Seeing the astonished looks on everyone's faces, Gawain smiled and gently pressed his hand down.
"Relax and don't overthink it."
Ancient Weapon, though they may sound like weapons, are actually either the culmination of human wisdom or simply beings with special abilities, beloved by this vast sea.
As he spoke, he raised his hand and pressed something in the air.
"So, everyone, calm down and take it easy. Shirahoshi is just Shirahoshi, a pretty and innocent little girl."
"Eh~, even if you compliment someone on their looks, they won't be happy so easily~."
Hearing Gawain's words, Shirahoshi, while shyly stubborn, wagged her tail so hard that Kalifa, who was closest to Shirahoshi, had to loosen her hair to shake off the sand that Shirahoshi had kicked up.
Seeing Shirahoshi's pitiful appearance and Kalifa's disheveled state, everyone burst into laughter. Amidst the laughter, Kuma let out a long sigh, then reopened the Bible in his hand.
Noticing Kuma's actions, Kuma Gawain waved to him.
"Kuma?"
"I'm here!" Kuma nodded steadily.
"I've been a little curious lately. I noticed you opened the book but didn't turn the page. Were you looking at the same page of that book?"
After listening to Gawain's question, Kuma pondered for a moment, then nodded.
"Indeed."
"That's really interesting, Kuma. Can you share with us what you're looking at?" Gawain continued to ask.
Kuma was silent for a moment again, then he nodded.
"It's just a sentence..."
He then pointed the open book at the crowd, pointed to a sentence, and read it softly.
"When the light came into the world, people loved darkness instead of the light because their deeds were evil."
Upon hearing this, Gawain across from him smiled thoughtfully, clapped his hands, and sighed.
"So, Kuma, do you feel that you have found the light in your heart, and also the light that has come to the world?"
As he spoke, Gawain picked up a flask of wine and tossed it to Kuma. After Kuma caught it, Gawain opened a flask of wine for himself.
Gawain raised the wine jug to Kuma in a toasting gesture, then drank heartily. After finishing the wine, he put down the jug and casually said something to Kuma.
"So, is your light a dragon, or Revolutionary Army?"
No sooner had Kuma put down the wine jug than he heard Gawain's words, and he immediately stared blankly at Gawain.
Gawain continued to laugh.
"Kuma, ever since you became Shichibukai, your attitude towards the World Government has been unusually ambiguous."
You've always been the role model for the Shichibukai in the eyes of the World Government, but there's something wrong with you as a role model.
The phone call I made to you was less of an order and more of a test.
I want to know, compared to your original goals, what value do I hold in your heart?
I look forward to your rejection, as that would assure me that you pose no danger to me. If you reject my offer, I will trust you even more, because as long as I cannot fulfill your original goals, you are safe to me.
But you agreed too readily!
At this point, everyone around, who had been laughing and chatting just a moment ago, immediately became serious.
Gion and Jinbe instantly appeared on either side of Gawain, each guarding one side and watching the bear opposite them with extreme vigilance.
On the other hand, Lucci quickly stood up, transformed into the shape of a leopard, and paced around the seated Kuma.
Kalifa approached Shirahoshi and nervously placed her hand on Shirahoshi's tail.
"Don't move, Princess Shirahoshi, it's dangerous..."
And Rayleigh.
Old Rayleigh suddenly fell silent. He silently took a large gulp of strong liquor, then adjusted his glasses and sighed.
"Kuma, is what Gawain said true?"
"I don't think there's any point in arguing, because Saint Gawain's attitude is exceptionally firm!"
Kuma answered in a deep voice, then he clasped his hands together with his palms together and stood up.
As he took off his gloves, Kuma nodded to everyone.
"In any case, thank you all for the fine wine. Now, I'm going to trouble you all."
"Have you made up your mind?"
Rayleigh muttered angrily at his son's lack of ambition, then used his cane to prop himself up.
Standing opposite the Kuma, Rayleigh continued to persuade him with utmost seriousness.
"What Little Gawain said might just be a joke. He's still laughing right now. Maybe it's all just a misunderstanding."
"But I don't think it was a misunderstanding. Saint Gawain doesn't seem like a frivolous person. Although he can say it with a smile, I can't take it as a joke!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a large Cat Claws -shaped ball of energy appeared in the palm of Kuma's right hand. The ball of energy compressed rapidly without being heard, and then Kuma gripped it tightly.
Seeing this, Rayleigh sighed softly.
"You can defend yourself, Kuma. We don't just listen to Gawain's side of the story; perhaps we'll listen to your explanation too."
But now, if you do this, even if you try to explain, we'll just take it as an excuse!
Hearing Rayleigh's words, Xiong shook his head sadly.
"I'm very sorry, Mr. Rayleigh, but I have to do this. Saint Gawain's existence is simply too dangerous!"
As Celestial Dragon and the heir to that corrupt World Government, Gawain actually possesses such terrifying Conqueror's Haki!
