"It's all because of me, it's all because of me!" Joelle Bonney bit her lip and cried. "It's all because of me that my father gave up his identity as king and became the pirate he hated most!"
Bonney wept for a while before asking Ace, "You just said that my father and Vegapunk are involved in a dangerous deal. Is his life in danger?"
"If nothing has changed, then yes," Ace replied solemnly.
Hearing Ace's answer, Bonney took a deep breath. A flash of determination lit her eyes as she made up her mind. "You said you want to make my father your partner. Then you won't put him in danger, right?"
"Of course not," Ace affirmed.
"Good." Bonney nodded. "I'll tell you everything about my father. Just promise me you'll do everything you can to win him over."
"Even without knowing Mr. Kuma's past, I would still try to make him my partner—even if I have to fight him!" Ace replied confidently.
"I hope you mean that," Bonney said with a small smile, and then began recounting Bartholomew Kuma's past.
At the time, Bonney was just five years old. Fifteen years ago, she accompanied Kuma—then still the King of the Sorbet Kingdom—to the Levely at Mary Geoise.
During the Levely, Bonney was nearly killed after accidentally bumping into a Celestial Dragon. Kuma, due to his status as a king, could only endure the humiliation and suppress his rage. But what he didn't expect was that their royal convoy would be attacked on the return journey.
Kuma, who had not yet eaten the Paw-Paw Fruit, survived the ambush due to his immense physical strength. But all the royal guards, his queen, and his daughter—or so he thought—were killed in the attack.
Devastated, Kuma returned to the Sorbet Kingdom only to learn that the assault had been orchestrated by the Celestial Dragons themselves. The order had been issued by the same Celestial Dragon that Bonney had accidentally offended.
Furious but powerless to act as king, Kuma bore his grief in silence. Eventually, after consuming the Paw-Paw Fruit, he abdicated his throne and left the kingdom.
Now free of royal restrictions, Kuma took revenge by slaughtering the corrupt king who had led the assault, along with that kingdom's entire royal family. Labeled a tyrant by the World Government for this act, he was branded a criminal and pirate.
Bonney ended her story there, but Ace had already begun piecing the rest together based on what he knew.
Kuma, having completed his revenge, attempted a suicidal assault on Mary Geoise, aiming to kill the Celestial Dragon responsible. But he failed. Overwhelmed by the guards, he managed to escape using his Paw-Paw powers.
Badly wounded, Kuma was found and saved by Monkey D. Dragon. After learning of Dragon's ideals and witnessing the corruption of the world firsthand, Kuma pledged himself to the Revolutionary Army, believing Dragon was the only one capable of changing the world.
Later, in order to better serve the Revolutionary Army and gather intelligence, Kuma agreed to become a Warlord of the Sea under the World Government. It was during this time that he made a secret deal with Vegapunk, the government's lead scientist.
"Based on Mr. Kuma's history, I think he takes the most pride in being a revolutionary," Ace muttered, frowning. "It may be very difficult to convince him to join me."
Does Kuma hate pirates?
Probably. Most pirates in the world are infamous for plundering and chaos. For a man who was once a king, it makes sense that he would detest what most pirates represent.
But still, Kuma had once become a pirate himself to avenge his family. Later, he joined the Revolutionary Army—perhaps where he truly found his purpose.
"Are you going to give up?" Bonney asked, concerned by the look on Ace's face.
"Give up?" Ace blinked. "On making him my partner? Not a chance."
"Then... let me join your pirate crew," Bonney said suddenly. "I was planning to start my own pirate crew to follow my father's path. But if you're serious about recruiting him, my joining you could help. As his daughter, I might increase your odds."
Knowing now that her father might be entangled in a dangerous deal with Vegapunk, Bonney was determined to help. Even if she couldn't change his resolve, she could at least offer her strength to anyone who could.
"You want to join me?" Ace stared at her in disbelief. Of all the Supernovas from Luffy's generation, Bonney was the only one he hadn't considered recruiting—but now she was the one offering.
"What—you think I'm not good enough?!" Bonney snapped. "I'm strong!"
"No, no!" Ace quickly waved his hands. "You're more than welcome to join. I'm honored."
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