Just like Kuma had said, Bonney wasn't willing to stay with the Dream Crew and wait for her father to return.
"Bonney, you can leave, but if you run into any trouble you can't handle, you have to tell me. Got it?" Ryuen said seriously.
"Thank you, Ryuen. I will!" Bonney replied just as seriously.
"Alright~"
"You can go now," Ryuen said gently.
"Everyone, thank you! See you!" Bonney waved goodbye to the Dream Crew, then left with her pirate crew.
Above the Bonney Pirates' ship, a small gray bird followed closely behind. From now on, Ryuen would always know where Bonney was.
Watching Bonney and her crew leave, Nami suddenly asked, "Ryuen, about the public execution… are we getting involved too?"
"How did you know?" Ryuen looked at Nami, surprised.
He hadn't mentioned anything about it yet.
Nami rolled her eyes at him, ignored his confused look, and turned to walk back into the villa.
"I'm thinking of taking a stroll on Island 13. Anyone coming with me?" Ryuen asked.
"I'll go!" Kuina answered immediately.
Ryuen glanced at Kuina, knowing she probably wanted to see Zoro.
The others didn't react—maybe after seeing so many people and events since setting out to sea, they weren't interested in Ryuen's childish antics.
"Alright then, Kuina, let's go," Ryuen said casually.
The two of them headed toward Island 13.
"Those two… they won't cause trouble, will they?" Sugar asked, a bit uneasy.
"They won't. He always knows his limits," Nojiko replied.
"I heard Zoro got a black blade—Shusui, Kuina," Ryuen said as they walked.
"A black blade, huh… I believe I can get one too," Kuina murmured.
She looked at the Wado Ichimonji in her hand. Ever since she learned Haki, she had been using it to strengthen her sword.
Now, Wado Ichimonji had already started to change. If she had a little more time, she believed she could get her own black blade!
The two of them chatted casually as they soon arrived at Island 13.
Shakky's Rip-Off Bar.
"Ryuen!"
"Kuina!"
Just as the Straw Hat Pirates were about to head out, they saw Ryuen and Kuina walking toward them.
The moment Kuro saw Ryuen, he instantly wanted to step forward and settle things from back then.
But just as he was about to move, he felt an overwhelming pressure coming from Ryuen.
No way!
Kuro's eyes widened in shock, completely unable to understand what was happening.
Chopper, on the other hand, was happy to see Ryuen and Kuina. After all, this was the first time since he set out to sea that he had run into someone he knew.
Chopper felt a little proud—after all, he was now a real pirate!
Only Brook and Usopp looked curious, as neither of them knew anyone from the Dream Exploration Group.
...
"That's quite a coincidence~" Ryuen smiled cheerfully.
"I never imagined... the little brat from back then is taller than me now, Zoro." Kuina looked at Zoro.
As soon as she said that, Zoro immediately blushed.
"What?!"
"You, of all people, know the beautiful Kuina?"
"How come?!" Sanji was very upset.
With just a few glances, he could tell that Zoro and Kuina shared a special bond, probably childhood friends!
He suddenly really hated Zoro!
"Where are you guys heading?" Ryuen asked.
"We're going to the amusement park. Ryuen, do you want to come with us?" Luffy said excitedly.
"You don't need to go to the amusement park. Luffy, let me ask you, did you hear about Ace's upcoming execution?" Ryuen asked coldly.
Upon hearing Ryuen's words, the Straw Hat Pirates fell silent. This was their biggest concern for the near future.
"Clang!"
Ryuen's figure vanished in an instant, but Kuina remained unfazed. However, the Straw Hat Pirates looked terrified!
"Boom!"
"Ah!"
"It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!"
"Ryuen, why are you hitting me?" Luffy didn't even realize what happened before a huge bump appeared on his head!
He quickly rubbed his head, the pain so intense that tears were streaming from his eyes.
"Bastard!"
"You seriously don't know why I'm hitting you?"
"Love's Iron Fist!"
"Boom!"
"Ah! It hurts! You... don't come near me..."
"Still trying to run?"
"Boom!"
"Ah!!!"
...
The Straw Hat Pirates watched Luffy being chased and beaten by Ryuen, feeling that something was off.
They all got the feeling that Ryuen was doing it on purpose!
"Zoro, let me see that black sword." Kuina ignored the two childish fools and walked up to Zoro, extending her hand.
Zoro obediently unsheathed the black sword, "Shuusui," and handed it to Kuina.
Now, he had three famous swords: the black sword Shuusui, an unknown good-quality sword, and another one, Yuki Zoro.
"Clang!"
Kuina drew Shuusui, the blade sharp and cold, radiating a chilling aura. The dark blade reflected a menacing glow.
"This is quite a good Armament Haki!" Kuina couldn't help but praise.
"Armament Haki?" Zoro seemed confused.
The rest of the Straw Hat Pirates also looked puzzled. Since they arrived at Sabaody Archipelago, they had heard the term "Haki" many times.
But they still didn't understand what Haki actually was. Even Sanji only had a vague idea.
"Armament Haki, a power that boosts personal defense, like a tough armor.
It can even evolve into offensive power, allowing one to fight against Devil Fruit users, and can even touch the physical form of 'Logia' type Devil Fruit users," Kuina said, handing back the sword, Akushui, to Zoro.
She continued, "This black sword, Akushui, was forged over many years by its previous user, using their Armament Haki. In the end, it turned into a black blade.
There's another famous black sword on this sea, the one in Mihawk's hands, the Black Blade 'Yoru!'"
"Mihawk!" At the mention of the name, Zoro's fist tightened.
He could never forget the overwhelming pressure and helplessness he felt when facing Mihawk.
The gap in strength between the two of them had once made him feel utterly hopeless!
Zoro looked at Kuina and asked, "Kuina, have you ever fought Mihawk?"
"No," Kuina shook her head, then said, "But… I think our duel is coming soon!"
As she spoke, a powerful aura suddenly radiated from her, shocking the entire Straw Hat crew.
Kuina's strength was incredible!
Zoro now had a clear understanding of Kuina's power. She was much stronger than before!
"So, how's it going? Finished talking?" At that moment, Ryuen returned, holding Luffy, who was covered in lumps and looking limp.
"Ah!!!"
"Luffy! What happened to you? Let me see!" Chopper immediately panicked when he saw Luffy in that state.
"Don't worry, Chopper. It's just some external injuries. He won't die," Ryuen said indifferently.
Chopper didn't quite catch what Ryuen said, as he kept frantically applying Potion on Luffy.
"Luffy, did you know that Sabo is still alive?"
"What?"
"Sabo is still alive? Is that true, Ryuen?"
Hearing the news, Luffy immediately sprang up, excitedly asking Ryuen.
---
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