After saying those words, Kuma couldn’t hold back any longer.
He was afraid Bonney would see him crying.
So…
*Pop~*
A crisp sound echoed—
And just like that, Bonney disappeared.
Disappeared from his embrace.
His tears finally fell.
Akainu watched the scene before him with a blank expression.
From the word “Dad” that came out of Bonney’s mouth, he understood their relationship.
But—
That wasn’t going to be a reason for him to let Bonney go.
“Remember, the Shichibukai are nothing but the Marine’s dogs. You’re no exception. Don’t push your luck.”
Having said his piece, Akainu didn’t linger.
His words were final.
If Kuma dared defy him, he wouldn’t hold back.
If that girl was ever found again—she wouldn’t live to see another day.
As the fiery figure faded into the horizon, Kuma felt no worry for Bonney’s safety.
Instead, a relieved smile spread across his face.
He had sent Bonney to a safe place.
She was safe now.
And so he could finally relax.
…
That day, Akainu and Kizaru acted swiftly.
One was venting his fury.
The other was just doing the bare minimum.
Of the Supernovas on the island—
Aside from Law and Kid, who had anticipated trouble and fled early on,
And Kid’s crewmate Killer,
The rest were all caught in the crossfire.
Including Sanji and Vir, there were thirteen Supernovas.
Eight escaped.
Two died.
Two were captured.
One was released.
Capone Bege, after a brutal beating from Kizaru, ended up behind bars.
X Drake, the Marine’s undercover agent, was naturally set free.
As for the other pirates on the island?
Akainu slaughtered them all—not even a strand of hair remained.
The only survivors were the two Supernovas caught by Kizaru.
Even so, Akainu wasn’t satisfied.
He still felt a burning fury trapped in his chest.
That throbbing pain from the top of his head hadn’t gone away.
Once everything was done, Akainu headed straight back to Marineford to see a doctor.
If he waited any longer, he really felt like his head would explode.
How did that bastard land such a bizarre hit?
For some reason, Akainu felt it was eerily similar to Kaido’s strikes.
Even though there was no connection between the two—
One used his foot, the other his hand.
But still, the feel was oddly similar.
It made him start to question Vir’s connection to the Beasts Pirates.
And thinking about the scolding he’d face for failing to capture them all—
That only worsened his mood.
Meanwhile, Kizaru had already left ahead of Akainu, escorting Kuma to Vegapunk’s location.
On the research ship, Kuma sat alone on the deck, silently gazing into the distance—
Toward where his daughter was…
And toward…
Hope.
…
Clear skies, white clouds, and endless blue sea.
A ship without sails glided across the waves.
On its deck stood four figures.
“W-Who are you?!”
Chopper trembled behind Robin, staring at the pineapple-haired man and the busty woman before him.
Robin, in contrast, remained calm. She observed the two quietly.
She could clearly sense they were much stronger than her.
But she wasn’t afraid—because of Merry.
At the moment, Merry was smiling happily.
“I’m Marco, First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates!” Marco introduced himself first.
“I’m Kō…uh, uh—I’m Yamato! Vir told us to come find you!”
Yamato nearly blurted out her usual introduction before quickly correcting herself.
After spending a few days outside, her perspective had begun to shift—
Though not entirely.
Hearing that Vir had sent them, Chopper and Robin relaxed.
They really had seen that pineapple-head before.
Definitely part of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Since Vir had just gone to treat Whitebeard, bringing back one of his crew wasn’t surprising.
Yamato, however, wasn’t someone they’d heard of.
But if she came with Marco, then she must be a friend of Vir’s.
With Merry as the cheerful bridge between them, everyone quickly warmed up to each other.
…
“So… where are we heading?” Marco asked, eyeing the ship’s autopilot system in confusion.
“Big Bro said to sail this way—he’ll catch up soon. Something about an island called Amazon Lily!”
Chopper, still trapped in Yamato’s embrace, responded with effort.
The moment Yamato saw Chopper, her eyes lit up.
What is this thing?!
So cute!
Must squeeze! Must squeeze!
And so, she proceeded to hug and squish the poor reindeer, leaving him both exasperated and breathless.
Marco nodded.
‘Amazon Lily… home to that Boa Hancock, right?’
He didn’t know why Vir would want to go there.
“Hey, Chopper, why do you call Vir ‘Big Bro’?”
Marco studied the adorable little reindeer, sensing there was more to their relationship.
“Yeah, why’s that? Vir is a total jerk! You should call him ‘Idiot’ instead!” Yamato chimed in, intrigued.
Everyone who spent enough time with Vir usually ended up annoyed with him.
Especially after getting treated…
That memory sent a shiver down Yamato’s spine.
“Because he’s my teacher! I’m his one and only apprentice! Big Bro said I’m his ‘final disciple’—he’ll never take another!”
Puffed up with pride, Chopper finally broke free of Yamato’s hug.
Landing on the deck, hands on his hips, chest out.
Hearing this, Marco and Yamato’s first thought wasn’t “How can a deer practice medicine?”
But rather—
Fear.
They instinctively took a step back.
Recalling the way Vir removed cuffs, and his sadistic treatments, their eyes on Chopper changed.
Oh… Vir’s disciple, huh?
Stay away!
STAY THE HELL AWAY!
Even Yamato, who had been fawning over Chopper moments ago, now wore a look of horror.
Such an adorable creature…
How could he be THAT guy’s apprentice?!
And his only one, at that.
The image of Chopper wielding a chainsaw and grinning maniacally flashed in Yamato’s mind.
Robin chuckled softly at their expressions.
“Don’t worry. Chopper’s treatments are gentle. Well… for now, at least.”
Hearing this, the two sighed in relief.
Of course such a cute little guy wouldn’t do something like that!
“Sorry for misunderstanding you, Chopper~ You’re not like that at all!”
Yamato scooped him up again and gave him a big cuddle.
Chopper looked annoyed but gave up.
Can’t win…
“But you’re really amazing! So young and already a doctor! Next time I’m hurt, you gotta treat me before Vir does!”
Right after Yamato said that—
Chopper vanished.
Triggering his passive ability.
“Ehehe~ It’s nothing special~ I’m just okay~ Not like your praise makes me happy or anything~ Baka~ Hehehe~”
This sudden transformation left Marco and Yamato utterly dumbfounded.
Are all reindeer like this now…?
Just then—
A hundred meters ahead of the ship, a door suddenly appeared.
A very familiar-looking door.
Marco noticed it immediately.
“There! It’s Vir’s spatial door!”
Everyone rushed to the bow, watching as the small door emerged mid-air.
They expected Vir to leap out—
Instead, what came flying out at supersonic speed was Rayleigh—unconscious, with the outline of Vir’s flip-flop stamped on his face.
He plummeted straight into the sea.
Now, as everyone knows—
At that speed, hitting water is no different from hitting concrete.
*CRACK!*
First came the sound of bones shattering.
Then—
*BOOM!!!*
The impact sent a 100-meter-high spray into the air.
Rayleigh had face-planted spectacularly.
As the waves settled, one could only wonder—
Would the Dark King survive this?
—–
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