Thriller Bark

"Next, I may need you to come along on a business trip. Sorry for the trouble."

Xia Le smiled as he spoke.

Kuma asked no questions and merely nodded in silence.

There was no hurry to announce the new Shichibukai, so Xia Le returned to his living quarters for the time being.

On the training grounds, the CP9 team was still training hard, following Xia Le's methods by engaging in actual combat.

As a result, every one of them was covered in wounds and looked utterly bedraggled.

Xia Le also saw that the bandages wrapped around Rob Lucci had turned blood-red, yet the cold man's expression remained unchanged.

Meanwhile, Kaku, who was fighting him, had even had his nose knocked crooked, but he still gritted his teeth and endured it.

Without question, the CP9 team possessed exceptional resolve. They had endured even the most grueling training.

"Kuma!"

"Could I ask you to treat their injuries?"

Xia Le suddenly asked.

"Of course!"

Kuma nodded.

As soon as he spoke, he took a step and appeared in front of Lucci, blocking Kaku behind him and bringing their fight to an abrupt end.

"Bartholomew Kuma!"

Lucci's pupils contracted as he recognized the towering man before him.

He turned to glance at Xia Le, who stood some distance away with his arms folded, watching them.

"Are you our opponent for the next stage of training?"

Lucci asked in a low voice.

A trace of confusion appeared in Kuma's eyes as he slowly raised his palm.

"A Shichibukai!"

"You'll make a fine opponent!"

Lucci smiled, a gleam flashing in his eyes.

The next second, he vanished, appearing in midair just ahead of Kuma's right side. He swung his leg, about to unleash a kick.

But at that moment, his target suddenly disappeared.

Immediately afterward, a