A few days passed, and Bonney was now able to run freely under both the sun and the moon.
After giving her one last check-up, Haibara Meow confirmed with a slightly upbeat tone, "No signs of the Jade Scale relapse were found. It safe to say Bonney has fully recovered, meow."
"That wonderful!"
The burden Kuma had been carrying in his heart finally eased. With tears welling in his eyes, he hugged Bonney tightly. "Bonney, this is truly wonderful!"
"Don't get so close, you snot monster!" Bonney shoved Kuma large face away in disgust, though her eyes were full of laughter. "Does this mean I can finally go traveling with you, Father?"
"Of course!" Kuma answered without hesitation, but then remembered the things Sherwin had told him earlier. His expression turned apologetic.
"However, our voyage will have to be delayed a bit. Daddy has some things he needs to take care of first."
Though a little unhappy, Bonney didn't make a fuss. Instead, she pouted and said, "Then don't make me wait too long."
"Of course not! Daddy has been looking forward to going to sea with you for a long time!"
Sherwin couldn't stand this flag-filled conversation any longer and quickly cut in, "Kuma, shouldn't you send Law back first?"
To be safe, Trafalgar Law hadn't left during these days of Bonney observation. Instead, he stayed here, sparring with the cats and exchanging medical knowledge with them…
Only to be completely beaten down by Seijuro Meow and Link Meow, and then utterly crushed by Haibara Meow superior medical talent.
Realizing, to his dismay, that he wasn't even as skilled as the cats in his two areas of expertise, Law actually became more confident about defeating Doflamingo in the future. So, over the past few days, he was suffering… yet happy.
On the other hand, Law strength and medical skills had both improved slightly. Combined with the company of the adorable cats during his stay, he now found himself a little reluctant to leave.
"Next time we meet, I won't lose to you again."
Even though he felt reluctant, Law awkward personality made it impossible for him to say anything sentimental. Instead, he spoke with a hint of challenge toward Seijuro Meow and Link Meow.
"I'll be looking forward to our next duel, meow," Seijuro Meow nodded.
(=ΦωΦ=)
Link Meow simply extended a tiny paw to bump fists with Law.
Then, Law turned to Haibara Meow. Crouching down in front of her, he said seriously, "I've learned a lot from our discussions. If I encounter any unusual illnesses in the future, can we continue to exchange knowledge?"
"No problem, meow." Haibara Meow twitched her ears, clearly interested in medical exchanges. "Take down my Transponder Snail number, meow."
After that, Law exchanged contact information and life paper with Sherwin and Kuma. Then Kuma sent him back to the North Sea with a single palm strike.
"Sherwin, there something I'd like to talk to you about privately." After seeing Law off, Kuma was the first to speak.
"Oh, perfect. I have something to talk to you about too."
Sherwin nodded, leaving the cats and Bonney in Hua Mei Meow care, and followed Kuma into the small chapel.
"Can you tell me again about what you said before regarding the Revolutionary Army?"
As soon as they stepped inside, Kuma pulled out a notebook and pen, looking every bit like a studious student ready to take notes.
So, he wasn't going to pretend anymore…
Sherwin grinned slightly. It wasn't beyond his expectations.
After spending this time together, Sherwin had more or less come to understand Kuma true personality.
Despite his massive, intimidating physique, Kuma was actually extremely gentle—so gentle, in fact, that he seemed almost entirely without temper.
With a personality like that, it was natural for him to place complete trust in Sherwin and the others who had saved Bonney.
But precisely because Kuma was this kind of fool, Sherwin couldn't bring himself to treat him like other characters in the story—carefree and detached—allowing him to continue making decisions that might leave him with deep regrets.
Sherwin let out a helpless sigh. He didn't answer Kuma question, instead asking in return,
"You're not planning to take Bonney to sea only after settling things in the Sorbet Kingdom, are you? Or worse, are you intending to keep working for the Revolutionary Army?"
"They helped me gather a lot of information about medical equipment before."
Kuma didn't answer directly, but his response was more than enough to make his intentions clear.
