"Trash."
In a deserted alley, Souta Kiryuu dropped the corpse of a pirate and stripped him of all his beli without a flicker of hesitation.
Killing scum like this carried no weight for him.
With the money he looted, Souta strolled into the bustling streets of Dressrosa, bought himself a fresh set of clothes, and devoured the local delicacies. He even picked up some pastries to bring back for Mansherry and the others.
He had spent most of the day coaxing Mansherry to stay behind before sneaking into Dressrosa alone. After all, he was here to rob and kill. Bringing along a naïve girl like her would only complicate things.
Two days ago, he had walked the streets with Mansherry, but without a single coin to his name, he couldn't buy anything, and she eventually insisted they return. Today, however, things would be different. Today, he would feast on the riches of others.
Caesar hasn't escaped prison yet, so there's no chance for revenge at the moment. As for Saturn of the Five Elders… that's still a distant target. For now, I need Haki. First priority.
Tearing into a skewer of roasted meat, Souta strode down the crowded main street. His sharp eyes scanned for another pirate to bleed dry, while his mind turned over ways to obtain Haki training in Dressrosa.
Teach's patience allowed him to bide his time for decades waiting for the Yami Yami no Mi. If Blackbeard can wait thirty years, I can wait a single year to learn Haki.
He even considered infiltrating the Whitebeard Pirates, lying low for a year or two, and seizing the Dark-Dark Fruit before Blackbeard could. But unlike Teach, Souta wasn't a mutant who could consume two fruits. At best, he could ensure Blackbeard never had the chance to rise.
Suddenly, a loud commotion broke out nearby.
"Baby 5, please marry me! I need you by my side for the rest of my life!"
A scrawny, greasy-looking young man clutched a wildflower in both hands, kneeling before a tall, stunning woman in a maid outfit. His lecherous expression betrayed his true intentions.
The beauty, however, fidgeted shyly, her cheeks faintly flushed. She didn't reject him. She couldn't.
Baby 5… the maid who can't refuse anyone. Souta instantly recognized her. A Weapon-Weapon Fruit user with impressive potential—yet her lack of training had wasted what could've been a god-tier ability.
As the crowd jeered and snickered, Souta's eyes sharpened. He spotted something faint—threads, almost invisible—snaking through the air.
The String-String Fruit…
In the next instant, a line pierced the lovestruck man's chest. His eyes bulged, and blood blossomed across his white shirt.
"Ugh—ah!"
His scream strangled in his throat, the life draining from his eyes as he collapsed in a heap.
"Hahaha! Another fool. Flirting with a Donquixote officer's woman? He deserved it!" a Dressrosa local laughed. "Every week it's the same. The king makes an example of idiots like him. Better than the colosseum for entertainment."
The corpse was quickly dragged away by Donquixote lackeys, the cleanup so smooth it was clear they had done this countless times.
"Damn you, Young Master! I'll kill you!"
Baby 5's shrill cry rang out as she stormed toward the King's Plateau, rage burning in her eyes. "Why?! Why must you kill every person who needs me?!"
The crowd dispersed as fast as it had gathered.
Souta gnawed the last bite of meat, his face expressionless.
This was the One Piece world—life was worthless. Weaklings didn't even get to choose how they died.
Not yet. Without Haki, I won't provoke Doflamingo. Even trying to trick Baby 5 into following me would be too risky. That man's cruelty and paranoia are unmatched.
He remembered how Doflamingo had hunted Tesoro for over a year after the golden pirate seized the Gold-Gold Fruit. Tesoro only survived because his newfound powers grew fast enough to rival Doflamingo's. In the end, they struck a truce and built a business empire together.
Tesoro… a former Celestial Dragon slave who awakened the Gold-Gold Fruit within just a few years. Incredible talent. And with Stella's death at the hands of the Celestials, perhaps he could be pulled into my camp someday.
The thought stirred excitement. Tesoro's resources would solve his money problems overnight. But first, he needed the strength to qualify as an equal.
Souta's gaze narrowed as Baby 5 disappeared into the distance. The sight of her reminded him of Doflamingo's Celestial Dragon lineage—of Saturn, the Elder who had scarred his eye.
Doflamingo might hate the Celestials, but he still longed to reclaim that title.
Once I'm strong enough, I'll strip him of everything.
Two and a half years as Punk Hazard's experiment had taught Souta one thing: this world respected only power.
The strong devoured the weak. The victor dictated the rules.
As he turned to find his next mark, a towering figure in a hooded cloak crossed his path, a wooden chest clutched in his massive hands. Souta's eyes widened. Recognition flashed.
Him…
And if that man was here, then perhaps even Vegapunk's whereabouts could be uncovered. Souta's lips curled into a dangerous smile as excitement shivered down his spine.
Follow him. This could lead me straight to Haki—and maybe more.
Without hesitation, Souta slipped into the man's shadow.