Deep in the forest, two figures stumbled through dense underbrush, each step heavier than the last. Eventually, they collapsed beneath the shadow of a colossal tree, panting and gasping for air.
"Haa… haa… We survived…" Ivankov wheezed, his enormous head resting weakly against the tree trunk. "That old hag… she's a monster!"
Beside him, Bartholomew Kuma said nothing. His gaze was fixed on his open palm, still tingling from the recent consumption of the Paw-Paw Devil Fruit. The taste lingered—strange, pungent, yet invigorating. Along with it came a rush of unprecedented power coursing through his body, a raw energy that made his muscles twitch involuntarily.
"Vee-haw! We survived, Kuma!" Ivankov patted Kuma's shoulder, regaining some of his strength. "Thanks to that black-haired big brother! Who is he? What a handsome guy! He's incredible!"
Kuma's mind involuntarily replayed the image: the mysterious man standing alone, wielding a black-gold naginata, blocking Charlotte Linlin without so much as a flicker of hesitation.
"Mm," Kuma murmured softly, the faintest spark of fire igniting behind his usually stoic eyes. This wasn't just fear anymore—it was a glimmer of resolve.
"We have to save Ginny and the others!" Ivankov struggled upright, glancing toward the forest's edge. "Now that chaos reigns outside, it's our chance! With your power, we can definitely…"
His words faltered abruptly.
The sky had darkened without warning. Above the treetops, a colossal five-pointed star magic circle materialized, pulsing with an ominous red light. Complex runes rotated slowly along its circumference, emanating an oppressive aura that made the very forest tremble.
"What… what is that…?" Ivankov stammered, his voice trembling.
From the center of the magic circle, a figure descended, wreathed in black lightning and a faint, sinister flame. His appearance was terrifyingly alien: a black suit, a peculiar headscarf, a walrus-like mustache, and, most notably, a spider-like lower body. His emotionless eyes swept over the forest, piercing every living being beneath him.
Boom—!!!
The moment he landed, an invisible shockwave erupted outward, cracking the earth and toppling trees. The air itself seemed to stiffen. Ivankov barely had a chance to react. His consciousness was crushed under the overwhelming aura; his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed unconscious.
Kuma fared slightly better. The combination of his Bucaneer physiology and the recent empowerment of the Devil Fruit allowed him to resist total collapse, though every bone in his body protested violently. He pressed himself against the ground, muscles trembling, immobilized by pain and pressure.
The newcomer was unmistakably one of the Gorosei, a pillar of the World Government: Jaygarcia Satan Saint, the so-called Godhead of Science and Defense.
Satan Saint ignored the unconscious Ivankov and fixed his cold, piercing gaze entirely on Kuma.
"Bucaneer brat," he said softly, every syllable dripping with icy malice. "From the moment your race was born, there have only ever been two choices: be a slave, or die."
The words sank deep, like twin cold daggers piercing Kuma's mind. Memories flashed—his father beneath chains, telling the story of the Sun God Nika, a legend of freedom and laughter. And the mysterious black-haired man from before, risking himself to stand against Linlin, fighting for strangers.
Why do some have the right to decide life and death? Why are some willing to fight for others while we… exist only to suffer?
A surge of anger and unwillingness flooded Kuma's soul, stronger than pain or fear.
He pushed against the fractured earth, forcing his battered body upright. His bloodied face contorted, a fierce fire burning in his eyes.
"Old man…" His voice cracked but was steady and defiant. "Do you have all this power… just to oppress others?"
Kuma's chest heaved. "If… if we exist only to be slaves… why were we born? This… has no meaning!"
He thought of his companions—Ginny, Ivankov, and the mysterious savior—people who ran in terror yet clung to life. He thought of the countless innocents subjugated for the whims of the elite.
His fists clenched. "If I have the power… I will save those pitiful people like me! I'll fight for them, just like Nika!"
The forest seemed to hold its breath as Kuma's declaration rang out, naive yet brimming with unshakable resolve.
Satan Saint remained indifferent, voice cold and calculated. "This is exactly why your race must be erased from history."
He raised his staff slowly, a black orb of concentrated energy forming at its tip. Its trajectory was directed straight at Kuma's head.
Power like this demanded obedience; the will to resist alone was a sin.
Just as the orb was about to strike, a black shadow appeared behind Satan Saint. A golden-black naginata materialized in a blur, slicing toward the Gorosei's neck with lethal precision.
Stillness: Piercing Cloud Thrust!
Clang—!!!
The metallic clash shattered the silence, sparks flying from the tip of Satan Saint's arthropod limb. The impact shoved Kyle backward, plowing deep furrows into the earth before he regained balance.
Even Kyle felt the sheer force radiating from Satan Saint. This man… tougher than Linlin herself.
Satan Saint finally turned to face his challenger. His eyes, previously fixed on Kuma, now studied Kyle. For the first time, a subtle ripple of intrigue touched his otherwise emotionless expression.
"A strange Devil Fruit… and Haki of this caliber. Are you a pirate?"
"Your daddy!" Kyle replied, his tone playful yet dripping with defiance.
Satan Saint's expression remained detached, almost bored. "It doesn't matter. Cleaning up one bug or two bugs… there's no difference."
Kyle smirked and gave an international gesture of mock courtesy. "Heh—tui, idiot!"
The forest seemed suspended between chaos and calm, the stage set for a confrontation that could shake the world itself.
Ãdvåñçé çhàptêr àvàilàble óñ pàtreøn (Gk31)