"Gear Second!"
Luffy, knowing there was no retreat, a look of determination flashed in his eyes, preparing for a desperate fight.
He took a horse stance, left hand on his thigh, right hand punching the ground, steam rising from his entire body.
"Rubber-Rubber Gatling!!!"
With a gritted-teeth roar, Luffy's extended arms rapidly struck towards Reno.
"Too slow." Reno slightly shifted his body, dodging the attack while unleashing a flying slash.
The green slash instantly crossed a hundred meters, accurately hitting Luffy's chest in his widened pupils.
"Ah!!"
Luffy let out a wail, his body like a kite with a broken string, thrown far away.
Due to the properties of rubber, Luffy could immunity most physical attacks, but slashes were precisely his weakness.
A hideous and terrifying wound instantly appeared on Luffy's chest.
A large amount of blood gushed out as if it were free, staining the ground red.
Reno shook his head, somewhat disappointed. So far, he hadn't seen any signs of Luffy powering up. Where had he gone wrong?!
Hundreds of meters away, Luffy lay on the grass, his breathing weak, his vision beginning to blur.
He struggled to get up, but even a slight movement intensified the pain in his body, making even breathing a luxury.
"Everyone..."
Luffy mumbled, helpless tears flowing from his eyes. The disparity in strength between him and Reno was too great.
Even if he gave his all, he couldn't shake him in the slightest.
Suddenly, Reno's figure was reflected in his pupils again.
Reno looked down at Luffy on the ground from above, completely losing interest.
Neither Gear Five nor Conqueror's Haki showed any signs of awakening.
Continuing this would be meaningless.
"Cough cough cough... Reno, you... you..."
Splat!
Reno no longer hesitated, stabbing through Luffy's body with a single sword.
The dark power within the Seven Star Sword surged in, raging wildly inside Luffy's body.
"Ah!!!!!"
Luffy's face was contorted in agony, his body constantly twitching, and he let out a chilling scream.
At the same time, his body shriveled at a visible rate.
In a short while, all the blood in Luffy's body was absorbed by the Seven Star Sword, and the sword glowed with unprecedented brilliance.
With the last drop of blood leaving his body, Luffy's life force was completely extinguished.
In the year 1520 of the Pirate Era, three days before Fire Fist Ace's public execution, in Area 1 of the Sabaody Archipelago.
The future sun god is dead!
Reno put away the Seven Star Sword and immediately took out a blank fruit, which looked like an ordinary fruit.
The moment the blank fruit appeared, it was as if a force prevented the Nika Fruit's energy from dissipating.
The next second, a miraculous scene occurred.
The surface of the blank fruit slowly revealed the unique spiral pattern of the Nika Fruit, and its color also changed from its original white to purple.
The Nika Fruit was reborn in Reno's hands!
Reno carefully examined the Nika Fruit in his hand; from the surface, no clues could be discerned.
Unable to figure it out, Reno unenthusiastically tossed it into his system warehouse.
Like the ancient weapon pluton blueprints gathering dust in the inventory, some things he might not use, but he must have them in his hands.
He hadn't even considered eating it himself or giving it to The girls to eat.
Except for Luffy or those chosen by the Nika Fruit, anyone else who ate it would just get an ordinary Rubber-Rubber Fruit.
After doing all this, Reno teleported to Bartholomew Kuma's side.
At this moment, Bartholomew Kuma's various precision components inside his body were basically almost completely destroyed.
His two red pupils flickered constantly, as if they would dim the next second.
After a faint sigh, Reno grabbed Bartholomew Kuma's shoulder and teleported again!
In the bright living room of the luxurious airship.
"Delicious, it's really too delicious!!"
"Sister Carmen, your Culinary Arts are too good, a hundred times better than anything I've eaten before!"
"Is there more? I want more!!"
"..."
Bonney, while eating without any regard for her image, praised Carmen in a muffled voice.
Bonney, who had originally intended to resist and take the opportunity to slip away, had become much more obedient after a 'love education' session from Sara.
Coupled with her uncooperative stomach rumbling in protest, and with the idea of 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do,' Bonney decided to eat her fill first.
As a result, she was instantly conquered by Carmen's Culinary Arts.
Her usually picky taste buds were thoroughly satisfied.
Makino, Vivi, and Kaya, The girls, sat around the dining table, resting their chins on their hands, looking at Bonney in astonishment.
They had seen people who could eat a lot, but never anyone who could eat this much.
Especially such a beautiful girl.
A true glutton!
Carmen and Nojiko were in the kitchen, their spatulas almost smoking from overuse.
"Bonney, eat slowly, don't choke." Makino thoughtfully wiped the grease from Bonney's mouth with a tissue and said gently.
Bonney paused, a strange glint flashing in her eyes, then she resumed eating with gusto.
Fake, it must all be fake.
After she was full, she would find an opportunity to use her ability to turn all the women here into Old Women, and then she would just slip away.
Bonney's mind raced while she ate.
She wasn't one to sit idly by, nor did she have time to waste here.
"Eating so deliciously?!"
Just as Bonney was secretly pleased with her perfect plan, a soft chuckle suddenly echoed in the living room.
Hearing this familiar voice, Bonney's movements paused, and her heart instantly went cold.
The next second, Reno appeared before everyone.
Before The girls could even greet him, everyone's attention was drawn to a tall man beside Reno.
And when Bonney saw the man Reno was supporting, her brain instantly crashed, a complete blank.
She didn't even notice the food in her hand falling to the ground.
"Father?!" Bonney stared blankly at the heavily injured Bartholomew Kuma, her lips trembling.
The girls keenly noticed Bonney's abnormality, their puzzled gazes shifting between the two.
"Reno, this is?!"
Kaya, being a doctor, was the first to step forward, carefully taking Bartholomew Kuma from Reno's hands and leaning him against the wall.
"Father!!!" Bonney suddenly screamed and quickly rushed to Bartholomew Kuma's side.
"Father, your... your body!!!"
"Who hurt you like this?!"
Looking at the various components inside Bartholomew Kuma's body, Bonney's pupils suddenly constricted.
Before she could even question it, upon seeing Bartholomew Kuma's damaged body, Bonney's emotions instantly spiraled out of control, tears gushing like a broken dam as she embraced Bartholomew Kuma and cried inconsolably.
All of Bonney's pretense vanished in an instant before the severely damaged Bartholomew Kuma.
"Captain, is Bartholomew Kuma Bonney's father?!"
The girls, who had just learned of their relationship, were greatly astonished.
Long ago, Reno had already educated them about all of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
So they recognized Bartholomew Kuma.
But that Bonney was Bartholomew Kuma's daughter exceeded everyone's expectations.
"Bartholomew Kuma is Bonney's adoptive father," Reno patiently explained from the side.
"Reno, why did my father become like this?! Did you do this?!"
"First, you captured me, and then you harmed my father!"
Bonney suddenly turned around, gradually losing her composure.
She had endured countless hardships, traveling thousands of miles to come here, all to find her father.
When she saw the Bartholomew Kuma she had longed for transformed into this state, Bonney could no longer control her emotions.
Bonney, completely disregarding the disparity in their strengths, charged at Reno like a young calf.
"cloud chain!"
Reno let out a soft cry, and two slender white chains appeared out of thin air, restricting Bonney's movements.
"Bonney, Bartholomew Kuma was indeed injured by me, but this matter is not as simple as you think."
"Bastard, it really was you!" Bonney's eyes were bloodshot, and she roared hysterically, red marks gradually appearing on her arms from the struggle.
The next second, to the surprise of The girls, Bonney's body rapidly shrank.
In just two breaths, she had become a small girl.
Bonney easily broke free from the cloud chain's restraints and instantly returned to her original form.
"I'll fight you to the death, Aging Shock!!!"
Bonney unleashed her Devil Fruit Ability, charging fearlessly at Reno.
Reno shook his head helplessly and instantly teleported to Bartholomew Kuma's side.
"Bonney, calm down, I haven't finished speaking."
With her target gone, Bonney suddenly turned around, and when she saw the Seven Star Sword resting against Bartholomew Kuma's neck, her attack paused abruptly.
Her body trembled as she choked out, "No... please, Reno, please don't hurt my father."
Although she didn't know why her father's body had become mechanical parts.
But now Bartholomew Kuma was at his last gasp, capable of dying at any moment.
If Reno were to attack again, he would surely die.
"Bonney, don't worry, Reno won't hurt your father," Kaya walked over to Bonney and comforted her softly.
Bonney's face was pale; she wanted to retort but didn't dare.
Seeing Bonney regain some composure, Reno put away the Seven Star Sword and directly channeled the Healing Power into Bartholomew Kuma's body.
"Reno, you..."
Bonney's face changed drastically, and she was about to step forward.
The next second, she froze in place again, staring blankly at her father, her eyes filled with disbelief.
Under the effect of the Healing Power, the components filling Bartholomew Kuma's body were gradually replaced by fresh flesh and blood, and the cold mechanical hum disappeared.
Soon, Bartholomew Kuma's internal organs miraculously returned to normal.
Then came the external injuries.
As the last injury was healed, Bartholomew Kuma suddenly opened his eyes, his original crimson eyes now normal black pupils.
Bartholomew Kuma looked around the unfamiliar environment with some confusion, and when he saw Bonney, he instantly flashed to her side, asking in bewilderment, "Bonney, how are you here?!"
"And what is this place, Reno!!!"
Bartholomew Kuma was on high alert, and a terrifying aura instantly erupted from his body.
"Father, no..."
Seeing Bartholomew Kuma about to attack Reno, Bonney quickly spread her arms, blocking Bartholomew Kuma.
"Bonney, don't stop me, you don't know how dangerous this man is!!!"
"Reno, what did you do to Luffy?!"
Bartholomew Kuma glared at Reno, his memory still stuck about ten minutes prior.
Luffy was the leader's only son; if Luffy died here, he would be held responsible.
