The morning after Crocodile's defeat, the navy's warships finally regrouped. Some had arrived earlier, but it wasn't until Admiral Aokiji himself—who had traveled through the night—that the fleet gathered in full force. After discussions and direct Den Den Mushi contact with Marine Headquarters, the decision was made.
With an admiral leading them, the marines dared to set foot in the dangerous kingdom of Alabasta. Their mission: confirm the latest movements of the Souta Kiryuu Pirates.
It wasn't an exaggeration—only an admiral could face Souta's crew. Perhaps Vice Admiral Garp, with his legendary "Fist of Iron," might also manage. But aside from that? Any other vice admiral or rear admiral who attempted to challenge the Kiryuu Pirates would simply be marching to their death.
Inside the Rain Dinners Casino
"Captain Souta, Admiral Aokiji has landed with part of the navy in Alabasta. More fleets are rushing here from Marine Headquarters.
I can also see the World Government's colossal lion-headed warship, Vice Admiral Garp's signature dog-headed vessel, and another admiral-class battleship among them."
Violette pressed her thumbs and forefingers into rings over her eyes, activating her Gaze-Gaze Fruit's clairvoyant ability. Her vision stretched across nearly four thousand kilometers, making her the crew's ultimate lookout and intelligence officer.
"Well, if it's only one admiral," Souta replied casually, tearing a chunk from a giant scorpion claw, "then let's have a fight."
The meat was chewy and rich, tasting not much different from oversized crab claws. Baby 5 and the floating Perona quickly handed him drinks and fruit, making Souta's mood even more relaxed.
Meanwhile, Enel crackled with excitement, lightning surging across his body. He was itching to clash with Aokiji—the icy power of a Logia against his own thunder.
Would the admiral's frost weaken here, in the scorching desert? Souta doubted it. Aokiji could freeze volcanic magma mid-eruption. Such an outrageous ability would hardly falter because of a little sand and sun.
No, Souta saw this instead as a valuable opportunity. One day in the future, Aokiji would quit the marines—whether out of disillusionment with "justice," or for secretive undercover reasons. If Souta could exploit that moment, perhaps even sway him through words alone, then the admiral might serve the Kiryuu Pirates instead.
If not, then Souta would simply claim him as a weapon. With enough cruelty and cunning, he might capture Aokiji alive, strip away his Ice-Ice Fruit powers, or even reforge him into a mindless Pacifista-style war machine.
One way or another, Souta would not let an admiral's strength—or the Ice-Ice Fruit itself—slip through his fingers.
News Across the Seas
While Aokiji's forces advanced inland from Alabasta's port, the World Economy News spread its latest issue across the globe.
Since aligning with the Kiryuu Pirates, Morgans' Big News Agency had gained exclusive scoops at an almost ridiculous rate. Photos, eyewitness reports, direct leaks—it was a partnership too profitable for him to resist. Morgans never worked for free, though. As a "special correspondent," Lafitte was paid handsomely for every report. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Inside his New World headquarters, the rotund, white-feathered Morgans laughed uproariously in his tailored suit.
"Guahahaha! Who'll be the next Warlord to fall?
The Pirate Empress in the Calm Belt?
The Fish-Man Jinbei beneath the waves?
The flamboyant Donquixote Doflamingo in the New World?
Or perhaps the world's greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk himself?!"
So far, three Warlords had already been toppled. One by Fire Fist Ace. One who surrendered under Souta Kiryuu's banner. And one—Crocodile—defeated outright by Souta himself.
The system of the Seven Warlords, once touted by the World Government as a force equal to the marines and the Yonko, now trembled on the brink of collapse.
Instead of inspiring fear, the Warlords had become little more than stepping stones for Souta's legend.
If Crocodile truly ended up under Souta's command, Morgans had no doubt—the Kiryuu Pirates would possess power to rival, perhaps even surpass, the Yonko. Their elite force was already taking shape, its strength threatening to eclipse all four Emperors.
Another Warlord, and they'd have the full power to declare war on any Yonko crew.
Each Warlord was formidable—some rivaled the calamities of Kaido's crew or Big Mom's Sweet Commanders. Yet of the four that remained, Boa Hancock and Doflamingo both wielded Conqueror's Haki, making them nearly impossible to subjugate. Jinbei's loyalty to Whitebeard also removed him from consideration.
That left only Mihawk—the solitary swordsman, the world's strongest blade, able to duel Shanks himself. The perfect target, yet also the most dangerous one.
Still, Morgans trusted his instincts. Souta Kiryuu was no ordinary man. His gut screamed that Souta would drag down another Warlord or two, reshaping the balance of the seas forever.
Dressrosa, New World
In his palace, Doflamingo stared down at the fresh newspaper reporting Crocodile's humiliating defeat. His face darkened, lips twisting into a venomous snarl.
That bastard Souta Kiryuu was at it again—striking directly at the Warlords. A creeping sense of crisis clawed at his chest.
Worse, Crocodile had been a major client. Arms, seastone supplies, weapons for Alabasta's rebel forces—all lucrative contracts funneled through the Donquixote Family. Now? All of it smashed, swept away by Souta's reckless advance.
"Damn the World Government! Damn the marines!" Doflamingo roared. With a flick of his fingers, threads of white light sliced the offending newspaper into fine powder.
The loss of Crocodile was costly, yes—but the unchecked rise of Souta Kiryuu's crew was infinitely more dangerous. Even back on Sabaody, when Doflamingo had aided Souta once, he'd feared this day might come. The Donquixote Family couldn't possibly withstand the full fury of the Kiryuu Pirates now.
Meanwhile, far away on Amazon Lily, the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock read the same report with an entirely different emotion.
Her heart raced. Souta Kiryuu's power, his defiance, his overwhelming presence—she longed for him. If he came to her island, she would not hesitate. She would lead the Kuja Pirates herself into his service.
If not… then she would abandon everything. The throne, the title of Empress, even her people. Just as Gloriosa had once forsaken it all to join Rocks, Hancock would do the same—for Souta Kiryuu.