As a member of the Revolutionary Army, even if it means abandoning my original mission, I will seize this opportunity and do my best to sever the future of the World Government!
I must kill him!
Upon hearing this, Rayleigh let out a long sigh.
"But he's Celestial Dragon, Kuma. When you made this decision, did you consider the innocent women of Amazon Lily?"
Even if you succeed, do you think the Buster Call won't be issued on Amazon Lily after Little Gawain dies?
Your decision has even dragged me into trouble, not to mention that I still see no reason why Gawain should die!
Even though Little Gawain is Celestial Dragon, his existence brought a positive change to the Celestial Dragon's past!
Besides, haha, if Gawain hadn't exposed you, you might still have had a chance to succeed.
But now, Kuma, you have no chance. Give up!
Across from him, hearing Rayleigh's disgruntled voice, Xiong responded with a sullen face.
"Perhaps this is the ocean; we always have a reason to fight, regardless of victory or defeat, or even life or death!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiong stood up and covered more than ten meters in one step. He gathered his strength in his right hand and threw it forward. The small Cat Claws -shaped ball of energy in his hand rushed towards Gawain.
Beside Gawain, Jinbe sighed and pursed his lips.
"No wonder they're Revolutionary Army, they're really fucking daring!"
He roared and took a step forward, crossing his arms to block the Cat Claws -shaped cloud of energy!
"Plum Blossom Skin!"
With a loud shout, Jinbe's arms turned completely black as his crossed arms collided violently with the bear's pressure attack.
Boom!
The small cloud of air burst open instantly. Jinbe took a half step back, and around him, intense air pressure spread wildly, sweeping towards Gawain!
Seeing this, Gion suddenly drew her sword with her left hand, holding the long sword, which was covered in black energy, horizontally in front of Gawain.
"Yaksha Qi!"
With a delicate shout, black energy formed an Uzumaki around Gion's sword. As the Uzumaki dispersed and absorbed most of the air pressure, Gion suddenly lifted Gawain with her right hand.
"Jinbe, Kuma is yours for now. I'll take the adults to a safe place. And Shirahoshi is yours too, Rayleigh. Take them and come with me!"
After leaving behind a message, Gion carried Gawain and soared into the sky.
At the same time, Jinbe nodded heavily, then stomped on his wooden clogs and strode toward the bear that was closing in on him.
"Kuma, stop for the sake of us both being Shichibukai!"
Otherwise, I really will kill you!
"If you have the ability, then come on! It's unbelievable that Jinbe, the Knight of the Sea, would submit to the Celestial Dragon!"
Xiong let out a cold shout, then slapped Jinbe with his palm.
"Pressure Cannon!"
Countless tiny Cat Claws- shaped energy balls shot out from the bear's paws in the blink of an eye, Luffy Jinbe and slamming into him.
Jinbe, shrouded in black mist, abruptly stopped in his tracks.
The next second, he took a forward lunge stance, simultaneously gathering power in his palms, and braced himself against the pressure, slapping his bare hands against the Kuma's waist and abdomen.
"Fish-Man Palm Thrust!"
Seeing this, Kuma quickly held his left hand in front of him, aiming the Jinbe Paw-Paw of his left palm at Jinbe's hand.
Jinbe's push landed Jinbe in Kuma's palm, and Kuma remained motionless, not even moving his arm.
Instead, Jinbe was sent flying backwards!
Wow!!!
Jinbe, who was flying backwards, adjusted his posture in mid-air, his center of gravity shifted, and he landed on the ground.
The next second, his Armament Haki wooden clogs rubbed violently against the sand!
As he stirred up two sand waves over ten meters high, Jinbe grinned widely and gave a fierce laugh.
"So this is Tyrant Kuma? Haha, it's such a pity I never had a chance to fight you before!"
"Paw-Paw Fruit, what an amazing Devil Fruit! Even with Armament Haki applied, my force was completely bounced back onto myself!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Jinbe crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"It seems conventional attacks are ineffective against you. Well then, Kuma, please try my Fish-Man Jujutsu!"
"Hmph, those who aid and abet evil!"
Kuma snorted coldly.
"Ursus Shock!"
As he spoke, the Kuma opened his arms wide and gave the sky a big hug with his two adorable Paw-Paws!
The next second, a gigantic Cat Claws with a diameter of nearly a kilometer suddenly appeared in the sky!
"What the hell?! Can you even play like this?!"
Jinbe's eyes widened, and he quickly looked at Shirahoshi and Kalifa, who were standing not far away, their faces filled with astonishment.
"Mr. Rayleigh, stop standing there! Take Princess Shirahoshi away quickly! I'll do my best to interrupt this madman, Kuma!"
"Of course, I wouldn't stand idly by!"
Rayleigh shook his head helplessly, then quickly picked up Shirahoshi and Kalifa and chased after Gawain in the distance.
At the same time, Lucci in his leopard-man form charged toward the Kuma that was accumulating atmospheric pressure.
"Rokushiki Ogi: Giant Wheel Rokuogan!!!"
