Location: Inside the Sorbet Kingdom Church
The three treatment plans Storm proposed were based on the most current intelligence available.
First: Trafalgar D. Water Law and the Ope Ope no Mi.
The fact that the World Government was willing to pay 5 billion Berries for this fruit spoke volumes. Some joked that since Law's current bounty was 3 billion, his actual worth was "negative 2 billion." Even if Law couldn't cure the Sapphire Scale immediately, his ability to perform "non-invasive surgery" could remove the stones safely, extending Bonney's life.
Second: Dr. Vegapunk.
In the original timeline, Vegapunk was the one who successfully cured Bonney using stem cell transplant technology. As the world's greatest mind, he was both a scientist and a master doctor.
Third: Germa 66.
While they were essentially a "mercenary kingdom," Vinsmoke Judge's mastery of genetic engineering was second only to Vegapunk. They could likely synthesize a cure or alter Bonney's resistance.
Of course, there were others.
Storm knew Kuma had been roaming the seas, searching desperately. He had likely visited the medical hubs of the world: the Torino Kingdom, the Drum Kingdom, maybe even the Boin Archipelago.
But he had missed the mark.
Dr. Kureha (Drum Kingdom), Crocus (Twin Capes), Marco the Phoenix, Princess Mansherry (Tontatta Kingdom)—all were possible healers. But compared to the definitive science of the Ope Ope no Mi or Vegapunk, they were gambles.
"Germa 66... Op-Op Fruit... Vegapunk..."
Hearing these names, Kuma felt as if a ray of dawn had pierced the darkness of his life.
For the past year, he had lived in despair. Every doctor he met had either never heard of "Sapphire Scale" or told him it was a death sentence.
But this stranger not only knew the disease but had three concrete solutions.
"Bonney! Your illness can be cured!"
Kuma set Bonney down gently.
Then, the massive "Tyrant" dropped to his knees. He pressed his forehead to the cold stone floor in a dogeza.
"Thank you! I am deeply grateful!"
Bonney, seeing her father bow, tried to kneel too.
"Don't kneel!"
Storm's eyes flashed. The clay doll in Bonney's hands instantly transformed. It expanded into a soft, white beanbag chair that gently scooped the little girl up.
"Sit."
Bonney didn't understand why, but she felt his kindness. She giggled, bouncing on the soft clay chair.
Her laughter melted Kuma's heart, easing his tension.
"Tyrant, don't thank me yet," Storm said, cutting through the moment. "The three options I mentioned all have... difficulties."
"Take Vegapunk. Since MADS disbanded, he works for the World Government. He is currently stationed on Punk Hazard in the New World."
"Punk Hazard is a heavily guarded government research base. If you go there as a pirate or a revolutionary, you will be captured or killed."
"As for Trafalgar Law? He is a pirate rookie with a submarine. Finding him in the vast ocean is like finding a needle in a haystack."
"That leaves Germa 66."
"They are mercenaries. As long as you have money, they will help. But..."
Storm looked around the small, dark, dilapidated church. He looked at Kuma's worn clothes.
"Do you have money, Kuma?"
The glimmer of hope in Kuma's eyes vanished.
There is only one true disease on the sea: Poverty.
And Bartholomew Kuma was terminally ill with it.
"I don't want to see a child die," Storm said quietly. "So I gave you the information for free. But if you want me to help you actually achieve these cures..."
Storm leaned back.
"That's a different price."
Kuma nodded silently. He had nothing to offer.
Then, a thought crossed his mind.
'Dragon.'
Kuma spoke slowly. "I... I will seek help from my comrades."
"You mean the Revolutionary Army?" Storm interrupted, guessing his thoughts. "Monkey D. Dragon? Or perhaps your old friend, Emporio Ivankov?"
"You know Ivankov?"
"Ivankov is my... let's say, acquaintance," Storm lied smoothly. "But don't bother looking for him. He is currently imprisoned in Impel Down, Level 5."
"Impel Down?!" Kuma's eyes widened in horror. "How could this be?! Dragon would never let—"
"Ha! Dragon?"
Storm sneered. "The 'World's Most Heinous Criminal'? I advise you to stay far away from him, Kuma."
A flash of anger crossed Kuma's face. Dragon was his leader. His brother-in-arms.
"Why?" Kuma asked, his voice low.
"Why? Ha!"
Storm laughed, a cold, mocking sound.
"Where was your 'Revolutionary Leader' when Ivankov was thrown into the abyss of Impel Down? Did he try to save him?"
"Where was he when Ginny—your childhood friend, his commander—was kidnapped by a Celestial Dragon and forced into slavery? Did he storm Mary Geoise to save her?"
"And where has he been while your daughter rots from the Sapphire Scale?"
Kuma was stunned into silence. The barrage of questions hit him like physical blows.
It was true. Kuma had left active duty to care for Bonney, so he had been out of the loop. But deep down, he knew. Dragon was a man of the "Big Picture." He would never risk the entire Revolution for one person.
"Have you heard the story of Fisher Tiger?" Storm asked suddenly.
"The Captain of the Sun Pirates?"
"Yes. Fisher Tiger climbed the Red Line with his bare hands. He stormed Mary Geoise alone, set fire to the Holy Land, and liberated thousands of slaves regardless of race."
Storm stood up, his voice dripping with contempt.
"Fisher Tiger was a hero. He acted."
"But your 'World's Most Heinous Criminal'? He watched his commanders get captured. He watched his friends get enslaved. He does nothing but hide in the shadows and talk about the 'winds of fate.'"
Storm looked down at Kuma.
"Monkey D. Dragon is worse than a Fish-Man. At least the Fish-Man had a spine."
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