"The flies buzz ever louder, imagining their droning to be eternal, greater than the warrior who has fallen.
Indeed—no one ever notices the flaws or wounds of flies.
But the warrior with scars is still a warrior.
The perfect fly is still nothing more than a fly.
Begone, flies!
Though you sprout wings and buzz, you will never surpass the warrior.
You… are insects!"
Jin's voice, carried by wind and thunder, rolled across the capital.
Dragon listened, and his heart trembled.
How beautiful!
How precise!
How it cut straight to the essence!
From the day he founded the Freedom Army, to when it became the Revolutionary Army, Dragon had endured this again and again—
The pain of never being understood.
Why?
Why, when they fought to save the people, did those very people kneel to kings and nobles instead?
Why would they rather curse the Revolutionaries, calling them destroyers of order, blaming them for the king's wrath and reprisals?
Too many times.
Ignorance.
Apathy.
The weak worshipped the strong, yet trampled on the weaker.
Dragon could never make sense of it.
So he could only trust in the winds of fate, hoping one day the world could be changed.
Perhaps, when the World Government and Celestial Dragons fell, people's hearts would follow?
The burden on his shoulders was heavy.
Too heavy.
And there was no one to share it with.
Until this moment.
Hearing Jin's words, Dragon felt a jolt—
as if, finally, someone understood.
Especially the last line—
his scalp tingled, lightning surged through his body, his chest burned with unshakable resolve.
A storm of emotion rose within him.
No matter how harsh the road ahead—
a warrior cannot be broken.
"Yes!"
"Brilliant!"
Dragon clapped, unable to help himself.
"This is the greatest comfort and encouragement a warrior could receive. I feel… alive again!"
Jin shook his head.
"That wasn't me. Those were the words of Lu Xun, a great man from another world."
Dragon blinked, startled—then thrilled.
"Can I meet him?"
"No. He sleeps eternally now. I've only read his writings. Hearing them insult Kuma stirred me to speak."
Dragon sighed softly.
"What a pity. To never speak with such a man… it will be my life's regret.
But—King Jin, may I read these works? I believe they would help us greatly."
Jin nodded.
"When I have time—and remember—I'll share some."
Dragon frowned at the casual tone, then realized. Of course. Such knowledge would be banned, suppressed.
O'Hara's fate was proof.
Jin tilted his head, eyeing the storm around them.
"Tell me, do you always bring the tempest with you? Quite the entrance."
Dragon coughed lightly.
"The Government's CP dogs are always hunting us. For my comrades' safety, I have no choice but to move in storms.
By the way—the Navy will be here soon. You should go. Leave the rest to us."
"Fine. And… keep my identity sealed."
"Agreed. For future contact… how about we use your codename—'Life Mentor'?"
Jin: "…"
"…Whatever."
"Kuma, let's move."
Wind and rain cloaked their departure.
Back on the Devil Carrier, Kuma stood at the rail, watching his homeland fade.
"Does this country… really still have hope?"
Jin was about to say yes.
But then he thought—no, as a "mentor," he should say something deeper.
Little Ai, search my terabytes of notes. Find me a badass quote for this moment.
A line popped up.
Jin spoke solemnly:
"Hope is the thing with feathers, perched in the soul."
Kuma savored it, eyes widening.
So profound… divine, even! He quickly jotted it in a notebook. One day, perhaps, his records would become scripture—the "Holy Canon."
And that earlier speech!
Truly moving.
When Kuma had heard the jeers, doubt had gnawed at him.
But Jin's words had reignited his fire.
Breaking News!
"Shock! The long-vanished Tyrant Kuma returns to the Sorbet Kingdom to assassinate the king!"
"Tyrant Kuma strikes down a monarch! Navy blunder of the century!"
"Bounty raised to 2.8 billion! Kuma's infamy explodes!"
The World Economy News raced to spread it. Kings across the seas panicked, calling the Gorosei in fear.
This wasn't just exile anymore—this was regicide.
And most kings' hands were filthy.
If Kuma could kill one, what stopped him from killing another?
Fear spread.
Would others follow his example? Kill their kings? Challenge the world order itself?
The Five Elders raged, pressuring Fleet Admiral Sengoku through Kong.
In the end, it was decided—Admiral Aokiji would lead the hunt.
Kuma had to be captured within a month.
"Bartholomew Kuma? That guy's insane! Hunted by the Navy, yet still daring to slay a king?"
"He's awesome!"
"I swear, Kuma's my idol now!"
Everywhere, the oppressed whispered his name with newfound courage.
At Revolutionary HQ, Sabo and Koala read the paper and cheered.
In Impel Down—
"What? Kuma killed a king?!"
Ivankov nearly popped his eyes out.
"That sweet, gentle man who wouldn't kill an ant? Impossible!"
But while the world reeled from Kuma's regicide—
South Blue, Kutsukku Island.
A tavern lay in ruins. Tables overturned, food and drink soaking the floor, stinking in the air.
The owner cowered in a corner, trembling.
Jin had a boy by the scruff.
Scarlet, spiky hair. Black sunglasses. Eyes fierce with defiance.
"Eustass… Kidd? Useless Kidd?"
"It's Eustass! And yeah, that's me!"
Even bloodied, nose streaming, the youth glared, jaw set—every inch the stubborn little punk.
Already one of the four bosses ruling the backstreets.
But to Jin's disappointment—Kidd hadn't yet eaten the Magnet-Magnet Fruit.
"Kidd!"
"Let him go!"
Killer and their childhood friend Draya burst in with lackeys to save him.
BOOM!
Jin's Conqueror's Haki crashed out, dropping them unconscious. He stretched out an arm, grabbing Draya instead.
"Bring me the Devil Fruits you find—and trade for her life."
He tossed Kid a card.
"Bastard! Let her go!"
Kid roared, fury blazing.
A sudden aura burst from him, primal and defiant—
Jin arched a brow.
"Oh? Conqueror's Haki awakening already?"
He casually slapped the boy unconscious.
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