Chapter 332 - 190

Chapter 190"Who?" Luffy asked in confusion.Kuma's gaze seemed to inadvertently sweep across Luffy's chest as he reminded him, "Take a look at the vivivard you're carrying."Luffy's brow furrowed, his heart filled with surprise.Kuma actually knew he had a vivivard on him.He had indeed been carrying the vivivard Ace gave him close to his person; it was a habit he'd kept ever since they parted ways in Alabasta.Ace had said that the vivivard could not only point the way but also show the owner's status.And in the past few days, the state of this vivivardhadn't been good; it appeared somewhat listless, its edges even curling slightly, as if Ace were suffering pain or had been injured.Luffy's expression instantly turned cold, an ominous premonition clouding his mind: "What happened to Ace?"Kuma didn't beat around the bush."Your brother, Portgas D. Ace, was defeated and captured in a battle against Marshall D. Teach, also known as Blackbeard. Currently, he has been handed over to the World Government by Blackbeard as a token of allegiance. If the intelligence is correct, he should be on his way to the great underwater prison, Impel Down, right now."Kuma said, "Blackbeard took this opportunity to succeed Crocodile as the new Seven Warlords of the Sea.""Blackbeard, Impel Down..."Luffy's fist suddenly clenched tight.When they took the Knock Up Stream to Sky Island, they had encountered Blackbeard's crew; why hadn't he killed those guys with a single punch?The newspapers a few days ago had published news of Golden Lion being sent back to Impel Down; he had learned some rough information about that place from Robin and Vivi.That terrifying prison known as an iron wall—Golden Lion Shiki was precisely the one sent there by the Kuma standing before him.Now, his brother Ace had also been locked inside!Luffy took a deep breath.In the past, he would have already started shouting, or even recklessly tried to go rescue Aceright this moment.But he had become more mature."What do you want from me?" Luffy asked, staring at Kuma.Kuma telling him the news of Ace's capture was itself a bargaining chip. Regardless of Kuma's purpose, this news was vital to Luffy. This was a deal he had no choice but to accept."My condition is very simple."Kuma pulled a folded bounty poster from his coat and handed it to Luffy. "If you have the chance in the future, help me look after someone. She is a pirate."Luffy took the bounty poster and unfolded it.On it was a girl with long pink hair and a somewhat rebellious look, with golden rings hanging from the corners of her eyes.The bounty poster read:Jewelry BonneyCaptain of the Bonney Pirates, bounty: 140 million Berries!Known as "Big Eater" Bonney.A Shichibukai was asking him to look after a pirate?Luffy looked at the girl on the bounty poster and nodded in agreement."Fine, I promise you. As long as she isn't our enemy, I'll help if she runs into trouble.""Thank you." Kuma nodded, put his gloves back on, and his massive frame stood up.The deal was struck.Before meeting Luffy, Kuma hadn't had this thought.But the strength Luffy displayed had caused his thoughts to change.Luffy possessed the same character as that Mr. Dragon he respected, so Kuma felt at ease.As for the things the Gorosei had promised, Kuma didn't know if they could be achieved; the deal with Luffy was a form of insurance.Kuma fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "So, what do you plan to do?""Rescue Ace," Luffy said.It was an unsurprising answer."With the current strength of you and your companions, the success rate of breaking into Impel Down or facing the coming situation is negligible," Kuma said."I know,"Luffy gave a cold laugh. "But how will I know it's impossible if I don't try? If I don't go, there won't be any chance at all!"He had already lost one brother.He only had this one elder brother left.Luffy dared to declare war on the World Government for Robin, so he also dared to overturn Impel Down for Ace.Kuma looked deeply at Luffy, as if trying to find a trace of hesitation in his eyes, but he only saw a determination burning like fire.He acknowledged Luffy's strength.However, what Luffy had to face was the entire World Government and the Marine, even if the Whitebeard Pirates were added... Wait? A flash of insight suddenly crossed Kuma's mind; he seemed to guess some of the World Government's schemes.But he didn't say it out loud.Kuma knew many secrets that the World Government, the Marine, and pirates were unaware of. However, Kuma didn't know if this intelligence was already controlled by the Marine.If that was the case, then this sea was truly about to undergo a massive change.Kuma spoke slowly: "Go to the Sabaody Archipelago. Find a man named Silvers Rayleighthere. He might be able to give you some help."Kuma couldn't fully grasp all of the World Government's upcoming plans for the time being, but he knew that Luffy needed more power and more intelligence.That legendary man, Dark King Rayleigh, was perhaps the person who could help him the most at this stage.Hearing the name Rayleigh, a flash of confusion appeared in Luffy's eyes, but he still committed it to memory."Thanks," he said, turning to leave."Wait," Kuma called out to Luffy again.He looked at Luffy's back and said, "Your current body, while strong, has been enduring burdens and pain that are unprecedented. Before you