The wind had shifted.
From the deck of the Baratie, the sea once warm and clear now churned with distant storms. Gray clouds began to creep across the horizon like wolves sniffing prey.
Rex stood at the bow of the Going Merry, one foot on the railing, arms crossed as he watched the shape of a broken vessel drift closer — large, rusted, dragging itself through the waves like a wounded beast.
Krieg's ship.
Torn. Smoking.
But not dead.
Zoro narrowed his eyes from beside him. "That's a pirate ship, and it's limping."
Nami came up behind them, looking pale. "That flag… it's Don Krieg."
Usopp stumbled back. "THE WARLORD OF THE EAST?! Why is HE here?!"
Luffy just squinted at the smoke. "He looks hungry."
Rex didn't say anything.
But [Michael] did.
[…Crisis-class presence approaching. Combat level: High. Weapon detection: multiple. Poison risk: 12%. Internal aura signature… fragmented. Vitality: unstable but dominant.]
Don Krieg wasn't just strong.
He was chaos waiting to wear armor again.
Inside the Baratie
The chefs shouted as Krieg's battered body crashed through the doors, wrapped in tattered cloth, blood dripping from his lips.
He collapsed onto the floor.
"Help…" he croaked. "Food… water…"
Sanji stepped forward without hesitation, kneeling beside the man and ignoring Zeff's protests.
"We feed all starving men," Sanji muttered. "Even devils."
Krieg smiled.
And it was the smile of a snake shedding its skin.
Rex stepped through the door slowly, every movement calculated.
The moment Krieg saw him — just saw him — his half-lidded eyes flared open.
"…You," Krieg muttered. "You're not like the others."
Rex said nothing.
He just stared.
And the pressure in the room shifted.
[…Heart rate deviation detected in target. Subject perceives abnormal dominance aura in you. Psychological advantage acquired. Suggest maintaining passive eye-lock until destabilization.]
Sanji stood, brushing his hands on his pants.
"You don't trust him?"
"I don't trust wolves who pretend to starve," Rex said softly.
Krieg coughed, standing up slowly, blood still dripping.
"You've got sharp eyes… boy."
Rex narrowed his.
"You haven't seen sharp yet."
Later – On the Deck
Krieg's plan had been revealed.
The moment his belly was full, he attacked — his crew rising from beneath tarps, weapons in hand, ships circling the Baratie from the fog.
Gunfire rang out.
Explosions hit the sea.
And chaos returned.
"THIS PLACE IS MINE!!" Krieg roared, his iron armor snapping into place like a monster reborn.
Luffy leapt into the fight instantly, fists flying.
Zoro and Usopp joined the fray.
But Rex… stood still.
Until a battered Krieg came charging at him, gauntlet raised, rockets firing smoke behind it.
"I'LL CRUSH YOUR FACE INTO THE DECK!"
Rex didn't flinch.
His body was calm.
His heart… was still.
And then — something inside him cracked open.
[…Life-or-death pressure threshold crossed. Physical risk: 84%. Exit route: None. Instinct: Submit. Override selected… DOMINATE. Initiating… Sovereign Break.]
THUD.
The entire Baratie trembled.
The air warped.
The sky dimmed for just a breath.
And every pirate within 30 meters froze.
Then—collapsed.
Some screamed.
Some just dropped.
Even Krieg — armored and boiling with bloodlust — halted mid-stride, his knees trembling.
"W-What the hell… what IS this?!"
Rex took a step forward.
The air shattered.
A ring of cracked pressure exploded outward like lightning made of silence.
A crown of shadow and light flickered above his head.
Killing intent leaked from his pores like smoke—but it wasn't rage.
It was sovereignty.
Supreme, unshakable, god-like.
"Breathe if I let you," Rex said coldly.
[…Michael Haki: Sovereign Break – Active. Passive Suppression Field engaged. Fear Marking established on all survivors. Aura Compression linked to all strikes.]
Krieg's mouth went dry.
He raised his gauntlet again—
Too slow.
Rex blurred.
And appeared in front of him.
BOOM—!!
One palm strike.
Infused with aura so compressed, it detonated inside Krieg's chestplate, sending him crashing into the ship's mast.
Krieg gasped.
He couldn't move.
Couldn't breathe.
His body refused to stand.
"…Who the hell are you…" he whispered.
Rex's voice was ice.
"I'm the last voice you'll ever hear when you dare raise a hand in my world."
The battlefield was dead silent.
Even Luffy stared in awe.
Zoro slowly sheathed his sword. "…Haki?"
Nami's lips parted. "No… that's something beyond it…"
Sanji stood at the railing, cigarette trembling slightly.
"…He fights like royalty."
Rex stood in the center of the shattered deck, coat billowing, crown flickering briefly above him.
Then — with a deep breath — the aura vanished.
[…Sovereign Break disengaged. Threat removed. Psychological trace remains in all survivors.]
Rex turned and walked away as Krieg's men scrambled to drag their captain into retreat.
He didn't look back.
Didn't speak.
And yet… the world felt quieter.
Because something had changed.
This wasn't just a pirate crew anymore.
This was the beginning…
Of a King's warpath.