To Jewelry Bonney, this so-called "mafia" of human traffickers was hardly worth a second thought.
They were just ordinary people, a bit stronger than most civilians, but pitifully weak compared to a Supernova.
Yet when she saw the group of impoverished people who had just received her aid choosing to flee like rats, her mood grew somber.
'Father... I've tried so many times. The truth is... most people don't deserve help.'
Yes, after setting sail, Bonney had heard stories of her father Kuma's charitable deeds, so she began emulating his actions on various islands.
At first, those refugees were overflowing with gratitude toward her.
But the moment they encountered underworld figures trying to rob Bonney, those she had helped would scatter and run to save their own skins.
Today was no exception.
Except for that one kid.
The little boy clutched a wooden stick, stepping forward until he stood beside the human traffickers surrounding Bonney.
Facing muscular brutes nearly two meters tall, he mustered his courage and shouted loudly.
"I want to rob this pirate too, boss! Let me join you!"
Hearing this, the trafficker who already had his cleaver pressed against the boy's neck nearly choked on his own breath.
He turned to their leader and laughed.
"Boss! This kid wants to help us capture Jewelry Bonney, hahaha!"
Instantly, the entire area erupted in laughter.
The trafficking ringleader responded with a cold smirk.
His lips curled as his eyes rolled over the boy.
"Kid... you go first. If you survive, we'll let you join."
Witnessing this scene, Bonney's disappointment in humanity deepened, and she felt profound sorrow for her father Kuma's actions.
If people outside their homeland weren't worth helping, why wouldn't Father return to find her?
What good came from serving that World Government that kept him under surveillance?
How many people could he truly help as a Shichibukai? Wouldn't it be better to hide away and continue living with her?
At this thought, tears welled in Bonney's eyes, nearly spilling over.
But the trafficking leader misinterpreted this as fear.
They grew even more convinced that this Supernova with a 140 Million Berry bounty was absolutely worthless.
Just a weak girl with a big name.
Then the boy made a request—he wanted to fight Bonney one-on-one to prove his capability.
The gang leader readily agreed, wanting to test Bonney's true strength himself through a proxy to avoid unexpected setbacks.
Nobody surviving in Sabaody Archipelago was truly foolish.
He'd simply assessed from experience that Bonney appeared to be the weakest Supernova, making her capture more likely.
Everyone was gambling with their lives.
So the traffickers expanded their encirclement while Bonney motioned her crew to step back, intending to teach this ignorant brat a lesson.
They were both ten years old—how could he be so wicked?
Before the leader could signal the start, the boy charged within five meters of Bonney, swinging his stick.
Suddenly, Bonney heard the boy's voice clearly in her ear.
"Sister... this is my ability—the Voice-Transmission Fruit (Hiso Hiso no Mi). Within five meters, I can transmit my thoughts to you."
"When we fight near the edge of their circle, I'll create an opening with all my strength. You escape through it quickly!"
"As for your companions... I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do for them."
Hearing this, Bonney halted her attack mid-swing.
She knocked away the stick aimed at her and opened her arms to give the boy a tight hug.
SQUEEZE.
The overwhelming pressure made breathing difficult for the boy, but... she was so soft.
"No! What are you doing, Sister?! Now you won't be able to escape!"
After hearing this, Bonney released the little boy, wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, and said to him very seriously.
"Thank you!"
With that, Bonney loudly issued a captain's order to the five subordinates who had accompanied her here.
"Knock out these human traffickers and steal all their belongings!"
"Received, Captain!"
The leader of the human traffickers finally realized that the kid had been deceiving him and became furious.
He immediately ordered everyone to attack.
"KILL EVERYONE EXCEPT BONNEY!"
They were angry, but Bonney was even angrier!
Just as Bonney was about to activate her ability to deal with this group...
"Boss, these bullies must be the local mafia."
"Mm. Watch your Boss handle this."
As the rude voice faded...
WHACK!
A transparent, ruler-like barrier whip over a hundred meters long shot out, instantly knocking down all the human traffickers who had surrounded the Bonney Pirates in a circle.
THUD. THUD. THUD.
The person who activated the ability had green spiky hair and sharp fangs.
