Just as Dante had expected, Zephyr stood before Enel, smiling at the figure lying inside the transparent cell.

"I hear you want to beat down that East Blue pirate?"

Enel bolted upright, lightning crackling across his skin. He fixed his gaze on Zephyr.

"Old geezer, if you’ve got something to say, spit it out."

Dante didn’t get too involved with the work over there.

Vegapunk and Zephyr worked ridiculously fast. Just yesterday he’d gone to look at the deserted island, and by the next afternoon they slapped a thick stack of training base blueprints onto his desk.

It had only been one day.

Dante gave the designs a brief look. With Vegapunk behind them, the academy was crammed with cutting-edge tech. The construction costs were just as stunning, threatening to eat up a full year of funding.

In the end, they split the project into three phases. They’d build the essential facilities first so the cadets could start training. Zephyr was disappointed he couldn’t see the immediate rise of a massive academy, but he reluctantly agreed.

Given the advanced design, security was paramount. Dante had Vegapunk draw up a solid island defense system as well, which became yet another funding drain. After stamping his approval, an impatient Zephyr grabbed the blueprints and headed off to break ground.

The various islands began their operations. Dante arranged for production expansion. Ever since Vegapunk and Wolf arrived, the factory machinery no longer had to be sourced from other seas. The Machine Factory manufactured it directly.

In an era where the dominant cross-sea trade was slavery, the sales prospects for Branch 16’s products were remarkably strong. The clothing line, while not yet rivaling Doskoi Panda (An actual brand in One Piece-verse), had seized the mid- and low-end market. The territory had become a vast production hub.

As for the Family Supreme+ Edition Footspa... the designers had drafted explosive plans. Dante was confident Big Mom would be satisfied. He greenlit production immediately, ensuring delivery before Charlotte Linlin’s birthday.

Dante took a sip of hot tea and glanced at Robin. "What about Kuma? Didn’t he say he’d be back today?"

"He called this morning." Robin answered without looking up from her reading. "Said he ran into a friend and might need a few more days."

"A friend?" Dante rubbed his chin. "School starts soon. If he’s not here by tomorrow, should we request leave for Bonney?" He paused. "Don’t tell me he’s run into the Revolutionary Army!"

--**--**

Just as Dante had guessed, Kuma had encountered Dragon.

Passing through Alabasta, Bonney had wanted to sail back leisurely with her dad instead of flying. Kuma agreed immediately. After spending a day touring the kingdom with Princess Vivi and King Cobra, they sailed toward the East Blue.

Just as they entered East Blue waters, they ran into Dragon.

The two men sat drinking together.

"I never thought I’d run into you here." Dragon looked at Kuma, then at the small figure beside him. "So this is Ginny’s daughter? Her illness is cured. Betty and the others will be thrilled to hear this."

Before Kuma could respond, Bonney watched Dragon with open curiosity. "You knew my mom, Shoe-Print Uncle?"

Dragon laughed. "I was your mom and dad’s comrade. You can call me Uncle Dragon!"

He turned back to Kuma, a fond smile on his face. "She really does look just like Ginny."

"Bonney’s usually very well-behaved," Kuma said helplessly.

"Right, that’s how children are." Dragon’s eyes held amusement. Knowing Ginny well, he knew exactly what she was like. Watching Kuma smile so warmly took Dragon by surprise.

"Seeing you this happy is a relief. Everyone’s been worried about you." Dragon hesitated, his gaze steadying. "I heard you accepted an appointment from the World Government. You’ve become a Shichibukai?"

Watching Kuma fall silent, Dragon sank into the same quiet. He sighed. "Sorry, I’m not questioning you. I’m just worried. If you’re in a tough spot, tell everyone. We’ll help."

"No tough spot, Dragon. Don’t worry about me." Hesitation crossed Kuma’s honest face, but he shook his head. "Bonney and I are doing fine."

"...Fine, if you say so." A bitter resignation washed over Dragon. "Truth is, we were about to check on Vegapunk back then, but he vanished. The World Government even suspected we were behind it."

The Revolutionary Army had taken a massive fall for that. The Marines threw everything into rooting them out, forcing them to focus on surviving rather than checking on Kuma.

"I’m so relieved to see you two are okay," Dragon said.

"Sorry for making you worry." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Dragon smiled and drained his cup. Still, a strange feeling stirred inside him, a sense that a barrier had formed between them. Was it because Kuma was a Shichibukai now? He still believed Kuma would never be their enemy, but the feeling lingered.

