He wasn't worried about Bonney's safety.
The nearest town to the south was only about two kilometers away. With Bonney's capability, counting the time to buy things, it would take no more than half an hour round trip.
Moreover, it's on Crescent Island, the core of the Endgame ZHQ, what risk could there be?
......
Southern town.
"Five desserts, five desserts~, I want caramel pudding and matcha mousse~"
Bonney entered the town humming an off-key tune, hugging a can of cola, and suddenly paused, drawn in by the aroma from a nearby bakery.
The glass display window was filled with various desserts, making her eyes light up.
"Little girl, do you want a dessert?"
A gentle voice came from behind, and Bonney turned to see a fair-haired girl around sixteen or seventeen smiling at her.
"Yes!" Bonney nodded vigorously, pointing to the cream cake decorated with strawberries in the window, "That looks delicious!"
"You've got a good eye."
The blonde girl smiled warmly, "This shop is just opened by my friend, would you like to come in with me and try it? You can sample for free."
Bonney's eyes lit up, but she immediately remembered Zeff's advice and hesitated, raising her empty cola can: "But, sister, I need to buy cola first..."
"It'll be quick."
The girl already held her little hand, "Sampling doesn't take long, and they sell cola in the shop, half the price of the grocery store."
Bonney felt a sense of vigilance as her hand was held.
She wasn't some clueless kid!
So she immediately looked into the shop window.
The new bakery indeed looked spotless, brightly lit, with a counter featuring a soda machine, and over a dozen customers selecting products, including familiar townsfolk.
Yes, it's 100% confirmed, this shop has no trick!
Without further hesitation, she cheerfully followed the girl to the entrance of the bakery.
Until...
As the girl pushed open the glass door, Bonney suddenly felt something amiss.
The edge of the door frame shimmered with a ghostly green glow, and upon opening the door, the space that should have led into the bright interior had turned into a chaotic vortex.
"The shop indeed has no issues, but any door in my hands can become problematic."
The girl's indifferent voice came from beside, "Your vigilance is commendable, but it seems misplaced, kiddo."
"Now, be good and come with me. I've been tasked by a big figure to bring you to see them."
Thud!
The next moment, Bonney was abruptly pulled in with a mighty force, the door shut tight.
The wind chime above hung briefly in disturbance, soon calming.
Inside the bakery, customers continued selecting products, pedestrians occasionally passed by as usual, entirely unaware of the events by the door.
As if nothing had occurred.
Only the empty cola can clattered to the ground, rolling a few times before quietly settling by the roadside, drawing a few curious cats to come over and lick...
——————
"That's about it."
Kuma placed the empty cola can on the table, tightening his fist:
"I waited a long time for Bonney to return, then went to find her. Ended up at the bakery's entrance and found this, while Bonney's presence... couldn't be sensed anywhere in the town. I asked around but got nothing."
Everyone gathered around the dining table, faces solemn, the atmosphere heavy and pressing.
Though mischievous, Bonney knew right from wrong and would never deliberately stage a disappearance prank at such a time.
So there was only one possibility.
Kidnapped and taken away!
"How dare they."
Kuina's voice was icy, her gaze colder, "To dare seize someone on Crescent Island."
And at the time when all major base members gathered on Crescent Island for a feast.
This is outright provocation!
Across the seas, who has the audacity to do this?
Could it be World Government revenge?
Sinking to such lows, striking at a seven-year-old girl wouldn't be surprising. The real question is, how did they infiltrate?
Today's Endgame is not short on manpower anymore. The Four Major Armies secure the galaxy, it's impossible for any ship to bypass patrols and sneak into Crescent Island.
Especially with so many strong figures on the island, even the Divine Knight Order's strange teleportation capability couldn't possibly sneak in unnoticed.
"My fault."
Zeff removed his chef's hat, kneading it in frustration, "My fault for deeming her troublesome and sending her for cola..."
"Hey, Uncle Zeff, come on! No time for self-blame now."
Zoro patted his shoulder, shifting his gaze to Kuma, asking gravely, "Brother Kuma, did you make Bonney a Life Card?"
"Made, but it was a while ago, lost through turns and twists."
Kuma shook his head, covering his face, lamenting, "Settled recently, planned to take her to make a new one soon, but before that..."
"First, issue orders to seal off the sea region."
Kuina slowly stood, turning to the man at the head, "Lord Xiano, the few of us will depart at once, spread out and search..."
"No need."
Shano, who had kept his eyes slightly closed, finally opened them, speaking up: "I have an idea where Bonney went."
Eh?
The others were taken aback.
Shano looked in a certain direction.
Upon hearing the news earlier, he seemed to be pondering but had actually opened the system panel, using two abilities consecutively.
First, he immediately activated the "Death Substitution Skill" contract, one of the remaining two empty positions already signed with Bonney, ensuring her life's safety.
Secondly, he used the upgraded Living Map's query function.
A two-thousand-point query wasn't cheap, but compared to tracking Bonney, it was nothing.
And the result surprised him.
Just two hours ago, Bonney set off to buy cola, but now she was thousands of miles away.
How did this happen?
Shano narrowed his eyes, the mystery wasn't as crucial anymore, knowing where Bonney had been taken...
"Zoro, could you please bring over the Radio Snail."
He coldly ordered, "I need to personally ask that old hag from last meeting, who showed kindness then, what she intends now!"
Old hag?!
Newcomers Zoro and Sanji looked confused, glancing at each other, while other crew members instantly reacted, faces changing.
The one laying a hand on Bonney turned out to be her?
——————
Totelan Sea Region, Ten Thousand Nations.
In the Cake Castle at the core.
"Mamama...…"
BIGMOM paced restlessly in front of the throne, her enormous figure casting a suffocating shadow over the floor.
Every now and then, she grabbed a nearby cream cake, stuffing it into her mouth violently.
The flavor that usually brought happiness and sweetness now tasted like wax, failing to soothe the extreme longing from deep within her soul.
"Forty hours, it's been forty hours!"
BIGMOM suddenly halted, turning to roar, her voice shaking the entire castle:
"Hey! Perospero! Is that bounty hunter you brought reliable, wasn't it promised to bring that girl to me within two days, how come she hasn't shown up yet!"
Below.
Eldest son Perospero sweat coldly from his forehead, quickly bowing:
"Mama~, there's still the last night, please ease your mind and patiently wait a bit."
"That bounty hunter named Bevony, is very special. Since gaining fame last year, never misses once the target is identified. Only she can accomplish the difficult task of taking Bonney from Endgame HQ, should happen soon..."
"Soon? I can't wait, I want it now!"
BIGMOM furiously kicked over the dessert table, cream and jam splattering everywhere.
A few drops of cream landed on the wall-hung framed photo.
In the photo, an elderly nun was smiling warmly at the camera...