Within the living quarters of the Tontatta Tribe.
The first batch of defective artificial Devil Fruits had been harvested, numbering over fifty. These SMILE fruits, modeled after Zoan abilities, came with a harsh gamble. The success rate for gaining powers was terribly low, and if one failed, the user would lose the ability to express emotions altogether, left only with a twisted, permanent grin.
Yet Souta Kiryuu paid little mind to such risks. Even with only a twenty to thirty percent chance of success, Kaido of the Beasts would purchase them in droves. After all, within the Beast Pirates, tens of thousands of underlings were available—expendable tools for experimentation.
Still, Souta carried two complete versions of artificial Devil Fruits as well. These weren't cheap imitations but near-perfect replicas, costing as much as a genuine Devil Fruit and requiring the blood of other ability users as exchange. He wanted to see how Kaido would choose: the cheaper, more plentiful defective versions, or the expensive, fully functional ones. If he could obtain the blood of Kaido himself, Yamato, the Calamities, or even the Flying Six, it would be an incredible prize. No matter what, the Souta Pirates would never suffer a loss.
But before venturing to Wano—the Beast Pirates' stronghold—Souta knew he needed one more powerhouse at his side. He couldn't afford Kaido's brute temperament turning a business meeting into chaos. Moria, of course, wanted nothing to do with making deals with Kaido. He glared at Souta resentfully. If it were an all-out battle against the Beasts, Moria would happily tag along. But negotiating with Kaido? That wasn't in his nature, even if Souta's scheme involved swindling him with artificial fruits.
...
"Bartholomew Kuma, I know you've been to Amazon Lily. Take me there."
After setting affairs in Skypiea and preparing for the Wano expedition, Souta finally turned his attention toward the woman who had lingered in his mind—the world's most beautiful woman. He hoped the Pirate Empress would not disappoint him.
Having already slain two Celestial Dragons and a Knight of God, Souta figured if that didn't impress Boa Hancock, then he would simply abandon the idea of winning her favor and instead forcefully claim her blood. At worst, he could create a Seraphim of her himself and gain the power of the Love-Love Fruit.
"You're certain? That woman detests men," Kuma replied, momentarily startled. Once, in desperation to cure Bonney, he had stepped foot on Amazon Lily but found nothing. Still, he had witnessed firsthand the Empress's disdain for men.
"I know." Souta's voice was calm but firm. With his Conqueror's Haki fully awakened and clad around him, he had no doubt he could overcome the Pirate Empress. Excessive Haki could suppress any Devil Fruit power. Besides, this wasn't about fighting—he was going to woo her. Perhaps he could even bring her secretly to Wano, to use as a trump card.
Since the abolishment of the Seven Warlords system, Boa Hancock's bounty had been reinstated, soaring past that of the Calamities—1.659 billion berries. She had effortlessly defeated Blackbeard's subordinates, Catarina Devon and Vasco Shot. To Souta, her defeating Queen the Plague would be no problem. With Kuma and Enel already in his crew, they wouldn't be outmatched even in Wano.
"Alright," Kuma said at last. Without another word, he raised his massive paw and sent Souta flying toward Amazon Lily's jungles with a burst of compressed air.
The crew of the Souta Pirates were stunned. Their captain intended to confront the Pirate Empress alone. Neither the World Government nor the Navy could have guessed that his next target would be yet another former Warlord. Souta seemed intent on challenging them one by one.
Meanwhile, after acquiring King's Lunarian cells, Vegapunk had begun constructing the second generation of Seraphim. The process varied depending on available candidates, but with Crocodile now captured, his lineage factor was added into the project. Golden Lion Shiki, Moria, Rob Lucci—their genes were already in progress, alongside more from Souta and Kuma. The scale of the project depended heavily on King's Lunarian cells.
Piece by piece, Souta's Seraphim army was being forged, destined to one day shake the very foundations of the World Government. This was the true might of Vegapunk's science.
...
Deep within the lush forests of Amazon Lily.
A colossal paw-print crater appeared as Souta landed heavily, leaping free from the impact zone. He grinned. "Boa Hancock, don't disappoint me."
A woman both beautiful and powerful, yet hopelessly romantic—she was worth the trip to this windless zone.
Before the Kuja warriors could respond, Souta slipped into invisibility, soaring toward the palace.
Inside the royal palace, Elder Nyon was once again lecturing Boa Hancock. But Hancock's eyes were glued to the latest newspaper, her mind racing. The Souta Pirates had defeated Crocodile, then clashed with Admiral Aokiji, escaping unscathed—even managing to injure the admiral. The news excited her. That man was growing stronger and stronger.
"Hancock, this man they call 'Subject No. 88' is targeting the Warlords and the World Government. He may come after us," Nyon warned, her expression grave. Once feared across the seas, three Warlords had already fallen within the year. With no replacements appointed, the Warlords' deterrent power had diminished greatly. If Souta turned his sights on Amazon Lily, how could they possibly resist? Not even the Calm Belt could keep out the Souta Pirates, who treated the world like their backyard.
"I forbid you from calling him 'Subject 88' again! Address him as Lord Souta—or the God-Slayer!" Hancock snapped, lifting the old woman by her collar, her eyes sharp. She would hear no slander against that man.
"Hancock, you…" Nyon sighed helplessly. The Empress had fallen into infatuation without even meeting him face to face. What madness was this?
"Souta is a hero on par with Fisher Tiger," Hancock declared, her eyes shining with starlight. "The Celestial Dragons tremble and beg before him. He is the only man I have ever seen dare to kill them."
The thought of those detestable Celestial Dragons, slain like dogs by Souta, thrilled her to her very core. Were it not for her duty to protect Amazon Lily, she would gladly follow him.
"Oh? So in the Empress's eyes, I am such a great hero?"
Suddenly, a magnetic voice filled the chamber. Both Hancock and Nyon turned toward the palace's high window. A youthful, imposing figure emerged from the shadows, his presence overwhelming. Hancock's eyes widened, her hand covering her lips in shock.
Souta Kiryuu had arrived.