Ace got the answer he wanted, and Kai's ship welcomed new guests.
Two bubbles, one large and one small, broke through the clouds and flew directly toward Windmill Village's dock.
Red light flashed in Kai's eyes as his lips curved upward: "Let's go welcome our friends."
The bubbles burst.
Two cloaked figures landed steadily on the Rayquaza's deck.
"Welcome, Kuma and Bonney."
Kai approached them.
After several days, the father and daughter had finally crossed the distant South Blue to arrive.
This was thanks to the Paw-Paw Fruit's incredible long-distance teleportation ability. Otherwise, this journey would have taken at least several months.
Kuma pulled down his hood, revealing a gentle, honest face.
Bonney tightly held her father's hand. Her small face was mostly hidden by the hood, but she didn't seem timid. Instead, she opened her curious big eyes to examine Kai and his diverse companions behind him.
"Are you doctors?"
"No, the doctor is in the New World."
Kai answered gently, then turned to Kuma: "We need to stay in Windmill Village for one day."
"We're the ones disturbing you." Kuma bowed slightly.
Compared to the hope of curing Bonney, what did waiting a few more days matter?
On the other side, Yamato and the others were already chatting with Bonney.
"Wow! So cool! Are those gems on your face?" Yamato leaned close to Bonney, her eyes sparkling.
Bonney touched the gem-like crystals on her face, somewhat at a loss.
This was the first time she'd heard praise for the stones on her face from anyone other than her father.
"Thank you, but if possible, I'd rather not have these gems."
Bonney's voice dropped as she kicked at the ground with her toes: "I'm sick. I don't want my father to worry about me."
"Excuse me."
Sanji appeared on deck like a whirlwind, carrying a tray in his hands and presenting it to Bonney.
"Cute little lady, please try this!"
Sanji raised his eyebrows proudly: "My masterpiece for today... cream chiffon cake."
On the fluffy yellow cake base was a thick layer of snow-white, sweet cream.
On the cream's surface, Sanji had ingeniously carved and arranged various fruits into a beautiful butterfly.
Bonney had never seen such an exquisite, beautiful cake. Her small mouth opened slightly as she couldn't help swallowing.
But she first looked at Kuma: "Father, may I eat it?"
"Go ahead." Kai smiled and answered for him. "This is my companion's goodwill."
Seeing this, Kuma nodded gently.
With permission, Bonney's eyes instantly lit up.
She picked up the small knife beside the tray. Instead of rushing to enjoy it, she carefully divided the cake evenly according to the number of people present, then cautiously took her own portion and began tasting it in small bites.
"Mm! So-so good!"
The moment the cake entered her mouth, Bonney's eyes widened. That sweet taste instantly captured her taste buds.
"Father, you eat too!"
Bonney picked up another piece of cake and stood on her toes to offer it to Kuma.
"Thank you, Bonney." Kuma didn't refuse his daughter's kindness. After tasting it, he praised: "Mm, it really is delicious."
"Right?" Bonney smiled brilliantly.
"Go play."
Kuma said with a smile.
But Kai could see the deep worry in his eyes.
"Don't worry, there's definitely a way to cure Bonney's illness." Kai comforted him.
Not far away, with the intentional care of Yamato and the others who sympathized with Bonney's situation, the lively Bonney quickly relaxed.
Yamato gestured animatedly while telling her interesting stories from Wano Country. Although they were mostly fighting and killing stories that were somewhat inappropriate for children, Bonney seemed to really enjoy them.
She was also a violent girl at heart.
Kozuki Hiyori held a shamisen, serving as the atmosphere group.
"Regardless of the outcome, I must thank you."
Kuma said sincerely: "I haven't seen Bonney this happy in a long time."
It could be said that Natural Disaster Kai and his companions had completely overturned his perception of the Beast Pirates.
Before coming, he thought he would encounter a group of vicious criminals.
He had even planned out scenarios of enduring humiliation.
Once Bonney recovered, he would send her back to Sorbet Kingdom to be cared for by others, while he stayed to serve Kai.
