After years of being sure and practicing in real life, I am not lacking in self-confidence.
I first learned the basics of combat from the gang in Doflamingo and since living on this island with Wolf and the others I have perfected my technique and gained sheer strength.
However, these two periods are fundamentally different.
At the time when I was fighting alongside Doflamingo, only the desespor lived in me. I was only moved by the desire to destroy this world before I died.
But now my state of mind is different. Today, I want to defend people. The lives of the people of Pleasure Town and those of my friends are all at stake in combat.
I can't lose, I don't have the right.
To relax, I take a deep breath. Because if the leader that I am seems tense, the others will not be able to launch serenely into the battle and deploy all their forces:
- Let's go, guys! I forbid you to die, freelance ?! The victory belongs to us!
- Yeah!
While gripping the sword Wolf gave me tightly, I look straight ahead. Our enemies are more numerous than in the city. At first glance, I would say a good fifty, or even sixty. They all put on a contemptuous smile, as if they were convinced that their numerical superiority inevitably implies vocitory.
- Avoid underestimating us.
At these words, I give them a hostile look, which says a lot about my murderous intentions. The smile that my enemies used to display suddenly disappears. I scan the crowd, but can't find the two faces I'm looking for: the captain, Artur Bacca, and the sumo player who serves as his right-hand man, Conny Boackenno.
This fight will be simple.
If we manage to cross this group, find Bacca and Boackenno and defeat them, victory is assured. On the other hand, if we get knocked down along the way, defeat awaits us.
- Kids and an old crouton ... Stop igniting yourself! exclaims a pirate.
He swoops down on us with his sword, as if he had suddenly lost patience. At this signal, we too start to run. The four men directly in front of me attack, each in a different direction.
-What they are soft ...
I can see their movements like in a slow motion movie. I sink my foot into the chin of the first opponent who rolls down to the right and my palm of the first opponent that drops to the right and my palm catches the one who arrives in front of me. As for the one that appears on my left, he takes my knee in the pit of my stomach. Finally, I kick back to the guignoi chache in my back.
There they are all four on the ground.
- B ... Damn, he's very strong ...
I can hear one of them say these words perfectly. You should know that in a fight, fear always grabs the loser first.
Five six seven...
I continue to progress by chaining cons in the face of those who attack me. On the side, "yahhh!" and "tchaaa" reach me regularly. I take a look and see Bepo and his mastery of unarmed combat, Penguin who spears his attackers one after the other, and Shachi whose hatchet excels at destroying enemy weaponry.
It goes without saying that Wolf also knocks down everyone in front of him without any harm.
Fourteen, fifteen, sixteen ...
I lengthen them one by one without taking the slightest blow. Until the attacks stop. I then observe the surroundings and see that we five are the only ones still standing.
- The fingers in the nerz! cries Penguin.
- Like what, any training ends up bearing fruit ... adds Shachi who has difficulty in hiding his emotion.
- We continue like that until their boss and we blow his face! concludes Bepo, in whom the tension seems to be at its height.
Tss, these three are immediately overwhelmed by good humor. Wolf, on the other hand, has staring eyes straight ahead and frowning brows. He is right because the hardest part is yet to come. Everything will go wrong in the fights against Bacca and Boackenno.
- We run without stopping to the great hall! They are surely over there! Above all, do not think that they are of the same ilk as the abortions you have just eliminated! Wolf warns loudly.
The recently relaxed faces of Pegnuin, Shachi and Bepo harden.
- Here we go! I exclaimed, pushing open the door in front of me.
At this moment...
- Hakki Yoi! (Shout pushed by the referee during a sump fight, to prompt the wrestlers to act)
With a deafening noise, an immense mass of flesh and muscles gushed out before our eyes.
Conny Boackenno.
The surprise kick of this dark-skinned man, dressed in a mawashi and wearing a bun, instantly splits our group in two. Wolf and I managed to dodge his attack, but Bepo and the others were thrown to the side. As I prepare to help them, Penguin waves his right hand to me not to intervene.
- Law! Wolf and you, settle his account at Bacca! We take care of the sumo wrestler!
I can feel a little hesitation. Sumo is undoubtedly a tough opponent. But I also know that, if Wolf and I rescue them, Bacca will take the opportunity to attack us from behind.
- Law, we continue!
Wolf sees me procrastinating and grabs my shoulder hard.
- Trust them. They haven't pretended to train for all of these years, you know. The role of a leader is also to nod his head.
- Bepo! Shachi! Penguin! I trained you, so you don't have to lose!
- Heard!
Leaving their lively voices behind my back, I come to measure myself against the large door at the back of the valley.
- Hold on. Before entering, put this on your eyes.
