Another Warlord appearing right after Moria's defeat—
That was something none of them had ever imagined.
Who would've thought figures of this level would gather in the same place?
Did they seriously have no sense of territory at all?!
Jin's expression grew heavy as well.
In the previous battle, he had used an enormous amount of ninjutsu and even Super Expansion Technique, draining his chakra heavily.
Especially Super Expansion—
That thing consumed far more chakra than ordinary techniques!
After all… he wasn't actually that fat.
"This bastard really picked his timing well…" Jin muttered.
But he didn't complain any further.
Because it was meaningless.
If this Warlord intended to act, then there was only one option left—
Fight.
"What do we do… what are we supposed to do now?!"
"Don't let his reputation scare you!"
Zoro placed his hand on his swords, staring straight at Bartholomew Kuma.
"Seven Warlords? Didn't we just take one down?!"
"B-but…"
"No buts! Pull yourselves together!"
If the enemy truly intended to kill them, fear wouldn't save anyone.
Seeing the Straw Hat Pirates once again prepare for battle, Aiko and the others were completely stunned.
They had just survived a life-or-death fight against Moria—
and now, facing a second Warlord, their first thought was still to fight?
Were these people… not afraid of dying at all?
This was a Warlord at full strength!
"Prepare yourselves," Lola said, staring at Kuma without blinking.
"We don't have a choice."
Now it all depended on why this Warlord had come.
Under everyone's gaze, Kuma showed no reaction at all.
Instead, he calmly took out a Den Den Mushi and dialed it openly.
"Puru-puru-puru~"
"Puru-puru-puru~"
"Click."
"Kuma?"
The Den Den Mushi transformed into the image of the Five Elders.
"Yes. It's me," Kuma replied calmly.
"How is the situation there?"
"Gecko Moria has been directly defeated by the Straw Hat boy."
The Five Elders exchanged glances, then turned toward Saint Mars.
Just as he had predicted.
Saint Mars smiled faintly and asked,
"And the Straw Hat Pirates?"
"All alive. They have not departed."
"All alive…"
Mars was slightly surprised.
He hadn't expected the Straw Hat crew to defeat Moria without any casualties.
What a useless Warlord.
A trace of contempt flashed through his eyes.
His decision had clearly been the right one.
"Proceed according to the original plan," Mars said calmly.
"If he refuses… then eliminate everyone except the target."
"Understood."
"Click."
Looking at the disconnected Den Den Mushi, Mars glanced at the others.
"Do you think he'll agree?"
"If he's smart, he won't refuse," said Saint Saturn calmly.
"Otherwise, Kuma will kill all of his companions."
Kuma's strength was nothing like Moria's.
Even among the Seven Warlords, he ranked near the top.
If the Straw Hat crew rejected the offer, then in their exhausted state after such a brutal battle, they would surely be annihilated.
"Indeed."
"Now we wait for his choice."
"The benefits we're offering are more than enough."
As long as he had a brain, he wouldn't refuse.
After all—
what did pirates truly seek?
Money.
Women.
Power.
Once that ability was fully in their hands…
Who on the seas would still be able to oppose the World Government?
Pirates?
Revolutionaries?
None of them.
The five old men smiled confidently, as if they could already see that future.
A sea eternally kneeling beneath their feet.
On the tower, Kuma slowly stood up.
He calmly placed the Den Den Mushi away, then removed the gloves from both hands, revealing his distinctive paw-shaped palms.
"Th-that call just now…" Bucktooth swallowed nervously.
"They said they'd wipe us out, didn't they…?"
"Yes," Kuma replied flatly.
"You heard correctly."
"Why?!"
"What did we even do wrong?!"
"Defeating a Warlord isn't enough?!"
Robin spoke with a grave expression.
"They're all under the World Government, after all."
If she wasn't mistaken, the one on the other end of that call was someone extremely high-ranking.
This Warlord hadn't come here randomly.
Suddenly, a thought surfaced in Robin's mind.
'Could it be… they're here for me?'
The moment that idea appeared, it refused to leave.
Her face turned pale.
Noticing this, Jin instinctively stepped forward, placing himself in front of her.
He had thought of the same thing.
"Everyone, stay calm," Sanji said.
"This guy—"
Before he could finish, Kuma vanished from sight.
Sanji's pupils shrank.
Where did he go?!
"If you were to travel,"
a deep, magnetic voice spoke beside him,
"where would you like to go?"
Sanji froze.
His neck turned stiffly to the side—
and when he saw the towering figure beside him, cold sweat poured down instantly.
He hadn't seen Kuma move at all.
In the next instant, Sanji leaped backward, widening the distance, eyes locked tightly on him.
"Enough games," Jin said coldly.
"Why are you really here?"
"For Moria?"
"Yes… and no…"
Jin: ???
"What do you mean?"
His expression darkened.
Was this guy messing with him?
Kuma didn't answer.
Instead, he looked at Robin.
"Nico Robin…"
A woman capable of reading the Poneglyphs—
a person who held the power to shake the world itself.
