Chapter 19: The Sovereign Trials — The Logic of a Father
The image of the bleeding, regenerating Saturn froze on the screen, turning into a high-contrast charcoal sketch. A deep, resonant chime—like a bell ringing in a void—echoed across the globe.
[SYSTEM: EMOTIONAL THRESHOLD SURPASSED.]
[INITIATING SOVEREIGN TRIAL FOR RANK 47: BARTHOLOMEW KUMA.]
A countdown timer appeared: 60 Seconds. [QUESTION: In the deal between Kuma and Vegapunk, what was the 'Final Program' Kuma insisted on, which even shocked the Scientist?]
The Global Chat: The Rush of the Wise
The chat exploded. This time, people were hesitant because of the previous "Squeak" punishments, but the chance for a Golden Coin was too much for the greedy to ignore.
> [Rocks D. Xebec]: "Bwahahaha! I know how that brat thinks! He wanted a bomb in his chest to blow up Mary Geoise! Give me the coin, I'm coming back to life!"
> [Marshall D. Teach]: "ZEHAHAHA! You're wrong, Pops. You never understood people like him. He's too kind for a suicide mission. He probably asked to be sent to a specific island... but which one?"
> [Sengoku]: "SQUEAK! (The final program... Vegapunk kept that file encrypted even from the Five Elders. If it's what I think it is, the Navy has been played for fools... SQUEAK!)"
> [Eustass Kid]: "I don't care about the 'why'! It's to 'Kill the World Government'! It has to be! I'm putting my life on it!"
> [Benn Beckman]: "Look at the man's history. He's a protector. The command wouldn't be about destruction. It would be about a promise."
> [Trafalgar Law]: "Is it about the girl? 'Protect Bonney at all costs'?"
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The Submissions: A Clash of Ideals
The timer hit 10 Seconds. Many names flashed on the board as the first to submit.
* [Eustass Kid]: "TO DESTROY THE NAVY HEADQUARTERS!"
* [Silvers Rayleigh]: "To protect the Thousand Sunny until the Straw Hats return."
* [Trafalgar Law]: "To ensure Jewelry Bonney's safety regardless of the World Government's orders."
[System: TIME EXPIRED. EVALUATING...]
The Evaluation: The Red and The Gold
The screen turned a harsh, clinical red for the first result.
[INCORRECT: Eustass Kid.]
[PUNISHMENT: Your mechanical arm is now replaced with a 'Squeaky Toy' arm for 24 hours. Every punch you throw will emit a high-pitched 'BEEP-BEEP'.]
> [Kid]: "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! Punching the ground — BEEP! BEEP! — SHUT UP! KILLER, DON'T YOU DARE LAUGH!"
>
[CORRECT: Silvers Rayleigh.]
[REWARD: 1 GOLDEN COIN.]
> [Rayleigh]: "Hoh? Just a lucky guess based on where I saw the big fellow standing at the harbor. It seems he truly was a man of his word."
>
[CORRECT: Trafalgar Law.]
[REWARD: 1 GOLDEN COIN.]
> [Law]: "It was the only logical choice for a man who sold his soul for his daughter's life. Hmph... I'll take the coin."
>
The Explanation: The Deal of a Saint
The screen flickered, showing a hidden memory of Dr. Vegapunk crying as he typed the final lines of code into Kuma's brain.
"Kuma... why? Even after they've taken everything, you want to use your last spark of will to protect a pirate ship?"
Kuma's voice, already sounding mechanical, replied: "Not just a ship, Vegapunk. The man who will one day change the world. Until he returns to Sabaody, I will be his shield. That is my final selfish request."
The Global Reaction: A Shift in the Wind
> [Morgans]: "KWA! THE REVEAL! The 'Weapon of the Government' was actually the 'Guardian of the Straw Hats'! The Navy spent two years protecting their own greatest enemy! This is a legendary blunder!"
> [Whitebeard]: "Gurarara! Roger, look at the kid you inspired! Even the World Government's ultimate weapon is betting on him!"
> [Buggy the Clown]: "Wait, Rayleigh got a coin?! AND LAW?! That's not fair! I was going to say that! HONK! (Okay, I wasn't! HONK! Curse this nose!)"
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