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"What are you talking about?"
Storm looked at Kuma and smiled kindly.
"I'm not a demon."
"After Bonney recovers from Sapphire Scale and grows into adulthood…"
"You, Bartholomew Kuma, must become my most loyal subordinate."
"It's simple, isn't it?"
The condition was much simpler than Kuma had imagined.
Storm had even added a restriction—Bonney must survive and remain healthy until adulthood. That alone ensured his sincerity in this deal.
Without hesitation, Kuma agreed to Storm's request.
From this moment on, Kuma had 'sold himself' to Storm.
"Very good," Storm said with satisfaction, nodding. "Then let's go over the three options we discussed earlier."
As Storm thought, a lump of clay emerged from thin air, molding itself into the shape of a blue planet—a slightly distorted sphere resembling the world itself.
Two great lines ran across the surface, dividing the planet into four distinct parts.
These two great lines were, of course—the Red Line and the Calm Belt.
"The three options I mentioned before," Storm began, pointing to the North Blue region on the clay model.
"First is the Op-Op Fruit. The current wielder of this ability is named Trafalgar Law. He hails from the North Blue. His precise location is unknown, but I have a way to lure him out."
"The second option is Germa 66, or more specifically, the Vinsmoke Family, led by Vinsmoke Judge."
"Vinsmoke Judge was once a member of the MADS research group and is particularly skilled in genetic modification and cybernetic technology. In these two fields, he might even rival Dr. Vegapunk himself."
"And finally, there is Dr. Vegapunk—currently stationed on Punk Hazard Island, deep within the New World."
Storm glanced at Kuma to ensure he was following before continuing.
"Besides these three, there are others scattered across the seas who might possess knowledge about Sapphire Scale and its treatment."
"For instance, Dr. Kureha of Drum Island—a medical witch whose expertise spans centuries."
"Or Crocus, the doctor at Twin Cape, who was once the personal physician of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger."
As Storm shared these revelations, hope flickered in Kuma's eyes.
Before, he had wandered aimlessly, searching for salvation for Bonney.
But now, Storm had given him direction.
Paths lay before him—each with its risks, but each offering real possibilities.
Storm spent a long while explaining each potential method in-depth, leaving nothing out.
Finally, he concluded with the most crucial option.
"In my opinion," Storm said seriously, locking eyes with Kuma, "the best course of action is to head to Punk Hazard."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Dr. Vegapunk is the most likely person to cure Bonney."
Kuma hesitated.
"But Dragon…" he began, before stopping himself. He took a deep breath and rephrased.
"The World Government won't allow just anyone to meet Dr. Vegapunk, right?"
"You're right," Storm admitted, nodding.
"But that doesn't mean it's impossible."
Kuma looked at him in confusion.
Storm tapped his temple and smirked.
"We simply need to make a deal with the World Government."
He gestured toward the ocean beyond the church walls.
"Have you forgotten about the three Marine warships anchored out at sea?"
Kuma's eyes flickered in realization.
"Those warships," Storm continued, "are now our bargaining chips."
Of course, a bargaining chip alone wasn't enough.
They also needed a middleman.
Storm knew exactly who that was.
The image of his direct superior surfaced in his mind.
Admiral Kuzan, answer already.
Elsewhere…
Brrrrr… Brrrrr…
A Den Den Mushi rang in the hands of a certain Admiral of the Marines.
"Moshi-moshi. This is Aokiji."
Kuzan, better known as Aokiji, lazily held the receiver to his ear.
His tone was relaxed—until he heard the voice on the other end.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku has agreed to your proposal…"
Aokiji's brows furrowed.
"Nani?! You want to meet Dr. Vegapunk right now?!"
"That's right!" Storm's voice came through, firm and resolute.
"Admiral Kuzan," he emphasized, "meeting Dr. Vegapunk is the core condition of this deal."
Aokiji let out a long, exasperated sigh.
"Storm, why do you always bring me trouble?"
He rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
"You're not even a Marine anymore."
"And even for Marines, getting access to Dr. Vegapunk is difficult!"
Storm, unfazed, simply replied,
"Those are three large Marine warships…"
Aokiji groaned.
"You little brat!"
Storm remained silent, waiting.
Aokiji sighed, defeated.
"Fine. Why do you want to see Vegapunk so badly?"
Storm didn't hesitate.
"Because I want to treat one of my subordinates' daughters."
Aokiji blinked.
"A child?"
