Ray's simple, ordinary words had an enormous impact on the other two people's minds.
Hearing Kuma's name, Bonney's entire body began to tremble.
She even wondered if she was hallucinating.
Kuma was also extremely nervous while hiding in the shadows.
It had been far too long since he had seen his daughter.
Because of the Five Elders' threats, he undergo Vegapunk's cyborg modifications while helping the World Government with their dirty work.
He knew about Bonney going to sea to search for him, but he didn't dare to see her.
If the World Government found out, that bastard Saint Saturn would arrange for Marine Admirals to capture Bonney.
Thinking about the tragic fate Bonney would face if caught, Kuma's heart felt as if it were being torn apart.
His beloved, Bonney's mother—the former Revolutionary Army East Army Commander Ginny—had died after being captured by the Celestial Dragons.
Kuma didn't even dare to imagine what inhuman treatment Ginny had suffered at the hands of the Celestial Dragons.
Otherwise, why would the powerful Ginny lose all her vitality and die shortly after giving birth to Bonney?
If Bonney were also taken by the Celestial Dragons, she would likely suffer an even more miserable fate than Ginny—a result Kuma simply couldn't bear.
Under the World Government's threats, he didn't dare to see his daughter no matter what.
He was only able to silently watch over her from afar, removing obstacles in her path.
But now... the situation had changed.
The appearance of Ray and the Straw Hat Pirates gave him hope.
Even in the New World, Luffy and his crew's strength placed them among the top pirate crews beneath the Yonko.
Moreover, Luffy was the son of his friend Dragon.
After seeing Luffy's actions, Kuma had confirmed he was the "Joy Boy" the world had been waiting for.
What's more, there was now Ray—someone who had single-handedly defeated two Yonko.
Such power could absolutely become Bonney's protective shield against the World Government.
It wasn't that Kuma hadn't considered seeking refuge with other Yonko before, but in his view, no selfish Yonko would be willing to take on such a troublesome situation for free.
The night before last, when Kuma went to discuss Luffy's matters with Rayleigh and Shakky, he discovered Ray had also appeared at that bar.
After the initial shock, Kuma began discussing cooperation matters with the three people in the bar.
Kuma needed to help Luffy's crew at critical moments, while Ray made the request for this father-daughter reunion.
As Ray's collaborator, Kuma could no longer show fear towards trash like the Celestial Dragons.
And Ray also expressed he would protect both father and daughter.
The conditions were:
[Kuma must not continue with his self-destructive modifications.]
[Live properly with your daughter.]
After certain memories awakened within him, Ray had actually developed sympathy for Kuma and his daughter's plight.
Perhaps it was a form of transference—transference of his feelings for his own lost daughters, Setsuna and Towa.
...
After a minute of silence, Kuma stepped out from behind the tree with heavy footsteps.
THUMP. THUMP.
He slowly approached Bonney, towering over her.
"Bonney..."
Seeing her father before her, Bonney could no longer control her tears.
"DADDY!"
Witnessing this scene, Ray retracted the Whip that had been binding Bonney and began walking step by step into the distance.
This space belonged solely to the father and daughter—Ray didn't want to disturb them.
...
Ten minutes later.
Bonney's crew members and Bartolomeo also found this place, panting heavily.
The five men who served as Bonney's uncles immediately flew into a rage when they saw Ray standing alone at the forest entrance.
"YOU BASTARD! WHERE HAVE YOU HIDDEN OUR CAPTAIN?!"
Bartolomeo was terrified by these words!
He immediately jumped in front of them and apologized to Ray.
"RAY-SENPAI! They're just anxious to rescue their captain! I apologize to you on their behalf! Please don't kill them!"
Bartolomeo had studied Ray for a long time.
The outcome of provoking this man versus provoking other Straw Hat Pirates members was completely different.
They'd most likely end up dead in seconds.
But since these men were "good people" in Bartolomeo's eyes, he chose to stake his life to apologize to Ray.
If Ray truly intended to kill these people, he would try to provide protection.
At worst, he'd offer his own life to Ray.
But what happened next surprised him—Ray completely ignored these shouting people.
Just as the five men prepared to attack Ray in desperation...
Two figures—one large, one small—emerged from the forest hand in hand.