Sherwin hardened his heart and deliberately pressed on his sore spot. "Aren't you afraid of something like what happened to Bonney mother happening again?"
Kuma face instantly went pale, but he still spoke firmly. "Bonney is still young, and Beckley is already dead. I'll settle the Sorbet Kingdom affairs first, then leave."
Just as Kuma trusted Sherwin unconditionally, he also placed the same trust in Dragon and his fellow Revolutionary Army members.
Faced with such a stubborn man, Sherwin truly wanted to "let go of his savior complex and respect others' destinies."
But even if some of Kuma hardships could be considered "brought upon himself," Bonney, that little girl, was completely innocent.
Moreover, Sherwin had always been someone who repaid kindness generously. Since Kuma treated him like a sworn brother, there were things he had to say—whether or not the other man would actually listen.
So he continued to advise, "Have you forgotten that Bonney can change her age at will? Even without that ability, are you really planning to rely on the morals of the Celestial Dragons?"
Without waiting for Kuma to speak, Sherwin continued, "Didn't I say I had something to talk to you about earlier? It also about Bonney."
"What wrong with Bonney? Has her illness changed again?!" Kuma couldn't care less about the Revolutionary Army at this moment and asked anxiously.
Now you're finally getting nervous…
Sherwin rolled his eyes. "Her illness is fine. Otherwise, I wouldn't have let you send Law away."
Only then did Kuma let out a sigh of relief, but Sherwin went on: "But this matter also has something to do with Bonney Jade Scales."
"Haibara Meow mentioned before that Bonney—or rather, her mother—Jade Scales disease was deliberately implanted by someone.
Based on what you've told me, we can almost be certain it was a Celestial Dragon from Mary Geoise who did this.
And when the World Government sent people to investigate Beckley death, the reason I stayed here was to treat Bonney…"
Sherwin looked at the stunned and gritting-his-teeth Kuma. "Looks like you've already guessed what I'm getting at.
The Celestial Dragon who implanted the Jade Scales in Bonney back then is very likely the same person who gave her her Devil Fruit ability.
If he finds out Bonney is alive and healed, don't you think he'd want to take her back for 'research'?"
"They will… With the nature of the Celestial Dragons, they'll definitely do it."
Kuma face was dark as still water, his voice calm yet heavy with gloom. The usually gentle man was finally giving Sherwin a faint impression of the "Tyrant."
However, he quickly broke free from that state and said gratefully to Sherwin, "Thank you for the warning. If Bonney were to get hurt because of my negligence as well…"
Kuma clenched his fists, his voice choked with emotion, clearly reminded of Ginny from the past.
"So, what are you planning to do now?" Sherwin asked, not feeling too reassured.
As expected, Kuma still wasn't planning to immediately take Bonney out to sea. "At the very least, I need to first resolve the situation in the Sorbet Kingdom. But don't worry, I'll stay by Bonney side at all times. I won't repeat my mistakes. And…"
At least he wasn't completely ignoring advice. If Kuma kept Bonney by his side, things shouldn't get too dangerous… right?
Thinking about how Kuma life seemed destined for the title of "the most tragic character among pirates," Sherwin really wasn't too confident. But this was all he could do.
Kuma didn't notice Sherwin unease. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "About those things you mentioned earlier regarding national systems… Dragon would definitely be interested too. Do you have any thoughts of joining the Revolutionary Army?"
"Absolutely not!" Sherwin decisively crossed his arms in front of his chest. "I don't want to be hunted by the Marines."
"…Alright." Kuma sounded slightly disappointed, then tentatively raised the paper and pen in his hand. "Then, could you tell me everything you said earlier again?"
Sherwin helplessly patted his forehead. Kuma really was invested in Revolutionary Army matters.
To be honest, Sherwin still admired someone like him. So, giving Dragon fledgling Revolutionary Army a bit of "otherworldly experience" as reference didn't seem like a bad idea. As for how to make decisions based on that, well, that would be Dragon problem.
In the end, he still nodded and said, "Alright, I'll tell you again… Wait, what exactly did I say back then?"