Shichibukai

Deep within the Punk Hazard Vegapunk Laboratory, the atmosphere was heavy, with only the low hum of the instruments filling the air.

Roy slowly turned his head, staring at Kuma, his tone suddenly becoming serious, as if he had finally made a long-planned decision. "Let's temporarily withdraw from the Revolutionary Army. I'll explain to Dragon."

As soon as he finished speaking, Vegapunk and Kuma turned to him almost simultaneously, their eyes filled with disbelief.

"Leave the Revolutionary Army?" Vegapunk frowned, clearly not understanding for a moment. "What do you mean by that?"

"I meant a 'temporary' withdrawal. You need a new identity—safe enough, powerful enough, and 'legal' enough."

He walked up to Kuma and slowly uttered a few words in a low voice. "Shichibukai."

The air seemed to freeze instantly.

Kuma opened his eyes wide, his voice deep and thunderous. "Let me... become Shichibukai?"

"That's right." Roy nodded, his eyes resolute. "This identity can not only cover your cooperation with Vegapunk, but also legitimately give you the support of the World Government."

His tone was unhurried, yet each word struck reality like a heavy hammer. "If one day the former king of the Sorbet Kingdom attempts to return and cause chaos, you can intervene as Shichibukai and suppress him directly."

"More importantly," Roy paused, "This identity also provides a plausible reason for Bonney's treatment—who would question a father's decision to submit to the World Government for his daughter's medical needs?"

Vegapunk nodded slightly, seemingly lost in thought, "This is indeed the safest approach... Under the guise of Shichibukai, we can move freely and also conceal our research."

"Operating under the name of the Shichibukai, even if outsiders know you're here, they'll assume it's 'official business,' which will better cover up our operations."

Kuma didn't answer immediately. He lowered his head and looked at Bonney, who was fast asleep on the testing table. The little girl's features were still quite childish, and her breathing was steady.

That was his weakest point, and also where all his strength lay.

After a long silence, he spoke in a low voice, "I don't care about my status, nor do I care how the world judges me."

He sighed softly, his voice like a boulder sliding down a mountain, "But if this identity can save Bonney's life, allow me to stay by her side, and watch her grow up..."

He raised his head, looked at Roy, his gaze as steady as a mountain. "Then let's do as you say."

Amidst the cold metal and shimmering data, there were no ceremonies, no oaths, only three men with vastly different stances yet all burdened with heavy beliefs, who made a decision that would shake the future.

A father named "Kuma".

The "Navy" of a secret strategist.

A scientific monster ahead of its time.

In this Laboratory isolated from the world, a Shichibukai born in the name of "daughter" was quietly born.

The next day, in Holy Land Mary Geoise

Inside the magnificent and solemn "Hall of Authority," under a sky shrouded in mist, the Five Elders gathered at both ends of a long table. The morning light refracted through the stained glass of the dome and fell upon the document that had been urgently submitted.

--The document cover clearly bears the signature. "Vice Admiral Roy, Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral".

Saint Nusjuro spoke first, his voice steady yet scrutinizing. "After the Pirate extermination operation in the South Blue, Roy specifically submitted a letter of recommendation to us... He proposed 'Bartholomew Kuma' as the person to fill the Shichibukai."

The atmosphere in the room tensed slightly as he slowly uttered the name.

Sacred Vochuli narrowed his eyes, flipped through the file, and said with a hint of hesitation, "Paw-Paw Fruit user, combat ability assessment level 'Special S', lives in the 'illegal land' of the Sorbet Kingdom in the South Blue... frequently relieving people's pain and healing their injuries?"

"He certainly had an extreme attitude towards 'Pirates,' or more accurately, he had zero tolerance for anyone who bullied the weak."

Saint Shepherd Ju Peter reviewed the intelligence, noting that "they expelled underground armed groups and suppressed black market smuggling, yet left no trace of profit, showing absolutely no signs of personal gain."

Saint Saturn snorted coldly, "Roy said his strength is 'Trust,' which means—if this person becomes an enemy, he must be a ferocious beast."

Saint Mars slowly put down the documents in his hand, tapped his fingers on the table, and chuckled sarcastically, "The Sorbet Kingdom... that bizarre country that pays half its Heavenly Tribute and lets the other half run wild?"

