The Gentle Kuma

South Blue, Sorbet Kingdom, Church of the Land of Lawlessness

As the setting sun casts its rays, the broken stained glass windows emit a warm golden glow, reflecting vibrant colors onto the mottled walls.

The wind blew across the long-neglected roof, bringing with it the scent of herbs and the smell of decaying wood.

In the center of the Church, Bartholomew the Kuma stood before a simple bench, his palm resting on the back of a hunched old man.

The power of the Paw-Paw Fruit quietly activated, and clusters of scarlet "pain" were peeled away, condensed, and slowly appeared in the palm of the hand.

"Phew... Thank you, Kuma."

The old man looked grateful; his long-standing ailment seemed to dissipate along with the separation of the energy ball, and a glimmer of clarity returned to his eyes.

The Kuma nodded gently, as if its massive body concealed the softest heart. "Go back and get some rest."

The old man stood up shakily, then slowly walked away, leaning on his cane.

After watching the last old man leave, only Kuma remained in the Church. He slowly looked at the red ball of pain that was gradually gathering in his palm.

It was a dark red to black mass of energy, twisting and pulsating, as if it were devouring all the temperature in the air.

Kuma took a deep breath and pressed the red ball into his chest without hesitation.

"Ugh--!"

Veins bulged on his forehead, his body trembled slightly, and intense pain surged through his nerves like a tidal wave, but he simply stood there, silently enduring it all.

In the silent interplay of light and shadow, he slowly exhaled, and the churning pain within him gradually subsided.

"Bonney?" he called softly, but the little girl, who should have been playing in a corner of the Church, did not respond.

Bonney?!

The Kuma's pupils contracted, instantly becoming alert, and he instantly unleashed his Observation Haki!

In the very next second--

Hehe~

Familiar and cheerful laughter rang out.

The Kuma suddenly turned around, its alertness instantly rising to its peak.

On a pew at the back of the Church, a young man was leaning back leisurely, while three-year-old Bonney sat on his shoulders, playing and tugging at his hair with her little hands, giggling.

Kuma paused slightly, his expression shifting. "... Roy?"

The young man carrying the little girl on his shoulder was Roy, dressed in casual clothes. He smiled, a hint of teasing in his eyes. "Long time no see, Kuma."

Kuma walked over slowly, his vigilance had eased but he was still alert, and gently lifted Bonney off Roy's shoulder.

How did you end up in the South Blue?

Roy shrugged. "I was just passing through the South Blue and heard you were here, so I thought I'd drop by."

Kuma looked down at Bonney in his arms. The little girl was staring at Roy with wide, curious eyes, showing no fear whatsoever.

"Bonney, go inside and play for a while," Kuma said softly. Bonney nodded obediently and skipped into the inner chamber of the Church.

After confirming his daughter's departure, Kuma's eyes darkened, and his gaze returned to Roy: "Dragon knows you're here?"

"It wasn't his intention; it was my personal action."

Kuma frowned slightly. "You should know that I am now an officer of the Revolutionary Army. If the World Government discovers your connection with me..."

As Roy observed the Church's interior, he said calmly, "Don't worry, no one can follow me here."

He stood up and walked to the stained glass window of the Church, where the glow of the setting sun cast a long shadow of him.

Turning around, she looked directly into the Kuma's eyes. "You endure pain for others every day, using your abilities to save people... but you suppress all that pain within yourself. If this continues, something bad will happen sooner or later."

"This is my choice," Kuma replied calmly.

Roy sighed. "Does the dragon know?"

I didn't tell him.

Kuma lowered his head slightly. "No need."

The setting sun bathed the Church in a deep golden light, and the old wind chimes outside the window tinkled softly in the breeze, like a low, murmured prayer.

Roy looked at little Bonney, who was jumping and playing in the inner room, and said in a calm tone, but with a hint of suppressed heaviness, "I'm here to ask you for a favor."

He turned around and looked at Kuma seriously. "To cooperate with Vegapunk in a research project on 'Clone Soldiers,' all you need to do is provide Blood Sample."

Kuma's expression changed slightly, and his look instantly turned serious.

He was all too familiar with that name—genius, madman, mad scientist... Vegapunk was never someone you could easily entangle yourself with.

His voice was low. "Vegapunk... his research always defies common sense, even crossing the line of human ethics."

"What is the purpose of creating Clone Soldiers?" he demanded.

Roy answered calmly and frankly, "Vegapunk's original words were—'I want to use overwhelming scientific power to suppress evil and save the weak masses.'"

A short sentence, yet it was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.

He had witnessed the crushing of the weak on countless Battlefields, and this sentence gently stirred the silent compassion in his heart.

Kuma was a gentle person, and that's why this sentence resonated with him.

