One Piece - Heaven Defying Comprehension!

"Are you crazy?!" Moria exclaimed, staring at Ace in disbelief.

"Those are the two Four Emperors—Kaido and Shanks! Not to mention the entire Naval Headquarters and the Seven Shichibukai of the Sea!"

"Look, I admit you're strong—maybe even as strong as a Four Emperor yourself—but facing this kind of force... wouldn't it be smarter to avoid them?" Moria shouted, his voice rising in panic.

Ace's eyes gleamed with excitement, and he burst into laughter. "Hahaha! This is amazing! Two Four Emperors, the Navy, and the Shichibukai all at once? This is going to be fun!"

"He's not even listening!" Moria blinked, his devilish eyes wide, sweat dripping down from his horns. How... how could someone like this exist?!

These were two of the Four Emperors they were talking about, along with the entire crew of their pirate fleets. After that, there was the elite fighting force of the Naval Headquarters and the Seven Shichibukai of the Sea. Practically all of the sea's great powers, save for the Whitebeard Pirates and Big Mom's crew, were converging on this one point.

And yet, Ace had no intention of avoiding them? Moria was utterly baffled.

"Haha, our captain is just that kind of person," Robin said with a smile, covering her mouth lightly. Once, she believed no one could stand up to the World Government. But then Ace came along and showed her that even the government was just another obstacle. It was Ace who had saved her, and now she couldn't help but admire him.

"Ace gets like this when he's excited," Nami said, wiping away a tear of resignation.

"Uh-huh," Vivi nodded, also teary-eyed.

"It's just two Four Emperors—Ace is definitely going to win!" Kaya said proudly, her small fists clenched.

"Two Four Emperors? So, that means we're facing two people stronger than the Naval Admiral Aokiji? I guess I'll need to train harder with my Suzaku form," Raki said, her eyes burning with determination.

"I-I'll work hard too!" Conis said, clenching her fists, her voice filled with resolve. While her combat ability wasn't strong, her Vocal Fruit powers would at least let her support the crew.

"Hmm, two Four Emperors, and the Naval Headquarters?" Nojiko murmured, her sniper rifle slung over her back, her eyes flashing with a dangerous glint.

Tashigi said nothing, but her sword, Shusui, was already slightly unsheathed.

"I'll do my best too! Ace!" Merry raised her hand enthusiastically, her spirit brimming with energy.

"Dangerous! This whole crew is dangerous!" Moria exclaimed, drenched in cold sweat. "They're planning to face not only two of the Four Emperors but also the Navy and the Shichibukai?! Perona, I can't let you board their ship!"

But Perona wasn't paying attention to Moria's concerns. Her eyes were sparkling as she stared at Merry. "She's so cute!" she exclaimed. "The perfect combination of a legendary ship spirit and the shadow fruit. So adorable, Merry!"

She clasped her hands to her chest, her beautiful eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Hey! Weren't you obsessed with zombies before?" Moria cried, watching Perona fawn over Merry.

"No! I've decided that Merry is my favorite now! Merry-chan!" Perona rushed over, hugging Merry tightly and rubbing her face against hers.

"A-Ace... help me..." Merry, still new to interacting with others after gaining her form from the Shadow Fruit, was clearly overwhelmed by Perona's affection.

"There'll be plenty of time for you to bond later. Don't scare Merry like that, Perona," Ace said, lifting her up by the collar like a kitten. Merry quickly hid behind Ace, peeking out cautiously.

"Shy Merry-chan is so cute!" Perona gushed, holding her cheeks, eyes sparkling as she stared at the timid ship spirit.

Clang!

"Ugh!" Perona winced, holding her head where Ace had flicked it. Her beautiful eyes trembled with tears. Oh no, I got too excited... Is Ace going to punish me? Tears started welling up in her eyes.

"Perona's cute too," Merry said softly, peeking out from behind Ace.

"R-really? I love you so much, Merry-chan!" Perona's ears twitched at the compliment, and she tried to pounce on Merry again, but Ace held her back, leaving her to flutter helplessly in the air.

"She really is like a living doll," Kaya observed, nodding in agreement with Perona's charm.

"Mmm, makes you want to pinch her cheeks," Nami said with a mischievous grin.

Vivi giggled, nodding.

Before Perona could react, Ace had already started. "It's so fun to squish your face like this," he said, grinning as he playfully squished Perona's delicate face, molding it into a small bun.

"Uuuu..." Perona whimpered, unable to resist, her eyes filling with tears as she looked at Ace pitifully.

"Hahaha! You're adorable—perfect for my crew!" Ace laughed as he continued to shape Perona's face into various expressions.

"Uuuu..." Perona could only whimper softly in response.

"Hey! Ace, put down Perona!" Moria yelled, his voice high-pitched with frustration.

Ace chuckled, turning toward him. "Don't take it too hard. Your daughter is nothing like you—she's much cuter."

"Kishishishi, my daughter is really adorable," Moria muttered, touching his chin while his smile stretched wide.

"Daughter, huh?" Kuma's eyes, hidden behind his sunglasses, softened with a deep, nostalgic glint. He thought of Bonney, and a gentle smile formed unconsciously on his face.

"Wait—did I just see that right?" Moria gasped. "You, the tyrant Kuma, are... smiling? And so gently?!"

Kuma quickly wiped the smile off his face, his expression returning to its usual stoic indifference.

Ace, still laughing, walked over to where Perona was rubbing her face. Merry, seeing her in distress, hesitated for a moment before approaching to comfort her. But the moment Perona saw Merry again, her mood changed instantly. She jumped up, hugging Merry excitedly and rubbing her face against hers.

Merry could only whimper helplessly.

