From the top floor of the newly christened New Marine Headquarters building, the view was spectacular.
Mike stood by the massive floor-to-ceiling window, hands casually tucked into the pockets of his comfortable yukata, gazing down at the bustling docks below.
Warm, late-afternoon sunlight streamed in, draping over him like a liquid gold halo, making the scene feel almost serene despite the undercurrent of imminent, world-altering conflict.
Down below, two figures, one impossibly large and metallic, the other small and vibrant pink, were locked in a tight embrace.
"A father-daughter reunion… how touching," Mike murmured, a genuine smile playing on his lips.
He glanced inwardly at his system interface, noting the dramatic surge in his Happy Points counter.
The pure, unadulterated joy radiating from the docks was almost palpable, even from this distance.
It seemed the satisfaction of helping others and mending deep-seated regrets wasn't any less potent than, say, lounging in a premium hot spring surrounded by beautiful women.
Who knew?
Kuro stood silently behind him, a perfect shadow.
He adjusted his glasses, a glint of light flashing across the lenses as his hyper-efficient mind was already calculating the strategic implications.
'With Kuma's emotional core restored and his daughter safe under our protection… his loyalty to the New Marine, and by extension, the Captain, is now absolute and unbreakable. A significant asset secured.'
Kizaru, however, was less composed.
He stood beside Mike, also watching the scene unfold on the pier below.
He let out a long, slow sigh, one that sounded less like his usual laziness and more like genuine emotional weight.
Seeing Kuma, the man who had sacrificed everything, finally reunited with his daughter… even Kizaru's perpetually cynical heart couldn't help but feel a pang of warmth, a genuine happiness for them.
And yet… the scene was also undeniably, profoundly tear-jerking.
Kizaru found himself discreetly rubbing his eyes, which had suddenly, inexplicably grown moist.
Certain long-buried memories, hazy images of comrades lost and sacrifices made in the name of a flawed justice, flickered unbidden through his mind, leaving him momentarily dazed, lost in a past he rarely allowed himself to revisit.
"What's up, old man?" Mike's voice, laced with its usual teasing amusement, broke through Kizaru's reverie.
He had keenly noticed the admiral's unusual behavior.
"N-Nothing's wrong! Everything's fine!" Kizaru stammered, quickly composing himself.
"Then why are you rubbing your eyes? Getting sentimental in your old age?" Mike grinned.
"I was just…!"
For perhaps the first time in decades, Kizaru's face flushed a visible red.
"Got some dust in my eyes! That's all!"
"Dust?" Mike raised an eyebrow, gesturing with his chin towards the spotless, state-of-the-art window and the bright, clear sky outside.
"Where exactly is there dust in this brand new, hermetically sealed New Marine Headquarters building, old man?"
"..."
Kuro's lips twitched almost imperceptibly as he fought to suppress a laugh.
The Captain's ability to fluster the normally unflappable Admiral Kizaru was truly a sight to behold.
"You brat!" Kizaru glared at Mike, his embarrassment quickly turning into familiar irritation.
"Here, take this!" He pulled a neatly folded note from the pocket of his yukata and thrust it at Mike.
Mike unfolded it.
It was a formal authorization, signed by "Sakazuki," transferring half of Akainu's substantial "Suspension Plan bonus"—a cool 500 million Belly—directly to Kizaru.
Attached was a simple, handwritten addendum from Kizaru himself.
"Use this to offset some of Kuma's debt," Kizaru mumbled, looking away.
"Oh~ 500 million Belly?" Mike looked at Kizaru, his expression filled with mock surprise.
"Money actually coming out of your wallet willingly? Has the sun risen from the west today?"
"Hmph! Just take it! This old man feels like it!" Kizaru waved his hand dismissively and quickly walked away, his steps almost comically hurried, desperate to escape the conversation.
"..."
Mike watched Kizaru's retreating figure, a fond smile touching his lips as he shook his head.
Even the laziest, most money-grubbing admiral in the world still remembered the bonds forged in the fires of the past.
"Kuro," Mike said, handing the letter to his ever-present adjutant.
"After the war is over, cancel all of Kuma's remaining 10 billion Belly debt. Consider it paid in full."
"Yes, Captain!" Kuro replied respectfully, making a mental note.
....
Down at the docks.
Kuma's massive body trembled slightly as he slowly, reluctantly loosened his arms from around Bonney.
His rough, metallic hands gently stroked his daughter's soft pink hair, the sensation so real, so precious, it felt like a dream from another lifetime.
