Chapter 330: Bartholomew Kuma
"Captain Eric, let's part ways here," Lawsaid, bidding farewell with three of his crew members.
"After seeing Whitebeard and those harsh weather conditions in the New World, do you still have the courage to step onto the Grand Line and head back to the New World?" Eric asked.
"Hmph, of course," Luo's eyes gleamed with determination. "I'll definitely head to the New World and catch up to you, Captain Eric."
"Big talk," Esdeath put her hands on her hips. "When you're strong enough, I'll grant you the title of the Three Beast Warriors."
Lawwas exasperated, "I don't need that..."
"It's decided then!" Esdeath smirked.
"Hey!"
Lawwatched as Esdeath walked away, then turned to Eric, "What is this 'Three Beast Warriors' thing?"
"Esdeath's personal team, I suppose? Congratulations."
"No, I don't think that's anything to be happy about..." Lawsighed heavily.
"Well, farewell then." Eric clapped Lawon the shoulder. "Without my protection, don't go dying too easily."
Lawsmiled, "I won't die before I see you overthrow the World Government and rule the world, Captain Eric."
"...Ha, keep improving, kid!"
The four of them stood on the deck of the Polar Diving Ship, watching as the Without Fear sailed away into the distance.
Luo, massaging his aching shoulder, complained, "She's only a few years older than me... why does she have to be so rough?!"
"Let's go, Bepo," Lawopened the closed cabin door. "We need to focus on improving!"
"Oh!" Bepo nodded energetically.
◇
Over the following days, the Dawn Pirates explored most of the countries and towns in the North Sea, leaving behind intelligence reports across various sea regions, outwitting the local navy with ease.
One day, an uninvited guest appeared.
A towering figure nearly seven meters tall stood at the harbor, wearing a white trapezoidal hat with cute bear ears on each side. His black coat had a crosshair emblem on the front, and in his left hand, he held a thick book.
Bartholomew Kuma, the pirate known as the "Tyrant," now stood less than ten meters away from the Without Fear.
"Suddenly sensed a strong presence approaching," Scáthach jumped down from the deck. "Shichibukai, Bartholomew Kuma, what brings you here?"
A gentle and pleasant voice, unlike his massive form, came from the bear's mouth, "'Magic Spear' Scáthach ."
He lifted his head again, "'Killer Dragon' Darren Eric, 'Ice Queen' Esdeath, why are you not on the Grand Line? What brings you to the North Sea?"
Eric, sitting on the side of the ship, casually responded, "Where we go is our own choice. But you, instead of capturing pirates on the Grand Line, why come to the North Sea specifically?"
"...The World Government is troubled by your unpredictable movements," Kuma said, his tone unchanged. "The Navy Headquarters sent me to confirm your whereabouts."
"To have a fleet of admirals come capture us?" Eric laughed. "Do you really follow the World Government's orders so obediently?"
"While I follow the World Government's orders, there's no need to be a slave to them," Kuma shook his head. "I don't plan on reporting your location."
"Oh?" Esdeath slowly drew her sword. "Then what's the purpose of your visit?"
Kuma pulled out a Den Den Mushi and tossed it to Eric. "Someone will contact you."
Eric toyed with the Den Den Mushi in his hands, "It's not Monkey D. Dragon, is it?"
"..."
After a brief silence, Kuma asked, "Why would you come to that conclusion?"
Esdeath and Scáthach also turned their gaze toward Eric.
"Your heart tells me that you don't stand with the World Government," Eric's tone shifted. "Aren't you afraid I'll tell the Navy about your connection to the Revolutionary Army?"
"The World Government and the Navy Headquarters won't believe a pirate," Kuma admitted. "Indeed, I'm a member of the Revolutionary Army, and I came here on Dragon's orders. Pretending to follow the Navy's commands is just a cover for my trip to the North Sea."
"So, what does Monkey D. Dragon want with me?"
"He will contact you through the Den Den Mushi," Kuma didn't explain further and then asked, "Darren Eric, what was your reasoning behind killing so many nobles in Sabaody Archipelago and the Kingdom of Goa?"
"..." Eric thought for a moment, "I just despised their actions."
"Their actions?"
"I've answered your question, so now it's your turn to answer mine—"
"Since that's the case, my task is finished."
"Hey?! I haven't finished asking—"
"Fight me before you go!" Esdeath lunged, her gleaming sword aiming for Kuma.
"Whoosh~"
Kuma's figure disappeared before the trio's eyes, and Esdeath missed with her strike.
"Teleportation?" Esdeath kicked the ground with her heel. "Next time, just use Mokepotmo!"
"That bastard, how dare he take advantage of my question," Eric thought. He could've used his powers to chase after him immediately, but he decided against it.
He muttered to himself, 'Forget it, I'll get him next time.'
...
"Dragon," Kuma picked up the Den Den Mushi. "I've handed the Den Den Mushi to Darren Eric."
"Good job, Kuma, you've risked your identity being exposed."
"He already knows I'm with the Revolutionary Army," Kuma replied. "But by the looks of him, he doesn't seem to plan on telling anyone else."
"Though he was propped up by the World Government as one of the Four Emperors, there's a lot more to him..." The voice of Dragon on the other end lowered. "Anyone who can still be alive after offending the World Government and the Four Emperors like Big Mom's crew is definitely no ordinary pirate."
"Dragon, what's your plan with him?" Kuma didn't fully understand Dragon's intentions. He had joined the Shichibukai on Dragon's orders, became an experimental subject of Vegapunk's clone soldiers, and pushed forward the pacifist agenda, which could all be ruined by his actions.
"I've been gathering information on Darren Eric for years. From his birth to the death of his parents, his work in a pirate orphanage, and his actions after setting out to sea, everything about him shows a different attitude compared to typical pirates."
"Disgusted by the World Government's practices, he despises those brutal pirates, sympathizes with civilians, wants to liberate slaves, disregards the Celestial Dragons and the Golden Rule, and looks down on the privileged royalty and nobles. This guy is practically a Revolutionary Army seed!"
After hearing Dragon's words, Kuma lifted his stern face, the sun reflecting off his frameless glasses, obscuring his gaze. "I see, if it's your decision..."
"However, I don't think he'll join the Revolutionary Army." Kuma shared his thoughts.
"Why?"
"Because deep down, he has ambition—those eyes of his are not content to be beneath others."
(END CHAPTER)
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