With a single swipe of Kuma's "Paw of Travel," Souta Kiryuu was hurled across the skies toward the East Blue.
Meanwhile, Dragon likely returned from the West Blue to the Revolutionary Army's headquarters on Baltigo, the Island of White Soil, where he would handle the spoils of their latest campaign. For a time, he would not be returning to the East Blue.
That meant one thing: if Souta wished, Monkey D. Luffy—the boy destined to be the story's protagonist—could be snuffed out before his tale ever began. The legend of the Pirate King might end before it even had a chance to take root.
It was now the year 1520 of the Sea Circle Calendar.
This year, after celebrating his seventeenth birthday on May 5th, Luffy would officially set out to sea as a "glorious" pirate.
But this year also marked another event—the Celestial Dragons' triennial "Native Purge Tournament."
Ever since the Sorbet Kingdom incident the previous winter, Souta wondered: would the Celestial Dragon elites dare continue this centuries-old "tradition" of mass slaughter?
If they did, he intended to join the festivities—though not as a spectator.
Would the purge be held on February 2nd, March 3rd, or April 4th? The Celestial Dragons delighted in such auspicious dates. Souta almost hoped they would.
"I just hope Spandam and his father, or perhaps that double-agent Stussy, manage to dig up information about the so-called 'Native Purge Tournament,'" Souta muttered with a crooked grin as he flew within the transparent paw bubble. If time allowed, he also planned to take from Spandam the Ancient Zoan Fruit he guarded.
The man was filth—revolting, cowardly—but occasionally useful. After all, his father had commanded the Buster Call that destroyed Ohara two decades ago. That proved his high standing within the World Government's CP organizations.
More outrageous still, he had somehow placed his useless son as Chief of CP9, a post reserved for the elite. The extent of his influence could not be underestimated.
If they brought him even a sliver of useful intelligence, Souta would be pleased. And if Stussy played her role properly? Even better.
But if the Celestial Dragons dared hold another "Native Purge Tournament"… Souta would make it bloodier than the Sorbet Kingdom incident. Bloodier than the God Valley tragedy.
Dozens—no, hundreds—of Celestial Dragons would die. Anything less would tarnish the name he carried: the God-Slayer.
East Blue — Goa Kingdom, Windmill Village
Luffy trained as usual in the forested hills, throwing fists and kicks at wild beasts. The thought of finally setting sail this year filled him with boundless excitement. By the time he finished, the entire hillside of animals lay sprawled and defeated.
From atop a distant tree, a figure shimmered into sight.
Souta Kiryuu had arrived from the Goa Kingdom, stepping into Windmill Village.
"Never thought I'd end up doing Kuma's job—spying on Monkey D. Luffy, the boy with the Nika Fruit," Souta mused with a sly smile. "But unlike before, Dragon isn't anywhere nearby."
He leapt down.
Instantly, Luffy's instincts flared. A primal, beast-like pressure rolled over him, forcing his body to stiffen. Cold sweat dripped from his brow.
"So strong…!"
Never before had he felt such raw danger.
"Monkey D. Luffy," Souta said, baring sharp teeth in a grin. "Let me see how far your training has come."
His fist coiled with jet-black Armament Haki. This feeling—pummeling the so-called protagonist—was intoxicating.
"Who are you? You wanna fight me?" Luffy barked, his fear easing when the suffocating aura lifted.
"I'm a friend of your father's," Souta replied. "Now—let me show you a little something I call the Fist of Love!"
He vanished from sight.
BAM!
His fist crashed down on Luffy's skull. A massive lump instantly bulged on the boy's head.
"AAAGH! IT HURTS!" Luffy howled, clutching his scalp as he rolled on the ground.
"Why does it hurt worse than Gramps' punches?!" Tears welled in his eyes.
"Because your grandfather was holding back." Souta seized Luffy by the leg. His clawed fingers sliced cleanly, drawing blood. He quickly collected it into a vial, snatching a few scraps of tissue as well.
"GYAAAH! You bastard! Gomu Gomu no… GATLING!!"
Enraged, Luffy unleashed a storm of rubber fists, hammering Souta's body in a wild frenzy.
But Souta didn't budge. He endured every blow without flinching.
"Soft. Too soft. You need far more training," Souta said lightly, releasing Luffy's leg once his samples were secured.
He flicked a crimson crystal into the boy's mouth. "Here. This blood-crystal will heal the wound."
"Mmff?!" Luffy gagged as the shard dissolved, only to gape in shock as his leg sealed without a scar.
"That's amazing! But—why the hell did you take my blood?!"
"Calling me 'old man,' huh? Sounds like you're begging for another lump." Souta blurred forward again. Another thud smashed down on Luffy's head, swelling a fresh welt.
Nearly knocked senseless, Luffy staggered.
"Listen up. Your father is the most wanted criminal alive—the leader of the Revolutionary Army. Your grandfather is a Marine hero. If you want to become Pirate King, you'd better prove worthy of the D in your name."
Souta turned, preparing to leave.
"Why's your fist so hard?!" Luffy shouted after him, cradling his battered head.
"That's Armament Haki. Your grandfather's been busy toughening you up but never taught you. Even Sabo has already awakened it—under your father's training." Souta smirked. His body shimmered, fading into transparent dragon-form before vanishing altogether.
"...Sabo?"
Luffy froze, mind reeling.
"Sabo's alive?! With my father?!" he cried, dashing madly through the woods to find Souta again. But the man was gone.
Breathless, Luffy bolted back to Dadan's hideout, blurting the revelation.
"Sabo's alive! He's with my father! And he knows Armament Haki!"
The mountain bandits gaped.
"Sabo's alive? With Dragon—the Revolutionary leader? Who told you this?!" Dadan seized him by the shoulders, shaking him wildly, caught between hope and terror.
"I don't know him! He said he was my father's friend—"
Luffy's gaze drifted to the wanted posters pinned on the wall. His rubber arm shot out, yanking one free.
"That's him! That's the guy!!"
The poster showed Souta Kiryuu's scarred visage.
"The God-Slayer, Souta Kiryuu."
Bounty: 3,000,000,000 berries.
A worldwide criminal.
And he had just been in Windmill Village.
"WHAT?!" Dadan and her gang roared in shock, their world spinning into chaos.
...
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