A week later, in the first half of the Grand Line, at Revolutionary Army Headquarters on Baltigo.
The atmosphere in the dim room was heavy. Monkey D. Dragon stood before a rough stone map table.
He wore a dark green hood that hid most of his face in shadow, but his clenched fists and the slight rise and fall of his shoulders betrayed his inner turmoil.
"Bartholomew Kuma's departure is an immeasurable loss to our Revolutionary Army." Dragon's voice was low, carrying a barely perceptible rasp and sorrow.
He raised his head, his gaze beneath the hood sweeping over Ivankov, who sat opposite him with an equally conflicted expression.
"You should know. After all, you were the one who told me... that Kuma... had dreamed since childhood of becoming a hero who could save people robbed of their freedom and trapped in misery.
That pure conviction aligns perfectly with our Revolutionary Army's ideals. You could even say he was born to be our comrade!"
Dragon raised his voice slightly, unable to let it go. "More importantly, there's his strength!
A Buccaneer Tribe warrior entering the prime of his growth, combined with the limitless potential of the Paw-Paw Fruit-he has both overwhelming raw power and incredible abilities...
That Devil Fruit was fought over at God Valley alongside Kaido's Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Azure Dragon Form! Its power is beyond question!"
He took a deep breath, his tone growing heavier. "If we measure Kuma's potential against the rest of this sea... he should have been a man with what it takes to become an 'Emperor'!
When he joined us, he gave us tremendous hope."
"So, his departure..." Dragon slammed his palm onto the rough tabletop with a dull thud, his voice filled with regret and frustration.
**"Kuma's departure hurts me more than