The leader of the human traffickers, spitting blood, immediately recognized him.
"Bartolomeo the Cannibal... bounty 110 Million Berries!"
At that moment, the leader trembled all over.
For no other reason than because Bartolomeo's nickname "Cannibal" came from a terrifying legend.
Every time this guy went to an island, he would find the local mafia thugs, skin them alive, roast them, and hold a feast.
Now, he had come for them.
It could be said that among the human traffickers on Sabaody, the person they feared meeting the most wasn't Kid, wasn't Law, wasn't Hawkins—it was this Bartholomew who enjoyed eating them.
A person's reputation is like a tree's shadow. When the mafia encountered Bartolomeo, it was like mice meeting a deadly old cat—they couldn't even muster the will to resist.
Run?
Heh, they were already knocked down—what was there to run from?
Bartolomeo's subordinates moved extremely fast, swiftly tying everyone up, completing the "pre-ritual binding work."
"Ahem."
"Alright, men! Light the fire and get to work!"
To the leader of the human traffickers, these words were like the whisper of a demon.
'It's over... We're going to become barbecue...'
One by one, the human traffickers thought of what was to come and uncontrollably trembled all over.
At that moment, Bartolomeo also noticed Bonney standing among the crowd.
He knew all the Supernovas, so naturally, he knew who Bonney was.
"Were these people surrounding you? Damn, that's impressive."
Bonney scoffed.
She had no desire to associate with a cannibal.
In any case, those human traffickers who had tried to kidnap her deserved what they got in Bartolomeo's hands.
Was being eaten pitiable? Yes.
But it was also karma—respect their fate.
Bonney didn't want to get involved anymore and turned to leave with her subordinates.
But after taking a few steps, the kindness rooted deep in her heart made Bonney feel intense self-reproach.
She turned back to look at Barto, hesitantly asking.
"Are you really going to eat them? Isn't punishment enough?"
Unexpectedly, Barto's reaction was extremely strong.
"HAH?! Me eat them?! Sis, I'm human, okay?! Who eats people?!"
"Huh? Aren't you the 'Cannibal'?"
"I'm just following my Grandma's advice! Roasting them over a fire for a while to purge their evil beliefs! Once they pass out from the heat, we let them go! We don't kill people!"
Hearing this, Bonney's small head was filled with big confusion.
'What kind of grandma proposed this suggestion? Can roasting people with fire truly cleanse their evil?'
"Who is your grandmother? Is what she says reliable?"
Bartolomeo proudly replied, striking a pose.
"Grandmother is the most famous wise person in our town! Everything she says must be correct!"
Hearing this conviction, Bonney immediately chose to believe him.
"Alright! Let's do it together! I also want to purify their sins!"
But Bonney had one more thought in her heart.
'This way, when Dad hears about the good deeds I've done... he should come to praise me.'
Bartolomeo was deeply moved at this moment.
He had been misunderstood as a "Cannibal" for trying to cleanse the world's sins, yet this girl before him was willing to believe in him!
As for Bonney, who had been growing increasingly disappointed in humanity, she suddenly found a solution to cleanse evil from human nature and was overjoyed.
Most importantly, her dad would definitely like her for doing good deeds.
Thus, the two felt like they should have met earlier...
Happily gathering firewood together, preparing for a grand roasting session.
Seeing the two like this, the tied-up human traffickers weren't even afraid anymore.
They looked at them with eyes full of pity as if viewing idiots.
The little boy who had been prepared to sacrifice himself to save Bonney was also completely bewildered.
They all shared the same thought.
'Is the Supernovas... all abnormal people?'
Complaints aside, the thought of being roasted still made them nervous.
If they passed out from the heat, even if they didn't die, they would suffer severe burns.
As for whether they could survive after being released? That would purely depend on fate.
Thinking about their upcoming ordeal, the human traffickers began trembling in fear again.
Those two might be foolish, but they certainly didn't act like normal people.
...
On a hilltop not far from them.
Ray watched the scene before him speechlessly, shaking his head.
'Indeed... she's just a 10-year-old girl after all, truly naive'
He had only one purpose for coming here.
To take Bonney away.
---------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator