"Let's go take a look~"
As Leno spoke, he was about to lead the group toward the church. But after only a few steps, he suddenly stopped and turned his head toward the distance.
"What's wrong, Lord Leno?"
"Hmm? That's… Kuma? Why is he here?"
Beside him, Hancock noticed Leno's abrupt halt and followed his gaze curiously. Using her Observation Haki, she swept the area and sensed the presence of someone watching them—a figure she recognized immediately.
The Warlord of the Sea—Kuma.
Even though she had once held the same title, Hancock had never cared to pay attention to the other Warlords. Yet today, she had run into one of her "colleagues" by sheer coincidence.
"Come to think of it," Hancock murmured to herself, "I remember old Nyon once mentioned that Kuma's hometown was in the South Blue. Could this be it?"
Before Leno could answer, she was already musing aloud.
Hancock might not have known much about Kuma's circumstances, but Nami and Nojiko certainly did—Leno had once told them in detail about Kuma's position as one of the Warlords.
Hearing Hancock's words, they exchanged thoughtful glances, looking from Leno to the church ahead.
With a quiet sigh, Leno said nothing further and resumed walking forward.
Just as they were about to step inside the church, a group of people in white coats suddenly emerged from a nearby building, rushing over to block their path.
At their head stood a green-haired woman in a nurse's uniform. She studied the group, and when her eyes fell on Leno, her pupils shrank sharply—only for her to mask it instantly and speak in a cold, formal tone.
"This is a medical facility. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed inside!"
"How dare you! Lord Leno goes wherever he pleases!"
Hancock, ever the most vocal of the crew, flared in anger. To speak so rudely to Leno—did they have a death wish?
At her outburst, the opposing group tensed immediately, readying for combat.
Leno gently patted Hancock's shoulder, then lazily swept his gaze over the white-coated figures before speaking in a calm, almost bored voice.
"World Government intelligence agents—CP8's Alpha, isn't it? The only reason I'm talking to you instead of killing you outright is because I don't want to scare the children."
As he spoke, his hand came to rest lightly on Alpha's shoulder. Her eyes widened in terror. His low voice rumbled close to her ear.
"I hope… you know what's good for you."
Without another glance, Leno walked past her toward the church. Hancock and the others followed close behind.
Even after they had gone inside, Alpha and her team stood frozen in place, drenched in cold sweat.
It was a long moment before Alpha staggered, regaining her balance. Her terrified gaze fixed on the church door, while several of her subordinates collapsed to the ground outright.
For an instant, she had felt as though she stood in the depths of hell—a colossal, blood-red dragon towering like a god above her, looking down with divine indifference. One glance had been enough to paralyze her soul.
Before such a being, she had felt like an ant—afraid even to breathe too loudly.
Taking several shaky breaths, Alpha forced down her fear, pulled a Den Den Mushi from her coat, and dialed.
"Reporting to the Five Elders… 'Thunder God' has arrived in the South Blue. He's already met with Bonney..."
——
As Leno's group stepped into the church, a childlike singing voice drew their attention.
"Dong ta-ta-ta… dong ta-ta-ta~"
"Hee-hee-hee…"
At the front of the church, a little pink-haired girl danced joyfully to the rhythm of her own beat, humming a cheerful tune as she performed the 'Sun god Dance.'
Sensing the newcomers, the girl stopped and turned toward them. A few elderly men and women nearby also looked over.
"Huh? Who are you? How did you get into the church?"
The girl's clear eyes blinked with innocent confusion. In her memory, only familiar faces were ever allowed here—so who were these strangers?
"Bonney, stay back! These people aren't to be trusted!" said an old man who often read the newspapers, his voice trembling as he recognized them.
The elders quickly moved to shield Bonney behind them, their expressions wary. They had promised Kuma they would protect her. Anyone who meant her harm would have to step over their bodies first.
'So it really is her—the Age-Age Fruit user, Bonney,' Leno said softly, studying the small girl who looked no older than ten. "So this is Bonney, huh? Cute kid."
The fabled Age-Age Fruit, a Devil Fruit of "infinite potential," had been pushed to its absolute limits by this very girl—so much so that she could even mimic the power of the Sun God, Nika.
"Relax, everyone. We're not bad people… I mean, we're not evil people," Leno corrected himself awkwardly when he saw their tense faces. Then he smiled at Bonney.
"Little Bonney, we know your father. Would you like to hear about him?"
"Really? You know my dad?"
Her eyes lit up with pure excitement as she slipped from behind the elders, gazing up at Leno in hope.
"Of course. In fact, I saw him not long ago," Leno replied with a faint smile.
And wasn't that the truth? Kuma was waiting right outside. Leno sighed inwardly.
The world government had truly toyed with the Kuma family—one forced to hide, the other endlessly searching.
"Bonney, don't believe him!" the newspaper-reading elder protested. "They're dangerous criminals—the papers said so!"
"Huh? But they don't look like bad people to me~"
"Don't be fooled by appearances, Bonney!"
Leno couldn't help but laugh. "Old man, by that logic, Kuma's picture was on a wanted poster once too. Does that make him a bad person?"
"That's different! He… he…"
"See? The papers aren't always right. Don't worry, we won't hurt Bonney."
With that, Leno stepped forward and waved gently to the girl.
"Come, Bonney. Let me check if your illness is gone."
The little girl looked uncertainly between her grandparents and the gentle-faced man before finally trusting her instincts and walking slowly toward Leno.
He glanced briefly at the corners of her eyes and her arms before smiling.
"Congratulations, Bonney. You're all better now."
"Big brother, I know~ My sickness has been gone for a long time!" she said with innocent pride.
"Ah… right, I was just doing a follow-up check. Yes, a follow-up. Chopper!"
Trying to cover his awkwardness, Leno called over his shoulder.
"Huh? What?!" Chopper squeaked, startled by the sudden mention of his name and scampering over.
"Ahhh! A talking raccoon!" Bonney gasped, eyes wide with wonder.