With a desperate roar, Lucci's fist slammed into the bear's body!
Xiong frowned slightly as he watched Lucci charging towards him.
"Not bad in strength, but still far from enough!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiong suddenly raised his leg. While continuing to embrace the sky, he kicked out with his foot, sending Lucci flying.
The instant Lucci's Rokuogan made contact with the sole of the bear's shoe, the bear's shoe shattered instantly. As Lucci flew backward, he clearly saw that the bear even had Paw-Paw on its paws!
As he flew backward, Lucci shouted at Jinbe, who was charging forward.
"Watch out, the Paw-Paw Fruit has at least four Paw-Paw!!!"
As soon as he shouted those words, Lucci flew more than two thousand meters straight towards the beach and the sea!
From the beach, Gion approached the shocked Momonga and placed Gawain on the ground.
Then she looked behind her and saw Lucci charging towards them.
Seeing this, even though the situation was chaotic, Gion.
At the same time, she whispered to Gawain.
"My lord, your Observation Haki has long been Awakening, hasn't it? Can you see through people's hearts?"
"Who knows? Let's just say it is."
Gawain narrowed his eyes and said meaningfully.
Upon hearing this, Gion nodded knowingly.
"I've had this suspicion for a long time. You know far too much, sir, yet you've never left Mary Geoise!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Rayleigh also brought Shirahoshi and Kalifa over.
Seeing Rayleigh land, Gion suddenly drew her long sword and shouted at Rayleigh.
"Thank you for helping Shirahoshi and Kalifa, Rayleigh, but I'd still appreciate it if you could come back to the battlefield with me!"
I don't feel comfortable leaving you alone with Saint Gawain!
At this point, Gion rushed several dozen steps to the right, and with a swift movement of her right hand, she caught Lucci as he was flying backward.
Gion casually tossed Lucci next to Gawain and continued speaking.
"Vice Admiral Momonga, and Lucci, protect Lord Gawain!"
"Rayleigh, let's go!"
"Hey? Wait a minute, I don't want to fight, I just want to see the sea..."
Clang!
Gion's sword tip suddenly pointed at Rayleigh.
"I will never hand Gawain over to you. Either come with me, or we shall fight each other here!"
Even without me, the outcome of the battle between Jinbe and Kuma wouldn't be decided quickly.
Make your decision, Rayleigh!
"This old man... sigh..."
Hearing Gion's cold, stern voice, Rayleigh shook his head helplessly, then looked at Gawain and said with a wry smile.
"Little Gawain, do you dare tell me the truth? Besides Conqueror's Haki, do you also have innate Observation Haki?"
You don't happen to have a talent for divination like that little girl from Fish-Man Island, do you?
"Grandpa, don't overthink it, let's stop the Kuma right now."
"Besides, it's three against one, so I need the live Kuma. Is there a problem?"
Gawain avoided Rayleigh's question and instead gave Rayleigh a command with a smile.
Hearing Gawain's commanding tone, Rayleigh's expression stiffened drastically.
"Damn it, you're ordering me around like this, that's outrageous! But first, answer my question: do you really see me on your ship in the future?"
No matter how I think about it, I can't believe it. This is unreasonable. You can't just dedicate the rest of your life to teaching an apprentice, can you?
Hearing Rayleigh's question, Gawain rolled his eyes, then simply turned around to look at the sea, leaving Rayleigh with only his back.
Seeing this, Rayleigh scratched his head.
"That can't be right, but you really do have a charm that makes people unable to resist obeying you!"
Even if you don't use Conqueror's Haki, your Haki will always be there, not to mention you understand people very well.
At this point, Rayleigh picked up his cane and nodded to Gion.
"If it weren't for the fact that the Kuma's actions would result in Buster Call would endanger Amazon Lily, and if Amazon Lily weren't a place with an extremely large number of innocent women, but some kind of evil place..."
Even I, an old man, am starting to feel like standing next to Kuma!
But if Little Gawain hadn't ordered me to leave behind a live Kuma...
Then I certainly won't lend you a hand!
I'm a pirate after all, and I don't want to kill another pirate at my age...
Ah, Gawain, if you never die, then no matter what talent you have, the only thing that matters is your ability to understand my mind!
You are now qualified to stand above this vast ocean!
As for now, I obey your command!
As soon as he finished speaking, Rayleigh grinned and suddenly drew his Cane Sword.
With a light flourish of his sword, Rayleigh laughed heartily.
"As your teacher, I will naturally demonstrate to you just how Conqueror's Haki can enhance your combat abilities."
Nineteen years! I haven't fought in nineteen years. I'll take care of Kuma Bear myself!
Momousagi, you stay here to protect Gawain, and Little Gawain too, if you really see some future, or simply have the capacity to trust this old man.
Then let Gion protect you to the edge of the battlefield and witness my battle with Kuma!
If you dare to come and observe, then I will make you remember this moment.
Only Haki can rise above all things!!!