As Marco the Phoenix and the Golden Lion Shiki soared into the sky, chaos reigned below. Whitebeard—Edward Newgate himself—was locked in a fierce clash with the brute, Kaido of the Beasts.
The tense standoff between the three great forces—Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Shiki—who had moments ago surrounded Souta Kiryuu's crew, collapsed in an instant.
The division commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates tried to move in, but Souta's officers blocked them with ease. Bartholomew Kuma crushed Diamond Jozu beneath overwhelming pressure, while the Thunder God Enel intercepted Flower Blade Vista, forcing him back with bolts of lightning.
Boa Hancock, Crocodile, Moria, and the ten Pacifistas held off the remaining Whitebeard commanders, their combined might sealing every approach.
Big Mom—Charlotte Linlin—watched as Souta and Dragon remained motionless, not lifting a finger. Her expression grew cold and sour.
But Dragon wasn't about to let his men get dragged into a war that had nothing to do with the Revolutionary Army's cause. In fact, he was already considering retreat. Yet his officers, Belo Betty and Sabo, had rushed off to rally the terrified civilians of God-Demon Island, seizing Marine and World Government ships to flee this crumbling battlefield.
Souta turned to Big Mom with a faint, amused smile.
"What's wrong, Charlotte Linlin? Are you planning to start a war with us?"
His tone carried calm mockery—borrowing Dragon's presence as leverage to see whether Big Mom dared provoke two of the world's strongest forces at once: the Arlong Pirates and the Revolutionary Army.
Of course, Souta already knew Dragon wouldn't involve himself in a clash between the Yonko.
"You little brat," Big Mom growled. "You really know how to play with people's hearts!"
"Tell me where Sister Carmel is," she demanded, her massive fists tightening. "If you do, I'll take Shiki and leave this place."
She threw a brief glance toward Kaido and Whitebeard's titanic battle, her voice rumbling with restrained rage. Shiki, that brainless fool, had fallen for Souta's manipulation completely. He'd even gone so far as to stop Marco from rescuing Ace—utter idiocy.
Souta's smile deepened.
"Your old partner, Streusen, knows exactly where Carmel went. Why don't you ask him yourself?"
He spoke deliberately, his tone layered with meaning. Telling her the full truth—how she gained the power of the Soul-Soul Fruit—was far too dangerous.
After all, he wasn't even sure whether the being before him was Charlotte Linlin or what was left of Mother Carmel. If she realized the truth, she might spiral into madness and destroy everything around her.
He didn't have time to play that game. He'd already taken what he needed—a sample of Big Mom's blood.
His next target: Whitebeard's blood.
When the World Government eventually turned its attention to Totto Land, Souta would swoop in, crush the remnants, and clean up what was left of Big Mom's empire.
"Streusen…?" Big Mom muttered, her eyes dark and glinting with either doubt or killing intent.
"We're leaving!" she roared.
With a commanding wave, she ordered Katakuri and her other children into the Mirror World. Riding the thundercloud Zeus, they shot through the sky toward Shiki's floating fortress.
Whitebeard saw her moving in that direction and immediately grew alarmed.
"Kaido! Get the hell out of my way!"
His fury erupted again as he swung his quake-infused bisento, colliding violently with Kaido. The impact split the island apart, triggering another massive quake that shook land and sea alike.
Dragon glanced at the battle one last time before turning to Souta.
"Our cooperation ends here," he said evenly, before departing with the Crow and Lindbergh. They headed to join Sabo and Belo Betty, aiding in the evacuation while scavenging supplies from abandoned warships.
Meanwhile, the shattered remnants of the Navy scrambled to flee. They hadn't expected their own leader, Admiral Akainu, to withdraw alongside the Five Elders. Now, the Marines had to fend for themselves.
Souta smirked slightly. "Until next time, then."
He turned his gaze toward Whitebeard once more. The old man's blood was as good as his.
If he wished, Souta could team up with Kaido and kill Whitebeard right here and now. But that wasn't his goal. What he needed was Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit ability, not his life.
If Whitebeard died now, the fruit would reincarnate elsewhere, rendering the blood useless. Until Souta could create "Green Blood" infused with the Tremor power, Whitebeard had to live.
Of course, there was another path—using the Dark-Dark Fruit to steal the ability directly.
But then came the question: who should receive the Tremor Fruit's power?
Perhaps it was best to wait. Once Dr. Vegapunk unveiled the secret behind Blackbeard's unnatural body, Souta would hunt both Whitebeard and Big Mom again. Maybe then, he could become a true wielder of multiple Devil Fruits.
···
"Gahahaha!"
From above, Morgans' booming laughter echoed through the battlefield. "Just like that! Souta Kiryuu ended a three-Yonko standoff with a few words! The man who can gather three Emperors, a great pirate, and even the Revolutionary Army—that's the most terrifying man in the world!"
The Big News bird was half in awe, half in disbelief. "Remember this, everyone—never provoke Souta Kiryuu's crew! The God-Slayer himself is a strategist capable of commanding the Yonko and the Revolutionaries alike!"
Morgans' tone carried admiration mixed with a touch of fear. Souta Kiryuu—the man who could manipulate even the Four Emperors—was the most dangerous figure alive.
Even the cautious Revolutionary Army had unknowingly become his weapon, striking precisely where he pointed. And in return, they'd gained unimaginable power and fame.
The Revolutionary Army was no longer a small spark of rebellion—it was now a blazing inferno spreading across the world.
Their brief alliance with Souta Kiryuu's crew had made them stronger, faster, and far more feared. Together, they had shattered the illusion of the Celestial Dragons' "divine" invincibility.
···
"BOOM!"
An enormous explosion erupted above as battle resumed on the floating island. Within half an hour of Big Mom's arrival, Marco burst free from the fortress, wings blazing with blue fire, carrying Ace in his arms.
Ace's wrists were still bound with seastone cuffs, his strength completely sealed. He hung limp in Marco's grasp like a captured bird.
"Father! I've rescued Ace!" Marco shouted, breath ragged but triumphant. Though uninjured, exhaustion weighed heavily on his chest after the brutal fight.
"Father…" Ace's voice trembled. Tears filled his eyes as guilt consumed him. "This is all my fault… I dragged everyone into this…"
Whitebeard's face softened, a rare smile breaking through his fury. "Good! All hands—prepare to retreat!"
With renewed determination, he roared and swung his weapon again. The very air shattered as another quake surged outward, sending Kaido flying and cracking the earth beneath them.
Even the so-called "strongest creature in land, sea, and air" spat blood from the force.
But as Whitebeard exhaled, his weapon lowering for an instant, a cold realization struck him.
From behind—Souta Kiryuu had already closed in, silent and deadly. His eyes gleamed with purpose.