Even if those newcomers were somehow connected to the Dragon Pirates, the fact remained — they had slain one of Shiki's men and trampled on the honor of the Flying Pirates.For that, they would all die.
Shiki didn't care if Souta Kiryuu's crew was tied to the Dragon Pirates. He planned to destroy them swiftly and then disappear before the Dragon Pirates could retaliate.
He didn't believe anyone — not even the legendary Lord Dragon himself — could reach his floating islands in the sky.
This time, the Golden Lion Shiki intended to reestablish the terrifying name of the Flying Pirates. His air fleet was not some decoration to be overshadowed by the Dragon Pirates' growing fame.
He was sick of hearing about the Dragon Pirates dominating the seas, their infamy shaking the world.If the Four Emperors refused to act, then he would. He'd prove that the Flying Pirates were no weaker than the Dragon Pirates — that Shiki the Golden Lion was every bit as great as Aratsu the Dragon.
To make his statement even louder, he assembled a fleet of over a dozen airborne warships — luxurious vessels once belonging to the Celestial Dragons, now modified and reforged into sky battleships of gold and steel.
With their roaring engines and glittering hulls, Shiki's fleet took off in a thunderous procession, cutting across the clouds — their destination clear. They were going to hunt down Souta Kiryuu and his companions.
Marine Headquarters — Marineford
Inside the strategy chamber, Fleet Admiral Sengoku the Buddha and Vice Admiral Tsuru studied the latest intelligence reports.
The names Souta Kiryuu and Edrago appeared more and more frequently — both new pirates whose movements were attracting unwanted attention.
"Lately, the Dragon Pirates have completely vanished," Tsuru murmured, exhaustion showing on her face. "No one knows where they're hiding. Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Army's activity has increased dramatically."
Under pressure from both the Celestial Dragons and the Five Elders, the Navy had been forced to focus nearly all of its efforts on tracking down the Dragon Pirates. Even the Four Emperors had been left alone for now — every available resource was being redirected.
"Do you really think these rookies are connected to the Dragon Pirates?" Sengoku asked, eyes narrowing as he looked at the wanted posters of Souta Kiryuu and Edrago.
Aratsu the Dragon rarely recruited new members himself — but it wasn't unheard of. Capone Bege, Lafitte, and several other commanders had all once been scouted from distant seas.
And Aratsu had a habit: he only recruited Devil Fruit users.
A Barrier-Barrier Fruit user like Souta Kiryuu and a Sonic-Sonic Fruit user like Edrago fit that pattern perfectly.
"At this point," Tsuru sighed, "we have to hope for any lead at all. If we don't act, the next time the Dragon Pirates resurface, they'll be far stronger than we can handle."
Her expression grew grim. Whether it was the Seraphim weapons or the Impel Down prisoners Aratsu had taken under his command, the Dragon Pirates were now an overwhelming force.
Even the Navy Headquarters could no longer face them alone — only with the World Government's full support could they hope to stand a chance.
The Five Elders had already taken direct control of the operation against the Dragon Pirates. Otherwise, the Navy would've been crushed long ago.
"There's also news," Sengoku added, "that the Red Count and the World Destroyer have been spotted again. If we can capture them, they might lead us straight to the Dragon Pirates' stronghold."
His eyes flashed with determination. Both men were elusive, but even ghosts couldn't hide forever from the World Government's vast intelligence network.
"Then we strike on three fronts," Tsuru decided firmly. "We will find the Dragon Pirates' base."
To ensure success, she assigned Admiral Aokiji and Vice Admiral Garp to pursue the Red Count, who had reappeared in the New World.For Bundy Walde, the World Destroyer, Admiral Akainu would lead an entire fleet.
As for Admiral Kizaru and the two candidate admirals, they were ordered to remain in Mary Geoise, guarding the Celestial Dragons — who were, by now, trembling like frightened birds.
