"Shirogai, where's my dad?"
Bonney anxiously shook Shirogai's arm, her voice trembling, "I came out to sea to find him, but I can't find him anywhere…"
"Kuma?" Shirogai glanced out the window with a gentle smile, then chuckled as he noticed someone peering at Bonney from outside the restaurant, "He might be right beside you, quietly accompanying you all this time."
"Dad's beside me?"
Bonney froze a moment, then pouted with wounded disappointment, "I didn't see him! He's such a liar, he promised he'd travel the world with me once I got better!"
"Although he broke his promise, his love for you never diminished."
Shirogai stroked Bonney's head and closed his eyes thoughtfully.
…
"Hey!"
A voice, smiling but hesitant, echoed in Kuma's mind outside the window.
"I say, you're one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, yet you're so secretive about seeing your own daughter."
"Shiro…gai?"
Kuma whispered uncertainly within his own mind.
"Yes, it's me. Don't worry, it's a Devil Fruit ability, we can communicate mentally."
Shirogai's voice was calm and warm, "I know you're worried the World Government might notice Bonney again if you show yourself. What do you think, do you want to touch your daughter with your own hands? I can help you."
"…"
Kuma was silent for a moment, then gently nodded within his mind.
The more he learned about Shirogai, the more astonished he was that someone like him could exist. Perhaps, the turning point of the world might occur through his hands.
…
Somewhere else in the mindscape…
"Where am I? This is such a strange sensation, such a powerful body…"
Shirogai suddenly opened his eyes, looking around in confusion, then stared at his palms.
"Darling, what's wrong?"
The young girl beside him, clearly a Celestial Dragon at a young age, looked at him with concern.
Am I inside Shirogai's body?
When "Shirogai" realized this, his body trembled, and he looked up at the young girl in front of him — she resembled a young Bonney but appeared over a decade older.
"Bonney…"
Kuma, still within Shirogai's body, tremulously reached out and gently stroked her head.
"Huh? Shirogai, what's wrong?"
Bonney tilted her head in confusion at "Shirogai," who suddenly looked teary‑eyed, utterly bewildered at his own emotional fluctuation.
"Bonney, you've grown up, you've become so mature…"
Kuma, speaking through Shirogai's body, stroked Bonney's head with tender sincerity, "Dad… is so happy. Even if I couldn't take you to travel the world, you are capable of traveling the world now…"
A tear trickled down "Shirogai's" cheek.
How much Kuma wished he could stand before his precious daughter without worries, without sorrow, simply laughing and enjoying life together. That alone would have been enough.
But that was no longer possible.
He had become a puppet of the World Government, with more strings of control wrapped around him each passing day.
Eventually, he would lose all will and become the World Government's weapon of war — a Pacifista.
He was completely bound.
Even if he tried to escape, what about all those connected to him — Dr. Vegapunk, the Egghead scientists, Sentomaru, Queen Mother Connie, even Admiral Kizaru? Could they vanish from the world with him?
No, they could not.
If he disappeared, the World Government would be enraged.
Kuma could not allow that.
Sacrificing himself so others could live freely — that was his choice.
"Bonney…"
Kuma gently stroked his daughter's hair, his entire expression filled with love and apology.
I'm sorry I couldn't keep our promise, but Dad went to many places you haven't seen yet, planning to show them to you later.
Unfortunately…
In the days ahead, you'll have to learn to live without me.
Perhaps one day you'll find someone who cherishes you, and you'll have a child as lovely as you.
Although I might never see that moment…
I believe you will be happy.
Bonney…
Dad forgot to tell you this.
Under Bonney's bewildered gaze, "Shirogai" hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear.
"Bonney, happy ninth birthday, you must always be happy!"
"…!"
Bonney's body trembled, her eyes filling with tears as she clung to Shirogai and whispered, "Dad, is that really you? Dad!"
Shirogai neither confirmed nor denied, only smiled gently and murmured, "I'm sorry I couldn't travel the world with you. But I'm happy that others are there to travel with you."
Bonney hugged him tightly, sobbing in his embrace, "Wuwuwu, Dad, where are you? I've been searching for you so long…"
"I'm sorry, Bonney."
Shirogai patted her back softly, whispering, "Dad will always love you."
…
Outside the restaurant window, Kuma slowly opened his eyes.
He silently watched Bonney, crying loudly as she hugged the smiling Shirogai, expressionless yet deeply saddened.
…
"Alright, little one, your dad has moved on."
Shirogai stroked Bonney, whose tears had soaked his shoulder, and smiled gently, "Your dad hasn't gone far yet. Do you want to go out and look for him? What if you find this heartless man who abandoned his daughter?"
"Oh, right!"
Bonney, persuaded by Shirogai's words, wiped her eyes and ran outside, turning back once to make a pouty face and protest, "Blech! Dad's not a bad dad! Hmph, you're not allowed to say bad things about him!"
"A daughter always favors her father…"
Shirogai chuckled helplessly as he watched her run.
Then he stood up as Pirate crews cautiously approached.
"Oh, aren't you all eating anymore?"
"You bastard! What did you do to our Captain!"
The Hawkins Pirates growled, drawing blades and approaching Shirogai with a mix of fear and rage.
