Carrying his two captives, Souta Kiryuu flew swiftly back toward Beehive Island.
Seeing Wang Zhi defeated so quickly—and even the so-called "omnipresent" Teleportation Fruit user Shiro Yule unable to escape from Souta's dragon claws—the pirates on Beehive Island were plunged into absolute terror. More than half the will to resist vanished instantly.
Camus Bidan and Amuro Ray, the two highest officers of the Wang Zhi Pirates, were shaken to the core by the fall of their captain and Shiro Yule.
Bartholomew Kuma and the Six Paths of Souta increased their pressure, ruthlessly beating the two into bloody, broken submission.
By the time Souta landed, they had already finished the battle and taken the remaining core members of the Wang Zhi Pirates into custody.
Souta tossed Wang Zhi and Shiro Yule to Kuma and rose again, landing atop the massive skull-shaped stronghold of Beehive Island, surveying the chaos below.
The Pirate Empress was cutting her way through the battlefield—corpses shattered at her feet like broken statues.
Gecko Moria animated fresh corpses into new zombies, turning the island into an ocean of fear.
Crocodile, Law, Bege, Lafitte—each was locked in combat against the strongest of the remaining pirate captains.
On the central plaza, Bartolomeo ripped down the flag of the Wang Zhi Pirates and burned it openly, laughing wildly as flames consumed the emblem.
The moment Souta appeared above the skull fortress, the morale of the Souta Pirates surged, while the pirates of Beehive Island fought while fleeing, panic spreading like wildfire.
Some pirate crews were already whispering—
about switching sides.
About bending the knee.
About joining Souta Kiryuu—the unstoppable rising emperor of the New World.
From the moment the Souta Pirates entered the Beehive Sea, every information network and spy agency had been transmitting reports at full speed.
The Wang Zhi Pirates themselves had even spread word through the underworld.
So when the World Government and Marine Headquarters learned that Souta Kiryuu was attacking Beehive Island, they were shocked once again.
They had assumed Souta's next move would be targeting a Marine fortress—or the Red-Haired Pirates.
They had even prepared to send forces to G-18 Fortress to guard against a possible ambush on Shanks.
But Saint Mars feared this was simply a diversion, and that Souta's true objective might be the Adams Kingdom.
No one expected Souta to target Beehive Island instead.
Marine Headquarters — G-9 Fortress
Upon receiving the latest reports, Vice Admiral Momousagi (Gion) hurried to consult with Garp, anxiety tightening her expression.
"Garp-san… Peacock and Grus are stationed at G-14 Fortress. I'm afraid after Souta finishes with Beehive Island, he may invade G-14 as well…"
She remembered G-5 Fortress—reduced to ashes by Souta's forces.
If Peacock and the others died or were captured, she would never forgive herself—not after the trust Vice Admiral Tsuru placed in her.
"Then call the Peacock girl and tell her to evacuate immediately!"
Garp snapped, eyes wide.
Their fleet was currently restricted by Saint Mars.
They couldn't reinforce G-18.
They had watched it be destroyed bit by bit by the war between Kaido and Shanks.
Now some survivors of G-18 had escaped toward G-9—at a terrible cost.
"Right!"
While Gion urgently contacted G-14, Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Strategist Tsuru issued a new command from Marineford:
Admiral Zephyr is to lead a Marine fleet to G-14 and oversee evacuation.
G-14 still held strong due to powerful island defenses and artillery.
But without reinforcement, withdrawal would be nearly impossible.
New World — Sphinx Sea Region
The Whitebeard Pirates were already patrolling their territory when they received a distress call from the Wang Zhi Pirates.
The division commanders immediately broke into heated debate.
By territory rights, Beehive Island fell under Whitebeard's protection.
Wang Zhi's crew even paid tribute—at least sometimes.
So they should help.
But Wang Zhi had repeatedly provoked Whitebeard's flag, withholding tribute and acting independently.
Many saw no reason to save him.
And this wasn't some small raid.
This was the Souta Pirates—war strength beyond reason.
Even if Whitebeard intervened, there was no guarantee of victory.
Some commanders insisted on helping for honor.
Others refused, out of anger or practicality.
All eyes eventually turned to Whitebeard himself.
He listened, then sat in silence—eyes closed.
If they helped, they risked devastating losses.
If they didn't, his reputation as Emperor would collapse.
If Kaido or Big Mom were attacking Beehive Island, he would go.
No question.
But this was Souta Kiryuu.
Even Whitebeard himself admitted—
he could not defeat all of Souta's monsters.
Worse—Shanks was already fighting Kaido.
Whitebeard could not take on Souta alone.
He had even considered moving to G-18 to prevent Souta from ambushing Shanks—
and expected the World Government to send major forces as well.
But Souta did not go to attack the Red-Haired Pirates.
He struck Beehive Island instead.
The situation became impossible.
Whitebeard clenched his jaw, preparing to sacrifice reputation to protect his sons—
When a scout rushed forward, breathless.
"Pops!! Barrett, Enel, Shiryu of the Rain, and the prison-break crews of Souta Pirates have appeared in the G-18 sea!"
"They're fighting alongside the Beasts Pirates—
besieging the Red-Haired Pirates!!"
Shock rippled through the Whitebeard Pirates.
"What!? Souta Kiryuu actually split his forces?!"
Ace shouted in disbelief.
Souta had attacked Whitebeard's territory with only half his strength.
Was he looking down on them?
Was he saying half his crew was enough to crush both Wang Zhi and the Whitebeard Pirates?
Whitebeard's crew roared in outrage—
"That arrogant brat!!"
"Old man! Let's go kill him while his army is split!"
Rage surged like wildfire.
The New World trembled.