Chapter 284: Church Life 1

Chapter 284: Chapter 284: Church Life 1

In the Sorbet Kingdom, at a long-abandoned church, three small yet tall figures appeared.

Ivankov sat cross-legged on a pile of straw mats, clutching a copy of the World Economic Journal.

"Aside from Garp becoming a legendary hero, there’s no other news regarding God Valley."

Ivankov muttered dissatisfiedly, his finger tapping forcefully on the newspaper.

"What exactly happened on that island? What happened to the other Great Pirates who joined the battle? And those... those people on the island, what happened to them in the end... Not a single word! Honestly!"

Ginny, huddled nearby, had a look of disdain. With her hands on her hips, she said huffily:

"That was a world-class major incident! There must have been many, many thrilling stories! And yet the newspaper only has these few dry sentences?

This reporter Morgans is way too lousy! He must have taken money from the World Government!"

Ivankov tossed the newspaper aside, stretched, and walked toward a corner of the church. There, Kuma was quietly kneeling before a broken holy statue, hands pressed together, eyes closed, praying in a low voice with a pious and focused expression.

His massive frame was exceptionally striking even while kneeling, forming a sharp contrast with the small, dilapidated church.

Ivankov walked over to him, plopped down, and nudged Kuma with his elbow: "Hey, Kuma, what do you think happened on that island in the end? When we left, it felt like the whole island was about to shatter... And that super powerful woman with pinkish-purple hair, what happened to her? What about that terrifying black shadow? I really don’t get it at all~"

He scratched his explosive hair, his face full of curiosity and confusion.

Kuma slowly opened his eyes. He didn’t answer Ivankov’s questions, but instead looked down at his unusual hands, his deep voice carrying a hint of lingering heaviness:

"Those things... perhaps only the sea knows the answer. All I remember now... is that I feel there must be some lives... that I failed to save..."

Before his eyes, the figures of those crying out in despair amidst the sea of fire, collapse, and chaos before God Valley fell apart flickered.

"Don’t talk nonsense, Bear Cub!" Ivankov patted Kuma’s broad back.

"In all that chaos and danger, you rescued over five hundred people! Over five hundred! That’s practically a miracle, okay!"

Beside them, Ginny was also moved by the topic. Recalling the faces of those strangers who had been slapped to safety by Kuma—startled but full of gratitude—her eyes suddenly reddened, her nose felt sore, and her voice choked up:

"Exactly, Bear Cub! You were super, super amazing! Remembering how everyone cried while thanking you and calling you their ’Little Giant Benefactor,’ I... I just want to cry!"

Ivankov pointed at the pink paw pads on Kuma’s palms, his tone very serious:

"Bear Cub, look closely. These hands of yours... are no ordinary hands. They are the Hands of Liberation that grant people hope and freedom!"

"Hands of... Liberation?" Kuma froze, murmuring the words back.

He looked down, staring at his palms.

Sunlight filtered through the broken window, landing right on his open palms. The peculiar paw pad pattern seemed to glow slightly. That figure he had once yearned for so much seemed to be held right there in his hands.

"Alright!" Ivankov suddenly stood up, briskly hoisting a massive backpack as tall as himself, which was stuffed full of things he had collected lately that he thought might be useful for going to sea.

"I never expected your ’house’ to be a church... but thinking about it, it really fits your nature!"

He grinned, revealing shining teeth. "Well then, I’m heading off to the shore! To truly feel this ’freedom’ you’ve given me!"

His meaning was clear—he was going out to sea.

Kuma looked up at this companion whom he had met at God Valley and shared hardships with; a person with a flighty personality but who was reliable at critical moments. An honest look of sincere reluctance appeared on his face, but it was mostly full of blessings.

He nodded firmly, his voice steady: "Big Brother Ivan, I will never forget your face for as long as I live."

Hearing this, Ivankov put his hands on his hips and intentionally made an exaggerated expression:

"Of course! My face has never been forgotten by anyone!"

Ivankov’s narcissistic words made Ginny burst into laughter through her tears.

Ginny ran to Ivankov’s side and gave his waist a hard hug (since she could only reach that high): "Big Brother! Take care of yourself! Bear Cub and I will stay here!"

"You guys too!" Ivankov rubbed Ginny’s hair, then shook a fist at Kuma.

"Bear Cub, protect Ginny! And yourself! I’m off!"

With that, he no longer hesitated. Carrying his comical large backpack, he walked out of the church’s dilapidated main doors with light yet firm steps.

Kuma and Ginny walked to the church entrance, silently watching Ivankov’s retreating back until he was completely out of sight.

The sea breeze blew in from the distance, carrying a salty scent.

Ginny suddenly took a deep breath and then exhaled sharply, two small visible puffs of white mist shooting from her nose as if she had made some major resolution.

She turned around to face Kuma, her fists clenched in front of her chest, a raging fire of fighting spirit Burning in her eyes.

"I’m the big sister who’s four years older!"

Kuma nodded obediently: "Mm."

Ginny puffed out her actually quite flat chest and continued her declaration, every word carrying weight:

"So, I must make sure that Bear Cub, who is still a child—"

"Has food to eat—!!!"

In the days that followed, Ginny’s ’Operation Survival’ unfolded grandly.

"Come on! Let’s chop wood! Oh—!"

Ginny found an old axe from somewhere that was far too large for her. She lifted it with great effort with both hands and shouted with full momentum at the dead wood on the stump.

"Eh?!" Kuma watched the wobbling axe with some concern.

"He-yah—!" Ginny swung down with all her might.

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