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"Into your heart."
A simple and straightforward phrase left everyone present completely stunned.
Meowth's fur stood on end as it took two steps back instinctively, keeping a safe distance from Zyhark.
King, who had stood unmoving against Sengoku's Conqueror's Haki, was now sweating profusely.
The direct Aqua leaned over the ship's railing, vomiting a rainbow of colors into the calm sea.
Even the restaurant flag on the Endless Dream fell silent, perfectly matching the awkward atmosphere.
Silent as a grave.
As for Kuma, whose mechanical face rarely showed emotion, his subtly twitching mouth corner revealed the turbulent waves inside his mind.
Since leaving the Sorbet Kingdom and bearing the title "Tyrant" on the seas for many years, this was the first time he heard such a…
Perverse answer!
On the other hand, Zyhark, whose words had left everyone speechless, couldn't help but chuckle, watching Kuma, who seemed unsure of where to place his paw with its red pads.
He dared him to follow through with his usual trick of sending people away.
Go ahead, smack me into your heart if you can, he dared.
Caw, caw.
A black crow flew over the Endless Dream, leaving behind a trail of black dots reflecting the awkward and speechless moment.
"Haha, alright, let's stop joking around." Eventually, Zyhark decided to break the awkward silence.
He regained his serious expression, squinting at Kuma as he spoke, "Speaking of places to visit, there is one particular place I have in mind."
Seeing the often-joking restaurant owner turn serious, Kuma managed to calm the strange emotions rising within him and asked, "What place?"
"Laugh Tale."
"..."
Buzz, buzz, buzz.
After a few seconds of stunned silence, Kuma raised his arms, his hands with the red pads coming together as he began using his ability to compress the air around them.
That was his signature move, capable of severely injuring even giants hundreds of meters tall, the Bear Paw Shockwave!
"Hey, hey, hey, don't do it! I was just joking, don't take it seriously!"
Zyhark's face changed as he hurriedly waved his hands, realizing Kuma wasn't one to joke around. "Actually, I'm not particularly keen on going to Laugh Tale."
He had barely enough energy left after battling Garp and Kuzan, and couldn't handle a fight with Kuma now.
Ignoring other factors, just one Bear Paw Shockwave would destroy the Endless Dream on the spot!
Hearing this, Kuma slowly lowered his raised arms, a satisfied smile forming on his face.
The violent airflow surrounding the Endless Dream gradually dissipated.
Aqua and Meowth, their round eyes full of surprise, stared at the strange man who had suddenly appeared on their ship.
Despite his fierce and violent appearance, they sensed no malice from him.
King, who had weaker perceptual abilities, felt his heartbeat accelerate.
Compared to the lazy Aqua, he had always kept up with world events through newspapers.
Quickly, he recognized the true identity of the tall man before them!
A force to be reckoned with, rivaling the Navy and the Sea Emperors!
"Let's get serious now. We've just escaped Marine capture. Why are you here to find us?"
Zyhark walked to the bow of the ship, sitting on the goddess figurehead, looking back at Kuma with a stern expression, "Tyrant Bartholomew Kuma of the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
So, he already knew who I was?
Kuma's eyes flashed with surprise. He hadn't expected Zyhark to recognize him.
No wonder he had made such an outlandish travel request...
"Since you know me, this will be easier."
Perhaps feeling a bit of lost face, Kuma used his ability to launch himself onto the ship's railing, holding his Bible and crossing one leg over the other.
"You attacked a Celestial Dragon on the Sabaody Archipelago. According to the Seven Warlords of the Sea agreement, I have an obligation to capture you."
Hearing this, Aqua immediately drew her goddess staff and pointed it at him.
"How dare you, trying to capture a goddess like me?"
Meowth also extended its claws, glaring at Kuma, "If that's the case, I don't mind leaving a few claw marks on your face!"
Kuma glanced at the two and said calmly, "No need to be so tense. It's an obligation, not a duty. Whether I act on it depends on the circumstances."
Turning to Zyhark, knowing he was the core of this unusual group, Kuma's mechanical eyes reflected Zyhark's figure.
"I'm here to understand one thing. As a restaurant crew, why…"
"Did you take such a great risk to attack unrelated Celestial Dragons? This action brought you no benefit."
Mentioning the Celestial Dragons, Aqua, seeing a chance to speak, jumped in before Zyhark could respond: "Those scum who consider themselves gods and treat other races like commodities, killing them at will, deserve to be smacked away, right?"
"A true deity should be like me, always open to weaker races, living together in harmony and happiness. Those filthy, evil creatures, full of filth, don't even deserve reincarnation!"
Her words, unfiltered and straight from the heart, made even Kuma, who rarely showed emotion, pause in his breath.
His long-dormant heart skipped a beat.
A deity open to weaker races.
Though unfamiliar with some terms, this deeply moved Kuma.
One could only imagine how Kuma would feel if he saw the current mental state of those who followed Aqua's teachings.
Zyhark, meanwhile, silently praised Aqua's words.
