Soon, in a dimly lit hall where sunlight could not reach, Bartholomew Kuma and his daughter, Bonney, were invited in.
Bonney timidly walked out of the small house, hugged Bartholomew Kuma's thigh, and looked at Luke and others in front of her curiously.
"Room: Scan!
Law directly used the power of the Op-Op Fruit to scan the other party's body. Then he couldn't help but frown, and his face became serious: "This is not an ordinary disease..."
He immediately judged that the other party would not live beyond ten years old.
But seeing Bartholomew Kuma signaling to him with his eyes, he understood and held back the rest of his words.
"Huff~ Huff~ Huff… Sapphire Scale disease."
Dr. Hogback, who came after hearing the news, looked at the delicate little girl in front of him with disbelief.
He noticed a small, fingernail-sized green crystalline patch on her face, which looked like a stone. "I've only heard of this strange disease before, but I didn't expect it to really exist..."
"Come on, Bonney..."
Reiju looked at Bonney with sympathy.
Understanding that Luke, Kuma, and the others had serious matters to discuss, she stepped forward with a gentle smile and took Bonney's hand.
"Sister will take you out to play first!"
"Go!"
Bartholomew Kuma touched Bonney's little head.
Although it was a bit risky to let his daughter out of his sight, he still chose to believe in Obask Luke, one of the Four Emperors.
After all, for years, he had traveled the world in search of a cure, but to no avail.
With Bonney growing older, he was running out of options.
Perhaps the Netherworld Pirates may be their last hope.
"This disease... She cannot be exposed to natural light, or the Sapphire Scale disease will spread faster, turning her entire body into stone until she dies in agony… You're aware of that, right?"
Law looked directly at Bartholomew Kuma and said in a deep voice.
"Yes, the doctor once said that Bonney might not live past ten!" Kuma said with a wry smile.
"You two are the users of the Op-Op Fruit and the Repair-Repair Fruit, respectively, and you can be said to be the top doctors in this sea... Is there any way?"
Luke, who was sitting on the sofa with one leg crossed over the other, asked directly.
"Luke-sama, my expertise is primarily in surgery, and the Repair-Repair Fruit isn't particularly suited for this…"
Dr. Hogback spread his hands helplessly.
"I can give it a try, but this condition is even more complex than Amber Lead Syndrome. I can't guarantee success."
Law said there.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Law!"
Originally, after hearing what Hogback said, Kuma's heart sank, but soon, a glimmer of hope ignited again, and he bowed solemnly there.
"Give it a shot, then."
Luke shrugged and said indifferently: "If it doesn't work, let the scientific research team take a look!"
He was curious to see if Law could use the Op-Op Fruit's power to cure such a rare disease.
Anyway, there is the scientific research team on the Germa side to back him up.
At worst, Dr. Vegapunk's body will temporarily recover a certain degree of freedom and let him treat Bonney in person.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Luke!"
Bartholomew Kuma said gratefully.
Luke looked calm and waved his hand dismissively: "Don't thank me in a hurry... I'm not helping you!"
"I understand. But if you can cure Bonney, even if you want my life, I won't refuse..."
Bartholomew Kuma said directly.
He is incompetent and fails to protect his childhood friend Ginny, which leads to her being captured by the Celestial Dragons as a slave. She also suffers from the strange disease of Sapphire Scale disease and dies of torture.
This time, he must protect Ginny's daughter, Bonney.
He was willing to give up everything for her.
"You are to trade your life for hers?"
Law was shaken.
Looking at Kuma, he was deeply moved. With unwavering determination, he turned to Luke and spoke. "Wait, Luke-sama, I have a request..."
"No need to say more..."
Luke glanced at Law.
He already understood.
This Surgeon of Death from Flevance, whose life had been filled with suffering, had been touched by Kuma's selfless love.
His heart softened and hoped that he could let Kuma go and not hurt his life.
"In the early stage, regardless of whether it can be cured or not, you, the survivor of the Buccaneers tribe, need to provide a few tubes of blood as a medical fee... After all, this is Hachinosu Island; you can't come and go as you please!"
Luke crossed his arms while looking at the resolute Kuma with a smirk.
"But if she is completely cured, I want your shadow."
He was willing to do Law a favor and spare Kuma's life. Although it is entirely possible to let Kuma join the Netherworld Pirates and serve him directly.
But Luke knew Kuma was too kind and upright.
Once the Netherworld Pirates and the Revolutionary Army conflict, his heart will inevitably lean toward the Revolutionary Army, and he may even betray them...
Therefore, he never thought of taking him into the Netherworld Pirates.
However, the living Buccaneers tribe does have considerable value. In particular, his blood could serve as a sample for Pacifista, clone armies, and even the replication of the Paw-Paw Fruit ability.
Besides, even if Kuma wouldn't fight for them, his shadow could.
With his Shadow-Shadow Fruit powers, he could take Kuma's shadow, stripping him of his Devil Fruit ability.
Without the Paw-Paw Fruit, Kuma would no longer be a major threat, even if he chose to help the Revolutionaries.
On the contrary, the Shadowkhan Army would have another cadre with the Paw-Paw Fruit ability and good strength.
"Shadow? No problem..."
Bartholomew Kuma was stunned.
But he didn't hesitate and nodded firmly.
He thought the other party would directly ask for his Devil Fruit ability, but he didn't expect it to be just his shadow.
However, the intelligence ability of the Netherworld Pirates really shocked him.
The other party actually knew that he was from the Buccaneers tribe.
"Huff~ Huff~ Huff~, I advise you not to agree so quickly…"
Dr. Hogback on the side laughed strangely and reminded: "People who lose their shadows will lose their devil fruit ability and will never see the sun again!"
"To some extent, it is equivalent to you and your daughter exchanging lives... She will gain light and live freely under the sun, while you will lose the light and forever remain in darkness."
"Really?"
Kuma was silent for a moment.
Then, he showed a gentle smile: "Even if that's the case, I've made a big profit, right?"
Although he will lose the ability of the Paw-Paw Fruit and can't even see the sun again, at least Bonney can live like a normal person and live healthily.
That's enough.
"Since you have decided, I will do my best !" Law said with a smile.
He was deeply moved by Bartholomew Kuma's sincere fatherly love for his daughter.
Although he lost his shadow, it was better than losing his life.
At least this way, Bonney wouldn't have to grow up haunted by guilt, knowing her father sacrificed his life for hers.