With Dongye Huanglong's introduction, Bonney successfully became Bonney Lando, earning the Tontatta's respect and affection.
"If you want the Tontatta to lower their guard, you should get one too."
Dongye Huanglong whispered to Kuma. Not only could these Tontatta not lie, but they also had face blindness when it came to chestnut-headed men.
It seemed the image of Noland, who had saved their people four hundred years ago, was deeply ingrained in their minds.
"There's such a custom?"
Kuma immediately chopped down a large tree and quickly carved himself an enormous wooden chestnut hat, replacing his bear-eared hat.
Sure enough, once Kuma put on the chestnut hat, the Tontatta all looked at him excitedly, their gazes becoming much friendlier.
"So should I call myself Kuma Lando now?"
After thinking it over, Kuma drew the inference and said it aloud. Telling a small lie to save Bonney was nothing shameful.
"Correct."
Dongye Huanglong looked at the honest-looking Kuma and replied calmly. It seemed this Buccaneer Tribe man was not foolish after all.
With Dongye Huanglong introducing them to each other, Kuma and Bonney were officially accepted by the Tontatta.
Mansheli also began Bonney's first treatment.
Her Healing Dandelion and Blood Crystal Dandelion could only shrink the gemstone on Bonney's cheek and suppress its spread. They could not eliminate Azure Jade Scales, this terminal illness.
If Bonney was exposed to sunlight again, Azure Jade Scales would continue appearing on her body.
"Looks like we can only go find Vegapunk. That big-headed doctor can completely cure this terminal illness!"
Dongye Huanglong looked at the gemstone scale on Bonney's face, which had nearly vanished, and spoke calmly. He was not particularly affected by the result, as though he had expected it all along.
"Even some improvement is good. When do we leave?"
Kuma was a little disappointed, but seeing the effect on Bonney's face still made him happy. Moreover, Dongye Huanglong was certain Vegapunk could cure Bonney, which reassured him greatly.
He also looked toward Mansheli, hoping this Tontatta princess could travel with them. If anything unexpected happened, she could still protect Bonney.
"The sooner, the better. Don't worry, I'll bring Mansheli."
Dongye Huanglong gave Kuma a reassuring look. With Mansheli's healing ability, perhaps Vegapunk's Stem Cell Transplantation surgery could be completed faster.
"Thank you, Group Leader!"
Kuma looked at Dongye Huanglong gratefully. As long as Bonney was cured, he was truly willing to serve Dongye Huanglong.
"I'm just helping you fight with more peace of mind!"
Dongye Huanglong waved his hand, then asked Chief Gancio for some Tontatta warriors and prepared to set sail.
"Go seize a pirate ship. We'll head straight for Egghead Island!"
Dongye Huanglong did not waste any time. Every extra day they delayed, Egghead Island's defenses would grow stronger.
As long as Kizaru had not yet arrived at Egghead Island, kidnapping Vegapunk would be effortless with Dongye Huanglong and Kuma's strength!
Besides, Dongye Huanglong had plenty of ways to make Vegapunk willingly leave with him.
Vegapunk, who had researched the Poneglyph, was destined to be unable to coexist with the World Government.
Vegapunk remained in the World Government's Science Department for two reasons. First, he could not escape the World Government's control. Second, he needed the World Government's funding and resources for his research.
As long as Dongye Huanglong could guarantee Vegapunk's safety and provide sufficient funding and resources, Vegapunk would not choose to work himself to the bone for the World Government!
"Alright!"
After receiving Dongye Huanglong's order, Kuma teleported directly away from Green Bit. He reached the waters near Dressrosa, seized a pirate ship preparing to dock there, and threw every pirate aboard into the sea.
Although Dongye Huanglong had told Kuma not to leave too many traces, that kindhearted man still did not kill those pirates.
News of Kuma appearing in the waters around Dressrosa would probably spread soon.
Still, that would not have much impact.
As long as Dongye Huanglong himself was not exposed, it would be fine.
If news of him surfaced in Dressrosa, the World Government and the Marines would likely dispatch massive fleets to hunt him down.
A few days later.
A sailboat without a pirate flag was heading toward the latter half of the New World.
On the ship, over a dozen Tontatta wielded weapons and rapidly attacked blindfolded Dongye Huanglong. Even Kuma occasionally struck at him.
"Dongye Lando's skin is too tough. I can't pierce it at all!"
Tontatta warrior Leo held a long needle. Even though he possessed tremendous strength and was a Stitch-Stitch Fruit user, he still could not penetrate Dongye Huanglong's tough skin.
"Leo, you need to learn Armament Haki from me too!"
Still blindfolded, Dongye Huanglong continued training his Observation Haki. He had some expectations for the little guy Leo. With only his own immense strength and Stitch-Stitch Fruit ability, Leo could already handle several Donquixote Family officers.
If he learned Armament Haki as well, he could probably take on the Donquixote Family's top officers.
"Yes, Dongye Lando!"
Leo obeyed like a soldier. Being selected by Dongye Huanglong to sail out on an adventure made him incredibly excited.
This was the first time in two or three hundred years that the Tontatta had organized an expedition to sea. More than two hundred Tontatta warriors had eagerly signed up.
In the end, however, Dongye Huanglong selected fewer than fifty Tontatta warriors to join the voyage.
Everyone chosen felt extraordinarily fortunate.
This would be an adventure they could boast about for the rest of their lives.
Princess Mansherry was even more excited. She practically claimed the bow for herself, watching the ship ride the wind and waves, her heart full of anticipation for adventure.
She also listened to Bonney boast. Bonney treated the island knowledge she had read about in books as though she had personally experienced it, and Mansherry believed everything she said.
Bonney greatly enjoyed Princess Mansherry's admiring little gaze as well.
"Desolate Dragon Group Leader, your Observation Haki has already begun to take shape, and your Armament Haki has improved by leaps and bounds.
If there's a chance, I'd even like to introduce Dragon to you, so you can learn Conqueror's Haki from him."
Kuma watched Dongye Huanglong's progress. His talent was ten times greater than that little brat Sabo's, and Dongye Huanglong's physical strength was actually even greater than Kuma's own as a member of the Buccaneer Tribe.
Kuma saw limitless possibilities in Dongye Huanglong.
Perhaps Dongye Huanglong could surpass Dragon and become an unparalleled powerhouse even stronger than him.
"There will be a chance!"
Dongye Huanglong paused before speaking. To learn top-tier Conqueror's Haki or Advanced Conqueror's Haki, apart from Great Pirates like Silvers Rayleigh, Shanks, and Kaido,
it seemed Dragon was his only option.
It looked like he needed to use Kuma to get properly acquainted with Dragon.
His future enemies were Admiral Kizaru, Gorosei Saturn, and even Imu, the King of the World. Without learning Advanced Conqueror's Haki, he would not be able to deal with such monsters!
"We're not far from Egghead Island now. Are we really going to forcibly take Doctor Vegapunk away?"
Kuma looked into the distance and asked Dongye Huanglong, his tone somewhat hesitant. He worried that forcing Vegapunk might make Vegapunk refuse to treat Bonney.
If that happened, things would become difficult.
"Don't worry. I have leverage on that lightbulb doctor. He researched that Void Century history, so he can't run!"
Dongye Huanglong grinned. Aside from the Void Century matter, Vegapunk had also deceived the World Government by claiming the Artificial Azure Dragon Fruit was a failure. He was probably a little nervous now as well.
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