered the flow of Ultra Instinct, her hair seemed to turn a brilliant, almost ethereal white. It shone like moonlight over rippling water, each strand catching a glint of the fading sun.
Jessie watched from a distance, his heart swelling with both pride and relief. The power of Ultra Instinct—one he had deliberately reserved for his most promising warrior—had never been his to bear, for his observation haki was already at its peak. In choosing Kuina as the recipient of this gift, he had not only recognized her immense potential but also allowed his own strengths to remain complementary to hers.
Quietly, he approached her. "You're doing splendidly, Kuina," he remarked, his tone both warm and authoritative.
Kuina paused, lowering her blade in a moment of calm amid the intense training. "Thank you, Captain," she replied, her voice steady despite the palpable surge of newfound energy coursing through her limbs.
Jessie's smile was reminiscent of a proud parent watching their child soar. "Ultra Instinct suits you well," he said softly, "and it's exactly where you belong."
The moment was brief, yet it left an indelible mark on both of them. Kuina returned to her practice with renewed vigor, every strike and parry imbued with a clarity and grace that was awe-inspiring.
Setting Sail for New Horizons
As dusk fell, painting the sky with hues of violet and ember, the crew gathered for a briefing on the ship's upper deck. Jessie unfurled a meticulously detailed map, its lines and markings chronicling the treacherous passage to the New World. The destination was twofold: to pass through the infamous Sabaody Archipelago—a gateway through which legends were born—and to venture further into Fish-Man Island, where stories of enchanting mermaids had long been whispered with both reverence and desire.
Jessie's voice, firm yet laced with a subtle excitement, addressed the assembled crew. "The time has come to embark on the next leg of our journey. Sabaody Archipelago is our gateway to the New World, and beyond that lies Fish-Man Island—a realm of beauty and mystery. I am aware that many of you have dreams and aspirations tied to what you might find there. For some, the legends of the mermaids are irresistible."
A flush of amusement spread among the crew. Jessie's reputation, and his notorious glances in certain situations, were not lost on them—particularly Uta's, who exchanged an exasperated, affectionate glance with Kuina. Uta arched an eyebrow as Jessie's eyes briefly betrayed an almost playful glimmer, reminiscent of a pervert admiring something he knew he shouldn't.
"Hmph," Uta muttered under her breath, shaking her head as she turned her attention back to the map. She preferred to keep the focus on the journey rather than the captain's wandering thoughts, though even she couldn't suppress a small smile.
Jessie, ever the leader, continued his address. "We must navigate carefully through the archipelago. I expect every member of the Voidreign to stay vigilant. Pirates of all calibers roam those waters, and we cannot afford a single misstep. Yet, we will remain steadfast. Remember—our strength lies not only in our numbers but in our unity and resolve."
A Clash Among Arrogant Rivals
The following day, as the Voidreign approached the Sabaody Archipelago, an air of tension filled the decks. The once-calm ocean became a stage for conflict when a group of arrogant pirates, emboldened by their miscalculated strength, attacked out of sheer audacity. Their ships, painted in garish colors, surged forward like rabid dogs, their crews determined to test the might of the Voidreign.
The attack was sudden and ferocious. Cannons roared, and ragtag pirate vessels swarmed the Voidreign's periphery. Within moments, chaos erupted as swords clashed and guns roared. Amid the fray, Vash the Stampede sprang into action. His revolver became an extension of his will, unleashing rapid bursts of Haki-infused bullets that found their mark with ruthless precision. Each shot sent enemy ships skidding into the depths, their masts splintering like the brittle branches of a dying tree.
The attackers, caught off guard by such overwhelming firepower, quickly found themselves overwhelmed. The ship's mighty hull, bearing the proud emblem of a panda in a cowboy hat, served as a chilling reminder of Voidreign's indomitable spirit. Searing shouts and exclamations of terror echoed over the water as the invaders retreated, unwilling to face the full force of a new emperor of the sea.
As the Voidreign sailed closer to the archipelago, Jessie stood at the prow, watching the chaos dissipate into nothingness. The fire of battle was replaced by a calm that spoke of absolute control—a silent promise that no one would dare cross their path unchallenged.
The Arrival at Sabaody Archipelago
A few days later, the Voidreign neared the legendary Sabaody Archipelago. The archipelago, notorious as the sole gateway to the New World, was a labyrinth of mangroves, jagged rocks, and unpredictable tide patterns. It was said that only the bravest, or the most foolhardy, dared to set foot there. And now, the Voidreign, with its newly enhanced crew and awe-inspiring power, was among them.
The ship glided through the narrowing channel with practiced ease. However, when word of the "Panda Hat Flag" emblazoned on their vessel spread among the local pirate crews, the peaceful waters quickly transformed into a chaotic battleground. Rival pirates, unable to ignore the fear induced by the name "Fifth Emperor" and the ensuing reputation of the Voidreign, attacked with desperate ferocity.
Cannons roared as wooden hulls splintered. Amidst the melee, Vash's voice rang out, guiding his bullets with an artful precision that saw enemy after enemy crumble before them. The relentless barrage left no room for defiance—only retreat.
On the shore of an outlying inlet, at a location known as "Grooves 13," Jessie ordered the Voidreign to anchor. From that vantage point, he and a contingent of his most trusted crew members observed the retreating pirates. Shouts of terror filled the air as the once-confident attackers scattered, their eyes wide with the realization that the Fifth Emperor was not just a name but an unforgiving force of nature.
Just as the crew prepared to disembark onto land, a subtle vibration echoed within Jessie's mind—a familiar chime from the system.
[SYSTEM: Do you wish to check in?]
Jessie answered with smile, "Check-in."