Belufast Island.
Storm followed behind the Kid brothers, Kid and Killer, as they entered a small town on the island.
During their journey, he learned more about the "One-Man Revolution" from the two brothers.
According to the news reports.
In the Sorbet Kingdom of the South Blue.
A man named "Kuma" destroyed the king's palace and army, single-handedly overthrowing the royal order.
The newspapers had given "Kuma" a terrifying and evil title—
"The Tyrant!" The details of the "One-Man Revolution" aligned perfectly with the intelligence Storm already possessed.
"Tyrant Bear"—or perhaps "Green Bear."
After the "One-Man Revolution," he eventually took the path of becoming a pirate.
'Future Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea, Paw-Paw Fruit user, Bartholomew Kuma...'
Thoughts flashed through Storm's mind.
Just then, Kid and Killer came to a stop in front of a building.
Kid spoke in a tone brimming with pride and satisfaction.
"This is my headquarters!"
Storm snapped out of his thoughts.
He looked at the small, multi-story building before him and politely clapped.
During their earlier conversation, Kid and Killer had briefly introduced themselves.
In short—
They were the local gang leaders of Belufast Island!
Hmm, it sounded even weaker than Capone Bege.
"So, where's the inn I asked for?"
Storm turned to Kid and Killer and asked.
"And the restaurant!"
Hearing Storm's words, veins instantly bulged on Kid's forehead.
If it weren't for the fact that he was no match for the man, he would have cursed right then and there! "You're in my territory now! Of course, I'll treat you!"
"Then thanks for the hospitality!"
Storm certainly wouldn't refuse a free meal.
And then...
"You can't even finish this little bit?"
"Physique is the foundation!"
"No wonder you two are so weak!"
Storm couldn't help but smirk as he watched Kid and Killer, their eyes rolled back from overeating.
The two wanted to argue but couldn't even open their mouths.
They were afraid that if they did, the food they'd just eaten would come right back up.
In all their years, Kid and Killer had never met a human who could eat as much as Storm.
The food reserves in their headquarters were nearly emptied by him alone!
Monster!
From every angle, this guy was a monster.
Storm shook his head and polished off all the food in front of him before finally stopping.
By then, Kid and Killer had finally recovered—
Though their stomachs were still swollen like they were nine months pregnant.
"Let me ask you two something."
Storm clapped his hands to get their attention.
"Do you have a map here—or on Belufast Island—that marks the location of the Sorbet Kingdom?"
Storm's original plan was to rest briefly on this island before heading straight back to the Grand Line.
The South Blue, or any of the four seas beyond.
For Storm now, it was like a small pond, holding no attraction whatsoever.
However, after hearing about Tyrant Bear from Kid and Killer, Storm changed his mind.
His initial plan had been to recruit a few "partners" in the first half of the Grand Line who could join him in the New World to challenge the Emperors.
But now?
The "partner" had already appeared!
Tyrant Bear—wasn't he the perfect candidate?
Whether in terms of strength, personality, or character, Bartholomew Kuma was someone worthy of trust.
So Storm now planned to head straight for the Sorbet Kingdom to try and recruit Bartholomew Kuma.
"The Sorbet Kingdom?"
Kid struggled to sit up, his round belly making movement difficult.
"You want to meet that legendary 'Tyrant'?"
"Legendary?"
Storm chuckled before nodding.
"For the two of you, I suppose he is 'legendary'!
"So, do you have a map?"
In the four seas, sailing was far easier than in the Grand Line.
Here, the climate was mild, and the magnetic fields were stable.
With a map and a compass, one could sail to any island.
"I do!"
Kid nodded.
"Not only do I have a map, but I also have a ship!
"I can go with you to the Sorbet Kingdom!"
Before Storm could respond, Killer quickly spoke up, trying to persuade Kid to reconsider.
But Kid seemed to have already guessed what his good friend was thinking.
"Killer!"
Kid turned to face him, speaking solemnly.
"We already made the decision to set sail together, didn't we?
"The sea has always been there.
"All we need to do now is raise the sails and go!"
Hearing this, Killer fell silent.
