The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the stained glass windows of the church.
Dappled light and shadow are cast on the stone floor.
The bear stood at the church entrance, its tall shadow stretching long in the setting sun.
Although his tone was gentle, his eyes held a wary glint.
After all, they were facing a notorious pirate with a bounty exceeding one billion.
Roy stepped forward a few paces and smiled:
"Bartholomew Kuma, we've long admired your name. We've come here specifically for you."
Xiong adjusted his round-framed glasses, showing no surprise, as if he had expected it.
For me?
"What could I, a recluse, possibly have that would warrant Captain Roy making a special trip to the South Blue?"
"Your power, and... your bloodline."
Roy said frankly,
"The last survivor of the Buccaneer Tribe, a former slave of the Celestial Dragons,"
Now you live in seclusion in the Sorbet Kingdom, treating the poor—that's who you are.
"Isn't it worth it for me to personally invite you?"
The bear's eyes shifted slightly.
Roy not only knew his real name, but also his background and secrets.
This means that the other party has done thorough research and came prepared.
"An invitation?" the bear asked calmly. "What do you want with me?"
"Join my pirate crew."
Roy stared directly into the bear's eyes.
I need your strength.
More importantly, I believe you share our ideals—to change this unfair world.
The bear fell silent.
He glanced at Roy's companions behind him—
The terrifying Bullet, the razor-sharp Hawk Eyes, and Tesoro, his body crackling with electricity.
Vera and Pea are also getting their medication prepared.
This lineup truly lives up to the reputation of a billion-dollar bounty.
"Feel sorry."
The bear finally shook its head.
"I appreciate your kindness, but I don't want to get involved in your fight and conflict."
I'm already very content that I can help those in need here.
This answer was exactly what Roy expected.
Bears are gentle by nature, have experienced hardships, and have an instinctive aversion to fighting.
But Roy won't give up so easily.
"Help those in need?"
Roy looked around at the dilapidated streets and the ragged poor people.
"You treat dozens of patients here every day, and that does alleviate their suffering."
But have you ever wondered why so many people get sick?
Why are they so poor?
The bear did not speak.
Roy continued:
"Because of this wall."
He pointed to the high wall in the distance that divided the country in two.
"The royalty and nobles within the walls enjoy the fruits of your labor."
They are unwilling to provide even the most basic medical care.
Those of you outside the wall struggle to even get clean water and food; if you fall ill, you're left to treat yourself alone.
"You may cure today's patients, but there will be new patients tomorrow."
You can cure this person's illness, but you can't cure the nation's illness.
The bear clenched its fists slightly.
How could he not know all this?
Seeing the suffering of the poor every day, seeing children thin and weak from malnutrition...
Watching the elderly die because they can't afford medical treatment...
But all he could do was try his best to treat the patient.
"You can't change anything by yourself."
Roy's voice became sincere.
"But if you join us, things will be different."
We have the power to change this country, and we have the power to improve the lives of these poor people.
They even... have the ability to challenge the root cause of all this.
"The root cause?" The bear raised its head.
" The Celestial Dragons, the World Government, this unjust order."
Roy said, enunciating each word clearly.
Do you think you're safe just by living in seclusion here?
You are Buccaneer Tribe, and you were once a slave of the Celestial Dragons.
It's only a matter of time before the World Government finds you.
By then, not only you,
Even those closest to you—like Miss Ginny —can be in danger.
Upon hearing Ginny, Xiong's expression finally changed.
That lively and cheerful girl was his most important concern in this world.
"How did you know Ginny...?" Xiong's voice was a little hoarse.
I know more than you think.
Roy did not explain the source of the intelligence.
"I also know that you once had a companion— Ivankov."
Is he no longer in the Sorbet Kingdom?
Where did he go?
Whose team did you join?
The bear's pupils contracted slightly.
Ivankov left months ago; the other party even knows that...
"Looks like I was right."
Roy captured the bear's changing expression.
" Ivankov joined Monkey D. Dragon's team, right?"
The Revolutionary Army that wants to overthrow the World Government.
The bear remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.
Roy continued:
" Ivankov chose the path of battle, while you chose the path of healing."
But you all know that simply fighting or healing...
None of these can truly change the world.
What's needed is a more systemic and fundamental change.
Join us, bear.
I can offer you the power to protect Ginny, and I can also offer you the opportunity to change this country.
More importantly, I can let you see--
We have the power to end this dark age.
The sun completely sank below the horizon, and night fell.
Candles were lit inside the church, and in the dim yellow light, the bear's expression shifted between light and shadow.
He was struggling, he was thinking.
Roy's words struck at his deepest fears.
Ginny's safety, and her own powerlessness in the face of the current situation.
Just then, the back door of the church was pushed open.
A girl with short orange hair peeked out:
" Kuma-chan, dinner is ready... Huh? We have guests?"
Ginny blinked in surprise when she saw Roy and the others.
She was about sixteen or seventeen years old, dressed in simple clothes, with freckles on her face, and her eyes curved into crescents when she smiled.
Despite her impoverished life, her lively and cheerful personality contrasted sharply with her dilapidated surroundings.
" Ginny, these are..."
Just as Xiong was about to introduce them, Roy smiled and began to speak:
"Hello, Miss Ginny."
We're friends with the bear; we were just passing by and thought we'd drop by.
"Friend?"
Ginny looked at the bear with a puzzled expression, and seeing the bear nod, she immediately said enthusiastically,
"That's perfect. I made stew for dinner; it's simple, but the portion is enough."
Let's all eat together!
Without a word, she grabbed the bear and beckoned Roy and the others into the church's back hall.
The back hall was simpler than the front hall, but it was very clean.
A long table was set with steaming stew and bread; the ingredients were simple, but the aroma was irresistible.
Please sit down, please sit down, don't be shy!
Ginny busied herself setting out the bowls and chopsticks, like a warm and hospitable hostess.
Roy and the others took their seats, with Xiong sitting in the main seat, his expression still somewhat complicated.
During the meal, Ginny asked all sorts of questions out of curiosity:
"Where are you from? Judging from your attire, you don't seem to be locals."
"We come from the New World," Roy said frankly.
" New World?!"
Ginny opened her eyes wide.
"Isn't it dangerous there? There are powerful pirates everywhere!"
"We are pirates," Tesoro grinned.