"Akainu..."
While clashing fiercely with Barrett, Aokiji Kuzan's gaze shifted toward Souta Kiryuu, who now stood side by side with the Golden Lion, Shiki. His expression tightened.
That stubborn old rival... had he been taken under Souta's control as well?
"Don't stare at him. That mad dog's current output isn't even on your level."
Barrett's massive fist, wrapped in pulsing Conqueror's Haki, crashed into Kuzan's ice armor. His grin was wild, savage.
Now that Souta Kiryuu, the self-proclaimed 'captain,' had brought the core strength of the Kiryuu Pirates into the battlefield, Barrett would no longer be pressured to retreat by the Five Elders.
This war was only going to get bigger.
And more strong men might fall here today, just like Whitebeard.
"Admiral Akainu... Admiral Akainu has betrayed the Navy..."
Across countless Marine branches and towns watching the broadcast, soldiers and civilians covered their mouths in shock. All eyes were fixed on that black-smoke-wreathed, magma-soaked silhouette.
"I don't believe it! Admiral Akainu would never betray the Marines! It has to be that bastard Souta Kiryuu! He must have used some Devil Fruit power to control him!"
The Marines remaining at headquarters screamed in outrage. They simply refused to accept the truth.
In the Marine command room, Sengoku the Buddha and the high-ranking officers watching the broadcast clenched their fists.
Sengoku saw the true crisis.
The Five Elders might not hold out against the overwhelming lineup of the Kiryuu Pirates.
The pirate power on Souta Kiryuu's side was terrifying—not only individually, but in sheer number.
The World Government and the Navy might lose this war.
The Five Elders could escape with their magical teleportation array. But what about men like Garp and Kuzan?
Unless the one in Mary Geoise personally intervened.
The one known in legend as the King of the World — Imu.
Only that undying god could tilt the scales now.
Sengoku had never expected Souta's power to have grown this monstrous.
On the battlefield of the G18 Fortress.
A giant pink-haired girl wielded an enormous blood-red battle flag bearing Souta's crest. She swung it with exhilarating force, pride blazing across her face.
"Five Elders, prepare to die! My Souta-sama will crush you! The Kiryuu Pirates will rule this war!!"
Bonn—now massive thanks to her "Future Imagination" ability—stood proudly at the center of the field, the flag snapping like thunder.
Several News Birds circled above, broadcasting her image worldwide.
"It's the 320 million bounty pirate, the 'Tyrant's Daughter' Bonney!!"
Her legendary acts—burning the World Government flag, beating down Celestial Dragons—had already made her an icon of rebellion among countless young women.
And now she stood beside her idol, Souta Kiryuu, day and night.
Envious eyes watched her from the Sabaody Archipelago and the Golden Entertainment City.
Out on the sea, the Big Mom Pirates observed.
"Mamamamama! The Kiryuu Pirates really are outrageous. One monster after another!"
Big Mom's shrewd little eyes gleamed.
The Kiryuu Pirates' displayed power already surpassed the Four Emperors.
She suspected that even if the Big Mom Pirates and the Beast Pirates joined forces, they might not beat Souta's side.
Fortunately, Souta's enemy was the World Government, not other pirates.
Souta Kiryuu's threat level had already surpassed Rocks.
"No. I must form a marriage alliance with Souta Kiryuu!"
Big Mom couldn't risk her Totto Land being targeted, like what happened to Whitebeard and Red-Hair.
Rumor said Kaido was preparing to marry his daughter Yamato to Souta—and had already negotiated terms.
So Big Mom would do the same.
She mentally listed several promising daughters.
Smoothie, Galette, Pudding...
"If one isn't enough, I'll send several. I will tie that man to us."
Decision made, she turned her fleet.
"Head back! We continue attacking the Marines!"
This war would reshape the New World.
The Big Mom Pirates would not be left out.
"Yes, Mama!"
Cracker and Snack rallied the remnants to crash into the Marine forces.
King from the Beast Pirates also shifted immediately, moving to encircle the remaining Marine fleet.
"Yahahaha!! I knew it! Boss God is the supreme deity! He will rule the Blue Sea and all lands!"
Enel didn't even look at the cowards who had retreated. He simply continued slaughtering Marines.
"What a deliciously insane war..."
Shiryu of the Rain grinned, shifting into a druidic hawk form before diving toward his old rival Bogard.
"Ahahahaha! The momentum is ours again! Charge!!"
The Evil King didn't care about Enel's mockery.
Being cautious after suffering Impel Down wasn't weakness—it was survival.
"Mmm~ I wonder if Souta-sama will like it if I bring back that Marine flower, Gion…"
Caterina Devon, the Nine-Tailed Fox, licked her lips as her gaze locked on the beautiful Marine commander.
She wouldn't allow Enel or Shiryu to kill her. This one was a gift.
The combined assault of the Big Mom Pirates, Beast Pirates, and Kiryuu Pirates devastated the Marine fleet. Countless viewers wept as they watched.
Back on the main glacier battlefield:
"Souta! Lend me your Kiryuu Six Paths! I want to take down a Five Elder!!"
Boundi Walde roared with manic joy. This was his moment to strike back at those Celestial Dragon tyrants who had framed him, captured him, and left him frozen for more than thirty years.
Today, that debt would be paid.
He charged straight at the recovering giant sand worm. It looked like an easy punching bag.
"Don't get careless and die."
Souta smiled lightly and ordered the Kiryuu Six Paths to assist Walde. He also sent Blackbeard Teach along.
Let them all gang up on that resurrecting monster.
Let's see how many times it can revive.
Souta understood the secrets of Origin Power now.