After arranging all his plans, Souta Kiryuu once again made his way to Vegapunk's laboratory.
"Can that robot be reactivated with the power of lightning? If Wapol were to devour it, could he then use its weapon systems?"
"And fit that electromagnetic cannon onto the Ark Maxim first—let Enel test its firepower."
Souta was willing to empty out every resource he had. In the coming war for the Sorbet Kingdom, he didn't mind unleashing chaos on a scale rivaling God Valley.
The following day, Souta gathered his crew and boarded the Ark Maxim, setting course for the South Blue's Sorbet Kingdom. All the while, he continued to stay in close contact with Tesoro and Stussy, watching carefully for the arrival of certain key players he wanted to appear.
New World — Onigashima
When Kaido of the Beasts learned that Souta Kiryuu was preparing to ignite a war even grander than the destruction of Enies Lobby, his entire body thrilled with excitement.
"This brat's got guts! He even went out of his way to send word to me!" Kaido roared with laughter, sake spilling down his chin as he slammed the jug against the ground. Without hesitation, he prepared to set out for the South Blue.
"Boss Kaido, this is obviously Souta Kiryuu using you!" Queen the Plague, the enormous glutton, tried frantically to hold him back. "He's just tricking you into being his attack dog against the Celestial Dragons!"
"Using me?" Kaido's grin only widened, fangs gleaming. "If he's bold enough to rally the Revolutionary Army against the Holy Knights, to make this into another God Valley, then why the hell shouldn't I join in?! I'll turn it into a war that shakes the entire world! Wororororo!"
"And if he's offering artificial Zoan Fruits for sale—then this war is mine for the taking! If he doesn't impress me this time, the next time I see him, I'll tear him apart myself!"
Kaido burst into frenzied laughter, transforming into a colossal azure dragon that coiled into the sky.
"Guard Onigashima while I'm gone!"
King the Wildfire unfurled his great wings, taking to the skies after him in his pteranodon form. He wanted to see this Souta Kiryuu with his own eyes and witness a war on par with the legendary God Valley incident. More than that, he longed for the chance to strike back at the Celestial Dragons, to avenge his own sea of blood.
"You reckless fools!!" Queen cursed under his breath, stomping on the ground. With both Kaido and King gone, he had no choice but to place Onigashima on high alert, in case a Marine admiral came knocking.
New World — A Remote Island
A blind swordsman journeyed alone, his ears constantly filled with rumors—Celestial Dragons preparing to carry out a "native cleansing" on a South Blue allied kingdom. Along his way, he encountered men and women of justice, intent on heading south to save innocent lives.
And as fate would have it, a fleet traveling along a deep-sea current was also bound for the South Blue. After some quiet thought, the swordsman finally chose to join these so-called "warriors of justice" on their voyage.
New World — Totto Land
"Big Mom! The Underworld's gone mad—rumors are spreading that the Pluton warship's blueprints have appeared in the Sorbet Kingdom!"
"And news of Pure Gold that grants immortality—it's there too!"
"Now countless Underworld powers and pirate crews are all heading for the South Blue!"
On Whole Cake Island, Charlotte family children shouted over each other in excitement. Ever since yesterday, wild rumors—half-truths at best—had swept through the Underworld at lightning speed. JOKER, the Golden Emperor, the Queen of the Pleasure District, and Morgans the News King all helped fan the flames, sending the world into frenzy.
"Mamamamama!! Then Mama will join the party too!" Charlotte Linlin's deranged laughter shook the walls. Whether it was Pluton or Pure Gold, both were treasures she coveted beyond reason. Even if the odds were only fifty-fifty, she would send her children to investigate—or go herself.
"But Mama, the Sorbet Kingdom is under the Celestial Dragons' control…" Katakuri warned gravely. This felt far too convenient, far too strange.
"Hmph! Celestial Dragons? That little experiment brat dared kill them—why should I fear?" Big Mom sneered. Her mind flashed back to God Valley, when she had seized the Mythical Zoan Azure Dragon Fruit from a slave of Ivankov, forcing Kaido into a debt that had yet to be repaid.
Over thirty years ago, she had stolen from the Celestial Dragons without a second thought. She had no fear of doing it again.
Grand Line — Alabasta
"No! Impossible!" Crocodile slammed his hook into the wall, fury blazing in his eyes. "How could the Pluton blueprints be in the Sorbet Kingdom?!"
He had schemed for years in Alabasta, weaving his way into Cobra's court, inching ever closer to uncovering Pluton's secrets. Now, at the cusp of success, news erupted that the blueprints had appeared elsewhere? In the South Blue, of all places?!
Nico Robin, quiet at his side, was equally unsettled. Whether true or false, why would such a rumor suddenly surface?
"Prepare the ship! We're heading to the South Blue!" Crocodile barked. Truth or not, he had to confirm it with his own eyes.
Marine Headquarters — Marineford
"This is madness—absolute madness!" Sengoku slammed a mountain of intelligence reports onto his desk, veins bulging on his forehead. It was as if some unseen hand had seized the seas, stirring chaos across the world.
"Countless factions are converging on the Sorbet Kingdom, almost as if the Holy Knights have drawn the world's hatred upon themselves," Tsuru said gravely. Whether the rumors of Pluton and Pure Gold were true or false, there was no denying someone was targeting the Holy Knights.
"And the latest report—Souta Kiryuu himself has spread word in the Underworld, calling out to Shiki the Golden Lion. He's offering to lure away the Marine Admirals, so that Shiki can strike Marineford again."
Black Horse, head of the Marine Criminal Investigation Bureau, shifted uneasily. "It may just be bluster, meant to keep the Admirals tied down—but if Shiki takes the bait, we could see disaster."
"Damn it! Which Underworld rats are helping Souta Kiryuu?!" Sengoku rubbed his temples in frustration. Too many factions were feeding this storm, drawing every power in the seas to the South Blue.
"Even the kings of allied nations now know the Holy Knights plan to erase the Sorbet Kingdom. The outrage is spreading like wildfire."
Kuzan's icy stare fell upon Sakazuki. "This is your fault, isn't it? You leaked the plan to the Celestial Dragons."
"Hmph!" Akainu grunted, saying nothing. He hadn't, but suspicion clung to him all the same. Now he had no choice but to carry the burden of blame under the accusing glares of his fellow Admirals.
"The Marines must keep an Admiral here, but we also need to send forces south," Sengoku declared, face drawn with worry. "Otherwise, I fear even the Holy Knights won't be able to contain the chaos."
Because this wasn't chaos by accident. Souta Kiryuu had deliberately weaponized human greed. Pluton, Pure Gold, the cleansing of Sorbet, the promise of a great war—each baited a different predator. And all together, they had dragged the world into his hands.