Kuma was deep in thought.
Could it be because of Garp? Garp should be the one most opposed to this.
The Warlords of the Sea are also pirates—even more despicable, in fact.
The World Government's upper echelons should be very clear about this intelligence.
Moreover, based on the information Kuma had received, Monkey D. Luffy's older brother, "Fire Fist" Ace, had been captured by Blackbeard and handed over to the World Government as a pledge of loyalty. So why, at such a critical juncture, would they invite Luffy to become a Warlord of the Sea?
Wasn't this most likely just a stalling tactic?
The kind where they use him and then eliminate him afterward.
But based on Kuma's observations of the Straw Hat crew during this time and his understanding of Luffy...
"Not interested."
Luffy felt that even hesitating for a second would be disrespectful to himself. Besides, was the Seven Warlords of the Sea such a strong organization? From what he'd seen, there weren't many who could actually fight.
Jaygarcia Saturn said, "I think you'll want to join. Why don't you hear our terms first?"
"No."
Jaygarcia Saturn was momentarily speechless.
This guy was impossible to persuade.
Wealth, status, fame, beautiful women... Pirates always became pirates because of some kind of desire, didn't they? But he didn't know that Luffy's only wish was to go to Laugh Tale and become the Pirate King.
Even if Jaygarcia Saturn told Luffy where Laugh Tale was located, Luffy wouldn't want to know.
If he knew,
the adventure afterwards wouldn't be fun anymore.
Kuma remained silent.
Luffy's attention then focused on the Den Den Mushi. He asked bluntly, "Hey, old man on the other end of the Den Den Mushi, who are you anyway? And why do you speak in such a halting way? Do you have some kind of problem?"
Luffy's utterly irreverent questioning caused even Kuma's usually expressionless face to show the slightest hint of eccentricity.
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Jaygarcia Saturn clearly hadn't anticipated such a direct greeting. The simulated old man's face seemed to stiffen slightly.
This was a typical tactic used by those in power applying psychological pressure through pauses and tone.
But talking to Luffy was like playing the lute to a cow.
Kuma could almost feel the suffocating low pressure solidifying into substance coming from the Den Den Mushi.
He had no doubt that if it weren't for the Den Den Mushi, Jaygarcia Saturn might personally descend to teach this disrespectful brat the meaning of authority.
If one of the Five Elders descended, that would truly be a great incident.
Kuma decisively hung up the Den Den Mushi and tucked it back into his chest.
He was genuinely afraid that Luffy might say something even more shocking. Besides, the ensuing conversation didn't need to be heard by Jaygarcia Saturn.
Kuma was keenly aware that the Five Elders' emphasis toward Luffy's crew was extraordinary. There must be underlying reasons that he didn't know about. Until the situation became clear, he chose to end the call.
He tightened the Bible tucked under his arm and slowly removed a black glove, revealing a strange palm covered with pink paw pads.
His gaze fell directly on Luffy. He spoke in a deep voice. "Monkey D. Luffy, how about we make a deal now?"
"We?"
"Yes. This is a personal transaction between you and me."
"If it's about becoming a Warlord of the Sea, I'm not interested."
"No. It's about information regarding a certain person."
Kuma said, "I want to exchange something from you."
Luffy's face showed a hint of interest. "A Warlord of the Sea wants to get something from me?"
The reason he hadn't attacked Kuma immediately was that, from start to finish, he hadn't sensed any clear hostility from this large man. Instead, there was an indescribable, complex feeling.
"Yes."
Kuma confirmed. "I think you'll agree. Because you'll want to know the information about this person."
"Who?" Luffy asked, confused.
Kuma's gaze seemed to glance across Luffy's chest casually. He reminded him, "Take a look at the Life Card on you."
Luffy's brow furrowed. He was surprised.
Kuma actually knew that he had a Life Card on him.
He had indeed always carried the Life Card Ace had given him close to his body. It had been a habit since they parted ways at Alabasta.
Ace had said that a Life Card not only showed direction but also indicated the holder's condition.
And in the past few days, that Life Card had been in poor condition—somewhat wilted, its edges even slightly curled, as if Ace was suffering pain or had been injured.
Luffy's expression instantly turned cold. A sense of foreboding enveloped him. "What happened to Ace?"
Kuma didn't beat around the bush.
"Your older brother, Portgas D. Ace, was defeated in battle against Marshall D. Teach—also known as Blackbeard—and was captured by him. Currently, he has been handed over to the World Government by Blackbeard as a pledge of loyalty. If the intelligence is correct, he should be on his way to the underwater great prison, Impel Down."
Kuma said, "Blackbeard has taken this opportunity to replace Crocodile as the newest Warlord of the Sea."
"Blackbeard... Impel Down..."
Luffy's fist clenched suddenly.
