Tyrant

The one who arrived was none other than Bartholomew Kuma, one of the Shichibukai, known to the world as the Tyrant.

He was still wearing his iconic attire from memory, holding a scripture of unknown origin. His height, over six meters, cast a shadow over Cifer as he stood at the bow of the ship.

"A man like you, why would you want to become a Shichibukai?"

Kuma deflected the question with a question of his own. Cifer wasn't surprised that Kuma knew he was going to become a Shichibukai.

With his multiple identities – Revolutionary Army Officer, current Shichibukai, and close friend of Vegapunk and Kizaru – his intelligence network was terrifying.

"Is this a question you want to know, or is it a question the Revolutionary wants to know?"

Cifer stood up, his gaze fixed on Kuma. The seemingly slender figure before him was magnified infinitely in Kuma's eyes.

Cifer's imposing presence was something Kuma had rarely encountered in his life.

He didn't bother to deny his connection to Dragon; Cifer clearly knew, and there was no need for explanation. As for why Cifer knew, Kuma didn't expect to get an answer.

"A powerful man like you shouldn't be selling your life to the World Government." He didn't directly answer Cifer's question but provided an answer nonetheless.

Kuma was already undergoing modifications. Whether for Bonney or for Vegapunk, he was already tied to the World Government's ship.

He didn't know how much time he had left, so when he learned that Cifer, an extremely powerful individual, had a conflict with the Celestial Dragons but was about to join the Shichibukai, he couldn't resist coming to see him and find out the answer.

"Selling my life? Have you misunderstood something?"

Cifer revealed a strange smile.

"There is no one in this world worth me selling my life for. I'm only becoming a Shichibukai because I'm after the benefits it offers!"

"No more annoying Marine fodder will obstruct my voyage, and besides, won't it reduce the scum in this rotten world a little?"

Cifer's statement made Kuma uneasy. He could tell that Cifer would not blindly obey the World Government, nor did he have any intention of joining the Revolutionary Army.

He would act recklessly, following his own preferences and perceptions to roam the world, becoming one of the most unstable factors.

However, that wasn't something he needed to consider. He didn't have much time, and knowing that Cifer wouldn't serve the World Government was enough.

At the very least, he and the Revolutionary Army were not on opposing sides.

Kuma had no intention of clashing with Cifer. He had received the answer he wanted and intended to take his leave.

"Wait!"

Seeing that Kuma was about to use his Paw-Paw Fruit ability to leave, Cifer called out to him.

"I know you're cooperating with the World Government on some research. Your Shichibukai position is too much of a waste on you; why not give it to me instead!"

"Save me the trouble of looking for the next one."

Kuma was also a pitiable figure. Cifer didn't want to lay a hand on him, but since they had met, it would be better for him to give up his Shichibukai position; he wouldn't be needing it anymore anyway.

Kuma could tell that Cifer was asking him to give it up voluntarily, rather than resorting to force. He fell into thought.

According to intelligence analysis, Cifer's strength was at the level of an Emperor, far superior to his own. Moreover, they were at sea, and if a fight were to break out, he would be the one to lose.

The higher-ups in the Marines were basically aware of the relationship between him and the World Government. He truly didn't need the Shichibukai position anymore. It would be better to do Cifer a favor and avoid conflict.

"What do you need me to do?"

"It's very simple. Go to Marineford and tell Sengoku that you encountered me and were defeated."

The most straightforward method was this. Kuma would admit he was no match for Cifer, and Cifer would naturally take his place. It was just that Kuma might lose face.

After all, without any injuries, Sengoku and the others would be able to tell that he surrendered without a fight.

However, for Kuma, face was something that had ceased to exist the moment he began his modifications.

He agreed without hesitation. There was no need to fight for real or pretend to fight. If you couldn't win, you couldn't win.

Just as he was about to leave, he was stopped by Cifer once again.

Kuma was a close friend of Vegapunk. It would be best for him to relay the message for Cifer, saving Cifer a trip to the New World and avoiding trouble.

"Vegapunk has been focusing all his energy on a certain research project lately; he doesn't have extra time to help you with experiments."

After Cifer explained that he wanted Vegapunk to help research something that could control body size, Kuma politely refused.

Vegapunk's current experiment was very important to the World Government, and even Saturn, one of the Gorosei, would occasionally go to supervise him. He simply didn't have any extra time.

"He might not have time to help me, but what if it's to help you?" Cifer poked Kuma with his finger.

"You are his close friend. If it's you asking him to help me, then it's different. Time is like water in a sponge; if he's willing to squeeze a little, there will always be some."

"Let's make a deal! You must have heard that I will suppress the Paradise incident. You help me speak to Vegapunk about my matters, and I will help take care of your daughter."

The words struck Kuma like a thunderclap, stirring up waves in his heart.

At this moment, Cifer appeared extraordinarily mysterious in Kuma's eyes, as if all his secrets were laid bare before him.

However, Cifer's words were also incredibly tempting. Perhaps in the near future, he would completely lose consciousness and become the World Government's killing machine.

Bonney had already set sail. She might soon enter the Grand Line, or perhaps she had already entered it. He and Kizaru could only secretly observe and protect her from time to time.

What about the future?

When he was no longer himself, who would protect Bonney if she encountered danger?

Borsalino was a Marine Admiral, and Bonney was a pirate. If they truly stood on opposing sides one day, how could he ask his friend to make a choice?

But in this moment, Kuma saw hope. If Cifer were to replace him as a new Shichibukai, as long as he wished, he could indeed protect Bonney to a great extent.

"Then I'll leave Bonney to you, Mr. Cifer!"

Kuma finally gave a direct answer.

"Of course!"

In reality, even without the deal with Kuma, Cifer would have looked after Bonney if he encountered her. After all, she was just a little girl looking for her father!

However, after making the deal with Kuma, things were different. Bringing the little girl directly under his care was the safest option. It just so happened that there was an chuunibyo on the ship now, so having a normal person around would be good.

Bonney, who was preparing to enter the Grand Line at this moment, had no idea that her future had quietly changed.