The moment he said her name, every Straw Hat stiffened.
So it was Robin?!
"You bastard—your target really is Robin?!"
"Shing!"
Jin drew the Kusanagi Sword instantly, glaring at Kuma.
"If you want to take her—
you'll have to step over us first!"
At that moment, the entire Straw Hat crew prepared for a fight to the death.
Robin was a companion they had risked everything to reclaim.
There was no way they would hand her over.
Even if it meant dying.
Yet facing their killing intent, Kuma remained utterly calm.
"I was not ordered to take Nico Robin," he said flatly.
The extermination order included her as well.
If she couldn't be captured, then she was to be killed.
The crew froze.
"…Huh?"
Not Robin?
Then what was this about?
"My purpose here," Kuma continued,
"is you—Blood-Eyed Ninja, Jin."
"…Me?"
Jin frowned deeply.
Why him?
"World Government has taken great interest in your abilities," Kuma said.
"They have authorized me to give you an opportunity."
"An opportunity to join them."
Jin's eyes darkened instantly.
"So… you want me to become their dog?"
Kuma ignored the insult.
"You defeated Gecko Moria. That alone qualifies you to become one of the Seven Warlords."
"So the government sent me to ask you—
are you willing to become a Warlord?"
The words hit like a thunderclap.
Everyone stared in shock.
They never imagined—
that Kuma's purpose was to recruit Jin as a Warlord.
"That's insane…"
"Inviting Jin to become a Warlord…"
Some immediately sensed something wrong.
Moria had been defeated by Luffy—
so why target Jin instead of the captain?
Was this meant to divide them?
Yet none of the Straw Hats spoke.
They simply turned and looked at Jin.
They had fought together at Enies Lobby.
They trusted him.
No matter the temptation—
they didn't believe he would ever betray them.
"Heh… hahahaha…"
Jin laughed.
"To think the World Government would send a Warlord just to invite me…"
"If you agree," Kuma said calmly,
"I can take you to Mary Geoise immediately."
"Power. Wealth. Women."
"Anything you desire will be yours."
"This is a promise made personally by the World Government."
"So—what is your answer?"
Kuma stared at Jin through his glasses, trying to see straight through him.
Lola clenched her fists.
She understood now.
They weren't after Jin himself—
they were after his ninja abilities.
Especially his ability to manipulate water.
In naval warfare, that power was terrifying.
Of course the World Government would covet it.
And worse—
if Jin went with them, would he become a test subject?
That possibility was terrifyingly high.
"Jin…" Lola finally spoke, forcing herself to stay calm.
"They're after your ninja powers. You must think carefully!"
Kuma glanced at her.
The pressure alone nearly made her collapse.
Yet he didn't attack.
He simply looked away.
"Don't worry," Jin said calmly.
"I know exactly what I'm doing."
Then he looked at Kuma.
"Let me ask you something."
"If Luffy heard what you just said…
what do you think he'd do?"
Kuma glanced at the unconscious boy lying on the ground.
The young man slept peacefully, smiling faintly—
as if as long as his companions were nearby, there was nothing to fear.
'Dragon's son…'
Kuma answered calmly,
"What would he do?"
"He'd punch you in the face," Jin said, smiling.
"And tell you no one gets to take his companions."
The Straw Hats all laughed quietly.
"So that's your answer?" Kuma asked.
"Even a Warlord's seat doesn't tempt you?"
"That's right."
Jin stepped forward and met his gaze.
"Go tell those old men for me—
I'm used to freedom."
"I'm not interested in putting a leash around my own neck."
A faint smile flickered in Kuma's eyes.
Just as he expected.
"But since you've chosen," Kuma said calmly,
"then you must accept the consequences."
"I will repeat my order."
"If you refuse—
I will kill everyone here except you."
"Do you still refuse?"
The instant those words fell—
the Straw Hat Pirates moved as one.
Zoro tied his bandana, eyes turning ferocious.
Sanji crushed a boulder beneath his heel, cigarette burning.
Nami raised her Clima-Tact, eyes locked on Kuma.
Chopper transformed, muscles swelling.
Franky removed his gloves, steel fists gleaming.
Usopp lifted his enhanced slingshot, aiming straight at Kuma's chest.
Robin crossed her arms, power gathering.
Merry held her tiny hammer without fear.
Brook drew his cane sword, expression solemn.
Everyone—
drew their blade.
They stood beside Jin, each in their own way declaring their resolve.
Using their lives to threaten Jin—
was the greatest mistake possible.
Even if their opponent was a Warlord.
Even if they were exhausted.
Even if their captain lay unconscious.
They would not retreat.
If someone dared threaten their companion—
then they had better be prepared to face their retaliation.
At that moment, Luffy—who had not moved at all—murmured softly:
"Jin…"
Just two words.
Yet Jin understood everything.
He smiled, staring straight at Kuma.
"If you want our lives—
then prepare yourself for death."
"Bartholomew Kuma."
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