"Shishishishi… Perona, huh?"
Moria leaned against the wall, his bulging belly sticking out as he looked at the elegant man before him. His sharp-toothed grin slowly widened.
"That girl is really favored by both Ozz and you."
He did not refuse the request.
After all, this had long become routine.
"Then…"
Moria shifted his gaze elsewhere.
On the sofa sat another tall figure, quietly reading. His build was similar to Moria's, but in the opposite way, broad and upright.
"'Tyrant' Kuma."
"Why are you here?"
"The most mysterious man among the Seven Warlords…"
Ozz had never explained the laboratory project to Moria in detail.
First, because Moria was never truly on his side. Their relationship only remained passable because of Perona acting as a bridge.
Second…
Well…
Ozz simply thought Moria was too weak.
Ever since giving up on himself, Moria's strength had declined to the point where he could not even match the top commanders of the Yonko crews.
Telling him more would be pointless.
So Moria only knew that the other Warlords were connected and working for Ozz, but nothing beyond that.
"It's nothing."
Kuma's voice was gentle as always, his expression hidden behind his glasses.
"I'm here to pass along the appointment of the new Warlord."
"And to handle some personal matters."
Mihawk acted as if he had not heard anything, calmly sipping his wine.
Moria, however, scoffed.
"A new Warlord? Who is it? Enel or someone like that?"
"Marshall D. Teach."
"Never heard of him."
"If that's all, then don't bother me with it!"
But Kuma continued calmly, as if he had not heard him.
"As for my personal matter…"
"The Straw Hat crew has already arrived."
"They are the rookies who defeated Crocodile."
"They came here to defeat you."
"What did you say?"
Moria turned around, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at Kuma, who stood like a statue.
"For Ozz's reputation…"
"And for the dignity and integrity of the Seven Warlords…"
"I can help you deal with them."
"What kind of joke is that?!"
Moria grabbed Kuma by the collar, his eyes blazing.
"I'm not like Crocodile!"
"The Straw Hats are just rookies."
"There are countless people like them on the sea!"
"I don't need anyone's help!!!"
Kuma did not react.
He did not speak.
It was as if he silently accepted Moria's decision.
Soon after, Moria stormed out of the castle.
Only Mihawk and Kuma remained.
Once Moria left, Kuma seemed to become a different person.
A gentle aura naturally emerged from him.
"Hah…"
He walked over and sat beside Mihawk, letting out a quiet breath.
"Maintaining the 'Tyrant' image Ozz mentioned is really exhausting."
Mihawk glanced at him from the side. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
"You actually came for the Straw Hats, didn't you?"
"Huh?"
Kuma was startled.
"How did you know, Mihawk-san?"
"Ozz told me."
Kuma immediately understood.
After all, Ozz knew everything.
"Yes."
"Straw Hat Luffy is the son of a friend of mine."
"Ozz said it was fine to give them more trials."
"Trials…"
Mihawk thought of that willful little girl.
…
"What the heck?!"
"That long-nosed guy actually dared to insult me!!!"
"And Lord Moria was held up by kids like that…"
Perona directed zombies to carry treasure onto the Sunny.
"I'm leaving this place!"
"I can't stay here anymore!!!"
At that moment, Nami, still wearing her wedding dress, rushed over and saw Perona.
She tried to stop her.
But Perona, who had been spoiled since childhood, did not hold back at all.
"What can you even do to me?"
Hands on her hips, the gothic lolita girl spoke disdainfully.
She did not notice that the atmosphere had suddenly gone silent.
When she turned around, she saw a tall figure standing quietly behind her, holding a Bible.
"Y You are…"
The zombies trembled and pointed at him.
"He looks terrifying!!!"
"It's Warlord Kuma!"
"The 'Tyrant' monster!!!"
Perona felt uneasy.
This was her first time facing someone so oppressive.
Neither Moria nor Mihawk had ever treated her like this.
They had always spoiled her like a child.
Nami covered her mouth in shock.
But Kuma ignored her and spoke gently to Perona.
"If you were to travel…"
"Where would you like to go?"
Perona tried to fight back.
But her ghosts were instantly slapped away, disappearing without a trace.
She panicked completely.
"Don't come any closer!!!"
"If you mess with me, Uncle Mihawk won't forgive you!!!"
It was useless.
Pop.
Before her terrified eyes, Kuma pressed his palm forward.
Her figure vanished instantly.
Then he walked past Nami and asked if Luffy had a brother.
After that, he left.
He still had work to do after Moria's defeat.
On the way, he met Mihawk, who was about to depart.
"I've sent that ghost girl there."
Kuma mentioned casually.
"So…"
"Thank you."
"No need."
"Seeing a girl like her reminds me of my daughter."
"I haven't gone back in a long time…"
Nostalgia flickered in Kuma's eyes.
Then he noticed Mihawk struggling slightly with his sword, as if using it as a paddle.
Though he did not understand why the blade seemed to resist, he kindly asked,
"Mihawk-san, if you want to see her, I can send you there."
"No need."
"I'm going to meet Ozz."
"Sabaody is close anyway."
Mihawk refused.
Ozz had warned him that something big might happen soon.
He should not go too far.
Besides, there was no need to worry about Perona.
She had grown up alongside the island's monkeys.
…
Elsewhere.
Perona landed on an island, having been sent flying.
At first, she was frightened.
But when she saw the gloomy castle and the monkeys gathering around her, her cheeks puffed up angrily.
"So annoying!"
"He actually sent me all the way here!!!"
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