Kuma changed the subject. "You’re heading to the East Blue?"

"Yes." Dragon nodded. He had come to check on Luffy’s situation before the boy set sail. With Mock declaring war on the World Government, the seas were bound to plunge into chaos. The Revolutionary Army would be busier than ever.

"I heard you’re running a lot of businesses now," Dragon added. "Sabo couldn’t believe it."

Kuma didn’t elaborate. "What brings you to the East Blue?"

"A visit."

"The Hero of the Marines and Admiral Aokiji are in the East Blue right now. This might not be the best time for you to be here."

Dragon’s frowned. "A Marine Admiral?"

Why would an Admiral come to the East Blue? Dragon shook his head in resignation. "Looks like now really isn’t the time to return." As the leader of the Revolutionary Army, he had to avoid unnecessary trouble.

He sighed, looking at Kuma seriously. "Could I ask you a favor?"

"Go ahead," Kuma said. "It’s just, my current identity..."

"If next year you encounter a pirate called Luffy and he runs into trouble, I hope you’ll help him out. Smoker has been reassigned to Loguetown. His abilities are probably more than that child can handle."

"What is his relationship to you?"

"...He’s my son. His full name is Monkey D. Luffy." Dragon smiled proudly. "By next year, I’m sure you’ll have heard his name, "

"Monkey D. Luffy of Foosha Village?" Kuma interrupted smoothly.

Dragon stared, utterly bewildered. "You’ve been to the Goa Kingdom?"

"No, but I have met that child at a construction site."

"What?"

"He is currently hauling bricks at my construction site." Kuma didn’t hide anything. "He works hard. He even got a commendation, and his wages are pretty high!"

Dragon stared in confusion. "Didn’t that kid say he was going to become the Pirate King?"

"He shouts about it all day, but apparently he doesn’t have enough money for a ship. He’s earning money to buy one."

Upon hearing this, Dragon felt relieved. "I’ll leave it to you, then. Please, don’t reveal my connection to you."

"So, are you still going to the East Blue?"

"Not for now."

Kuma stood up. "Time to go home. Farewell, Dragon."

"Goodbye, Shoe-Print Uncle!" Bonney chimed in.

As Kuma and Bonney lifted into the air, Dragon waved them off. His expression turned somber. "What really happened?" Kuma had truly changed.

Kuma returned to Branch 16 and reported the encounter to Dante.

"Dragon? He’s already gone back?" Dante rubbed his chin. "Looks like word of our situation has reached the Revolutionary Army. Staying out of their business is a good thing for now."

He sighed. "We’ll deal with it when the time comes." He smiled warmly at Kuma. "Bonney’s about to start school. Are you ready?"

A gentle smile spread across Kuma’s face. "I’m ready. Thank you, Boss."

--**--**

At dawn, Kuma was already up, preparing breakfast and tidying the house. He checked the clock, pushed up his glasses, and walked toward the pink room upstairs.

He rapped on the door. "Bonney, time for school. Today’s your first day!"

A sweet, sleepy hum drifted from inside. The door opened, revealing Bonney in her pink pajamas, rubbing her eyes. She stretched out her arms. "Morning, Dad!"

"Morning, Bonney." He lifted her up and carried her to the washroom. He helped her wash her face and got her changed into the blue and white uniform Branch 16 had designed. His movements were skilled and gentle.

Washed up and alert, Bonney sat happily in her chair, swinging her legs as she wolfed down breakfast.

She was looking forward to school. Her years trapped inside a box by illness had left her longing to be a normal child. Back then, Dad had always reassured her, but she had understood her sickness was nearly impossible to cure. Not until they met Vegapunk and Dante did she finally heal.

Bonney was well.

Kuma ate slowly, watching her the whole time. A soft smile graced his rugged face.

"I’m full, Dad!" Bonney patted her belly. "Your cooking is so yummy!"

She helped Kuma clear the table, then slung on her pink backpack. "Dad, I’m off to school."

Kuma’s eyes stung. He smiled and nodded. "Are you sure you don’t want me to walk you there?"

"Nope! I’m a big girl now. I decided I’m walking to school all by myself."

"Well... okay. Be careful."

Bonney opened the door and walked out alone. It was the first time since her recovery that she had stepped out without him. She stopped, looking back with a pouty face, but resolved to keep her promise. She marched forward.

===============

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