Through Souta Kiryuu's introductions, Bonney was successfully recognized as Bonneylandu, earning the respect and affection of the Tontatta tribe.
"If you want the Tontatta to lower their guard, you should get one too," Souta said softly to Kuma. The little folk couldn't lie, and they all suffered from "chestnut-head face blindness." Clearly, the image of Noland, who had saved them four hundred years ago, remained deeply engraved in their hearts.
"There's even a custom like this?"Kuma immediately chopped down a massive tree and carved out a giant wooden chestnut hat, swapping it for his usual bear hat.
As soon as he put it on, the Tontatta looked at him with excitement, their gazes filled with friendliness.
"Then… should I call myself Kumalandu?" Kuma mused, improvising quickly. For the sake of saving Bonney, telling a little white lie was hardly shameful.
"Not bad," Souta replied with a faint smile. It seemed the Buccaneer wasn't as simple-minded as he looked.
With Souta making introductions, Kuma and Bonney were formally accepted by the Tontatta. Mansherry soon began Bonney's first treatment.
Her healing dandelions and crystal-blood dandelions could shrink the gemstone scales on Bonney's cheeks, halting their spread—but they couldn't cure the Jade Scales disease. If Bonney were exposed to sunlight again, the scales would still appear.
"It seems we'll have to rely on Vegapunk. That big-headed doctor is the only one who can completely cure this disease," Souta said flatly as he watched the nearly vanished gem-scale on Bonney's face. He showed little emotion, as though he had expected this outcome.
"Even partial improvement is good. So… when do we leave?" Kuma asked, slightly disappointed. But seeing the result, he still felt joy. And with Souta's certainty that Vegapunk could cure Bonney, his heart was eased. He also glanced at Mansherry, hoping the Tontatta princess would travel with them. If danger struck, she might save Bonney's life.
"The sooner the better. Don't worry—I'll bring Mansherry with us," Souta reassured him. With her powers, Vegapunk's stem cell transplant surgery might be finished faster.
"Thank you, Captain!" Kuma said with deep gratitude. So long as Bonney was healed, he was willing to pledge his life to Souta Kiryuu.
"I just want you to fight with peace of mind," Souta said, waving his hand. Then, he asked Chief Gancho for some Tontatta warriors to join them at sea.
"Go seize a pirate ship—we sail for Egghead Island directly!" Souta declared. He had no time to waste; each day that passed meant Egghead's defenses would only grow stronger.
As long as Kizaru hadn't arrived yet, Souta and Kuma had more than enough power to abduct Vegapunk. Besides, Souta already had ways to ensure the doctor would come with him willingly. Vegapunk, who had studied the Poneglyphs, could never truly align with the World Government.
For now, Vegapunk remained with the Government's science division only because he couldn't escape their grasp—and he needed their funding and resources for research. If Souta could guarantee his safety and provide ample resources, the scientist would abandon the Government without hesitation.
"Understood!" Kuma instantly teleported away from Green Bit, appearing in nearby Dressrosa waters. He hijacked a pirate ship preparing to dock, hurling the pirates into the sea.
Though Souta had told him not to leave obvious traces, Kuma's gentle nature stopped him from killing the crew. It wouldn't be long before news of his presence in Dressrosa spread.
Still, that hardly mattered. As long as Souta's identity wasn't exposed, there would be no large-scale navy operation against him.
Days later.
A sailing ship without a pirate flag cut across the seas toward the latter half of the New World.
On deck, over a dozen Tontatta warriors trained relentlessly, striking at Souta Kiryuu, who wore a blindfold. Even Kuma occasionally joined the sparring.
"Souta Landu's skin is too tough—I can't pierce it at all!" Leo grumbled, jabbing his long needle. Even with his great strength and Stitch-Stitch Fruit powers, Souta's skin remained unbreakable.
"Leo, you need to study Armament Haki with me," Souta said calmly, continuing his training in Observation Haki beneath the blindfold. He held high expectations for the little warrior. With his raw strength and Stitch-Stitch powers, Leo could already fight several Donquixote executives. If he mastered Armament Haki, he might even take on their top officers.
"Yes, Souta Landu!" Leo responded like a true soldier. Being chosen to sail with Souta thrilled him—it was the Tontatta's first expedition in centuries. Nearly two hundred had volunteered, but Souta had selected fewer than fifty warriors. The chosen ones all felt incredibly fortunate. This would be the adventure of a lifetime.
Mansherry, the Tontatta princess, was even more excited. She had practically claimed the ship's prow, gazing at the waves with sparkling eyes full of anticipation.
She listened eagerly as Bonney bragged, turning knowledge from books into tales of "personal adventures." Whatever Bonney said, Mansherry believed wholeheartedly. And Bonney, basking in her admiration, savored the attention.
"Captain Souta, your Observation Haki is showing real progress, and your Armament Haki is advancing rapidly. If we get the chance, I'd even like to introduce you to Dragon so you could learn Conqueror's Haki directly," Kuma said. He was astounded by Souta's talent—greater even than Sabo's—and his physical power surpassed even a Buccaneer's.
Perhaps Souta Kiryuu could surpass Dragon himself and become an even greater force.
"There will be a chance," Souta replied. To master advanced Conqueror's Haki or infusion techniques, aside from legends like Silvers Rayleigh, Red-Haired Shanks, or Kaido, Dragon was his only option. Through Kuma, he would need to make that connection.
After all, his future enemies included Admiral Kizaru, Saturn of the Gorosei, and even the enigmatic King Imu. Without Conqueror's Haki infusion, defeating them was impossible.
"Now that we're close to Egghead Island… are we truly going to abduct Dr. Vegapunk?" Kuma asked quietly. His tone carried hesitation—forcing Vegapunk might cause him to refuse Bonney's treatment, and that could ruin everything.
"Relax. I've got leverage over that bulb-headed scientist," Souta said with a grin. "He's studied the blank history—and he lied to the Government about this Artificial Azure Dragon Fruit, calling it a failure. He's bound to be nervous now."