- What's this?
- Miniature lenses. The hypnotic ray of Bacca acts on the eyes. These lenses will screen.
- Thank you, they are just right.
- The idea had been trotting in my head for a long time. I knew I would one day have to quit Bacca, so I took the lead and made them.
A fight against his son. I hardly dare imagine Wolf's pain and inner tension ... But now is not the time to bother him with it. I silently apply the lenses he just gave me to my two eyes.
- Here we go, Mister junk!
- I follow you!
We open the door.
- Hi Dad. And ... Oh, who do I see? The kid who took his legs has his neck the other day!
Artur Bacca stands in the middle of a hall dotted with several large pillars of white marble.
Finding myself face to face with him again, I feel the pressure mounting.
- Ghe pa pa! Aah, dear father ... You are not unaware of the range of my powers, however, eh? We are already in the evening, in case you haven't noticed. In a few hours, tomorrow morning to be precise, all the inhabitants touched by my radius will lose their lives. So you two, driven by this ridiculous sense of justice, come to kill me. I am right?
Bacca's provocative tone doesn't seem to trouble Wolf in the least.
- No, you're wrong, my cause is not so noble. I just came to give you a little moral lesson, because I feel responsible for your education.
- Ghe pa! After all, whatever the reason. One thing is certain, I am going to run up against you both here without further delay, and I will then take the time to travel around the island to look for the treasure. It's that simple!
Laughter repeats it once again. There is no treasure on this island, Wolf murmurs in a thin, almost tired voice. Because Captain Ladoga's letter is real! We are talking about a pirate whose bounty was considerable. Not the type to tell stories in a letter having at least as much value as a will!
- I'll tell you otherwise. The treasure has already disappeared.
-What do you mean?
For the very first time, Bacca hints at a hint of concern.
- Tell me, Bacca, do you know at least how we got to this temple?
- Eh? Yeah, you popped out of the water aboard your funny submarine. It made a thunderous noise, normal that I bothered to take a look.
- Launch at full speed, this submarine can break the ground. To make such a strong machine, I needed extremely strong metal, and a lot of it.
- What are you trying to tell me?
- To sum up, this submarine was designed using rock-solid metal. And given its size, I must have gathered a lot.
- What are you talking to me about? I asked you a question!
- I come to the problem. Even you, you must know that it is not easy to get your hands on so much metal. And I am neither from the nobility, nor become extremely rich during these last years. So how do you think I got all this stuff?
- You ... No!
- Yes, Bacca, things have certainly unfolded as you suspect. Captain Ladoga's treasure did exist ... but several decades ago! And I found it!
- That...
- That was a nice sum. Thanks to this money, I put the city you destroyed back on its feet and built this submarine. I also moved away from the life of misery that I led before. So you see? In the end, I put it to good use. Ha ha ha!
At this moment, the atmosphere in the room becomes so freezing that I wonder if the temperature has not suddenly dropped. Bacca said nothing more. He is like an envelope of pure anger and murderous desires which are just as much.
Two seconds, three seconds.
After staring at us with hostility, he directs his gaze to the ground and sighs deeply.
- Phew ... I see, yes, I see. It's the game, after all. A treasure always goes to the first to find it. Ha ha, you had me well on that one ... If only I had known that my father would take me by surprise ... I would have made sure to eliminate you the day you had announces that you are leaving the boat …
He pronounces this word as if he had given up something. However, the powerful evil aura he exudes does not weaken.
- But hey, at least it has the merit of simplifying things.
Bacca's gaze turns to us again.
- I am not discouraged so far. I'll just have to dismantle the submarine and sell all the metal in it. Only the procedure changes ... But to achieve it, yes ... I must liquidate you all here!
I see Bacca's hands disappear behind his back ... to emerge with each a giant mass.
- No need to beg me to spare you, it's too late for me to forgive you ... I'm going to crush you, crush you! Prepare for a terrible death! he cries out.
- Law, he's coming!
- Yes!
In perfect coordination with Wolf's voice, I put myself in a fighting stance. Serious things will start.
- I'm going to end it once and for all making you my puppets! Fusion wave!
From Bacca's eyes escapes a ray of pale color that we don't even bother to avoid.
Although he touches us head-on, we remain unmoved.
- Heiiin ?!
- What did you think? I have taken the necessary measures against your wave of fusion for a while! It no longer has any effect on us.
- Oh oh! I don't know how you did this, but I can see that you prepared yourself well. Which, in itself, is not very serious, because even without my wave of fusion, I cannot lose against you! I'll tear you to pieces with the help of my masses!
In doing so, Bacca waves his arms in our direction several times.
Wolf and I somehow manage to dodge his assaults.