He had encountered Blackbeard and his crew when they rode the Knock Up Stream to Skypiea. Should he have beaten them all to death back then?
The newspapers a few days ago had reported the news of Golden Lion being sent back to Impel Down. He had learned about that place from Robin and Vivi.
That terrifying prison, said to be impregnable—it was the very place where Shiki the Golden Lion had been sent by the very bear standing before him.
And now, his brother Ace had been locked up there too!
Luffy took a deep breath.
In the past, he would have already started shouting, even recklessly rushing off to rescue Ace without a second thought.
But he had matured.
"What do you want from me?" Luffy stared at Kuma and asked.
Kuma had told him the news of Ace's capture—that itself was bargaining chip. Regardless of Kuma's motives, this information was crucial to Luffy. He had no choice but to accept this deal.
"My conditions are very simple."
Kuma pulled a folded bounty poster from his chest and handed it to Luffy. "If you ever have the chance in the future, take care of someone for me. She's a pirate."
Luffy took the bounty poster and unfolded it.
On it was a girl with pink hair, a somewhat rebellious makeup style, and gold rings hanging from her eye corners.
The bounty poster read:
Jewelry Bonney
Captain of the Bonney Pirates
Bounty: 140,000,000 Berry
Known as "Big Eater" Bonney.
A Warlord of the Sea wanted him to take care of a pirate?
Luffy looked at the girl on the bounty poster and nodded in agreement.
"Alright. I promise you. As long as she's not our enemy, I'll help if she runs into trouble."
"Thank you." Kuma nodded, put his glove back on, and stood up with his massive frame.
The deal was struck.
Before meeting Luffy, Kuma hadn't had this idea.
But the strength Luffy had shown changed his mind.
Luffy possessed the same character as the man he respected, Dragon. So Kuma felt reassured.
Regarding the promises made by the Five Elders, Kuma didn't know if they would come to pass. The deal with Luffy was a form of insurance.
Kuma paused for a moment, then suddenly asked, "So, what do you plan to do?"
"Rescue Ace." Luffy said.
Not a surprising answer.
"With your current strength and that of your companions, the success rate of breaking into Impel Down or facing what comes next is extremely slim." Kuma said.
"I know."
Luffy let out a cold laugh. "But how will I know if I can do it without trying? If I don't go, there won't be any chance at all!"
He had already lost one brother.
He had only this older brother left.
Luffy had dared to declare war on the World Government for Robin. He would also dare to turn Impel Down upside down for Ace.
Kuma looked deeply into Luffy's eyes, as if searching for a trace of hesitation. But he saw only a determination that burned like flames.
He acknowledged Luffy's strength.
But Luffy was facing the entire World Government and Navy. Even if he had the Whitebeard Pirates with him... Wait? A sudden flash of insight struck Kuma's mind. He seemed to have guessed something about the World Government's scheme.
But he didn't say it out loud.
Kuma knew many things that the World Government, the Navy, and even pirates did not know. However, he didn't know whether this intelligence was under the Navy's control.
If that were the case, then this sea was truly about to undergo a massive upheaval.
Kuma slowly spoke. "Go to the Sabaody Archipelago. Find a man named Silvers Rayleigh there. He might be able to help you."
For now, Kuma couldn't fully understand all of the World Government's next steps. But he knew that Luffy needed stronger power and more information.
That legendary man, "Dark King" Rayleigh, might be the person best able to help him at this stage.
Hearing the name Rayleigh, Luffy's eyes showed a flicker of confusion, but he still made a mental note.
"Thanks." he said, turning to leave.
"Wait." Kuma called out to Luffy again.
He looked at Luffy's back and said, "Your body right now, though strong, has the burden and pain that are also unprecedented, aren't they? Before you leave, let me help you with one small favor."
Luffy stopped and turned back to look at Kuma, his eyes questioning.
Kuma raised his gloved hand, the paw pad on his palm aimed at Luffy. "My Nikyu Nikyu no Mi ability allows me to repel anything—including abstract things like pain and fatigue."
Luffy let out a "Ha?"
Could such a conceptual Devil Fruit ability really exist?
No sooner had the words been spoken than, without any apparent movement from Kuma, a large, translucent, paw-shaped bubble made of strange energy slowly separated from Luffy's body and floated in the air.
Inside that bubble, it seemed to compress unimaginable weight and pain. Just looking at it made one's heart palpitate.
With that pain bubble expelled, Luffy's body, which had been slightly tense, relaxed almost imperceptibly—as if an invisible burden had been lifted.
"The deal is complete. Farewell, Straw Hat."
With that, Kuma did not linger. His figure flashed as he appeared beside the unconscious Moria. He placed his giant hand on Moria's body.
The next moment, the two of them vanished from the spot as if swallowed by space itself.
***
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