High above, Souta Kiryuu floated upon blazing flame-clouds. His right hand morphed into a dragon's claw, and with swift, flowing movements, he carved words into the front face of the execution platform, strokes etched deep into the stone like burning scripture:
"Do you desire immortality?"
"Do you crave supreme power?"
"Then go—both await you in Mary Geoise!"
The moment the words appeared, the plaza below erupted. The crowd went into a frenzy—shouting, roaring, howling with excitement.
"Damn it!"
Smoker's teeth nearly cracked from the pressure of his own fury. His eyes locked on Souta above. This man wasn't just stirring trouble—he was lighting the fuse for an explosion that could ignite the entire sea.
Immortality. Absolute power.
These temptations far outshined Roger's so-called "One Piece." Even more dangerous—they weren't some distant myth, like the final island Raftel, vague and unreachable. No, Souta had pointed them to something real, tangible: the Holy Land, Mary Geoise, atop the Red Line.
"Evil-hahaha!! My men, listen well! The Celestial Dragons are already rotten. I've slaughtered them with ease—they're no gods, just self-proclaimed humans drunk on arrogance!
For eight hundred years they've enslaved the world from Mary Geoise. That's long enough!
This era—it's time for a new master!
Will it be me? The Revolutionary Army? The Four Emperors? No—perhaps it will be you!"
From atop the execution platform, Souta declared his manifesto to the seas. His words drove the masses into madness, redirecting all hatred and ambition toward the Celestial Dragons… and toward the so-called eternal World King, Imu.
Even the Five Elders' lives defied nature. Souta recalled the truth revealed in Bartholomew Kuma's memories—thirty years ago at God Valley, Saturn of the Five Elders had looked no different than he does today. Their aging had halted. Their existence mocked mortality.
"Ahhhhhh!!!"
The crowd's roar surged again, an ocean of madness. If the Celestial Dragons weren't gods, then they too had the right to chase immortality and supreme power.
Smoker gritted his teeth until veins bulged on his forehead. Clutching his seastone-tipped jitte with both hands, he forced himself forward, step by agonizing step, shattering the invisible weight of Souta's Conqueror's Haki pressing against him. As the protector of Loguetown, he had no choice—he had to try to stop this man.
"Captain Smoker!"
Ensign Tashigi cried out in panic, gripping her blade Shigure tightly. Fear shook her voice. She knew her reckless superior didn't stand a chance against Souta Kiryuu, this terrifying force of nature.
But Souta gave them no time.
"Evil-hahahaha! The Great Pirate Era's treasure hunt is over. From today forward, the Age of Dominion begins!
I've shown you the path. The rest—your fates—lie in your own hands!"
Souta burst into wild laughter as his form shimmered, expanding and warping into a colossal crimson dragon. He soared upward, coiling above the execution plaza. The entire city of Loguetown saw his form blotting out the sky, felt the crushing weight of his Haki bearing down like a storm.
Smoker's body trembled violently. Souta's will pressed on him like an unbreakable mountain. His knees buckled, forcing him down on one knee, sweat pouring down his forehead in rivers.
"Dragon Tornado!!"
Souta's massive draconic body spun, whipping the air into raging cyclones. Tornadoes tore across the plaza, sending people screaming and scattering in terror. Chaos reigned.
Then, amid the madness, Souta dove down. His dragon claw snatched up the green-haired, rooster-headed gangster—Bartolomeo—and carried him off toward the forests beyond Loguetown.
"Boss Bartooooo!!"
The lackeys of the Barto Club screamed in terror, sprinting after the massive dragon in a hopeless chase.
In the sky, Bartolomeo's bravado faltered. He stared up at the monstrous dragon head and claws holding him captive.
He worshiped Souta, yes. Souta was everything he dreamed of in a hero—fearless, domineering, untouchable. But Souta didn't even know who he was. What if his idol killed him on a whim? What a pathetic end that would be!
"Souta-senpai! I'm your biggest fan! Please don't kill me!!"
Bartolomeo's voice cracked in desperation. In his panic, he even forgot to use his Barrier-Barrier powers.
"Hm?"
Souta tilted his head in mid-flight, genuinely puzzled. He had only spoken once atop the execution platform, yet somehow… he had already gained a devoted follower?
But then he smirked. That wasn't so strange. After all, even Straw Hat Luffy, standing fearlessly on that very same platform years ago, had earned Bartolomeo's undying admiration.
And what Souta had just done—declaring war on the World Government, the Celestial Dragons, and Imu himself—was beyond anything Luffy had achieved. It was legendary.
Landing in a dense forest, Souta released his grip.
"Relax. I never said I'd kill you."
Bartolomeo's eyes lit up, trembling with relief and devotion.
"Senpai! Take me with you! I'll follow you across the seas and turn the world upside down!!"
His face flushed, excitement pouring from every word. He looked ready to kneel and bow right there.
"You want to join me? That isn't impossible. But first, prove yourself. Reach the Grand Line. Make it to Sabaody Archipelago, or Water Seven. If you do, I'll accept you into my crew."
Souta's lips curled into a faint smile. Loyal, fearless fanatics like this were always welcome.
"Yes, Senpai! I'll storm the Grand Line itself if I must! I'll be worthy of you!"
Bartolomeo's eyes sparkled like stars, his heart soaring. Just one promise from Souta was enough to ignite him with limitless determination.
"Your Barrier-Barrier Fruit is strong, but don't neglect Haki. Here—this is a manual on Armament and Observation Haki. Learn it. Don't rely only on your fruit."
Souta handed him a small booklet. He remembered well—in the original story, Bartolomeo had relied too heavily on his fruit and never awakened Haki, even during the Dressrosa arc.
"Senpai, you're too kind! I'll study this night and day! I'll catch up to you!"
Bartolomeo's eyes welled with tears. He clutched the booklet like sacred treasure.
"I'll also need some of your blood…" Souta began.
Before he could explain, Bartolomeo whipped out a dagger and slashed his own arm, blood gushing. He thrust it forward with fanatic devotion.
He thought this was some kind of blood-oath ritual to join Souta's side.
"..."
Souta stared blankly. A crazed fan really was terrifying.
He collected the blood into a special container, then tossed Bartolomeo a crystalline dandelion of scarlet energy.
"Whoa! It healed instantly! But… damn, I kind of wish the scar stayed. It was proof of my loyalty…"
Bartolomeo looked at his perfectly healed arm, disappointment flickering across his face. That scar, that mark of devotion—gone in an instant.
"..."
Souta shook his head. This little brother was reckless, naïve, and just a bit of an idiot… but loyal to the bone. That was enough.
With Bartolomeo secured, Souta's trip to the East Blue was complete. Now he only had to wait and see whether Bartolomeo—and the pirate Adelaigo, another prospect—would survive their journey into the Grand Line and officially join the Souta Kiryuu Pirates.
"I'm leaving now. Don't disappoint me, Bartolomeo."
With those words, Souta's body surged, transforming back into the crimson divine dragon. He soared into the clouds and vanished from sight.
"He said my name… Senpai knows my name!!"
Bartolomeo dropped to his knees, trembling with joy. His idol—his god—had acknowledged him.
"Souta-senpai, I'll never let you down. I'll break into the Grand Line, follow you into Mary Geoise, and together—we'll destroy the Celestial Dragons!"
The forest echoed with his manic cries, his devotion carved into the air itself.