"The Souta Kiryuu Pirates??"
In the isolated Land of Wano, which had shut itself off from the outside world, few had ever heard of forces from beyond the seas.
But Tenguyama Hitetsu already sensed this was a powerful faction from the outside.
Could they be affiliated with the World Government?
Or perhaps a pirate crew as fearsome as the Beasts Pirates?
Yet the fact that this man knew about the Poneglyphs meant he was anything but ordinary.
"Come with me."
Bartholomew Kuma spoke softly, his towering figure vanishing in a blur as he reappeared by the wall, seizing the blade known as the Second Generation Kitetsu.
"So strong! So fast!"
Hitetsu's heart sank as he witnessed Kuma's speed. His will to resist crumbled instantly.
"Master!"
Otama rushed to support the wounded Hitetsu, tears brimming in her eyes as she looked up in fear at the massive "giant."
If only her brother Ace were here… would he be able to defeat this monster?
"What connection does your crew have with the World Government… or the Beasts Pirates?"
Hitetsu pressed on grimly. If this man had ties to either force, he swore he would rather die than reveal more about the Poneglyphs.
"We exist only to overthrow the World Government," Kuma replied calmly. "At the moment, we maintain a small cooperation with the Beasts Pirates."
With that, he raised his hand, trapping Otama inside a shimmering bubble of air.
"Hand over the blade used to carve the Poneglyphs."
Kuma's cold stare and steady voice pressed down on Hitetsu like a mountain. Otama panicked, pounding on the bubble in terror.
"Don't hurt her!"
Hitetsu's entire body shook. At last, he slumped to the ground in resignation.
This giant's power far surpassed Kurozumi Orochi and even the strongest of the Oniwabanshu.
Under Kuma's watchful gaze, the broken smith rose unsteadily and walked into his chamber. From a hidden compartment, he retrieved the sacred tool passed down through the Kozuki clan — the blade used to carve the history of the world.
"This is what you want… Can you spare us now?"
He asked desperately, not knowing what fate awaited them once they left. He could not abandon Wano, not before seeing the Beasts Pirates defeated.
"That's not an option. Our captain wishes to see you both."
Kuma took the tool, then struck, sending Otama flying with a single paw-shaped shockwave. As Hitetsu roared in shock and anger, he too was blasted away.
Casting one last look around the forge, Kuma casually gathered several other blades that caught his eye, then vanished once more in a blur.
Meanwhile, aboard the Ark Maxim...
Souta Kiryuu received a call via Den Den Mushi — from Queen the Plague.
"Well, well! Souta Kiryuu! You actually took Kurozumi Orochi's Mythical Zoan blood sample? That belongs to the Beasts Pirates!"
"I couldn't care less," Souta replied lazily. "If you want, send over an artificial Yamata no Orochi fruit. At most, we'll toss you three hundred million Berries for production costs."
Queen snarled, listening to Orochi's whining in the background. That bastard Souta had snatched a vial of Orochi's blood, and Orochi was urging Queen to have Kaido punish him. After all, how could Kaido call himself the guardian king of Wano if Souta was allowed to run rampant?
"Queen, are you brain-dead? You couldn't collect his blood yourself, but now you want the fruit? Not happening! Orochi's blood is my spoils of war. If you're not satisfied, tell Kaido to come fight me himself! I've killed Celestial Dragons and plundered allied nations — you think I'd fear you?"
Souta sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. He had what he came for; he could leave Wano whenever he pleased. If Kaido wanted to chase him onto the Grand Line, then the deal for artificial Devil Fruits was finished.
"Y-you… Souta Kiryuu, don't get so arrogant!!"
Queen fumed, shaking with rage. He had suspected all along that Souta's intentions were never just business. And now it was clear — Souta had already stolen Orochi's power.
But how had he known about Orochi in the first place?
Orochi had never left Wano. The nation was sealed tight from the outside.
Unless… unless there was a traitor among the Beasts Pirates!
The more Queen thought about it, the more it made sense. Yes — there had to be a spy working for Souta!
Souta's laughter echoed through the Den Den Mushi. "Oh, now you realize? Or did you think the Beasts Pirates were stronger than the World Government itself?"
With that, he slammed the line shut.
Boa Hancock's eyes sparkled as she gazed at the man she adored. This kind of arrogance… this kind of fearlessness — even before Kaido himself — it was intoxicating.
Hiyori, Denjiro, and Shinobu were left dumbfounded.
They had believed Souta was Kaido's ally. But now, they saw him mocking Queen and openly declaring war.
If Souta dared to say such things, then his crew must truly possess the power to rival the Beasts Pirates.
"Ha! Souta-nii, that was way too good!" Jewelry Bonney burst into laughter, clutching her stomach. "I hate that fat slob too — you said exactly what I wanted to hear!"
Bonney had already heard from Kuma about his past with the Revolutionary Army — all the indignities and sacrifices he had endured. How fortunate, she thought, that Kuma had abandoned that path to join Souta Kiryuu's banner instead.
"Hahaha! If we really clash with the Beasts Pirates, that'll play right into Moria's plans."
Capone Bege roared with laughter as well. With the Pirate Empress now on Souta's side, his confidence had soared.
The Kiryuu Pirates boasted Kuma, Enel, Boa Hancock, and Gecko Moria as their top four commanders — more than enough to suppress Kaido's three Disasters.
Bege clenched his fists. If he worked harder, perhaps he could stand toe-to-toe with one of the Flying Six.
And then there were Law, Lafitte, Bonney, Akainu's defectors like Wiper, Brook, and the special unit led by Rob Lucci. Add to that the soon-to-be-completed Seraphim project, and the crew's strength would skyrocket further.
According to Souta and Dr. Vegapunk, the Seraphim would wield powerful Paramecia abilities, making them combatants on par with the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
The thought made Bege's blood race. The Kiryuu Pirates were destined to surpass even the Yonko themselves!
"After we wipe out the Donquixote Family, taking on the Yonko won't be out of reach!"
Trafalgar Law allowed himself a rare smile. Once, even facing Doflamingo alone had filled him with despair. But now? The Donquixote Family was nothing but prey waiting to be hunted. Even the Beasts Pirates no longer seemed invincible.
Truth be told, joining Souta Kiryuu had been the best decision of his entire life.