Vic didn't have to wait three days. In the middle of the night, he was awakened by a small noise. On the beach not far from him, there was a huge bear paw print, as if a giant bear had stepped on the beach.
Three figures emerged from the hollow in the very center of the bear's paw, some large, some medium, and some small, some male and some female. Vic recognized two of them: Bartholomew Kuma and Monkey D. Dragon. He also recognized a woman he had never seen before, whom Vic guessed was Ginny, who had been living with Kuma.
Ginny had a great figure. She wore only a sleeveless vest on top and white-and-white striped pants on the bottom. She wore goggles on her head, held a long gun in her left hand, and a piece of meat with a bone in her right hand. She had some freckles on her face and looked somewhat angry!
The outfits worn by Kuma and Vic in their previous lives were completely different. Big Bear was dressed like an electrician, with a black cloak on his back. He wasn't carrying a Bible, and he hadn't immediately put back on the gloves he'd taken off after using his powers, presumably because he was ready to fight at any moment.
Dragon's attire was similar to that of Kuma, except that he didn't have the crossed slipper marks (tattoo) on his face this time. The three of them had only just appeared when they set their sights on Vic, who was sitting cross-legged not far away, drawn by the aura of a powerful figure.
"You're here! You came pretty fast. Come on in and let's chat. I mean you no harm!"
Vic smiled at the three of them. Although Kuma seemed ready to attack at any moment and Ginny was holding a gun, Vic wasn't worried and wasn't on guard.
The three exchanged a glance without speaking, then walked towards Vic. Without any formalities, they sat down on the ground not far from Vic. Ginny started eating meat after sitting down, seemingly unconcerned about Vic's purpose. However, if Vic made any unusual moves, she would immediately point her gun at Vic.
"Nice to meet you. Let me introduce myself. My name is Vic, and I am currently Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral. My title is Dark Dragon. Those of you who regularly read newspapers should recognize me."
Dragon! Vice Admiral Garp's son, and a former member of the Navy. I once went to visit your son, Monkey D. Luffy, with the old man. We have some history!
I came to the Sorbet Kingdom to find Bartholomew the Kuma. This must be the Lady Ginny the villagers are talking about. That's my purpose for coming. You can take a look first."
Vic gave a brief self-introduction, mainly wanting to talk to Dragon about their relationship, since his information had already been published in the newspaper, and Revolutionary Army leader like Dragon couldn't possibly not have read it. Then he took out the piece of paper and flicked it at the Kuma.
Kuma looked at the paper that Vic had shot at him. It was fast and sharp; if he tried to catch it rashly, he would definitely get cut. Clearly, this navy man wanted to test him.
However, the Kuma didn't panic or make any big movements. It simply opened its palm to block the paper's path. The flying paper hit the fleshy ball in the Kuma's palm, its speed dropping to zero. As it slowly drifted down, the Kuma caught it and started reading it.
"That's right! Her name is indeed Ginny, and she's now a member of the Revolutionary Army. I often see you and the old man together in the newspapers; you should be considered his disciple, right?"
Actually, I also know Koshiro. He mentioned you to me too. Before joining the Navy, you were his swordsmanship student. We do have a long history together.
I've read a lot about your deeds. Actually, you and I are quite similar in many ways. Would you be interested in joining the Revolutionary Army? You can shine just as brightly here!
Dragon pointed at Ginny and then started to build a relationship with Vic, trying to recruit Vic into the Revolutionary Army. Such combat power was exactly what they needed right now, which was one of the reasons he came to the Sorbet Kingdom with Kuma. The people the old man had his eye on all had the potential to become members of the Revolutionary Army, and he wanted to give it a try.
"Dragon! Are you sure this guy looks like you? Judging from the fact that he threatened us with Gyogyo and Totsu to make us come back, he's obviously not a good person. He's not one of us. You'd better keep your eyes open and see clearly, lest you bring in a beast from the World Government!"
After swallowing the meat in her mouth, Ginny looked at Dragon and said, completely disregarding Vic was still standing beside her.
Ginny has been highly intelligent since childhood, and her understanding of people is genius-level. She is clearly dissatisfied with Vic's use of Gyogyo and Totsu to bring them back, and she wants to mess with her mentality right in front of her. Although Vic is handsome and Haki, she only likes Kuma and no one else is worthy of her attention.
"Ahem!... Let's not talk about that now, let's wait until Xiong finishes reading before we discuss anything else."
Vic was indeed somewhat embarrassed. Although he hadn't done anything to the two men, his initial thought was to take them hostage. He just hadn't expected that Dragon would see through his plan so quickly, which was why he hadn't carried it out.
Furthermore, Vic has no intention of joining the Revolutionary Army. He's planning for the entire Navy, and his help will be the greatest during the final battle. Joining the Revolutionary Army now would at most be icing on the cake. However, he can't tell Dragon directly now; the future will tell.
The paper didn't contain much information, and Kuma finished reading it while the three were talking. However, he didn't speak immediately. Instead, he handed the paper to Dragon and closed his eyes, as if recalling some unpleasant memory.
Dragon finished reading quickly, then gave Vic a complicated look before handing the paper to Ginny.
"No! We absolutely will not agree! You must take your people and leave this country immediately, and you are not allowed to live in the church!"
After reading it, Ginny became quite agitated and directly rejected Vic on Kuma's behalf. Her attitude towards Vic worsened, leaving Vic bewildered. "Fine, I won't be Shichibukai then," he thought, "Why are you getting angry at me? I didn't force you! Besides, Kuma will become Shichibukai in the future!"
"Bear! Is that what you mean too?"
Vic ignored Ginny, who might be the mother of the future glutton Bonney, but what did it have to do with him? Vic didn't know about her or their story. He was there to see Kuma, and the matter of the Shichibukai was just a side issue.
"That's right! I'm a cadre in the Revolutionary Army now, there's no way I could become Shichibukai!"
"Kuma said softly, his tone gentle, but he did not refute Ginny's words. His childhood was too tragic, and it was impossible for him to serve the World Government now."
"Could you personally refuse Saturn, one of the Five Elders?"
Vic took out Den Den Mushi from his pocket and handed it to Kuma. He was unaware of the grudges and entanglements between Kuma and the World Government, the Celestial Dragons, and Saturn; all of these things had been erased with the God Valley Incident.
So it was natural for Vic to say that, but for Kuma, who had faced Saturn in God Valley, the name Saturn evoked bad memories, especially their conversation, which was still deeply imprinted in Kuma's mind. Satan's contempt for life and his words were something he wanted to change after joining the Revolutionary Army.
"No need, I don't want to talk to that person. Just refuse."
Kuma didn't answer the Den Den Mushi, and his tone didn't change much, but only he knew what he was really feeling, or perhaps it was because of Ginny.