"It seems like Perona fits right in on my ship, Moria," Ace remarked, his eyes flashing. Black and purple lightning crackled, forming a small throne-like seat behind him. Ace slowly sat down, his eyes glowing with an astonishing black-purple hue.

Moria could only laugh nervously, still touching his chin. "Hehehe, my daughter is such a handful."

"What an amazing display of Conqueror's Haki," Kuma murmured, watching Ace. "I've never seen anyone control their Conqueror Haki like this. Truly incredible. No wonder he's willing to face two of the Four Emperors."

"Right!" Moria yelled, snapping back to reality. "Wait, do you really plan on going through with this?! That's two of the Four Emperors, and you might also have to face the Navy and the Shichibukai!"

Moria finally snapped out of his thoughts about his "daughter" and looked at Ace, beads of cold sweat running down his face.

Perona's strength wouldn't be enough to survive such a dangerous whirlpool of chaos. It would be a nightmare if she got caught up in this.

"Don't worry," Ace waved a hand, smiling casually. "Kaido's probably just here to stir up trouble. As for the red-haired one, he shouldn't be an enemy—at least not yet. My little brother once owed him a favour, so I long wanted to meet him."

Ace's smile widened. "As for the Shichibukai, anyone still backing the Marines isn't worth our attention."

Despite his confident words, Ace's eyes held a mischievous glint. "Though, there's one among the Shichibukai that I've been wanting to meet. The Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock, known as the most beautiful woman in the pirate world."

Moria's eyes blinked in realization as he struck his fist against his palm. "So in that case, the only real threats are Kaido and whichever forces the Navy decides to send."

His face twitched almost comically. Just Kaido and the entire Naval Headquarters? What kind of person says things like that?

Yeah, it's definitely because of Ace, he thought with a shudder. This man is dangerous.

Moria glanced over at Perona, who was happily holding Merry, her face lit up with a smile. He sighed. There was no way to stop her now; she seemed too content.

"Well, the Naval Headquarters won't act recklessly, especially since you're one of the Emperors. If war breaks out, who knows what the outcome will be... But Flame Emperor..." Moria paused, hesitant.

Ace interrupted with a grin. "Just call me Ace."

Kuma looked slightly taken aback. "Then forgive my rudeness," he said, sitting cross-legged. His expression grew serious. "But Ace, the Navy is just the public face of the World Government. Their hidden power is far more terrifying than you think. If things escalate into an all-out war, the very existence of the World Government could be at stake."

Kuma's words hung heavily in the air. Ace regarded him calmly. "The hidden power you mean—Seraph, right?"

Kuma's eyes widened in shock. "You... How do you know that name?"

Seraph, a project he had only learned about through Vegapunk, was supposed to be a top-secret weapon—an invincible artificial soldier that not even high-ranking officials were aware of. Yet Ace spoke as if it were common knowledge.

"I know far more than you might think," Ace replied, his gaze steady. "Including about you. How much longer do you have before your consciousness fades completely, Kuma?"

The cyborg's expression grew complicated. "I didn't expect you to know so many secrets. It truly exceeds my expectations," Kuma admitted. "That's right, though. In a few years, I won't be myself anymore."

"Erased?" Nami and the others had gathered around Ace and overheard Kuma's confession, their faces filled with surprise.

"He's been allowing the World Government to transform him into a weapon in order to save his daughter," Ace explained calmly. "Bartholomew Kuma is regarded by Vegapunk as the ultimate cyborg."

"For his daughter?!" The girls were taken aback by this revelation. A man like Kuma, turning himself into a cyborg, just to protect his daughter?

Moria stared blankly at Kuma. So that gentle smile earlier—it was for his daughter?

Kuma, seeing their shocked expressions, gave a wry smile. "Since you already know everything, there's no need to hide it anymore. I'm lucky to have someone to talk to before I lose myself entirely."

He began to recount the story of his daughter, Bonney. As he spoke of her, a tender, nostalgic smile replaced his usual stoic demeanor.

"Kuma! You… you're a real man!" Moria howled, tears streaming down his demonic face as he patted Kuma heavily on the shoulder.

The girls, their eyes red from emotion, nodded in agreement. Bartholomew Kuma, known as a tyrant, was in truth a loving and devoted father.

Even Perona's eyes glistened with tears. She smiled softly at the sight of Moria, who had never shown such vulnerability before. If she ever found herself in danger, she had no doubt that Moria would do anything to protect her.

Kuma, seeing Moria's teary-eyed empathy, gave a faint chuckle. "Even if you hit me, Moria, I won't feel anything. I'm mostly machine now," he joked.

"Yeah, yeah," Moria replied, showing a toothy grin despite his tears.

Ace watched the scene with a quiet smile, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "It's a shame for a man like you to lose his memories and consciousness."

Kuma's story had only touched on his daughter, Bonney, and his willingness to sacrifice everything for her, though he hadn't delved into details about Bonney's heritage or his former lover, Ginny. But to Kuma, Ace knew, that didn't matter. What mattered was his daughter, and that was enough.

Suddenly, Nami's voice broke through the heavy atmosphere. "Ace! Can you do something to help Kuma keep his memory?" she asked, her eyes wide with hope.

Kuma's story reminded her of Bell-mère's love for her and her sister, and she couldn't bear the thought of such a father losing his memories of his beloved child.

The girls all turned to Ace, their eyes filled with the same question.

Kuma, however, shook his head. "It's not possible. My consciousness will be wiped by Vegapunk eventually. He possesses the Brain-Brain Fruit, making the process irreversible. I've already accepted that."

But Ace only smiled, his right hand glowing with an unusual light. "That depends on you, Kuma. If your love for your daughter is strong enough, maybe you can fight to preserve your consciousness. Use this power—the power of 'Nika.'"

Kuma's eyes widened as Ace's words sank in.

"Nika?!"