Knowing Kuma's childhood trauma at God Valley, he decided to press further.
"Exactly. Why should some be born into privilege while others are doomed to be slaves?"
Zyhark continued, "We attacked the Celestial Dragons not for any reason, but simply because we couldn't stand their arrogance."
Simple and plain words, yet sharper than any blade infused with advanced Haki, dealt a heavy blow to Kuma.
Remembering the Celestial Dragon hunting event at God Valley and his experiences in the Sorbet Kingdom, this man, labeled a tyrant but inherently gentle and kind, felt his vision blur.
Why would his modified body feel the urge to cry? He couldn't understand.
Perhaps because, after all these years, he finally met someone who attacked the Celestial Dragons out of pure disdain?
"I see. I understand your point."
To maintain his "tyrant" image, Kuma hurriedly left a parting sentence before using his Paw-Paw Fruit ability to disappear.
With the fresh sea breeze, the Endless Dream sailed on peacefully, as if Kuma had never been there, leaving behind only his black gloves on the deck.
"What a strange fellow. Why do we keep meeting such people today?" Aqua put away her goddess staff, muttering.
Whether it was Garp, Sengoku, Rayleigh, or this Warlord of the Sea, they all seemed so peculiar.
She still didn't understand the massive repercussions of killing a Celestial Dragon in the world of One Piece! "Never mind that, let's prepare for the upcoming storm," Zyhark said, leaping down from the goddess figurehead, unconcerned about Kuma's departure.
The seed had been planted. Even if they couldn't pull Kuma from the Revolutionary Army, he would still be an ally.
That was enough.
And since a Revolutionary Army leader like Kuma had shown up, it confirmed that the storm that had whisked them away was caused by the Revolutionary Army's leader, Monkey D. Dragon! Having had Sengoku, Kuzan, and Garp go easy on them, and Rayleigh and Shakky help them escape, Zyhark realized he owed many favors now.
This thought made Zyhark's face twitch uncontrollably, who was used to being on the benefiting side.
Not only did he bear the crime of attacking a Celestial Dragon, but he also owed numerous favors to powerful figures. And to top it all, he had been the one taking most of the hits…
This trip to Sabaody Archipelago was a significant loss!
Had the Celestial Dragon not already been sacrificed to the wishing pool, Zyhark would have dug him up to vent his frustration!
Speaking of the wishing pool, Zyhark's eyes lit up with anticipation.
What kind of powerful ability would he gain this time?
As for strong companions, having been disappointed several times, he no longer held any hope.
—Just getting someone as competent as Meowth would be a blessing!
"Ah? Where's the storm on such a nice day? Oh right, Zyhark, you haven't returned the keys to the wine cellar yet!" Aqua's eyes darted around.
King and Meowth were still puzzled by her contradictory statements, but Zyhark, having seen through her ploy, had already responded.
"Aqua, I wasn't knocked silly on Sabaody. I'm very clear-headed right now!!"
Wham, wham.
With two iron fists, Aqua's head instantly sprouted two big red bumps.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Zyhark, I truly apologize," the dumb goddess said, clutching her head.
...
On a desolate island near the Sabaody Archipelago, three figures of vastly different heights stood at the edge of a cliff, letting the sharp sea breeze blow over them.
"They fought just because they were upset, haha. Truly fitting of that crew's style."
Draped in a black cloak with a sandal print on one cheek, Dragon laughed aloud.
"Fascinating and adorable boy, why not recruit him now?"
Ivankov, striking a bizarre pose, questioned in a perverted tone.
"It's not the right time yet. I have a feeling he, or rather they, will become even stronger," Dragon said solemnly.
"Won't it be harder to invite them when they're stronger?" Ivankov was puzzled.
Dragon didn't answer immediately, instead gazing at the vast sea before them.
After a few seconds of silence, he spoke slowly.
"Strength is precious, but the pursuit of freedom and equality is more so."
"They already possess that quality. Whether we succeed in inviting them doesn't matter."
Ivankov's pupils contracted in shock.
"Let's go. There are countless troubles waiting for us."
Following Dragon's lead, the three left the deserted island.
Meanwhile, the "peak match" at Sabaody Archipelago, with both sides cooperating, ended with much noise but little damage:
Garp and Sengoku successfully repelled legendary pirates Rayleigh and Shakky, protecting the civilians of Sabaody, while capturing two Supernovas and several rookie pirates.
Only Rockstar and the Scientist were injured, achieving a "Hurt World" scenario! Of course, the global impact of the "Celestial Dragon Incident" had just begun! ...
Night fell, and the moon hung high.
The Endless Dream sailed through an unknown sea, glowing brilliantly.
In the dining room, Zyhark, Aqua, King, and Meowth gathered around the brightly glowing wishing pool, faces filled with anticipation and wonder.
After much thought, Zyhark finally confirmed the two wish conditions! Buzz! A pink beam shot up, ripples of space and time spreading across the wishing pool.
With a crisp dragon roar, a colossal creature burst from the pool, its wings blocking the sky.
A pure white western dragon!
(End of Chapter)