Bang—
The calm sea was suddenly shattered, as if a massive boulder had been hurled into the water. Towering waves exploded upward, surging violently into the sky.
Out of nowhere, a pirate ship appeared on the surface, forcibly pushing seawater outward in all directions.
The raging waves battered the ship from side to side, and the pirates aboard were sent reeling, their faces drained of color by the sudden catastrophe.
Nearby, a vast stretch of ocean lay frozen solid.
With several dull bang sounds, the group that had mysteriously vanished from Royas Island—Kid and his crew—abruptly reappeared here.
"AAAH—!!!"
Residual lightning continued to ravage Eustass Kid's body, forcing out agonized screams.
"Kid!!!"
Only now did Killer and the other core members of the Kid Pirates react, shouting in panic.
Step… step…
Lying on the ground, Kid slowly emerged from the searing pain, only to see a pair of familiar athletic sneakers enter his field of vision.
"Cough… cough!"
"Y-you… who the hell are you?!"
With Killer's support, the still-numb Kid struggled to stand, glaring angrily at the person before him.
"Oh, I'm really sorry about that~"
"After all, I'm just an insignificant Trainer from an insignificant pirate crew."
Red stepped forward with a gentle smile, calm amusement shining in his eyes.
After receiving Fukurou's report, Red hadn't hesitated at all. Following the Eternal Pose from Royas Island, he had chased them down directly.
Having obtained the Earth Badge and reached a level of physical conditioning comparable to an elite Marine vice admiral, even a casual use of Magnet Rise allowed his speed to approach the speed of sound.
And just as Red arrived at Royas Island's port, he happened to witness his target—Eustass Kid—bullying an innocent bystander.
"By the way…"
Step!
Red suddenly halted, looking kindly at Kid and his crew.
"You just said… whose pirate crew was trash again?"
Crackle—
Brilliant arcs of electricity flared once more in Red's palm.
Terrified, Killer and the ordinary pirates hurriedly dragged Kid backward.
Realizing Red's strength was anything but ordinary, they retreated to what they believed was a safe distance, drew their weapons, and faced him warily.
Yet at that moment, Kid raised a hand to stop his subordinates.
"Stop!"
"You're not his opponents!"
Having personally experienced Red's power, Kid knew all too well that his crew stood no chance.
His gaze darkened. Recalling Red's earlier words, a sudden flash of insight struck him.
"Wait! Don't tell me—you're from that Straw Hat Pirates crew?!"
"Not bad. You've got a bit of a brain after all."
Red grinned, answering casually.
"…!"
At those words, a blood-red hatred flashed through Kid's eyes.
But recognizing the gap in strength, he forcibly suppressed his rage and said grimly:
"It seems I underestimated you."
"I didn't think the seas still held someone like you!"
Lightning still danced across his body as Kid forced himself upright, staring at Red with intense vigilance.
Red merely smiled calmly."There are plenty of things in this world you haven't even imagined."
"But unfortunately…"
"You won't have the chance to think about them anymore."
"What?!"
A sudden sense of dread made Kid's eyes widen.
Before his paralyzed body could react, Red had already raised his clawed hand, releasing roaring lightning toward the pirates behind Kid.
BOOM!!!
Without any warning, Red unleashed Zapdos's power, hurling boundless thunder straight at Killer and the others!
"WATCH OUT!!!"
Kid shouted desperately.
But the lightning paid no heed to his cry, surging forward at terrifying speed.
Although Red's base strength was only around elite vice-admiral level…
With the Zapdos template amplifying him, the destructive force he could unleash already rivaled an entry-level Yonko commander!
Against the current Kid Pirates, it was absolute dimensional suppression.
"AAAAH—!!!"
Under the blinding lightning, Killer and the others let out horrific screams.
But the cries quickly faded.
Not because the lightning stopped—but because under that annihilating thunder, Kid's crewmates collapsed one by one, their bodies charred black…
Their lives completely extinguished.
"Killer!!! Everyone!!!"
The searing light illuminated Kid's face, revealing eyes filled with utter despair.
"Now… you should know who the real trash pirate crew is, right?"
At that moment, Red's mocking laughter rang out.
Toward pirates like the Kid Pirates—who slaughtered indiscriminately for reputation—Red had no intention of showing mercy.
Kid whirled around, eyes splitting with fury as he stared at Red.
"You damn bastard!!!"
"I'LL KILL YOU!!!"
Witnessing his comrades' deaths shattered Kid's reason.
In that instant, he even forgot about his paralysis.
Amid the violent surge of emotion, an overwhelming aura erupted from his body—
The latent potential of Conqueror's Haki hidden within him.
However, such a weak Conqueror's Haki was utterly meaningless.
Not only was it incapable of harming Red—whose mind and soul were protected by Psychic Power—even Usopp or Tony Tony Chopper from the Straw Hat crew would no longer be affected by something at this level.
The domineering aura swept out like a storm, churning the surrounding winds and clouds.
Yet the scene that would shock most pirates only made Red's eyes shine brightly.
"Not bad at all~"
"The Magnet-Magnet Fruit plus Conqueror's Haki…"
"Hmm… you can at least be considered someone of note."
"Decision made!"
"Once you grow up, you'll be the leader of the Akatsuki."
"As for now…"
A mysterious violet-pink light bloomed within Red's eyes as he looked at Kid, who was activating his Devil Fruit.
In the next instant—
Kid's movements froze completely.
Even though, two years later on Onigashima, an awakened Kid would unleash top-tier Yonko-commander-level power…
Right now, he was nothing more than a pirate whose brutality had earned him a bounty far beyond his true strength.
