After Kuma and Bonney finished crying, Ryuen invited them back to the villa.
Having just found her father again, Bonney didn't want to leave his side for even a moment. She clung to Kuma tightly, and for the first time in a long while, Kuma looked genuinely happy. At that moment, he seemed to forget all about the modifications that had turned him into a cyborg.
"Asanya, get things ready—we're throwing a feast!" Ryuen shouted as soon as he stepped inside.
"You're finally back…"
"Huh???"
"Young mermaid!!"
Before Asanya could react, Leah had already rushed out. Just like Nami and Daisy earlier, her eyes locked onto Camie the moment she stepped outside.
"Hello, my name is Camie~" Camie greeted softly.
She wasn't afraid anymore. Now that she knew this was the Dream Exploration Crew's territory, she felt a little braver.
Hearing Lia's excited shout, the rest of the crew also came running out.
"Let's go inside first. Kuma, Bonney, and all of you—come in." Ryuen quickly spoke up, seeing that everyone was about to crowd around the entrance.
"I'll go prepare the ingredients!" As soon as Asanya heard there was going to be a feast, she darted straight into the kitchen.
The group gathered on the grass by the pool.
Bonney was especially excited. Ever since she had been sent to Vegapunk for treatment, she hadn't attended a feast with Kuma.
From those days until now, her happiest memory was partying with Kuma, Kizaru, and Sentomaru back then!
————
While Ryuen and the others were enjoying their feast, Kizaru had already returned to Marine Headquarters.
The captured pirates were being transported to Impel Down by the stationed Marine forces on Sabaody Archipelago.
**Fleet Admiral's Office**
Kizaru reported the results of the operation to Sengoku. He also informed him that the Dream Exploration Crew was aware of the public execution.
Sengoku wasn't surprised when he learned that the Straw Hat kid and Bonney weren't among the captured rookies.
"You're saying they knew everything from the moment Fire Fist Ace was defeated?" Sengoku asked, slightly surprised.
"Yes, Sengoku-san."
"I believe they have a very strong intelligence network. Also, young Ryuen said he wouldn't interfere with Fire Fist Ace's execution," Kizaru said calmly.
"I see…"
"In that case, we can lift the information lockdown on Sabaody Archipelago," Sengoku said with a distant look in his eyes.
"Yes, sir!"
"I'll deliver the order right away, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!" Brannew, standing nearby, quickly left to carry out the command.
Kizaru looked at Sengoku, hesitating for a moment.
"Kizaru, if you have something to say, just say it." Sengoku's expression turned serious when he noticed Kizaru's hesitation.
"Well… I saw Kuma on Sabaody Archipelago. And his daughter, Bonney…" After a brief pause, Kizaru decided to tell him.
Hearing this, Sengoku fell silent for a moment. He knew very well about the situation between Kuma and Bonney.
"Leave him be. There's not much of his consciousness left now anyway. Let them have their moment as father and daughter," Sengoku said coldly.
As a Marine—especially as the Fleet Admiral—his position didn't allow him to show mercy in matters like this.
"I understand," Kizaru replied in a deep voice.
As a friend, he couldn't bear to see Kuma lose his sense of self and become nothing more than a weapon for the World Government.
But he, too, had his own responsibilities.
————
After Sengoku lifted the information blockade on Sabaody Archipelago, it took only half a day for newspapers to spread across the entire island.
In no time, almost everyone knew the shocking news—Fire Fist Ace, the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, was set to be publicly executed at Marine Headquarters.
"This is huge!"
"That's Whitebeard we're talking about! The man known as the strongest in the world—there's no way he'll just sit back and do nothing!"
"A war… is coming..."
…
On the streets, in bars, and at casinos—everywhere in Sabaody Archipelago, people were talking about the massive event that was about to unfold.
Even ordinary citizens could tell that a battle that would shake the entire world was on its way.
————
Island 13.
The entire Straw Hat crew had gathered at Shakky's Rip-Off Bar.
It was only here that they finally learned the truth—the old man who had just saved them was none other than the right-hand man of the Pirate King, the legendary Dark King Rayleigh!
"Quiet down, everyone! There's something big I need to tell you!" Shakky shouted, cutting through the noise in the bar.
Immediately, all eyes turned to her.
"Shakky, what's going on?" Rayleigh asked, noticing the serious look on her face.
"Take a look at this," Shakky said, handing him a flyer.
Rayleigh took it and, after reading it, his expression grew tense.
"When did this happen?" Rayleigh asked.
"...Huff..."
"About a month ago. Blackbeard used him to get his Warlord title," Shakky exhaled deeply before answering.
"Rayleigh, could I see it?" Kuro couldn't hold back his curiosity and asked.
Rayleigh handed him the flyer.
"Nani?! How could this happen?!" Kuro was stunned as he read the contents.
His eyes immediately shifted to Luffy.
Not long ago, back in Alabasta, they had met Fire Fist Ace.
It was there that the Straw Hat crew first learned that Ace was Luffy's older brother.
(This chapter isn't over yet! Click 'Next Page' for more exciting content!)
"Hey, Kuro! What's the big deal? Let us see it too!" Usopp asked eagerly.
Kuro handed the flyer to Usopp, then turned to Luffy and said in a serious tone, "Luffy... your brother, Fire Fist Ace, has been captured. The Marines are planning to publicly execute him at Marine Headquarters!"
"Nani?!!" ×N
…
The Straw Hat crew was shocked by Ace's capture, while Rayleigh and Shakky were equally surprised to learn about Luffy and Ace's relationship.
"There's one more thing. I actually heard about this from Ryuen…"
"Huh?!"
"Ryuen???" ×5
Before Shakky could finish speaking, Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Kuro, and Franky all let out shocked exclamations.
"You guys... know Ryuen?" Shakky asked, puzzled.
"Of course we do! He visited Foosha Village when he was a kid, and he seems to be pretty close with my grandpa too," Luffy said excitedly.
Zoro also felt uneasy at this moment. If Ryuen was in Sabaody Archipelago, then what about Kuina...?
Sanji, upon hearing Ryuen's name, clenched his teeth in frustration. He was extremely jealous of the fact that Ryuen was always surrounded by beautiful women!
Franky had only seen Ryuen from a distance back in Water 7, but he hadn't expected so many of his crewmates to know him personally.
The one with the biggest reaction was Kuro, as he was the first among them to have met Ryuen—and he had also been defeated by him.
"Tch~"
"Didn't expect you all to know Ryuen too. But we can talk about him later."
"Right now, let me tell you something he told me. Rayleigh, about Fire Fist Ace's identity… He is the son of the Pirate King, Roger!" Shakky said in a serious tone.
"Nani?!"
This time, it was Rayleigh who was completely stunned!
---
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