On Baron Sky Island, the Souta Kiryuu Pirates had fully taken control.
Their blood-red banners, emblazoned with the blazing dragon emblem, were raised high across every cloud-covered plateau and floating cliff, declaring sovereignty with overwhelming force.
Warships of the Flying Fleet hovered in formation—blocking out the sun—casting vast shadows across the sea of clouds.
Because the island still housed survivors of Angel Island and the Shandia tribe, the islanders surrendered quickly.
Under Souta Kiryuu's command, several members gifted with special construction and terrain-manipulation abilities immediately began establishing a new base division, erecting structures atop the sky-island's cloud-stone.
Even though Baron Island touched the border territory of the Beasts Pirates, the Kiryuu Pirates felt no fear of Kaido coming to make trouble.
In fact—
Not marching into Wano to provoke Kaido was already Kiryuu giving Kaido face.
From this moment onward—
Baron Sky Island became the first permanent foothold and temporary main base of the Kiryuu Pirates in the New World.
Within the floating ship Ark Maxim, resting upon the cloud-sea plateau—
Most of the Kiryuu Pirates' officers and elite members were assembled upon the vast upper deck, awaiting Souta Kiryuu's command on where the war would begin.
There were two primary options:
1. The G9 Fortress near the Adams Kingdom
Where the main Marine force was believed to be stationed.
But attacking Adams Kingdom risked provoking the Five Elders, and possibly even Imu from Mary Geoise.
Going there meant stepping into the jaws of the World Government itself.
2. The G18 Fortress region
Where the Red-Haired Pirates and Beasts Pirates were already locked in a full-scale Emperor-level war.
Joining that battlefield could let Kiryuu coordinate briefly with Kaido and wipe out Shanks entirely.
But Shanks' crew were mostly non-Devil Fruit users—the spoils might not be worth the effort.
Thus, the current strategic debate focused on a third target:
Hive Island (Beehive Island) — Home of Wang Zhi.
The Old Den of the Rocks Pirates, the legendary Pirates' Paradise.
"Oi, Souta. If you don't feel like going after Kaido or Shanks, then going straight for Whitebeard's crew is fine too."
Barrett crossed his arms impatiently.
So many Emperor-class enemies—and no one had been punched yet.
He was getting restless.
"I still think eliminating Red-Hair is the best move."
Lafitte spoke softly.
"If we prolong a war with Whitebeard, we might get surrounded by Marine Headquarters and Cipher Pol.
But if we strike fast, alongside Kaido's forces at G18, we could eliminate Shanks before anyone reacts."
"Our original target was Wang Zhi on Hive Island, was it not?"
Capone Bege adjusted his fedora, voice cold and calculating.
"Most major pirate crews on Hive Island have already sailed to attack G14 Fortress.
If we strike now, we can capture powerful Devil Fruit users and claim the island as a strategic base in the center of the New World."
Hive Island was more than territory—
It was the proving ground of new Emperors.
Red-Hair Shanks himself had earned the title of Yonko only after defeating the pirate crews of Hive Island.
Controlling Hive Island meant controlling the flow of pirate power in the New World.
"Alternatively,"
Nico Robin spoke calmly, arms crossed,
"We strike G1 Headquarters or G14, not to conquer—
but to humiliate the World Government.
Destroy their morale.
Force them to retreat from the New World entirely."
A psychological strike.
Low risk.
High global impact.
The officers murmured among themselves.
Every plan held weight, strength, and danger.
But they all knew—
the final word belonged to Souta Kiryuu.
Souta sat upon his golden throne, idly tapping his fingers against the smooth, silken thigh of the Pirate Empress who rested in his lap.
His eyes were calm—
until they slowly opened, sharp and decisive.
"Your strategies are all sound.
Therefore—
we'll execute two plans simultaneously."
He spoke clearly, voice echoing through the deck:
"Barrett, Shiryu, Enel — you take a division of Impel Down elites and head for G18.
Your job is to hunt the Red-Haired Pirates.
Do not engage Kaido unless necessary."
"Even if you don't kill Red-Hair—
bring me the heads of his top officers."
Gasps.
Shock.
Bloodlust.
The atmosphere crackled.
Souta continued:
"The rest of you — come with me.
We sail for Hive Island.
I will personally deal with Wang Zhi, the strongest pirate below the Four Emperors."
He rose from the throne.
The Empress curled closer against him.
His presence alone seemed to shake the sky.
"Let Shanks run.
Let Kaido rampage.
Let the Marines tremble.
We are not the hunters of the seas—
We are the ones who remake it."
"YEHAHAHAHA!!! The boss finally gets it!"
Enel crackled with lightning, fervor radiating.
"Then—we move!"
Barrett grinned savagely.
Shiryu exhaled slow, eyes gleaming with killing intent.
"Time to hunt."
And so—
the Kiryuu Pirates split their forces.
One division to slaughter an Emperor's crew.
The other to seize the throne of Hive Island.
They were no longer merely contenders.
They were a force capable of challenging two Emperors at once.
And the New World—
felt the tremor.
...
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