"Hehehehehe… Perona, huh?"
Moria, with his huge belly, leaned against the wall as he looked at the elegant man. Even his mouth full of sharp teeth curled into a smile.
"This kid really is loved by both Orin and you~"
For this request, Moria did not choose to refuse. After all, this had already become routine.
"Well then…"
After that, Moria shifted his gaze to another place — on the sofa sat a tall figure reading a book. His size was similar to Moria's, but reversed in proportions.
"Kuma, what is your reason for appearing here?"
"The most mysterious one among the Shichibukai…"
As for the specific matters regarding the laboratory, Orin had not chosen to tell Moria.
One reason was that they weren't of one mind — their relationship was only barely harmonious because Perona served as a middleman.
And also…
Uh…
Orin felt this guy was too weak.
Ever since he had given up on himself, his strength didn't even reach the level of a Yonko crew's three Sweet Commanders, or the Three Calamities. Saying anything to him was pointless — he couldn't help at all.
So all he knew was that the other Shichibukai were connected and were helping Orin with things, but he didn't know any specifics.
"Nothing much…"
Kuma's voice was still gentle, though the expression behind his glasses couldn't be seen.
"I'm just here to relay the matter of the new Shichibukai appointment, and also to take care of a personal matter."
Mihawk acted as if he hadn't heard anything, calmly sipping his red wine.
But Moria showed some disdain.
"The new Shichibukai? Who is it, Enel or someone else?"
"Blackbeard Teach."
"Never heard the name."
"If this is all you came here for, then don't bother me anymore!!"
But Kuma acted as if he hadn't heard, simply speaking in a calm voice.
"In addition to that personal matter, the Straw Hat crew has already arrived here — the rookie pirate group who defeated Crocodile. They are here to defeat you…"
"What do you mean?"
Moria turned around, bloodshot eyes glaring at the cold, statue-like Kuma.
"For Orin-sama's reputation, and for the dignity and completeness of the Shichibukai, I can help you deal with—"
"Don't joke with me!!!"
Moria grabbed Kuma by the collar, eyes fierce.
"I am not someone like Crocodile!! A bunch of newbies like the Straw Hat crew — there are countless like them on the sea. I don't need anyone's help!!!"
Kuma did not react.
He did not speak, as if silently accepting it.
A moment later, Moria left the castle, leaving only Mihawk and Kuma inside.
And as soon as Moria left, Kuma instantly changed.
A gentle aura surfaced naturally.
"Phew…"
Kuma walked to Mihawk's side and sat down, exhaling.
"Orin-san's talk of maintaining a tyrant's dignity is really hard to keep up~"
Mihawk turned his face slightly, glancing at the man who had been so cold moments before but now looked a bit strained. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
"You're actually here for the Straw Hats, aren't you?"
"Eh?"
Kuma looked surprised.
"How did you know?"
"Orin said so."
Hearing that, Kuma stopped being surprised — Orin knew everything, after all.
"Yes, Straw Hat Luffy is the son of a friend of mine. Orin-san also said to give them a bit more trials."
"Trials, huh…"
Mihawk thought about that spoiled, willful little girl.
…
"What was that?! That long-nosed guy actually dared to offend me like that!!!"
"And Moria-sama actually got tangled up by such childish brats…"
Perona commanded the zombies to move treasure onto the Sunny.
"Your lady here is going out to sea — I can't stay here any longer!!!"
At this moment, Nami, dressed in a wedding gown, rushed over and happened to see Perona. She immediately tried to stop her.
But Perona, who had been spoiled from childhood, didn't spare her any courtesy.
"What can you even do to me?"
Hands on hips, the gothic little loli said with contempt.
She completely failed to notice that the atmosphere had suddenly gone quiet.
When she turned around, a tall figure stood silently there, holding a Bible.
"You… you are…"
The zombies beside her trembled as they pointed at the figure.
"He looks so scary!!!"
"Shichibukai Kuma, the monster known as the Tyrant!!!"
Perona felt a bit timid — it was her first time facing someone with such an oppressive aura.
Because whether it was Moria or Mihawk, neither had ever released this kind of presence in front of her. They always treated her like a child.
Nami covered her mouth, shocked by the sudden appearance of such a big figure.
But Kuma ignored her, instead speaking gently toward Perona:
"If it's travel, where do you want to go?"
After brief panic, Perona prepared to counterattack — but her ghosts were slapped away into nothingness the moment they got close.
Now she completely panicked!!!
"Don't come any closer!!!"
"If you dare do anything weird, Uncle Mihawk won't spare you!!!"
But her words were useless.
"Pop—"
With a single palm strike, under Perona's terrified gaze, she vanished from the spot.
After that, Kuma stepped past Nami and asked whether Luffy had a brother, then left immediately.
Once Moria was defeated, he still had things to do.
On the way, he encountered Mihawk who was about to depart.
"That little ghost girl — I've already sent her off."
Watching the coffin sink into the water, Kuma casually mentioned it.
"Is that so… thanks."
"No need to thank me. Seeing that little girl reminded me of my own daughter. I haven't been home in a long time…"
A trace of nostalgia flashed in Kuma's eyes. Then he noticed Mihawk struggling with his sword, as if it had a rebellious will of its own and he was trying to use it as an oar.
Though he didn't understand why the sword seemed to resist, he still offered kindly:
"If you want to go find that little girl, I can send you there with my ability."
"No need. I'm going to meet up with Orin anyway, and the Sabaody Archipelago is close."
Mihawk refused immediately, because Orin had said that something big would happen soon, and he shouldn't go too far.
And there was no need to worry about Perona's safety.
After all, that girl grew up knowing the baboons on that island.
On the other side—
Perona, who had been slapped to the island, was indeed scared at first. But when she saw the dark castle and the baboons surrounding her—
Her little face puffed up in anger, looking extremely cute.
"What the heck, he actually slapped me all the way here!!!"