Kuma and the Paw-Paw Fruit

 

Kuma and the Paw-Paw Fruit: A Legacy of Liberation

The God Valley incident is one of those moments in history that still sends chills down our spines. It was a chaotic, violent time, with powerhouses like Big Mom and Saturn eyeing one of the world’s most dangerous and coveted fruits—the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi, or the Paw-Paw Fruit. But in a surprising twist, it was Bartholomew Kuma who ended up claiming the fruit, forever changing his fate.

With the power of the Paw-Paw Fruit, Kuma gained the "Hands of Liberation." A strange and powerful ability that allowed him to do something incredible: save 500 innocent lives from the horrific slaughter happening at God Valley. While others may have seen the fruit as just another source of power, Kuma used it for something greater—a chance to free others from certain death. His actions in that moment set him apart, showing that he wasn’t just a soldier, but someone driven by a deeper sense of justice.

Although Kuma didn’t have the same kind of powers as the legendary Sun God Nika, the spirit of liberation that ran through him was undeniable. In fact, Ivankov once remarked that Kuma didn’t even need to pray to Nika anymore. After all, his actions already embodied what Nika stood for—freedom, liberation, and the fight against oppression.

Yet, despite all of this, Kuma continued to pray to Nika. Why? Because of his deep-rooted connection to his Buccaneer heritage. The Buccaneer race has long idolized Nika, seeing him as the ultimate symbol of liberation. For Kuma, even with all his powers and all the lives he saved, there was a part of him that remained tied to his roots, seeking the guidance of Nika and honoring the legacy of his people.

It’s a reminder that no matter how powerful someone becomes, their origins and beliefs can always guide them. Kuma may have had the ability to save hundreds of lives, but his heart still prayed to Nika, a figure who embodied the very ideals he fought for.