"Oh?"
Gawain had no idea what the story Kuma wanted to tell was.
After all, Nobita's character has had far too little screen time in the anime.
Especially memories—they're practically nonexistent!
At least when Gawain traveled through time, there were no memories related to Kuma in Gawain.
However, judging from Kuma's extremely serious expression, this memory clearly holds a very important place for him!
For at least in the countless days that had passed, Kuma had never shown such weakness in front of him!
That's right!
Weak...
The Kuma now cowered, his shoulders hunched, trying to take deep breaths, as if fighting against the pain in his heart.
But at the same time, Kuma seemed to be revealing a hint of extra anticipation...
It was that expectation that sustained this big guy, allowing him to stand before me and try to tell me about the past.
Seeing the Kuma in such a state, Gawain nodded heavily.
"I understand, Kuma. Just tell me what you want to say."
You are my old friend, and one of my best friends. If I can help you, I will do my best.
"Speak, buddy."
Gawain gently patted Kuma's arm, then led Kuma to the edge of the Red Line.
Looking at the boundless sea ahead, Kuma took a deep breath and said.
"When I was little... well, it's a very, very long story."
At that time, I had one very, very, very important person in my heart...
A woman named Ginny was... Bonney's mother.
With just a few words, and perhaps remembering something, Kuma took a deep breath, as if he wouldn't have the strength to tell the story about Ginny unless he tried harder.
After struggling to compose himself, he continued speaking sadly to Gawain.
"Ginny and I grew up together, and we were slaves of the Celestial Dragon."
Ginny worked incredibly hard to escape that fate; she was far more capable than I was.
Back then, I was just a fool who went with the flow, not knowing anything about what to do. I had long accepted my fate as a slave and endured it all, but Ginny was different. She did a lot, and she did a lot for me.
And all her efforts did indeed bring about... a more hopeful fate.
During the God Valley Incident, Ginny used her wisdom to help me obtain the Paw-Paw Fruit, and at the same time, she freed both of us from our fate as slaves.
Dragon saved us, and Ginny and I finally left Mary Geoise, escaped the Celestial Dragon's control, and joined the Revolutionary Army.
Or rather, at that time, Dragon had not yet raised a Revolutionary Army.
Ginny and I were among the first to join the Revolutionary Army.
And Ginny, she was the first chief of staff of the Revolutionary Army ...
Kuma took another breath; the pain overwhelmed his heart, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.
He continued speaking to Gawain with difficulty, breathing heavily.
"We thought our tragic fate would end here, and the future was destined to be full of hope."
Back then, she was always so cheerful, eating and drinking heartily while constantly talking about marriage in my ear.
She is so radiant, as bright as the sun; just standing next to her, you can feel the warmth she radiates.
That's why Ginny was so popular in the Revolutionary Army; almost every Revolutionary Army liked her, while I foolishly felt... I wasn't good enough for her.
I am a tragedy, born a tragedy. My physique and talents are the greatest tragedy bestowed upon me by fate.
Back then, I kept rejecting Ginny. I knew I loved her, I knew she loved me, I knew we couldn't lose each other, but I just... couldn't face myself.
Until..."
Cough cough!
Kuma coughed twice, and tears instantly streamed down his face.
He awkwardly wiped away his tears and continued speaking.
"Until Ginny's ship was completely surrounded by the navy."
Until Ginny was forcibly taken away by the Celestial Dragon.
Until that moment, my world collapsed. When I first received the news, I thought... I thought she was dead.
I roared, wanting to rush out and avenge her, but Dragon desperately stopped me. He told me that the Revolutionary Army needed to lie low, and we had to bury our hatred until the right time to ignite that fire and burn everything that stood in the way of the revolution.
His words... caused me immense pain, but I assumed Ginny was dead. In the utter silence, I chose to obey his orders.
I lie dormant, desperately lying dormant, and vent my hatred and pain on any suitable opponent.