Conqueror's potential might make him harder to control than others—but that was all.
Thus, one of the prominent forces of the Worst Generation—the Kid Pirates—completely exited the stage of history.
Though the name "Kid" would continue to circulate across the seas…
In a very different form.
...
...
Several days later.
After nearly half a month of research, discussion, and material preparation, the Going Merry's refit finally began on a bright, clear morning.
"Don't worry, Going Merry!"
"You'll just be asleep for a while. Nothing bad will happen."
"Mm!"
Inside Galley-La Company's largest dock, the Straw Hat crew stepped forward one by one, comforting Merry, who was about to undergo her transformation.
Although it had already been confirmed that the refit wouldn't affect Merry's existence…
This was still a major "operation," one that would take a long time. Neither the Straw Hats nor Merry herself could truly stay calm.
"Don't worry, everyone."
Understanding how important this refit was, Merry nodded firmly, then turned to its designers and shipwrights.
"I'll be counting on you both."
"You're too kind."
Iceburg replied politely.
Even though this wasn't his first time interacting with Merry, seeing such a clear Klabautermann still left him awed by the Straw Hats' identity and means.
Franky, on the other hand, radiated absolute confidence and his usual boldness.
"Hahahaha! Leave everything to SUPER me!!!"
"I guarantee this'll be the most super-super ship in the world!!!"
"We'll be counting on you."
Luffy, wearing a solemn expression, entrusted the Going Merry to Iceburg and Franky.
"Yeah!"
Meeting Luffy's earnest gaze, both men nodded seriously.
Iceburg reassured them,"With the materials you've provided—and that Munch-Munch Fruit user…"
"The refit won't take more than half a month!"
"It'll be finished a full week before Aqua Laguna arrives."
Aqua Laguna—the Sea God of Water—was a bizarre natural phenomenon unique to the seas around Water 7, a colossal tsunami capable of engulfing the entire city.
Though the island's structures were reinforced with special materials and technology to withstand it…
When it came to the Going Merry's refit, even the slightest risk was unacceptable.
Unfortunately, the modifications required weren't ordinary. Many environmental conditions and tools were only available in Galley-La's docks.
Otherwise, Red truly would've preferred to refit the Going Merry inside Laboon's safe, harmless inner world.
And so, after long preparation, the Going Merry refit officially began.
Yet perhaps the Straw Hats' livestreamed execution of the Celestial Dragons on Sky Island had truly opened a new door for the world.
Before the world could even recover from the twin shocks of "Sky Island God-Slaying" and "Whitebeard's Attack on Marineford"—
Another world-shaking incident erupted…
Without any warning!!!
...
...
BANG!!!
"How is this possible?!"
At the relocating Marineford, Sengoku—who had already stepped down as Fleet Admiral—slammed the table and rose in fury, staring in disbelief at the intelligence report in his hands. His former calm was gone.
Across from him, Acting Fleet Admiral Tsuru wore an equally enraged expression.
Before they could even process the situation, a shrill Den Den Mushi ring shattered the atmosphere.
Tsuru hesitated briefly, then picked it up.
"SENGOKU!!!"
A deep, furious roar burst from the receiver.
Tsuru's brows knitted instantly.
Knowing who was on the other end, she replied at once:"Five Elders-sama, this is Acting Fleet Admiral Tsuru!"
But the voice only grew angrier.
"Don't give me that useless nonsense!"
"I know Sengoku is right there!"
The Den Den Mushi roared on:"Sengoku! Haven't you embarrassed the World Government enough already?!"
"Do you have any idea how much damage your incompetence has caused?!"
"Once the relocation of Marineford is complete, immediately select a new Fleet Admiral!"
"Don't put some half-baked nobody in charge of the Marines!"
Bang!
The Den Den Mushi was slammed shut.
Silence filled the office as Sengoku and Tsuru stood there, wordless.
"Tsuru…"
Sengoku raised an arm, wanting to say something.
But Tsuru waved him off. "I'm fine."
Having seen much in her life, she wasn't shaken by the Five Elders' disregard.
Because at this very moment, something far more important demanded her attention.
She spread the intelligence files across the desk.
Several ruined photographs immediately came into view.
At the top of them—
The entrance to Impel Down.
Yet the once tightly sealed gates of the great underwater prison…
Were shown utterly devastated in the images!
Corpses of jailers and Marines littered the ground, blood flowing like rivers.
Sengoku frowned deeply as he leaned in, disbelief written across his face.
"Why are these two mixed up together?!"
"What in the world happened?!"
He picked up another photo hidden beneath the Impel Down images.
It showed two men and a group of prisoners.
All of them were suspended in midair, flying off toward the distance when the photo was taken.
...
...
"Zehahahahaha~"
"Golden Lion, you've really gotten sloppy!"
"Don't tell me you got weaker after fighting me?!"
Above the endless sea, a small island floated high among the clouds.
Upon it rang Blackbeard's grating laughter.
Wearing an arrogantly wild grin, Blackbeard mocked the Golden Lion—who literally held his life in his hands.
Hovering even higher in the sky, ever vigilant, Golden Lion Shiki glanced down at him with disdain.
"Brat! If I were you, I wouldn't be laughing so loudly!"
"Aren't you afraid you'll attract a Marine pursuit force?"
Despite his words, Shiki himself was secretly astonished.
He and Blackbeard had truly broken into Impel Down—
And freed a group of the most vicious criminals imaginable!
With such monsters joining them, perhaps…
Those once-theoretical plans could truly become reality.
Of course, that all depended on one condition—
That he could continue cooperating with this man who, like Roger, bore the mysterious 'D.' in his name.
(End of Chapter)