Souta Kiryuu's relentless attacks hammered against Bartolomeo's turtle-like barrier, but no matter how hard he struck, it refused to break.
As he caught sight of the Demon Warrior Vaye falling into peril, Souta's fury grew more and more uncontrollable. A faint but violent energy began to surge within him—something primal, threatening to explode at any moment.
"Vaye! Run!!"
Killer's eyes widened as he saw Vaye's movements slowing down. His gut twisted—he knew it. That damned poison doctor must've made another move in secret!
"Wahaha! You're finished today!"
The fighting champion Burgess bellowed with savage glee. He didn't care that Doc Q was interfering—he had no foolish pride about fighting fair.
In this world, the only rule that mattered was survival.
Doc Q simply smiled faintly. That Demon Vaye wasn't even worth the effort of drawing the Reaper's scythe from his back.
Seeing Burgess moments away from victory, Doc Q's gaze drifted toward the bloodstained warrior—Souta Kiryuu, the infamous Supernova of the new generation.
If he wanted to deal with this one, he'd need to go all out. And truthfully, Doc Q wouldn't mind raising his bounty while he was at it.
"Ahhhh!!"
The poison coursing through Vaye's body deepened, his movements growing heavier and slower until his defenses collapsed entirely. His black trident went flying as Burgess slammed a crushing fist into his chest, sending him sprawling to the ground.
"Souta, Killer… I'm sorry. I can't keep going with you guys. I'll take Hit and go ahead… You two have to live on!"
Black blood bubbled from Vaye's lips as he forced out his last words, his fading eyes locked on Souta and Killer.
"Just die already!"
Burgess sneered and stomped down, snapping Vaye's neck with a sickening crack. The Demon of the Kiryuu Pirates was gone.
Burgess wasn't a good man—but compared to Souta's crew, even he looked merciful.
At least he didn't slaughter civilians for sport. When he robbed, he robbed; when he spent, he spent. If he bought something on a pirate island, he paid fair. What was the point of stealing treasure if you didn't enjoy spending it afterward?
"VAYE!!"
Souta's roar split the sky. Another crewmate gone—his voice trembled with rage and grief, his bloodshot eyes shedding crimson tears. A violent wave of energy burst from his body like a detonation.
For the first time, Bartolomeo felt what true pressure meant. His mind blurred under the overwhelming force—the air itself shook.
The barrier vanished. Sweat poured down his forehead as he stumbled back, dazed, staring at the raging Souta in disbelief.
Even Van Augur and Doc Q froze, shock flashing in their eyes.
That aura…
Could he really have awakened Conqueror's Haki?!
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!!"
Souta bellowed, his voice shaking the battlefield. Ignoring Bartolomeo completely, he lunged straight for Burgess like a beast unleashed.
"Barto! Stop him!!"
Burgess's grin faltered—cold fear crept up his spine. He couldn't take this monster head-on now. Not this newly awakened king.
Van Augur backed off quickly, retreating to a safe distance. His expression tightened.
Was it happening again? Another massacre?
Would both the Barto Club and Aedra Pirates be wiped out by this one man?
Doc Q's grim smile faded as he yanked on his sick horse's reins, pulling it away from the rampaging Souta.
"Souta Kiryuu… you've awakened the power of a king!"
Killer's despair turned to awe as he watched Souta's aura surge like a storm. There was hope again—even if it came too late.
If only it had happened sooner.
Vaye and Hit… they would have seen this moment.
"Captain Barto! Help me!!"
Burgess scrambled away, desperately dodging Souta's furious blows. The newly awakened magnetic monster was unstoppable.
"Over here!"
Bartolomeo, snapping out of his earlier shock, sneered. How could a candidate for a position in the Red Dragon Pirates be shaken by such a rookie's Haki?
He'd seen the terrifying Conqueror's Haki of Dragon himself back in Loguetown. Compared to that, Souta's was child's play.
"Don't panic! He's only erupted once—he hasn't mastered that power yet! This is our chance! Kill them all!!"
Aedra bellowed, charging toward Killer again. Souta might be strong, but he was still green. Now was the perfect moment to end them.
"Ahahaha! Yeah! Taking down a man with a king's will—now that's gonna feel good!!"
Bartolomeo cackled, eyes gleaming. If he killed Souta Kiryuu, a Supernova who had awakened Conqueror's Haki, his name would echo across the Grand Line.
It would all but guarantee him a spot as a high-ranking officer in the Red Dragon Pirates.
Hearing Bartolomeo and Aedra's battle cries, Van Augur and Doc Q exchanged a glance. Their killing intent sharpened.
If they'd already made an enemy of Souta Kiryuu, there was no turning back. He and his crew had to die—no second chances.
Doc Q climbed off his horse, unhooked the Reaper's scythe from his back, and for the first time, grew serious. Van Augur calmly loaded his prized, long-hoarded special bullets.
"Souta! We have to retreat!"
Killer's voice cracked with urgency. That deadly aura—this wasn't a fight they could win. Souta's Conqueror's Haki might have awakened, but it didn't yet make him invincible.
If they could just escape, regroup, and rebuild the Kiryuu Pirates…
They'd return someday—and avenge Vaye and Hit.
But Souta wasn't listening anymore. His mind was consumed by vengeance.
A king who had just awakened wouldn't run.
"Today, they die!"
His massive magnetic arm roared forward, smashing into Burgess and sending him flying, blood spraying from his mouth.
Just as Souta raised his arm again to finish him off and avenge his fallen comrades—
A translucent shield shimmered to life in front of Burgess, blocking the devastating blow with a deafening boom.
"Ahahaha! You think you can kill us that easily? No chance!!"
Bartolomeo's mocking laughter echoed in Souta's ears, driving him further into madness.
"I'll break that damn barrier if it's the last thing I do!!"
Like a wild beast, Souta unleashed blow after blow, his mechanical arm pounding against Bartolomeo's unbreakable barrier again and again.
Seeing Bartolomeo successfully stall Souta, Van Augur and Doc Q exchanged a silent nod. Their sights locked onto Killer.
They would strike together—three-on-one—to eliminate the other Supernova first.
Then, they'd turn all their firepower on Souta Kiryuu, the newly awakened King.
The island erupted into chaos. Pirates and onlookers screamed and cheered, thrilled by the violent spectacle unfolding before them.
Word of Bartolomeo and Aedra's battle quickly spread through the network of information brokers.
And the news that Souta Kiryuu had awakened Conqueror's Haki shot across the seas like wildfire.
If he survived this day, his bounty would double—maybe more.
Far above, in the distant sky—
The legendary Golden Lion Shiki paused mid-flight. His eyes narrowed, having sensed that fleeting, unmistakable surge of kingly will.
"Another rookie who's awakened Conqueror's Haki?"
A grin curled his lips.
If he could recruit a pirate with that kind of potential, his Flying Pirate Fleet would grow stronger than ever.
Perhaps, just perhaps, he'd finally find a true right-hand man—
A successor worthy of the skies.