But when he looked down into the inner room and his gaze fell on that tender little face, his expression immediately became firm; that was his reason for living.

"I'm sorry, Roy," Kuma said gently but firmly, "Bonney is still so young... My only responsibility now is to protect her."

As soon as he finished speaking, Roy's voice suddenly lowered, like a cold knife pressed against his heart. "Bonney... also got Blue Jade Scales, just like Ginny."

Boom--!

The Kuma shuddered, as if struck by lightning!

"What did you say?!!"

He lunged forward, pressing his palms firmly against Roy's shoulders, unleashing his Haki instincts. The air in the Church instantly became heavy and oppressive, and even the wind chimes in the corner fell silent!

"What did you say?! Are you telling the truth?!"

Those eyes, usually as gentle as spring water, were now filled with terror, anger, and unbearable pain.

Roy remained unmoved, letting the other man control his shoulders, his tone still calm. "Calm down, Kuma."

"How can I calm down?! She's only three years old! She's still a child!!"

This mournful roar, like the howl of Beast, shook the Church pews slightly and startled little Bonney in the inner room.

Bonney peeked out and ran out timidly. "Daddy...?"

She rubbed her eyes, her small figure standing in the doorway, looking timidly at the two of them, her eyes filled with unease.

The Kuma froze, as if instantly pulled back to reality from a hell of rage.

The next second, Roy Teleportation away and appeared in front of Bonney, crouching down to gently pick her up.

"It's alright, little one," he patted her back, gently comforting her. "Your father is just too worried about you."

Bonney blinked her big eyes and nodded, then grabbed Roy's collar with her little hand and whispered, "Could he please not be so loud?"

Kuma walked over slowly, his eyes filled with remorse. He reached out and gently stroked Bonney's hair, whispering, "I'm sorry, Bonney... Daddy scared you."

Bonney nodded obediently, then yawned in Roy and went back into the inner room.

After her figure completely disappeared, Kuma straightened up again and let out a long breath.

After a moment of silence, the Kuma's eyes gradually regained their clarity.

He looked at Roy, his voice low but tinged with struggle and expectation. "Since you've come to me... it means you have a way, right?"

Roy nodded, his gaze sharp and unwavering. "Yes, Vegapunk can heal Blue Jade Scales."

"However, the treatment is complex, requiring almost the same resources and technology as creating a complete cyborg."

Upon hearing this, Kuma frowned deeply; he certainly understood what that meant.

After a long silence, he finally asked in a low voice, "Then... what about the cost of the treatment?"

"I'll pay." Roy's answer was firm and decisive, without any hesitation.

"From medical facilities and laboratory supplies to your and Bonney's living arrangements, I'll take care of everything," he said, his tone without the slightest hesitation, as if he had already made up his mind.

Kuma suddenly looked up, staring at him in astonishment. In that moment, he seemed to see a side of him he had never seen before.

He had personally witnessed the World Government spend billions of Beli on a reformation plan, yet it was still riddled with flaws; he knew how staggering that expense was.

And Roy, without hesitation, gave everything for his daughter.

"You... you're telling the truth?" Kuma murmured softly, his voice trembling.

That decisiveness made the Revolutionary Army cadre clench his fist.

As someone who used almost all his savings to help others, he never had the energy to think about his own problems.

Now, someone is willing to cover everything for his daughter free of charge, simply asking him to provide some Blood Samples to participate in Vegapunk's experiments.

Roy seemed to read Kuma's mind and said calmly, "You don't need to feel too burdened. I also have an additional deal with Vegapunk, but it will absolutely not affect you and Bonney."

The Kuma remained silent for a very long time. The Church wind chimes tinkled softly in the night breeze, as if the whole world was quietly listening to this silent choice.

He slowly lowered his head, and after a long while, he spoke with difficulty, "For me, this is entirely beneficial."

"As long as you don't make me a tool for oppressing the weak."

He raised his head, his tone gentle yet undeniably firm. "I agree."

Roy smiled slightly, stepped forward, and extended his Right Hand.

"That's all I need to say."

Looking at the outstretched hand, Kuma seemed to see a path different from revolution and sacrifice, a path that could truly secure a future for Bonney.

He gripped Roy's hand tightly; it was a hand that had shattered enemies, a hand that had endured countless pains yet was still willing to redeem others.

At this time, the Kuma had not yet succumbed to war and lies;

He had not yet been falsely accused, which led to him becoming Pirate and bearing the infamous title of "Tyrant";

Not yet transformed into a humanoid weapon that has abandoned all "thinking" and "self";

He was just a gentle father, Kuma who was willing to give everything for his daughter.

In this Land of Lawlessness forgotten by the world, the Church's last rays of light still linger.

A deal that could shake up the future has been quietly struck.

(P. S.: Please give my new work a five-star review! The world should treat gentle people kindly~)