Chapter Sixty-Three: The Seven Warlords, Bartholomew Kuma [First Update]

[Today, as usual, there will be at least three chapters, possibly four depending on the circumstances!]

Shu Mingyuan rode away atop a sea beast. At that moment, a figure suddenly emerged from the thick mist above the sea.

Still within the Gates of Justice, this was part of the Impel Down’s sphere of influence. No matter what disturbance occurred in these waters, he dared not lower his guard. The ten regular warships were temporarily away from Impel Down, but they clearly lingered nearby. The highest-ranking officers aboard these ships were at least of the rank of colonel or above.

His eyes slowly opened, the blood-red, eerie three-tomoe Sharingan piercing through the dense fog. His pupils suddenly contracted—the figure was a man, walking across the waves without any vessel to cross the sea. He moved swiftly; in the blink of an eye, the distance between him and Shu Mingyuan was less than a hundred meters.

Shu Mingyuan saw clearly: the man wore a tall hat, possessed a massive physique reminiscent of a bear, and carried a notebook in his hand. This attire unmistakably belonged to Bartholomew Kuma, one of the current Seven Warlords of the Sea!

A double agent—what was he here for?

Shu Mingyuan knew well: Kuma served both the Revolutionary Army and the World Government. Though he leaned more toward the Revolutionary Army, he had also done plenty for the World Government. He was directly subordinate to the government, and only the Five Elders could command him.

“Is he here to kill me?”

He wondered. Perhaps the chaos he’d wrought in Impel Down had drawn too much attention, and the World Government feared another scandal like the Golden Lion’s infamous jailbreak being exposed to the world.

After all, even the disgrace of Gecko Moria's defeat had prompted the government to send Kuma to eradicate everyone on the island. How much more so after Shu Mingyuan’s upheaval in Impel Down?

The World Government boasted over 170 member nations, making it the largest international organization in the Pirate World. Its leaders, the Five Elders, held the highest authority. Its affiliated entities included the secret intelligence agency, the Navy, the Seven Warlords, the Science Division, Impel Down, and more.

These days, only their own reputation mattered to them—they would not tolerate any challenge to their authority or power. Any such threat would be erased without hesitation.

Bartholomew Kuma, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user, possessed the powers of the Paw-Paw Fruit. Renowned as the foremost among the Seven Warlords, nicknamed “The Tyrant,” he had developed his fruit’s abilities to an exceptional degree. Rumor had it his strength was nearly on par with an admiral.

While Shu Mingyuan pondered, Kuma’s figure stood firmly atop the head of the Sea King. His formidable aura instantly froze the beast beneath his feet.

“You are the man who just broke out of Impel Down, Demon Hunter Mengqi D. Shu Mingyuan? You rampaged through the entire prison, slaughtered scores on every level, and even the chief warden, Rain Shiryu, failed to detain you,” Kuma asked calmly.

Shu Mingyuan’s breath caught. The pressure this man exuded was overwhelming. At present, facing such a foe, he stood no chance. Kuma’s near-light-speed movement and terrifying repulsion abilities allowed him to annihilate the entire Straw Hat crew single-handedly—he was not someone Shu Mingyuan could provoke now.

“Warlord Kuma? May I ask what business brings you to me?”

Shu Mingyuan forced himself to remain calm, knowing that panic in adversity was tantamount to courting death.

“Pitiful child. You’re the first in years to receive a direct order from the World Government for secret elimination. So, just as you suspected, I am indeed here to kill you,” Kuma replied, a trace of mockery on his face.

“As a Revolutionary Army cadre, you still serve the World Government? I am now an enemy of the government. In a sense, does that not make us allies?” Shu Mingyuan said coolly.

“Allies? There are few in this world who can claim friendship with me, and you are certainly not one of them,” Kuma replied, his expression indifferent.

“Dragon? Vegapunk? Or perhaps Ivankov? Sabo?”

Kuma’s face changed slightly. He stared coldly at Shu Mingyuan. “Kid, how do you know those names?”

“I am quite curious. What compelled you to sacrifice yourself, become the government’s experiment, and transform into a killing machine? If it was for the Revolutionary Army’s benefit, that seems a poor trade—you alone are worth as much as an admiral anywhere!” Shu Mingyuan met his gaze, asking the question that had most perplexed him in his previous life.

“Heh... I didn’t expect you to know so much, child. Are you finished? If so, prepare to die. The World Government has selected your head for elimination.”

“Paw Shock!”

The Tyrant Kuma slowly removed his gloves. Shu Mingyuan’s pupils contracted. Kuma’s hand swept upward, unleashing a shockwave shaped like a bear’s paw.

“Soru!”

Shu Mingyuan’s figure vanished. The instant Kuma removed his gloves, Shu Mingyuan knew: this man could repel air at the speed of light, creating shockwaves to destroy his targets. All his abilities were concentrated in those hands.

“Chidori Spear!”

Appearing at Kuma’s flank, Shu Mingyuan reached into the void and summoned a ten-meter lightning spear, thrusting it fiercely at Kuma.

Kuma merely spread his palm and blocked the spear. Shu Mingyuan felt a tremendous force rebound back through the Chidori Spear, his arm numbed. He immediately let out another low cry.

“Chidori Stream!”

A brilliant burst of lightning erupted from his body, surging through the spear toward Kuma. Shu Mingyuan knew that Kuma was now an incomplete cyborg, his body filled with metal. Kuma’s ability could repel any attack—but what about electricity?

Shu Mingyuan converted all his chakra to lightning, refining it to a dazzling silver-white that enveloped Kuma’s massive form.

Sparks crackled across Kuma’s body. He remained motionless, stiff as a statue. After a moment, the lightning faded. Kuma’s clothes and skin were scorched black, revealing the metal hidden beneath his skin.

Sparks flickered from the metal parts. Shu Mingyuan felt a surge of joy—his attack had worked?

But then Kuma’s cold voice rang out, chilling him to the bone.

“Impressive ability. However, my body has been modified to withstand such intense currents. A few components are damaged, but it’s nothing serious.”

Shu Mingyuan’s face darkened. He flashed beneath Kuma, kicking at his abdomen. All he felt was striking steel; Kuma remained unmoved.

This silent, relentless pressure was the most terrifying of all. No matter what attack he used, it was useless.

Swoosh!

Kuma moved at once—in almost indefinable time, he appeared beside Shu Mingyuan. Compared to Soru or Shadow Step, this was true light-speed movement.

“It’s over,” Shu Mingyuan thought, horrified. Against such an enemy, he had no power to resist, nowhere to run, no way to fight back. What hope did he have?

“Kid, the relationship between the Revolutionary Army and the World Government is far more complicated than you imagine.”

Kuma’s voice sounded in Shu Mingyuan’s ear. His paw-like hand touched Shu Mingyuan’s body. In the next instant, Shu Mingyuan seemed to evaporate from the world, vanishing without a trace.

ps: [Heartfelt thanks to several readers for their generous rewards! xm, your support truly moves me! Please share, reward, bookmark, and recommend!]