Members of the Kiryuu Pirates began descending one after another from the captured fleet of flying ships, landing on Lorenz Island by various means.
Their target was clear—to meet the newly awakened Conqueror's Haki user, the strongest of the new generation.
"That's the Surgeon of Death, Trafalgar Law! His bounty's five hundred million—more than double Kid's!"
"And look over there—Princess Bonney, the Tyrant's daughter! She's gorgeous! I'm in love!"
"Her bounty's three hundred and twenty million—higher than Kid's by a long shot. She's got both beauty and power!"
"Among the women in the Kiryuu Pirates, Princess Bonney's fame ranks just below that of the Pirate Empress, the world's most beautiful woman."
"Hey, don't forget the Devil's Child, Nico Robin. She's got her own mysterious charm."
"Pink-haired twin stars! Princess Bonney and Princess Perona are my absolute favorites!"
"I heard that weapon-maid Baby 5 never refuses a request… I've got a bold idea brewing…"
As the Kiryuu Pirates landed, crude laughter and shameless chatter spread among the older, more lecherous pirates nearby—each man wearing an expression more ridiculous than the next.
"Ahh! It's Lord Law! Lady Bonney!"
Bartolomeo's eyes went wide the moment his idols appeared. He completely forgot about fighting Kid, waving his hands and shouting their names like an overexcited fanboy.
"Oi, chicken-head," Bonney muttered, eyeing him with mild confusion. "You're lucky that Boss Kiryuu even took notice of you."
But seeing the fanatical gleam in Bartolomeo's eyes, Bonney couldn't help but feel a hint of pride.
So I've got fans now too, she thought smugly. Guess my name really is spreading across the seas.
The nearby pirates perked up at her words.
So it was true—Bartolomeo and Aiderago hadn't been lying. They really were connected to Souta Kiryuu.
Van Augur, Doc Q, and Burgess all smirked knowingly. Their gamble had paid off. They finally had a chance to join the mightiest crew on the seas—the Kiryuu Pirates.
Only Kid and Killer looked grim. Killer, his wounds bleeding through his mask, could barely stand.
"Kid," Killer said hoarsely, "when you get the chance—run. I'll hold them off. Avenge us one day… just live."
Before Kid could answer, Killer grabbed him by the waist and hurled him out of the encirclement.
"Don't look back!" he roared, spinning his twin scythes as he charged straight at Van Augur and Doc Q.
Bartolomeo and Aiderago, distracted by the arrival of Law and Bonney, failed to notice.
"Trying to run?" Law's calm voice cut through the chaos. "I don't recall giving you permission."
"ROOM!"
In an instant, Trafalgar Law activated his Op-Op Fruit. The space around him distorted, and he teleported directly in front of the fleeing Kid. His cursed blade Kikoku gleamed as he swung it down.
"You think I'd run?!" Kid roared, summoning a massive magnetic arm of steel to block the attack. "If Killer dies here, I die with him!"
But the strange slicing force of Law's technique ignored the arm's density entirely. The metallic limb was sheared clean through, and shards of steel rained across the battlefield.
"Outta the way, chicken-head!"
"Masked freak, eat this!"
Bonney surged forward, leaping past Bartolomeo. Her fist grew massive as she launched it straight at Killer's oncoming charge.
Clang!
Killer's scythes slammed into her giant fist, but to his shock, they couldn't even pierce the metal surface—sparks burst into the air instead.
"Die already!" Bonney snarled, driving her colossal punch into his chest. Killer was sent flying, blood spraying through the holes in his mask.
"Vegapunk's new memory-metal battle suit is really something," Bonney said with satisfaction, admiring both her handiwork and her outfit.
"Lady Bonney, you're incredible!"
"Bonney-sama saikou!"
Bartolomeo and his followers cheered wildly, jumping like maniacs. To them, anyone in Kiryuu's crew was a living legend.
Bonney didn't waste time. She rushed in again, pounding the wounded Killer until he collapsed unconscious on the ground.
On the other side, the duel between Trafalgar Law and Eustass Kid raged violently.
Kid's Conqueror's Haki had awakened—but he couldn't yet control it. Law, on the other hand, had already mastered both Armament and Observation Haki under the guidance of Kiryuu's elite.
The more Kid saw Killer fall, the more desperate he became—his mind fraying, his rage clouding his focus.
Then, out of nowhere, Perona launched a Negative Ghost straight into Kid's chest.
Instantly, Kid dropped to his knees, eyes hollow with despair. "I'm… worthless…" he muttered.
Law didn't hesitate. His blade flashed—and with one clean cut, powered by the Op-Op Fruit, Kid's head separated from his body.
The watching pirates gasped. The Kiryuu Pirates had just wiped out two of the strongest Supernovas—cleanly, efficiently, and without mercy.
Every pirate on the island stared with awe and hunger. This was the kind of strength they dreamed of following.
"Lady Bonney! Please, take me as your subordinate!" one pirate shouted. "I'll serve you for life!"
His plea sparked an uproar.
"I want to join too!"
"Please let me in!"
"Long live the Kiryuu Pirates!"
The crowd devolved into chaos, every voice screaming for a place in Kiryuu's empire.
Meanwhile, Lafitte and Capone Bege watched the desperate crowd with visible disdain.
"Pathetic," Lafitte sneered. "Most of these fools aren't even as strong as Impel Down's Level Four inmates."
"Still," Bege muttered, lighting a cigar, "we could use some new Devil Fruit users."
And so, despite their contempt, they began quietly identifying those with Devil Fruit powers—those few who might just be worth recruiting.
Above the chaos, the sky battle neared its end.
Shiki the Golden Lion, his head still impaled with a ship's rudder, was clearly reaching his limit. His stamina was draining fast against three relentless foes.
Each time he tried to retreat, Enel's lightning forced him back. From above, the Seraphim blocked his path, and finally, Souta Kiryuu himself—in his massive dragon form—descended, cutting off Shiki's final escape.
"So, you plan to kill me then?" Shiki rasped, panting heavily as he glared at the enormous dragon before him. "To think I'd end up the one being cornered… how ironic. I used to be the one doing the cornering."
Kiryuu's glowing eyes narrowed. "You're old, Shiki. I just want your Float-Float Fruit to find a stronger master."
Without another word, he struck.
Black lightning and scarlet energy exploded from his claws as his Armament and Conqueror's Haki merged. Ignoring Shiki's desperate golden slashes, Kiryuu's dragon talons tore through the attacks and clamped around the old lion's body.
Shiki's final roar echoed through the clouds as he was pinned within the dragon's crushing grip.
"Your era is over," Kiryuu said coldly. "And soon, Whitebeard will join you."