Location: Inside the Sorbet Kingdom Church
"It's quite simple," Storm said, his smile kind but his eyes sharp.
"I'm not a demon. Until Jewelry Bonney is cured and grows up healthy, you, Bartholomew Kuma, will be my most loyal subordinate."
"That's the deal."
Kuma didn't hesitate. Compared to the despair of watching his daughter die, this condition was nothing.
"I agree."
From this moment on, the "Tyrant" sold his soul to the Storm.
"Good. Now, let's review our options."
Storm waved his hand. A lump of clay floated in the air, shaping itself into a globe. He traced two lines across it—the Red Line and the Grand Line—dividing the world into the four Blues.
"Option One: The North Blue. Trafalgar Law. He has the Op-Op Fruit. He is currently hiding, but I have ways to lure him out."
"Option Two: The East Blue. Germa 66. Vinsmoke Judge is a master of genetic engineering. He is currently fighting a war there as a mercenary."
"Option Three: The New World. Dr. Vegapunk on Punk Hazard. He is the safest bet medically, but the hardest to reach politically."
Kuma listened intently. Before, he was a headless fly. Now, he had a map.
"In my opinion," Storm said, crushing the clay globe, "Vegapunk is the best option. But the World Government won't let a pirate or a revolutionary near their top scientist."
"However," Storm grinned, "we have bargaining chips. Those three Marine Warships."
"And we have a middleman."
Location: Skies above the Sorbet Kingdom (Flashback)
Pru-Pru-Pru... Clatch.
"Moshi moshi, this is Aokiji."
"Admiral! Fleet Admiral Sengoku agreed to the ransom?"
"He did," Aokiji sighed. "But Storm... you want to see Dr. Vegapunk as part of the deal? Are you crazy?"
"That's right," Storm said seriously. "Meeting Dr. Vegapunk is non-negotiable."
"Why?!" Aokiji shouted. "You're a rogue agent! Why do you need the Government's top scientist?"
"To treat the daughter of my subordinate," Storm replied without hesitation. "She has a terminal illness. If she doesn't get help, she won't live past ten."
Aokiji paused. "A sick child... fine. I understand. But wait... what subordinate? Where did you get a subordinate?"
"Oh, you know him. Bartholomew Kuma."
"You... YOU!"
Aokiji sputtered. "The Tyrant?! The Revolutionary Commander?! He's your subordinate now?!"
"Don't make a fuss, Admiral. I'm going to be a Great Pirate. I need a strong crew."
Aokiji sighed, a sound of pure exhaustion. "Storm... your 'surprises' are getting bigger and bigger."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"It wasn't a compliment! You're reckless! You're worse than Garp's family!"
"Am I?" Storm retorted. "Am I more lawless than Garp, who raised the Leader of the Revolutionary Army? Or Dragon, who raised... well, you know."
Aokiji went silent. The Monkey Family was a taboo subject for a reason.
"Fine. I will inform Sengoku about your request. But don't get your hopes up."
"Thanks, Admiral! Bye!"
Clatch.
Storm hung up first.
Aokiji stared at the dead phone. "This brat hung up on me again..."
Location: Sorbet Kingdom Church (Present)
"How did it go?" Kuma asked anxiously.
"Still talking," Storm lied smoothly. "But we can't put all our eggs in one basket. We need a backup plan."
"What plan?"
"Do you know the Seven Warlords of the Sea (Shichibukai) system?"
Kuma frowned in disgust. "Government-sanctioned pirates. Dogs of the World Nobles."
"Correct. But they are dogs allowed into the house," Storm reminded him. "If we become Warlords, we gain access. We can demand a meeting with Vegapunk legally. We can travel anywhere without the Navy hunting us."
"Become... a Warlord?" Kuma hesitated. "Is that even possible?"
"It's simple," Storm grinned, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"The easiest way to become a Warlord is to create a vacancy."
"We just have to hunt down and defeat an existing one."
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