Chapter 129 – Eyes on the Empress, Claws in the Underworld

The sun ascended over Dressrosa slowly, casting golden light across the palace courtyard. It had been five long months since the Solar Rift Pirates parted ways to seek vitality, wealth, and renown. They now face it together again—scarred, sharpened, and beyond doubt stronger.

Solian rested against the newly polished balcony railing, his golden eyes scanning the horizon where the Grand Line shone like a slumbering giant. The sea had tested them. And they had responded.

Below, the piers echoed with activity as the crew offloaded their loot—huge piles of gems, exotic devil fruits contained in heavily armored containers, contraband weapons, and piles of belly bills so tall the guards needed ropes to simply drag them through the piers.

Vance stretched wide, inhaling deeply. "Man, I forgot how wonderful Dressrosa smells. Sea air, spices. and money.".

Milo sprawled out on a pile of crates like a cat, spinning a valuable gem between his fingers. "We're legends now. You see those looks from the navy dogs when we docked? Half awe, half piss-your-pants fear."

Kael just nodded, standing in quiet with his arms crossed, his presence steady and commanding.

Itachi was last to approach, his cloak fluttering in the breeze. He gave Solian a look, brief but full of mutual understanding.

"We're not the same crew that left," Solian finally said. "And the world… it's not the same either."

He turned and faced them, voice low but firm.

"We're no longer rising stars. We're constellations now. People chart their paths around us. And that means one thing—"

He paused, eyes narrowing with purpose.

"—it's time to set the new course."

A New Ambition

That evening, as the fire crackled in the royal gardens once more, the Solar Rift core sat in a circle, the glow casting long shadows across their weathered faces.

"I've been thinking," Solian said, "about how much power floats around this world, locked away in people's egos."

Vance raised an eyebrow. "You mean like the Yonko?"

"No," Solian replied. "I mean the ones who fell. Or got caged. Men like Crocodile and Doflamingo. Still dangerous, still influential. Just. waiting."

Kael tilted his head. "You want to recruit them?"

"Not just them," Solian smirked. "But they're the start. They understand the underground. The empires no one talks about. I'm not trying to be just another pirate. I'm trying to build a dynasty. A new era."

Milo whistled low. "Ambitious. Risky. I like it."

Itachi's voice was even, cutting. "And Boa Hancock?"

Solian's smile was bordering on bashful.

"Can't help it. They say she's the most beautiful woman in the world. And powerful. If I'm going to redefine the seas, I want to see the best this world has to offer. Maybe even ally with them. Or conquer them."

Vance burst out laughing. "You want to flirt with the Pirate Empress?"

Solian shrugged indifferently. "Perhaps. Or perhaps I just want to know if the gossip is true."

Elsewhere… in a Baroque Citadel of Sand and Secrets

Crocodile leaned against the railing of a shattered balcony in the New World, smoking a fat cigar, the flame lighting his scarred face.

2.8 billion, is it?" He spat, swiping a bounty poster of Solian against the wind. "Dressrosa under his flag… and now whispers that he's coming for me."

A laugh left his mouth. Chilled, wicked.

"He's either the biggest fool I've seen in years. or exactly what this rotten world needs."

He turned to a hooded man standing behind him.

"Alert the others—we watch. We wait. If he gets past the Yonko's eyes. then we negotiate.".

Impel Down – Level Six

Chains clanked in the darkness.

Deep inside the depths of Impel Down, Donquixote Doflamingo sat captive, smiling at a snail-carried voice echoing off walls.

"Solian Flare… 2.8 billion… Solar Rift Pirates…"

Doflamingo's laughter echoed like a broken bell.

"Fufufufufufu… so the world's tilting again."

He leaned back, the iron cuffs creaking.

"If the boy's clever, he'll come here next. And if he's cleverer… he'll release me."

Amazon Lily – Throne Hall

The palace sparkled in the golden light of sunset.

Empress Boa Hancock sat on her throne, holding a bounty poster in her hand, fingers tapping regularly against her chin. Behind her, the Kuja warriors murmured.

"This man… Solian Flare… they say he has the power of the sun in his hand."

"He destroyed Doflamingo's empire."

"Men get drunk on power…"

Hancock's eyes hardened.

"Another arrogant male. Bring him in."

But her voice, though cold, had something else beneath it. Curiosity.

"What sort of fool challenges gods, courts warlords, and dares think he can stand beside the Empress?"

She folded the poster, lips curling into the faintest smirk.

"I'll judge him myself."

Mariejois – The Chamber of Five

Five shadows gathered around a Cipher Pol report, their ancient gazes unreadable.

"Solar Rift Pirates have returned."

"Plunder exceeding five billion berries. Training beyond Vice Admiral levels."

"Solian Flare's Devil Fruit… is evolving."

"Boa Hancock has seen. Crocodile and Doflamingo—probable recruits."

Silence.

And a final voice, raspy and ancient:

"If he mobilizes them… if he reaches her…"

"We have to prepare to kill him."

Back in Dressrosa

That night, Solian once more stood on the palace balcony. On the streets below, lanterns glowed. His crew slept. His empire buzzed.

But his eyes were on the stars.

"I'm not just going to meet her," he whispered to the night. "I'm going to stand beside her."

"And I'm going to make the world mine."