Chapter 15: A Tale That Moves Hearts

Gilman scratched his head, confusion etching his brutish features. "Boss… it’s me! Gilman! Don’t you remember?"

Gilman? Who the hell—

Sige forced a smile, patting the mountain of muscle before him. "Ah, Gilman! You’ve… bulked up."

Relief flooded the giant’s face. "Knew you wouldn’t forget! After all, you encouraged my East Blue Bandit King dream!" His chest swelled. "But I’ve changed! Now I live only to see you crowned World Bandit King!"

Sige’s eye twitched. "New recruit? Since when do we—"

"Every day, Boss!" Gilman beamed. "Hundreds flock to our banner!"

A cold sweat dripped down Sige’s neck. Hundreds?

His dread intensified as he pushed toward the hideout.

"Boss!"

"New recruit reporting!"

"Just joined yesterday, Boss!"

The sea of headscarves parted before him—until a shadow blotted out the sun.

Sige craned his neck upward. A 20-foot colossus loomed, his voice rumbling like distant thunder: "New recruit. Bartholomew Kuma, at your service."

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CLICK.

Every survival instinct screamed as Sige recognized the Warlord-turned-Revolutionary. "Lovely weather! Must be going—"

THUD-THUD-THUD

The Emperor Engine betrayed him.

Kuma’s head swiveled mechanically. From the bushes, a hooded figure emerged—tattooed face half-visible beneath his cloak.

Monkey D. Dragon raised empty hands. "We come in peace, Sige-san. Let’s… talk."

——

Hideout Gates - Moments Later

The promised "talk" stalled before it began.

A hundred bandits knelt in perfect formation, bald zealot leading their chant:

"FOR THE BANDIT KING’S GLORY!"

Sunlight glinted off synchronized blades raised toward Red Line’s painted silhouette. Dragon’s usually stoic mask cracked—a flicker of awe, quickly smothered.

"Boss! The plan works!" The bald fanatic rushed forward, tears glistening. "We rule the Gray Terminal! They call you King of Goa now!"

Sige stared at his "army," then the Revolutionary trio, then the zealot’s shining scalp.

Why me?

Just… why?

——

Inside the "Throne Room"

Dragon broke the silence first. "Your methods intrigue me. Rallying society’s dregs against the World Nobles… bold."

Ivankov’s mascara ran in artistic streaks. "Such passion! Such drama! Teach me your recruitment tricks, Sige-boy!"

Kuma remained silent, Bible clutched to his chest—yet his eyes never left Sige’s twitching hands.

"Join us," Dragon pressed. "Together, we’ll—"

"NO."

The word slipped out before Sige could stop it. Three Revolutionary titans stiffened.

Think! KING’s heartbeat thundered. Channel the meme lord!

He leaned forward, shadows sharpening his features into KING’s iconic scowl. "I work alone."

Dragon’s lips twitched—not a smile, but something far more dangerous. "As expected. But remember…"

He tossed a Den Den Mushi onto the table. "...even kings need allies when the Marines come knocking."

The snail’s shell bore a peach-and-rabbit insignia.

Momousagi.