It was Kuma and Bonney, who had transformed into her true child form.
In that moment, the five men trembled.
They dropped their weapons, realizing they were witnessing the long-awaited father-daughter reunion.
Meanwhile, Bartolomeo looked completely bewildered.
"Who's this little kid? Bonney's younger sister?"
Simultaneously, he realized his understanding of Ray might have been mistaken.
This cold-faced handsome guy seemed quite kind-hearted as well.
...
Half an hour later.
Ray had already left the slum area.
Bartolomeo also learned from Ray that the Straw Hat Pirates had arrived on the island.
Since Ray didn't want the fanboy bothering him, he told Barto to go find Luffy at the amusement park by himself.
Meanwhile, Ray headed to the commercial district, planning to buy some premium dog food for Chouchou.
All the members of the Straw Hat Pirates had scattered across different parts of Sabaody Archipelago.
...
At the Amusement Park.
Luffy and the others were screaming excitedly on the roller coaster.
Camie the mermaid was already tired from playing and was sitting on a bench eating ice cream.
She had changed into human-style trousers, with small boots covering her fins, making her look completely human to the casual observer.
Just then, two dark figures appeared in the shadows of trees about ten meters behind her.
"Are you sure that girl is a mermaid?"
"One hundred percent sure. Our informant in the Flying Fish Riders confirmed it personally."
"But the people around her are all from the Straw Hat Pirates. We need to be careful."
Hearing this, the shorter shadow patted his chest and responded:
"Don't worry, Boss. These mascot costumes were prepared specifically for her. Mermaids are all foolish—they fall for tricks every time."
The larger shadow thought it over carefully and agreed—most mermaid slaves were obtained through deception, not force.
These fishman who came out to explore the world were typical naive simpletons.
Moreover, the two of them were somewhat capable.
As professional traffickers working for Doflamingo's Auction House, they were quite fast runners too.
No time to waste—the two of them put on Cat and Bear mascot costumes, grabbed some promotional flyers, and gradually approached Camie.
Luffy, Brook, and Chopper were still enjoying the rides in the air.
Hachi, who was responsible for watching Camie, was nearby buying popcorn for her.
Sanji had already left the area to buy sailing provisions in the food district.
Half a minute later.
"MMMPH!"
A muffled scream caught Hachi's attention.
Five minutes later.
Everyone confirmed that Camie had disappeared.
"CAMIE!"
Just as Luffy and the others were anxiously searching for her, a young girl carrying a drawing board appeared beside them.
"It's been a while, Luffy."
Seeing the newcomer, Luffy looked completely confused—he couldn't remember who this girl was at all.
Brook and Chopper had never seen this person before either.
Seeing that Luffy didn't recognize her, the girl pouted angrily.
"You guys were almost wiped out by me back at Little Garden! Remember?!"
Hearing this, Luffy frowned deeply, but couldn't recall anything no matter how hard he tried.
"Who?"
"Ahhh! The person we came to join is such an idiot! Hmph! So unfair~"
"Let me reintroduce myself! I'm Marianne, formerly one of Crocodile's subordinates!"
"Our pirate crew currently has 985 members, and under Captain Mikita's leadership, we've come to serve you and Ray-sama."
Only when he heard the names Crocodile and Mikita did Luffy finally come to his senses, though he still couldn't remember who "Marianne" was.
"Eh, forget it if you can't remember me."
"But I saw the beauty you're looking for just now."
"She was carried away by two people in mascot costumes running in that direction."
She pointed towards Grove 1.
...
At the same time, on Grove 30.
Zoro was walking down the main road, happily drinking from a sake bottle in his right hand.
GLUG. GLUG.
But something unusual was happening about fifty meters ahead of him.
A group of people were kneeling on both sides of the main road, trembling in fear.
In the middle of the main road stood a sleazy man wearing a soap bubble over his head and dressed like an astronaut.
A Celestial Dragon.
He had been threatening a female nurse to become his concubine and was now aiming a golden gun at her fiancé who tried to stop him.
But Zoro, thoroughly enjoying his drink, remained completely unaware of the commotion ahead and continued walking closer step by step.
Right towards the Celestial Dragon.
---------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator