At first, Maude merely wanted to gauge Law's progress over the past year—but he hadn't expected to reap such unexpected rewards.
Stepping over the corpses of the On Air Pirates' crew, Maude approached the unconscious Apoo.
The Supernova with a bounty of 260 million Bailey carried not only the experience points Maude sought but also a high-grade Devil Fruit.
Under the silent gaze of Kuma, Maude hoisted Apoo with one hand before heading toward the severely injured and unconscious Urouge.
Ignoring the fallen members of the Fallen Monk Pirates, who had been knocked out by his Conqueror's Haki, Maude grabbed the collar of Urouge with his other hand.
With Apoo in one hand and Urouge in the other, he dragged them both toward Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
The scene, though comical at first glance, only sent chills down the spines of the onlookers.
Who were Apoo and Urouge?
Two of this year's most prominent Supernovas.
Combined, their bounties reached 480 million Bailey.
Yet they had been effortlessly dispatched by Maude—left like broken dogs, dragged along without care.
"The Gatekeeper of the New World... lives up to the name..."
A pirate who had recently arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago wiped cold sweat from his brow, trembling at the sight of Maude's retreating figure.
"What's the point of all our struggles to get here?"
His companion's voice was filled with despair.
The pirate glanced at his friend, feeling a deep sense of confusion.
Indeed.
Why not stay in the South Blue and live out a carefree life as a small-time pirate? Why insist on testing their luck in the Grand Line?
Now, with a monster like Maude standing at the gateway to the New World, the message was clear—the weak shall not pass.
Even without setting foot in the New World, they could already imagine its horrors.
Under the fearful gazes of the crowd, Maude and Kuma disappeared into the distance.
While tending to the aftermath, Law noticed Kuma's arrival.
"Bartholomew Kuma..."
Law silently observed the Warlord trailing behind Maude.
Though they had crossed paths several times and exchanged words, there was no bond between them.
Yet this man—the Tyrant Kuma—seemed to share a close connection with Maude.
As Maude and Kuma headed for Shakky's bar, Law began using the Op-Op Fruit to patch up the massive hole Maude's Hakoku had blown into the Yarukiman Mangrove.
He crudely plastered two large patches of turf onto the tree's gaping wound.
After finishing, Law and his crew made their way to the bar.
Inside, they found neither Maude nor Kuma—only Apoo and Urouge tossed carelessly in the corner.
"Oi, where's Maude?"
Law's eyes flicked to Perona, who was enjoying a dessert at the bar counter.
Perona's hand froze, then she snorted and pretended not to hear him.
Law's brow furrowed as he approached, looming over her with a cold gaze.
"Where's Maude?"
With her usual temperament, Perona responded by sending a Negative Holloq straight through Law's chest.
Caught off guard, Law collapsed onto the floor, spiraling into deep despair.
"Hmph."
Perona scoffed and resumed eating.
Behind the bar, Shakky chuckled softly at the scene.
"Maude and Kuma are probably at the treetop discussing some 'business.' He asked you to treat the big guy's wounds."
She gestured at Urouge with her cigarette.
Law heard her but, trapped in the depths of negativity, lacked the motivation to move.
Atop the Yarukiman Mangrove.
"Nice view, isn't it?"
Maude sat cross-legged on the canopy, gazing at the blue skies and shimmering sea.
Kuma stood nearby, clutching a book, seemingly indifferent to the scenery.
His eyes remained fixed on the bubbles drifting into the sky—only to pop abruptly at their peak.
Maude glanced at Kuma's stoic face and suddenly asked, "How much time is left?"
"Ten days, four hours, and fifty-two seconds until the final modification. At that time, my consciousness will be completely erased."
Kuma's voice was calm, as if discussing something as trivial as eating or drinking.
"Ten days, huh..."
Maude sighed, resting his cheek on his hand.
"I can't guarantee anything... but I have confidence in our promise. Until then, think of it as hibernation, Kuma."
"Alright."
Kuma's gaze never wavered from the bubbles.
A sliver of hope...
He whispered the thought to himself.
He had already come to terms with his fate—never expecting Maude to offer him even the faintest chance of salvation.
Whether or not it would succeed... would be up to fate.
Images of Bonney, Dragon, and Sabo flashed through Kuma's mind.
Those precious memories would soon be erased.
If he could awaken once more... would those memories still remain?
Kuma shook his head slightly, turning to the inscrutable man beside him.
Finally, before parting ways, he asked the one question that had been weighing on his heart.
"Maude... what is your true allegiance?"
"Allegiance?"
Maude raised an eyebrow.
"I have no such thing."
Kuma was taken aback, staring intently at Maude's face.
Sensing the unspoken meaning behind the question, Maude smirked.
"Rest assured—no matter where I stand, I will never be the enemy of the Revolution."
He stood, hands in his pockets, eyes fixed on the distant sea.
"Honestly, I couldn't care less about the Revolutionary Army's ideals... but Sunny is my family. Her dream is my dream."
Kuma remained silent, perhaps recalling the crossroads of his own life.
After a pause, he asked another question out of curiosity.
"If Sunny asked you to join the Revolutionary Army, would you?"
"I would."
Maude's answer was instant—without the slightest hesitation.
But he knew better than anyone—Sunny would never make such a request.
Whether it was Sunny or Lafitte...
If it was a request from family, Maude would give everything to fulfill it.
Power exists for that reason alone.
Kuma nodded slowly.
Maude glanced at him.
"Kuma, do me one last favor."
"Alright."
Without asking what the favor was, Kuma agreed without hesitation.
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