Luffy, how can you become the Pirate King if you don't work hard!

"Yes."

Big Bear said confidently, "I think you'll agree. Because you'll want to know information about this person."

"Who?" Luffy asked, puzzled.

Kuma's gaze seemed to casually sweep over Luffy's chest, as he reminded him, "Take a look at your Vivre Card."

Luffy frowned, surprised.

Big Bear actually knew that he had a life card.

He did indeed always carry the Vivre Card that Ace had given him with him, a habit he had maintained ever since they parted ways in Alabasta.

Ace said that the Vivre Card can not only guide you, but also show the holder's status.

In recent days, the Vivre Card has been in poor condition, appearing somewhat listless, with even the edges slightly curled, as if Ace is suffering pain or injury.

Luffy's expression instantly turned cold, and an ominous premonition gripped his heart: "What happened to Ace?"

The bear didn't go in circles.

"Your brother Portgas D. Ace was defeated in a battle against Marshall D. Teach, also known as Blackbeard, and was captured by him. Currently, Blackbeard has handed him over to the World Government as a pledge of loyalty. If the intelligence is correct, he should be on his way to Impel Down, the underwater prison."

Kuma said, "Blackbeard is taking this opportunity to succeed Crocodile as the new Shichibukai."

"Blackbeard, Impel Down..."

Luffy clenched his fist suddenly.

When you encountered Blackbeard's crew while traveling to Skypiea by flying ocean currents, didn't you kill them with a single punch?

A few days ago, the newspapers published news that the Golden Lion had been escorted back to Impel Down. He learned about the place from Robin and Vivi.

That terrifying prison known as the impregnable fortress was where Shiki the Golden Lion was sent by the bear before him.

Now, his brother Ace is also locked up!

Luffy took a deep breath.

In the past, he would have started yelling and screaming, and now he would have been desperate to save Ace.

But he has matured.

"What do you want from me?" Luffy asked, staring at Kuma.

Kuma told Luffy about Ace's capture, which in itself was a bargaining chip. Regardless of Kuma's motives, this news was crucial to Luffy. He had no choice but to accept the deal.

"My conditions are very simple."

Kuma pulled a folded wanted poster from his pocket and handed it to Luffy, saying, "If you have the chance in the future, please take care of someone for me. She's a pirate."

Luffy took the bounty poster and unfolded it.

The image above shows a girl with long pink hair, a somewhat rebellious makeup look, and gold hoops around her eyes.

The wanted poster reads:

Joely Bonney

Captain of the Bonney Pirates, with a bounty of 140 million Berries!

She is known as Bonnie the Big Eater.

Why would a Shichibukai ask him to take care of a pirate?

Luffy looked at the girl on the wanted poster and nodded in agreement.

"Okay, I promise you. As long as she's not our enemy, I'll help her if she gets into trouble."

"Thank you." Big Bear nodded, put his gloves back on, and stood up.

The deal is done.

Kuma didn't have this idea before meeting Luffy.

However, Luffy's displayed strength changed his mind.

Luffy possesses the same qualities as the respected Mr. Dragon, so Kuma is at ease.

Kuma didn't know if he could fulfill the promises made by the Five Elders, so the deal with Luffy served as a form of insurance.

Big Bear paused for a moment, then suddenly asked, "So, what do you plan to do?"

"Rescue Ace," Luffy said.

The answer wasn't particularly surprising.

"Given your and your companions' current strength, the chances of successfully breaking into Impel Down or facing the situation ahead are extremely slim," Kuma said.

"I know,"

Luffy sneered, "But how do you know it won't work if you don't try? If you don't try, you won't have a chance at all!"

He has already lost a brother.

Only this one older brother remains.

Luffy dared to declare war on the World Government for Robin, so he would also dare to overturn Impel Down for Ace.

Kuma gave Luffy a deep look, as if trying to find a trace of hesitation in his eyes, but he only saw a burning determination.

He acknowledged Luffy's strength.

However, Luffy is facing the entire World Government and the Navy, even with the Whitebeard Pirates... wait? Kuma suddenly had a flash of inspiration, as if he had guessed the World Government's plan.

But he didn't say it.

Kuma knows a lot of information that the World Government, the Navy, and pirates don't. However, Kuma doesn't know if this information is controlled by the Navy.

If that's the case, then this ocean is truly about to undergo a massive transformation.

The bear slowly began to speak: “Go to the Sabaody Archipelago. Find a man there named Silvers Rayleigh. He might be able to help you.”

Kuma is not yet able to fully grasp all of the World Government's next plans, but he knows that Luffy needs greater power and more information.

That legendary man, Rayleigh, is perhaps the person who can help him the most at this stage.

Upon hearing the name Rayleigh, a hint of doubt flashed in Luffy's eyes, but he still remembered it.

"Thanks," he said, turning to leave.

"Wait," Kuma called out to Luffy again.

He looked at Luffy's retreating figure and said, "Your body is powerful now, but the burden and pain you've endured are unprecedented. Before I leave, I'll do you one more favor."

Luffy stopped and turned to look at Kuma, his eyes questioning.

Kuma raised his gloved hand, his palm pointing at Luffy: "My Paw-Paw Fruit ability can repel anything, including abstract concepts like pain and fatigue."

Luffy yelped?

Do Devil Fruit abilities based on this concept really exist?

As soon as he finished speaking, without any visible movement from Kuma, a huge, translucent, fleshy ball-shaped bubble made of strange energy slowly separated from Luffy's body and floated in the air.

Inside those bubbles, there seemed to be unimaginable weight and pain compressed, making one's heart tremble just by looking at them.

As the painful ball of flesh was ejected, Luffy's body, which had been slightly tense, relaxed almost imperceptibly, as if an invisible burden had been lifted.

"Transaction complete. Goodbye, Straw Hat Boy."

After speaking, the bear didn't linger. In a flash, it appeared next to the unconscious Moria, placing its enormous hand on Moria's body.

The next moment, the two disappeared from their original spot as if swallowed by space.

Chapter 273 This is the strength of the Fifth Emperor!

"He really is a strange guy."

Luffy looked at the spot where Kuma and Moria had disappeared, his expression slightly complicated.

What is this guy thinking?

He remained silent for a moment, then shook his head, temporarily suppressing his chaotic thoughts, and leaped back into the midst of his companions.

"Luffy! Who was that person just now?"

Nami immediately rushed over nervously.

“Another Shichibukai,” Luffy said.

"Another one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea?!"

"It's alright, the matter has been resolved."

Luffy waved his hand, forcing a smile that was no different from usual. He didn't plan to tell his crew about Kuma and Ace for the time being.

Those who had regained their shadows laughed and cried, and then the victims' association suggested a banquet. Being able to leave meant that everyone had to part ways.

Luffy and his crew did not refuse.

Of course, a banquet should be held after a great battle.

A banquet is not just for celebration.

Rather, Luffy needs to recover after the great battle, which requires him to eat a lot of meat.

"banquet!"

"banquet!"

Usopp and Chopper cheered immediately and went to collect food. Although Moria was a typical homebody who would go for days without eating, his subordinates still needed to eat. In addition, he had prepared enough food for Oates to eat, making it perfect for a banquet.

The task of cooking was undoubtedly left to Sanji, the ship's chef.

"Leave it to me!"

Sanji lit a cigarette. Although he sensed that Luffy seemed a bit off, the captain's orders and the banquet itself invigorated him. "Perfect timing, let you all try my new dishes! And everyone from the Rolling Pirates, please join us!"

"Oh!"

The atmosphere of the banquet was quickly ignited.