"Understood."
Ren nodded and spoke directly. "Give me some time. I'll have an answer for you before I leave."
"Alright."
Bartholomew Kuma nodded obediently, almost like a gentle giant.
Nearby, Cavendish—his head still steaming with cold mist—was utterly lost, unable to understand what the two of them were talking about.But soon, he remembered his own priorities.
"Hey! I don't know what's going on, but you're free now, right? Since you helped heal me, if you need anything, I—Lord Cavendish—can lend you a hand. But before that, you'll have to fight me!"
The dashing prince of the White Horse drew his rapier, Durandal, issuing another challenge. He had retrieved the weapon from a frozen corner of the ship, after quite the struggle.
"Fine. But first, you should finish eating," Kuma said gently. "Your body isn't ready for intense movement yet."
"Ah… uh, thank you."
Cavendish blinked blankly. Damn it… this guy's supposed to be the Tyrant, right? He certainly looks like one—but where's the tyrant part? Why is all I see this infuriating gentleness!?
"How rare," Ren remarked, rising to his feet, the crimson glow of the campfire reflected in his eyes. "I thought you didn't enjoy fighting. Isn't your usual way to just refuse?"
"Some people are stubborn," Kuma replied as he stood up too. "When I'm on missions, I find it's easier to agree first… and then defeat them."
In the distance, Vivi returned, carrying a mountain-sized creature that looked like a crocodile.Beside the campfire, Nojiko had already started preparing dinner. Their sky voyage came to an end by dusk—everything was going smoothly.
Cavendish began devouring his meal, rapidly recovering his strength.Ren, after eating, headed to the Weather Ship.
For now, he was the only one there. Sas, Nojiko, Vivi, and Kuma were still eating, while Monet hid in a dark corner, clearly contemplating escape—but no one paid her any attention.
Ren only cast her a single glance before stepping out onto the deck. Resting his hands on the rail, he gazed into the distance, deep in thought.
Things had progressed this far—there wasn't much left to do. The top priority was determining the "plot."
That was why he hadn't given Kuma a clear answer earlier—he didn't yet know how complete this "storyline" was. Just as he had warned himself before,every strategic victory so far had depended on one crucial condition: information transparency.
If that condition failed, a disaster in the shadows would be inevitable. The one who treats others like fools is the true fool.
To maintain that advantage, he thought, I'll need to use the Dimensional Roulette again. It once produced the "One Piece" manga before. If luck really follows balance, then after surviving Kuzan and that near-death calamity, my luck should now be at its peak. That means the odds of success in this draw are about ninety percent. Then, the next step is deciding on the exchange value.
Kuma's conduct, strength, and Devil Fruit ability—all were exceptional. Leaving aside everything else, his Paw-Paw Fruit's power of instantaneous, long-range mobility alone made him worth the gamble. Not to mention… Ren still needed to borrow that ability later.
His fingers tapped the railing rhythmically. Decision made.
Dimensional Roulette—Activate!
Meanwhile, around the campfire…
Vivi stared in disbelief at the bandaged monster now transformed into a bandaged glutton. A third of the giant crocodile had disappeared into Cavendish's stomach, turning him into a bandaged ball of flesh. After finishing, he shoved another chunk of meat into his mouth—then lay flat on the ground, sleeping as peacefully as a corpse.
"What a strange guy," Nojiko commented accurately, glancing at Vivi.
Perhaps because of the earlier battle, Vivi's outfit was torn in several places. But honestly—could an ordinary crocodile even injure someone with the Suna Suna no Mi, a Logia-type user? Nojiko doubted it… then realized the truth.
This was intentional.
Vivi's light-blue short dress was torn just enough to reveal flawless white skin. Her sapphire belt matched her long blue hair—simple, yet enchanting. With her near-perfect face and graceful figure, she looked like an ocean fairy glowing by the firelight.
Unfortunately, Ren had left right after eating.
As for why that was unfortunate—well, not for Nojiko herself, but because she'd seen Vivi's faint disappointment.
Better not say anything, Nojiko thought. She neither exposed nor comforted her—just ate quietly.
The silence made the air awkward. Everyone could feel it. Something was… off.
Kuma broke it first, his calm voice steady. He looked at the remains of the crocodile and spoke gently:
"You all caused quite a stir on Jaya Island, didn't you?"
