"Kuma-chan… what are those guys doing?"
Ginny stared at the distant battlefield, where brains and blood splattered across the ground. The people who had tormented them were being cut down—something that filled her with a strange sense of joy.
But the other group—
The savage grins on their faces made her uneasy.
"I don't know… Ivankov, maybe we should run!"
Kuma whispered nervously.
Beside them stood the obvious leader of the trio—Emporio Ivankov, his unusually large head giving him an air of intellect even at this age.
He shook his head.
"Run where? To another corner of this island? If we keep hiding like this, they'll find us sooner or later."
Compared to Kuma and Ginny, Ivankov was far more composed.
His sharp eyes locked onto the clash in the distance.
Then he noticed something.
The most extravagantly dressed pirate—the one with the captain's hat and an eyepatch—was clutching a box tightly to his chest.
Under normal circumstances, the captain would be the strongest fighter on the ship. No matter how pampered, he would step forward in battle.
But this man didn't.
He stayed at the rear—
Guarding that box.
As if it contained something priceless.
What kind of treasure could spark such a violent struggle between Celestial Dragons and pirates?
Ivankov didn't know.
After all, he was merely an innocent captive, likely taken because of his unusual appearance.
But his oversized head held knowledge. He had read many books, traveled to many places.
And right now, his calm mind gave him clarity.
He had a feeling.
That box—
Was the key to escaping this hell.
Kuma and Ginny didn't understand.
But they trusted Ivankov.
Though trembling with fear, they stayed hidden in the brush.
And perhaps—
Even fate favored them.
A Celestial Dragon at the rear raised a pistol with a cruel grin and fired.
The bullet screamed toward the pirate captain's wrist.
But this was a seasoned New World pirate. He tilted casually, dodging the shot with ease.
Then—
A figure flickering between illusion and reality rushed forward.
A CP Agent.
His suit was far more refined than the others—his rank clearly higher.
His strange movement suggested a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit ability.
It didn't matter.
With a cry, the agent drew a dagger and stabbed at the captain's wrist.
The captain reacted, coating his arm in Armament Haki.
But the agent wielded Armament as well.
Haki clashed.
Then, in a flash, the agent drew a second dagger—
And drove it into the captain's thigh.
Pain flared.
The captain's grip weakened.
The agent seized the moment, flicking his dagger upward—
And sent the box flying from the captain's arms.
It arced through the air—
And landed in the brush.
Right in front of Ivankov, Kuma, and Ginny.
For a moment—
All three froze.
Behind them, the fighters hesitated.
Then chaos erupted.
Everyone rushed toward the brush.
But anyone who neared it was cut down by enemies from behind.
Bodies piled up.
Blood flowed like a stream.
Ivankov stared at the box at his feet.
Kuma stared.
Ginny stared.
"This…"
Ivankov could hardly believe it.
Hands trembling, he grabbed the box and opened it.
Inside—
A strange fruit.
"This is… a Devil Fruit?!"
His pupils shrank.
Ginny recognized it immediately.
Kuma had heard nobles speak of such things—amusing toys that granted unimaginable power.
"We don't know what ability it is… but we have to gamble!"
Ivankov made his decision instantly.
The fruit resembled a bear's paw.
He raised it to his mouth.
His instincts screamed—
This was their only chance.
It had to be.
But just as the fruit neared his lips—
A CP Agent burst into the brush.
Half his body was still tangled in branches when he saw the scene.
Shock—
Then fury.
A slave.
Touching such a sacred treasure?
Ruining his chance for promotion?
He reacted without hesitation.
Bang!
The gunshot rang out.
The bullet tore through Ivankov's arm.
Pain exploded.
The fruit slipped from his grasp.
The agent seized Ivankov by the hair.
The Devil Fruit fell—
Rolling to Kuma's feet.
"Damn it… now of all times!"
Ivankov struggled desperately.
Footsteps were closing in.
There was no time.
"Kuma! Eat it!"
It was a choice of destiny.
Kuma obeyed.
He bit into the fruit.
The watching pirates and agents stormed into the brush—
Just in time to see something impossible.
Soft pads—
Like bear paws—
Bloomed in the center of Kuma's palms.
"You little brat—!"
A CP Agent charged with blade raised.
Kuma's face turned pale.
Instinctively, he swung his hand forward—
Perhaps to beg.
Perhaps to block.
Perhaps without thinking at all.
There was a crisp, unmistakable sound.
And the agent—
Vanished.
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