One Piece manga has been primarily focused on the backstory of Bartholomew Kuma. The once-Revolutionary Army officer has lived a difficult life, full of tragedies. As a child, Kuma was exposed to the horrific nature of the Celestial Dragons. They enslaved Kuma and his parents because they were Buccaneers, a One Piece race that had committed a major transgression against the World Government. Kuma's mother didn't last long in captivity, and she was joined by her husband, who was shot by a Celestial Dragon, leaving Kuma alone to fend for himself. The young Buccaneer remained strong because of his faith in the Sun God, Nika. Kuma's life changed during the God Valley Incident, where he was selected to be the bait for the hunters. Kuma ran for his life and eventually met Ivankov and Ginny. Not long afterward, Kuma got his hands on the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi, which he consumed without a second thought. Kuma, Ginny, and Ivankov became close friends and ended up joining the Revolutionary Army. Kuma was happy with the progress, as the organization enabled him to help even more people. On an ominous day, Ginny was kidnapped by a Celestial Dragon, who sought to marry her. Kuma was hapless, and he couldn't figure out a way to save her.