BOOM!!!
The Mangrove No. 21 bar was blown apart—splinters flying everywhere.
The entire island trembled as the explosion echoed.
"Captain Kid!!!"
Everyone in the Kid Pirates crew cried out in panic.
"No need to worry. Even if it's Kid, he knows his limits," said the two-years-later Killer, calmly.
Hearing that, the crew finally exhaled in relief.
But then, they suddenly remembered something—
That composed and mature-sounding Killer wasn't their Killer.
Their Killer—the one they knew—was currently being held captive.
Cough, cough—
Violent coughing came from within the settling dust.
As the debris cleared...
Among the rubble stood the infamous pirate with a bounty exceeding 300 million—Eustass Kid—pinned under a massive mechanical arm, unable to move.
"Too weak," said the future Kid, shaking his head in disappointment.
"You bastard! What did you say?!"
The Kid from two years ago, eyes blazing with fury, was fuming like an erupting volcano.
He tried to break free, but couldn't even make the other flinch.
This stranger—who looked exactly like him and even had the same Devil Fruit powers—was terrifying.
No… not just the same powers. His control and skill were far superior.
It was like facing a powered-up version of himself.
And Killer had felt the same during their brief clash.
Facing his future self had given him the eerie feeling of fighting a stronger version of himself.
"Who the hell are you people?!" yelled the past Killer, his voice low and grim.
"You should already know the answer," said future Killer with a smirk.
"Hey—me from two years ago—you're way too weak! Keep going like this, and that Straw Hat brat is going to leave you in the dust! You'll never make it to the Pirate King's throne!"
Future Kid's words echoed across the ruined bar.
Silence.
Then—
An uproar.
"Did you all hear what that guy just said?!"
"Th-That really is our Captain Kid!"
"And from what he said, he's from two years in the future!"
"Time travel?! Is that even possible?!"
"But if he isn't the future Kid, then how do you explain the resemblance—and more importantly, the powers?!"
"Even if you can mimic someone's looks, Devil Fruit powers are unique!"
"No doubt about it—they're the future versions of our Captain and Vice-Captain!"
The crew erupted in shock and disbelief.
Cough…
The Kid of the present slowly rose from the wreckage, face full of shock.
Meeting his future self? That had never once crossed his mind.
But then—
A vein throbbed on his forehead.
"What did you just say? That I'm no match for the Straw Hat? That he'll completely surpass me?! Don't make me laugh! That guy's already dead!"
The ever-proud Kid was livid.
He'd always considered himself the top Supernova of his era, especially with the highest bounty among them.
Then along came that damn Straw Hat.
Defeated a Warlord. Stormed Enies Lobby.
His bounty might have been lower, but his fame completely overshadowed Kid's.
Kid had long accepted Luffy as a rival.
But after the Sabaody Archipelago incident, where Luffy's crew was completely wiped out trying to protect a Celestial Dragon...
He believed Straw Hat Luffy had fallen.
But now, hearing what his future self just said—things weren't what he'd thought.
"You really think Straw Hat went down that easily? That's too naive. Too stupid," scoffed the future Kid.
Ironically, mocking exactly what he once believed himself.
"Luffy two years from now is on a whole other level. You'll see for yourself soon enough," added future Killer with admiration.
"Then... what the hell happened in those two years?! What about your arm? And you, Killer—what happened to you? Why did you go after Apoo and Hawkins? Where's the rest of our crew from the future—Wire and the others?"
The past Killer rattled off question after question.
Now certain the two before them were their future selves, he was desperate for answers—just like the rest of the crew.
But the future Kid only replied:
"There's no time for explanations. Prepare the ship—we're setting sail!"
"What?! Sailing now?! But the war at Marineford is about to start! Shouldn't we wait until it's over?!" the navigator objected.
"A war like this—what's the point of just watching it on screen?"
Future Kid grinned darkly.
"You mean…"
Heat's eyes widened as realization hit.
"You're going there?! To the actual battlefield?!"
Wire was just as shocked.
"Are you insane?!"
Even the past Kid was stunned by how reckless his future self had become.
"What? You scared?" future Kid taunted.
"I'm not scared—just saying there's no reason to do this!" the past Kid growled.
"There's only one shortcut to true strength—battle.
And this war? It's the perfect training ground.
During this war, I'll show you everything I've gained over the last two years—my experience, my techniques, my Haki, and even the Awakening of my Devil Fruit."
After the war in Wano, Kid had finally understood the gap between himself and Luffy.
As much as it pained him, he had to admit it:
Luffy had surpassed him—by far.
Luffy had defeated Kaido, the strongest creature in the world, in one-on-one combat.
Kid, on the other hand, had to team up with Law just to stand toe-to-toe with Big Mom, and even then, victory only came thanks to Law's "K-ROOM" and a few well-timed bombs.
The gap was undeniable—even for someone as arrogant as Kid.
He might never catch up again.
But his past self still had a chance.
If he could train in Haki and master his Awakening earlier, his past self might blaze a new trail.
And this war?
It would no longer be just a stage for Straw Hat Luffy to shine alone.
"Haki… and Awakening too?" the past Kid clenched his fists tightly.
"Of course. But if you're too scared, feel free to sit back and learn from the broadcast like a coward.
And when you head to the New World—don't even think about challenging Red-Haired Shanks.
You might lose more than just an arm next time."
Future Kid smirked.
"Are you kidding me?! The word 'fear' doesn't even exist in my vocabulary!"
Past Kid took a deep breath and stood tall.
"Everyone—get ready to set sail! Our destination: Marineford—Summit War battlefield!!!"