Location: A remote island in the New World — Eida Isle
The sky raged over the sea like a wounded beast. Black clouds churned with fury, lightning danced across the heavens, and the waves towered high enough to swallow ships whole. In the midst of the chaos, an island stood firm—rugged, wild, and forgotten by the world.
This was Eida Isle, a land untouched by the World Government, shrouded in mystery and tales of ancient warriors. Locals called it cursed. Sailors whispered of children born with unnatural gifts. But no one dared to go near it.
Except one ship.
The Oro Jackson.
The legendary ship cut through the waves with a will of its own, its mast unyielding even as thunder cracked above. At its helm stood the Pirate King himself—Gol D. Roger—his coat billowing behind him, laughter booming louder than the storm.
"Hahaha! This sea's alive tonight!" Roger roared. "This island, Rayleigh—it's callin' to me."
Beside him, Silvers Rayleigh, the Dark King, narrowed his eyes. "You feel it too, huh?"
Roger grinned. "There's something on that island. No—someone."
Meanwhile, deep in the island's forest...
The rain hissed through the trees. A boy stood barefoot on a cliff overlooking the sea, his eyes closed, breathing slow and even. Not a single drop touched his skin—each raindrop curved slightly around him, pushed away by an invisible force.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. Golden irises flared with intense focus.
"They've arrived," he murmured.
He moved like a phantom. His hand gripped the worn handle of a wooden practice sword strapped to his back, and with one swift motion, he vanished into the trees.
The villagers of Eida watched from afar, hiding behind stone huts, whispering the boy's name with both reverence and fear.
"Toni... the Storm Child."
Back at the shoreline
The Oro Jackson dropped anchor in the bay. Roger stepped onto the rocky beach first, followed by Rayleigh and a much younger Shanks and Buggy.
The moment Roger's boots touched the wet ground, he grinned.
"He's close."
"Who?" Buggy asked, shivering. "What are we even doing here? I thought we were going to find a poneglyph!"
"Not today," Rayleigh said. "Today's about something else."
Suddenly, the air changed.
Even the storm seemed to pause.
From the shadows of the trees stepped a boy, no older than Shanks, wearing ragged black clothing. His hair was short and dark, soaked from the rain. But his eyes—those golden eyes—pierced like swords. He moved with the grace of a trained killer and the calm of a monk.
Roger's grin widened.
"There you are."
The boy didn't speak. His gaze scanned each member of the crew, and the moment his eyes landed on Roger—
His knees buckled. He dropped into a kneel. Not out of fear. But instinct.
Rayleigh tensed. "What was that just now...?"
"Observation Haki," Roger whispered. "And an advanced form of it, too."
Shanks stared in awe. "He's my age..."
Buggy grumbled. "Tch. Probably some island freak."
The boy finally spoke. His voice was calm, but not cold. "You're loud. Even your soul screams when you walk."
Roger burst into laughter. "Hahaha! What's your name, boy?"
The boy stood. "Toni."
"Toni, huh?" Roger stepped forward, no hesitation. "You've got a monster's presence. You ever sailed before?"
"No."
"Ever killed anyone?"
Toni's gaze didn't flinch. "I don't know. I never had to use my blade."
Shanks' eyes widened. "You carry a sword?"
Toni nodded. "It was left with me. Along with the dreams I can't remember."
Roger turned to Rayleigh. "He's not just some random kid. He's awakened. His haki's alive."
"And his sword?" Rayleigh asked.
Toni pulled the practice blade from his back. It was simple. Wooden. But it hummed with energy.
"This isn't the real one. Just a weight to carry until I'm worthy."
Roger's expression grew serious for a rare moment. He looked the boy over, then reached into his coat and pulled out a small golden coin marked with the Roger Pirates' emblem.
"Then come with us."
Toni blinked. "Why?"
"Because that strength of yours… it doesn't belong to this island. It belongs to the world. And I think you're destined to see its truth with us."
Toni hesitated for only a second.
Then he stepped forward and took the coin.
Later that night, on the Oro Jackson
Shanks sat across from Toni, eyes wide with curiosity. "So... you really can sense everything around you?"
Toni nodded. "I hear thoughts before words. I feel hearts before footsteps."
Shanks whistled. "That's crazy. Can you teach me?"
Toni gave a small smile. "If you teach me how to laugh like you."
They both chuckled.
Roger watched from the upper deck, arms crossed. "He's going to change things."
Rayleigh lit a cigar beside him. "Yeah. But not yet."
Roger nodded.
"The storm brought him to us. But the real storm's still coming."