Somewhere within Sabaody Archipelagos, a sea snail began to make noise and a large hand picked it up within a dark room.
The large figure spoke. "I told you not to contact me on this private line unless it was absolutely necessary, I cannot keep contact over every small matter"
However from the other side, there was no response which made him continue. "I am sorry if I spoke too hastily, is there anything wrong?"
There was still no response for a while until an unfamiliar voice spoke. "Kuma the Tyrant, are you alone?"
Kuma instantly became alert. "You.... How did you get your hands on that thing? I only gave it to one person, what have you done?"
Although he tried to mask his worries, he could not fool the person on the other side of the call.
Pair Sea Snails which are designed to be used between two people and let them communicate without anyone listening in, one was in his possession while the other was in the hands of the royal family of Sorbet which he gave in case of emergencies or to keep in contact.
The most logical reason for someone else using it would be that it was either stolen or something had happened to his family.
The other voice became more stern and cold. "I asked are you alone?"
Kuma replied. "Yes I am."
"Good.." The voice continued. "From now on everything must not leak out to anyone or your family will be the ones suffer."
Kuma responded while trying to keep calm. "How can I know that they are safe and what is it that you want me to do?"
His hands were tied with his duties but if his family was in danger, he would not hesitate to leave to try to safe them.
With his abilities, he was capable of protecting them but there were always uncertainties in hostage situations.
"Come here." The voice changed and then Conney began to speak up in a frightened tone. "Kuma.. help.. we were captured but we do not know what the person wants. Hic.. waaa.. wait what are you doing?!"
"Ugh.. ouch! Hey you said that you would not harm us if we called him! You.. you cut me! You went against your word." Bonney was heard after as she seemed to have suffered some form of abuse on the other side then the other voice continued in a joking tone as the two captives went silent once more. "Here are the rules of the game Mr Tyrant. One, you do not tell a soul a word of this and if you even think of doing so I will not hesitate to kill both of them. Two, do not underestimate me just because of your own abilities thinking you can save them. Three, do not bring anyone with you and come alone to the palace without being seen. Four, do not bring any tracking or monitoring devices with you and if you happen to have them on your body, find a way to turn them off."
"Just tell me what you want!" His calm face changed to one of anger but also contained some helplessness as he could not get there right away.
His ability could send him through the air and land safely on a designated place but depending on the distance it could take anywhere from a couple of hours to a week or even longer in some cases.
That was just one of the powers he possesses with the Paw Paw Devil Fruit but it was not enough to save his family.
The voice laughed mischievously in response. "Isn't not knowing what makes the game all the more fun? I will see you soon, remember to follow the rules I have set and I will do them no further harm."
Gacha!
The call ended leaving Kuma sitting within the dark room with a look of helplessness and defeat on his face.
He hesitated about asking for help from his friends in the Revolutionary Army but then he stopped himself.
Even with Dragon's or others abilities, it was unknown if an accident would not happen if the captor was forced into a difficult position and put the hostages in further danger even going as far as using them as shields or taking them with them in death.
The best option he had was to follow the rules so he walked out of the room and took a small leave of absence.
Since he rarely had taken a vacation, he had many vacation days and he had no major tasks to complete so it was quickly approved.
He then raised his hand and then slapped his body and disappeared from the spot where he stood.
He was then sent flying through the air in a protective air bubble.
—————
Earlier that day, the three females within the palace began to plan how to lure him and came up with a basic kidnapping and ransom plot.
However after they had finished, Alyssia stated. "For this, I hope that all shadow guards be removed from the surroundings and no interference will be done during the time that we contact him."
Conney calmly nodded. "Fine then it can be done."
Everything began to proceed according to plan but Alyssia felt that it was not believable enough so she had to improvise.
As Conney was trying to sound frightened and speaking to Kuma, Alyssia removed something from her bag and then placed something on Bonney's wrist.
A single pair of Sea Prism stone handcuffs were acquired on the black market in case she happened to encounter and capture a Devil Fruit user but she made use of them during the time that the other two were immersed in their play.
As the cuffs were put on Bonney's wrist, she fell down which made her let out a sound. "Ugh.."
Without pausing, she removed one half of her scythe blades and made a small cut on the neck of Bonney and grasped a small amount of hair which made her scream in pain and voice her dissatisfaction.
After successfully collecting samples from a Devil Fruit user and one with such a unique ability, she stored away the samples in her backpack secretly and then began to treat the small wound on Bonney's neck after ending the call.
Bonney was laying on the ground looking helpless and weak and Conney was trembling in fear at how quickly Alyssia had moved in that instant and acted against them.
If she had the intent to kill then they would have long been dead even with their guards and their secret forces stationed nearby.
Conney gulped and then spoke. "This.. this is not what we agreed."
Alyssia sighed. "The reason why I asked for no interference was because some actions had to be taken to make it sound more realistic. He needed to hear real fear and pain coming from you both. I am sorry for harming Bonney but do not worry, this tiny wound will heal up very quickly and leave behind no scarring."
The wound was so light that it may have drawn a tiny amount of blood but it would heal within a day so it could hardly even be compared to a small scratch but it was enough to make Bonney cry out in pain as she was suppressed by the Sea Stone cuffs.
She removed the cuffs from Bonney and stepped back after confirming that she did not intend to take revenge for her act after she had explained the reason for doing so.
Within the quiet room, Conney spoke up as it had been quiet for a while. "So.. what do we do now?"
Alyssia showed a bored look. "How about ai treat you to some of my own cooking? I promise that it be taste good!"
She had collected many types of food and ingredients during her stay on Sorbet visiting the local markets and surviving in the desert.
After witnessing the state of the royal palace and the small meals that the royal family had to survive on after using their other funds and supplies for the betterment of the country, Alyssia decided it was only right to offer to cook a big meal for them since she had been allowed to stay there.
Bonney began to drool. "You are not lying right? Hurry and get cooking!"
Alyssia headed to the kitchen with her backpack on her back and began to cook for the Queen Mother and the Princess of the Sorbet Kingdom which was a feat that not many could say they had ever done unless they were the royal chef.
The whole plan rested on a bet that she had placed on the two opposing stories about Kuma, one side said that he was kindhearted while the other is that he is a tyrant.
If he was a tyrant then negotiations would fail quickly and she would be ruthlessly pursued by him no matter the consequences but if he was truly kind hearted then he would act carefully and not wish to endanger the lives of his family with any breaking if the rules she had set.
He may even offer his own life in return for their safety should the situation be dire enough.
Alyssia trusted more in the words of Sabo over the title that had been placed on him by the world so she went ahead with this plan.
Out of all of the Warlords, the first that she wished to meet in person was Kuma because he would die sooner than the others and be used by others even after his death but also because her meeting him would not trigger a huge change.
Crocodile, Moria and Doflamingo were taken for Luffy to enhance his growth during the story but there still remained Boa, Kuma, Mihawk and Jinbei who could be contacted and establish some small relationship of some kind before the war begins.
She coveted Mihawks sword or blade comprehension and use of Haki with weapons while she could also gain additional skills and knowledge from the others for herself or to pass it onto the others within her crew.
However approaching Kuma was for a different purpose.