Liam’s Painful Decision

Kuma nodded his head.

He could feel the seriousness of the matter. He knew not having Liam in the crew would decrease their strength drastically, but now that he had made a bet, he wasn't going to back down.

"Don't worry, both Sanji and Zoro have awakened Conqueror Haki. With their talents and proper training, they will have no problem reaching the ranks of Emperor within a few months."

Kuma's lips couldn't help but twitch.

He couldn't understand how Liam thought of an Emperor.

They weren't pebbles found on the road. They were the strongest people in the world.

Even if Sanji and Zoro had Conqueror Haki, it wouldn't be enough to reach the ranks of the emperor.

Liam could see this. He shook his head and said.

"I have already prepared enough. Sanji has the Lightning Devil fruit and his Germa body. On the other hand, Zoro has unwavering faith, years of foundation in swordsman, and a lot of talent in Haki."

"A person's strength is determined by their talent and hard work. Even if that hard work is only one percent, that is more than enough to outweigh the effects of ninety-nine percent's hard work."

"Boin Archipelago has a large amount of food, which can be compressed into a potion that Chopper has studied. It can significantly help some make progress three times faster."

"There is the Torino Kingdom, where Chopper can increase his medical knowledge. Weatheria, where Nami can learn more about weather."

"You can also take them to Rayleigh and find Rusukaina Island, where everyone in the crew can learn more about Haki."

"After all, both Roger and Shanks are the people who dominated the sea with Haki. And, Rayleigh was there with them. So, he should know more advanced usages of Haki."

Hearing this, Kuma sighed.

"You have made so many plans already."

"I have to. I don't want anything to happen to them because of my action."

Liam said with a serious expression.

"But they won't blame you." Kuma replied.

"I know." Liam nodded and clenched his head. He turned toward the sea and said.

"I know this very well. That's exactly why I have to plan. Because I won't be there to help them cover."

After a long silence, Kuma asked.

"Do you think Luffy will agree with your action?"

"I won't let him know."

"He has a unique sense."

"I know. That's why I deceived him with half a lie and half a truth."

"Now, I am not sure which is a lie and which is the truth."

"You don't need to worry about that. People live their lives bound by what they accept as correct and true. That's how they define 'reality'. But what does it mean to be 'correct' or 'true'? Merely vague concepts….."

'Their 'reality' may all be a mirage.'

Liam didn't say the last line out loud. He just kept it in his heart. Because everything he went through in this world was a truth.

No matter how many people try to deny it, it will always be true for him.

That was his reality, and he will always preserve it in his heart.

"No matter what, I am thankful that you accepted my invitation. With you and Law, I can do the next thing with peace."

"Those tears say something else."

At this moment, despite everything he said, Liam couldn't stop himself from crying.

He didn't want to leave. He didn't want to disappear. This world was everything for him.

Straw Hats weren't just his friends. They were his family.

"They will dry soon."

Liam didn't even bother wiping those tears as he stayed there watching the waves hit the shore.

"You can not control everything, Liam. You made me realize just how big of a mistake I was going to make. Now, you are making a big mistake." Kuma spoke softly.

"It's not a mistake, Kuma. Tell me, Kuma, were you able to watch Bonney die?"

Liam asked.

Kuma didn't reply. He just clenched his fist.

"Just as you love your daughter, Luffy also loves his brother. He can't make this choice. His heart will be crushed. So, we mustn't let Luffy know anything about my situation."

At this moment, Liam increased his voice a little bit.

"You understand it, right? Robin?"

Inside the ship, Robin was crying. Although she didn't fall in love with Luffy like how Nami fell in love with Liam, she did love Luffy.

Because of that, she knew how crushed Luffy would be if he learns about this situation.

She turned her head and wrapped her arms around his head. She laid her forehead next to him and cried silently.

She didn't want to wake up Luffy, but she couldn't stop her tears.

Because she knew this was just a temporary solution.

Once Luffy learns about his disappearance, he will be the one to suffer the most.

For Luffy, partners meant everything to him.

Just thinking about it made her heart ache, but she could do nothing about it.

She didn't have that close relationship with Ace. She would rather sacrifice Ace to keep Liam.

But Liam had already made up his mind.

More importantly, he wasn't going to die. He was just going to disappear. So, at least saving Ace's life meant more to Luffy.

Near the shore, Kuma began to ask more about Bonney's situation.

Liam's idea was simple. Bring Bonney to the crew and help her train. With his train plans, they could bring more out of her.

More importantly, Liam also revealed the potential power of her Devil Fruit to Kuma.

Especially if she could believe in Nika and if Luffy did transform into Nika, she could also achieve a similar type of power.

This news certainly made Kuma happy. After all, what could possibly be wrong with achieving such a level of power?

He also told Kuma to bring Bonney's crew to join the Straw Hat fleet.

"After this, I won't make a lot of plans. We will just do things that we need to do. So, take this as my last warning."

"Since a lot of things have changed, the Government might send Holy Knights and even Gorosei to destroy the Straw Hat Pirates. Unless everyone in the crew has the power to defeat Vice Admiral with ease, don't fight them."

"And, to declare war against World Government, Luffy must achieve the level of Haki that can knock out Vice Admirals with just Conqueror's burst and have a high level of mastery of his awakening."

Hearing that, Kuma's eyes widened.

"Are you talking nonsense? Even someone like Red Hair Shanks can not knock out Vice Admirals with Haki."

"That's the problem. That's exactly why he can't defeat the World Government. Joyboy was capable of doing such a feat."

"Unfortunately, he was not only betrayed, but his crew wasn't that strong either. Because of this, he lost the war against the World Government despite his overwhelming strength."

"But, the same won't happen to Luffy. Not only must he surpass Joyboy, our crew will also grow beyond any other crew from the past to the present."

"Even surpassing the likes of Rocks D Xebec."

"So, you know him? Of course, you know him." Kuma murmured.

"Yeah, that's where you got your devil fruit, didn't you? By the way, this reminds me of something."

Liam's expression once again got serious as he spoke.

"If we can't destroy Blackbeard during Marineford, be careful with him. No matter what, you mustn't let him grow stronger. Otherwise, he will become the second Rocks."

Kuma's eyes widened.

This kind of evaluation puts Blackbeard above Whitebeard, the strongest man in the world.

For a moment, he almost didn't believe it. But considering how much Liam knew about everything, he decided to put his faith in him.

"Alright!"

Hearing that, Liam smiled. Just like he said before, those tears had already dried.

Some of them even entered his mouth while he was talking, but he didn't care.

Taste of those tears made him realize just how much of a sacrifice he was going to make, but he didn't care.

He often questioned his existence. Why was he brought to this world?

Why was he connected to the real-time updates through his mind?

Why didn't he try to create his own pirate crew?

Many questions bothered his mind, but he just kept moving forward.

Until this moment.

He realized he was here to make a difference, to change something, whether it was insignificant or essential.

That's why he decided to save Ace's life. Although they had no connection, no influence, he still decided to save Ace's life.

Because that's what he owes to Luffy.

Luffy gave him a chance to make that difference. It will all be just memories, but they will always be remembered by him.

................

Bonney's ship;

Kuma decided to shoot the entire ship near the island where the Straw Hats were staying.

Because it was already evening, he decided to stay here for tonight and take them away tomorrow.

Tonight, he was just going to sleep with his daughter, something he had missed for a long time.