Sabaody Archipelago — once known as the "Pirate Island."
Now, its streets were barren and silent. The shops stood empty, their doors creaking in the sea breeze. The lively laughter of pirates and merchants had been replaced by the eerie quiet of abandonment.
The underground brokers who once controlled the island gritted their teeth in frustration, powerless against the authority of the Marines who had purged the place. They could only curse quietly, knowing full well they were no match for the World Government.
Down one of the deserted streets, a group of Marines marched in perfect formation. The sight of Fleet Admiral Sengoku, flanked by legends like Garp, Kizaru, and Akainu, immediately drew the attention of the few remaining tourists — though any who tried to follow were quickly blocked by surrounding Marines.
In Area 1, Kaito sat casually on a wooden chair, waiting.
He had already figured out what Sengoku was planning. With all these Marine powerhouses gathering on Sabaody, there was no mistaking it — the old man wanted him captured.
But Sengoku's plans, no matter how perfect they seemed on paper… reality would prove far crueler.
The sound of synchronized footsteps echoed closer. Kaito lifted his head, his gaze landing on Sengoku leading the charge, with Garp, Kizaru, Akainu, and several Vice Admirals trailing behind.
"Quite the lineup," Kaito said with a playful smirk. "Even Garp and Kizaru, huh? Looks like you're determined to arrest me right after our little exchange."
Sengoku stopped a few paces away, silent and stern. He gestured with a wave of his arm.
A Marine stepped forward, opening the suitcase he carried — revealing a mountain of Berries piled neatly inside.
Kaito snapped his fingers. A small rift in space opened beside him, and the Marines, clearly familiar with this process, shut the suitcase and tossed it in without hesitation.
Kaito nodded once, then extended his hand. From thin air, a battered Aokiji appeared, unconscious and covered in frost burns. Kaito flung him lightly toward the Marines.
"Catch."
A blur of white smoke shot upward. Smoker leapt forward, catching Aokiji before speeding off toward the Marine lines.
Now, only silence remained between Kaito and the Marine legends surrounding him.
Kaito's smirk didn't waver. "You really want to do this? You think this little crowd can stop me?"
"You've crossed the line too many times," Sengoku replied coldly. "Every Marine Headquarters powerhouse here — apart from those stationed at distant fronts — has assembled for one purpose: your capture."
Behind Sengoku stood Garp, Akainu, Kizaru, Momousagi, Chaton, and several elite Vice Admirals. It was a force capable of overwhelming even a Yonko. No wonder Sengoku sounded so confident.
But Kaito only chuckled. "Then let's play."
"Arrogant fool!" Sengoku snapped, his fury finally breaking loose. His body shone with divine golden light as he transformed into his Mythical Zoan: Human-Human Fruit, Model—Buddha.
A colossal golden palm formed above Kaito, its radiance flooding the entire area with holy brilliance. The air thickened under its pressure, cracking the ground beneath Kaito's feet.
The Buddha's palm descended like divine judgment.
And then —
"Wahaha! That old geezer Sengoku couldn't hold it in anymore!" came the unmistakable laugh from behind. Only Garp could laugh like that in the middle of a deadly standoff.
The golden palm slammed down.
BOOM!
The ground split apart, shockwaves rippling through the island as a cloud of dust swallowed everything. The force left a crater so deep it seemed bottomless.
Momousagi frowned, eyes narrowing. "Did he hit him? No… Kaito isn't that weak." Her voice trembled slightly, but everyone nearby heard her clearly.
They all shared the same thought. Sengoku's attack was powerful — but it wasn't enough to kill someone on Kaito's level.
Then, as the dust settled, a faint shimmer appeared in the air opposite Sengoku.
Ripples spread outward, and Kaito stepped out of a spatial rift, calm and unharmed.
"Yo, Sengoku," he greeted casually. "We meet again."
His grin was almost friendly — almost. But every Marine present knew that smile. It was mockery.
A handful of Rear Admirals couldn't stand it. "Don't mock the Fleet Admiral!" they shouted, charging forward using Soru.
A blur of motion — and within seconds, they were all sent flying back, blood spraying from their mouths as they crashed unconscious into the ground.
The air fell silent.
Sengoku's jaw tightened. He wanted to warn them not to act rashly, but it was already too late.
"All Marines above Vice Admiral, engage!" he ordered sharply. "Everyone else, maintain the perimeter!"
He couldn't afford to lose more of his elite troops — not to this man.
And as the Marines surrounded him, Kaito stood motionless in the center of the battlefield, the faint trace of a smile still lingering on his lips.