Unlike Bark, who had earned Souta Kiryuu's hatred and was erased without a second thought…
Unlike Kibakun and Bellamy, who were willing to die for their former leaders, Capone and Doflamingo…
Unlike Rob Lucci, Jabra, and Blueno—three Cipher Pol agents raised from childhood and brainwashed by the World Government, who would sooner die than bend the knee…
Don Achino trembled. Souta studied him silently for a long time, his sharp gaze like a blade pressing down.
The silence only made Achino more afraid. His mind spun frantically. If Souta didn't accept him, he would be discarded—wiped clean like Bark.
"I swear! I, Don Achino, will devote my loyalty to Captain Souta Kiryuu!"
Faced with Souta's overwhelming presence, Achino's pride collapsed instantly. He lowered his head before this terrifying man, abandoning all pretense of dignity.
"I'll give you a chance."
Souta smiled faintly, waving his hand. His men released Achino. The round, bloated pirate exhaled heavily, relief flooding his face.
But Lucci, Jabra, and Blueno kept their eyes cold and lifeless, refusing to acknowledge Souta at all.
Souta didn't bother arguing. He gestured, and Bartholomew Kuma led them away to have their memories purged. They would join the Ghost-Masked Corps as blank-faced soldiers.
With Moonlight Moria, Absalom, and Don Achino now enlisted, the crew celebrated with a feast. Souta even ordered Kuma to make a trip to Banner Island to collect the rest of Achino's family.
In the days that followed, training intensified. Enel and the others gained Moria as a sparring partner, while Kuma's ranks swelled with six masked warriors clad in Vegapunk's memory-metal combat suits.
Capone Bege and Trafalgar Law immediately ordered custom sets of their own. For men like them, the fusion of armor, flight, and overwhelming defense wasn't just practical—it was the embodiment of a pirate's dream.
After several days of trial and observation, Moria, Absalom, and Achino had their hearts returned. Achino's children were brought to Skypiea, giving him anchors of loyalty. With his entire family under Souta's protection, his allegiance was sealed.
A few days later, alarming news from the South Blue reached their ears. Kuma's face darkened, and Bonney's eyes welled with panic.
"Daddy Souta! Please, save the Sorbet Kingdom!" Little Bonney clung to him, desperate. The Celestial Dragons had chosen to use her homeland as a weapon against her father Kuma. The cruelty enraged her.
"Dragon said… he can provide some assistance," Kuma admitted anxiously. His heart clenched. He had never imagined the World Government would go so far as to massacre innocent civilians to strike at him. Was this his fault? Had he doomed his people by opposing the Celestials?
"Calm yourself, Kuma. Don't shoulder guilt that isn't yours. The ones at fault here… are the Celestial Dragons."
Souta's voice was cool, his gaze sharpened like a hawk's. Even as the weight of the news sank in, his mind raced, piecing together possibilities, strategies.
"Dragon said it's the Holy Knights. Their strength is monstrous…" Kuma's voice faltered. The mere name of the World Government's strongest legion rattled him. Even the Revolutionary Army bowed its head before them. Dragon himself had admitted that outright war was suicide.
"Stay calm, Kuma!" Souta barked. "The World Government made a fatal mistake—they revealed their hand. By announcing their plan against the Sorbet Kingdom, they gave us the weapon to turn this war against them."
His lips curled into a grin, blood thrumming in his veins. He could feel it—something massive was about to unfold.
"Captain, how will we save them?" Kuma asked tightly. He knew Souta would not shrink away like Dragon. He trusted this man's fire, his refusal to bow to the Celestials.
"Do you not remember the God Valley Incident?" Souta's smile deepened. "Do you not recall how Ginny lured the Rocks Pirates and Roger's crew into a single trap? The Sorbet Kingdom's plight is the same. In truth, the kingdom cannot be saved. But we can rescue as many as possible—and bleed the World Government in the process."
"This… will mean heavy losses for the people," Kuma hesitated.
Souta's eyes hardened. "Those people are already under the Celestials' blades. If we don't act, they all die. Do you want to live the rest of your life shackled by their threats?"
The weight of Souta's words pressed on Kuma. He finally lowered his head. "…I'll follow your lead."
"Good." Souta clapped his shoulder. "Rest now. Prepare yourself. The war is coming—and I'll handle the rest."
His confidence washed over them. Bonney and Kuma both steadied themselves. In Souta's voice, there was no hesitation—only certainty.
Soon after, the crew convened. Orders were given, preparations set. Then Souta withdrew to his chamber, opening a massive container filled with rare transponder snails.
Buru-buru-buru… click!
"Tesoro, make sure this news reaches him. Provide every convenience you can. Or else, reach out to the Shipping King. We need that man in the South Blue—fast."
Buru-buru-buru… click!
"Morgans, what's the matter? Won't you jump on a story this big? Spread it everywhere. Price isn't an issue. I'll feed you more headlines after this…"
Buru-buru-buru… click!
"My dear beauty… use your position. Get this message to Kaido. Yes, I'll even sweeten the deal with a batch of artificial Zoans. And while you're at it, notify Big Mom as well…"
Buru-buru-buru… click!
"Dragon. The Flower Kingdom and Land of Mulberry in the West Blue can wait. First, we handle Sorbet. Bring as many cadres as you can spare."
Buru-buru-buru… click!
"Doflamingo. You wanted to rekindle cooperation? Good. Mobilize your network. Spread this message through the underworld and every allied nation. I know you're eager to hit the Celestials as much as I am."
Souta contacted everyone he could—ally, enemy, or rival. It made no difference. For now, all were pieces on his board.
Even if Kaido and Doflamingo would one day fall by his hand, he would use them today. Interest was the strongest chain—if he could bind them with it, they'd serve his plan.
The World Government had struck first with cowardly cruelty. Souta would answer by tearing off their mask, showing the world their corruption.
To strike at allied nations, to erase native peoples—these atrocities, once exposed, would rot their authority from the inside out.
Souta Kiryuu smiled to himself. The storm was only beginning.