The problem of their mismatched abilities was solved by Mock-Kuro Combo. Adding Kuma to the equation took it a step further, creating the "Mock-Kuro-Kuma Combo" on the spot.
The arrangement was simple: Kuro perched on Mock's shoulder, and Mock in turn lay flat across Kuma's broad back. At nearly seven meters tall, Kuma could bear their combined weight without any trouble. Mock and Kuro would handle invisibility and sound suppression, while Kuma's role was to swat aside anything, or anyone, in their path. With this system, who couldn't they capture?
As for Kuro, the situation was beyond humiliating. It was one thing to ride on Mock's shoulders, but to do so while being carried by a giant was an entirely different level of indignity. The very thought of it was mortifying. This was somehow even worse than being forced into hard labor with Jango.
'If my old crew ever saw this,' he thought, his stomach twisting, 'how could I ever show my face again?'
However, after Dante personally guaranteed that no one would ever find out and sweetened the deal with a promise of a promotion and a raise, Kuro adjusted his glasses and reluctantly agreed. Since all three of them would be invisible, he reasoned, no one would ever have to see it.
With their coordination sorted, the next hurdle was endurance. The Devil Fruit abilities couldn't fail them mid-mission. To ensure their synergy and stability, the three of them were ordered to remain together constantly for the foreseeable future, functioning as a single, perfect unit.
Mock didn't mind in the slightest. An order from the boss was an order, and besides, he thought the whole setup was incredibly cool.
Kuma, upon learning it was all for Bonney's treatment, accepted without a second thought. He was even more dedicated than Mock, willing to do whatever it took to help her.
Kuro, on the other hand, was in misery. He had braced himself for a one-time ordeal, endure it, finish the mission, and it would be over. But now they had to stay joined together every day. They would even attend classes this way, moving unseen among the trainees. The shame of it was almost unbearable. Even though they were invisible, the thought of performing such a ridiculous act in front of others made his skin crawl.
But what could he do? He was cornered by two men, one grinning like an idiot, the other a giant bowing his head in earnest appeal. He had already thrown his lot in with them. Silently, he repeated his mantra: 'This is all for a promotion and a raise.'
After threatening both of them that if a single word of this ever got out, he would make sure they could never speak again, Kuro gritted his teeth and submitted. And so, the Mock-Kuro-Kuma training officially began!
Life at the Marine 16th Branch went on as usual. The trainees had their instructions, and how they practiced was their own business now.
Aside from a select few, no one was aware that an invisible, composite monster was now living in their midst. A few days later, rumors of a ghost began to spread through the base, especially around the training camp. Marines would get the unnerving feeling that they were being watched, but a search would always turn up nothing.
As Kuma, Mock, and Kuro grew more coordinated, the feeling faded, and most wrote it off as a case of nerves from over-training.
The trainees were also puzzled by Instructor Kuro's prolonged absence. Many of them, surprisingly, found themselves missing his strict guidance.
From his invisible perch, a faint, involuntary smile touched Kuro's lips whenever he overheard them. It only made him train them harder in his mind. He diligently noted every trainee's mistakes, planning to resume their rigorous lessons the moment this secret mission was over.
'These idiots,' he fumed silently. 'How many times do I have to explain the Stealth Walk technique? They still haven't learnt it.'
But how long would this secret mission last? Time ticked by, and soon Dante dispatched the perfectly synchronized trio to a designated location, where they waited in silence.
Today was another peaceful day.
Dante had just finished enjoying Robin's... 'unique insights', and was now relaxing alone in his office with a cup of tea.
*Creak~*
The door flew open and Nami rushed in, a frantic look on her face.
"Where's Kuma?" she demanded. "Where did he go? I haven't seen him in days, and Bonney isn't at home either."
"Kuma?" Dante set down his teacup, looking at her with mild confusion. "I sent him on a mission that required his help. Why are you looking for him?"
"The base is haunted, isn't it?" Nami said, her voice laced with anxiety. "I heard he used to be a priest, so I thought maybe he could help with an exorcism."
'The ghost fearmongering?' Dante thought. 'I thought that had died down.'
"Why? Did something else happen?" he asked. "Where are people seeing ghosts now?"
"Ah? You haven't heard?" Seeing his genuine confusion, Nami seemed surprised but continued nervously. "The night before last, one of the trainees was practicing late and went to the bathhouse by himself. When he walked in, he saw a shower head spraying water all on its own."
"Maybe someone just forgot to turn it off," Dante suggested.
"That's what he thought at first, too. But after he shut it off, it turned right back on. He figured it was broken and turned it off again," Nami said, her face still pale with secondhand fear. "That's when he heard it... *tap... tap... tap...*"
She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Footsteps echoed through the washroom, and he saw ripples spreading across the water on the floor, like someone was walking toward him. Just as he was about to scream, another voice spoke up."
"What did it say?" Dante prompted.
"It said, 'What are you doing~, I'm still-'"
"And then what happened?"
"Nothing. The trainee said the voice just cut off. He either didn't hear the rest or he fainted right then and there." Nami poured herself a cup of tea, taking a long sip to steady her nerves. "He only woke up last night. He's still in the infirmary, shouting about ghosts."
Dante was silent for a moment. He had a pretty good idea of what had happened. 'That idiot Mock must have gone to take a bath while they were invisible,' he mused. 'The voice cutting off probably means Kuro was there too and silenced him immediately.'
He offered a weak smile. "It was probably just a misunderstanding. Training that late, he must have been hallucinating."
"You're not behind this ghost events, are you?" Nami's eyes narrowed with suspicion. She knew Dante too well. "Come to think of it, you and Robin have been acting shady these past few days." She glanced around the office. "Where is she, anyway? Why isn't she here today?"
"Robin's just resting. She was a bit tired," Dante said, clearing his throat. "Anyway, what did you need? Kuma might be gone for a little while longer."
"What exactly are you two hiding from me?" Nami scanned him up and down, but finally waved a dismissive hand and pouted. "Forget it. If you're not telling me, it's probably something I don't want to know about." She paused, a thoughtful look on her face. 'Ever since that Marine Admiral visited, her relationship with Dante seems to have gotten closer.'
She shook her head and pulled a newspaper from her bag, placing it on his desk. "Your paper. I ran into Nota on the way here and grabbed it for you. As for Kuma, besides the ghost thing, Vivi said she wants to visit soon. I was going to ask him if he'll be free in a few days."
As she spoke, she noticed Dante was no longer listening, his eyes fixed on the newspaper. She leaned over his shoulder, curious.
"What are you looking at?" she asked, reading the headline aloud. "Unknown explosion on Punk Hazard? Punk Hazard... that's in the New World. Is this the news you've been waiting for?"
He didn't look up from the paper.
"It is," Dante said, a slow, determined smile spreading across his face. He folded the newspaper, his gaze shifting to the window. "Finally. It can begin."
===============
Dear Readers and Fans,
For those eager to dive into next chapters earlier before others, I invite you to join us on Patreon. By becoming our Patron, you not only gain access to exclusive advanced chapters but also help us continue this endeavour and expand it further.
https://www.pat reon.com/8Ashes8
(no space)
You can read upto 7 Chapters in advance.