Even just the Five Elders and Imu alone were enough to give Souta Kiryuu's Dragonbane Crew a serious headache.
And that wasn't even counting the Marine Headquarters' fleet of Admiral-level powerhouses—Steelbone Kong, Buddha Sengoku, Aokiji, Kizaru, Garp, Z, and the newly joined Green Bull, Aramaki. That lineup alone could crush most pirate empires with ease.
Unless Souta somehow managed to rally all four Emperors and the Revolutionary Army together, there was no real chance of shaking the foundations of the World Government—let alone wiping out the Celestial Dragons.
But with the existence of Red-Haired Shanks, such an alliance among the Four Emperors was practically impossible.
The Whitebeard Pirates had no ambition left; they were old and weary, simply waiting for the end. The Beasts Pirates might even end up restrained by the Red-Haired Pirates.
As for Big Mom's crew—cowardly and opportunistic as they were—they would never join an assault against the World Government unless the tide was clearly in their favor.
That left only one somewhat reliable ally—the Revolutionary Army.
Until Red-Haired Shanks was dealt with, Souta Kiryuu knew there was no hope of counting on Kaido or Big Mom's help. His only path forward was growth—relentless expansion—and purging every unstable element in their midst.
The Red-Haired Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates would be the Dragonbane Crew's next targets.
"Hmph!"
Bundy Walde snorted coldly. He felt insulted by Souta's words. Sure, he might not be able to take on a Marine Admiral or the Five Elders head-on, but did Souta have to spell it out so bluntly?
Where was his pride as a legendary pirate supposed to go after that?
"We'll be setting sail for the New World next," Souta announced, his voice firm and commanding. "If you're not afraid of the Marines' pursuit, you're free to go your own way for now. When the time comes to strike the World Government, I'll summon you."
He was speaking to Red Earl Ledfield and Walde—two restless veterans who clearly had no intention of sailing under anyone's banner. Souta didn't blame them; against the next wave of enemies, he didn't need every powerhouse in his crew anyway.
As long as the Five Elders didn't show up as a full group, the Dragonbane Crew's current strength was more than enough to handle any crisis.
"I'll need a small aerial warship," Ledfield said without hesitation, "and a batch of lunar automata."
Souta smirked. The Red Earl was nothing if not direct. He hated dealing with humans and their complicated minds—he preferred machines that didn't think or talk back.
Having his simple-minded pet, Padon, along was already testing his patience. Even the romanticized image he once held of Brook had long faded. That bony pervert, always daydreaming about panties, had utterly ruined the gentlemanly legend in Ledfield's eyes.
Vulgar. Disappointing. Fantasy shattered.
"Fine," Souta said simply, granting the request.
With his own airship, Ledfield would be as safe as the Walde Pirates—free to wander without depending on anyone. Souta saw no reason to hold them back.
The Walde Pirates—five old legends—were already itching to set sail again, to relive the adventures of their youth and reclaim the thirty years they'd lost.
It was a twilight voyage, one born purely of impulse and fading pride.
At nearly eighty, Bin Jack knew this might be his last chance to live wildly before the grave came calling.
Meanwhile, the Dragonbane scientists had already drawn Guyram's blood. Vegapunk's laboratory now housed another vial of "Green Blood" infused with the powers of the Cubic Fruit.
Under the eager gaze of his crew, Bundy Walde reluctantly set aside his obsession with revenge against the World Government—for now—and set off toward adventure once more.
With Red Earl and Walde gone from the Island of the Gods, the Dragonbane Crew turned their attention to new plans.
Bonney demanded vengeance against the World Government, shouting about retribution for Angel Island.
Barrett wanted to clash with strong opponents—Marine Admirals, Yonko crews, it didn't matter. Even taking on Whitebeard or Red-Hair sounded fine to him.
Trafalgar Law, on the other hand, had a more personal goal—to hunt down Doflamingo and avenge Corazon.
"Currently, the Wang Zhi Pirates of Hive Island have fallen out with the Whitebeard Pirates," said Lafitte, the crew's silver-tongued diplomat and spymaster. "They've got a few capable members worth noting. Once we're done with the Donquixote Family, striking Hive Island next wouldn't be a bad idea. Of course, hitting the Whitebeard Pirates directly isn't out of the question either… though I've heard whispers that they might be forming an alliance with the Red-Haired Pirates."
In truth, Big Mom's forces had also been reaching out to Kaido's Beasts, proposing a triple alliance—Big Mom, Kaido, and Souta's Dragonbane Crew—to challenge the World Government together.
"Wang Zhi, huh? Not a bad opponent," Barrett muttered with a cold grin. "Shanks and Whitebeard forming an alliance—what a joke."
He doubted the Dragonbane Crew could take on two Yonko Crews at once, especially after losing Red Earl and Walde. But Souta wasn't foolish enough to fight a war that would only leave both sides crippled and the World Government grinning.
"Among Wang Zhi's crew, there's a user of the Teleportation Fruit and another with the Pegasus Fruit," Enel said with a sneer. "Not bad. Their heads will make fine trophies for a god like me."
He tossed a wanted poster onto the table—the emblem of the Wang Zhi Pirates glaring back at them.
Known as the strongest pirate crew beneath the Four Emperors, their officers were indeed formidable.
"Then it's decided," Souta said, tapping his finger on the map. "Plot a route into the New World. Our final destination—the Sky Islands of the New World. Include Doflamingo's Dressrosa and Wang Zhi's Hive Island along the way. We'll also hit a few Marine bases and allied nations en route. The Five Elders' destruction of Angel Island will be avenged in full."
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Can't believe the Emperors are all busy making alliances…"
Even Whitebeard, who had always despised Shanks' recklessness, hadn't refused the Red-Hair's hand.
Ace's influence clearly still lingered, shaping the New World's tides.
This growing web of alliances made the situation far more complicated, robbing Souta's crew of their chance to crush their enemies one by one.
Even if Souta joined forces with Kaido and Big Mom against Whitebeard and Shanks, the World Government—ever tied to the Red-Haired Pirates—would inevitably interfere, eager to play the fisherman while others fought.
No, Souta thought. Attacking them now would be a mistake. The timing had to be perfect.
Fire Fist Ace… he was still the key to everything.
If the Marineford War never happened, then Souta would simply create one himself.
For now, the path was clear: conquer Doflamingo and Wang Zhi first, then move on to bigger prey.
"Understood!"
Robin, Lafitte, and Capone Bege—Souta's tacticians and intelligence officers—immediately began plotting routes and strategies.
Capturing Devil Fruit users, clearing battlefields, looting wealth—each task was divided among the crew's officers. This wasn't a reckless brawl; it was a military campaign.
"Captain," Robin said suddenly, holding up several bounty posters, "what about the other Supernovas? Do we just ignore them?"
She fanned the papers out—Hawkins, Apoo, Urouge—and finally, one that caught Souta's eye.
"I've heard about a new crew from the East Blue," Robin continued with a knowing smile. "They call themselves the Straw Hat Pirates. The captain's name… is quite interesting."
Souta and Kuma both looked toward the wanted poster.
Monkey D. Luffy.
"Straw Hat Luffy defeated the 95-million-Berry bounty pirate, Gasparde—the former Marine defector and Candy Fruit user. His own bounty's now over 100 million," Robin said softly. "Another rising Supernova…"
Souta's gaze lingered on the poster.
The winds of the New World were shifting again.