"That's right," Saint Nusjuro continued, "In order to continue paying the Heavenly Tribute, they designated half of their land as 'Land of Lawlessness' to fend for themselves. He lives over there."

Saint Warcury turned to the appendix, his brow furrowing. "According to the investigation, Kuma agreed to apply for the Shichibukai title because he hoped to receive government support to treat his daughter's 'Blue Jade Scales' disease..."

"Is it the same disease from back then?"

After a moment's thought, Saint Warcury said, "However, this would create a weakness for him, and given his clear objective, he wouldn't easily cross the line."

Saint Shepherd Ju Peter nodded slowly, his eyes filled with meaning. "A weakness, a motive, and enough strength... this is the most qualified candidate for Shichibukai."

"He's a powerful guy who can be controlled by name, but won't act recklessly."

Saint Saturn sighed, "Roy's eye for talent is not to be underestimated."

"He's just like... a clever Garp." Saint Mars murmured, his eyes not filled with reproach, but with a complex admiration.

A brief silence fell over the meeting room as the five people exchanged glances.

After a long silence, Saint Saturn surveyed his surroundings and slowly nodded. "Approved."

Saint Shepherd Ju Peter took over the conversation, speaking calmly, "Allow him to join the Shichibukai, and authorize Vegapunk to provide medical intervention for his daughter."

"But the condition is full-time monitoring, and all movements must remain within a controllable range," Saint Nusjuro added coldly.

"Nominally, he will be the representative of force, 'trading his daughter's illness for government support.'"

Saint Mars decided, "Anyone who disobeys this order may be removed from the list at any time."

I second that!

Five deep voices fell in unison, sealing the deal.

The order was sealed in a crimson scroll, marked with the authority of "emergency special appointment," and would then be transmitted to Marine Headquarters and government branches as quickly as possible.

Unbeknownst to the world, a chess piece has already been officially placed on the chessboard of the Shichibukai.

But this time, it wasn't the beginning of ambition, but a father's lonely and silent gamble to protect his daughter.

Meanwhile, inside the Laboratory on Punk Hazard, Roy and Kuma in front of the glass chamber.

Inside the pod, Bonney slept peacefully. Vegapunk stood beside her, reviewing the data, and said slowly, "The virus's active phase has been suppressed, and the inhibition effect has met expectations. We only need to wait another thirteen days for the first-generation clones to be used for stem cell transplantation."

"Strive to completely eradicate the virus before it spreads!"

Revolutionary Army Marine Headquarters - Baltigo

The night wind blew the red flag hanging on the stone wall, the sea churned low, and Monkey D. Dragon stood alone by the window of the communications room, holding a encrypted intelligence document in his hand.

It was a secret letter from Roy, brief in content, yet every word carried weight:

"Bartholomew Kuma, in order to save his daughter who suffers from the Blue Jade Scales disease, voluntarily withdrew from the Revolutionary Army and accepted my arrangement to join the Shichibukai."

The dragon remained silent for a long time, without uttering a single word.

Behind him, the Revolutionary Army cadres entered the room one after another, and their expressions changed when they saw the letter in Long's hand.

"How could this be... Kuma joining the Shichibukai?!" Morley's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Was it forced? Was it coerced?" Bello Betty gripped the flag handle tightly, her eyes sharp as blades.

"Or... did he betray us?" Lindbergh's tone sounded more like self-doubt.

The atmosphere at the scene became tense for a moment.

But the communications officer added the following line from the intelligence report, "He had no other choice but to seek treatment for his three-year-old daughter, Bonney."

Everyone fell silent.

"... So it was for Bonney." Hack said softly, his tone tinged with reluctance.

"That guy..." Bello Betty's eyes reddened slightly, her smile bitter, "That's just the kind of person he is, unbelievably gentle."

Lindbergh sat back in his chair and said in a low voice, "I can imagine the look of both heartache and determination on his face."

"We should believe him; after all, he is 'Bartholomew the Kuma.'"

The crowd's expressions gradually softened, and Trust was rebuilt in the silence.

Long gently placed the intelligence back on the table and turned to look at the endless sea of stars outside the window.

The sea breeze ruffled his black cloak; his expression remained aloof, yet held a rare hint of contemplation.

He muttered to himself, his voice low, "Roy... since it was your arrangement, I believe he'll be alright."

The stars shone brightly outside the window, and the night was quiet and still.