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Before long.

A strange, transparent bear paw appeared before everyone and was swallowed by Kuma. Vivi's pale, weak face immediately regained its color, her spirits lifted, and even her body temperature gradually returned to normal.

Everyone except Xia Che was stunned.

They seemed shocked, wondering what kind of ability this was.

He had actually healed someone in an instant.

"I..." Feeling that her entire body had truly become much lighter, Vivi froze for a moment before raising her head to look at Kuma. "I-I feel so much better! Thank you so much."

"You're welcome." Hearing Vivi's gratitude, Kuma revealed a gentle, guileless smile that did not suit his massive build. Then he reminded her, "Although your symptoms have eased, you still need to get plenty of rest."

He sounded like a professional doctor.

"You were exhausted in both body and mind, carrying too many burdens, only to suddenly put them all down at once. Once you relaxed, combined with what was likely a chill from the wind, you fell seriously ill. Please take care of yourself."

After he said that—

Everyone stared at Kuma in surprise again.

Could he be a doctor?

And an exceptionally skilled one at that?

"You're a doctor?" Moke, who had been wearing the dignified expression of the East Blue Overlord, now showed a guileless smile as well. "That's incredible! Forget it, I won't arrest you anymore. You seem like a good person!"

"..."

Kuma paused at Moke's words, but he still smiled and nodded. "Thank you."

It was not as though he feared some East Blue Overlord, but Bonnie was here.

Even if Bonnie could not see it, he still hoped she could enjoy their journey happily. Unless necessary, he did not want to fight anyone.

However—

"Dad is definitely amazing! Dad has saved so many people! He's the greatest dad in Bonnie's heart!" Faced with her father's humility, Bonnie's proud voice came from inside the box. She even snapped back at Moke, "You want to arrest Dad? Keep dreaming!"

At that moment.

Everyone finally noticed the voice coming from the box.

Robin and the others had actually heard a childish voice coming from somewhere earlier.

They had merely assumed it belonged to an enemy and paid it little attention.

But now...

Once they realized that this huge man was not a bad person, puzzled expressions appeared on their faces as they looked at the box behind Kuma.

Kuma seemed to notice their confusion. Though he hesitated slightly, his instincts told him that these people were not bad. Feeling Bonnie's anticipation from behind him—her longing and curiosity toward the outside world—

A faint smile appeared on Kuma's face. He adjusted his glasses, pride seeming to fill his eyes. "This is my daughter... Bonnie!"

"Hello, everyone! My name is Bonnie, and I'm happily traveling with Dad right now!" Bonnie's childish voice came from the box again. She seemed delighted by her father's introduction, but after a moment, she said somewhat dejectedly, "Because Bonnie is sick, I can't leave the box! So, I'm very sorry."

After those words—

"?!"

Hearing Bonnie, everyone who had been looking confused froze, then smiles appeared across their faces.

"What a cute voice!" Robin smiled gently and said with elegance and warmth, "Bonnie must be a very adorable girl!"

"That's right, Bonnie will definitely cure her illness too!" Nami raised her fist toward the box, speaking as if she truly were talking to a little girl. "It'll be fine for you to come out when that time comes!"

"Please do your best, Bonnie!" Guina nodded and said seriously, "You'll definitely get better!"

"When you're better, you must come to the Alabasta Kingdom. Quick Run Duck can play with you then. Quick Run Duck is a very fast, very big duck~"

"Quack!" Hearing his master's words, Quick Run Duck lifted his head and puffed out his chest as he cried out.

That distinctive duck call immediately made Bonnie clap her little hands happily inside the box. "That really is a duck's voice! It's so loud! Is Quick Run Duck really big? Dad, hurry and look for me!"

"It really is very big." Faced with his daughter's request, Kuma glanced at the unusual duck and nodded, saying seriously, "When Bonnie gets better, you'll be able to see it! Dad will definitely find a way to cure Bonnie's illness!"

No matter what, he would make this girl live, even if... he had to die himself!

He raised his head and looked at everyone before him.

Sure enough...

They were good people too!

But—

It was time for him to leave.

"Sorry for disturbing you. I should be going now."

Bartholomew Kuma bowed to everyone, then turned and started walking toward the pirate ship he had just acquired.

Everyone silently watched this father carrying his daughter on his back.

From what they had heard, they roughly understood... that girl seemed to be seriously ill, yet her very capable doctor father seemed unable to cure his own daughter.

But they were not doctors, and they had no idea what to do.

Still...

"Hey, what are you thinking about?" Seeing Xia Che deep in thought, Nami cautiously poked at his waist and lowered her voice. "Do you know what illness she has?"

"Jade Scale Disease~" Xia Che nodded and replied casually, "I know!"

"You really do? Wait~, he didn't seem to say what illness it was just now. How did you know? Never mind~" Nami's eyes widened, but she seemed to realize something more important. "Then do you know how to treat it?"

"I do!"

As Xia Che's words fell.

Immediately.

Robin and Guina both looked at Xia Che with strange expressions.

Come to think of it, BOSS—Senior Brother Xia Che—always seemed to know all sorts of bizarre information.

Who knew where he got it from?

Sure enough...

Upon hearing Xia Che's words, Kuma, who had been about to turn and leave, abruptly stopped. His eyes, hidden as he faced away from the others, instantly turned red.

What had he just heard?

Jade Scale... someone knew how to cure it?!

At that moment.

The father who had been searching for a cure for his daughter all this time burst into tears. He spun around and stared straight at Xia Che, his voice trembling with doubt and even a hint of hope. "You... really have a way?"

As soon as he finished speaking.

Xia Che did not answer directly. He merely smiled and nodded. Then, looking at Kuma with tears streaming down his face, Xia Che snapped his fingers before Kuma could ask anything and said to Robin beside him, "Robin, someone has come for an interview."

Immediately.

Before the puzzled yet hopeful Kuma, Robin smiled, nodded, and took a document from her clothes before handing it over.

Before the equally bewildered Kuma could say anything.

"Marine Branch 16 is recruiting talent. Once you join us, not only will you receive satisfactory compensation and suitable accommodation, but if an employee's family member falls ill, the base will also help seek treatment and reimburse part of the medical expenses~" Xia Che wore a professional smile as he looked at Kuma, who stood there blankly holding the document.

Talent had practically appeared right in front of him... how could he let him get away?

"Would you like to learn more, Bartholomew Kuma~?"

As for the World Government's Pacifista project, it could go to hell!

If he truly had no other choice, did they think he would not even steal... recruit Vegapunk?