One Piece: Starting in God Valley as a Slave

Borsalino lowered his voice while speaking into the Den Den Mushi:

"Don't wait any longer. If Sakazuki were here, he would've made the same decision, I'm sure of it."

This was undoubtedly true. If it were Akainu in his place, he probably wouldn't have even bothered to contact Carl. By the time anyone arrived, they'd only find a vast pool of cooling magma.

After all, the World Government had already issued the order: if met with resistance, execute on the spot.

But whether they resisted or not was up to the judgment of those who discovered them.

To be honest, Carl felt somewhat moved. He replied softly,

"Borsalino, that woman once did me a favor. Spare her life for now. You can bring her and the others to Marineford."

"What? Carl, you've got to be joking! She's a criminal the World Government specifically named to be captured!"

"Don't worry about it. Just bring Nico Olvia back to Marineford. Trust me, the World Government won't say anything. I've already cleared it with the Five Elders. If Olvia is captured, I'll be handling her personally."

Hearing this, Borsalino was taken aback. Carl had direct contact with the Five Elders now? And they were so agreeable?

On the other end of the line, Carl noticed Borsalino's silence and continued,

"Borsalino, there's something both you and Sakazuki should know. I'll tell you when you return to headquarters."

Borsalino paused, then replied,

"Alright, I understand."

"Good. With Kuma around, you'll return to Marineford quickly. As for the remaining scholars, deal with them if they're troublesome."

Hearing this, Borsalino glanced at Kuma and replied somewhat helplessly,

"I don't think Kuma will find them troublesome."

"True enough."

After exchanging a few more words, Carl hung up. Borsalino turned back to where Nico Olvia and the scholars were gathered.

Kuma sat cross-legged on the ground, towering over everyone even in that position. He was like a small mountain.

The scholars, heads drooping, looked utterly defeated. They resembled withered eggplants, while Olvia tried to engage Kuma in conversation. Kuma, however, completely ignored her, engrossed in the book he was holding.

When Borsalino returned, Kuma slowly rose and asked,

"Borsalino, were you speaking to Carl just now?"

Borsalino shrugged.

"You see through everything. Yes, he asked us to escort these people to Marineford."

Kuma nodded and didn't ask further. Instead, he removed a glove, revealing the paw pad on his palm. He turned to the nearest scholar and pressed his hand down.

Pop!

To the shock of Olvia and the others, the scholar disappeared on the spot. Someone cried out,

"W-What are you doing to us?!"

Kuma didn't answer and continued using his Paw-Paw Fruit ability. One by one, the scholars vanished. As more disappeared, fear overtook those remaining.

When facing "death," true terror finally set in.

Some tried to escape, but the golden glint in Borsalino's sunglasses gleamed coldly. Light beams shot out, striking down those who ran. Before they could get far, each was pierced through the chest, collapsing lifelessly to the ground.

Each beam hit its target's heart with precision, killing them instantly. Kuma briefly paused and looked at Borsalino, who raised his hands and smirked.

"Just helping you lighten the load."

Kuma didn't seem to mind and turned to the remaining scholars, saying in his deep voice,

"Don't move. I'm only sending you to Marineford, not killing you."

Olvia's face darkened with a mix of fear and fury. She glared at Borsalino, who turned away indifferently, ignoring her.

One by one, Kuma sent the rest away until only Olvia was left. After sending her off, he looked at Borsalino, who raised his arms cooperatively and let Kuma send him flying as well.

When all the scholars were gone, Kuma exhaled softly and disappeared.

...

Marineford

Carl had been waiting for some time. In front of him was a paw-shaped crater in the ground, a familiar sight at the port. The Marine Headquarters hadn't bothered filling it in, as it served as Kuma's designated landing zone.

Occasionally, criminals—or Kuma himself—would appear here.

Carl crossed his arms, calculating the time. It had been about half an hour since he ended the call. Kuma and the others should arrive soon.

It's worth noting that those sent flying by Kuma's ability weren't teleported. They traveled inside a paw-shaped bubble at immense speed.

Suddenly, Carl's ears twitched. He looked up and saw a figure descending rapidly. With a loud boom, a shockwave struck the crater, leaving a scholar lying in its center.

Recognizing the attire, Carl knew Kuma's "delivery" had begun.

More figures followed, crashing down one after another, piling up in the crater. Those at the bottom soon suffocated.

Carl didn't spare them a second thought. He turned his gaze skyward, his black wings unfurling with a sharp snap. He shot upward like a streak of light.

Above the clouds, a paw-shaped bubble was hurtling toward him. Without flinching, Carl raised his hand, a vortex of darkness swirling in his palm.

As the bubble touched his hand, it was absorbed into the darkness. The figure inside, Nico Olvia, was left dangling in his grasp.

Still shaken by the experience, Olvia looked as though she hadn't fully recovered from the effects of the Paw-Paw Fruit.

Carl smirked.

"We meet again, Olvia."

Hearing the familiar voice, Olvia stiffened and looked up.

"So, I've fallen into your hands after all."

"What's this? Are you relieved?"

After a moment of silence, Olvia replied,

"Not exactly relieved. But if it's you, I suppose I'll at least die with some dignity. I know the World Government won't spare us, but I just hope they won't retaliate against Ohara."

Carl chuckled.

"That's why I told you to stop this long ago. But it seems you didn't take my advice."

Saying this, Carl descended with Olvia in tow. As they landed, Borsalino and Kuma arrived shortly after.

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+185 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg