"Cooperation?"
Bartholomew Kuma stared at the man before him and fell silent.
Only after a long while did he speak evenly.
"To be honest, I can't see through you. I don't even know what your goal is."
"Under those circumstances, how can we talk about cooperation?"
His words were calm and candid.
In Bartholomew Kuma's eyes, River was undoubtedly a mysterious, powerful man. On the surface, he was now a Marine, but the purpose hidden beneath that identity invited suspicion.
If he was a Marine, their respective allegiances made things delicate. If he was something else, he was no easier to predict.
Simply put, cooperating with a man like him would be dangerous, with enormous risks. And Kuma's own circumstances were far from good.
"Hahahaha, Kuma."
"You're one of the few men I admire."
A smile appeared on River's face as he stepped forward again.
"It would be a real shame if a man like you simply vanished from this world!"
As those wistful words drifted back to him, Bartholomew Kuma's eyes sharpened.
Then he started walking and followed.
Amid the noisy crowds on the street, the two walked one behind the other without speaking again.
"How far along is it?"
A moment later, River suddenly asked another question.
"Your experimental collaboration with Vegapunk must have already changed your body."
His tone was unremarkable and casual, like an old friend asking how he was doing.
"I don't have much time left."
Kuma spoke in a low voice.
Then he tapped his abdomen, producing a metallic clang.
River paused, then shook his head with a sigh. "That's hardly a good choice."
"For certain beliefs and ideals, necessary sacrifices are worthwhile."
Kuma said.
"Beliefs and ideals, huh?"
A wistful look suddenly crossed River's face.
This was a world of seas that yearned