Just as Sabo was getting restless, so was the bear.
Dragon sighed softly.
"Why..."
He raised his hand and pressed down on Sabo's shoulder.
"We might be able to take Xiong's people away. After all, while Dark Bird's lineup is impressive, it's not invincible."
If we only take the bear with us, perhaps there's a chance.
But you must understand that all our opportunities depend on the fact that the bear is genuinely willing to come with us!
"If the bear's heart isn't with us, then we can't bring him back, Sabo!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Dragon looked at the Kuma with a calm expression.
Facing the gaze of Dragon, and even more so facing Sabo's unwilling face.
The bear nodded slightly.
"You're right, Dragon."
After finishing speaking, Kuma looked at Sabo and calmly continued.
"And Sabo, you brat, your temper is even worse than before, and your plans are even more aggressive."
Dragon has high hopes for you; he wants you to become the chief of staff of the Revolutionary Army.
But your rash attitude is not what Chief of Staff should be like."
At this point, Kuma glanced back, and in that glance, it seemed as if he had pierced through the thick clouds and seen a group of teammates standing on the Dark Bird Ship.
There are Gion, Rayleigh, Issho, Zephyr there.
Gawain stood before everyone.
Those people standing together could fight all day long even if Four Emperors came together. Even if they couldn't win, the Four Emperors wouldn't be able to win easily.
Such a lineup cannot be shaken by the Revolutionary Army alone.
Thinking of this, the Kuma turned around and looked at Sabo again.
"Although this sea has long been divided up by one power after another."
Navy, pirates, Mary Geoise, Affiliated Nation, the Shichibukai, and the Revolutionary Army.
These entities have already divided up most of the strong individuals.
But under Gawain Wen's leadership, we still managed to break through the cracks and, in just six months, built up what can be described as a magnificent team.
Indeed, this lineup looks a bit like a bubble, with old men like Rayleigh seemingly about to burst.
However, Sabo...
I can tell you with certainty that those elderly people are not necessarily much weaker than those with Whitebeard or Big Mom!
The older generation of monsters, Rayleigh and Zephyr, assist the younger generation of monsters, Gion and Issho.
The four of them alone were enough to defeat two of the Four Emperors!
Furthermore, the middle-aged generation on the ship is rapidly improving, the Shichibukai lineup is gradually being completed, and even monsters like Mihawk are about to join.
As for the younger generation, we still have Logia candidates like Ace, as well as young candidates like Uta and Shirahoshi.
Such a lineup..."
At this point, Xiong's face became serious and earnest, and he spoke to Sabo with great emphasis.
"Answer me, Sabo, how are you going to deal with this lineup?"
"Well..."
Sabo was slightly taken aback upon hearing what the Kuma said.
Ace's name flashed past his ears; that name seemed to hold a special place in his heart.
But it's not particularly special.
That makes sense when you think about it. The original Sabo only remembered everything after Ace's death.
But before Ace died, he was already a well-known figure on the sea. He was Fire Fist Ace, and also Whitebeard's half-first mate!
Even so, Sabo didn't think of him, let alone now that it was just a name that brushed past his ears.
So Sabo quickly forgot the name and continued speaking to the bear.
"Uncle Xiong, you're taking this too seriously. You should be able to tell I was joking, right?"
I just really want you back in our team.
As for starting a war with you...
Sigh, I really want to have a good fight with you guys, because the fact that you were recruited by that Celestial Dragon bastard really hurt me!
Anyway, that's all for now.
I can't beat them in a fight, and I can't convince them with words, so I guess I'll just give up. Honestly.
"Uncle Xiong, now that we're not fighting anymore, can we sit down and have a drink?"
At this point, Sabo revealed a slightly childish, roguish smile, a smile that left Kuma silent for a long time.
After a long while, Kuma turned to Dragon and said with a bitter face.
"No wonder you brought this kid along. Turns out, he's grown up to the point where he's using such a brash tone to test my sense of belonging to the Dark Bird Ship..."
Everything changes so fast. Just three years ago, this kid was a brat...
"Yes, everything changed so fast!"
Dragon nodded to the Kuma, then pulled out a flask from under his cloak and tossed it to the Kuma.
"These years, sigh... it's better that you're not in the team."
If you were there, you'd definitely be bored, right?
Over the years, we haven't really taken any effective actions.
