Open Your Eyes and Watch Closely

Kuma frowned slightly, then hung up the Den Den Mushi, neither refusing nor agreeing.

Then his pupils abruptly contracted.

Xia Le had slowly risen to his feet before him.

This made Kuma tense, worried that he intended to intervene on behalf of the Straw Hat Pirates.

But a moment later, Xia Le spoke.

"I said before that if Moria lost, the price would probably be one he wouldn't want to face!"

"Leave this disgrace to the Shichibukai to me!"

After a pause, his voice rang out again, tinged with laughter.

"As for the Straw Hat Pirates."

"I'll leave them to you!"

Kuma's heart jolted at his words, and he nodded lightly.

By the time he opened his eyes again, Xia Le had already turned into lightning and vanished.

"The Straw Hat Pirates!"

Muttering those words, Kuma's gaze flickered, and he too started walking toward the Straw Hat Pirates, who were resting at that moment.

Meanwhile.

Xia Le appeared before Moria almost instantly.

"Xia Le!"

The severely wounded Hogback and Absalom immediately tensed up. Perona's eyes widened as she stared in shock at the Marine who had suddenly appeared before them.

"What are you doing here?"

Xia Le gave no answer, merely staring at the group before him.

Lying on the ground, battered all over, Moria seemed to sense something. He slowly opened his eyes, only for his heart to lurch violently when he saw Xia Le.

"Xia Le!!!"

Xia Le sneered and stepped forward. "I believe I told you, Moria."

"If you lost to the Straw Hat Pirates and damaged the Warlords' reputation, the price awaiting you would probably be more than you were willing to bear!"

Moria's heart trembled at those words. Using every ounce of strength, he rolled his bloated, enormous body over to face the sky.

"What