"Idiot! I'm a reindeer—a reindeer who ate the Human-Human Fruit! Look, these are antlers!"
Furious, Chopper yanked off his hat and showed the two antlers on his head to Bonney.
Bonney laughed joyfully at the sight of the small creature losing its mind and jumping around wildly.
"Kawaii~ (^▽^)"
"Snap~"
"Baka-yarō! Even if you say I'm cute, I won't be happy, you jerk ~"
"Giggle giggle..." Bonney was thoroughly amused by Chopper's tsundere behavior.
Leno pressed a hand to his forehead in exasperation and said, "Alright, Chopper, quickly examine Bonney and see if there are any issues."
"Oh~"
Hearing that he had to examine her condition, Chopper immediately became serious and began a careful check-up on Bonney.
After a moment, Chopper looked up at Leno, a little confused.
"Leno, aside from being slightly malnourished, her body is perfectly healthy!"
Nodding, Leno then looked at Bonney.
"It seems your illness is truly cured~"
"Uh-huh, big brother, have you really met my dad? He hasn't come to see me in ages, and there's been no news at all!"
Little Bonney looked at Leno with expectant eyes and asked, then lowered her voice in disappointment.
"Of course I've seen him. It's just that due to some circumstances, he can't meet you right now, but he cares about you very much. He's written you many letters."
Hearing Leno's words, Bonney's eyes instantly lit up, and she spoke with a hint of excitement:
"Really? Really? Then... then where are the letters?"
"The wicked woman outside the door intercepted the letters, but don't worry, I'll get them back for you in a moment!"
"How dare she! That Alpha woman~" An angry Bonney clenched her small fists tightly, her eyes slightly red.
Leno reached out and stroked Bonney's little head, comforting her: "Don't worry, you'll see the letters very soon."
"You just need to know that your father has always loved you very, very much! He just can't see you right now for reasons beyond his control."
Wiping away tears from the corners of her eyes haphazardly, Bonney said happily, "I know, Dad loves me very much~ Thank you, big brother!"
"Hmm, by the way, was that the Nika's ritual dance you were just doing?"
"!!! Big brother, you know about the Nika too?"
"Of course I do! The 'pure white figure' who brings peace and joy to the world, right?"
Bonney's eyes sparkled with excitement, and she quickly nodded: "Uh-huh, Dad once told me the legend of the Sun God!"
Leno cleared his throat and looked at Bonney mysteriously: "It's not a legend. The 'Sun God' really exists and has appeared in the world. Maybe you'll meet him someday!"
Nami, Robin, and the others waiting nearby looked at Leno strangely. They felt Leno's attitude toward this little girl was somehow special.
It wasn't until Leno mentioned the 'Sun God' that Robin's pupils trembled slightly, and she looked at Bonney with a knowing expression.
"Alright, let's celebrate becoming good friends with Bonney today. Let's have a feast!"
Leno waved his hand, and a large quantity of food and drinks appeared out of thin air. He then invited everyone to start the feast.
"Sugoi! Big brother, you're amazing! Is that magic?"
"Hahaha..." Everyone burst into laughter at Bonney's remark.
During the feast, Leno introduced his companions to Bonney. Watching the little girl gobble down the food, Nojiko and Kuina smiled.
Bonney hadn't been this happy in a long time. The elderly people who had been with her for so long had tears welling up in their eyes seeing Bonney smile so cheerfully now.
How long had it been since they had seen Bonney laugh so happily, ever since Kuma left and never returned?
The spirited and playful Bonney won the affection of the women on Leno's crew, and later, at her invitation, they began dancing the 'Sun God' ceremonial dance.
Leno sipped the fine wine in his cup, watching everyone happily dancing, and his thoughts wandered. Should I recruit a musician for the ship?
He turned to look at Hancock, who was adding more wine to his cup.
"Hancock, aren't you going to join them?"
Hancock looked up, her eyes like a pool of autumn water, fixed on Leno. She spoke in a syrupy sweet voice: "This empress only wishes to remain by Lord Leno's side~"
...
Although the feast was happy and pleasant, it had to end eventually.
Looking at the downcast Bonney, Leno said, "Bonney, wait a moment. I'll go get your letters back for you!"
"Zzzzt~"
Leno's figure vanished in a flash of electrical light, leaving Bonney behind with a look of astonishment.
Seeing Leno suddenly appear in front of her, Alpha quickly stepped forward to salute.
"Thunder God-sama, the Five Elders..."
"Hand them over!" Leno interrupted her and reached out his hand.
"W-what?" Alpha was confused. She was waiting here to relay a message from the Five Elders. What did he mean by that?
"Kuma's letters to Bonney. Hand them over!"
"Ah? Oh, oh, wait, I'll go fetch them!" With that, Alpha hurriedly returned to her residence.
Looking at Alpha's slender figure and her long, stocking-clad legs, Leno thought, 'I wonder what Kalifa looks like in a uniform and stockings.'
Soon, Alpha handed a stack of letters to Leno, then continued, "Thunder God-sama, the Five Elders-sama wish to speak with you~"
"Tell them to wait."
After saying that, Leno's figure vanished again. Alpha was utterly horrified where she stood. What? He actually dared to make the Five Elders-sama wait for him? This 'Thunder God'...
"Zzzzt~"
Bonney, who was waiting anxiously in the church, immediately rushed toward Leno the moment he reappeared.
"Big brother, are you okay? Alpha is... very scary!"
Waving the letters in his hand, Leno smiled and said, "See, I didn't lie to you. I've brought back all of your father's letters!"
Clutching the letters tightly to her chest, Bonney looked at Leno with tear-filled eyes, her voice choked with emotion:
"Thank you, thank you, big brother!"
Leno patted Bonney's small head, then glanced at his companions.
"It's time for us to go~ Bonney, until we meet again!"
Hearing Leno's sudden farewell, Bonney quickly lifted her head, and seemed hesitant to speak: "Big brother, you... you..."
"Hmm? What is it, Bonney?"
"Big brother, are you a 'God' too?"
Hearing Bonney's question, Leno tilted his head to think, then his lips curled into a big smile.
"That's right! My name is: Thunder God!"
As his words fell, Leno instantly transformed into his 'Thunder God' form. In an instant, a 'giant-sized Leno' composed of pure lightning appeared before Bonney.
Little Bonney was utterly stunned by the sight of the lightning giant.
"Bonney, remember this form. It might help you in the future!" The rumbling divine voice transmitted down, and Bonney's pupils contracted greatly.
After deeply imprinting the 'Thunder God' image into Bonney's mind, Leno dispelled the ability and waved goodbye to her.
Bonney ran to the church door, watching Leno walk into the distance, waving her small hand and shouting out loud.
"Big brother, I will remember you forever!"
Just after bidding Bonney farewell, Alpha approached Leno again, holding the Den Den Mushi.
"Thunder God-sama, the call from the Five Elders-sama..."
Tsk~
Leno impatiently let out a light tsk sound and snatched up the Den Den Mushi: "Hello~ It's Leno!"
"Leno, stop taking unnecessary actions. Do not test the limits of the World Government."
"You old geezer—watch your tone!"
...