Months later, in the Grand Line — Shinjitsu Island.
"Roooar!!"
"Boom!!"
A half-dragon man was smashed violently into the ground, the impact sending shockwaves across the earth. Soil rose in towering waves, spreading outward in rings, while a storm of dust engulfed the island. The entire land trembled under the force of the strike.
"Pteh!"
From within the massive crater, Souta Kiryuu dragged himself up, spitting blood from his mouth. His eyes, however, burned with wild exhilaration.
"So this is Conqueror's Haki infusion? As brutal as I thought!!"
Even his hardened dragon scales had cracked apart, yet Souta's spirit only soared higher. He wanted—no, needed—to master this terrifying power for himself.
"Your body is impressive—monstrous, really."
Clad in a green cloak, Monkey D. Dragon studied Souta with a flicker of surprise. He already knew Souta Kiryuu, the strongest experimental subject, was powerful, but he hadn't expected him to withstand even a single infused strike of Conqueror's Haki.
"Don't drag this out—keep going! I already paid the tuition fee!"
Half-dragon flames of Lunarian fire erupted across Souta's body as he hurled himself at Dragon once more, the leader of the Revolutionary Army. Their clash reignited in a frenzy of blistering speed and raw power, each exchange making the air itself shudder.
Watching from the sidelines, Enel trembled—not from fear, but from anticipation. His eyes locked onto Karasu the Crow, commander of the Revolutionary Army's Northern forces. Karasu's Ash-Ash Fruit made him a fearsome Logia-user, and Enel's blood boiled at the thought of proving himself against such a veteran powerhouse.
This entire meeting had been orchestrated by Bartholomew Kuma, who sought to foster cooperation between Souta's crew—the Kiryuu Pirates—and the Revolutionaries. Souta's hunger to learn Conqueror's Haki infusion made this confrontation inevitable.
And for Dragon, Souta's mountains of gold were irresistible.
The Revolutionary Army was desperately strapped for resources, so when Souta agreed without hesitation to Dragon's outrageous fee—one billion Berries per day for instruction—even the most hardened revolutionaries were dumbstruck.
If today was about fighting the wealthy, then Souta Kiryuu was the perfect "fat cat" to bleed dry.
Elsewhere, Capone Bege, representing the Kiryuu Pirates, was in tense negotiations with Belo Betty, commander of the Eastern Army.
"The supplies you're offering aren't enough. We want Devil Fruits or rare materials in exchange," Bege said, cigar clenched between his teeth, eyes sweeping dismissively over the Revolutionary inventory list.
The mafia don's tone was sharp and calculating. Yet even he had to admit that a few things—like Fish-Man Karate and Jujutsu manuals from Fish-Man Island, or the Okama Kingdom's notorious 99 Attack Cuisine Recipes—held genuine value.
"Hmph. Those things aren't even enough for our own forces," Betty replied coolly, cigarette dangling from her lips. Her blouse hung loose, exposing snowy cleavage, her entire presence radiating the aura of a dangerous, brash queenpin.
Her army's inventor, Lindbergh, could already repurpose most of their gathered materials for Revolutionary tech. If Souta's crew wouldn't accept them, then she'd simply rely on Dragon to squeeze more funding from Souta directly. With money, they could always buy what they needed elsewhere.
"Then we'll just take the Fish-Man techniques, the vitality menus, and one of Lindbergh's prototype freeze guns," Bege said at last, his voice steady. With Souta's limitless gold at his disposal, he held all the leverage, cherry-picking what he wanted.
Among the Kiryuu Pirates, the West Blue mafia godfather had essentially become the quartermaster—the one who kept the machine running.
Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Army's West Army commander, Morley, whispered nervously to Kuma, voice oddly delicate for his giant frame.
"Kuma… we're not really gonna fight, right?"
The giant's gaze flitted over Souta's crew—each member radiating menace in their own unique way. Trafalgar Law's calculating eyes, Lafitte's eerie grin, Enel's predatory smirk, and the simmering rage of the long-eared berserker. They looked ready to erupt into chaos at any moment.
"Relax. At most, a little sparring," Kuma replied gently, adjusting his rimless glasses. Warmth and kindness softened his face. On his shoulder sat a pink-haired girl, waving her arms excitedly.
Jewelry Bonney.
Months of treatments under Vegapunk, Man Shirley, and Law had culminated in a successful stem-cell transplant. Though not fully cured, Bonney could finally move freely under the sun.
This exchange with the Revolutionaries was her first glimpse of the wider world—a grand adventure aboard a golden flying ship launched from Skypiea. For Bonney, the memories of this maiden voyage would last a lifetime.
The Golden Ark Maxim, completed under the supervision of the inventor Wolf, had been rushed into service. Today's journey was also its maiden flight, making it doubly momentous.
"Kuma, will you ever come back to the Revolutionary Army?"
Young fighters like Sabo and Koala looked at him with longing. They missed their teacher, their comrade.
"Not anymore. We belong to Souta Kiryuu's crew now. We've found a new home."
Before Kuma could speak, Bonney shouted the words proudly. She adored her life in Skypiea, cherished the company of Vegapunk, Man Shirley, and the others.
When Kuma had served with the Revolutionaries, he was constantly busy, always away from the church in Sorbet Kingdom, returning battered and exhausted. Bonney had resented it.
But with Souta, things were different. Kuma stayed by her side, and Souta's crew had even cured her illness. Bonney had insisted on joining them, becoming the youngest member of the Kiryuu Pirates. To her, this crew was family.
"She's right. I won't be returning," Kuma admitted softly. "But I'll ensure Souta and Dragon reach an understanding. We'll work together again when the time comes."
He had promised Souta as much. After all, Souta hadn't just cured Bonney—he'd also avenged Ginny by slaughtering a Celestial Dragon. Kuma's heart had been shaken deeply.
During Ginny's captivity, Dragon had counseled patience, warning Kuma not to provoke the Celestial Dragons. That caution had cost him his courage.
But Souta Kiryuu was different. Reckless, yes. But also brave. He had been the first to openly declare war on the Celestial Dragons—and even killed one.
He had shattered the untouchable image of their "gods."
Dangerous as it was, following Souta was never suffocating. Their creed was simple:
Face death head-on. If you're not convinced, fight!
For Kuma, Bonney, Law, and the rest of the Kiryuu Pirates, that slogan carried iron weight and fiery pride.