"Is this really okay?"
Yoruichi hesitated.
"Mary Geoise and the Marine Headquarters are near the Sabaody Archipelago. If we make too much noise, we'll definitely be attacked!"
Oguro waved his hand imperiously. "Whoever dares to protect those slave traders, kill them all! Admirals or Celestial Dragons, it doesn't matter!"
Everyone understood—Oguro was genuinely angry this time—and they didn't argue further.
The six people rescued by Oguro were arranged to return home by ship.
Those who had lost their homes were provided work and a place to settle in Water 7.
After taking care of these matters, Oguro set sail for the Sabaody Archipelago.
Since last time it had been Soifon guarding the ship, this time it was Yoruichi staying behind.
The two had been playfully clashing until just before departure, and Oguro finally managed to calm this seductive little wildcat.
For several days, the group sailed across the sea.
With so many beautiful companions around, Oguro's mood had improved significantly.
One day, as Oguro enjoyed sunbathing, Rukia approached respectfully.
"Soul King-sama, a pirate ship has been spotted ahead! It should be this year's Supernova—Eustass Kid!"
Kid?
Oguro rose and looked out to the sea.
This guy was one of the notorious "publicity monsters" of the One Piece world!
Although his achievements didn't match those of Marvel's publicity beasts, his Devil Fruit ability was impressive.
If he could grow without interference for a few more years, maybe he could even challenge a Yonko.
Too bad he ran into Luffy, that OP anomaly. Trying to copy Luffy's miracles only got him disciplined by Red-Haired Shanks, and whether he lived or died… who knows.
Oguro merely glanced once and then looked away.
Judging by his course, Kid was probably heading to the Sabaody Archipelago as well.
After all, it was the "departure island"—anyone heading to the New World would have to pass through there.
On the Victoria Punk, Killer approached Kid.
"Kid, there's a ship from the Holy Spirit Empire following us. Sith Oguro is on board!"
"Sith Oguro?"
Kid's crimson hair bristled as he jumped to his feet, grinning viciously.
"The Supernova from last year? The one with a 400 million bounty?"
Killer nodded. "Yes! But he never admits to being a pirate. Now he's even become a king."
"Bah! King my ass!" Kid scoffed, disdain written all over his face.
"A pirate calling himself a king—what a joke!"
He raised both hands. "Bring the ship closer! Let's go greet this senior properly!"
Killer hesitated. "Is that necessary? We have no conflict with him! Let him be king if he wants—our goal is ONE PIECE!"
Kid sneered. "Finally, a worthy opponent! If we don't fight, how will we test our strength before entering the New World?"
Killer rolled his eyes.
That "ten-year strongest Supernova" title was the main reason, of course.
As Kid's close friend, Killer knew how arrogant their captain could be—he wanted that title for himself!
Seeing no way to stop him, Killer offered a warning. "Keep in mind—he survived the Buster call Slaughter Order unharmed. Don't underestimate him!"
During the Judicial Island incident and the Enies Lobby fallout, the World Government even held back Oguro's bounty.
People like Doflamingo understood Oguro's abilities, but a pirate like Kid, just starting to gain fame, had no way of knowing.
He couldn't even imagine the kind of opponent he was about to face!
"Hahaha! Don't worry! That guy's just playing house—he's not worth our attention!"
Kid laughed arrogantly, kicking over a nearby crate full of cannonballs.
The round cannonballs rolled across the deck.
Kid raised his right hand, and the cannonballs hovered in the air.
Superhuman-type Magnet-Magnet Fruit!
Like Old Man Wan, he could manipulate both magnetism and electricity.
"Let's use this to say hello!"
With a sharp motion of his right hand, dozens of cannonballs shot toward the Desert Rose at lightning speed.
"Hm?"
On the Desert Rose, everyone looked up.
"Scoundrels! How dare you attack us!"
Soifon's expression hardened. In an instant, her figure vanished.
Shu!
A silver light streaked through the air. The flying cannonballs paused briefly, then exploded harmlessly in midair.
"Heh! Some skill after all!"
Kid grinned widely, eyes gleaming with excitement at finding a worthy prey.
"Tch! Definitely a mad dog," Oguro muttered.
In the original timeline, this guy repeatedly challenged Yonko and failed every time.
Maybe he spent too much time playing with metal, and now his head's made of iron too?
"Sith Oguro!"
Kid stood boldly at the bow, shouting.
"Everyone says you're the strongest Supernova! Let me see if you're worthy of that title!"
Rangiku rolled her eyes.
"This guy's insane. Who cares what he thinks? Who even is he?"
Oguro chuckled. "Pirates… all competitive and greedy! Either for fame or profit!"
"This one clearly wants to use me as a stepping stone to climb higher!"
"Hmph! Foolish! Soul King-sama, allow me to deal with them!"
Rangiku raised her Zanpakutō, ready to give Kid a lesson—but Oguro stopped her.
"I'll handle this myself! Good chance to see how much I've improved recently!"
Since summoning Aizen Sousuke, Oguro's abilities had improved in all directions!
His Reiatsu and Shunpo enhanced to lieutenant-level!
Especially his Reiatsu—it felt like he was standing on the threshold of a massive gate. One more step, and he would leap like a dragon!
However, this also meant that future power boosts via returns would require summoning captain-level Shinigami or above.
"Ha!"
A roar snapped Oguro from his thoughts.
Kid's right arm gathered metal parts, forming a massive metallic arm, and smashed toward the Desert Rose.
Oguro instant-stepped, his figure intercepting the metallic arm, Zanpakutō held horizontally.
Clang!
The soundwave rippled out. Kid gaped as his skyscraper-sized metal arm was stopped by a mere blade.
"Flying too! Looks like you're not entirely overrated! Fine!"
Kid sneered, flinging dozens, even hundreds, of metal fragments like a swarm toward Oguro, trying to overwhelm him completely.