The Tyrant's Fury!
South Blue, Sorbet Kingdom, Church
Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows into the Church, casting dappled shadows that swayed gently on the floor.
Six-year-old Bonney was giggling and nimbly climbing back and forth on the Kuma's broad shoulders.
Her pink braids swayed with her movements, like dancing flower petals.
"Kuma Bear! A little higher!" Bonney raised her little hand high, as if trying to catch the falling colored light.
Kuma gently lifted her up, his thick hands lifting her above his head. "Bonney, be careful, don't fall."
Bonney's smile was innocent and radiant, her cheeks flushed slightly with excitement.
Kuma, who had just picked up his daughter, looked at Bonney's lively appearance, and his gaze gradually softened.
"Vegapunk's treatment... was truly a success."
Thank you... Roy.
However, this heartwarming moment only lasted a few minutes.
Kuma frowned, his ears picking up the commotion outside the Church: shouts, running, and the crackling of flames rapidly approaching!
What happened?
His expression hardened, and he gently set Bonney down. "Bonney, stay in the Church, don't run around."
Bonney nodded obediently and said in her childish voice, "Yes, I'll wait for you to come back!"
Kuma pushed open the heavy wooden door, and the next second, his pupils suddenly contracted!
Flames soared into the sky at the far end of the street, billowing smoke, making the entire Outlaw District slum seem as if it had been thrown into the furnace of hell!
People fled in terror, while in the distance, soldiers were systematically setting fires in the streets!
"Run! Run!!"
"The king has ordered the entire slum to be burned down!!"
"Why?! What did we do wrong?!"
King Bekori said... that we poor people are only a burden to the country...
Upon hearing this, Kuma clenched his fist instantly, his knuckles cracking!
"Bekori's back?! And... he's actually using the Goa Kingdom's methods?!"
Without hesitation, he rushed into the sea of fire, instantly activating the power of the Paw-Paw Fruit!
"Pressure Cannon - Shockwave!!"
"Boom--!"
An invisible shockwave swept across, instantly clearing the burning houses on both sides, and the blast forcefully extinguished the flames.
Amidst the billowing smoke and dust, the Kuma's figure stood like a giant tower.
As he moved through the fire, he picked up, patted, and moved the trapped people one by one, gently and precisely "bouncing" them out of the inferno with his fleshy body.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here."
"Don't move, I'll take you out."
His voice was deep and steady, like an unshakeable rock.
The rescued civilian knelt on the ground, sobbing, his face covered in tears. "Kuma Xiong... why do you always stand by the side of us... the unwanted lowly people?"
"We... are not worthy of someone like you risking your life for us..."
Kuma remained silent. At that moment, Roy's words from many years ago suddenly surfaced in his mind:
"If one day the old king returns and tries to cause chaos..."
"Your status as Shichibukai can help you."
"Roy... did you even foresee this step?"
Kuma's gaze suddenly sharpened, a cold light flashing in his pupils. He looked up towards the direction of the Royal City, his fist slowly clenching, his knuckles making a dull popping sound.
He turned to face the crowd, his gaze resolute. "You should all take refuge in the Cellar behind the Church."
I'll be right back.
The wind blew from the ruins of the fire, ruffling his cloak; the Kuma's silhouette resembled a solemn deity.
He walked step by step toward the Royal City.
That was the footsteps of a father, a king, a "gentle Tyrant" declaring war on the old order.
Sorbet Kingdom - Royal City
In the magnificent palace, King Bekori, dressed in a brocade robe, sat on his Throne, swirling his wine glass, his face full of arrogant arrogance.
"See? This is the right way to rule!"
He loudly boasted to the assembled ministers below, whose faces were filled with fear but dared not utter a word:
"The Goa Kingdom's system is the trend of future development! Burn away all the poor, the useless, and the lowly, and the whole country will be clean and efficient!"
"This is 'purification'!"
"It is the flame of civilization's progress!!"
"Ha ha--!"
Suddenly--
"Boom--!"
