Pacifista

The silvery-gray clouds gradually dispersed, and sunlight shone on this scorched earth, where new shoots broke through the soil and began to grow, tenacious and resilient.

Bartholomew the Kuma: "..."

"Not yet? Since there's no solution from a medical perspective, how about we try a different approach and start from a scientific one?"

The fierce, eyebrowless lines softened slightly, and Long sighed deeply, recounting all the information he had gathered.

"Some time ago, a massive explosion occurred in Punk Hazard, Vegapunk's research institute was also affected, forcing it to relocate to the Eighth Science Laboratory, Egghead."

"With your abilities, Egghead would be a piece of cake. Vegapunk, who is said to be 500 years ahead of the world in technology, might have a way to cure Azure Scale Disease..."

"The accident back then... sigh!"

A gentle breeze blew, and the dragon's figure vanished once more. Bartholomew the Kuma looked up at the sky, where the dawn, like Heaven-Piercing Divine Sword, tore apart patches of dark clouds.

The warm sunlight shone on him, bringing a glimmer of hope to his uncertain future.

Late at night, in the South Blue, in the Sorbet Kingdom.

Bonney suddenly opened her eyes in her sleep and instinctively looked around.

Who's there?

"Shh, Bonney..."

When the imposing figure emerged from the darkness, Bonney jumped up, her face beaming with joy.

"Dad, you're back! That's great! Those guys are always leading us on the run, hiding all the time, sometimes we don't even get enough to eat! They're really something!"

"This time, this time Dad, you won't leave again, right? I'll be ten in four years, and my illness will be cured..."

Looking at Bonney, who was lively and full of energy, Xiong smiled slightly and spoke gently.

"Yes, after this, Daddy will never leave again. He'll stay by Bonney's side until you grow up..."

"Now, let's go see a very, very smart scientist with Dad. Dad will definitely keep his promise to you later. Let's go."

Pop! Pop!

In the blink of an eye, the two figures disappeared from the spot, and the fishermen who had been pretending to be asleep outside the door opened their eyes, tears welling up in their eyes.

"It's really... it's wonderful, Mr. Bear, there's hope for Bonney's illness!"

"Now we can finally relax. At least we don't have to worry every day anymore. It's really..."

"After all, Kuma, this is our responsibility to fulfill!"

In the blink of an eye, New World unfolds, within the territory of Egghead.

Inside the laxly guarded research institute, as Vegapunk was reviewing the important data destroyed by Caesar Clown, unfamiliar footsteps suddenly sounded.

"Who is it? How dare you enter the research institute without my permission?"

"Dr. Vegapunk, please save her, please save my daughter Bonney, please!"

Vegapunk, turning around in a daze, froze on the spot. When had a non-Navy person infiltrated the research institute, and who was this girl...?

After a moment's thought, Vegapunk suddenly realized.

"Azure Scale Disease, it really is Azure Scale Disease! I thought this disease had disappeared a long time ago, how could it appear on this little girl?"

Azure Scale Disease?

Bonney, looking completely bewildered, couldn't help but burst into laughter at the strange man in front of her, whose tongue was sticking out of his mouth and whose head was as big as a light bulb.

"Dad, this guy's head is so weird, it looks like a giant light bulb!"

"Do you have a solution? Over the years, I've traveled all over the world, but no one can cure this disease..."

"Please, this is my promise to her mother, who is also my lifelong friend and benefactor, Dr. Vegapunk!"

Waiting outside the door, Bonney, who was trying to eat Island Cloud, spat twice, while Vegapunk inside the research institute looked troubled.

"In fact, to treat Azure Scale Disease's condition, it is necessary to eliminate the vast majority of infected cells in her body, and then transplant new stem cells to evolve into other tissue cells..."

"Although Egghead has developed mature treatment methods in terms of technology, these treatment plans are extremely expensive, comparable to the cost of dozens of warships..."

"I'm a scientist, not a benevolent doctor. Do you understand what I mean?"

At this point, Bartholomew Kuma looked troubled. After years of seeking medical help for Bonney, his wealth had been almost entirely depleted.

Even if the entire wealth of the Sorbet Kingdom were exhausted, it might not be possible to produce a sum comparable to dozens of warships.

"Isn't there any other way?"

Upon hearing this, Vegapunk, who was already very interested in bears, circled around him, looking him up and down.

"I've been quite concerned about this since just now. You shouldn't be an ordinary person. With your height and appearance, the little girl outside shouldn't be your biological daughter."

After a moment's hesitation, Xiong nodded in agreement.

"No, Bonney is my adopted daughter. I am a half- Buccaneer Race, and my bloodline will bring misfortune to others..."

"Really? A Bakania hybrid with Giant Race blood is a rare bloodline! If that's the case, then there's a way!"

At this moment, Vegapunk's eyes shone brightly, and he looked at the bear as if he were admiring a rare treasure.

"What method?"

"Actually, I have always wanted to create a batch of weapons, but I lack the most suitable blueprint. I have also thought about the existence of certain things, but I have to give up for various reasons."

"Now, with your Buccaneer Race bloodline, you are undoubtedly the best blueprint for these weapons!"

A silent atmosphere descended. Xiong solemnly looked at the genius scientist Vegapunk, who was five hundred years ahead of the world, and asked the question that had been on his mind.

Why do you want to manufacture weapons?

"Suppressing the evil party and protecting innocent civilians—that's the vision I've always had in my mind!"

To Kuma's surprise, Vegapunk said it with absolute certainty.

At this moment, a smile appeared on Xiong's face, and he nodded emphatically.

"Okay, I agree. What kind of cooperation do you need?"

"It's not that complicated. All I need is your physical information and a blood sample. Leave the rest to me. With my technology, I can definitely create a powerful weapon that will bring peace to the people..."

"As for the name..."

"What about Pacifista? They bring peace to humanity and hope to be free from conflict."

The bear smiled and spoke, while Vegapunk nodded in satisfaction.

"Very good, let's call Pacifista!"

The air was filled with laughter and cheerful chatter as Vegapunk talked at length about his ideas.

Unbeknownst to anyone, inside Vegapunk's research facility, a tiny Den Den Mushi (snail Den Den Mushi) was silently transmitting the entire conversation between the two to a warship, which then relayed it to the Holy Land Mary Geoise.