New World — Mars Archipelago.
On the Mars Kingdom's main island, three colossal ports bustled with endless life. Merchants, traders, and even "legalized" raiding crews came and went in constant motion, turning the harbors into a sea of chaos and color.
Even the black market — the underworld trade — flourished here, hidden under the protection of the Celestial Dragons who favored this island among the many kingdoms in their care.
Though the Mars Kingdom's landmass wasn't as vast as Alabasta's, it was far larger and richer than smaller nations like Dressrosa.
Three grand ports — Kamiatsu, Shinten, and Ryūsho — dominated the island. Two of them carried myths and legends said to be tied to the divine powers of Saint Marcus Mars, wielder of a Mythical Zoan Fruit.
For centuries, Marcus Mars had poured his power and wealth into the development of this land, shaping it into one of the most luxurious and militarily formidable nations in the world.
Among the kingdoms favored by the Celestial Dragons for their "vacation tours," the Mars Kingdom ranked among the top — second only to Gran Tesoro, the Golden Emperor's floating paradise, and Sabaody Archipelago, beneath the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.
"Captain," Lafitte reported with a crooked smile, "according to Morgans' intelligence, this kingdom houses a large number of Cipher Pol agents. The capital itself hosts a CP3 branch, and near Ryūsho Port lies the G-T3 Marine Base."
His pale tongue flicked across his lips, eyes glittering with anticipation.
"CP or Marines — none of them can withstand a full invasion from the Souta Pirates," he sneered. "Unless they've somehow stationed two Admirals here, this country's already doomed."
Nico Robin added calmly, "The CP3 base likely includes a CP0 three-man squad currently undercover, and the G-T3 base commander is Vice Admiral Redhorn, a long-necked Tribian warrior."
After several rounds of analysis, it became clear — there were no real powerhouses here capable of threatening Souta's crew.
"Yahahaha! What a pity the Holy Knights aren't here," Enel laughed, lightning flickering in his eyes. "No matter. That CP0 squad? I'll take them for myself."
As for Redhorn — a mere Vice Admiral — he wasn't even worth Enel's attention.
"Captain," Capone Bege muttered around his cigar, "what about the underworld kings' operations on this island? Should we give them a little face?"
He narrowed his eyes. "If we go for a full-scale sweep, they might all turn against us — could make business a pain later on."
He wasn't wrong. Umit the Sea King controlled deep-sea transport routes; Giberson the Warehouse King monopolized raw materials and goods. The Souta Pirates' logistics network depended heavily on both for supply and trade.
Even some of their secret dealings with the Revolutionary Army ran through Feld the God of Fortune, who managed the massive underground loan banks.
Only Drago Pecklow, the Funeral King, had no ties with them — his empire of assassins, slave traders, and organ traffickers disgusted Souta to the core.
As for Big News Morgans, everyone already knew that fat bird had quietly severed ties with the World Government and leaned closer to Souta's side.
And Queen Stussy of the Pleasure District — the Government thought she had infiltrated the Souta Pirates. In truth, she was Vegapunk's own double agent, and Vegapunk himself was firmly under Souta's command.
"Leave everyone else alone," Souta said lazily, tapping his fingers on the table. "But that Funeral King's empire… destroy it completely."
His tone carried casual dominance. He despised Drago Pecklow's vile dealings — the slave trade, the killing contracts, the organ harvests.
Now, as the leader of a rising empire, Souta had the power to let his personal grudges shape his justice.
"Understood!"
With that command, the battle for the Celestial Dragons' ancestral kingdom officially began — a ruthless act of retribution, a direct counterattack for the destruction of Angel Island.
Sirens screamed through the skies.
"Vwoo—Vwoo—!!"
As the floating fleet appeared above the Mars Kingdom, the entire nation erupted into chaos.
"It's the Souta Pirates!!"
"Run!"
"Alert King Mars Louis XVII! Evacuate immediately!"
"Call the Marines! Call the World Government for backup!"
"The God-Slayer has come for us!"
Across the ports and coastal cities, panic spread like wildfire. Den Den Mushi rang in every direction, carrying desperate cries.
Every major faction in the New World received the same urgent reports:
"The Souta Pirates are attacking the Mars Kingdom!"
The reaction was immediate.
"Retreat at once! Abandon local branches — take only what you need to survive!"
The underworld kings swiftly evacuated their operations, unwilling to clash directly with Souta's army of monsters.
Meanwhile, in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise…
"Damn it! Souta Kiryuu's gone to the Mars Kingdom!"
Saint Marcus Mars nearly shattered his Den Den Mushi in fury. That was his family's ancestral homeland, a private treasury nurtured and protected for centuries.
"It must be retaliation," one of the Gorosei said grimly. "He's avenging Angel Island's destruction."
"Not just that," another added. "Souta's targets seem to be the ancestral lands of the Celestial Dragons themselves."
"Then the next might be the Adams Kingdom or the Pritz Kingdom," a third voice suggested.
"Alert the Adams Kingdom garrison," barked the eldest Gorosei. "Evacuate their royals and treasure immediately."
"Calm yourselves," the bald elder said, his tone cutting through the room. "This could be our opportunity to ambush Souta's fleet."
He turned sharply to Marcus Mars.
"You're heading for the New World — but not to Mars. Go to the Adams Kingdom instead."
The chamber fell silent. The Gorosei's decision was final.
Marcus Mars clenched his jaw, humiliation and rage burning in his chest.
Even as one of the highest Celestial authorities, he couldn't protect his own homeland. The thought left him seething.
"...Understood," he growled at last, though bitterness laced every word.
As Mars Saint departed for the New World, the Gorosei's next orders spread swiftly through the Navy.
From the G1 Marine Base, Aokiji (Kuzan), Green Bull (Aramaki), and Garp the Fist led an elite fleet into the stormy seas, vanishing into the mist to intercept Souta's armada.
"Gah-hahaha!" roared Morgans when he received the breaking news. "The Mars Kingdom — one of the richest nations in the world, an ancestral land of the Twenty Kings — is next!"
His feathers puffed up with excitement, beak clattering as he laughed.
"From the Seven Warlords to the Celestial ancestral lands… Souta Kiryuu's rewriting history itself! What a glorious age of chaos!"
The world's greatest reporter grinned wide enough to show every tooth.
Once again, the name of Souta Kiryuu shook the world.