leave, I will do you one more small favor."Luffy stopped and looked back at Kuma, his eyes questioning.Kuma raised his gloved hand, the paw pad aimed at Luffy. "My Paw-Paw Fruit ability can repel anything, including abstract concepts like pain and fatigue."Luffy let out a 'Ha'?Did such a conceptual Devil Fruit ability really exist?As soon as he spoke, without Kuma making any visible movement, a translucent, giant paw-shaped bubble made of strange energy was slowly separated from Luffy's body and floated in the air.Inside that bubble, an unimaginable weight and pain seemed to be compressed; just looking at it made one's heart skip a beat.As this pain bubble was expelled, Luffy's constantly tense body relaxed almost imperceptibly, as if a layer of invisible burden had been lifted."The deal is complete. Until we meet again, Straw Hat."Kuma didn't stay any longer. His figure flashed, appearing beside the unconscious Moriah, and his giant palm pressed onto Moriah.In the next moment, the two of them vanished instantly as if swallowed by space.Chapter 273: This is the Strength of the Fifth Emperor!"He really is a strange guy."Luffy looked at the spot where Kuma and Moriahhad disappeared, his gaze appearing slightly complex.What was that guy thinking?He was silent for a moment, finally shaking his head to suppress those chaotic thoughts for now, and jumped back among his companions."Luffy! Who was that person just now?"Nami immediately came forward nervously."Another of the Seven Warlords of the Sea," Luffysaid."Another Shichibukai?!""It's okay, the matter has been resolved."Luffy waved his hand, forcing a smile that looked no different from usual. For the time being, he didn't plan on telling his companions about Kuma and Ace.The people who had their shadows returned were both crying and laughing, and then the Victims Association suggested holding a banquet. Being able to leave this place meant that everyone would soon part ways.Luffy and the others didn't refuse.Of course they had to have a banquet after a big battle.The banquet wasn't just for celebration.Rather, after a major battle, Luffy needed to recover, which required eating a large amount of meat."Banquet!""Banquet!"Usopp and Chopper immediately cheered and went to gather food. Although Moriah was a typical shut-in who sometimes didn't eat for days, his subordinates still needed to eat. Plus, they had enough supplies to fill Oars up, which was more than enough for a banquet.And the task of cooking was undoubtedly handed to the ship's cook, Sanji."Leave it to me!"Sanji lit a cigarette. Although he felt something was slightly off with Luffy, the Captain's order and the banquet itself both energized him. "I'll let you all try the new recipes I've been thinking of! And everyone from the Rolling Pirates, please join us too!""Oh!"The banquet atmosphere was quickly ignited.Brook found a violin from somewhere. He might not have played in a long time as it was a bit out of tune, but the cheerful melody still echoed throughout the banquet.Franky came down from the thousand sunny at this time, catching the tail end of the banquet preparations, and began using wood from the ruins to build temporary dining tables and a bonfire. The people from the Rolling Pirates also joined in to help with the preparations.Cooking for over a hundred people was quite a task for Sanji alone, but fortunately, there were many cooks in the Victims Association to help out."Hmm? What's happening? So noisy."Nika rubbed her bleary eyes and wobbled out from a corner of the ruins, a few blades of grass still stuck to her head. She had fainted after her shadow was stolen and should have woken up earlier, but Nika happened to be in a drunken state, so she had stayed unconscious."Oh, it doesn't matter."Little Merry happily ran over to pick her up and brought her into the increasingly lively crowd of celebrants.Zoro leaned to one side with his arms crossed, examining the newly acquired black blade shusuiand the battle-damaged yubashiri.Nami and Vivi sat on a sofa made of broken wooden boards, both of their faces showing the exhaustion and relaxation after a great battle as they yawned.Vivi's gaze would occasionally drift toward the wedding dress on Nami.Suspicious, truly suspicious.The banquet atmosphere was warm and cheerful.After the people of the Rolling Pirates regained their shadows, under the impact of the immense joy of regaining their freedom, they cried, laughed, hopped, and jumped."Waaaah, this is great! I can finally see the sunlight again!""Thank you, Straw Hat! Thank you, everyone!""We're free!!"They surrounded the members of the Straw Hatcrew, expressing their most sincere gratitude."That Moriah guy seems to have been taken away?"Someone asked after the fact."Yeah, he was taken away by that big guy earlier." Luffy took a big bite of the roast meat Sanji handed him and answered vaguely, "Don't worry, he's given up on the extermination.""So that's how it is. I thought Lord Luffy had defeated that Shichibukai as well!""Regardless, it's too exaggerated! After defeating Gekko Moriah, he forced back another of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.""Is this the pirate known as the fifth Emperor of the Sea? With this kind of strength, it's only natural!"The crowd cheered.Lola listened to her companions' discussions and looked at Luffy, her heart filled with shock.