He's not the same man he was in our fight in town. His blows are so heavy that just one of them would be enough to smash our skeleton to pieces.
- Ghe pa!
Its masses smash the ground right next to me. I take advantage of the brief moment when the assaults stop raining to kick him against. However...
- Trocadero!
In the blink of an eye, Bacca's body liquefies. My hit does not inflict any damage on it, as if I had just hit in the water.
- Ghe pa pa! You didn't learn the lesson, kid! You should know though that your attacks can't hurt me, right? I'm going to break your skull without you being able to react!
And shit! This fight is anything but fair. He will equalize us, and as soon as we can no longer avoid his blows, it will be the end of us. It is completely absurd.
- Law, over here!
Wolf grabs my arm and pulls me forcibly towards him.
- What's going on, Mister Junk? Running away won't help matters.
- I know it. But I did not embark on this story without planning anything.
- If you have a plan, let me know right away.
- You're going to get away from Bacca. For my part, I will run in all directions while waiting for an opportunity to present itself. At that precise moment, you will attack him with the blade that I gave you.
- To do what? You saw that my blows did not reach him.
- Have a little confidence in the genius that I am! Everything will be fine. With this sword, you can be sure to touch him, believe me. With that, I'm counting on you.
- Understood!
Wolf stops moving and rushes towards his son without further delay.
As for me, I observe the weapon in my hands. This is a perfectly ordinary blade with a classic handle. No apparent curve, the blade runs straight over its entire length. How would it make sense to pounce on Baca with this sword?
I have no idea, but I have complete confidence in Wolf.
He told me he would create the opportunity. That if I took the opportunity to touch him, he would mope. In this case, I just have to wait. And to leave it to him.
- Take this!
Bacca utters a cry. One of its masses hits Wolf's abdomen head-on, but Wolf does not waver. He takes the hit and gives me a look that means, "It's now or never."
I check that Bacca is not directing his attention towards me and as I rush towards him.
- Law! Push the button on the handle!
Similar to a howl, Wolf's voice echoes throughout the room. Hearing it, my body reacts naturally.
With my thumb, I press the button, raise the sword above my head, and slaughter it on Bacca. I don't feel any resistance. I just feel like I swung my sword in the water. However...
- Aaah! suddenly shouts Bacca.
It is certainly proof that he is in pain. But why? I wonder while observing my saber. The blade is as though enveloped in lightning. and I hear a crackle.
- What is that? a liquefied Bacca wonders in a surprised voice.
No doubt he was touched. Now is he mistrusting me? Still, he folds up with a leap to put some distance between us.
- Law! This saber is a work of my genius, its name is "hyper electro sword"! By putting this button on, the blade is adorned with electricity! It can thus affect Bacca, even in its liquid form!
Let's put the choice of the name aside, and recognize that this is exactly the asset we needed. No need to slice it or seal it with blows. He will feel the pain, whether it is solid or liquid. I just have to inflict a few powerful electric shocks to him to finish a good deal for all with him!
- Definitely, Mister Junk, you will never cease to amaze me.
While he retreats a little more, Bacca observes us behind the scenes. It's now or never!
- Room!
Without any hesitation, I use my scalpel fruit powers. An imposing dome covers the area, which has now become my territory.
- Argh ... You too have the powers of a devil fruit!
Too late.
- Shambles!
The pieces of a collapsed marble pillar lie right in the direction in which it retreats. I immediately inverted my position and that of the pillar.
- That...
Teleportation.
Impossible for the pirate to understand how I was able to cross so suddenly the distance which separated us to find myself behind his back.
- Done!
With speed, precision and accuracy, I slaughter the electrified blade of my saber on him, as if I were going to slice him in half.
- Gwaaah!
Bacca's body is seized with convulsions. Each of my electric shocks inflicts serious damage on him. Two hits, then three, then four. While he writhes in pain, I chain attacks without giving him time to breathe.
- Ghe pa pa pa!
Despite everything, Bacca does not collapse. As I am about to give him a fifth blow, he liquefies himself completely before running away, crawling on the ground.
- Haaa ... He hid his game well, the guy ... I expected anything but that ...
This time it's my turn to be surprised.
Looking at the way my saber lights up, we guess at first glance that it emits a powerful electric discharge. Any normally constituted person would have lost consciousness on the first attack. And yet, Bacca continues to observe us with his hostile and cruel gaze. Why does he not admit defeat? How can he keep this expression?
I am then assailed by the same sensations as during our fight in town, by the same anguish. What sets us apart is determination. It's not about right or wrong, no. Bacca is simply approaching this fight, determined not to lose. But I ... am I resolved to face the ardor of this enraged pirate?
