Chapter 151: Kuma's Express Delivery
Not long after, Ian suddenly felt something approaching in the sky. Looking up, he was utterly stunned.
Kuma had actually come flying!
It was the same method he used when teleporting, but with a slight difference: his hands were now hanging down near his legs, constantly repelling himself from the atmosphere to achieve flight.
This kind of flight naturally looked a bit strange. The bear in the sky wasn't flying continuously; instead, he moved a short distance in an instant, then another short distance in an instant, making it look like a video skipping frames...
Ian was truly impressed. He realized that Kuma's imagination was vast enough to develop his Devil Fruit ability in such a way.
Come to think of it, among the Seven Warlords of the Sea, it seemed only he and Doflamingo could use their abilities to fly, right? However, Kuma flew by constantly repelling the atmosphere, while Doflamingo used his String-String Fruit to latch onto clouds and soar through the sky. Comparatively, Kuma's method seemed more reliable.
Speaking of which, Kuma's catchphrase was always asking others where they would like to go if they traveled. With an ability like his, he must have visited every island by now, right?
Kuma, are you actually the Pirate King? The freest person on this sea...
Ian really wanted to complain. He found these Devil Fruit users to be far too unscientific...
Just as he was thinking this, the ground trembled slightly. Kuma landed with a thud, his tall figure standing before Ian, looking down at him.
Ian glanced at his left wrist. There, Kuma was wearing three portable Den Den Mushi at once, strapped on with a watchband. One was an ordinary baby Den Den Mushi, one was a white Den Den Mushi used to prevent eavesdropping—it seemed Kuma had a high awareness of secrecy.
As for the last one, it was a very rare pink Den Den Mushi. Kuma had probably used this one to track Ian's location.
"You're too reckless, Ian!" Kuma stared at him for a moment before finally speaking. "I originally thought you were just going to steal a Devil Fruit, but I didn't expect you to cause such a commotion in Mary Geoise."
Ian smiled bitterly. "I had no choice. I was discovered by a Celestial Dragon at the time, and I figured I might as well create chaos to escape. I couldn't just leave those slaves to die..."
"I heard you even killed a Celestial Dragon and took their identity chip?" Kuma asked him.
"Yes, this is it!" Ian took out the glass bubble from his pants pocket and handed it to him.
Kuma took it, held it up to his eyes to carefully examine the crystal piece inside, and said, "It's written in ancient script. It might record something... Ian, can I borrow this identity chip for a while?"
"What are you going to do with it?" Ian asked him.
"Dragon is very interested in this identity chip!" Kuma said. "I told him about your situation, and he admires you. He hopes to borrow this chip for research. It might hide some secrets of the Celestial Dragons."
"Moreover," Kuma continued, "this identity chip is your talisman, but you'd better not carry it on you. As long as the Marines can't find this chip, your life won't be in any danger."
Ian nodded. That made sense.
"What's the Marines' reaction now?" Ian asked.
"They've placed a bounty of five hundred million Berries on you, wanting to capture you alive and retrieve the chip!" Kuma said. "They don't know your identity yet, so the wanted poster has a photo of you with your face covered."
Just as he expected, exactly what Aokiji had said.
"Also, they've concealed the truth of this incident, labeling you as an arsonist in Mary Geoise!" Kuma put the glass bubble into his chest pocket. "They didn't mention the death of the Celestial Dragon."
Ian laughed heartily. "It seems they're holding back, planning to play dirty. If I really fall into their hands, the Celestial Dragons will probably make my life a living hell, right?"
"Indeed, the death of a Celestial Dragon is a major event. They won't let you off so easily!" Kuma said. "However, there might still be a turning point!"
"What do you mean?" Ian was startled.
"The Marines have already dispatched forces to surround and eliminate you. Currently, because the World Conference is occupying their attention, they've only sent two Vice Admirals and four warships!" Kuma explained. "As long as you—or rather, you all—can hold out and make their encirclement fail, things will become easier!"
"If the identity chip can't be retrieved, the Celestial Dragons will get anxious!" he continued. "Over time, they might think of other ways."
"Other ways?" Ian was puzzled. "What other ways?"
"Compromise!" Kuma sat down cross-legged, facing Ian. "From the Celestial Dragons' attitude, it's clear that the chip is extremely important to them. If they can't get it back through force, they should consider other means."
"You mean they might privately approach me and offer terms to exchange for the identity chip?" Ian understood, pondering.
"Yes, perhaps they'll buy it back with money!" Kuma said. "Besides that, you might have forgotten one thing: recruiting you as a Seven Warlord of the Sea!"
"Seven Warlords!?" Ian's eyes widened. "Is that possible?"
"Of course it's possible!" Kuma nodded. "Becoming a Seven Warlord would pardon your crimes, and in exchange, you'd return the identity chip! Of course, the prerequisite is that you can defeat the pursuing Marines and the bounty hunters swarming in for your reward..."
Ian fell silent, carefully considering how likely this was. The more he thought about it, the more he realized it was a very probable scenario!
Don't forget, how did Doflamingo become a Seven Warlord? Wasn't it by threatening to plunder the Heavenly Tribute ships? From this perspective, the Celestial Dragons were actually a bunch of cowards. Once they realized that force couldn't make someone yield, they would naturally think of compromise.
However...
"But isn't there no vacancy among the Seven Warlords?" Ian frowned. "In that case, how could they recruit me as a Seven Warlord?"
"No!" Kuma shook his head. "There is a vacancy!"
"What... what do you mean..." Ian was stunned, then pointed at Kuma in surprise. "Kuma, you don't mean..."
