See the Doctor First

"..."

Bartholomew Kuma silently looked at the strange document in his hands.

He had more or less guessed that the guy before him seemed to be trying to recruit him.

He was just a little confused about how the East Blue Navy and pirates had gotten mixed up together.

And it was the East Blue Overlord and Marine Branch 16 at that...

Hadn't the rumors said that the East Blue Overlord and Marine Branch 16 had a blood feud?

It was supposedly because of that that the Moke Pirates, despite already having the strength to enter the Grand Line, had remained in the East Blue to take revenge on Marine Branch 16. And after becoming the new overlords of the East Blue, they had gathered the East Blue pirates to wipe out East Blue Navy Branch 16.

Though there seemed to be some great secret hidden behind it all, none of that mattered now.

For Kuma at this moment, all that mattered was whether Bonnie could truly be cured!

And the man in front of him... he clearly hadn't mentioned Bonnie's illness just now, yet this man seemed to know everything. Perhaps... he really could cure Bonnie?

As for whether this was a World Government conspiracy?

At first, he had suspected as much and worried that Bonnie might be harmed. But after only a moment, Kuma had dismissed the possibility that these people could be from the World Government.

At the very least...

Kuma lowered his head again and looked at the document in his hands.

Even the World Government wouldn't be that absurd!

"As long as Bonnie can be cured, that's all that matters~" In the blink of an eye, a smile appeared on Kuma's face again. Clutching the document tightly, tears in his eyes, he said happily, "I'll do anything you want!"

As soon as the words fell—

Upon hearing Kuma's earnest words, Bonnie in the box couldn't help letting out her childish voice. "Daddy~"

That innocent, childish voice made Kuma clutch the document in his hand even tighter. Wearing a smile that said he was willing to give up everything, he looked resolutely at Xia Che.

For Bonnie, he could give everything he had!

It didn't matter who the man before him was, nor did it matter what sort of cooperation existed between the East Blue Navy and the pirates...

He didn't care about any of that. As long as Bonnie could be cured, that was enough!

The sight before them moved Nami and the others once more. Even Quick Run Duck let out emotional quacks, while even that big oaf Moke was wiping away tears.

At that moment—

The sea breeze gently brushed across the deck.

Everyone looked emotionally at that figure...

A father, willing to give up everything to cure his daughter, clutched the document in his hand tightly. Tears streamed from his eyes, yet he smiled at the person trying to recruit him.

Except—

"No, why are you all crying out of nowhere?"

Xia Che looked at the teary-eyed crowd with a face full of black lines.

He was just legally and properly recruiting an employee.

How had it turned into him looking like some heartless boss threatening a father with his daughter to make him work?

"I thought my benefits weren't even that bad!"

The moment he said that—

The emotional expressions on Nami and Vivi's faces froze. Then Nami gave an awkward laugh. "I almost forgot about that~"

Right~

Their operation might be a little illegal, but they were still a proper Marine branch, after all.

"Big Bear, just sign it without worry!" Nami said with a grin as she looked at Kuma. "Don't worry. Even though this guy doesn't have the best reputation, as long as he promises something, he'll definitely do it."

"That's right. Dear BOSS may not have much of a reputation, but he's quite good at keeping his promises!"

"Colonel Xia Che's reputation really isn't great, but I've come to trust him too."

"Senior Brother's reputation is still... still pretty good. You can trust Senior Brother!"

"The big sisters are all right!"

"Quack~"

"..."

That first sentence was completely unnecessary. His reputation in the East Blue was pretty good, all right?!

And Moke, why were you joining in?

Xia Che looked at everyone with a face full of black lines, then turned back to Kuma.

He wasn't worried that Kuma would refuse. He had already played his trump card. Unless Kuma truly saw that there was no hope, he would never give up.

As for treating Bonnie, there were two methods...

One was to find the Op-Op Fruit user—Trafalgar Law.

Come to think of it, in order to recruit talent, he had sent people to the North Blue to look for him over the past few years.

But that guy was incredibly wary!

He simply trusted no one. Even revealing the Donquixote Family's secrets had been useless.

Instead, he ran even faster!

He was remarkably slippery!

And the second method...

That was right—ask Vegapunk for help.

But if they did that, wouldn't recruiting Kuma have been for nothing?

He was indeed very tempted by Vegapunk, the world's greatest scientist, but the man belonged to the World Government now. Even if he wanted to steal him, there was nothing he could do.

Of course~

Although neither method could be carried out for the time being, since they were already here...

Anyway, if there truly was no other way in the end, he could tell Kuma about Vegapunk. Kuma would surely be very happy to hear it.

If there really was no other choice in the end... then they would just have to go after the Donquixote Family.

Trafalgar Law would surely appear then.

At that point, Doflamingo would just have to suffer a little!

Sure enough.

After hearing everyone out, Kuma lowered his head once more to look at the document in his hands.

It had to be said, the terms written on it... were indeed very good.

Precisely because of that, he was certain this was not some World Government scheme.

As the gods of this world, the World Government would never lower themselves to recruit a slave like this.

A smile appeared on Kuma's face as he nodded seriously. "Thank you, everyone! I'll sign!"

As he spoke, he took the pen Robin handed him and signed his name directly on the document. But immediately afterward, he solemnly raised his head.

"If..." His tone was hesitant yet resolute. "If there is still no way in the end, please allow me to leave and continue searching for a way to cure Bonnie!"

His words fell.

Kuma had originally thought his request would displease everyone. He had even prepared himself to be questioned.

But as long as Bonnie could be cured, no matter what he had to pay, it would be worth it.

However.

Unexpectedly.

The man who seemed to be the true boss behind the Moke Pirates nodded without hesitation. With a smile, he took Kuma's document and said, "Welcome aboard!"

"Welcome, big Kuma!"

"Welcome!"

"Kuma, I'll call you that, then! From now on, call the boss 'Boss' with me." Even Moke wore a simple grin as he welcomed Kuma, spreading his arms wide. "I'll have the Moke Pirates prepare a banquet now to welcome Kuma's arrival!"

"Thank you!" Seeing everyone welcoming him, Kuma spoke again through tears, though his lips still held a smile. "Thank you, everyone!"

Even Bonnie, inside the box behind him, revealed a happy smile. "Thank you, everyone, for welcoming Daddy! Bonnie really wants to join the banquet too, but seeing Daddy so happy makes me very happy as well."

However.

Just as everyone heard Bonnie's words and prepared to comfort the sensible little girl, promising that once she was cured, they would hold another banquet to welcome her properly.

At that moment.

Suddenly.

"Let's hold the banquet later!" Xia Che, having handed the employment contract to Robin, raised his head and looked out at the sea with a smile. "For now, let the doctor examine Bonnie!"

As Xia Che's words fell.

While everyone looked at him in confusion, and before the excited Kuma could say anything—

Suddenly.

"Whee~"

An enormous whale cry rang out, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

They saw—

From the previously calm sea surface, with a splash, a gigantic whale emerged from beneath the sea.