Location: Naval Warship Deck
Storm stepped through the void, using Geppo (Moonwalk) to arrive at the warship in a blur of motion.
On the deck, the massive "Clay Bear" statue was trembling violently. Even encased in hardened clay, Kuma's strength was terrifying. His Paw-Paw Fruit allowed him to repel anything—including the prison itself.
Crack—
Dense fissures appeared on the clay paws.
BOOM!
The clay around Kuma's hands exploded outward like shrapnel. The distinct, paw-padded hands of the Tyrant broke free, ready to unleash another shockwave.
Storm didn't panic. He reached into his robes and pulled out a baton made of a dark, distinct mineral.
He flicked his wrist.
The Seastone Baton, a high-grade tool stolen from a Marine base, flew like a javelin. It struck with pinpoint accuracy, landing right in Kuma's open palm.
Clack.
The moment the Seastone touched his skin, Kuma's resistance vanished. The energy drained from his body instantly. His arms fell limp.
Storm manipulated the clay, peeling it back to reveal Kuma's head. The "Tyrant" was panting, his eyes fixed on the black rod in his hand.
'Seastone…' Kuma realized.
As a Devil Fruit user, he had no defense against the sea's curse. A mere touch was enough to seal his powers completely. He was helpless before this strange "Angel."
"Bartholomew Kuma," Storm asked casually, walking up to the captured Warlord-to-be. "Do you believe in 'gravity'?"
"Gravity?" Kuma frowned, confused by the sudden philosophical question. "I am a man of faith. I believe in God."
"...Huh?"
Storm nearly choked.
He had prepared a whole speech. 'Do you believe in gravity?'
'People are drawn together by fate!'
It was supposed to be cool. It was supposed to be the perfect recruitment line.
And it died instantly because Kuma took it literally.
Storm remained silent for a long moment.
'I really am terrible at persuasion,' he thought. 'Fine. If reason won't work, force will.'
Storm raised his right hand. His fist turned jet-black, coated in Armament Haki.
"Tekkai (Iron Body): Smash!"
THUD!
Storm delivered a precise, haki-infused blow to Kuma's temple. The giant man's eyes rolled back, and he slumped forward, unconscious.
[System Alert: Target Acquired]
[Diamond Trophy: Bartholomew Kuma]
[Star Rating: ★★★★★★ (6-Stars)]
'Only six stars?' Storm frowned at the floating interface. 'I expected Kuma to be a Seven-Star trophy. It seems right now he's only on par with Ivankov.'
Storm shook his head. Kuma was strong, but he hadn't reached his peak "Pacifista" power yet.
He looked up at the sky and whistled. The Blue-Eyes White Dragon descended, hovering over the warships.
Thump! Thump!
Two bodies were unceremoniously dumped from the dragon's back onto the deck.
Kid and Killer rolled across the wooden planks, groaning. Fortunately, the layer of soft clay cushioned their fall. They scrambled to their feet, eyes wide.
Having witnessed Storm defeat three warships and the "Tyrant" Kuma in minutes, their awe had reached its peak.
"Boss!"
"Boss!"
...Boss?
Storm glanced at the two punks indifferently. He didn't correct them.
He waved his hand. Chains of white clay shot from the warships, latching onto the dragon's harness.
"Pull."
The Blue-Eyes White Dragon roared and flapped its massive wings, dragging the three captured Marine warships toward the coast of the Sorbet Kingdom.
Location: Coast of the Sorbet Kingdom
A group of elderly men stood on the beach, watching the sea with anxious expressions.
The leader was a short, weathered old man leaning on a cane.
King Bulldog.
He was the former ruler of Sorbet. After the "One-Man Revolution," the people had elected Kuma as their new King, but Kuma—being a gentle soul—left the actual governance to Bulldog.
Bulldog knew exactly why they were fighting.
The previous ruler, King Bekori, was a monster. To pay the "Heavenly Tribute" to the Celestial Dragons, Bekori had split the country in half, abandoning the poor and sick to die so the rich could live in luxury.
Kuma and the Freedom Fighters had driven Bekori out. But now, Bekori had returned with Marine backing to slaughter the "abandoned" half of the kingdom.
"King Kuma..." Bulldog muttered, gripping his cane. "We must win..."
Just then, three silhouettes appeared on the horizon.
But they weren't moving under their own power.
"What is that?" Bulldog rubbed his old eyes. "It has wings... A dragon?!"
The massive white dragon dragged the fleet onto the sand. Storm manipulated the clay, offloading the prisoners—Marines, King Bekori (still a statue), and the unconscious Kuma.
Storm stepped off last.
"Boss!"
Kid and Killer were already on the beach, standing guard on either side of Bulldog.
"This old guy says he's the King!" Kid shouted.
"I am not the King," Bulldog corrected calmly, though he was sweating. "I am the Regent. The true King is Bartholomew Kuma."
"Regent? King?" Kid frowned, impatient. "If you run the place, you're the boss. Who cares about titles?"
Storm walked over, waving Kid and Killer away. "Go check the supplies on the warships. We need food and loot."
"On it!" The duo ran off.
Storm turned to Bulldog. "Regent Bulldog. Where is King Kuma's 'palace'?"
Bulldog ignored the question, his eyes fixed on the clay-covered giant beside Storm.
"I don't know if it's my imagination," Bulldog whispered, "but that statue looks familiar..."
"Oh, him?"
Storm smiled. "I'm Vongola Storm. A Pirate Captain. I invited Kuma to join me, but he was shy."
"Pirate?" Bulldog raised an eyebrow. "You don't look like a pirate."
"You can't judge a book by its cover, old man. Just like this 'Tyrant' here."
Storm snapped his fingers. The clay peeled off Kuma's face.
"King Kuma!" Bulldog gasped, stumbling forward. "Pirate! What did you do to him?!"
"Relax, old man. I just tested his strength. He's sleeping."
Bulldog didn't trust him. He hurried to Kuma's side, checking his pulse. It was steady. The old man let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
He looked up at Storm, confusion written all over his face.
"Are you... really a pirate?"
"No bounty, no flag, no ship, no crew," Storm admitted proudly. "But yes. I am a pirate."
"...I understand this world less and less," Bulldog sighed. "What does a young pirate want with our poor kingdom?"
"Recruiting subordinates," Storm said frankly. "And plundering."
Bulldog tensed. "Sorbet is a poor country. We have nothing for you to steal."
"What does your poverty have to do with me?"
Storm pointed a thumb over his shoulder at the three massive Marine warships beached on the sand.
"See those three ships?"
"Yes."
"Old man," Storm grinned, his eyes gleaming with greed. "Do you have any idea how much a fully armed G-Class Marine Warship sells for on the black market?"
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