Hearing this, everyone simultaneously looked towards that silent yet imposing figure.
Bartholomew Kuma, in order to save his daughter, was willing to sacrifice everything, bear the world's misunderstanding and infamy, and completely transform himself into a cold war machine.
All of this, it was all true!
"It... it really is like this..." Usopp murmured, his voice trembling with an uncontrollable tremor.
Nami covered her mouth, her eyes slightly red: "It's too heavy... this father's love..."
Even Sanji, despite his severe injuries, momentarily forgot the intense pain in his body. He leaned against the ruins, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and said with a bitter smile: "He's truly... a bastard you can't bring yourself to hate at all."
In a silence filled with emotion, Kuma slowly spoke. His voice was still steady, but it seemed to carry a hint of an imperceptible ripple: "It no longer matters how you came to know all of this."
He turned around, his giant body casting a shadow, but his gaze was exceptionally clear. He looked earnestly at Ron: "As Luffy's elder brother, you have protected him all this time. For you... I no longer need any tests."
His gaze swept over the Straw Hat, and his tone was low and sincere: "May your journey ahead be safe."
Having said that, he said no more and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Ron suddenly raised his hand, holding up the vial of potion shimmering with a strange glow, "Aren't you curious... what exactly this is in my hand?"
Kuma's footsteps paused, but he did not turn back, merely replying calmly: "If you wish to speak, you will naturally speak."
Ron's fingertips lightly caressed the vial of potion in his hand, which glowed with a strange luster. He looked up at Kuma, his voice clear and firm:
"This is the 'Panacea,' a miraculous item capable of curing all diseases in the world and reversing all physical damage."
Before he finished speaking,
He flicked his wrist, and the vial, carrying infinite hope, drew a faint arc as it flew directly towards Kuma.
Kuma, almost out of battle instinct, raised his hand and steadily caught it in his palm. The cold touch made him slightly pause.
The next second,
Ron's words exploded in his mind like a thunderclap—"Can cure all diseases in the world???"
He suddenly lowered his head, staring at the quiet and profound potion in his hand. His large palm unconsciously tightened, as if he was holding the last hope of the entire world.
A tremendous shock and an unbelievable ecstasy impacted his long-dormant emotions, leaving him momentarily speechless.
He suddenly looked up, his burning gaze fixed on Ron, his voice low and hoarse from extreme restraint, even carrying a hint of an imperceptible tremor: "...You're not lying to me?"
Facing his scrutiny, which almost seemed to see through him, Ron merely smiled frankly, his smile utterly pure:
"Of course I'm not lying to you. What would be the point of lying to you, for me?"
He took a step forward, his gaze deepening and becoming sincere, as he spoke word by word:
"You should know better than anyone that regarding Bonney's future... even if you go all the way, pay everything, her condition will not improve in the slightest.
And you, Bartholomew Kuma, will completely lose yourself, becoming a cold, unconscious machine. Even if your race possesses a very special bloodline, the chance of your consciousness awakening from that void... is infinitesimally small."
"This potion is another path, an undeniable, true hope."
Kuma's massive body suddenly trembled, as if struck by an invisible giant hammer.
Turbulent waves surged in his deep eyes; the other party not only knew his deepest secret but also had a clear understanding of his extremely special racial background?
This feeling of being completely seen through, without any concealment, sent a chill down his spine.
"You... just what are you...?" His low voice was filled with unbelievable shock.
But then, an unprecedented surge of fervent hope suddenly dispersed his doubts. If the other party truly knew everything, and even foresaw that desperate future, then lying to him would indeed be meaningless!
This meant... the glowing potion in his hand, perhaps it really was...!
His huge hand trembled slightly with excitement. He tightly clutched the vial, which could change everything, as if he were holding his daughter's entire future.
He suddenly took a step forward, his massive shadow enveloping Ron, his voice hoarse and even torn from extreme longing:
"This potion... can it really cure Bonney's illness?! Can you... guarantee it?!" His gaze was locked onto Ron, not missing any subtle expression.
"I guarantee it."
Ron met his gaze, his tone calm yet containing an undeniable power, "It can eradicate all diseases in the world, and that naturally includes Bonney's suffering."
He changed the subject, his voice deepening, "Once Bonney recovers, take her away from the World Government for good.
Bartholomew Kuma, haven't you sacrificed everything precisely for this moment?
Once the goal is achieved, there will be nothing left in that mire worth clinging to."
Kuma was silent for a long time. Finally, he nodded heavily, the movement carrying a sense of resolute relief, as if he had shed a heavy yoke he had carried for years.
When he spoke again, his voice was different, filled with the weight of an oath:
"Captain Ron... If Bonney can truly regain her health... I, Bartholomew Kuma, wish to formally join you. For this profound kindness, I am willing to repay it with the loyalty and strength of my remaining life!"
Ron's lips curved into a smile, a smile of anticipation for a powerful companion, and an acceptance of this weighty promise. "Good, I look forward to that day."
As his words fell, Kuma no longer hesitated in the slightest.
He took a deep look at Ron, as if to engrave this gratitude into the depths of his soul, then abruptly turned around.
As the earth trembled slightly, his massive figure tore through the air with astonishing speed, rushing towards the distance impatiently, with only one fervent thought in his heart—to quickly deliver this hope to his daughter.
"Bonney, wait for me."
....
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