Chapter 18

Before the chaos of the Auction House, Kurumi had one loose end to tie up in Grove 24.

The restaurant was easy to find; she just had to follow the sound of crunching bones and the flying plates.

Inside, the scene was a disaster zone. A pink-haired woman—Jewelry Bonney—was devouring a mountain of pizza, pasta, and meat. She ate with a ferocity that made Luffy look polite.

"More! Bring me more!" Bonney screamed, kicking a waiter. "Or I'll turn you into a toddler!"

Perona floated behind Kurumi, clutching Kumacy tight. "Ugh! How vulgar! She has sauce on her chin! And she’s eating with her hands!"

"Pot, meet kettle," Kurumi muttered, stepping over a spilled drink.

She walked straight to Bonney’s table. The restaurant fell silent. Everyone saw the Marine Commander's coat.

Bonney stopped chewing. She swallowed a whole chicken leg, bone and all. Her eyes narrowed.

"A Marine?" Bonney wiped her mouth with her arm. "You got a death wish, lady? I'm eating."

"I’m not here to arrest you, Jewelry Bonney," Kurumi said, her voice low enough that only the table could hear. "I’m here to give you a message."

Bonney scoffed, reaching for her knife. "I don't take messages from government dogs."

"It's about the Tyrant," Kurumi whispered.

Bonney froze. The knife clattered onto the plate. Her eyes—usually full of fire—went wide and vulnerable.

"What did you say?" Bonney hissed, leaning in.

Kurumi sat down opposite her, ignoring the mess. "I saw him. A few days ago. On Thriller Bark."

"Kuma…" Bonney’s voice trembled. "Is he… did he say anything? Is he okay?"

Kurumi looked at the girl who was desperately searching for her father. She knew the tragedy that awaited them. She knew Kuma was days away from losing his mind completely to the Pacifista program.

"He is fading," Kurumi said brutally. "The man you know… 'Daddy'… he is almost gone. The machine is taking over."

Bonney slammed her hands on the table. "You're lying! He’s strong! He wouldn't—"

"He spared the Straw Hats," Kurumi interrupted. "He had them dead to rights, but he let them live. There is still a spark of humanity left. But the World Government is trying to snuff it out. They are turning him into a weapon without a soul."

She leaned closer, her red eye glowing intensely.

"If you want to save him… don't fight the Admirals here. Don't waste time on this island. You won't find answers in Sabaody. You need to find the scientist who built him."

"Vegapunk," Bonney breathed the name like a curse.

"Egghead Island," Kurumi whispered the location, a secret that shouldn't be known yet. "That is where his memory lives. That is where his heart is stored. Not here."

She stood up, smoothing her skirt.

"Why?" Bonney asked, tears pricking her eyes. "Why tell me this? You're a Marine."

"Because," Kurumi looked at Perona, who was floating nearby looking confused. "I know what it's like to chase a ghost. And I know that sometimes… fathers do terrible things to protect their daughters."

She turned to leave.

"Wait!" Bonney shouted. "Who are you?!"

Kurumi didn't look back. She just waved a gloved hand.

"Just a passing clockmaker. Enjoy your pizza, Glutton."

As they walked out into the sunlight of Grove 24, Perona floated down.

"Who was that?" Perona asked. "She seemed… sad."

"A girl trying to save the sun," Kurumi said cryptically. "Come on. The play at the Auction House is starting. We don't want to miss the punch."