Chapter 87: The Gentle Kuma
South Blue - Sorbet Kingdom - A Church in the Lawless District
The setting sun cast a warm, golden glow through the broken stained-glass windows, painting the worn walls in mottled colors. The wind whistled through the ruined roof, carrying the scent of herbs and decay.
In the center of the church, Bartholomew Kuma stood before a simple pew, his palm pressed against the back of a stooped old man. The power of the Paw-Paw Fruit was active, and a dark red, viscous orb of "pain" and "fatigue" was slowly separated from the man's body and drawn into Kuma's hand.
"Hah... Thank you, Mr. Kuma."
The old man, looking immensely grateful, felt the chronic, agonizing pain of his illness fade away, a clarity returning to his eyes.
Kuma nodded gently, his massive, powerful frame hiding the softest of hearts. "Go and rest."
As the old man shuffled out, Kuma was left alone. He looked at the orb of pain in his hand—it was a dark, twisting, black-red energy, seeming to leech the very warmth from the air.
He took a deep breath and, without hesitation, pressed the orb into his own chest.
"Ngh—!"
Veins bulged on his forehead as his giant body trembled, agonizing pain instantly flooding his every nerve. He stood silently, bearing it all.
"Bonney?" he called out softly. The little girl who was supposed to be playing in the corner didn't answer.
"Bonney?!"
Kuma's pupils shrank. His Observation Haki instantly flared out, sweeping the church!
In the next second—
"Hehehe~"
A familiar, light laugh came from the back. Kuma spun around, his guard at its absolute peak—
A young man was lounging on a back pew. Three-year-old Bonney was sitting happily on his shoulders, giggling as she playfully tugged at his hair.
Kuma froze. "...Roy?"
The young man with the child on his shoulders was, of course, Roy, dressed in simple civilian clothes. He smiled, his voice teasing. "Long time no see, Kuma."
Kuma walked over slowly, his guard lowering slightly, and gently lifted Bonney from Roy's shoulders.
"What are you doing in the South Blue?"
Roy shrugged. "Just passing through. I heard you were here, so I thought I'd stop by."
Kuma looked down at Bonney, who was staring at Roy with wide, curious eyes, showing no fear at all.
"Bonney, go play in the back room for a minute," Kuma said softly. She nodded obediently and skipped off.
The moment she was gone, Kuma's gaze hardened. "Does Dragon know you're here?"
"This isn't on his orders," Roy said. "It's personal."
Kuma frowned. "You know I'm a Commander in the Revolutionary Army. If the World Government finds out you, a Vice Admiral, have been in contact with me..."
Roy, who was casually inspecting the crumbling church walls, just shook his head. "Don't worry. When I want to go somewhere, no one can follow me."
He stood and walked to the stained-glass window, the setting sun casting a long shadow. He turned, his gaze direct. "You take on the pain of others every day... but you just push it all into your own body. If you keep this up, you're going to break, Kuma."
"This is my choice," Kuma replied calmly.
Roy sighed. "Does Dragon know?"
"I didn't tell him. It's not necessary."
The sunset bathed the church in a deep, golden light. Roy looked at Bonney playing in the other room. "I came here... to ask you for a favor."
He turned, his expression serious. "I need you to cooperate with Dr. Vegapunk on his 'Clone Soldier' research. All he needs is a blood sample."
Kuma's expression changed instantly. He knew that name. "Vegapunk... His research... it's unnatural. It crosses ethical lines."
"Clone soldiers? What for?" he demanded.
Roy answered calmly and honestly. "In Vegapunk's own words: 'To use overwhelming scientific power to suppress evil and save the weak.'"
That single sentence struck a chord in Kuma's compassionate heart. But he looked toward the back room, at his only reason for living.
"I'm sorry, Roy," Kuma said, his voice gentle but firm. "Bonney is still so young... My only duty right now... is to protect her."
Roy's voice dropped, as cold and sharp as a knife. "Bonney... she has it, doesn't she? The Sapphire Scale disease. Just like Ginny."
BOOM—!
Kuma's world shattered. "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!!"
He lunged forward, his massive hands grabbing Roy's shoulders, his Haki instinctively flaring, the pressure in the room becoming suffocating! "WHAT DID YOU SAY?! IS THAT TRUE?!!"
His gentle eyes were now a storm of terror, rage, and unbearable pain.
Roy didn't move an inch. "Calm down, Kuma."
"HOW CAN I BE CALM?! SHE'S ONLY THREE! SHE'S A CHILD!!" His roar shook the church.
"Daddy...?"
Bonney poked her head out from the back room, her eyes wide with fear.
Kuma froze, as if instantly pulled back from the brink.
The next second, Roy warped out of his grasp, appeared by Bonney, and lifted her into his arms.
"It's okay, little one," he soothed, patting her back. "Your dad is just... very worried about you."
Bonney nodded, her little hand gripping Roy's shirt. "Can... can he not be so loud?"
Kuma walked over, his eyes full of shame. "I'm sorry, Bonney... Daddy scared you."
After Bonney was safely back in the other room, Kuma turned to Roy, his voice hoarse, desperate. "You came here... that means you have a way. Right?"
Roy nodded. "Yes. Vegapunk can cure the Sapphire Scale disease. But the treatment... it's complex. It requires the same resources and technology as building a full-body cyborg."
Kuma knew what that meant. He was silent for a long, long time. "...The cost?"
"I'll cover it," Roy said, without a trace of hesitation. "The medical facilities, the lab costs, and housing for both you and Bonney. I'll pay for all of it."
Kuma stared, stunned. He knew the World Government spent billions on a single Pacifista project. And Roy was offering to pay it all... just for a blood sample?
"You... Are you serious?" Kuma's voice trembled.
Roy could read his mind. "Don't worry about it. I have my own deals with Vegapunk. This won't affect you or Bonney."
Kuma was silent for a long time. The wind chimes tinkled softly.
He finally looked up, his voice gentle, but with an iron resolve. "As long as you do not use me... as a tool to oppress the weak... I accept."
Roy smiled and held out his hand. "That's all I needed to hear."
Kuma looked at his hand... a path that wasn't about revolution or sacrifice, but a path that could save Bonney's future. He grasped it.
At this moment, Kuma had not yet been lost to war and lies; he had not yet been slandered as the "Tyrant"; he had not yet been converted into a mindless cyborg.
He was just a gentle father, willing to do anything for his daughter.
In this lawless district, forgotten by the world, a deal that would shake the future was quietly struck.
♧♧♧
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
-> FOR EVERY 200 PS = BOUNS CHAPTER
♧♧♧
-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.patreon.com/c/Segais
(Just remove the hyphen to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you