Boom!
A massive research facility, carried by blazing clouds, descended directly onto the island of Nostra.
The scarlet dragon's terrifying aura erupted without restraint, instantly knocking several mafia members unconscious. In the skies above, thick violet-black storm clouds gathered, lightning flashing through them as violent winds began to sweep across the island.
"What… what kind of monster is this?!"
Capone Bege cried out in shock, his face pale. Could this be Kaido of the Beasts from the New World? Why would a pirate of that caliber appear here, in the West Blue of all places?!
"Godfather, run!"
Vito the Strange Gun and Gotti the Killer grabbed hold of Bege, dragging him back. The massive dragon before them was too terrifying—resistance didn't even seem possible.
Ratatatat!
Bang!
A few reckless fools fired their guns and cannons at the dragon, but when the smoke cleared, not even its scales had been scratched.
"Capone Bege—come here!"
A laser beam ripped across the battlefield, annihilating a cluster of mafia gunmen in an instant.
The scarlet dragon descended, transforming into human form as it landed heavily on the island.
"That appearance… it's him! Wanted for 300 million berries—the experimental subject No. 88, Souta Kiryuu! He's the dragon!!"
Vito's voice cracked with disbelief. Hadn't this new name just emerged on the wanted lists only days ago?
"Souta Kiryuu?"
Bege's eyes widened as he stared at the violent, aura-drenched young man. He didn't even know him—when had he provoked someone like this? Still, once he realized this wasn't Kaido, his fear lessened… though only slightly.
Bege gave a sharp look to his men, and several gunners quickly fired sneak attacks at Souta's human form. But in the next instant, Souta vanished from sight—only to reappear directly in front of Bege, slamming him with a single punch.
Boom!
The impact blasted Bege into the ground, leaving a massive crater. Even in his Castle-Man form, known for incredible durability, he spat blood in great mouthfuls. Not even his legendary defense could withstand Souta Kiryuu's monstrous strength.
From the chaos, another figure appeared—Bartholomew Kuma. One after another, shockwaves of air blasted from his massive palms, exploding within the mafia ranks and leaving countless men gravely wounded.
"That's the Tyrant Kuma—wanted for 296 million berries!" Vito screamed, but the words had barely left his mouth before both he and Gotti were kicked into a wall by Souta, collapsing like broken dolls.
Souta seized Bege by the throat, lifting him effortlessly. His cold voice cut through the storm.
"Serve me for two years. I'll spare your life. I'll even make you stronger—strong enough to witness the most powerful figures in this world."
The overwhelming force pressing down on him left Bege struggling to breathe. Never, in all his years as West Blue's mafia overlord, had he felt such despair and helplessness. Why did such monsters exist in this world? Even as king of the West Blue underworld, he was still nothing.
Perhaps… his decision to one day challenge the Grand Line hadn't been wrong after all.
"Do I even… have a choice?"
Blood dripped from Bege's lips as he glared at Souta. Inwardly, he swore: if his strength ever reached the level required, he would take this man's head with his own hands.
Souta smirked. "Spend these two years growing stronger. Who knows—you might get your chance to kill me."
But deep down, he knew the truth: even if he gave Bege a lifetime, the man would never catch up.
Souta's vitality and defense had already reached terrifying extremes. Enhanced further by his poisonous bloodline, no toxin could harm him.
"Give me a day… to make arrangements for my men." Bege clutched his chest, struggling to breathe.
"Half a day," Souta replied flatly. He gestured, summoning Mansherry forward. The tiny Tontatta princess conjured a shimmering dandelion of healing light, pressing it gently against Bege's wounds.
Bege's eyes widened. "This ability…!" He watched his injuries mend, astonishment flashing in his gaze. It seemed this "new boss" had true power to back his claim. Tyrant Kuma was already a nightmare to face—yet Souta also commanded a healer of this caliber?
Souta's voice rang out again, cold and commanding.
"Don't waste time. Empty your castle of its trash. We're moving this lab's equipment inside. From now on, your Stronghold Fruit will serve as Dr. Vegapunk's temporary research base—until I establish a true headquarters."
"…Understood."
Bege no longer questioned him. He hurried to Vito and Gotti, asking Mansherry to heal them as well. Then he began assigning mafia affairs to his trusted lieutenants. He would be following Souta for the next two years.
"Godfather, please—take us with you!" Vito and Gotti pleaded, unwilling to abandon their boss.
Bege's eyes narrowed. "No. I need you here, managing the mafia. Perhaps later, depending on circumstances, I'll bring you along."
He wasn't about to hand everything he had to Souta. With the mafia as his hidden card, he could always rise again—even if he one day broke free.
"We'll manage the mafia well for you, Godfather!"
Though reluctant, Vito and Gotti bowed their heads, obeying.
Later, with his men dismissed, Bege emptied his castle of subordinates and weapons, making space. Under Souta's orders, they moved much of the facility's critical equipment into the Stronghold.
When Bege laid eyes upon the enormous head of Dr. Vegapunk, he was stunned beyond words. The legend—the world's greatest scientist—was here in the flesh! No wonder Souta's first bounty had been so high. He had taken Vegapunk himself!
Between the healer Mansherry and Vegapunk, Bege's greed burned. Perhaps following Souta for two years wasn't so bad—it might give him access to resources beyond imagination.
As the lab was relocated, word spread quickly: the scarlet dragon had landed on Nostra Island, with Souta Kiryuu and Tyrant Kuma both appearing there.
At the Holy Land of Mariejois…
Saint Saturn slammed a hand on the intelligence report, face twisted with fury. He hadn't expected Souta Kiryuu and Kuma to cross the Calm Belt and emerge in the West Blue. The Paw-Paw Fruit made Kuma nearly impossible to track, and Souta's artificial Azure Dragon fruit was just as troublesome. Their speed and mobility rivaled even Shiki the Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit.
If left unchecked, Souta would only continue to grow stronger. He had to be trapped—baited into their hands. Otherwise, the World Government would never catch him.
Meanwhile, in the offices of the World Economic Journal, Morgans was ecstatic. "So Subject No. 88, Souta Kiryuu, is a mythical dragon Zoan user just like Kaido of the Beasts? Incredible!"
This news had to be spread far and wide. Not only had Souta joined forces with Kuma, they had formed a new rising faction—a story too explosive to ignore.