Time eroded my fighting spirit, and I was completely immersed in sorrow and pain.
But about six months after Ginny disappeared...
We have received new information.
Ginny didn't die. Although her ship sank and she was captured, she wasn't executed by the Navy because of Ginny beautiful appearance. Instead, she was spotted by a passing Celestial Dragon and taken back to Mary Geoise!
This news filled me with immense joy, and I immediately wanted to leave the Revolutionary Army to rescue Ginny.
But... Dragon eventually convinced me with his theory.
In his eyes, revolution was the only pursuit, and everything in the world could be sacrificed for his goal.
It was only then that I realized we weren't his true friends at all, because the revolution he pursued was just his own revolution, not the revolution we wanted.
At that time, I already wanted to leave the Revolutionary Army; that place saddened me, yet I was powerless to resist.
All I want to do is rush to Mary Geoise and rescue my Ginny.
But I was eventually swayed by Dragon. He said my impulsiveness would ruin all the Revolutionary Army's efforts, and that my recklessness would not only fail to rescue Ginny, but would also cause the deaths of all my friends in the Revolutionary Army.
That was definitely not the outcome Ginny wanted to see. After all, Ginny was the one who longed for revolution the most, and she believed in the Revolutionary Army's ideals even more Dragon.
This explanation convinced me, and even after learning of Ginny's whereabouts, I could only continue the work assigned to Dragon in the Revolutionary Army, filled with hatred.
Although I was in pain at that time, I was content as long as I knew Ginny was still alive.
As long as he lives, I will rescue her one day. Dragon can stop me for a while, but at that time I will be like a pile of gunpowder, ready to be ignited at any moment.
Sooner or later... sooner or later I won't be able to hold back anymore.
But what I thought would happen sooner or later has come far too late..."
Thump!
Kuma knelt weakly on the ground, his face filled with hatred, pain, and guilt.
He covered his face in sorrow, then looked painfully into the distance and continued speaking.
"Two years later, one day, just as I had made up my mind that I would soon leave the revolutionary ranks and go alone to rescue Ginny."
I suddenly... suddenly received a call from Ginny!
The Den Den Mushi 'Den Den Mushi face was etched with exhaustion, its eyes filled with lifelessness and despair. The moment I saw that image, my heart... clenched into a painful knot.
On the phone, she told me that she... was abandoned by the Celestial Dragon because of her illness.
He was sent back to the mortal realm by Mary Geoise, while she... still had her child with her, her child with the Celestial Dragon...
He wanted me to take care of the child, and I would never refuse his request.
I would grant her any request except for the one she made that she didn't want to see me again.
And so, two years later, I saw her again, ravaged by the damned disease, Jade Scales, barely recognizable as human, struggling to shield Bonney with her own corpse...
She died, from the torment of the Celestial Dragon, from a disease like the Sapphire Scale disease, and even more so from my weakness.
It's all my fault!
At that moment, hatred ignited in my heart, and pain filled my soul. I... could no longer look directly at Dragon, who had been blocking my way to save Ginny.
What stupid things have I done in the past two years? How cowardly and foolish I have been!
The reason Ginny and I joined the Revolutionary Army was to escape our painful fate!
But for the sake of the Revolutionary Army, I ended up putting Ginny and me back into our own suffering!
What an incredibly stupid choice! I am the biggest idiot in the world, and the most deserving of death!
At that moment, I left the Revolutionary Army with Bonney, never wanting to see that ever-lurking Dragon again.
I returned to the Sorbet Kingdom to take care of Bonney, intending to raise her well until Bonney too contracted the same disease.
As you know, sir, this is why I cooperated with Vegapunk and the World Government.
I wouldn't mind sacrificing myself to heal Bonney. I've already missed my chance to save Ginny, and I never... never want to miss my chance to save Bonney again.
No matter what I need to give!
Now, Bonney is completely safe, and your appearance has saved me from disappearing completely.
