"What does he mean?"
Bonnie's fingers clutching Kuma's trousers suddenly tightened. Tears still streaked her cheeks as she abruptly looked up at Kuma, her voice trembling with disbelief: "Father... what do you mean 'not much consciousness remains'?"
Kuma looked down at his daughter's reddened eyes but couldn't utter a word.
How could he explain to Bonnie? Should he tell her that to have the World Government cure her illness, he agreed to the "Pacifista Modification Program," gradually selling his body and even his consciousness to that cold institution?
Should he let Bonnie know that he was now a half-human, half-machine Monster, barely able to maintain his complete self?
Kuma's silence deepened the unease in Bonnie's heart. She wanted to press further, but was interrupted by Kuma suddenly tightening his grip.
"Don't ask." Kuma gently pressed Bonnie's shoulders, his voice low: "He's talking nonsense. Don't believe him."
"Nonsense?" No sooner had these words left his mouth than laughter echoed. Ryan leisurely lit a cigar, the smile on his lips growing increasingly mocking: "Bartholomew Kuma, why don't you tell your daughter the truth? How exactly was her illness cured?"
As he spoke, Ryan's gaze swept over Bonnie's shocked face, his tone deliberately suggestive: "Bonnie, think carefully. When has the World Government ever been so kind as to save a 'Pirate's daughter' for no reason? What do you think your father used to exchange for your life?"
"I..."
Bonnie opened her mouth but didn't know how to respond. Memories of her illness resurfaced in her mind. She had always found it strange that the World Government would treat her, initially thinking it was because her father agreed to work for them. But now, prompted by Ryan, she realized it couldn't be that simple.
"Enough." Kuma looked at Ryan, the previous calm in his eyes replaced by urgent pleading—a compromise belonging to a "father," not the intimidation of a "Tyrant": "Let's discuss the transaction between us. Don't drag her into this."
Though he didn't know how this man had learned about his deal with the World Government, now wasn't the time to dwell on that. He couldn't let Bonnie learn the truth and feel guilty because of it.
Watching the rare display of panic from Kuma, Ryan gently blew a smoke ring, holding the cigar between his fingers. He said nothing more, curious about what chips Kuma would offer.
Bonnie continued clinging to Kuma's leg, listening to their conversation. Tears began to fall again.
Though she didn't fully understand, she could sense her father was hiding many things—things so painful he didn't dare speak of them. Choking up, she said: "Father, whatever it is, please tell me. I'm not afraid... I just want to know the truth."
Kuma's body stiffened, his protective arm around Bonnie trembling slightly. Looking into his daughter's reddened eyes, he remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking: "Wait... I'll tell you later. For now, help them recover first."
Bonnie was taken aback, looking up at Kuma. She bit her lower lip, wiped the tears from her cheeks, and nodded firmly: "Alright, I'll listen to you, Father."
After speaking, Bonnie released her grip on Kuma's leg and turned to walk toward Daz and the others. Though tear stains still marked the young girl's face, she deliberately straightened her back. When she reached Mikita, who had been transformed into an old woman, she hesitated for a moment before extending a finger to gently touch Mikita's wrinkled sleeve.
"Age-Age Fruit: Restore!"
A pale pink glow emanated from Bonnie's fingertips, enveloping Mikita's body. In the blink of an eye, Mikita's hunched back straightened, her wrinkled face became smooth and firm, and her graying hair regained its original luster. Instantly, she transformed from an octogenarian back into the capable female Pirate she once was.
"Wow... my skin! My hair!" Mikita screamed excitedly the moment she recovered, touching her face and running her hands through her hair. She spun around twice and bounced exaggeratedly. "Finally, I'm back to normal! I thought I'd have to live with that old face forever!"
Her overjoyed reaction completely erased any trace of her earlier embarrassment.
Ryan, holding a cigar, merely glanced at Mikita before looking away. For him, it was enough that his subordinate had recovered; there was no need to dwell on trivial matters. After all, Mikita was quite competent, and without her, he would lose a lot of amusement.
Just then, a tall figure blocked Ryan's path. Kuma approached, his imposing stature completely overshadowing Ryan. The oppressive aura of a Seven Warlords member, even without using his abilities, was not to be underestimated.
Ryan lifted his eyes, exhaled a smoke ring, and raised an eyebrow through the haze. "Now, let's talk. What kind of deal do you have in mind?"
Kuma looked down at Ryan, his voice still calm. "You must have hidden injuries inside your body. My ability can expel these wounds and pains, allowing you to return to your peak condition."
In this line of work, injuries were inevitable—some suppressed more than others. They might not show under normal circumstances, but in old age, all hidden wounds would resurface.
Ryan paused, the cigar between his fingers. How could he have forgotten? One of the most practical abilities of the Paramecia Paw-Paw Fruit was "Trauma Heal." Back on Thriller Bark, Kuma had used this technique to expel all of Luffy's fatigue and pain.
If old injuries could be expelled... could the cellular damage caused by the IQ Killer Drug be expelled as well?
The thought stirred something in Ryan, though his expression remained playful. He simply nodded. "Fine. I accept this deal."
As for the cost Kuma would bear by expelling Ryan's injuries, Ryan paid it no mind. He hadn't forced Kuma at knifepoint—the other had voluntarily offered his ability in exchange for Bonnie's safety. This was a transaction of mutual consent.
Moreover... Kuma now retained only half a brain's worth of consciousness. Soon, he would completely become the World Government's "Pacifista," and even the name "Bartholomew Kuma" would vanish. It was no different from death.
Wouldn't it be fitting for him to do one last good deed and leave behind something of value?
Seeing Ryan agree, Kuma relaxed and nodded. His gaze unconsciously drifted toward Bonnie, who was still bickering with Mikita not far away.
A complex emotion flickered in his eyes before he turned back to Ryan. "I have some matters to attend to now. I'll come find you later."
As soon as he finished speaking, a pale white light circle suddenly appeared in Kuma's palm. With a gentle wave of his hand, a soft "pop" sounded as the air seemed to ripple outward. Kuma's figure vanished directly from where he stood. Clearly, he had used the Paw-Paw Fruit to repel space itself and teleported away!
With such an ability, almost no one could restrain him. What a convenient power.
"Father!" Bonnie turned sharply at the sound, but only saw empty ground where he had been. Her expression instantly changed, and without caring about anything else, she immediately dashed in the direction Kuma had disappeared, shouting as she ran, her voice full of panic.
Watching Bonnie's retreating figure, Ryan curled his lips into a knowing smile. At this point in time, the Straw Hat Kid Luffy and his crew should be causing chaos on Sabaody Archipelago, and Kuma was going there to save them by slapping each one to different seas.
"Captain, what should we do now?" Daz Bones, having recovered, approached Ryan and asked quietly.
"Handle the follow-up matters yourselves. I'm going to check things out over there." Ryan extinguished his cigar on a broken wall, clapped his hands, then added, "No need to follow me. I'll be back soon."
After speaking, crackling pale blue lightning erupted at Ryan's feet. His figure shot forward like a bolt of lightning, heading toward Grove 13 of Sabaody Archipelago.
Perfect timing to watch this good show of "The Tyrant Slapping Away the Straw Hat Crew."
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