- Raah, piss off!
Getting lost in these kinds of mistakes in the middle of the battle ... I couldn't have chosen a worse time. I bank on Bacca again and hit it several times. I start again, again and again, until he can no longer take the discharges. But nothing helps, the pirate remains standing.
He holds on, takes the pain and even finds a way to approach me with that killer gaze.
I slide. I glance at the ground and notice a puddle of water. Bacca made part of his body liquid so he could trap me!
- Damn!
- Ghe pa pa pa pa!
Its mass spins on me at full speed and I know that I am going to lose my balance. Impossible to avoid it.
- Laaaw !!
Right when the resignation begins to invade me, Wolf intervenes, takes me in his arms and leaps away. However...
- Mister Junk!
Wolf takes his son's violent assault right in the back.
- Argh ...
Blood is flowing from his mouth. His organs have probably suffered quite a shock.
- It's okay, don't worry. You too, you know very well ... that the older we get, the more robust we become.
- Stop, this is not the time to boast! Scan!
I use the powers of the scalpel fruit to examine its insides. He has a few squared dimensions and lesions on some organs, but nothing to deny him. Considering the state of his injuries, I should be able to save him.
- You went too far, Pops, you'll regret it!
But no sooner have I started first aid than Bacca rushes at me. My turn, this time, to carry Wolf and throw myself on the side to get out of his attack zone.
- Forget it, Law ... Don't even imagine treating me now ... Sorry for having become a burden ...
- Han ...
- Do not worry about me, it is not today that I will pass the weapon on the left. For you and for the others too, I will not snap so easily! Settle his account at Bacca. You can win, I know it. It is a genius who guarantees it to you.
- O ... Okay …
Nodding is the only thing I can do.
- Oh oh, so like that, the father falters first and I only have one more mouflon left to get it over with? I didn't expect it to be that easy.
Bacca splits a contemptuous smile suggesting his certain victory.
- If I were you, I would avoid smiling stupidly. I remind you that you haven't touched me once yet.
- Ghe pa! On the other hand, when it comes to having a big mouth, Monsieur is worth two adults all by himself. Come on attack me with that saber you're so proud of!
Above all, I keep my cool. Bacca is not in top form either, he is content to stand up. As long as I stay focused and don't let myself be distracted, he will have a hard time touching me with his masses. So I have the advantage. I position myself in front of him and shoot my gun down.
- Woooh!
Our paths cross. While he takes the electric discharge from my saber head-on, I avoid his blow. I can do it. If I keep attacking, I can win. I then realize that something is wrong with my right hand. The sword suddenly seems terribly light to me.
- ...
I look at him, and .. can't find the words.
The blade is gone!
- H ... How is that possible?
- Aah, I recognize that expression on your face, kid. It is that of an adversary who understands absolutely nothing about what is happening to him.
Bacca speaks to me, delighted, while I remain speechless.
- You never asked yourself how your shots hit their target a little too easily?
Indeed, since the start of our fight, something was wrong. Even when he could have avoided my attacks, he didn't bother and took them. The blade of my saber lies right there at my feet. On closer inspection, it is partly decomposed, eaten away by rust. OK, everything clears up.
- That's it, do you understand? I made it express not to dodge your blows in order to alter the resistance of your blade! As soon as I go from a solid state to a liquid state, my Trocadero power allows me to control my acidity! When you started slashing me with the saber, I knowingly increased its degree. The strength of your blade has suffered without you noticing it, until it breaks. In other words, it is only your helplessness that is causing this situation! Ghe pa pa pa!
Impossible to contradict him. If I had noticed it earlier, I might have been able to remedy it. Especially since I did not particularly lack attention. Although at one point, I was convinced I had the advantage ... I should have been wary and suspect that it was a trap.
- Phew ... It uses a lot to use all this acid ... But at least we're fixed! You will never touch me again! Now it's my turn to bomb you! Ghe pa pa pa!
Wolf passed out. As for me, I am no longer able to reach Bacca. My breathing quickens, my heart starts to beat faster and faster.
***
With his powerful kick, Conny Boackenno threw Penguin, Shachi and Bepo into a corner of the room.
- You guys have nothing ?! Penguin asks in a loud voice.
- No, it's okay!
- No problem!
Shachi and Bepo immediately emit a lively response. None of the three friends seem seriously hurt. This does not mean that their opponent is weak, on the contrary.
It was enough for him to push himself on them to throw them to the other end of the room. His build is impressive. Not only does it lightly exceed two meters, but also weighs, visibly, no less than three hundred kilograms. Dressed in a mawashi and wearing a bun specific to the profession, his membership in the world of sumo is beyond doubt. With his superhuman strength, Boackenno is a worthy representative of this famous struggle.
