One Piece: sign-in to Ryujin Jakka

Big Mom's scream of agony echoed in everyone's ears.

And immediately after, she collapsed, unconscious from her severe injuries.

Naturally, Katakuri stepped forward and took over as acting captain.

He ordered Brûlée to open the Mirro World and evacuate the crew inside.

The Mirro World—Brûlée's unique technique granted by the Mira Mira no Mi (Mirror-Mirror Fruit).

Without her permission, no one could enter that realm.

The VIPs present were utterly shocked to see the Big Mom Pirates... fleeing.

"These guys... they're just going to run away like that?!"

"Damn it, they were the ones who invited us here—and now they're leaving us behind?!"

"Looks like the title of Emperor of the Seas has been stolen by that guy, Zero!"

"They've lost. Of course, their top priority now is to save themselves."

"Never thought the first Tea Party would become Big Mom's self-induced grave."

"Forget it, let's not talk about that anymore—just run!"

"This island... it's probably finished!"

Under Roman's control, Ace slowly descended from the sky.

Then, Roman ignored him and flew back toward his Noah's Ark. He had finished his role. From here on out, it was White Dove's job.

But right then—

"Ack… Wait, Zero! Wait up!"

Ace, bearing the pain, chased after Roman.

"I want to join your organization! I want to grow stronger within it! I want to show the world that pirates from the Four Blues aren't weak!"

His fists clenched tight, his voice full of determination.

"Rejected. You're too weak."

Ace had talent—he was the Pirate King's son, after all—but he carried complicated mental burdens. He refused to use his Conqueror's Haki, believing it came from Gol D. Roger and thus rejecting it.

Since childhood—except for saving Luffy once—he had never used it again. He also relied too heavily on his Devil Fruit. Massive potential... but it was essentially utilized poorly.

Ace was clearly unwilling to accept this judgment.

His hands trembled. Frustration choking his heart. He had journeyed from Windmill Village, defeating every pirate he encountered. He thought his strength was far above the rest.

So he came to the New World, seeking to prove himself by defeating Big Mom.

But reality struck hard.

His smooth sailing had been pure luck—he'd only faced weaklings. Now, after being defeated by Big Mom and saved by Roman, a seed had been planted in his heart.

He wanted to become stronger—desperately.

"Please! Let me join! I want to grow stronger! I want to sail freely across these seas!"

By now, everyone else had fled. Only Roman and Ace remained on the chaotic island.

Roman's footsteps stopped. He turned to look at Ace. Ace's heart pounded. He couldn't see Roman's eyes beneath the cloak.

Cold sweat broke out on his brow.

"You have potential. Tremendous potential."

Ace's heart leapt with joy, but before he could respond—

"But I haven't sensed your determination."

Roman's voice softened, as if only Ace could hear him.

"You've always rejected the power you inherited, haven't you? Son of Gol D. Roger."

Time froze.

On the ruined Cake Island, Ace's heart trembled violently.

"How… how do you know that?!"

"I know far more than you think. Luffy, Sabo… They're your brothers, aren't they?"

Every word made Ace's heart colder. He didn't even know this man—but this man knew everything about the three brothers. Was this the intelligence network of that mysterious organization?

Too powerful…

"If you don't want to regret your future—then accept your latent power. For it is the power of 'Protection'."

Roman turned, no longer concerned.

Whether Ace could grasp it or not didn't matter.

But just as he turned away—

BOOM!

A strong burst of Conqueror's Haki erupted from behind. Ace stepped forward. He extended his fist toward Roman.

"Let me join! I want to become strong enough to protect the people I care about!"

Roman turned back, smiling faintly.

"Seems you've untied the knot in your heart. Congratulations. Welcome to the team. But I'll tell you in advance—our training is on hell mode."

"No matter how hard it is—I don't care! I just want to grow stronger!"

Roman activated his Rooster Talisman.

Ace felt himself lifted into the sky, uncontrollably. The Noah's Ark nearby floated up with him. The two soared into the sky aboard the ark.

Ace's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"To sail through the sky... this is insane!"

"Oh right, Zero—what's our organization called?"

Roman smiled.

"Our name is—Asayatori."

"Asayatori?!"

Ace repeated it, but didn't quite grasp the meaning.

So Roman explained:

"Asayatori means 'Morning-Evening Bird.' In particular, it refers to the crow. Many people hate crows and fear them because they believe they're harbingers of death—but they don't know that crows are in retrospective, the most filial and disciplined of all birds."

"Crows… are birds of peace."

"Birds of peace…" Ace echoed.

Ace's eyes lit up with an even brighter glow.

At that moment, he realized that in front of him was an endless blue sky.

In every sense of the word.