The white light spread—
and only then came the thunderous roar.
A massive explosion!
King Bekori was obliterated beneath that single strike. Not even bone fragments remained.
Rumble!
The high walls and towers of the castle could not withstand the spreading shockwave. They cracked, crumbled, and collapsed into ruin.
That blow—if unleashed in full—could have destroyed an island.
When the shaking ceased and the dust cleared, Kuma was left half-kneeling amid the wreckage, blood streaking his face. The grand fortress was no more. Flattened into rubble.
King Bekori was dead.
Kuma's heart was heavy, conflicted.
He had killed a king.
Jin's voice came, steady and calm:
"You were not wrong.
Violence is not always evil. Peace is not always good.
Violence in the name of peace, to fight for freedom—that is justice.
But peace bought by kneeling, by slavery and submission—such peace is false.
Bekori did not realize he was wrong. He only realized he was about to die.
Had you spared him, you would only have condemned the people of Sorbet to further suffering and oppression.
There are men whose deaths are more than deserved.
And you—for their sake—struck down the oppressor. Even if you bear sin for it, do you not feel it was worth it?"
Jin knew Kuma was not rejoicing. His "pacifist" creed had been shattered. His will, were shaken to the core.
But in this very moment—
it was time to break, and be remade.
"For the sake of justice and peace… bear the weight of sin."
Kuma murmured to himself.
He was a priest, after all. He had studied scriptures, steeped in asceticism. His fruit had long been used to heal others, taking their pain upon himself, like a form of spiritual penance. Later, for Bonney, he would sacrifice himself entirely—choosing suffering as salvation.
Kuma was, at his core, one who bore pain for others.
A man of sorrow, who yet found joy in compassion.
"Yes…" he whispered.
"Think of the tragedies Bekori caused. The innocents slaughtered. Was there a single one who deserved such a fate?
Now—do you hear them? Their cheers? Their cries of release?
You avenged them. Even if blood stains your hands."
Jin pressed further, his words like a sermon:
"If not me to step into hell—then who?
Is that not also a form of salvation?"
Kuma's despair cracked. A sliver of light pierced through—divine light!
"If I do not enter hell—who will?"
His eyes steadied, burning with resolve.
Breaking his vow now had meaning.
If it saved the people, what did sin matter?
His spirit and soul felt reborn, his vision of the world transformed.
The burden lifted from his heart.
Kuma rose, straightened, and bowed deeply to Jin.
"Thank you!
If possible… I wish for you to rule Sorbet Kingdom. That would be this land's greatest fortune."
In Kuma's eyes, no king could compare.
In this rotten age, even a ruler like Cobra was hailed as a sage.
But Jin? He did not exploit his people. He built industries, led them to prosperity. To Kuma—he was divine.
Surely, a god descended to save mankind.
Jin for Drum.
Jin for Bonney.
Jin for him.
If not a god—what else could he be?
In Kuma's gaze, Jin saw faith, worship, even fanaticism.
Damn.
Had he… accidentally talked him into becoming a zealot?
Ruling Sorbet? Jin had no interest. No time for such things.
"Bekori's death will draw the World Government's eye," Jin said at last.
"But as long as you remain free, the next king will tread carefully. He'll fear your return.
So long as you live, you are a warning to every corrupt king."
Kuma's eyes lit up.
"Then… should I kill a few more tyrant kings?"
Jin nearly choked.
This guy wants to be a King-Slayer now?!
One dead king is a warning.
Two or three—and the world itself would panic. Admirals and Celestial Dragons would move.
"Don't rush. Struggle is long and endless."
At Sorbet's port, a ship docked slowly.
The setting sun was swallowed by storm clouds. Rain lashed down, lightning split the skies.
The wind howled. Jin's cloak snapped in the gale.
A deep, resonant voice rose against the storm:
"Kuma. It has been a long time."
Jin turned.
At the broken castle walls, a towering figure stood cloaked and hooded. The storm itself seemed to coil around his frame.
Crash!
Lightning illuminated a stern face marked by a crimson tattoo, cold and unyielding.
Kuma's expression lit with joy.
"Dragon—you came?"
"Mn."
The man nodded slightly.
Monkey D. Dragon. Leader of the Revolutionary Army. Luffy's father.
"I heard of trouble here," Dragon said. His gaze shifted to Jin. "And this is…?"
Kuma answered without hesitation:
"He is my life's teacher, King of Drum Kingdom—Jin!"
Jin froze.
Life's teacher? What the hell?!
Dragon blinked. The boy looked far too young. Kuma… had a teacher?
But the latter half of Kuma's words struck him. Dragon's eyes narrowed.
"…You. The one who defeated one of the Shichibukai, Hanafza?"
ACHOO!
In a tavern in Wano, Hanafza sneezed over his drink, prosthetic clattering as he slammed the cup down.
"Who the hell is bad-mouthing me now?!"