New World, Sky Island – Baron Island.
A sleek, high-tech laboratory stood proudly on the island's white cloud surface. Souta Kiryuu and Bartholomew Kuma had seized control of this small sky island, giving their people a much-needed chance to rest. Meanwhile, Dr. Vegapunk was already putting the lab's limited resources to work, beginning the first phase of treatment for Bonney.
"Captain, this sky island isn't suitable for our base," Kuma said seriously, his deep voice echoing in the lab. "We're too close to the territories of the Yonko. The locals here even claimed they once saw a blue dragon pass through. If Kaido knows about this place, there's a chance he might show up. If that happens, it'd be suicide for us to stay here. We need to move on quickly."
"I know. We'll rest for a bit, then head straight for the West Blue," Souta replied, staring at the crude map spread out before him. Truthfully, he wanted to head for the North Blue, since Trafalgar Law and the Vinsmoke family were there. Both were key targets—Law's Ope Ope no Mi was invaluable, and the Vinsmokes' advanced technology would greatly accelerate the Seraphim project if combined with their lab equipment. But Baron Island's location, near the Calm Belt leading toward the West Blue, forced his hand.
For now, the West Blue would be their next destination. Souta already had his eyes on Capone Bege, the user of the Castle-Castle Fruit. With Bege, Souta wouldn't have to keep carrying the lab around himself. The mafia boss's fortress body could house both scientists and equipment, making relocations far easier.
"Very well," Kuma answered without protest. Ever since discovering that Souta seemed to possess a faint ability to foresee the future, Kuma had grown to trust him deeply. Having once been a slave in Mary Geoise with his father, Kuma felt an innate kinship with Souta. Both of them were products of experimentation, bound by bloodlines and pain. Souta's Lunarian and ancient giant heritage made that connection even stronger.
"Vegapunk, we're heading for the West Blue. We'll be seeking out a Castle-Castle Fruit user. Before that, I want you to create a humanoid clone that can handle being a Paramecia-type Green Blood carrier." Souta's gaze sharpened. To build a stronger force, he and Kuma had already offered up their own genes and lineage factors to Vegapunk. With enough resources, the scientist could mass-produce cloned warriors at supernova-level combat strength.
Vegapunk sighed, scratching his enormous head. "With the lack of funds and resources, producing Seraphim is impossible right now. And your bloodline factor, Souta, is… complicated. It contains Kaido's, along with traces of many other races. Creating a stable clone of you would be nearly impossible. Kuma's Buccaneer lineage, though—that I can work with. Combined with Lunarian genes, it would make an excellent first Seraphim prototype."
"Forget it then. Focus on treating Bonney first. I'll take care of the rest," Souta said flatly. If things went as planned, once he subdued Capone Bege, he could use him as a stepping stone until the Seraphim project advanced far enough to replicate the Castle-Castle Fruit's abilities. Then Bege could be discarded.
After a day or two of recovery, Souta prepared to leave Baron Island. His massive dragon form coiled around the laboratory, ready to carry it across the sky. The Calm Belt ahead lay between them and the West Blue.
"Hey, Kuma," Souta suddenly asked as he braced himself under the weight of the lab, "can your ability send both me and the lab straight into the West Blue?"
Kuma stared at the enormous load and swallowed hard. "…I can try."
Souta's draconic eyes lit up with excitement. He wrapped himself protectively around the lab to shield it from damage during the journey.
With a grave expression, Kuma clasped his hands together. A massive bear paw of compressed air expanded into existence, dwarfing even Souta's colossal form.
"Captain Souta, I may not have enough energy to send you directly to your destination. When we land, you'll need to guard the lab carefully," Kuma warned, veins bulging across his arms as he poured everything into the effort. His Devil Fruit powers surged, the enormous paw print pressing against both dragon and laboratory.
"Now this… this is a divine ability, Kuma!" Souta shouted joyfully as the bear paw launched them across the sky. "The Paw-Paw Fruit really is broken!" The bubble of compressed air carried them at staggering speed, cutting across the Calm Belt with ease. With Kuma's ability and his own knowledge of future events, Souta felt certain he could build his empire faster than anyone else.
Still, Kuma was quick to add, "Captain, this bubble won't last long. It may not carry us all the way through the Calm Belt. Be prepared."
"Don't worry. As long as I'm here, nothing will happen to you," Souta promised with a calm smile.
As expected, the bubble burst less than a day later. Souta unfurled his flame clouds, bearing the weight of the laboratory as they crossed the final stretch of the Calm Belt. Another half a day passed before they finally emerged into the West Blue.
On a remote, deserted island, Souta landed with the laboratory and let out a long breath, his body sore from the effort. It was a temporary stop to recover.
"The mafia underworld here is well-known," Vegapunk said as his giant head flickered with thought. "Capone Bege, the gangster you seek, is infamous. Their base of operations is on an island called Nostra."
"Then we rest, and we go," Souta replied, his eyes glinting with determination. Once he had his sights on a target, there was no escape.
The Four Seas were simple to navigate compared to the Grand Line. With normal weather and magnetic fields, a simple map was enough. And Vegapunk had something even better—a special World Government chart marking every allied and unaffiliated nation with precision.
After resting, Souta and his crew resumed their journey.
Two days later, Nostra Island trembled under the shadow of a massive crimson dragon soaring above. The terrifying aura pressed down on the mafia stronghold like a storm.
Capone Bege stared up in horror, his cigar falling from his lips. Above him, Souta Kiryuu descended from the sky, a dragon wrapped in fire and fury.