He and Kid had grown up together, and he was the latter's right-hand man.
Kid's unwavering resolve had reached him—he wouldn't try to dissuade him anymore...
Clap clap!
Storm lightly applauded and praised,
"Nice speech. But shouldn't you consider my opinion first?"
At these words, Kid and Killer immediately realized their mistake.
Their relationship with Storm was never one of equals.
If anything,
standing before Storm, the two of them were like insects before a dragon.
The slightest flap of the dragon's wings would send a gust of wind—a storm the insects could never withstand!
Kid and Killer looked at Storm with both fear and anticipation.
"Kid, Killer, you two haven't officially set sail yet?"
Storm's question left the two somewhat baffled, but they answered honestly.
"No."
"Hmm, so just pure gangsters then? Ever killed civilians?"
"I only kill the trash who deserve it!"
"Tch. What a shame."
Storm glanced at Kid.
If this were Eustass Kid years later—the "Worst Generation's Captain Kid"—
Storm wouldn't hesitate to take his life and seize his fruit.
[Paramecia-Type Magnet-Magnet Fruit].
A super fruit capable of manipulating the four fundamental forces of the universe...
Yet this guy just uses it as an oversized magnet...
What a waste of potential! Storm was quite intrigued by the Magnet-Magnet Fruit.
Though its development posed significant challenges, its power once mastered would be unimaginable!
Unfortunately, Eustass Kid at this stage was still far too "green"...
Storm had no intention of targeting a Eustass Kid who hadn't committed atrocities against civilians.
He only eliminated the scum he deemed deserving—like the trash rotting away in Impel Down.
Still, what a pity about that Magnet-Magnet Fruit...
With just a casual glance from Storm,
Eustass Kid felt as though some primordial beast had locked onto him.
Cold sweat instantly drenched his back, soaking through his clothes...
Killer beside him noticed Kid's unease but sensed nothing unusual himself.
Eventually, he just gave Kid's arm a reassuring pat.
Storm continued speaking.
"While I don't mind having one or two companions to chat with, you two are currently far too weak!"
Storm raised his right hand, a lump of clay forming at his fingertips before floating into the air.
The moment it touched the ground, it rapidly expanded.
A towering Brugri materialized before Kid and Killer.
In its hands was a massive double-edged white axe—crafted from porcelain clay—nearly as tall as itself! Impel Down's Crimson Hell warden—the Blue Water Monkey, now in white clay form!
Considering Kid and Killer's current strength,
Storm had adjusted this "Clay Water Monkey" to roughly match the original Blue Water Monkey's power—
standard Crimson Hell warden level.
"If you can defeat this white ape, I'll consider taking you with me."
With a wave of Storm's hand, the white water monkey hefted its giant axe and advanced toward Kid and Killer.
"This offer stands until I leave Bellfast Island."
Under the silent menace of the white ape,
Kid and Killer slowly rose from their seats, united against their foe.
The next instant—
The white water monkey swung its axe, and battle erupted!
Storm had no interest in watching this "children's squabble."
Patting his pants, he left Kid's "headquarters" to wander the island town alone.
Leisure, shopping, unwinding...
On this small South Blue island beyond the World Government's reach,
Storm fully relaxed his normally taut nerves.
The night passed in a blink.
Next morning,
a refreshed and newly attired Storm returned to Kid's headquarters.
The sounds of ongoing combat still echoed from within.
Clearly,
Kid and Killer had been fighting the white water monkey all night! When Storm reappeared before them,
the battered brothers lay defeated once more beneath the white ape's axe.
After a night of intense battle,
both looked utterly exhausted—yet their eyes still burned with fierce determination.
"Seems you still couldn't defeat this white ape."
Storm waved his hand, and the white water monkey instantly turned into a pile of clay.
"Still, your determination is commendable!
"Very well, I still have some matters to attend to in the South Sea. You two can follow me for now!" he declared. "We set off for the Sorbet Kingdom immediately!"
"Understood!"
Kid forced his exhausted body to respond at once.
"I'll go have someone prepare the maps and a ship!"
"A ship?"
Storm shook his head.
"We're riding a dragon!"