If Souta Kiryuu, this infamous figure known as the "God-Slayer," had spoken, then the Dadan family had no choice but to believe him.
If he said Sabo was alive and training with the Revolutionary Army, then it might very well be true.
The news left Dadan in tears, her tough façade crumbling as she sobbed with relief.
So the three brats really are alive!
"If Ace knew about this… he'd be so happy!"
Wiping her tears, Dadan's eyes shifted to the middle of the wall where another wanted poster hung. It showed Portgas D. Ace—bounty 550,000,000 berries—"Fire Fist," the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Yosh!! When I head out to sea, I'm gonna find Sabo and reunite with Ace!"
Luffy clapped his hands together and declared, eyes shining with determination. The thought of finally setting sail filled him with such excitement that he wished time would move faster.
He stared at the posters of Ace and Souta Kiryuu, their astronomical bounties stirring something in him.
One day, he swore, his own bounty would surpass them both.
Meanwhile, Souta Kiryuu didn't linger in Windmill Village. He knew that if his presence there became known, the World Government would tear apart the peaceful settlement searching for him—and that would no doubt enrage Dragon.
So, after securing what he came for, Souta left without hesitation.
Even if he wanted to help Nami right now, he couldn't openly intervene in Cocoyashi Village. Any place he aided would immediately become a target of relentless revenge from the World Government and the Celestial Dragons.
He had never underestimated the vindictive nature of the Holy Knights.
At this point, Souta couldn't help but feel like a walking calamity—wherever he appeared, disaster was bound to follow.
Am I really becoming like Dragon, a man who hides in the shadows?
No wonder Dragon and his followers lived cloaked lives. They were always weighing consequences, always restraining themselves.
"This is so damn frustrating…"
His expression darkened. The more he cared, the more burdens he carried. Perhaps he was being too soft-hearted.
"One day, I'll make the World Government too terrified to ever provoke me again!"
Souta's voice was cold as steel. If they dared threaten him, he would repay them endlessly in blood.
The Government had more territory than he did—let's see who could outlast who.
If another Sorbet Kingdom tragedy is to be avoided, then those tied too strongly to their homes aren't fit to be my subordinates…
He thought briefly of Nami again, realizing she might not be suitable for the Kiryuu Pirates—not unless he took her entire village with him.
Besides, his crew didn't particularly need her. Lafitte was already a skilled navigator, and with Bartholomew Kuma's Paw-Paw Fruit, they could go anywhere in an instant.
Still… if fate crossed him with the girl, he wouldn't turn away. After all, Nami was destined to be one of the central heroines. A part of him couldn't ignore that.
Invisible, Souta soared high above the skies, leaving the Goa Kingdom behind as he headed toward Loguetown—the "Island of Beginnings and Endings."
His next target in the East Blue was Bartholomeo's Barrier-Barrier Fruit, one of the candidate Devil Fruits for his "Six Paths" project—the ultimate superhuman defense.
As for who else he might encounter along the way—that would depend on luck. He had no time to go hunting for individuals.
During his flight, he passed over a Marine base and saw the towering statue on its island. This was clearly the domain of Captain Axe-Hand Morgan.
"Trash."
Souta exhaled a torrent of dragon flame, obliterating the massive statue.
As Morgan stormed out in outrage, a bolt of lightning split the sky, striking him down into charred ruin.
The rest was left to the townsfolk and the few decent Marines who remained.
For the island's people, Morgan's downfall felt like divine retribution—a long-awaited punishment from the heavens themselves.
Souta continued on. Soon, the joyful noise of laughter and the thundering of cannons caught his attention as he passed over another town.
"It's him…"
A small smirk tugged at his lips. Since fate had brought them together, he couldn't just ignore this one.
In Orange Town, Buggy the Clown's pirates were celebrating, throwing a feast and staging circus performances. Buggy himself gleefully fired his signature Buggy Balls at the town, reveling in chaos and destruction.
But their joy didn't last.
A lone figure appeared in the middle of their festivities, striding straight toward Buggy without hesitation.
Before Buggy could even bark an order—or recognize who it was—Souta's fist slammed into his big red nose, sending him sprawling, blood spraying from his face.
Without another word, Souta collected the blood in a special container.
"Paramecia: Chop-Chop Fruit. Strategic reserve material, nothing more."
He casually tossed Buggy's battered body aside and, ignoring the shocked cries of the crew, disappeared into the air once more.
"Did… did we see that right? That was Souta Kiryuu, the God-Slayer?!"
"The world's most dangerous criminal?!"
"He's here in the East Blue?!"
"Captain Buggy! Is he dead?!"
"W-We're finished… our crew's over!"
The Buggy Pirates scrambled into chaos, panicking over their fallen captain. When they realized Buggy was still alive, they breathed shaky sighs of relief.
But the fear lingered. Why had the infamous Souta Kiryuu shown up just to beat their captain bloody? Had Buggy somehow offended him in the past?
They couldn't know. But terror hung over them all, especially when Buggy himself regained consciousness and heard the truth.
Shaken to his core, Buggy immediately ordered the entire crew to abandon Orange Town and retreat. He knew they couldn't risk drawing Souta's wrath again.
A man with a thirty-billion-berry bounty was far too terrifying to cross.
Meanwhile, Souta pressed onward to Loguetown. He didn't pass by Syrup Village or meet Usopp or Captain Kuro. Instead, fate led him straight to the floating restaurant—Baratie.
If he was here, he couldn't resist meeting the "blond kid" Sanji.
The moment Souta stepped aboard the sea restaurant, the seasoned chef Zeff—Red-Leg Zeff himself—immediately recognized the infamous man from countless headlines.
Without hesitation, Zeff personally approached, not daring to let his men risk provoking the monster before him.
"Welcome, honored guest, to Baratie. Please allow us to serve you."
His voice was unusually deferential.
Sanji, at first puzzled by Zeff's attitude, soon realized who this man was. His eyes widened, and sweat dripped down his temple.
The man who dared to kill Celestial Dragons…!
"Bring me your signature dishes."
Souta spoke casually, producing a special Den Den Mushi and dialing a number.
"Of course. Please wait just a moment."
Zeff snapped orders, and every chef in the restaurant went into overdrive. None of them wanted to risk disappointing a man like this.
If he wasn't satisfied, they'd all be in hell before nightfall.
"Hello, Reiju. I think I just found your little brother. Want to have a word with him?"
Souta's smile was faint as his eyes flicked toward the busy blond boy, working feverishly behind the counter.