But the most astonishing about him is this rapidity which his appearance does not allow to predict. Despite a physique to say the least fleshy, even pot-bellied, Boackenno moves at such speed that none of the three have had time to dodge his attack.
- This guy's not just a big guy.
- No, in addition to being heavy, he is fast.
- He did not hesitate for a single second to take all three of us as adversaries. I think he has blind faith in his strength.
Each of them seems to have sensed the terrifying dimension of sumo rightly.
- Bu hyo hyo! I have been wonderfully successful in separating you from each other. My task of eliminating you will only be easier!
No sooner has he finished his sentence than Boackenno leans forward and stands firmly on his two legs.
- He is coming!
- Hakki Yoi!
He is rushing again on the three friends, exactly as before. Let's say it as it is: he is in fact content to give them a big blow of the stomach.
No refined technique or exceptional power here, only pure strength counts. On the other hand, Boackenno's worked musculature transforms this bodily assault into a true fatal technique.
- There are three of us to keep him!
Nobody flinches, all comply with Penguin's order and find themselves facing their opponent, ready to stop him in the Hakki Yoi position. No more carelessness: this time, they are all ready to receive his attack. But nothing helps, impossible to stop it. No matter how much they join forces, they can't compete with Boackenno's muscles.
- Gaaah!
Once again, they are thrown violently against the wall behind them.
- Bu hyo hyo! What a great bunch of incapabilities you have!
- Bepo! Shachi! We don't have to go all at once! Let's attack him by dispersing!
- Understood!
Before the next assault, they separate in different directions and position themselves in a circle around Boackenno. They did not exchange in a concrete way on the strategy to put in place. But in the three years they've spent together, Wolf and Law have instilled in them the fundamentals of the art of combat. How to deal with several to defeat an adversary, what it is to be "effective" in combat, or how to bring a duel to its advantage. At their side, they learned this kind of essential tactics.
To begin with, Bepo approaches the target and uses his kicking techniques. Then, Penguin grabs his spear and sends it at the enemy from a blind spot. Finally, Shachi delivers the final blow with his hatchet. None of them needed to exchange a single word to know that this combination would be the most effective.
- No matter how hard you rack your brains, you will need more to come to the end of me. Besides, I wonder which of you will I liquidate first ...
- Tcha tcha! I'm your man! Come fight, fat bacon!
Boackenno stops dead.
- Oh, the polar bear ... I'm not dreaming, did you just call me a "fat bacon"? This is the worst insult you can address to a sumo wrestler! I'll catch you and turn you into a meatball! Raaah!
Becoming literally red with anger, Boackenno rushes towards Bepo.
- Yatcha!
Bepo flanks without hesitation a kick returns in the stomach of his opponent. An irreproachable attack both in terms of strength and speed. However, Boackenno doesn't show the slightest sign of pain. The power of Bepo's strike has been entirely absorbed by the wrestler's layer of fat ... Unrestrained, Boackenno continues his course straight on him.
- Take that bear cub ... Doskoi!
With these words, he brings his two hands, palms wide open, down on Bepo's skull.
- Waaah ...
The polar bear immediately suffered a slight concussion. Penguin and Shachi immediately understand that their tactic has gone down the drain, but it is too late to end their offensive. Boackenno privote to himself in a series of alert movements before heading towards the two friends, hands still open.
- Doskoi! Doskoi! Doskoi!
The blows are raining in all directions, like a raging storm. They obviously hit Penguin and Shachi who are thrown into the distance, but also hit the huge marble pillars dotting the room. A few collapse, then, as if the whole temple had been hit, part of the ceiling collapses.
Luckily, no one is under the rubble, but Penguin and Shachi shudder in fear at Boackenno's Herculean strength. Penguin exclaims:
- Shachi, are you okay?
- Yes, I'm still alive ...
However, the violent slaps they have just received did not leave them unscathed and they are struggling to move satisfactorily.
- Phew, I think we're in deep trouble. If Bepo's kicking techniques don't have any effect on him, one of us will have to do it.
- I want to, but how to stop him in his tracks? I doubt we will be able to slice the bacon with a single blow of a spear or a hatchet.
- Especially that the next load that we wipe, we are sure to leave this temple feet in front.
- Yes, but hey ... We are not going to give up so close to the goal!
- Of course not. If we ever lost this fight, we would never be able to look the old man and Law in the face again!
Slowly, half staggering, they both get up.
- Bu hyo hyo! What a pity you are, exclaims Boackenno. You got bogged down by Wolf, and look at the result! You will die in excruciating pain! Bu hyo hyo! A miserable old man and a bunch of pathetic kids! I can't help but giggle!
