The Marines had dispatched River, a formidable figure capable of subduing even the Shichibukai, to the Sabaody Archipelago.
Such a show of force naturally made Kuma nervous as he kept watch over Straw Hat's crew. After all, the incidents this rookie pirate crew had caused recently were all major events beyond anyone's imagination.
Kuma also had no idea that Sengoku had decided to send River to the Sabaody Archipelago out of some sense of guilt toward an old friend, or an unwillingness to see him suffer.
The pain and anger of losing one grandson could hardly compare to losing a grandson and then his own biological grandson on top of that.
Having one inscrutable River with unclear motives at Marine Headquarters was bad enough. If Garp joined him, even Sengoku would be unable to handle it.
"Straw Hat's crew really is a troublesome bunch."
River chuckled.
Bartholomew Kuma offered no further reply and walked on in silence.
He had no idea how this powerful man viewed Straw Hat's crew. The promise he had just made could also be considered a compromise.
What he had sacrificed, however, was his own freedom, should he manage to return to life in the near future.
"If it's you, you won't attack them, will you?"
After a long while, Kuma suddenly asked.
"Who knows? They're pirates, after all, and right now, I'm a Marine on the side of justice."
River chuckled.
The two continued at a pace neither fast nor slow, and before long, the conspicuous Marine Base came into view.
Looking up at the area number on the tree, they saw Area 65 clearly engraved on it. The Sabaody Archipelago had a strict numerical system for its districts. Areas 60-69 housed the Marine garrison and the government entrances and exits.
At this point, Bartholomew