Grand Line – The White Earth Island, Baltigo.
When the leader of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon, read the latest news, he too was shaken.
It wasn't only the earth-shattering secret of the immortal World King, Imu, that stunned him. He was equally shocked that Souta Kiryuu had suddenly appeared in the East Blue—on Roger's execution platform in Loguetown—and revealed such a defiant truth.
With Garp absent from the East Blue, and Dragon himself unable to return anytime soon, he had no way of knowing whether Souta had discovered the existence of Luffy.
If that mysterious man ever learned of Luffy's existence—and worse, tried to collect his blood—Dragon would have no way of stopping him now.
All he could do was pray that Souta Kiryuu remained unaware of Luffy's existence.
"Above the Five Elders… there's an immortal World King who's lived for over eight centuries. The depth of the World Government's secrets is truly terrifying!"
Sabo and Karasu spoke in unison, their voices filled with disbelief. Even the God Knights alone were enough to make the Revolutionary Army suffer—yet above them were not only the Five Elders but also a hidden World King.
It was clear now: their revolution was destined to be a long, grueling, and arduous war.
"How does Souta Kiryuu even know these things? That eight-hundred-year-old monster—just how powerful is he by now?"
Belo Betty's face turned grim. Just the thought of someone who had lived for eight centuries was horrifying enough.
After all, even a pig that trained for eight hundred years would become a demon.
And this was no pig, but the king of the Celestial Dragons, who commanded the resources of the entire world.
Imu's Devil Fruit power had to be among the very highest tier, and his Conqueror's Haki—after ruling unbroken for eight centuries—was beyond comprehension.
This was no longer something that could be described as human. Perhaps he truly had become a god.
"The seas ahead will only grow harsher. Prepare yourselves for the coming storm," Dragon said with a grave expression.
Now that Souta Kiryuu had ignited a struggle even greater than the Great Pirate Era, the world was entering a terrifying new era of strife.
Eternal life! Absolute power! Such was the ambition and dream of countless people.
To the great powers who never lacked wealth, Roger's so-called treasure had never held much value. They all knew the truth: how much could one pirate crew's treasure really amount to?
At most, they had been curious about the secrets hidden on the Final Island—secrets that made even the World Government tremble and shudder.
"Heh… I can't help but look forward to what outrageous move Souta Kiryuu will make next," Belo Betty chuckled.
In just a year or two, Souta had caused more upheaval than the Revolutionary Army had managed in decades.
Wherever Souta Kiryuu appeared, earth-shaking events followed.
New World – Onigashima.
"An eight-hundred-year-old Celestial Dragon? That's insane!!"
King, the Conflagration, could hardly believe it. If the World Government truly had such a terrifying figure, then even if the ancient warship Pluton rose from its slumber beneath Wano, the Beasts Pirates might still be powerless to overthrow them.
"Hmph. Didn't the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia already say the Ope Ope no Mi could grant immortality through its ultimate surgery?"
Queen, the Plague, sneered. As a scientist and once a member of MADS, he remembered how their research team—and their benefactor, the underworld magnate Du Feld—had searched endlessly for the fruit. But in the end, they had found nothing.
"So that ability really exists?"
Black Maria muttered in disbelief behind her teal mask. She was only in her early twenties. To hear of an ancient monster who had lived for more than eight hundred years, someone whose age dwarfed hers to a mere fraction—it was overwhelming.
"World King Imu? That title is even more arrogant than Rocks'."
Kaido took a swig from his gourd and let out a cold laugh. Once upon a time, his captain Rocks had proclaimed himself King of the New World, shaking the entire seas.
And now Souta Kiryuu had revealed the existence of an even greater king, one who had ruled unseen for centuries.
It was infuriating.
One day, Kaido swore, he would storm Mariejois himself. He would see with his own eyes whether this World King was truly that strong.
"Now that Souta has shifted the world's attention to Mariejois… what do you think he's planning in the shadows?"
Fukurokuju, a former CP9 agent who had turned mercenary, spoke with a cool gaze. To him, every move Souta made was part of some greater scheme. No doubt the man was already plotting something even more shocking.
"Wurorororo! That brat Souta never fails to impress. He'd better stir up more wars!
"Oi, Queen—when will the Dragon Pirates deliver the first batch of those artificial Zoan Fruits they promised?" Kaido laughed, but his eyes gleamed with anticipation.
He wanted an army of Devil Fruit users ready before awakening Pluton. Otherwise, the Beasts Pirates were still far from the World Government's match.
Not to mention, Red-Haired Shanks, Big Mom, and Whitebeard's remnants still blocked the way.
"That guy Lafitte said Souta himself would deliver the first shipment within a month," Queen replied, chewing his cigar with a twisted grin. "He also said Souta wants to meet Yamato. Better get her in line."
Queen still found it unbelievable. Souta actually wanted to marry Yamato? That tomboy who went around calling herself Oden?
Truth be told, most of the Beasts Pirates' Calamities and Tobi Roppo didn't care for Yamato at all. She was always defying them, never showing respect to Kaido himself.
If marrying her off brought Souta Kiryuu into alliance with the Beasts Pirates, though… perhaps it was a deal worth making.
"Then let him come," Kaido laughed again. "But if those fruits don't satisfy me, he won't be leaving Onigashima alive!"
Truthfully, Kaido had always wanted to bring Souta into his crew. But the man's overwhelming Conqueror's Haki made it clear that was impossible.
Still, Souta's reckless nature amused him. Unlike Shanks, whom Kaido despised, Souta felt like a true pirate—loud, chaotic, always stirring trouble.
If Souta ever aimed to become an Emperor, Kaido would gladly help him bring down either Shanks' crew or Whitebeard's remnants.
After all, those two hardly acted like pirates anymore.
One was old and soft, content to live out his days in peace. The other prattled endlessly about balance and stability. Stability? Since when was that the way of a pirate?
Whole Cake Island – Totto Land.
Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin, had also heard of the immortal World King Imu. Her eyes burned with desire. But even she knew that the World Government's power was far too great for her crew to challenge alone.
If Souta Kiryuu and the Beasts Pirates led the charge, however, she would be right behind them, ready to seize her share.
And no one was more delighted by the news than Shiki the Golden Lion.
"A Great Strife Era? Perfect!"
For him, whether it was immortality, ancient weapons, or ultimate power, this was the true prize worth fighting for.
Much better than Roger's childish treasure hunt that had spawned the Great Pirate Era.
"Jihahaha! A Great Strife Era… now that's a name worthy of this sea!"
Shiki roared with laughter. The secrets of immortality, the weapons of the ancients—he would claim them all!