Hands on his stomach, Boackenno laughed out loud. For their part, eyes frozen, Penguin and Shachi observe this spectacle.
-... from Wolf ...
- Hmm? What did you just say?
- I forbid you to make fun of Wolf! He raised us when we no longer had parents ... He took care of us as if we were his own children ... So I forbid you to fuck with him!
- Drank! Drank! Drank! On top of that you have no parents! Aah hyo hyo! You are even funnier! Ha ha, so funny! "His own children"? How can you be so stupid?! Wolf never cared about you, he just needed hardworking manpower, thank you! In the end, no one will ever love you !!
Penguin and Shachi remain silent but don't seem upset. No matter what Boackenno says, they know that all they have felt over these years is the strict truth. Wolf really loved them, and it will take more than the bacon's slurs to shatter this truth.
For the moment, only pure and boundless hatred feeds their resentment. Anger whose prey is none other than this pirate who spits his meptis on Wolf, hurts their comrade and does not hesitate to take the lives of the inhabitants to satisfy his desires.
- Shachi ...
- Mh?
- This guy made me mad.
- Yeah, same.
- No matter what it costs us, we're gonna blow it up.
- I agree, let's go!
Without needing to give each other any signal, Shachi and Penguin leap towards Boackenno. They must at all costs reduce the distance which separates them from their adversary. Put their guns in his mouth before he has time to flank them each again a nice pie.
- Woooh!
Penguin brandishes his spear, spins it around at full speed, and plants it vigorously in Boackenno's shoulder.
- Raaah!
Immediately, Shachi leaps into the air and throws his hatchet into the wrestler's right arm.
This time, they felt resistance. But Boackenno does not stop moving forward. The pirate's flesh-and-fat barrier slows down the two friends, who do not cause him fatal injury.
- Damn kids ... By damaging my dream physique in this way, you have just committed a very serious fault!
Penguin and Shachi try to pull away, but Boackenno doesn't let them slip and grabs them firmly.
- You deserve a good correction ... Yokozuna bomber!
The leggy mace leaped high in the air, holding Shachi and Penguin's necks in each of its hands. Approaching the ceiling, he lets himself fall back with all his weight, ready to crush Law's companions. Crushed under more than three hundred kilos of flesh and muscles, they are incapable of the slightest gesture.
- Pff ... This is the real strength of a sumo! Now I suggest you die quietly. You can only blame your own weakness, as well as the old goat who led you in this galley ...
Their skeleton is broken in several places. The violence of the shock against the ground put their heads upside down. Despite this, Penguin and Shachi manage to get to their feet.
- Gnuuh ?!
However, Boackenno no longer counts the devious enemies he buried thanks to the Yokozuna bomber, his most powerful technique. Nevertheless, there, just under his eyes, two scoundrels get up after having cashed in full force.
Sumo finds this strange. They react like zombies. His punches, slaps, and lethal technique should have inflicted enough damage on them to kill them. But no, they are still very much alive. For the very first time, the wrestler feels a kind of fear towards Penguin and Shachi. At the same moment, his gaze is fixed on Bepo's silhouette.
- Pooh …
Boackenno lets out a rude laugh.
- Ready to go back Shachi?
- Obviously! You can count on me to crack the skull of this junk ... Hey, but look at Bepo, what is he doing?
Penguin stares at his friend, sitting on the floor, looking absent and staring up at the ceiling.
- Damn, this is really not the time to meditate! Sumo will catch him!
Boackenno already has Bepo in his sights. Given his position, he will never be able to avoid a Hakki Yoi followed by a slap capable of shattering a rock.
"If I can manage to touch this helpless polar bear, I'll take his life for sure."
As he thinks about how to do it, Boackenno leans slightly forward. At the same moment, a strange shiver runs through his body.
- What ... What is it?
The warrior's intuition then hinders his movements and prevents him from moving forward. Through a hole that formed in the ceiling. Bepo seems to be watching the sky. It is difficult to say whether he is conscious or not, but he is ready for any attack.
In the depths of the dark night the moon shines. A full moon which draws a splendid circle.
- Bepo, get away from there!
- Boackenno won't seem to reach him.
Under the spell of the full moon, Bepo keeps his eyes wide open towards the sky.
- Pooh ... The threat that I thought I felt was only the fruit of my imagination! I will send you to the Hereafter without further delay! Hakki Yoi!
This time it's the right one. Boackenno's gigantic body rushes towards Bepo.
- Bepooo!
As Shachi and Penguin scream in vain, the Colossus crushes Bepo. At least that's what should have happened.
- What ... what? exclaims the wrestler.
Because the reality is quite different.
