"Imu! From now on, the one you should fear isn't just the Sun God Nika… it's your old man — me, the Godslayer, Souta Kiryuu!!"
As the massive magic formation crumbled into nothingness, Souta threw back his head and laughed wildly, his voice booming through the battlefield.
A storm of Conqueror's Haki erupted from his body, bursting outward in waves that shattered the very air.
His presence burned at its absolute peak — fierce, unrestrained, divine.
The collapsing array trembled violently at his roar, as if the shadows themselves were reacting to his defiance.
But in the end, the formation disintegrated completely, vanishing from the Island of Gods and Demons.
Across the world, people watched in disbelief.
Even Morgans, the "Big News Bird," stared slack-jawed at his live feed.
The Five Elders of the World Government — the so-called stewards of divine power — had fled.
And the legendary King of the World, Imu, hadn't even dared to show himself.
Was this truly the supreme deity said to reign over the Holy Land of Maryjoia?
Souta's last taunting words to the hidden World King echoed across the live screens — his laughter arrogant, unstoppable, thrilling.
The man who feared not even gods — the man who dared to mock the heavens — stood drenched in light and blood, brimming with unbreakable confidence.
He was madness and majesty entwined.
Even among his enemies, many couldn't help but feel awe.
Behind him, Boa Hancock gazed at Souta's back with shining eyes, utterly captivated by the strength and dominance radiating from him.
That moment shattered the invincible image of the Celestial Dragons — the so-called nobles of the world.
Their illusion of divine untouchability crumbled before the eyes of billions.
The most elated of all were the oppressed civilians of the allied nations, the forgotten people of the non-affiliated lands, and the countless soldiers of the Revolutionary Army.
For the first time, they saw it — the spark of hope to overthrow the World Government and their tyrant gods.
But as the Five Elders vanished, the atmosphere on the Island of Gods and Demons turned sharp and tense.
The Whitebeard Pirates, Big Mom's forces, and even Golden Lion Shiki all turned their wary eyes toward Souta Kiryuu's Dragon Division.
Morgans' feathers ruffled with excitement as he realized what was coming.
"Hahahaha! Viewers! The war isn't over yet! Let's keep the hype rolling!"
He flapped his wings and soared higher, broadcasting the next stage of this unprecedented battle.
Moments later, Kaido of the Beasts and his Flame Calamity, King, swooped down into the central battlefield.
"Wororororo! Souta, you brat! Those bastards ran away! Huh? Looks like we've still got a good fight left to finish here!
I declare this war continues! I'm gonna smash Whitebeard's skull in!!"
Though Kaido had been irritated by the Elders' retreat, the sight of chaos renewed his bloodlust.
His fanged grin split wide, eyes gleaming with madness.
Shiki, the crippled Golden Lion, however, seemed far less interested.
As for Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin, Kaido didn't want to tangle with her — not after she'd eaten the Azure Dragon Fruit.
Fighting Souta or Dragon wasn't exciting either.
That left only one suitable target — Whitebeard Newgate, his old rival.
"Kaido! This is between me and Souta Kiryuu! Get the hell out of my sight!"
"Souta Kiryuu! Hand over Ace!!"
Whitebeard roared furiously at Kaido, then turned his wrath toward Souta.
The matter of Ace and Teach had to be settled here and now.
"Mamamama! Souta Kiryuu! Tell me where Sister Carmel is!!"
Big Mom's laughter boomed as her massive figure loomed closer.
Souta had taken her blood — and that was something she intended to take back herself.
With Whitebeard also turning on Souta, she decided to join the fray.
"Oi, brat. Where's the Pluton battleship?" Shiki said coldly.
Though he'd gained treasures from the Celestial Dragons, the fact that Souta had stolen his blood infuriated him.
At the mention of Pluton, both Kaido and King narrowed their eyes, glancing sharply between Souta and Shiki.
Wasn't Pluton said to be hidden in the Land of Wano?
Were these fools actually planning to take it from under Kaido's nose?
Could Souta truly know something about it?
Souta laughed — a deep, mocking sound that rolled across the battlefield.
"Orahahaha! Kaido, didn't you say you wanted to fight Whitebeard? Go on!
I'll handle his division captains for you.
Whitebeard! Kaido killed your old second division captain, Kozuki Oden — and you're just gonna let that slide?"
His words cut like blades, slicing open old wounds.
The Whitebeard Pirates shouted in fury.
Souta Kiryuu, that cunning bastard, had driven off the World Government, yet still refused to release Ace.
"Shiki," Souta said casually, his smile wicked, "you didn't do a damn thing in this war — just stole treasure like a vulture. Don't expect any info about Pluton."
He wasn't afraid of the Golden Lion — in fact, he wanted to kill him and steal the Float-Float Fruit for himself.
"But I'll give you something better. Roger's son. You couldn't beat Roger himself, right? Maybe you can handle his boy."
Souta smirked and gestured to Bege, who immediately released Ace from his cube fortress.
Then, with a flick of Kuma's massive paw, Ace vanished — sent flying straight onto Shiki's airborne island ship.
"Who the hell said I couldn't beat Roger!? Souta Kiryuu!!
Wait—what did you say!? Fire Fist Ace is Roger's son!?"
Shiki's eyes went wide with rage and disbelief.
The news hit like a thunderclap.
Around the world, people gasped in shock.
Even Morgans, watching from the sky, trembled with excitement.
Souta spread his arms innocently toward Whitebeard.
"I said I'd release Ace, didn't I?
I did — just not here. He's on Shiki's island ship now. Go fetch him."
Whitebeard's crew exploded in anger, their roars shaking the air.
What enraged Whitebeard most wasn't just Souta's trickery — it was that he'd exposed Ace's true heritage to the world.
At Whitebeard's sharp signal, the Phoenix, Marco, launched into the air, wings blazing blue as he flew toward Shiki's floating fortress to rescue Ace.
Watching from afar, Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Red-Haired Shanks clenched their fists.
Ace… Roger's son?
Both men quickened their pace toward the Island of Gods and Demons.
Shanks intended to stop the war before it consumed the seas, while Sengoku aimed to recover the marines abandoned by the Elders — and perhaps capture a wounded Emperor or two if luck allowed.
"Shiki, I've given you your spoils," Souta said smoothly.
"You wouldn't want Whitebeard's phoenix tearing through your territory, would you?"
His taunting words made both Whitebeard and Shiki's brows twitch — they wanted nothing more than to strike him down on the spot.
"Shiki!" Whitebeard growled. "Give me this one favor!"
"Worororo! That's the line I hate most, Whitebeard! Take this!!"
Kaido swung his massive spiked club with a roar, charging directly at Whitebeard once more.
"Hmph! Fire Fist Ace is mine now — Souta Kiryuu gave him to me. If you want him back, you'll have to get through me first!"
Shiki flew back toward his island ship, not because he cared about Roger's son, but because he'd be damned before letting anyone steal something he'd been given.
The battlefield roared again —
and the war that was supposed to end had only just begun.