Meanwhile, Sengoku and Tsuru dispatched two Vice Admirals and several Rear Admirals to track Souta Kiryuu and Edrago, the rising Supernova pirates whose names were now circling the seas.
Tsuru had a feeling — soon, very soon — the Dragon Pirates' main base would reveal itself.
But when that happened, the entire world would tremble.
Whether they found the Dragon Pirates or not, the outcome would be catastrophic.If they did nothing, the Dragon Pirates would continue to grow until the World Government itself was crushed beneath them.But if they attacked... the resulting war would consume countless lives.
The Dragon Pirates' power had become something truly monstrous.
While Golden Lion Shiki and Marine Headquarters began moving their pieces, far above in the sky — on Skypiea, deep within a secret laboratory — another power was awakening.
Inside a massive cylindrical chamber filled with glowing fluid, Souta Kiryuu — Lord Aratsu the Dragon — was undergoing another round of bloodline factor modification surgery.
Dr. Vegapunk stood before the tank, scanning endless data streams and observing Kiryuu's vitals.The sight reminded him of those early days on Punk Hazard, when he first began his experiments.
In just a few short years, he had helped create a being powerful enough to shake the entire world — perhaps even rival the Gods themselves.
Vegapunk's expression darkened. He couldn't help but wonder…
Would this man become the next Imu?
The power Souta Kiryuu now possessed was beyond comprehension. Vegapunk could only hope he would use it to create a fairer world — not a new age of tyranny.
He didn't dream of the true equality the Revolutionary Army chased. His simulations had proven it time and again: such a world was impossible.
With the existence of Devil Fruits, science, and the Three Colors of Haki, power would always create imbalance. Equality was a myth.
Around the chamber stood the Six Paths of the Dragon — Kiryuu's elite guards — and the Seraphim, all watching silently, protecting their master.
Nearby, Boa Hancock and Baby 5 stood by anxiously, monitoring his recovery.
Then, a sudden hum filled the lab.A glowing teleportation array flared to life — and from the light stepped two of the Seraphim who had just returned from the Moon: the Transference Seraphim and the Fortress Seraphim.
"Boom!"
With a thunderous crash, a massive weapons rack materialized beside them, loaded with enormous, gleaming armaments.
According to Kiryuu's last instructions, aside from his original weapon — the Lunar Core Warhammer: Atomic Hammer — the lunar research team had forged several new heavy weapons suited to his size and strength.
"Lunar Core Mace — named 戒王瘾 (Oathbreaker)," announced Kozuki Sukiyaki, his face pale with exhaustion. "Lunar Core Halberd — named Dominion Tiger.Lunar Core Naginata — Crimson Cleaver.Lunar Core Double Axe — Skybreaker. And there are more…"
He spoke reverently, barely able to stand. To him, completing these weapons was the only way to one day earn the Dragon's favor and see Wano freed again.
Inside the tank, Souta Kiryuu's eyes suddenly opened.
Sensing his weapons' completion, he moved — his kick shattered the reinforced chamber, sending a flood of nutrient fluid across the floor.
It was exactly like that moment years ago — when the Dragon first resurrected.
"Whummm!"
Flames of Lunarian fire erupted around his body, instantly evaporating the liquid clinging to his skin.
Boa Hancock and Baby 5 rushed forward with fresh clothes, dressing their lord with care and devotion.
"Couldn't you have waited another thirty seconds?" Vegapunk snapped in frustration. "That tank was worth two billion berries!"
Even for the Dragon Pirates, that was no small sum. It was needless destruction.
Meanwhile, one of Vegapunk's clones — Lilith the Evil — eagerly approached, eyes gleaming as she traced her hands across Kiryuu's muscles and skin.
Ignoring Hancock's furious glare, she began her analysis, slicing through the air with surgical tools of every grade to test the toughness of his steel-like flesh.
One of those tools — the Lunar Core Scalpel — was second only to the Star-Core Engraver, said to be harder than even the Supreme Grade Blades.
And against Kiryuu's skin… it barely left a mark.
...
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