News of the Revolutionary Army has been stagnant at sea for a long time; you, the current captain, have long since stolen our thunder.
We are all lost about our path, a fact you seemed to have already noticed when you went to Vegapunk's place.
Our relationship with Mary Geoise is nearly solidified; it has been too long since any changes occurred, and our methods are far from sufficient to cause Mary Geoise any trouble.
As for now..."
Dragon stared intently at the Kuma.
"Now, we should be exchanging information about our respective achievements and problems over the past few years."
But are you still willing to talk to me about those things?
"That's what I need to ask you too, Dragon. Now, with the information I'm giving you, will you still trust me as much as before?"
The bear asked Dragon a question in return, which brought an amused smile to Dragon.
"If you dare to say it, why shouldn't I believe you? Even though you've become a member of the Dark Bird Army, aren't you still Kuma?"
"That's good!"
Kuma nodded heavily, then he said softly.
"As is customary, I should talk to you about Vegapunk's problems, but I haven't been by his side for half a year, so I know much less about him now."
What I can confirm is that he has thoroughly grasped the design philosophy of the Pacifista and has further developed a design template for Pacifista.
If I'm not mistaken, that template is me, and that should be my original fate.
The Pacifista represent the pinnacle of maritime technology, and the technologies they employ are indeed fifty years ahead of the rest of the world.
Based on my assessment, if Vegapunk were allowed to continue his research for another five to ten years, the increasingly sophisticated Pacifista would surely disrupt the existing order of the ocean.
By then, one side of the Navy and the Shichibukai will inevitably be replaced by the Pacifista. While their potential is limited, their minimum potential is very high, and their numbers are vast. That's enough, isn't it?
Be prepared, Dragon, the very fact that the Pacifista project is nearing completion signals impending chaos.
With our arrival, I think the future ocean will be so lively it will surprise both of us!
After saying that, the Kuma couldn't help but reveal a faint smile, a smile that struck Sabo hard, making Sabo sniffle sadly.
"Uncle Xiong, you're laughing again. You... you've been laughing a lot lately."
Is the Dark Bird Ship really that exciting for you?
"Well..."
Bear was taken aback by Sabo's words. He turned to Sabo and gently rubbed his stiff chin.
Did I laugh?
"You laughed! Good heavens, it seems you really like that place!"
That's hilarious! This is really funny. You hardly ever laughed when you were working for Uncle Long.
Is that guy really more interesting than Jackie Chan?
Uncle Xiong, do you think he would agree if I wanted to meet him? Would he dare to agree?
I really want to see what kind of guy he is!
"Ha ha!"
Xiong immediately laughed again, but after he laughed, he suddenly realized what he had done and then rubbed his chin.
"I actually laughed! Haha, perhaps this is a sign of a fulfilled soul."
As for Sabo, your desire to see Gawain is not as difficult as you imagine. Before I came to see you, the Lord left me a message that he also wanted to see you on the highest peak of this Reverse Mountain.
So, come with me to meet Gawain in a little while!
"So, Uncle Xiong, you even told your Lord Gawain about coming to see us, right?"
Unlike the bear's laughter, Sabo became even more upset at this moment.
His Uncle Bear is truly no longer his Uncle Bear...
If their only interest is in the Dark Bird Ship, then perhaps there's still a chance to win Kuma back into the Revolutionary Army.
But now, their hopes to meet with Kuma privately have all been reported by Kuma to Gawain...
Sabo knew very well that this Kuma was no longer a force for their Revolutionary Army!
Seeing Sabo clenching his teeth, Kuma instinctively lowered his head in a daze.
But then, he suddenly realized something and became even more confident.
He confidently raised his head, then chuckled and tucked the notebook back under his arm.
He began to speak.
"On the very first day I met Gawain, my identity was exposed. He recognized me as Revolutionary Army at a glance."
Later, I got Jinbe. That guy's Ocean Current Shoulder Throw was so perfect that it could be the nightmare of almost every Devil Fruit user.
After that, I was arrested by Gawain. He talked to me a lot, but what I can never forget is his evaluation of me.
He said I was a person without direction.
Perhaps it was because he saw the missing part of my soul that he filled in the gap for me.
As for the changes I've undergone, they really aren't any changes at all.
That was just... me finding my true self again!
In the past, before I had filled my inner void, I was confused, suspicious, insecure, and ashamed of my past failures.