Storm's voice carried no deception.
"A six-year-old girl. She has a rare and serious illness. If she doesn't receive treatment soon, she may not live past ten."
There was a long pause.
Aokiji's annoyance softened into contemplation.
"So it's for a child…"
But then, something else clicked in his mind.
"Wait… subordinate?"
"When did you get subordinates?!"
Storm chuckled.
"Oh, I just recruited one. You might recognize his name."
Aokiji frowned.
"Who?"
Storm's answer was calm, casual even.
"Bartholomew Kuma."
Silence.
Aokiji's jaw nearly hit the floor.
"YOU! YOU—!"
The Admiral stuttered, unable to form a complete sentence.
Kuma.
Bartholomew Kuma.
One of the most feared figures in the world.
A former king. A tyrant. A Revolutionary Army commander.
Now he was Storm's subordinate?
"Don't be so dramatic, sir," Storm said lightly.
"I want to be a great pirate, after all. How could I not recruit a few subordinates?"
Aokiji held his head.
"Ahhh la la… The surprises you bring me just keep getting worse."
Storm laughed.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"That's NOT a compliment!"
Aokiji grumbled before sighing deeply.
"Alright. I'll inform Fleet Admiral Sengoku about your request to meet Dr. Vegapunk."
His tone was serious now.
"But don't expect too much. Even with those warships as leverage… this won't be easy."
Storm grinned.
"Thank you, Admiral Aokiji!"
"Hey, wait—!"
Aokiji suddenly realized something.
Storm had hung up on him.
For the first time.
The young man who had always been on the receiving end of his hang-ups had beaten him to it.
Aokiji stared at the Den Den Mushi in stunned silence.
Then he sighed.
"That damn brat…"
After a long pause, he reached for the Den Den Mushi again.
"Moshi-moshi. Fleet Admiral Sengoku…"
Storm walked into the chapel with a calm expression.
"How did it go?"
Kuma, who had been waiting anxiously, asked with concern on his face.
"Did the World Government agree to let us meet with Dr. Vegapunk?"
After successfully recruiting Kuma, Storm revealed a certain amount of information about himself. He hadn't mentioned that he was a member of SWORD, but he had let Kuma know that he had contacts with senior Marine officials.
Kuma was aware that Storm had just returned from negotiating with the Marines, which was why he couldn't wait to ask for an update.
"We're still discussing it."
Storm shook his head, avoiding a definite answer.
"But we should be fully prepared for every possibility. After thinking it over carefully, I decided not to put all my eggs in one basket."
"In addition to negotiating with the Marines, we need to make other preparations."
Kuma frowned slightly.
"What else is there to do?"
"Are we heading to the East Blue to look for Germa 66?"
"That's an option," Storm acknowledged, "but that's not what I meant."
He then asked, "Are you familiar with the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
"Of course."
A flicker of distaste crossed Kuma's face.
"They're just a group of pirates given legal permission to plunder under the World Government's name."
"That's right," Storm nodded, "but the Seven Warlords of the Sea also have a direct line of communication with the World Government."
Kuma's brows furrowed slightly.
"If the Marines fail to provide an answer, we could try reaching out to the World Government through another channel."
"Is that… even possible?" Kuma asked warily.
"Can pirates really be trusted?"
"Most pirates? No," Storm admitted immediately.
"But you misunderstood my point."
"I'm not suggesting that we ask the current Warlords for help. I'm saying that we should use the Seven Warlords of the Sea system as a way to reach the World Government directly."
"In short… we can become Shichibukai ourselves."
Originally, becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea hadn't been a part of Storm's plans. But now, after successfully recruiting Kuma, it was a strategy that aligned perfectly with his goals.
The Seven Warlords of the Sea system was a mechanism established by the World Government to maintain balance. If he could become a Warlord, it would grant him greater freedom to act without immediate interference from the Marines.
More importantly, it would also provide direct access to Punk Hazard and its wealth of resources.
The island held numerous scientific treasures, and if he played his cards right, becoming one of the Shichibukai would grant him leverage to obtain information and materials that would otherwise be impossible to reach.
Not to mention—once recognized as an official Shichibukai, he wouldn't have to worry about being hunted by the Marines anymore.
"Becoming a Shichibukai..."
Kuma hesitated.
"That won't be easy."
"I don't think it'll be that difficult," Storm replied coolly.
"The easiest way to earn the title of Shichibukai is by defeating a Shichibukai!"
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