......
Rocks' heavy kneel was like a massive stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring ripples of respect and emotion in the hearts of most people.
However, not everyone would be moved by this display of "humanity."
"Hmph! A man so powerful, yet he kneels before a lowly child—utterly devoid of any warrior's dignity."
Saint Sommers crossed his arms, his face openly displaying contempt and disgust: "Such pathetic emotional bonds do nothing but bring shame upon oneself, with no use whatsoever…"
He acknowledged Rocks' strength—it was indeed a power capable of standing at the pinnacle of this world.
But for this act of placing "emotion" above "dignity," he sneered from the bottom of his heart.
In the education and faith he had received, a true "descendant of the gods" and "strong one" should be as cold and absolute as the Empty Throne, unbound by any mundane feelings.
Saint Garling stood nearby with a dark face, silent.
His wounds still ached faintly, but what hurt more was the continuous humiliation he had suffered.
Ever since the light screen appeared, he had been like a clown toyed with by fate—his dignity trampled by Roger, his child taken away, his future exposed so disgracefully, and even the scene of him killing the mother of his own child was laid bare!
Anger? He had already become numb from rage!
Now, he just wanted this all to end quickly, and then… use the cruelest methods to make these blasphemers against the gods pay the price.
Garp coldly glanced at Saint Sommers, Saint Garling, and the other Celestial Dragons; disappointment was practically overflowing from his eyes.
These self-proclaimed "gods" would never understand the weight carried by Rocks' kneel.
It was not merely gratitude for saving a life, but a supreme strong one's respect for courage.
A child not yet of age, in a hell of roaring cannon fire and rampaging demons, facing a terrifying existence that even Whitebeard—Edward Newgate—could barely hold back,
had charged forward without the slightest hesitation to save a mother and child he didn't even know.
This courage, this pure-to-the-extreme kindness and sense of responsibility—was it not worthy of a kneel from the strongest?
Garp silently shook his head in his heart.
He understood that the so-called "justice" of these Celestial Dragons—and even the higher-ups of the World Government—had long since formed an unbridgeable chasm with true justice.
With Kuma's clumsy yet sincere support, Rocks and Eris stood up again.
Big Mom nearby had originally been very moved, but she suddenly thought of something, and her expression became extremely complicated.
If she had snatched the Paw-Paw Fruit back then and not let Kuma eat it, Eris and Rocks' child might have perished…
Thinking this, Big Mom only felt how inscrutable fate could be.
"Get up quickly… this really is what I should have done."
Kuma's face was still a bit red, but his tone was unusually firm: "I won't just stand by and watch a life pass away right before my eyes."
"Now that I've obtained this power…"
Lowering his head to look at his palms covered in paw pads, determination and longing flashed in Kuma's eyes: "I want to become someone like 'Nika' too."
"I want to use these 'hands of liberation' to save even more people!"
The moment the word "Nika" left his mouth, it was as if an ancient switch had been triggered!
"Hey!!!"
Giant Dorry suddenly bent down, his massive head coming close to Kuma, those eyes that had endured countless ages bulging wide: "Kid! Did you just say 'Nika'?!"
Brogy also quickly leaned in, his face full of shock and urgency: "Where did you hear that name?! Tell us quick!"
Not just them—even Giant King Harald's body visibly stiffened for a moment, his eyes erupting with incredulous light.
Even the usually silent fish-man warrior Barbel from the Rocks Pirates, and the mermaid Sunbell from the Roger Pirates…
Upon hearing the name, they abruptly raised their heads, their faces showing a complex mix of shock and some hidden excitement.
In fact, ever since the light screen earlier showed Luffy in that white warrior form, those who knew certain ancient legends—like the giants and the fish-men/merfolk—had already been hit by surging waves in their hearts.
But the situation had been too chaotic back then for anyone to confirm.
And now, this young Buccaneer descendant, Kuma, had spoken the name so naturally!
"'Nika'? The 'Warrior of Liberation'?"
Roger's ears perked up instantly; like a pirate catching the scent of treasure, his eyes gleamed as he squeezed next to Kuma: "What legend is this? Tell us! Come on, spill it!"
His pure curiosity and thirst for the "unknown" diluted the suddenly tense atmosphere on the scene.
