Kuma watched Mock, who genuinely seemed to have forgotten his mission. The man wasn't faking it, and even Kuma, for all his composure, felt a frown crease his brow. He was just about to remind him, as-
"Wahahaha! Just kidding," Mock suddenly boomed, his laugh a little too loud to be convincing. "How could I forget my own mission?"
'You really didn't look like you were kidding,' Kuma thought.
"My mission is to watch over you!" Mock declared with a chuckle, either ignoring or completely oblivious to the weary look Kuma was giving him. He quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, what about your mission? Is it finished?"
"Not yet." Kuma shook his head.
His own mission was a long-term one. So far, he had only brought a few non-affiliated islands under his Shichibukai banner, a small step in a sea as vast as the East Blue.
He could guess the Boss's intentions, of course. The islands he'd been sent to occupy were clearly chosen to form a ring around the World Government's affiliated nations.
Still, he had his concerns. The World Government was not a simple beast to overcome. But the Boss knew so many secrets, things Kuma himself was only now learning. He had to trust that the man had already accounted for the risks.
If this plan of his actually succeeded... A flicker of hope stirred in Kuma's chest, a feeling he hadn't known since his days with the Revolutionary Army. He thought of an old friend, but pushed the idea away. The Boss had his own plans, and Kuma couldn't risk causing trouble by speaking out of turn. Besides, he hadn't been in contact with the Revolutionaries in a long time, he had no idea what their situation was now.
"Is that so?" Mock didn't press the issue, his mood brightening again. "Man, we're really getting bigger and bigger! I heard the Boss plans to connect all our territories in the East Blue, open up some kind of exclusive shipping route. Imagine how easy it'll be for ordinary folks to travel between islands! Everyone will be able to find work, and no one will have to go hungry. It's incredible!"
A faint smile touched Kuma's lips. "The Boss is indeed admirable."
"Oh, right! And What about Bonney? How's she doing? I heard they're planning to build schools soon. You think she'll go?"
The mention of Bonney softened Kuma's expression into a rare, warm smile. "She's doing much better," he said, the light catching on his glasses. "But Doctor says it will still be some time before she's fully cured."
"Wahaha really? That's wonderful!" Mock beamed, offering his sincere blessings. "Once she's all better, how about I invite you and your daughter over to celebrate properly?"
Kuma's smile faltered slightly at the offer, unsure how to respond.
Just then, Mock sighed dramatically. "Too bad King Cobra couldn't make it today. I heard they're heading back soon. It would have been livelier with more people."
'It's because of you that Princess Vivi has been keeping him on a tight leash these past few days,' Kuma thought, giving the wistful Mock a strange look. He remembered the man's grand pronouncements about becoming the "East Blue Overlord" and the "most tight-lipped man on the seas." This guy had probably only survived this long thanks to the Boss's protection.
*Purupuru... Purupuru...*
The sound of a Transponder Snail broke the silence. Kuma's demeanor instantly became serious as he answered the call.
A few moments later, he hung up, thanked the technician, and stood.
"What's wrong?" Mock asked, his curiosity piqued. "Another mission?"
"King Cobra and his group are returning to the Alabasta Kingdom," Kuma said, shaking his head. "I should go see them off."
"Ah? They're leaving already? I was planning to sneak him over here again later! Oh well, I'll go too! I can just invite him next time."
Kuma just stared at Mock's complete lack of self-awareness. He pushed his glasses up his nose, said nothing, and led the way outside with Mock trailing behind him.
The two of them arrived at the Marine 16th Branch just as Vivi and King Cobra were making their final preparations. As reluctant as they were to leave, a king and princess couldn't stay away from their kingdom for too long, especially so soon after the incident with Crocodile. If they disappeared for an extended period, who knew what sort of trouble might brew in their absence.
Mock, ever the like-minded friend, was especially reluctant to see Cobra go. He clapped a hand to his chest, promising to invite him again soon. A broad smile spread across the king's face, and he opened his mouth to eagerly accept, only to freeze, seemingly feeling a chilling gaze from behind him.
He quickly changed his tune, instead offering a gracious invitation for them to visit Alabasta, carefully avoiding any mention of a return trip to Romance Dawn.
Seeing her father behaving a little more responsibly, Princess Vivi nodded in satisfaction. Dressed in a light blue gown, she expressed how much she had enjoyed her stay and how sorry she was to leave. She then turned her attention to Dante.
The recent changes in the East Blue had startled her, it was far more terrifying than fighting Crocodile. But as the grateful princess of a kingdom they had saved, she declared that Alabasta would never betray its friends, and that Dante should not hesitate to ask for help if he ever needed it.
Cobra nodded in smiling agreement, though he still couldn't quite figure Dante out. The man was tricking pirates, Marines, and affiliated nations all at once. What was his game? He didn't want to be a Marine Captain, so was he planning to become a pirate himself? If word of his schemes got out, even the pirates of the East Blue would probably want his head.
Still, Dante had saved his kingdom, and for that, Cobra was grateful. He even offered with a cheerful smile that if Dante ever needed to disappear, he could always find a new, anonymous life in Alabasta.
Dante expressed his sincere gratitude for the offer. He appreciated the kind thought, but if he ever truly needed to go into hiding, Alabasta probably wouldn't be able to shelter him, powerful a nation as it was. Even so, seeing their unwavering loyalty was a touching gesture for everyone present.
Finally, Dante made sure to remind Vivi to promote Tony's Cosmetics to the nobles and royals of other kingdoms. As it was getting late, the princess and her father could only offer their regretful goodbyes before boarding the "Kuma Express."
The "express train," as they called it, would deliver them directly to the Alabasta Royal Palace, where a special stop had been set up just for this purpose. The 16th Branch had several such designated landing zones, some of them secret and inaccessible to the public. Kuma's ability was convenient, but it left a giant paw print behind every time. They couldn't just have him "patting" people to random locations.
Flying through the air, Vivi looked back at the island shrinking behind them. Though they were moving too fast to see anything clearly, she kept her eyes fixed on it, as if she could still see everyone waving goodbye.
Noticing his daughter's melancholy, Cobra chuckled. "You know," he said, "I can handle things in Alabasta just fine on my own. You didn't have to leave so soon."
Vivi's eyes flickered with temptation for just a moment before she shook her head. "I am the Princess of Alabasta," she said firmly. "How could I abandon my kingdom at a time like this?"
Cobra's expression was a mixture of pride and a faint heartache. "That's my girl," he said, his smile returning. "It's alright. We'll come back again when we have the time. Hahaha, this place is quite interesting."
"I think you just find Romance Dawn interesting, Father."
At his daughter's deadpan remark, Cobra's smile froze. He laughed awkwardly and quickly looked away. "My, this is fast! I can't even hear a thing up here. What did you say, Vivi?"
--**--**
Meanwhile, back on the island, Dante watched them disappear. He then turned to look at the bustling Marine 16th Branch and let out a long sigh.
"Time to get busy again."
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