One Piece: Legacy of the Pirate King

Chapter 23

One Piece: Legacy of the Pirate King

The sky stretched wide above the Grand Line, and the sea shimmered with calm. But beneath that peace, something ancient stirred—a whisper older than the Void Century, older than the world government, older than even Joy Boy's legend.

The world was safe now…

…but the Will of D. was never meant to sleep forever.

It began on a lonely cliff near Foosha Village, where a straw hat once rested on a boy's head.

Lian D. Luffy knelt in front of a grave made of coral and windstone.

His father stood beside him, arms crossed, silent.

The name carved into the stone was worn but powerful:

"Portgas D. Ace."

"Did you ever meet him?" Lian asked softly.

Luffy nodded, his eyes shadowed. "He was my brother. My fire."

Lian traced the letters with his fingers. "Do you think… I'll ever be strong enough to protect people like you and Ace did?"

Luffy smirked.

"You already are."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world…

In the deepest chamber of Marijoa's ruins, something pulsed beneath the rubble.

A black cube—a relic from before time—glowed for the first time in a thousand years.

And deep within it, a voice awakened:

"The Bloodline Survives."

A figure stepped from the shadows—not human. Slender. Ethereal. Eyes like ink bleeding into water.

She whispered, "The Seed of the Next King has been born."

Back on Foosha Village

Luffy and Lian stood watching the sea. Hancock was sitting a few steps away, smiling, her fingers weaving small braids into Lian's hair without him noticing.

"I'm gonna start my own crew," Lian declared suddenly.

Luffy raised a brow. "You sure?"

"I've trained at Pirate School. I've fought illusions, robots, Rin, Sera, Lucien... and mom when I accidentally broke her vase."

Hancock nodded. "You survived me. You're ready."

"But," Lian added with a grin, "I don't want to be the Pirate King."

Luffy blinked. "No?"

"I want to be the Freedom King. Not rule the seas… just free the people who are still stuck in fear."

Luffy laughed—hard, wild, full of pride.

"That's better than anything I ever dreamed."

Elsewhere…

In the New World, a shadowed ship sailed through storm and fire.

Onboard stood a man with eyes like polished black steel. His Jolly Roger was unknown. His crew silent.

He carried a blade made of obsidian.

And he whispered:

"Lian D. Luffy… we'll see if your father's blood truly runs through you."

He turned to the sea.

"Let the Second Era of Pirates… begin."

Preview: Chapter 24 – The Rising Flame Flag

Lian sets sail with his new crew of misfits, including a rebellious Sky Islander, a blind swordswoman, and a fishman pacifist. But before he can even name his ship, they're targeted by the Shadow Fleet—a group that has quietly conquered half of the Grand Line without anyone knowing.