Hawkins, still in his strawman form, sighed at his subordinates rushing to start trouble.
It seemed his ninety‑nine percent death prediction was for these blind followers.
"Don't think we're afraid of you just because you're a pirate worth fifty billion Berries!"
Members of Kid's Pirate Crew, dressed like a rock band, also advanced with ferocity.
"Release our Captain now! Or we'll kill these hostages!"
Several held brave patrons who hadn't escaped hostage.
"Oh? You're actually threatening a pirate with ordinary people's lives?"
Shirogai relaxed in his chair, amused as he skewered a piece of steak Bonney hadn't touched, "Do you think I'm some righteous man who cares about civilians?"
"Hmph! A Marine disguised as a pirate! Stop pretending! We know it!"
One of Kid's pirates sneered, pressing a blade to a hostage's neck.
"You are Marine's chief instructor! How can you let civilians die before your eyes? Release our two captains now or we kill someone!"
These pirates truly believed Shirogai was a Marine, thanks to the smoke‑screen deception — exactly as the Marine intended.
Foolishly pushing such a strong force into opposition.
"Then just kill them."
Shirogai cut his steak leisurely, smiling playfully, "But do it far away from me. I don't want the stench of blood ruining my appetite."
"You!!! Think I wouldn't dare?"
The Kid pirate, eyes wild with bloodlust, slashed the blade across the hostage's neck.
Pfft!
Scarlet blood sprayed, splashing the pirate's hand.
"Ah haha! Did you see that! I really did it! Aren't you going to release your hold on our Captain?!"
The pirate with bloodshot eyes laughed madly, trying to intimidate Shirogai.
"Ah!!!! Blood, blood!!!!"
The wounded hostage screamed in terror, shivering, "Save me, save me! Are you really a Marine? Please don't let him kill me!"
The frightened middle‑aged man in his forties looked toward Shirogai's back, tearfully pleading, "I have elderly parents and young children. My whole family depends on me. If I die, how will they live! Please, Admiral, save me!"
"Sigh, I already said don't spray blood, it ruins my appetite."
Shirogai pushed the steak plate forward, frowning at the mess, "Your 'elderly parents and young children' — are you referring to the two thirty‑something female slaves, the eighteen‑year‑old female slave, and the two ten‑year‑old slaves held in your residence?"
"I…"
The man's plea stopped abruptly.
"I…"
He stared at Shirogai's back awkwardly, speechless.
Shirogai already knew his background perfectly.
"I, I'm a legal citizen!"
The middle‑aged man snapped, glaring angrily, "I don't care where you're from, Marine! I've paid taxes to the World Government! Marines have a duty to rescue innocent civilians like me from pirates!"
Idiot, you're asking for death!
Bege and Apoo, quietly watching from the side, silently labeled this man's actions.
You honestly think a 5 billion Berries pirate is a Marine?
How naive!
"Sigh, my appetite's completely ruined now."
Shirogai flicked his hand helplessly, tossing his fork and knife aside along with the napkin from his neck.
"Darling, so handsome!"
Shalria, the Celestial Dragon fangirl, looked at Shirogai with adoration, face flushed.
Decisive and unbothered by threats, he truly was her dream lover!
"Ah!!!!"
The pirate holding the hostage watched helplessly as the middle‑aged man fell lifeless, stabbed by his own knife and fork.
Terrified, the pirate backed away.
"I, I didn't kill him! He killed himself! It has nothing to do with me!"
"Weren't you just threatening me with a hostage?"
Shirogai stood and approached the flustered pirate with a playful smile, "What, pirates are afraid of dead people? How novel!"
The pirate stumbled backwards in fear.
"You, you stay away! If you come close, I'll cut you down!"
"Dealing with you pirates is too low‑class. Let's move to more presentable opponents."
Shirogai snapped his fingers with a grin.
Pop!
The three Supernovas previously held rigid by String Fruit control were freed, regaining command of their bodies.
"Arrogant Emperor Shirogai!!!!"
The volatile Kid immediately attacked upon regaining freedom, eyes blazing as he roared, "Bastard! You dare underestimate me! Magnetism: Demon Cannon!!!"
Metal objects throughout the restaurant surged toward Kid's right hand, forming a metal skull cannon with glowing eyes and concentrated energy in its skeletal mouth.
"Die! Bastard!!!"
Kid grinned fiercely, preparing to fire the energy cannon at Shirogai.
"Kid, retreat first! We can't handle him!"
Killer drew his twin blades beside Kid, eyes wary as he watched Shirogai.
Kid didn't relent, charging Demon Cannon with magnetism, "Retreat? Before I retreat, I'll smash that bastard's infuriating smile to pieces!!!"
"Don't carelessly destroy the restaurant decor. You won't pay for it anyway."
Shirogai clapped his hands with a playful smile.
"Little ones who can't control your temper shouldn't toy with magnetism."
As Shirogai clapped, the metal skull Demon Cannon collapsed rapidly, reverting to its original pieces and returning to their places intact.
"What???"
Kid stared in disbelief at his empty hand, roaring in shock:
"What did you do! Why did my ability fail!"
_____
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