"Ah? Oh—yes!" Startled, Vivi stammered, "We ran into a lot of strong people… but the toughest ones were handled by the captain."
"I see. Then it's likely the Navy will increase their surveillance of you."
"Well, Ren did take down a Vice Admiral," Nojiko added lightly, smiling. Her words instantly thawed the frozen atmosphere.
Cavendish, pretending to sleep, cracked his eyes open. Of course he wasn't asleep—he wasn't that careless. If his second personality emerged mid-nap and started slashing everyone, he'd die of shame.
Still… Nojiko's words caught his attention.
Vice Admiral? What Vice Admiral?Wait—Jaya Island… wasn't that Mock Town?Could it be… Onigumo?!
No way! A mere rookie? Maybe it was just a branch Vice Admiral. He probably fought one of those and escaped afterward. Yeah, that must be it—otherwise, how could he have…
"Onigumo, huh? Looks like Sabo's worries were unnecessary," Kuma murmured softly.
And with that single, gentle sentence—Cavendish's last illusion shattered. He suddenly found the meat in his mouth tasteless.
His whole body twitched. The three girls turned toward the writhing, maggot-like bandaged blob.
"Ahhhh! That's impossible!" Cavendish wailed, flailing dramatically. "Onigumo's that strong! Even I couldn't beat him—how could Ren have possibly won?!"
"Hm?"
Nojiko's expression froze over. The campfire flared, flames gathering protectively around the Flame Queen.
"Hey. You got rescued, didn't you? Then show some gratitude!" she snapped. "You dare insult Ren? Want me to roast you alive?!"
To everyone's surprise, Nojiko's tone cut like a blade. Even Vivi was stunned.
Protective? No—this was clearly defending her man. The gentle, big-sisterly Nojiko suddenly showed a fiery, violent side.
And Vivi… stood up beside her. Dust swirled at her feet, blades of sand forming in her hands.
"I agree."
Two beautiful women glared down coldly at Cavendish, killing intent radiating—flames and sand intertwining in the air. It was obvious: one wrong word, and he was dead.
Cavendish gawked, stunned that two women could radiate such murderous intent. Usually, girls adored him. But then again… he currently was a bandaged fat man.
Besides, they were both members of the Demon Pirates—defending their captain made perfect sense. He could only admit: Ren's crew was fiercely loyal. And after all that happened… maybe he deserved this.
"...My bad," he muttered weakly. "It's my fault."
His shoulders drooped like a deflated balloon, the picture of defeat.
"Hmph. Watch your mouth."Nojiko dismissed the flames with a flick of her hand.
Vivi nodded. "Our captain's easygoing—but we aren't."
"I… I understand."
Cavendish flopped back down, miserable. Surely, he told himself, this humiliation was because he currently looked like a bloated mummy.
If my perfect self were here, none of this would've happened. The White Horse Prince reflected solemnly.
I'm almost healed… Once I'm back to normal, I'll clear things up. Then these two lovely ladies won't treat me so roughly. Still, Onigumo—defeated by Ren? Impossible. If that were true, then that wager…
He shuddered, then laughed it off inwardly.Impossible! He's just a rookie. No one younger than me could surpass me!
Tomorrow—Tomorrow, when he recovered, he'd first fight Kuma… and then Ren. He'd reclaim his lost honor himself!
What a united crew… Kuma thought as he watched quietly, eyes gleaming with faint admiration behind his glasses.
He'd belonged to groups before. But after what happened with Ginny, the Revolutionary Army had lost some of its shine for him. He understood—great causes always demanded sacrifices. But when the sacrifice was someone you loved… even the strongest heart couldn't remain unshaken.
That guilt had never faded. He had always tried to make it up to Bonney—his daughter, his hope.
As long as Bonney can live happily and safely, he vowed silently, I'll give anything.
Resolute once more, Kuma turned his gaze toward the Weather Ship.
By now, dusk had fallen into full darkness, swallowing everything. Yet somehow—perhaps from the flickering campfire or something else—the Weather Ship seemed cloaked in a soft, radiant glow.
It stood like a beacon in the dark. The only light in the night.
Compared to the mythical Sun God Nika, the source of this light felt far more real—and perhaps, it was his true path forward.
(End of Chapter)