High above, on the Sky Island.
"This guy's Munch-Munch Fruit powers can merge and shape memory alloys. Try experimenting with his formulas—you can create any strange or exotic material you want. Just let him attempt it."
Souta Kiryuu handed Wapol over to Vegapunk. He trusted that Vegapunk's brilliance would make full use of the strange abilities of this Devil Fruit user.
Then, the treasures Souta had plundered from the hands of the Celestial Dragons were delivered to Princess Mansherry and the tiny Tontatta to catalog and organize.
"You reek of bloodlust."
Bartholomew Kuma appeared beside Souta, his calm voice carrying no hint of emotion. His expression barely shifted, but Souta knew this gentle man disliked senseless slaughter.
"I killed a few dozen CP agents and one Celestial Dragon. Does that count as avenging Ginny, at least a little?" Souta smirked casually, but the curl of his lips sent a chill down the spine of anyone who looked at him.
"What?! You killed a Celestial Dragon?!"
Kuma's eyes widened, his massive frame recoiling in shock. Even Capone Bege's cigar slipped from his mouth at those words.
This boss—he really had butchered one of them.
"In a couple of days, you'll see it in the headlines yourself. If it weren't for the possibility of the Celestial Dragon's body carrying strange transmitters, I would've dragged the corpse back here just to show you." Souta's tone was completely serious. With that, he turned away and continued honing his Haki.
He needed to grow even stronger. To hunt more of them.
To make Saturn and the World Government understand the vengeance of Experiment No. 88.
Kuma and Bege exchanged uneasy glances, neither knowing what to say. But one thing was clear—there was no turning back. They would never be free of Souta Kiryuu. The World Government would never forgive the Araragi Crew now.
World Economic Journal Headquarters.
"Breaking news! This is it! This is the scoop of the century!"
Big News Morgans trembled with excitement as he held the photos of Souta Kiryuu killing a Celestial Dragon. For a moment, hesitation flickered in his eyes—but it vanished almost instantly.
He burst out laughing maniacally. "Print it! Release it immediately! The world must see this!"
He knew that only his newspaper dared publish such a story. Every other press agency would cower under the shadow of the World Government.
But if the World Economic Journal got there first… they'd become the most sought-after news source on the seas.
Meanwhile, in the Drum Island waters, Admiral Kizaru's warship finally arrived.
His expression was darker than ever. Something catastrophic had happened.
A Celestial Dragon was truly dead.
Surveying the ruins of the once-lavish golden warship, Kizaru called Fleet Admiral Sengoku with a heavy heart, reporting the grim scene.
The Marines assigned to recover the bodies of the CP agents and the Celestial Dragon trembled uncontrollably. None of them had ever imagined living to see this day.
"A Celestial Dragon… actually killed…" one whispered.
"Bring Charlmarco's body back," Sengoku ordered, his voice low and heavy. With a furious slam of his palm, he shattered his desk, despair gnawing at him. How could he possibly explain this to the Five Elders?
The Next Day.
News erupted across the seas.
"Extra! Extra! Read all about it!"
"World Noble Celestial Dragon slain!"
"Souta Kiryuu, the Mad Dragon, really killed one of them after declaring war!"
The world was in uproar. Marines, pirates, revolutionaries—everyone was shaken to their core.
"Stop that paper! Seize Morgans and shut him down!" Sengoku bellowed in Marineford, veins throbbing with rage. He knew exactly what this meant. If the story spread unchecked, the aura of untouchable divinity around the Celestial Dragons would be shattered forever.
The gods of the world, dethroned. Mortals could kill them.
"It's already too late." Vice Admiral Tsuru pressed her forehead, weary and troubled. Souta Kiryuu's crime was far too great, and what was worse—catching him would be near impossible.
Garp stifled his laughter, holding his mouth shut so the chuckle wouldn't escape. Those pigs, those arrogant parasites, finally one of them had been taken down. And the one Souta killed—Charlmarco—was the very same who had once been responsible for Sabo's supposed death.
Garp's shoulders shook as he held back his joy.
Amazon Lily, Isle of Women.
Boa Hancock, the Pirate Empress, pressed her hand to her lips, her eyes sparkling as she read the shocking headline.
For the first time in her life, she felt truly interested in a man.
Souta Kiryuu had actually killed a Celestial Dragon.
Something even she had never dared to imagine.
"He's braver than Fisher Tiger himself…" she whispered, trembling. For the first time, Hancock admitted—even she was nothing compared to the terrifying courage of this man.
"I… I want to touch that hand—the hand that struck down a Celestial Dragon…" She caressed the photo of Souta's clawed hand piercing through Charlmarco's chest, her body shivering with a flush of excitement. Waves of tingling pleasure coursed through her as her face grew red.
The Gran Tesoro.
Gild Tesoro clenched a bottle of red wine until it shattered in his grip, golden shards scattering across the floor.
"He actually did it! HAHAHAHA!"
Tears welled in his eyes even as he laughed. How he wished he had been the one in that picture. How he longed to avenge Stella with his own hands.
Consumed with rage and frustration, Tesoro smashed his room apart before storming out. His voice was hoarse as he barked an order:
"Baccarat—get me Souta Kiryuu's Den Den Mushi number."
The crimson-haired woman swayed her hips as she bowed. "Yes, Boss."
Dressrosa, King's Plateau.
"Fufufufufu! Now that's entertainment!"
Donquixote Doflamingo guzzled red wine, roaring with laughter. A lunatic had actually dragged a Celestial Dragon down from the heavens.
"If I can contact Souta Kiryuu, I'd gladly hand him a billion beli just for encouragement!" he cackled, Conqueror's Haki spilling out chaotically. The Joker's glee turned the very air oppressive as he reveled in his hatred of the Celestial Dragons.
"Fufufufu! Let the seas descend into madness!"
Baltigo, White Soil Island.
"He's far too reckless."
Monkey D. Dragon frowned deeply. "This will drag Kuma and Vegapunk into danger alongside him. Souta Kiryuu doesn't consider the consequences."
Dragon's eyes were sharp. In his mind, the Revolutionary Army must remain patient, accumulating strength in silence until the day they could strike. Charging headlong would only bring ruin.
When Ginny had been captured, Dragon hadn't stormed in recklessly. When Ivankov and Inazuma were taken, he endured.
That was why the Revolutionary Army had grown so strong. Someday, they would rise as one and topple the Celestial Dragons and the World Government.
But Souta Kiryuu… Souta was a wild storm.
Now, even the Yonko and the Shichibukai began to regard Souta Kiryuu as a true force.
He had done what even they would never dare.
One thing was certain—Souta Kiryuu was no ordinary pirate.
He was a true madman.