A deafening Impact reverberated throughout the Royal Palace!
The main gate, along with the two stone pillars, was blasted away by a tremendous force, sending debris flying and wind pressure sweeping across the entire hall!
Amidst billowing smoke and dust, a colossal figure stepped into the Royal Palace, as if the end of the world had arrived!
All the guards drew their swords instantly, but they trembled under the intense pressure and were completely unable to move!
Bekori's pupils dilated violently, the wine glass slipped from his hand and fell to the ground, splashing up a spray of glaring red wine!
"Who... who are you?!"
Kuma slowly removed his Glasses, revealing his cold, solemn eyes, and spoke, word by word:
"Bartholomew Kuma, Shichibukai."
"Entrusted by the World Government, to eliminate the Pirates and tyranny that are disrupting the order of the South Blue Kingdom."
"You... are no longer the king."
King Bekori was completely bewildered. "Wait! I'm the king! When did I become Pirate?!"
"I'm 'purifying' the country! I'm implementing modern rule! What gives you the right...?"
"By order of your burning of civilians."
Kuma whispered, slowly opening his palm as the power of the Paw-Paw Fruit began to coalesce.
The transparent Impact sphere spun in my palm, like a wheel of Justice!
"You have betrayed the people."
"I betrayed the vows you once made."
"Therefore, I will end you."
The wind howled through the hall. King Bekori collapsed to the Throne, screaming in despair, "I was wrong! I am the King of the Affiliated Nations!! You can't kill me!!"
"You're nothing but a dog! How dare you—"
Kuma calmly raised his paw, his tone icy. "I'm not a dog."
"I am the shield—the people's last refuge."
"Pressure Cannon - Purge!"
"Boom--!"
The deafening roar shook the entire Royal Palace, Throne room collapsed instantly, all the filth turning to dust in the invisible tremor!
A few days later, the World Economy News Paper published a front-page headline.
[Shocking! The former king of the Sorbet Kingdom attempted to burn half of his people, Shichibukai Kuma decisively intervened!]
[A citizen tearfully pleaded: "We just want to survive! Kuma's actions were Justice!"]
[Exclusive Interview with Kuma: I'm not a hero, I just don't want to see meaningless tears anymore.]
In the large photograph published in the newspaper, Kuma stands in front of a pile of ruins, his back to the camera tall and steady, holding a young child in his arms, like a silent guardian deity.
New World, Somewhere in the Sea
The vast expanse of blue water is churning with waves.
A simple little boat drifted lazily, a wooden sign hanging askew at the bow bearing a few crooked characters: "Sea Slacker".
Roy lay lazily on a sun lounger at the stern, the sea breeze ruffling his hair. He flipped through a newspaper, his gaze sweeping over the article, a faint smile slowly curving his lips.
"Well done... Kuma."
He spoke softly, but his gaze went beyond the newspaper, looking towards the shimmering horizon where the sea met the sky.
"Gentleness alone cannot protect those who are important to you."
"But if sharpness is merciless, it can also harm the innocent."
"Therefore... truly powerful people know when to be gentle and when to unleash their full power."
He casually placed the newspaper aside, closed his eyes to rest, and watched as the boat gently rose and fell with the waves.
Just then, Ace stepped barefoot onto the deck, holding an apple, and asked while taking a bite, "Roy..."
Where are we going next?
Roy didn't open his eyes, but simply uttered, "Go get a Devil Fruit I've been looking for for a long time."
"Ha?!!"
Ace bit the apple in half, with pieces of fruit sticking to his lips.
"What kind of fruit is this?! Even you went to the trouble of 'searching for a long time' for it?!"
"Could it be... one of those legendary, super-powerful ones?!"
Roy chuckled lazily, opened one eye, and a mysterious smile played on his lips, "Hmm... this might surprise you."
"Don't worry, once I get it, things will get very interesting."
A sea breeze rustled the sails.
The small boat bearing the wooden Salted Fish " quietly sailed into the unknown on the azure sea.