In just four months, the impact of Netra spread across the world like wildfire. It was no longer just a tool—it was a revolution. From the smallest villages to the grandest cities, from humble fishermen to powerful nobles, Netra reshaped the way people communicated, bringing the world closer together than ever before.
In a small town in the East Blue, a Marine soldier named Henry sat on the docks, staring at the glowing panel before him. His hands trembled slightly as he hesitated before speaking. "Call Anna," he whispered.
For years, he had been away from home, stationed at distant Marine bases with only letters or rare Den Den Mushi calls to hear his wife's voice. Each letter had carried the weight of longing, and each call had been a brief moment of connection, cut short by static or time zone differences. He'd often found himself staring at the stars late at night, wondering if his words ever reached her, if she felt as distant as he did.
The idea of calling her so easily, of hearing her voice whenever he wanted, felt unreal—a luxury he had never dreamed of.
A moment later, a soft chime rang in his mind, and then—
"Henry?" a familiar, warm voice echoed.
His heart clenched. "Anna! It really works... I can hear you so clearly!" His voice wavered, thick with emotions he hadn't realized he was holding back. He could hear the sounds of the kids playing in the background, a sound he had longed for. It was as though no time had passed.
Anna laughed, a sound he had yearned to hear. "Of course it works, silly! Oh, the kids will be so happy! They keep asking when you'll come home!"
Tears welled in Henry's eyes. "Tell them their father will be back soon. And now... now I can talk to them every night." The weight of the years apart seemed to lift, even just a little. He had never imagined that something like this could be possible. He could feel his connection to his family growing stronger with every word spoken.
Across the seas, similar moments played out. A traveling merchant gasped as he successfully connected with a client in another ocean without the need for a messenger. He had spent days, sometimes weeks, just waiting for news or answers, the anxiety of whether his goods would reach their destination in time or if his client was even still interested, eating away at him.
He stared at the panel, his mind still buzzing with disbelief. He had heard rumors of Netra, but he hadn't dared to believe it was real. Could this really be happening?
He took a deep breath before activating the connection. "Hello, Mr. Gallo?"
A moment later, the face of the client appeared in his mind, clear as day. The merchant blinked, unsure whether to laugh or cry. "It worked... It actually worked!"
"Of course it did," the client's voice responded. "Let's get down to business. We need those goods shipped by next week."
The merchant felt a smile spread across his face. No more waiting, no more wondering. With Netra, business had become instantaneous, and for the first time, it felt like he was truly in control.
A young boy on a remote island screamed with joy as he spoke to his brother, who had joined a pirate crew. The boy had spent years hearing only stories of his brother's adventures through the rare letters and infrequent visits, but with Netra, the impossible had become a reality. No longer did they have to rely on scraps of paper and slow mailboats to stay in touch.
"Big brother, is that really you?" the boy shouted, his voice full of excitement.
The image of his brother appeared in the boy's mind, a grin on his face. "Yeah, little bro, it's me. We're heading to a new island, but I can always talk to you now. How's mom? How's everything back home?"
The boy's face lit up, his heart soaring at the sound of his brother's voice. "Mom's good! I miss you, though. Are you coming home soon?"
"I'll be there as soon as I can. Until then, we can talk every day," his brother said with a smile that was more comforting than any letter ever could be.
For the first time, distance didn't feel so lonely.
In the lawless seas of the New World, Captain Fargas of the Bloody Fangs Pirates leaned back in his chair, a wicked grin stretching across his face. The world of pirates had always been about chaos, secrecy, and surprise, but now, with Netra, they could operate with a level of coordination never before seen. The uncertainty that had long defined their lives was slipping away with each connection.
"Oi, Tera! Connect me to Redtooth."
Within moments, the gruff voice of his ally crackled through his mind. "Fargas? Damn, it's you. So this Netra thing ain't a hoax, huh?"
Fargas chuckled, the thrill of the new system coursing through him. "Nope, it's the real deal. No more waiting for damn messenger birds. We can plan our raids instantly now. The Marines are in for a surprise."
Redtooth laughed, but then his voice grew serious. "You think this thing is safe? What if the Marines can track us through it?"
Fargas scoffed. "Bah! Let them try. We're always on the move anyway. Besides, the Marines and World Government are too paranoid to trust it fully. You think those old bastards will just let go of their Den Den Mushi? No chance."
Redtooth exhaled. "Good. Then we use this while we can."
At Marineford, Fleet Admiral Kong sat in a high-level meeting with the Admirals and Vice Admirals. The glow of Netra's interface still flickered on his desk, but next to it, the familiar Den Den Mushi remained—silent but present.
After discussing its benefits and risks, Kong turned to the assembled officers. "Spread the word: Netra is to be used for general communication only. Any operation deemed sensitive is still conducted through secured Den Den Mushi channels. We will embrace this change, but we will not be reckless. Understood?"
A chorus of "Yes, sir!" echoed through the room.
In Mariejois, the Gorosei convened, their expressions grave.
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn tapped his fingers against the polished wood table. "The people have embraced Netra faster than we expected. It is useful, but it is also dangerous."
After a discussion on control and security, Saturn's voice turned cold and decisive. "Then we must accelerate our search. The moment she is found, she must be brought under our control—willingly or otherwise."
A heavy silence followed before Saint Shepherd Ju Peter hesitated. "And if she refuses?"
"Then she must disappear."
Orders were sent out across the world. The search for Tera intensified. Netra had changed the world, but the World Government would not sit idly by and let that change happen beyond their control.