Kuma looked at the burning eyes all around him and nervously swallowed.
But he didn't hide it, speaking in a voice that was still a bit immature yet earnest: "This is… a story my father told me.
Nika is a name passed down orally through generations in our Buccaneer Tribe."
His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears: "'Nika' is the legendary warrior… who brings liberation and laughter to the world.
He always laughs heartily, his laughter able to lift the spirits of those in despair.
His battles… are accompanied by a wondrous drumbeat that makes people want to dance uncontrollably…"
Kuma's gaze grew distant, as if recalling the warm scene of his father telling the story: "Legend says, when the world is shrouded in darkness, when people are crushed by suffering…
'Nika' will return. He will sound the drum of liberation, leading all those who yearn for freedom… to break their chains and welcome a brand-new dawn."
"Damn it! Shut your mouth!! Don't say another word! You filthy beast!"
Like a venomous snake whose tail had been stepped on, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn completely lost composure!
His face, usually maintained with dignity and coldness, now twisted completely from extreme rage, turning liver-red, veins bulging on his forehead and neck, his eyes bloodshot!
As one of the Five Elders, he knew all too well what the name "Nika" signified…
The other Five Elders were also extremely angry and wary, but what terrified them even more was the composition of the people present…
Kuma of the Buccaneer Tribe, Harald of the giants, Dorry, Brogy, Rocks of the Davy D. bloodline, the fish-man Barbel, the mermaid Sunbell…
These races and bloodlines that had inextricable ties to the legends of "Nika" and "Joy Boy" in ancient history were now all gathered together!
If Kuma continued speaking, if these races resonated because of the name "Nika" and even united… the consequences would be unimaginable!
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn's unrestrained roar, filled with intense killing intent and fear, pierced viciously into Kuma's eardrums and heart.
Kuma trembled violently, his face instantly pale as paper.
The words that followed were choked hard in his throat, unable to utter even half a syllable.
He lowered his head, his body shaking uncontrollably, those eyes that had just been shining with longing now filled only with deep fear and helplessness.
It wasn't merely fear of authority.
In Saint Jaygarcia Saturn's roar, Kuma felt an instinctual shudder from the genetic level.
"Hey, hey, hey!"
A lazy yet undeniable voice rang out.
Roger stepped forward, directly blocking between Kuma and Saint Jaygarcia Saturn.
He dug in his ear as if flicking away some noise, then looked at Saint Jaygarcia Saturn with an almost "disrespectful" calm gaze: "Scaring a little kid… what kind of skill is that?"
Almost at the same time, Rocks moved too. He gripped his sword that had been planted in the ground again, standing beside Roger, his towering figure like an impassable wall.
He said nothing, but those eyes, sharp once more, coldly locked onto Saint Jaygarcia Saturn—the warning in them unmistakable.
Even more surprising, Giant King Harald took heavy steps forward.
This giant king, now with an icy expression, weapon in hand, silently stood behind Rocks…
Three figures.
The "King of the Pirates," Gol D. Roger.
The overlord of the seas, Rocks D. Xebec.
The King of the Giants, Harald.
Three top-tier powerhouses of vastly different personalities, shielding Kuma behind them!
"Now…"
Rocks slowly spoke, his voice not loud but carrying the weight of mountains, spreading across all of God Valley: "It's not just that Revolutionary Army kid."
His gaze swept over the Five Elders, over God's Knights, finally returning to Saint Jaygarcia Saturn: "This kid—I'm protecting him too!"
He paused, the corner of his mouth curling into an extremely arrogant grin: "If you've got the guts…"
"Come and try to take him!!!"
"Ohhh!!!"
The surrounding pirates erupted in earth-shaking cheers!
The Rocks Pirates, other inspired pirate crews, even some originally neutral forces—all felt their blood boiling!
Three supreme powerhouses joining hands to protect one child against the highest authority of the World Government—this was an utterly epic scene!
Kuma stood dazed behind the tall, broad backs of Roger, Rocks, and Harald.
Looking at those three "walls" that seemed capable of shielding him from all the storms and malice of the world, his nose suddenly stung, hot tears surging uncontrollably into his eyes.
Ever since his parents died, struggling to survive in the darkness…
It had been far, far too long since he last felt this sensation of being firmly, unhesitatingly protected from behind.
......