But more than anything, I was insecure in the past. I was timid and hesitant, and I found it difficult to firmly believe that I was right in everything I did.
And now, Sabo, and Dragon...
I know that my departure may hurt your feelings.
I also know that I have lost the trust of you, my friends.
But somehow, although I felt regret, I wasn't in pain. In fact, when I felt regret, I even felt a kind of self-confidence that only a saint would have.
That is, I am confident that the sadness and guilt I have caused you at this moment will become the reason why you will no longer suffer in the future!
I am confident that the sadness and pain I endure will become a stepping stone to a bright future!
I think I understand now what saints are thinking when they sacrifice themselves.
So, my friend, it seems I have truly found my god!
As soon as he finished speaking, Kuma took two steps back with the book between his legs, then nodded slightly.
"Let's end our conversation here. If you'd like, having my captain chat with you would probably be more effective."
Now, I see his purpose as my purpose, and I see his interests as my interests!
Sabo's words just now reminded me that my smile, which I often don't even notice, had already told me what kind of life I should truly pursue.
Since that's the case, I don't want to do anything that harms the interests of adults!
Even when I was unsure whether the growth of the Revolutionary Army would damage the future interests of our Dark Bird Ship.
I think it's more appropriate to let adults make the decisions for me than to make them myself!
In short..."
At this moment, the Kuma looked at Dragon, his eyes filled with regret yet determination.
He said firmly.
"Anyway... I'm sorry, Dragon, my friend."
I am no longer walking the same path as you.
I risked arousing the adults' suspicion by coming to today's meeting, and although they were magnanimous enough not to suspect me, I cannot let that lead me to escalate my actions.
So, Dragon, after this, please don't contact me privately anymore.
I'm afraid Gawain will misunderstand."
"I see..."
Upon hearing this, Dragon took a deep breath. His closest friend had truly and completely transformed into Gawain's form.
While pondering with regret, Dragon continued speaking to the bear.
"Let's not dwell on the past. I know how to handle our future relationship. Everyone has their own ambitions, and I can only wish you all the best."
Moreover, it's good for us to completely separate, since your identity as Revolutionary Army has already spread to a small circle.
This news will ultimately leave the lower and middle-ranking officers within the Revolutionary Army confused. The fact that you revealed your identity as Revolutionary Army and followed Gawain is truly disappointing.
Therefore, confirming our future relationship will actually save us a lot of trouble.
At least in the future, you will no longer follow Gawain as the Chief of the Revolutionary Army; you will only follow him as our friend.
Most importantly, this doesn't affect our friendship, does it?
As for some secrets within my Revolutionary Army, I think you will keep them for us; we are friends, aren't we?
Of course, it's fine even if you're not conservative. Since Gawain can accept you, he can definitely handle those intelligence reports. This matter... perfect, I'll talk to him about it myself.
You just mentioned that Gawain wants to meet with us. Don't worry, I will meet with him. It's on this mountain, anytime!
As soon as he finished speaking, Dragon frowned and looked at Kuma nodded heavily.
"Very well, I will go and report to the master right away. Please wait a moment, the master will surely arrive soon."
Trust me, the adults will surprise you.
After saying that, Xiong, clutching his notebook, turned around with a smile and rushed down the Reverse Mountain.
As he ran, his smile grew more and more genuine; at that moment, it seemed as if some shackles had been broken off from him!
In the past, no matter how good Gawain was to him, he always carried the heavy burden of Avici Hell in his heart.
But now, after severing ties with the Revolutionary Army, this heavy pressure seems to have disappeared...
Even if it didn't completely disappear, at least most of it disappeared, and Kuma immediately felt much, much lighter on his shoulders.
Feeling a rare sense of relief, Kuma returned to Twin Capes. The moment he landed, everyone immediately looked over with curiosity.
Meeting everyone's gazes, Gawain looked up, puzzled.
"You two are chatting so fast? It's only been two sentences, right?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't talk to him for very long, because I no longer belong to the Revolutionary Army. That's what I talked about with Dragon."
In short, sir, Dragon has accepted your invitation to meet.
So you can go see him anytime.
"Huh? Luffy's dad agreed? That's great!!!"
Before Gawain could even comment on the news, Ace jumped up without hesitation.
He skipped over to Gawain and gave him a deep military salute.
"Gawain, haha, I request to serve as your bodyguard and accompany you to see the leader of the Revolutionary Army!"
Please grant my request!
Please!!!