Kuma nodded. "Yes, me! In fact, ever since I joined the Marines' secret human weapon project, the Marines have been thinking of adding another Seven Warlord to replace me. But before this, the person they wanted to recruit was someone named Fire Fist Ace..."
"Ace!?" Ian stood up abruptly. "The invitation Ace received to become a Seven Warlord was meant to replace you!?"
"Hmm? Do you know this person?" Kuma was also slightly surprised.
"Yes, I do!" Ian nodded. "And we're good friends. When I was on Sabaody Archipelago, he came to see me about the Seven Warlords matter. At the time, I thought it was a Marine trap to use other Seven Warlords to kill Ace."
"It wasn't a trap! That invitation was real!" Kuma shook his head. "When my modification is complete and I become a human weapon, it means I can be fully used by the Marines and the World Government. They naturally want an additional Seven Warlord-level combatant, so they sent an invitation to Fire Fist Ace."
Ian finally understood completely. It seemed he had overthought things back then.
But there was no helping it. He hadn't met Kuma yet at that time and didn't know these inside details, so he couldn't judge.
"So, if you can hold out until the Celestial Dragons can't take it anymore and want to compromise, I'll find an opportunity to propose stepping down from the Seven Warlords!" Kuma pointed to his chest. "At that point, you can take my place as the new Seven Warlord, and your crimes will be pardoned!"
Ian scratched his head vigorously, hesitating. "But there's still a problem. If I become a Seven Warlord, I have to hand over the chip!"
"That's why I asked you for the identity chip!" Kuma said. "We'll try to see if we can make a fake one for you to return!"
"Can that be done?" Ian asked doubtfully.
Kuma shook his head. "I don't know. We can only try first."
"Even if we can make a fake to return, what about you, Kuma?" Ian frowned. "Will losing your Seven Warlord status affect you?"
"Not at all!" Kuma said. "My mission was already completed once I made contact with Vegapunk."
"Um, Kuma..." Ian hesitated. "I've always wanted to ask you something. Why did you join this human weapon modification project? Once the modification is complete and you lose consciousness, wouldn't that be like dying?"
Kuma was silent for a moment before speaking. "Don't ask about this. If you have the chance in the future, you can ask our Revolutionary Army leader, Dragon, yourself. You might get the answer from him."
Ian sighed. He could tell that Kuma was completely willing, seemingly determined to see this experiment through.
Thinking it over, he changed the subject. "Kuma, even if I become a Seven Warlord, is there a chance the Celestial Dragons will settle scores later?"
Kuma replied, "Don't worry. If they really recruit you as a Seven Warlord, even if the Celestial Dragons hate you, they can't pursue it. They have to consider the situation of the other Seven Warlords. Settling scores later would cause the other Seven Warlords to distrust the Marines and the World Government. The Seven Warlords are an important force for the Marines to counter the Four Emperors. They won't cut off their own limbs."
Ian nodded. "Alright then..."
Seeing that Ian accepted his suggestion, Kuma was also pleased, though his expressionless face gave nothing away.
"Your identity hasn't been exposed yet, which is good!" Kuma said to him. "Keep it that way for now. We'll contact the Revolutionary Army comrades in the East Blue to protect the Isshin Dojo! If necessary, we can arrange for your teacher, Koushirou, to be relocated!"
"Really!? Thank you so much, Kuma!" Ian was overjoyed and couldn't help but hug him. He hadn't expected Kuma to consider even this. With the Revolutionary Army's protection, his worries about the rear would be resolved. Even if the Marines eventually found out his identity, he wouldn't have to worry.
Truly, it's good to have a big tree to lean on...
"Don't overthink it. Koushirou already has many ties with our Revolutionary Army, so we'll naturally make arrangements!" Kuma said. "Also, you might need the Revolutionary Army's support. In a while, Konenai and the others will come to join you!"
"That's great!" Ian grew even happier. He had a good impression of Konenai and the others, and Walnut was a Devil Fruit user who could be a great help.
"So, does this mean I'm now a Revolutionary Army officer?" Ian laughed, saying to Kuma.
"Pretty much. You can think of yourself as an action team!" Kuma said. "Usually, the Revolutionary Army won't interfere with your actions, but when needed, they'll summon you."
"No problem!" Ian nodded, then suddenly slapped his forehead. "Oh, right! Since you're here, Kuma, help me with one more thing!"
Without waiting for Kuma's reply, Ian stood up, ran back to the ship anchored by the island's shore, carefully took out the box containing the Devil Fruit, found some paper and a pen, scribbled a note, placed it in the box, closed the lid, and ran back to the deserted island.
Sardin and the others were curious about what Ian was doing. They didn't know that a member of the Seven Warlords had quietly arrived on the island.
If they knew, they would probably be shocked.
Ian ran back to where Kuma was and asked him, "Kuma, can your ability send this to the Isshin Dojo in Shimotsuki Village in the East Blue?"
"This is the Devil Fruit you obtained, right?" Kuma asked.
"Yes!" Ian nodded. "I was planning to go back to the East Blue myself, but that would be too troublesome. Since I happened to meet you here, please help me out."
Kuma didn't say anything else. He just had Ian hold the box steady, then stood up, spread his arms wide, and swung them sharply toward the box in Ian's hands!
Ian felt a gust of wind, and the box in his hands disappeared.
"Yes!" Ian couldn't help but clench his fists and cheer, giving himself thirty-two likes for his cleverness!
"Alright, the box has been sent to the coordinates of the Isshin Dojo!" Kuma said. "From here to the East Blue, it will take about three days to fly. They'll receive it then!"
Three days? Indeed, Kuma, you're not only the Pirate King, but also SF Express!
Ian silently gave Kuma a five-star rating in his heart...