"Boom!!"
Souta Kiryuu was sent flying by Lord Vokiri's monstrous charge, crashing through the side of the massive flagship, the White Leviathan. The shock tore through the ship like an earthquake, and a deep crack spread across its center.
"Snap!"
With a thunderous roar, the legendary ship that had ruled the Grand Line for over three decades finally broke apart. Its bow and stern split, tilting downward as splinters burst into the air, jagged planks jutting upward like shattered bones.
Across the slanted deck, warriors scrambled to hold their footing. The demonic ox-spider—Vokiri's transformed form—dug its black claws effortlessly into the tilting deck, utterly unmoved, still raising the impaled figure of Souta high above its head.
Blood poured steadily from Souta's chest and lips. His trembling hands clutched the claw that had pierced through him. His mouth opened slightly, as if to speak countless words, but his vision blurred, and his pupils dimmed.
He still had so much left unsaid.
Around him, his comrades shouted, cried, screamed—but their voices grew distant as his consciousness drifted. Memories flickered across his fading mind, like lanterns in the dark. Tears blurred everything.
Father… I'm sorry. I failed your hopes.
Old man… forgive me for my recklessness. I couldn't follow the path you wanted.
Luffy… I promised I wouldn't die. I lied.
Marco… Jozu… Oars Jr…
Yamato… Tama…
Sabo… I—
Then, in the midst of the chaos, Souta's grip slipped. His hands fell limp at his sides. His legs ceased their trembling.
The son of the Pirate King, second division commander of the White Leviathan Fleet—Souta Kiryuu—had fallen in battle at the G18 fortress.
"Souta!!!"
The phoenix warrior Marco was flung aside by Lord Nasu's blade, crashing into the splintered deck. He lifted his head to see Souta's lifeless body and screamed, tears streaming down his face.
"No! No, that's impossible! Souta!"
The captains and lieutenants of the White Leviathan Fleet wept and shouted in disbelief.
Across the world, countless viewers stared in silence—or cheered. The son of the Pirate King was dead.
On Shambori Island, the retired warlord Rayleigh trembled, chest heaving, while Shakky gripped his hands tightly, eyes glistening.
In Dressrosa, Sabo, who had taken over the underground trade routes, saw the broadcast and collapsed to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Souta… Souta…"
Flames erupted uncontrollably around him, forcing his companions Karla and Haku to back away in panic.
"What's happening, Sabo!!" Karla cried, helplessly watching him burn with grief.
Meanwhile, the Straw Hat pirates, who had just escaped from the Marine stronghold and reached Shambori Island, stumbled upon the broadcast by chance.
Luffy's usual grin vanished the instant he saw the horrifying image. He broke.
"Souta! Souta! No! Souta can't die!!"
He charged toward the broadcast screen in a frenzy, ignoring Zoro and Sanji as they struggled to restrain him.
Nearby pirates tried to silence the "crazy rookie," but Zoro and Sanji dragged Luffy away just in time.
From the shadows, Rayleigh's eyes narrowed. His Observation Haki sensed something off about the boy's energy.
Shanks mentioned him, he recalled. With quiet resolve, Rayleigh and Shakky approached the Straw Hats.
Back in the East Blue, villagers crowded inside Makino's tavern, weeping openly as they watched the broadcast. The air reeked of grief. Among them, Dadan—the mountain bandit who had once raised Souta—sobbed uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face.
At the G18 fortress, Shanks and his crew barely escaped Kaido's relentless assault. From the back of his red-scaled dragon, he looked up at the screen and saw Souta's lifeless body hanging from the demon's claw.
For a man who rarely lost his composure, the guilt and fury were crushing. He had lost too much—his fleet, his allies, Souta. The world's balance was slipping into chaos. He couldn't help but wonder if his decision to intervene had been a mistake.
On another front, an elderly man with silver hair witnessed Souta's death—and something in him snapped. His killing intent rolled across the sea, so intense that even Big Mom flinched.
"Souta!!"
Admiral Garp coughed blood, trembling as he glared at the monstrous ox-spider.
"Perfect opportunity!" Big Mom howled, lunging forward. But before she could strike, a wave of overwhelming conqueror's Haki exploded outward, shattering the air. Even Kaido and the Five Elders turned their heads in shock.
The so-called Iron Balloon, one of the Four Emperors, was sent flying backward, vomiting blood as several of her ships exploded under the shockwave.
Garp's breathing deepened. His eyes locked on Lord Vokiri and the impaled Souta, and he began striding toward them with murderous intent. Even the demon lord paused under that glare.
This D-clan fool dares defy the heavens? Vokiri sneered inwardly.
Watching through the broadcast, Fleet Admiral Sengoku's face turned white as chalk. He wished he could teleport to Garp and hold him back by force.
Nearby, Garp's loyal adjutant Bogart noticed immediately. Breaking away from his duel with the assassin Shiryuu, he sprinted toward his commander.
"Vice Admiral Garp! Calm down!!" Bogart shouted, spreading his arms to block him. "Please! Don't do this!"
He had fought beside Garp for decades. He knew the truth of Souta's bloodline. Adopting the Pirate King's son was one thing—but to throw away everything for him was unthinkable.
"Move," Garp growled.
"I won't."
Their eyes locked—unyielding. The air between them vibrated with tension.
Then—
"Boom!!"
A new surge of Haki erupted from the ruins of the White Leviathan. From within the shattered hull, a massive figure emerged, blood pouring from two gaping wounds in his chest. He leaned on his long naginata, rage and sorrow radiating from his every breath.
Black-red lightning crackled through the air.
"Souta!!"
Whitebeard—Edward Newgate—roared to the heavens, blood dripping from his mouth as the space around him began to quake and split.
Even the Five Elders faltered.
The world's strongest man had returned.