But... after witnessing your resurrection of those Four Emperors from the previous era, an unavoidable longing arose in my heart!
I... I desperately want you to resurrect Ginny. I'll give you anything you need, I just want to bring her back to life!
But... sir, I'm now filled with doubt again.
During the two years Ginny was arrested, she must have suffered countless unbearable pains. Even after her resurrection, when she returned in peak condition, she could not forget her pain!
Is this fair to her? Do I... have the right to unilaterally bring her back from the dead, forcing her to relive her pain?
Am I being too selfish? Am I... too selfish?!
In an instant, Kuma burst into tears, howling madly until he smashed his head into the rock.
And Gawain.
After hearing the story of the Kuma, he couldn't help but take a deep breath.
"Dragon... it really did lie low for a long time."
This person is so patient!
Upon closer reflection, I realized that Dragon had been holding back something.
According to the original One Piece storyline...
Ginny was arrested for two years, and he chose to remain silent.
Ivankov was arrested and imprisoned in Impel Down for eight years, during which he chose to endure in silence.
When the Celestial Dragon attacked young Sabo, he naturally chose to remain silent.
Even after 23 Revolutionary Army branch leaders were killed by CP9, he still chose to remain silent.
Kuma lost himself and once again became a slave and mount of the Celestial Dragon, yet he still chose to endure it.
The Blackbeard Pirates raided the Revolutionary Army Headquarters; he had to be patient even when facing pirates.
Sabo disappeared due to Im's bombing, and unsurprisingly, he continued to bide his time.
The only time he publicly fought in front of the Navy was probably when his son Luffy was captured by Smoker.
Well, when it comes to his own son, he just can't hold back anymore...
In short, when Gawain thinks about Dragon now, he really finds it hard to look at him directly.
Just as Kuma said, the revolution that Dragon spoke of and envisioned was merely his own personal revolution.
Anyone could sacrifice themselves for the revolution he spoke of, except himself and his son...
No wonder Revolutionary Army like that will never amount to anything.
That old fox Dragon, is just too much of a schemer...
However, Dragon is not important; no matter what schemes that guy is hiding, he will never escape Gawain's control.
Gawain's priority right now is to address the issue of Kuma, which means... if Ginny is conscious, would she want to be brought back to life?
Gawain thought about it, and realized that Ginny must also be filled with exhaustion and pain regarding those two years of painful experiences.
But let's forget about being tired, in pain, or even complaining.
Suddenly, Gawain turned to Kuma and asked him a question.
"Kuma, while you're asking me questions, let me ask you a few too."
Do you think Ginny wants to watch Bonney grow up?
"This...!"
Suddenly, Kuma realized that even on her deathbed, Ginny still cared about her daughter.
Whatever the Celestial Dragon did to her, it was Celestial Dragon crime deserving death, while the child was innocent.
At the same time, Gawain continued.
"Think about it again, if Ginny manages to escape Mary Geoise healthy, would she still want to see you?"
"Yes, it will! It definitely will!"
Kuma has finally regained some of his enthusiasm.
"I let Ginny down, but I know that even if she kills me with her own hands, even if she curses and beats me to death."
She will eventually be willing to see me again.
As long as she is healthy, as long as we can continue to live together!
We met as slaves, and we've always understood each other. He might resent me, but as long as she's healthy, she'll never refuse to see me, never!!!
Suddenly, Kuma gripped Gawain's ankle tightly, raised his head, and pleaded with Gawain.
"I understand, sir. I know what I should do!"
Please, please resurrect Ginny!
Bonney should meet her mother, and Ginny should meet her child.
And I, this damned, cowardly, stupid piece of trash, am ultimately an even more greedy fellow!
I... I desperately want to see her again!
Please, sir!
Please bring my Ginny back!
I really, really want to say sorry to her in person!
I was wrong, I made so many mistakes!
I'm the most stupid idiot in the world!
I'm an idiot...