The chaos of Judicial Island was reaching its peak.
"Papa Kuma! Papa Kuma! Hurry and help me take down those two huge flags!"
With agents and guards collapsing all around, Bonney shouted excitedly, spreading her arms—one hand pointing at the massive World Government banner atop the courthouse, the other at the Judicial Tower's flag.
"Alright."
Kuma smiled faintly, whispered a single word, and vanished in an instant. The next second, he reappeared atop the courthouse, ripped down the flag, and then flashed again to the Judicial Tower, yanking down the second.
"Haha! Once I burn these two flags, my bounty's definitely going to shoot past Bege's and Law's. Who knows—maybe I'll even catch up to Papa Kuma's bounty!"
Bonney laughed gleefully, clutching the banners. But when her eyes fell on the fallen guards, she realized something: burning them here wasn't enough. She'd need witnesses—journalists, reporters, anyone who could spread her infamy. Only then would her name surge to greater heights.
"No! You can't do this! You filthy criminals—!" x3
The three-headed Chief Judge of Justice was sent flying by a brutal kick from Lafitte, his luxurious black robe of judgment tearing apart as three old men tumbled out.
"Hohoho! Killing the three of you would stack up quite the charges… and it feels exhilarating!"
Lafitte's expression grew more twisted and feral, his pale face marked by crimson pupils and sprouting white feathers.
"What the hell is his ability?"
Capone Bege relit his cigar, exhaling a long stream of smoke as his brow furrowed. Watching Lafitte unravel into madness, Bege realized the man had already burned all his bridges. To torture and kill one of the World Government's Chief Judges was to chain himself forever to Souta Kiryuu's cause—no retreat, no redemption.
These three old men's political standing rivaled the Admirals, perhaps even the Fleet Admiral himself. After all, Judicial Island, Marineford, and Impel Down were the Government's three most sacred institutions. Though only bureaucrats with little combat ability, their symbolic power was immense. To lay hands on them was to declare war on the very heart of the World Government.
"I'd guess… Mythical Zoan."
Trafalgar Law walked over, carrying his cursed blade Kikoku, sparing no glance at the dismembered body of Kumadori sprawled across the floor. For Law, these powerless CP agents were nothing but kindling for the pyre that was Judicial Island.
"BZZZT!"
A blinding bolt of lightning flashed down.
"Oi, enough stalling. Get back to the Ark Maxim. Soon, this god will erase this entire island from existence."
Enel descended from the skies, his face proud and aloof, though deep in his eyes flickered a frenzy of excitement.
High above, a massive sphere of black lightning was nearly complete. Once it dropped, the island would be annihilated in an instant—even Enel himself couldn't stop it.
"What an insane ability…"
Bege's pupils shrank as he gazed upward, his body trembling despite himself. That apocalyptic thunderball radiated death—it felt less like a man's power and more like an ancient weapon of legend.
"Monster."
Even Law's lips tightened. For once, he admitted that Enel's claim to godhood wasn't entirely misplaced.
"So cool! So strong!!"
Bonney's eyes sparkled as thunder snakes writhed across the sky. She longed for that kind of destructive might, but her Age-Age Fruit could never unleash devastation like a natural disaster.
"Papa Kuma, I think Enel's bounty might soon surpass yours… When will you show your power? I don't want that arrogant guy's bounty to be higher than yours."
She pouted, folding her arms. To her, Kuma was the strongest warrior alive—no way was he weaker than their boastful thunder god.
"…Fine. I promise you—my bounty will never be lower than Enel's."
Kuma's voice rumbled after a long silence. He would make sure of it.
"Yay! I knew it! I believe in you, Papa Kuma!"
Bonney beamed. She simply couldn't stomach the thought of Enel strutting above Kuma.
Enel, hearing their exchange, merely curled his lip. Still, in his heart, a new goal took root: surpass Kuma at all costs. Just to spite the brat.
Meanwhile, Kuma considered what it would take to outdo Enel's display. Destroying an island wasn't enough. Perhaps killing a Celestial Dragon, burning a World Government flag, or even storming Mary Geoise itself. His eyes flickered toward the flags Bonney clutched.
Yes. That would do. A declaration of war.
The next instant, Kuma vanished, reappearing at the island's gates to seize every last flag of the World Government, ready to burn them in one great blaze.
With the island courthouse guards and agents dispatched, the defeated wolfman Jabra was shackled in seastone and tossed into Bege's mobile prison, reunited with Lucci and Blueno. Enel and Law crossed from the courthouse to the Judicial Tower, soaring effortlessly over the abyss where the giant drawbridge had been retracted.
Above them, Souta Kiryuu stood upon the tower, his [Lightning Storm] still brewing overhead. When Law arrived, Souta ordered flatly:
"Take Spandam's heart."
The CP9 commander shrieked as his heart was severed cleanly from his chest—yet he lived, trembling in bottomless terror.
Am I dead? No—worse. My life belongs to him. Forever.
"Leave your Den Den Mushi number. Then crawl away. Prepare that Ancient Zoan Fruit for me. If we contact you and you're not ready… you die."
Souta's voice was cold, final. No tricks, no mercy.
Spandam's trembling hands scribbled down his number. A moment later, Kuma's massive paw sent him flying straight to the island's main gate port—alive, but utterly broken.
"What a loser."
Bonney snorted. Trash like that wasn't worth sparing.
"Purururu~ Purururu~"
Kuma's Den Den Mushi rang.
"Mr. Kuma! Tell Captain Souta immediately—the Navy's fleet is advancing at high speed! It looks like Fleet Admiral Sengoku himself is leading them. Their ships are closing in frighteningly fast!"
Violet's urgent voice crackled through, desperate to ensure the warning arrived in time.
"I know. Keep scouting. Watch for reinforcements elsewhere."
Kuma hung up calmly and relayed the message.
Souta Kiryuu turned his gaze to the colossal Gate of Justice looming nearby. A sly grin spread across his face.
"Shall we give Sengoku a little… surprise?"