NOVEL WEB Chapter 30: ReWrite - Chapter 21: The Name That Echoes
The Report that Stirred the Calm
It had been days since the boy—no, the storm—named Allen D. Walker erased the name of Dregg the Ravager from the seas. In Marineford, the heart of the World Government's might, the air was tense yet calm. Until it wasn't.
The doors to Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office burst open with an urgent thud.
"Admiral! You might wanna take a look at this." A young marine officer, sweat beading down his forehead, handed over a report.
Sengoku adjusted his glasses, eyes narrowing as they skimmed the lines. He stopped reading halfway, his eyes frozen on a single name: Allen D. Walker.
"He took down Dregg? Alone?" he asked, voice deadpan.
"Yes sir. Locals confirmed. The pirate was found dead, his body frozen from the inside out and burnt to a crisp at the same time. There's more—rumors say the boy used Conqueror's Haki."
Sengoku's jaw clenched. His eyes turned serious.
"Get Monkey D. Garp. Now."
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Scene Two: Old Men, New Storms
"Hehehehe, what's this now? Another brat making waves?" Garp laughed as he strolled into the office, chewing a rice cracker. "You dragging me back into paperwork hell again, Sengoku?"
Sengoku slapped the report into his hands.
"Read it."
Garp's brows rose as he scanned through. His jaw slowly dropped.
"D Walker... that name's not just any name," he muttered. "Did he say anything about being related to Hades?"
Sengoku crossed his arms. "That's what I want you to find out. He's a loose cannon. Strong—very strong—and young. The kind of man we either want in our ranks... or out of the picture."
Garp cracked his knuckles. "Hehehe. I'll check him out. Who knows, maybe he's got potential. If he doesn't kill me first."
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The World Murmurs
The news spread like wildfire. In the North Blue, South Blue, all the way to the Grand Line—everyone was speaking of it.
"A kid with the D. name killed Dregg? Alone?"
"They say he used some ancient power—like a god descending."
"Dregg's crew said he walked through fire and ice like they were nothing."
In remote taverns, in smoky bounty offices, in highborn salons and pirate dens alike—the world paused to wonder.
Who is Allen D. Walker?
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Flames Remembered
Far away, on a quiet island cloaked in protective mist, Serena D. Walker sat beneath a sakura tree, brushing her daughter's hair.
"Mama! Look!" Serene held up the newspaper with wide eyes. The headline was bold:
"BOY WITH 'D' NAME KILLS DREGG!"
Serena took the paper, heart lurching. Her fingers tightened as she scanned the article.
Hades walked over, his normally stoic face unreadable.
"It's begun," he muttered.
"He's already made a name for himself..." Serena whispered. "My little flame... the world has started to hear your echo."
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Training Grounds of Monsters
Allen stood barefoot on the rocky training ground of the island, shirtless and sweat-soaked. A golden aura of Haki wrapped around his form, burning like a second skin.
Opposite him stood Rika, focused, hands glowing with inner flame. Her growth in the last few weeks had been astonishing.
Allen smirked. "Come at me again, Rika. Harder this time."
Behind them, sitting comfortably on a rock, Boros yawned and stretched. "You two are such try-hards. Relax. Flexing muscles and glowing eyes won't cook me breakfast."
Veyr, their mysterious guardian, leaned against a tree, watching with sharp eyes. he said nothing, but his gaze held pride.
Rika launched herself at Allen, fists flying, her Haki sparking against his. Allen easily parried, laughing, but she caught him off guard with a feint.
"Good! That's what I'm talkin' about!" he shouted.
Boros chuckled. "They grow up so fast... from baby demon to actual demon."
Allen didn't stop. His eyes flickered—one dark, one golden. Energy surged around him.
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The Echo That Shakes Thrones
Somewhere within the labyrinthine shadows of Mariejois, the echo of Allen's name whispered through ancient halls.
In a chamber bathed in eerie white, a man with flowing silver hair—Shanks' father, the commander of the Holy Knights—stood silently, reading the same paper.
"D Walker... That bloodline stirs again," he said, voice low.
Another man, cloaked, responded, "Even Imu once feared that man Hades... if the boy carries the same wrath, we must act."
The Holy Knight's gaze sharpened. "No. We watch. The world has changed. If the First Flame truly stirs... we may see the heavens kneel again."
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End of Chapter 21
Next Chapter Tease: Garp meets Allen face to face. Brotherhood and sparks collide. A choice is offered. A legacy is challenged.