The air seemed to freeze in an instant. Rob Lucci's fingers twitched slightly, Daz Bonez's arms transformed into blades, and everyone else stared in shock at this notoriously violent member of the Seven Warlords.
"Well, if it isn't the 'Tyrant' Kuma," Ryan said without a trace of panic, raising an eyebrow at the "Moving Mountain" before him. "Didn't expect to see you vacationing at Moria's place."
As he spoke, he noticed Perona had stopped moving, so he casually stepped closer, completely at ease.
Bartholomew Kuma took several steps forward, his massive shadow completely enveloping Ryan. His expression remained blank as he said, "I'm not here for small talk."
"Oh... So the World Government sent you to keep an eye on me?" Ryan played with Perona's pink pigtails, chuckling lightly. "After all, your title as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea has always been about running errands for them."
"Don't overthink it," Kuma replied impassively. "The World Government feared complications might arise, so they sent me as a precaution."
"A precaution?" Ryan scoffed. "Are you overestimating Moria or underestimating me?"
Pretty words, but it was still surveillance. The World Government was happy to let two Warlords fight—the victor would keep their position while the loser would be discarded.
"Just ensuring the mission's success," Kuma said, his tone still devoid of emotion, his gaze unwavering. "Moria's abilities are unpredictable, and the waters around Thriller Bark are treacherous. The government needs confirmation of the outcome."
"Suit yourself," Ryan waved a hand dismissively, impatience creeping into his voice. "Just don't get in my way."
The relationship between the World Government and the Seven Warlords was purely transactional—no trust existed. Privileges in exchange for services. The moment someone lost their usefulness, they'd be cast aside. Ryan understood this better than anyone.
At its core, it was just mutual exploitation.
Kuma didn't respond, merely turning slightly to look past the group at the battle between the Straw Hat Kid's crew and Gecko Moria. For the first time, a flicker of emotion crossed his otherwise expressionless face.
To him, the process never mattered. The World Government only cared about results—whether Moria won, the Straw Hat Kid triumphed, or Ryan interfered, none of it affected his mission.
The only thing that piqued his interest was the son of Dragon.
Ryan didn't comment either. Kuma obeying the World Government was just another transaction. Since the man had no intention of interfering, Ryan couldn't be bothered to care whether this was about "surveillance" or something else.
An unspoken understanding passed between them.
"That's enough," Ryan said, glancing down at Perona, whose pigtail he still held, before releasing her.
Perona's face burned red as she roughly wiped her lips, the humiliation from being restrained by Ryan still fresh. But a greater terror had taken root in her heart.
She never imagined the World Government would turn against Moria. Ryan alone was unsettling enough, but now the notoriously violent Kuma had arrived. Facing two Warlords at once, even Moria's strange abilities might not be enough.
No—she had to find a way to warn him!
As Perona plotted, her wrist was suddenly seized by an irresistible force. She was spun around, barely catching herself on the railing. Looking up at the distant battlefield, her voice trembled. "What do you think you're doing?!"
Ryan leaned in, whispering by her ear, "What do you think I'm doing?"
Perona's eyes widened in panic, but before she could speak, her head was forcibly tilted back. A soft, involuntary whimper escaped her nose, as if venting her frustration.
This bastard—humiliating her in front of everyone like this was beyond insulting!
Ryan frowned slightly, watching Perona's trembling shoulders before smirking in silent approval. Gripping her pigtails again, he turned his attention to the battle with amusement.
Watching the show was far more entertaining.
While Ryan's fight had only just begun, the Straw Hat Kid's battle had reached its climax. Moria, caught off guard by Luffy's hundred-shadow-powered attack, lost the first round. Refusing to accept defeat, he desperately absorbed every shadow on the island to strengthen himself.
But shadow absorption was a double-edged sword. Humiliated by losing to a rookie like the Straw Hat Kid, Moria had lost all reason. Overloading himself left him weaker than before, unable to even use his original strength, leading to his total defeat.
At that moment, Bartholomew Kuma spoke: "Gecko Moria has been defeated. Per government orders, I will take him into custody. A full report of this battle will be submitted."
"Do what you want," Ryan replied without looking up, his tone indifferent.
Moria's fate and the World Government's reports meant nothing to him. The title of Warlord belonged to the strong—lose one, and another would take their place. No point worrying about it.
Without another word, Kuma turned and left the balcony.
"Your precious Moria lost to the Straw Hat Kid," Ryan said, sensing Perona's tension. He delivered a sharp slap—the crisp sound cutting clearly through the sea breeze—his tone mocking.
Perona shuddered violently, her face burning red. The stinging pain spread from her skin to her heart, but she couldn't focus on the humiliation. Her tear-filled eyes remained fixed on the defeated Moria in the distance.
How? Moria had absorbed so many shadows—he should have had world-ending power! How could he lose to that unreliable Straw Hat Kid?!
Perona wasn't the only one shocked. Daz Bonez and the others wore similar expressions of disbelief.
Rob Lucci's reaction was the most complicated. Remembering Ryan's earlier words, he became even more convinced—the Straw Hat Kid was no ordinary Rubber-Rubber Fruit user.
"Captain!" Mikita couldn't hold back, urgency in her voice. "We came here to deal with Moria, but the Straw Hat crew took care of it first! If Kuma reports to the World Government that we just stood by and did nothing, how are we supposed to explain ourselves?!"
"Who needs explanations?"
Ryan scoffed, his gaze still fixed on the trembling Perona, his voice dripping with disdain. "I became a Warlord because I'm strong, not obedient. The World Government only cares that 'Moria was dealt with.' Who did it or how it happened means nothing to them."
Mikita blinked, realizing the truth in his words.
Especially those from CP9—they knew better than anyone how the World Government discarded people after use. Strength was the only real security.