"Father!" Bonney's voice suddenly rose by an octave.
Bartholomew Kuma raised an eyebrow and looked at Bonney.
Bonney swallowed, then pointed at Bartholomew Kuma's body.
Bartholomew Kuma frowned slightly and subconsciously looked down.
Realizing something, Bartholomew Kuma's pupils constricted, and he froze completely.
His injuries were all healed?!
Not only that, but the parts of his body that Vegapunk had modified, as well as his sanity, had also returned to their original state?!
After a brief moment of distraction, Bartholomew Kuma suddenly looked up, staring at Reno with a look of shock.
Meeting Bartholomew Kuma's astonished gaze, Reno smiled slightly and said, "Can we sit down and talk properly now?!"
Bartholomew Kuma was stunned, then reined in his aura, his expression becoming unreadable.
As the tense atmosphere dissipated, the wary girls all lowered their guard, and after brewing tea for Reno and Bartholomew Kuma and his daughter, they tacitly left the living room.
"Relax, if I really wanted to kill you, you wouldn't be alive right now," Reno took a sip of Darjeeling black tea and said to Bartholomew Kuma calmly.
Bartholomew Kuma looked at Reno with some difficulty, hesitated for a long time, then slowly said, "Reno, although I don't know how you did it, thank you anyway."
"And you?" Reno accepted Bartholomew Kuma's thanks with a calm demeanor, then looked at Bonney with a half-smile.
Bonney's face turned red, and she lowered her head awkwardly.
Just now, she had wanted to kill Reno, but in a blink of an eye, Reno had healed her father.
"Thank... thank you." Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum; if Reno hadn't been close, he would have thought it was a mosquito buzzing.
"Cough, cough, cough," Bartholomew Kuma coughed twice, both to help Bonney out of her embarrassment and to sigh, "Reno, I'm very grateful that you saved me, but you shouldn't have saved me."
Bartholomew Kuma's voice carried an unspeakable heaviness.
"Father, what are you saying?! You almost died just now!" Bonney, unaware of the truth, looked at Bartholomew Kuma in surprise.
What kind of thinking was this?!
Bartholomew Kuma affectionately stroked Bonney's head, remaining silent.
At this moment, he was both happy and sad.
Happy that he had seen his daughter.
Sad that his body had returned to its original state.
Originally, Vegapunk was just one step away from fulfilling their agreement and curing Bonney's jade scale disease.
But now, with his recovery, all their previous efforts had been for naught, and everything had to start over.
He had to return to Vegapunk's side and quickly complete the last step of the modification plan so that Vegapunk could treat Bonney.
Thinking of this, Bartholomew Kuma no longer hesitated and immediately stood up, saying, "Reno, I must take Bonney and leave here immediately."
Reno unhurriedly took a sip of tea and slowly said, "Do you really think Vegapunk can cure Bonney's illness?!"
Bartholomew Kuma was first stunned, then shook his head with a bitter smile, "I'm not sure, but besides Vegapunk, no one else is more likely... 4.8."
At this point, Bartholomew Kuma seemed to remember something, his bear eyes widened, staring intently at Reno, his gaze gradually becoming fervent.
Reno looked at Bartholomew Kuma with some exasperation; was this guy really that dense?!
Only realizing it now?!
Vegapunk had ravaged his body to that extent, and he himself could restore him to his original state.
A mere jade scale disease was easily dealt with, whether by his Healing Fruit Ability or Pure Gold.
Having realized, Bartholomew Kuma quickly walked to Reno, staring at him with burning eyes, and said hoarsely, "Reno, can you... can you cure Bonney's jade scale disease?!"
His trembling voice carried a hint of excitement and a hint of hope.
"Yes," Reno nodded slightly, his voice calm.
Bartholomew Kuma didn't hesitate at all, directly kneeling before Reno and bowing his head to the ground, saying, "Reno, please save Bonney, I can pay any price."
Bartholomew Kuma clung to Reno like a drowning man grasping a lifeline, pleading with sincere emotion.
To cure Bonney, he had once traveled through many seas, visiting famous doctors in various countries, but all the doctors' conclusions were surprisingly consistent.
Once afflicted with jade scale disease, one could only await death in prolonged suffering!
Just like Bonney's mother, Ginny.
But Bartholomew Kuma still relentlessly searched for a cure on the high seas.
Until he found Vegapunk, and the two reached an agreement.
But Vegapunk had once said that even he wasn't 100% confident.
And Reno could completely cure Bonney's illness; how could this not excite him?!
Bartholomew Kuma had no doubt about Reno's ability.
His own recovery was a living example.
Reno looked at Bonney and smiled slightly, saying, "I can save her, but Bonney must stay by my side from now on."
"Of course, you must also follow me."
---------------------------------
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! If the story has you hooked and you can't wait to see what happens next, you can unlock 30 chapters in advance over on my Patreon: patreon.com/TLHimejima1
Every bit of support means the world to me so if you're loving the ride, don't forget to drop a Power Stone and let me know.