A few days later.
A brand-new bounty poster was spread across the Four Seas and the Grand Line by the News Coo.
Those who received the newspapers and the wanted poster were all extremely curious about this sudden newcomer.
"Fufufufu~ So this is the guy who escaped from Punk Hazard, huh? His very first bounty is set at 300 million berries. Seems like the World Government is giving him quite the recognition!"
On the royal plateau of Dressrosa, Doflamingo held Souta Kiryuu's bounty poster in his hand, laughing maniacally. Beneath his sunglasses, his eyes gleamed with a sinister, calculating light, as if plotting how best to profit from this upstart.
He was certain this newcomer harbored many secrets.
According to Vergo's classified intel, after Kizaru deployed most of the G-5 fortress forces into the latter half of the New World, it suggested something major had happened.
Doflamingo immediately mobilized his underground intelligence network, desperate to uncover what exactly had transpired within the World Government.
After all, granting such a high bounty to an escaped experiment was not something done lightly. The secrets behind this might even outweigh the value of rescuing Caesar.
At the Revolutionary Army's headquarters on Baltigo Island.
"This is your new captain, huh?"
Dragon frowned as he studied Souta Kiryuu's picture, his expression bitter. He couldn't believe he had essentially handed both Kuma and Vegapunk over to this experiment.
He never expected Vegapunk would willingly leave with Souta Kiryuu. Years ago, Dragon had invited Vegapunk himself, only to be rejected outright. Back then, he had nothing to offer—no resources to support Vegapunk's research. That was understandable.
But now, Souta Kiryuu was also penniless, far less established than the now resourceful Revolutionary Army. So why had Vegapunk chosen him?
Did Vegapunk look down on the Revolutionary Army's capabilities?
"Perhaps we can draw this man into the Revolutionary Army," Dragon murmured quietly. According to Kuma's reports, Souta Kiryuu despised Saturn and sought to overthrow the World Government—a goal perfectly aligned with theirs.
The problem was that Souta Kiryuu possessed Conqueror's Haki. Such men did not bow easily, and he would never willingly submit to Dragon's leadership.
That made things complicated.
Still, Dragon recalled that even the Pirate King's right hand, Silvers Rayleigh, had been a Conqueror. If Souta Kiryuu could be convinced, he might be molded into the next leader of the Revolutionary Army.
But would Souta Kiryuu even accept?
Dragon had been grooming the gifted young Sabo, but Sabo lacked Conqueror's Haki—a glaring weakness. To reach the pinnacle of strength, mastering Conqueror's Haki infusion was essential.
"Let Kuma test the waters with him first," Dragon said coldly. He craved Vegapunk's genius and saw the potential of acquiring not only Souta Kiryuu but also the combined power of Kiryuu and Kuma.
Kuma had often boasted of Souta Kiryuu's terrifying potential, claiming he could one day rival a monster like Kaido.
Dragon's eyes glimmered with anticipation.
Wano Country, Onigashima.
"Experiment 88? Another lab rat who escaped?"
Kaido looked over the fresh bounty poster with amused interest. After all, he himself had once escaped from a laboratory.
"Kaido-aniki, should we bring him into the Beast Pirates?" King asked, staring at Souta Kiryuu's picture. Something about the familiar flames around him stirred excitement in his long-suppressed heart. Could this experiment be one of his own kind?
Yet Souta lacked Lunarian features—no dark skin, no white hair, no black wings. That realization gnawed at King, reminding him that Souta was a manufactured experiment, not kin.
"Wororororo~ Then let's recruit him!" Kaido roared, downing a massive swig of sake. He wanted to see whether Souta Kiryuu could match his and King's strength.
After all, their first bounties had never been as high as 300 million.
Was Souta Kiryuu really worth that price tag?
If he had a Zoan-type Devil Fruit, he'd fit perfectly among the Tobiroppo. Ulti and Page One were still too young, their bounties not even close to Souta's level.
The New World, aboard the Moby Dick.
Having only recently joined the Whitebeard Pirates, Fire Fist Ace was drinking with Jinbe and Teach.
"Oi, another monstrous rookie appears. But judging from this 'Experiment 88' title, he's probably some poor bastard. Guess I'll leave him alone. I've got bigger plans—soon I'm gonna take down a Warlord of the Sea!"
Ace laughed loudly, slamming down his drink. He had already battled Jinbe, one of the Seven Warlords, for five days and five nights without a clear victor.
Now he needed to face another Warlord. As the new Second Division Commander of Whitebeard's crew, he had to make his mark by defeating big names and raising his bounty.
Otherwise, with his current bounty, he felt unworthy of his position.
"Ace, don't be reckless. Each of the Seven Warlords is formidable!" Jinbe warned. He had fought many of them and knew firsthand the monstrous strength of people like Mihawk, Boa Hancock, and Doflamingo. Each encounter left him with a sense of danger.
Ace was still young, with plenty of time to grow. There was no need to rush into battles with such seasoned monsters.
"Relax, I'll pick the weakest one." Ace grinned confidently. After his duel with Jinbe, he had a better understanding of his own power—and enough faith to challenge a weaker Warlord.
"An experiment, huh…"
Whitebeard, Edward Newgate, studied Souta Kiryuu's news. For some reason, it reminded him of Bakkin, though he quickly shook her greedy image from his head.
His sons brought him far more joy. Still, if given the chance, he wouldn't mind bringing a pitiful soul like Souta under his wing, letting him experience the warmth of a father.
In the rainy city of Alabasta.
Nico Robin compiled the information and handed it to Crocodile. But the Sand Crocodile had no interest in rookies like Souta. His mind was fixed on toppling the kingdom and uncovering Pluton's whereabouts.
Because the Nefertari royal family once descended from the Celestial Dragons, Crocodile was wary of drawing the World Government's scrutiny. So, step by step, he built his reputation as a hero, slowly maneuvering to overthrow Cobra's rule.
Robin, however, lingered on Souta Kiryuu's image a moment longer. She had a feeling this man would one day stir up something far greater.
On Amazon Lily, the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock dismissed the news with her usual disdain.
As for Big Mom's crew, the Red-Haired Pirates, and the rest of the Warlords—they barely paid the new rookie any attention.
What truly captivated their focus was the upcoming World Government conference, held only once every four years.