"Bonney…" Kuma's voice was hoarse, choked with barely contained sobs.
He wanted to say so much, apologize for so much, explain so much, but didn't know where to begin.
All these empty years, he had missed her every single moment, yet now that she was finally, miraculously here, a thousand words were log-jammed in his throat.
"Hah— Dad, why are you crying like a baby?" Bonney looked up, her own eyes suspiciously bright, but she put on a brave, slightly teasing face.
"Were you worried about me?" She reached up, her small hands gently wiping the tears from Kuma's rugged, unfeeling metal cheeks.
Then, she puffed out her chest proudly.
"There's no need to worry! Bonney's been doing super great these past few years! I'm an amazing pirate now! My bounty is 140 million Belly!" she declared, beaming like a proud little peacock.
"And I ate the Toshi Toshi Fruit! I can make myself older or younger whenever I want! See?"
Though chronologically still a child, Bonney's fruit abilities and the harsh experiences she'd endured had forced her to mature far beyond her years.
Yet now, facing the father she had dreamed of day and night, the scared little girl inside couldn't help but surface, boasting about her accomplishments to reassure him, to make him proud, to bridge the gap of those lost years.
"Is that so…? That's truly impressive!"
A genuine, warm smile crinkled the corners of Kuma's eyes, a rare sight that softened his imposing face.
"But… there won't be any pirates on these seas anymore, Bonney."
"Why not…?"
"Because…" Kuma's voice was low but filled with a powerful, unwavering conviction.
"A new era has arrived."
He wanted to tell her everything.
Tell her that the cruel reign of the Celestial Dragons was finally coming to an end.
Tell her that the New Marine, the force that had saved him, would bring about a brand new world, a world free from the horrors they had both endured.
A world where she could truly live freely.
Not only had he regained his freedom, his self, but he had also been reunited with his daughter.
And now, more importantly than anything else, he had the chance to fight for her future.
For this, he would give his all.
"Bonney, Daddy has something urgent he needs to take care of," Kuma said, taking a deep breath, forcing himself to calm the storm of emotions surging within him.
Now was not the time for sentimentality.
The decisive battle was coming.
"What is it?"
"Something… very important." He knelt slightly, bringing his face closer to hers.
"Wait for Daddy here, at the New Marine Headquarters. You can play with Uncle Kizaru. And Mike-san is here too. He's… a very interesting person."
"Okay," Bonney nodded obediently.
She didn't fully understand, but she could sense the determination radiating from her father, and beneath it, his overwhelming love for her.
She trusted him.
And she trusted the New Marine that had brought him back to her.
"..."
Kuma smiled warmly, a father's pure love shining in his eyes.
He slowly removed the thick black gloves he always wore, revealing the soft, paw-like pads on his palms—the mark of the Paw-Paw Fruit.
"Bonney, Daddy has to go now."
"Mhm!" She nodded vigorously, her face suddenly crumpling with reluctance, trying desperately not to cry again.
Kuma gently ruffled her hair one last time, taking one final, deep look, etching her face into his newly reclaimed memory.
Then, he turned abruptly, facing the vast, open sea.
He raised his palms.
And slammed them against the empty air.
"BOOM—!"
A deafening explosion, like thunder cracking directly overhead, shook the entire dock.
The very air seemed to compress to its limit before violently repelling itself, releasing a visible, shimmering shockwave that rippled outward, sending towering waves crashing against the seawall.
In the epicenter of that explosion, Kuma's massive figure vanished without a trace, repelled across the ocean at unimaginable speed.
Thanks to Vegapunk's modifications, his physical abilities and his mastery over the Paw-Paw Fruit had reached new heights.
He streaked across the sky like a meteor, his destination clear in his mind: Baltigo, the headquarters of the Revolutionary Army.
'Sorry, Dragon' Kuma thought, his voice torn apart by the roaring wind rushing past him.
'The New Marine's ideals… they are more refined, more thorough. They offer a true path to liberation, not just endless revolution.'
'This time… I hope you'll make… the right choice.'
His gaze suddenly sharpened, his eyes, usually so placid, now burning with a cold, righteous fury.
'As for the mastermind behind my suffering… behind Bonney's suffering… Saint Saturn…'
'I swear… I will defeat you… with my own hands!'
"Hum—!"
An overwhelming, almost godlike aura erupted from Kuma's body as he soared through the sky.
The air around him warped and buckled, reality itself seeming to bend to his will.
The Paw-Paw Fruit… had awakened.