Bartholomew Kuma

Bartholomew Kuma, previously known as a fearsome Warlord of the Sea and the former ruler of the Sorbet Kingdom, has a captivating history as a founding member of the Revolutionary Army. His notorious reputation has earned him a staggering bounty of 296,000,000 Beli, and he bears the distinction of being a father to Jewelry Bonney. Kuma's unique heritage is derived from the rare buccaneer lineage, a special race he inherited from his late father, Clapp. Once renowned as the "Tyrant," a ruthless and formidable pirate, Kuma's life took a dramatic turn. He underwent a transformation into a "Pacifista," a formidable human weapon engineered by the brilliant scientist Vegapunk. Vegapunk's modifications led to Kuma becoming the very first complete Pacifista cyborg, bearing the serial number PX-0. Tragically, this process came at the cost of his mental faculties. Kuma's life has also been marked by enslavement under the World Nobles' control, occurring twice in his lifetime. First, as an infant, he was held captive until escaping during the God Valley Incident. The second time, in his adulthood, he was punished and held captive for two years for defending the Thousand Sunny. It was only through the intervention of his fellow revolutionaries that he regained his freedom. Notably, Vegapunk also cloned Kuma as S-Bear, one of the Seraphim designed to replace the Warlords.

The Straw Hat Pirates crossed paths with Kuma during the Thriller Bark Arc and, later, during the Sabaody Archipelago Arc, where he played a pivotal role in separating the crew. His presence looms large as a significant antagonist during the Marineford Arc, where he participated in the Summit War of Marineford, aligning with the Marines alongside most other Warlords. Prior to his Pacifista modifications, Kuma held the position of an officer within the Revolutionary Army, affording him authority over lower-ranking members. However, this power was relinquished when he became a complete slave of the World Government. Additionally, as the former king of the Sorbet Kingdom, he wielded political influence in the past. Kuma exhibited exceptional skills in deception, successfully concealing his true affiliation with the Revolutionary Army from the World Government for several years. His election as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea stands as a testament to his cunning.

Kuma stands as a remarkable figure in the story, being one of the very few individuals to have decisively defeated the Straw Hat Pirates. Notably, he is the only character introduced thus far to have accomplished this feat single-handedly, doing so twice. In both encounters, the Straw Hat Pirates were in a weakened and injured state, making them ill-prepared for another battle, especially against a formidable Warlord. Importantly, Kuma refrained from causing lethal harm, allowing them to escape, suggesting he may have held back. Kuma's fearsome reputation extends to other powerful and renowned pirates, as evident when the captain of the Kid Pirates, Eustass Kid, displayed deep unease upon witnessing the arrival of a Pacifista (mistaken for the real Kuma) on the Sabaody Archipelago. This occurred despite Kid's higher bounty compared to Kuma's former one.

Notably, thirty-eight years ago, Kuma consumed the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit. This unique power endowed him with paw pads on his palms, capable of repelling anything they come into contact with. These paw pads grant Kuma an absolute defense, making him impervious to all physical attacks, even those from swords. This ability, combined with his remarkable reaction speed, allows him to deflect assaults from incredibly swift opponents, such as Luffy in Gear 2. Moreover, Kuma can employ his paw pads to launch powerful attacks by propelling his target at great speed, with the assertion that his paw pads repel objects at the speed of light.

During the revolutionaries' time on Momoiro Island, Dragon inquired about Kuma's observations regarding Mary Geoise, with Kuma addressing Dragon as "Master." In a significant turn of events, while the revolutionaries were in the process of repairing him, Kuma unexpectedly rose to his feet and embarked on a tumultuous journey. Ignoring the pleas of his allies, he reached the coast and harnessed his Devil Fruit powers to launch himself from the island. He collided with the Red Line, descending to Red Port. Marines were dispatched to apprehend him, while citizens were instructed to evacuate. Despite the extensive damage to his body and relentless assaults from the Marines, Kuma remained undeterred, scaling the Red Line. His ascent was completed about a day before the Egghead Incident. Although soldiers tried to subdue him, their efforts proved futile. It was during this time that Sakazuki appeared, confronting Kuma while questioning his motives and destination. Acting under the World Nobles' orders, Sakazuki inflicted severe injuries on Kuma, including the burning of half his face and one of his legs. Before further harm could be inflicted, Kuma utilized his Devil Fruit to make his escape.