Now it seemed that Bonney staying here might not be a bad thing.
However, it was still too early to say such things.
The next day.
Windmill Village dock.
Kai saw Ace carrying a huge bundle as expected.
"Please let me join you."
Ace's expression was solemn.
What could Kai say?
"Welcome, Ace."
Kuma's gaze fell on the black-haired kid following behind Ace.
"Is that Dragon's son?"
He thought to himself.
As one of the important figures in the Revolutionary Army, Kuma was well aware of Dragon's special attention to Windmill Village.
That wasn't attention to his hometown. The only explanation he could think of was that Windmill Village had someone very important to him.
Now seeing Luffy, who bore some resemblance to Dragon's features, Kuma felt the mystery might be solved.
But Kuma felt no joy, only wanting to silently forget this matter.
Dragon's existence would only be an obstacle in this child's future life.
Mt. Colubo, the Bandits' House.
"Boss, shouldn't we really go see Ace off?" a bandit asked.
"No."
Dadan snorted coldly: "Finally got rid of this burden. I should be celebrating."
The bandits exchanged glances, knowing their boss was being stubborn again.
Clearly, before Ace left, she had prepared a big package for him, wishing she could pack the entire bandits' house for him.
"But this might be our last time seeing Ace."
"Yeah, yeah, the sea is rough with big waves, and Ace is so small. Who knows when he might die?"
The bandits deliberately sighed sadly.
Sure enough.
"You bastards! What stupid things are you saying! How could that kid die so easily!"
Dadan cursed loudly, grabbing a wine bottle beside her as if to throw it, but her body honestly stood up.
"Hmph! No matter what, we raised that kid, so we should see him off."
"Yes, boss!"
The bandits responded with laughter.
On the other side, at Windmill Village dock.
"Ace! Don't forget our promise!"
Luffy waved and shouted.
"Don't worry, I absolutely won't die before you become an excellent pirate!"
Ace turned back and shouted with all his might.
What a flag.
Kai silently complained in his heart.
At the dock, besides Luffy, there was a large crowd seeing Ace off.
Makino and some other villagers.
Although Ace had been mischievous and impolite before, after years of living together, they had grown accustomed to this impetuous young man.
"Little Ace, have a safe journey!" Everyone waved goodbye.
"I've caused trouble for everyone all these years." Ace bowed deeply, tears swirling in his eyes.
Ace said goodbye to the crowd one by one, but his feet seemed nailed to the ground as he stubbornly gazed in the direction of Mt. Colubo, unwilling to move for a long time.
After a long silence, Ace finally turned to board the ship.
"Not waiting any longer?" Kai asked.
"No need." Ace feigned nonchalance: "I already said my goodbyes properly before coming."
However, his gaze still couldn't help glancing toward the mountain path.
"But it seems someone still can't bear to let you go."
Kai's Observation Haki had already captured the distant commotion, and his lips curved upward.
"A-ce!"
Dust clouds rolled from Mt. Colubo's direction as the bandits, led by Dadan, came tumbling and crawling down, using all their strength to run frantically while shouting Ace's name in unison.
"Dadan! And everyone!"
Ace's tears burst like a dam.
In the blink of an eye, the bandits rushed to the dock, gasping for breath. Dadan took a deep breath and roared with all her strength: "You brat! Stay safe and sound! Did you hear me?!"
The other bandits tactfully remained silent, only waving their hands vigorously, leaving the final farewell moment to Dadan and Ace.
"I will!"
Though tears blurred his vision, Ace forced a brilliant smile: "Thank you for taking care of me all these years!"
"Damn it! Why are you saying such things before leaving?"
Dadan could no longer hold back and began crying loudly.
"Ace, you have a good mother." Kai sighed.
"A good mother?"
Ace gazed deeply at Dadan's figure, as if wanting to engrave her in his memory.
In this world, there were many people who cared about him.
"Alright, boys, set sail!"
Kai turned and gave the order.
But then, a thunderous roar rang out:
"Ace! Luffy! I'm back!"