"Embers of Fate"

Chapter 15: Winds of Change
The Going Merry glided through the calm waters of a distant island, its sails billowing gently in the wind. The island itself was small, a quiet place untouched by the chaos of the seas. It was the perfect place for the crew to take a moment to regroup, repair their ship, and resupply for the journey ahead. However, as they approached the harbor, an air of unease still lingered.

Rosé stood near the bow, her gaze distant as she watched the water flow beneath her. The ocean always called to her, but today it felt different. There was a strange tension in the air, as if the water itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

Beside her, Ace leaned against the railing, his eyes scanning the horizon. "You alright?" he asked, his voice soft but knowing. He had seen the look in her eyes before—something was troubling her, and he wasn't about to let it slide.

Rosé sighed and glanced over at him, her expression troubled. "I don't know, Ace. Everything feels off. I know we've dealt with a lot of enemies before, but this... this feels like something much bigger. Korrin's words keep ringing in my ears. A war? A new order? What does he mean by all that?"

Ace's lips tightened as he processed her words. He had heard Korrin's offer as clearly as the rest of them, and while his instincts told him to trust no one, he knew Rosé was right to feel uneasy. "You're not wrong," he said, his voice firm. "We've always dealt with pirates and marines, but this sounds different. Korrin isn't just trying to scare us—he's part of something bigger. And I have a feeling we're not going to be able to avoid it forever."

The sound of the crew bustling behind them broke the tension. Luffy had already jumped off the ship, leading the others to the island with his usual boundless energy. Zoro, Nami, and Usopp were right behind him, ready to explore the island and gather supplies.

"I think we should stay vigilant," Rosé said, turning back to face Ace. "We don't know who else might be watching us, or who Korrin might have sent after us. If this war really is coming, we need to be prepared."

Ace nodded, his usual fiery confidence now tempered with caution. "Agreed. Let's keep our eyes open. But for now, let's get the supplies we need. No point in worrying too much about the storm until we see it coming."

The two of them joined the rest of the crew on the island, though Rosé couldn't shake the nagging feeling in her chest. The island seemed peaceful enough—quaint villages lined the coastline, with bustling marketplaces full of fresh produce and trinkets. Yet something about the atmosphere felt off. It wasn't the island itself—it was the world around them.

As the crew split up to gather supplies, Rosé found herself walking along the beach, the sound of the waves lapping against the shore calming her thoughts. The ocean felt more alive today, the water curling around her feet in an almost affectionate way. She could sense its pull more than ever, its currents and swells like an old friend calling to her. But there was something more beneath the surface, something dark and waiting.

She closed her eyes, focusing on the rhythm of the sea, letting the cool breeze fill her lungs. Her power—the power to control water—was growing stronger, but it was also becoming more unpredictable. The more she used it, the more it felt like it was pulling her in, like the sea itself was trying to claim her.

"You've been quiet," Ace said, approaching from behind. His presence was familiar, comforting, and for a moment, Rosé was grateful for the steadiness he brought. "Anything on your mind?"

She turned to face him, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "I'm starting to feel like I'm losing control. Every time I call the ocean, it feels like it wants to take me with it. Like it's trying to drag me down."

Ace's expression softened as he stepped closer. He could see the fear in her eyes, the way she was struggling with the overwhelming power inside her. "I won't let that happen," he said firmly. "You're not alone, Rosé. You never were. Whatever's coming, we face it together."

Rosé nodded, grateful for his words. But deep down, she knew that the battle ahead wouldn't be easy. Korrin's cryptic warnings haunted her, and the looming conflict felt like a storm waiting to break.

Meanwhile, the rest of the crew had gathered in the market square, but their jovial mood was short-lived. As Luffy cheered about the new food he had found, Zoro was the first to notice something odd—a group of men in black coats loitering near the docks, watching the Going Merry.

"Hey, Nami, you see those guys?" Zoro muttered under his breath, his sharp eyes narrowing.

Nami, who had been examining some maps, glanced over. Her expression darkened. "Yeah, I see them. I don't like the look of this. They don't seem like locals."

Usopp, who had been tinkering with a new invention, joined them, squinting at the men. "Are they marines? Pirates? I don't know, but I've got a bad feeling about this."

Ace and Rosé arrived just in time to hear the conversation, and both of them immediately stiffened, their senses alert. Rosé's eyes scanned the men carefully, her body instinctively responding to the threat. "They're not locals," she confirmed, her voice low. "But they don't look like marines either. Whoever they are, they're trouble."

Luffy, still unfazed, grinned and started walking toward the men. "Hey, hey! What's up, guys? You wanna join the party?"

"No, Luffy!" Nami shouted, grabbing his arm. "You don't just walk up to strange people like that! We don't know who they are!"

But Luffy was already pulling away, eager to meet the new strangers. Ace and Zoro exchanged an exasperated look before following him.

"Luffy, wait!" Rosé called, but it was too late. The group of men had already noticed Luffy's approach.

The leader of the group, a tall man with long, silver hair and a scar running across his face, stepped forward. His eyes were cold and calculating. "So, you're the infamous Straw Hat Pirates," he said, his voice carrying a hint of disdain.

Luffy smiled brightly. "Yup! That's us! What's up?"

"We're not here to chat," the man replied, pulling out a large sword from his back. "We've been sent to take you down."

The tension in the air snapped like a whip. The crew immediately dropped into defensive stances, ready for whatever came next. The strange men weren't pirates. They weren't marines. They were something else—mercenaries, perhaps? And judging by the way they approached, they meant business.

Rosé's body tensed as the sea stirred beneath her feet. The ocean was restless, as if it could feel the danger too. She could hear the whispers of the waves, feel them pushing against her, urging her to strike.

Ace stood beside her, his flames flickering. "Looks like we've got company."

The battle was about to begin.