Wait, Where's My Payment?

"Oops, we've been exposed!"

A sly smile played on Huayue's lips as she watched Vegapunk with great interest.

"Have you finally completed the analysis of the spiritual particles I left you? Dr. Vegapunk, have you had any unexpected discoveries? You can tell me about them."

"About that, I put in a lot of effort to find the structural factors of Devil Fruit... I digress! The key thing now isn't that, it's Kuma!"

Just as Vegapunk was about to launch into a long explanation of how he discovered the structure of spirit particles, he snapped back to reality and quickly steered the conversation back on track.

"A bear? Dad, what's going on? Why? Why does this strange man say it's related to you?!"

The campfire burned quietly, the crackling firewood sputtering sparks. Bartholomew Kuma, with a complex expression, cast a grateful glance at Vegapunk.

"Thank you, Dr. Vegapunk, but my life..."

"Shut up! Kuma, Jaigolusia Satan Saint wants to kill you completely, don't you understand, you bastard!"

"The more people who love you, the bigger the trouble your death will cause. I contacted this guy with the awareness of being hunted down by the World Government. Give me back the kindness of others!!!"

With a hoarse voice, cold sweat beading on his forehead, and a slightly pale face, Vegapunk, exhausted from all his efforts, sat on the ground, limp and lifeless.

"What happened? Why did you die, Dad!"

Bonney's eyes were filled with tears, while Sentomaru remained silent. Kuma, however, seemed flustered and quickly lowered his head, trying to brush her off.

"No, no, no, Bonney, don't listen to Dr. Vegapunk..."

"Yes, according to the agreement between Bartholomew Kuma and the World Government, after you, Jewelry Bonney, are cured of your illness, that is, after the Azure Scale Disease are removed, Bartholomew Kuma will completely lose consciousness and freedom and become a modified weapon of the World Government."

"Uncle!"

Sentomaru instinctively snapped at him, and Borsalino turned around, glanced at Sentomaru, and then spoke again.

"Patients afflicted with Azure Scale Disease rarely live past ten years old. You, at most, only have a few years left. The only being capable of curing this disease, Dr. Vegapunk, has offered Bartholomew Kuma's blood as the price..."

"Unfortunately, this deal was overheard by Jaigollucia Satan, one of the Five Elders, who holds the highest power in the world. So it was changed to sacrifice the Kuma in exchange for your life, Bonney."

With everything laid bare, Borsalino instinctively became more vigilant, observing Uchiha Huayue's emotional fluctuations.

Unfortunately, the Conqueror's Haki ropes binding him did not weaken at all; instead, they exerted an even greater weight on him, causing him to sigh inwardly.

"As expected, how terrifying! A guy who can put the entire island to sleep with just his domineering aura, how terrifying!"

"No way, no way, this is all fake, right? Didn't Dad say that after I get better, he would take me around the world and let me eat lots and lots of foods I've never tried before..."

"Why? Why does curing my illness mean my father has to lose consciousness and his freedom? A bunch of big liars!!!"

The surrounding area was completely silent.

The Kuma hesitated for a long time, but couldn't utter a single word.

"Ten years old, so this is what it means when I turn ten? I don't want to, I don't want Dad to leave me, I don't want treatment anymore, let's leave this place, okay, Dad!"

Just then, a large hand vigorously ruffled the pink hair, and the strange man who had suddenly appeared by the campfire chuckled.

"Don't overreact. Vegapunk called me here to resolve this matter—to preserve Bartholomew Nobita's will and freedom, and also to find a way to heal you..."

After saying that, Huayue glanced at Vegapunk with a subtle expression.

"The fact that you came to me means you already have a rough idea in mind. Tell me your idea, Vegapunk."

However, Vegapunk, who was lying on the ground, waved his hands repeatedly and said with a serious expression.

"Ideas? What ideas do I have? If I had a solution, I wouldn't be risking being hunted down by the World Government to contact you. How could I possibly give up such a huge amount of research funding from the World Government!"

For a moment, everyone was stunned. How could Vegapunk, the world's most brilliant mind and a genius scientist, not be able to come up with a perfect solution?

"Aren't you the world's most brilliant scientist?"

"If I had a plan, I wouldn't have let Jaygolucia Satan overhear my deal with the Kuma. I may be the top scientist in research, but in other areas..."

With a chuckle, Huayue burst into laughter. It turned out that Vegapunk had acted impulsively and hadn't thought through the consequences of contacting him!

"Alright, alright, explain Bartholomew Kuma's transformation plan thoroughly so I can come up with a suitable solution."

Time passed slowly, and after finally understanding Vegapunk's Pacifista plan, Huayue raised an eyebrow and her gaze fell on Bonney.

"I see. First, the body is mechanized, then gradually combined with the laser Light Wave of the Glint-Glint Fruit, along with the steel body and the tough flesh of the Buccaneer Race, and finally the consciousness is completely destroyed."

During their conversation, Bonney's eyes blazed with fury. If looks could kill, everyone present except for Kuma would have been torn to pieces long ago.

"In that case, I do have a way that can not only preserve Bartholomew Kuma's consciousness and freedom, but also get the World Government to willingly treat Bonney. Want to hear it?"

After Huayue explained his thoughts, Vegapunk was startled and instinctively looked at Borsalino looked helpless.

"Is it really okay to reveal such a confidential matter without keeping it from the Marine Admiral?"

"It's alright. Everyone here except me will lose this memory, including you."

The smile, as seen by everyone, was like a demon from hell beckoning to them. Vegapunk's expression changed, and he subconsciously began to suspect that something might have been stolen from his research lab.

"Thank you so much, now Kuma's consciousness and freedom will be restored..."

"Wait, you haven't settled my payment yet!"

Coming to his senses, Vegapunk was furious.

"Didn't I already say you'd get a share of my future research results? What more do you want?!"

Under Vegapunk's angry gaze, Huayue's eyes wandered and slowly landed on Bonney.

"Little girl, your Devil Fruit ability seems quite special. Its name is... Age-Age Fruit?"