This is it.

The effect matches perfectly.

Just like the name suggests, this thing is basically a USB stick.

Only… it can be used on people.

Vir originally thought he could afford it.

But then he suddenly remembered—he only had ten or twenty thousand left in his pocket.

Not even enough to cover the down payment.

Looking at Kuma, he said awkwardly, “Uh, right now, I can’t treat you yet… I’ll need a few hours.”

“The process goes like this: I use the device to copy your memories, then after you lose consciousness, I’ll help restore them.”

Vir couldn’t help but cringe at his own words.

What the hell? Does this even sound right?

This was supposed to be a deal.

Asking someone to help save people first, and only starting the treatment afterward…

And it’s just a copy.

After copying, he has to wait for Kuma to lose consciousness.

Once he’s unconscious…

What if Vir goes back on his word?

Even Vir felt it was somewhat inappropriate.

But Kuma just smiled casually and said, “It’s fine. Anytime is okay.”

“Do we need to come up with a plan? Since you came to me, the situation must be dangerous, right?”

“Otherwise, you’d be able to protect everyone yourself.”

Hearing Kuma’s words, and seeing how calm and carefree he was…

Vir made up his mind.

‘I will heal you, bro. I’ll reunite you and your daughter no matter what.’

But he didn’t continue the topic.

No point talking about things that couldn’t be done yet.

“Exactly. Under normal circumstances, at least two Admirals would show up. Can you handle that? If not, you should send Luffy and the others away early. Take the shot when you see the chance.”

Kuma picked up on the severity.

And Vir didn’t hold back in laying out the reality.

Kuma was stunned upon hearing it.

He figured the Marines would respond to Vir’s appearance.

But two admirals?

Still, the situation was just as Vir said.

If things go south, act early. No need to wait for both admirals to show up.

That made it a bit more manageable.

Vir’s main reason for coming was to tell Kuma—there’s no need to wait too long.

Too late, and things might go wrong.

“Alright, then there’s no problem. I’ll find the right moment to act—you don’t need to worry about that. I’ll make sure they all get away safely.”

Kuma smiled warmly, his expression gentle.

But just as he finished speaking, he suddenly noticed something strange in Vir’s eyes.

Vir was staring behind him with a helpless expression.

Confused, Kuma slowly turned around.

There she was—Bonney, face full of disbelief, pressed up against the window, staring at them.

As soon as Kuma turned his head, Bonney’s disbelief transformed instantly into joy and excitement!

She stood up and crashed through the glass, launching herself toward him.

But Kuma’s face suddenly changed.

After hurriedly telling Vir, “Don’t worry!” he raised his hand and slapped his own chest.

Bonney had come to sea for one reason: to find Kuma.

To find her father.

Now that she was so close—how could she not be overwhelmed?

But just as she was about to embrace him…

Kuma, towering and massive, vanished.

Gone without a trace.

Not a single clue left behind.

*Thud—!*

Bonney hit the ground hard.

She froze for a moment.

Then quickly scrambled up, looking around desperately.

But Kuma was no longer there.

Soon, tears began to stream down her face.

The joy she felt at first had completely vanished.

What replaced it was confusion, pain, and heartbreak.

Why did he leave?

Did he not want her anymore?

She had worked so hard just to find him.

Why would he…?

The more she thought, the more wronged she felt. She just stood there, frozen, in the spot where Kuma had disappeared.

Soon, her tears were falling like broken pearls from a snapped string.

One drop after another.

Her tightly clenched fists and trembling lips said everything about the storm inside her.

Kuma, watching from a hidden corner, felt his own heart aching just as badly.

If not for his agreement with Saint Saturn… how badly he wanted to just run up and hug her…

But right now, he couldn’t.

All he could do was watch his daughter cry.

Unable to wipe her tears away.

For a father, there’s hardly anything more painful.

Kuma felt that pain with brutal clarity.

His own eyes quickly welled up as well.

And after sobbing for a while, Bonney suddenly remembered something!

Dad was talking to someone just now!

That guy must know something!

Even if she have to force it out of him—she will get the truth!

She sniffled hard and wiped the tears off her face.

Once she’d composed herself, she looked up—only to freeze at the sight of Vir standing nearby.

Bonney hadn’t seen Vir’s face earlier—her eyes had been locked on Kuma the whole time.

Now that she saw him clearly, she nearly jumped in fright.

“Y-You’re that D-Deceptive Doctor… Vir?!”

Bonney asked with a stammer.

The idea of forcing him to talk vanished instantly.

This guy could probably end her with just a flick of his finger.

He was the strongest among the current generation of Supernovas.

And not just by a little—he crushed the others.

What was Dad talking to him about?

How do they even know each other?

Bonney had a million questions.

But before she could even ask, Vir vanished in a flash.

Kuma, still hidden in the shadows, breathed a sigh of relief.

He’d been worried Vir might spill everything to Bonney.

He didn’t want her to suffer.

Now that Vir had just taken off—that was the best possible outcome.

But to Bonney, Vir’s sudden disappearance left her dumbfounded again.

How can everyone vanish like that!?

Damn it!

One day, she will learn that move too!

Why won’t Dad meet her?

If she couldn’t figure that out…

Then she might never see him again.

No way!

Even if this doctor was dangerous…

She had to find out why! He must know something!

“EVERYONE, FIND THAT VIR GUY! THE SECOND YOU SEE HIM, REPORT TO ME!”

Bonney shouted at the crew members who had been peeking from a distance.

They immediately scattered like startled birds, quickly spreading out to search for any trace of Vir.

And watching this from the shadows, Kuma couldn’t help but feel a little guilty.

But there was no helping it.

“Sorry for the trouble, Vir…”