Boackenno's Hakki Yoi was stopped by Bepo's only right hand waving forward.
- Yatchaaah! exclaims the polar bear.
His voice is no longer exactly the same.
It is rougher, more brutal. With a thud, Bepo begins to change his appearance. He grows up. Its size exceeds that of begins to change its appearance. He grows up. His height exceeds that of Boackenno and he quickly reaches three meters. Finally, its white coat grows in turn, until it completely covers its body. All in an almost divine momentum. Neither Shachi nor Penguin, let alone Boackenno, understand what is going on in front of their eyes.
Bepo has just changed into "selenite lion", better known as "sulong". When they watch the full moon, members of the Mink Tribe access their forgotten memories and effect a warlike transformation.
- Penguin, what's wrong with him?
- No idea, I just see that it has become gigantic! We will have to bet everything on him! Bepo, crush that damn sumo wrestler!
It is difficult to say if Bepo understands the words addressed to him, but he casts a hostile look on Boackenno, thus seeming to respond favorably to the call of his comrades.
- Wooaaah!
He swirls his arms, ready to correct his opponent as he should.
- Gnuuuh ...
Boackenno warded off the bear's heavy assaults as best he could with a desperate air. But the heaviness of the attacks that rain is no longer comparable. Even he who can however boast of being as solid as a rox, would risk falling in the apples if ever he were to take a blow in the face.
His past experience of combat revives as much as possible the awareness of the looming danger.
- Doskoi!
Boackenno stretches out both arms and steps forward in front of Bepo.
- Woooh!
- Doskoi! Doskoi! Doskoi! Doskoi!
An exchange of strikes of rare violence then begins and gives the impression, seen from the outside, that the two fighters are of identical size. A blow sufficient to lengthen definitively their adversary, one like the other does not grant each other any respite. In speed as in power, they are almost equal. The duel continues, each attack of one being parried by that of the other.
Except that, between Bepo who got carried away and acted without thinking, and Boackenno who, despite his surprise, makes a clear judgment on the situation, the difference widens.
- Now!
Bepo hits a big blow in the wind. Boackenno seizes the opportunity and steps into the bear's lap to grip its hips firmly, as sumo wrestlers do with their opponent's mawashi.
- Woooh ...
- You are amoiii!
Boackenno rises in the air with Bepo in his arms.
- Yokozuna bomber!
The sumo wrestler intends to immobilize his opponent in the air by locking his joints, then to make him fall and fall back on him. At this moment of the fight, Boackenno acquires the intimate conviction that the victory belongs to him. What would be strange if it ended up like this?
Only, the wrestler omitted one point: the primary instinct of the warriors of the tribe of the minks.
Bepo is not endowed with "reason". Complex thoughts do not occupy his mind. He simply feels threatened as he senses the future impact against the ground.
But that is enough for him. His instinct as a warrior makes him act in the most efficient way possible.
- Waaah!
In the midst of a fall, Bepo suddenly releases the strength he had accumulated until then. Remember that the bear's weight exceeds that of the wrestler and that the latter's deadly technique, Yokozuna bomber, uses his weight precisely to crush the opponent. Here is where the error of calculation is. Since this technique is fatal for the opponent when he uses it, it is also equivalent to killing oneself in case of reversal of positions.
- Gnnnaaah!
With a monstrous roar, Bepo breaks free from the hold of his enemy and takes his place. Boackenno's Yokozuna bomber turns on him!
- Gnuuuh!
More than two meters before landing.
- Woooh "
Propelled by the weight of the mink, Boackenno falls straight to the ground.
- Argh ...
Even a sumo wrestler, whose strength is nevertheless the main asset, does not imagine one day having to put up with his own deadly technique.
- Oh la la, business is spoiled ... It smells of russet!
In Boackenno's eyes, staying near Bepo is too risky. And too bad if Bacca does not punish him afterwards: he must move away at all costs. After a quick analysis of the situation, Boackenno gives a powerful hip kick to free himself from his opponent and jump back ... not realizing that he is making the biggest mistake of all.
- He Shachi, Penguin calls out.
- Yes Penguin? Shachi replies.
- Something flying is coming towards us.
. Oh yeah. Something we would like to unravel.
- I'll take the right side.
- OK, me, the left.
Boackenno, who has rushed to get out of Bepo's grip, doesn't bother to take a look behind his back. He did not notice the welcome committee made up of two fighters with mischievous smiles.
- One...
- Two...
- Three!!
They concentrate all of their remaining strength in their spear and hatchet raised above their heads.
"Kling". Penguin and Shachi's weapons slam into Boackenno's skull.
- Bu ... Hyo ... Not ... Hyo ...
Then the giant collapses.
Shachi rushes to him and finds that he has completely lost consciousness.
- Finished.
- We still insured like animals.
By exchanging these words, the two friends clap hands. The fight against Boackenno is finally over. Only...
- Waaah! Waaah!
Bepo is still in a daze.
- Wait, seriously ?! He didn't notice that he had knocked out his opponent ?!
- He seems to be only moved by his instinct!
- We have no choice, we must stop it …
- I don't mind, but how ?! Even if we catch him from behind, he will still give us a good beating!
Finger rests on his eyebrows, Penguin thinks for a moment.
- Full moon.
- Eh?
- Just before turning into a giant, Bepo was looking at the full moon. Even now, he regularly takes a look.
- OK, let's give it a shot.
- It works.
In his monstrous madness, Bepo destroys one by one the walls and pillars of the room. At this rate the entire temple is in danger of collapsing, and given their condition, Penguin and Shachi would not come out alive.
"Penguin use this," Shachi orders his friend, handing him his cap.
- Understood. I am the one who jumps, if I understood correctly?
- Absolutely.
- In that case, allow me to lean on your shoulders!
They both start running, Shachi slightly in the lead. And exactly when the latter stops a good distance from Bepo:
- Now, Penguin!
- I go!
The boy uses his friend's shoulders as a springboard and leaps into the air. Then he grabs Bepo's skull, goes behind his back, and covers his eyes with his own hat and Shachi's cap.
- That should ... do the trick!
Bepo's view is now completely blocked. The latter struggles, but Penguin holds on tight. Finally, after a few seconds, the bear's movements stop dead. And at the same time, his monstrous body and coat regain their original size. Objectig achieved.
- Hey, Bepo! Are you alive ?!
Shachi addresses a lying motionless Bepo, patting his cheeks.
- Mh, mmh .... Penguin, Shachi ... What happened to me? And Boackenno ... Where is he going?
Hearing their friend's voice, Penguin and Shachi let out a huge sigh of relief.
"Don't worry about sumo, we've settled his account," Penguin replies, without taking too much trouble.
- What? Seriously?! Phew, you are too strong ... To say that my foot-and-fist techniques did nothing to him ...
- Don't worry, you've done your part too, and even more, reassures Shachi.
- Yes, we can say that, Penguin smiles.
- Anyway, we'll give you the details later.
- There, we're at the end of our tether.
Worn out by the words they just spoke, Penguin and Shachi fall backwards. Then it's Bepo's turn, completely washed up by his episode of furious madness, to collapse. None of the three is able to move a little finger anymore.
- Say, guys.
- Mh?
- What?
- I think we won!
Shachi and Bepo remain believe for a short time before exploding into laughter in the company of Penguin.
But they have one last thing to do.
- We must join ... Law and Wolf ...
With a nod, Shachi and Bepo approve their comrade's injunction. They therefore set off again, dragging their bodies painfully and believing hard as iron in the final victory.
***
Bacca conscientiously works to reduce my energy reserves. I can hardly see how I could win, but I can't run away. Whatever happens, I decided to help these people. Is it because new emotions have arisen in me? Because after all, I ended up behaving like a doctor? I just know that the moment I give up rescuing them, I will no longer be myself.
Use your head, damn it. Heat up your brains!
Somehow I have to find a way to beat this junk.
- Ho hoo ... Since you still seem to be overflowing with vitality, I'm going to offer you a little something ... which will have the gift of disgusting you, Bacca announces before taking a deep breath.
Fortunately I am out of reach of his masses: he is not able to touch me.
- If I were you, kid, I would avoid underestimating the power of the fruit of dissolution! My next move will get the better of you! Melty love!
A pale blue ray emerges without warning from Bacca's mouth.
- Han!
I lean more than necessary to successfully dodge it, then I glance behind my back and find a large hole in the wall, where the raxon hit. A sound of melting matter is heard.
- Ghe pa pa! My Melty love spits out an extremely powerful acid which liquefies everything in its path! Haa ... Let's see how far you can avoid it ... Melty love!
Bacca regains his inspiration before letting go again. The latter rushes straight at me but I manage to avoid it by jumping to the side.
- Melty love! Melty love! Melty love!
I concentrate with all my strength to avoid as best as possible this ray which he spits continuously.
That's why...
- It is the end!
I didn't realize Bacca was getting dangerously close to me.
- Ghe pa pa pa!
Its violent blow of lateral mass throws me against the wall.
- Argh ... Eurgh ...
Right in the lungs. I can no longer breathe, I can no longer feel my limbs. Damn, how annoying heartbeats can be when you find yourself lying on the floor like me right now! The heartbeats, the sound of circulating blood, the sound of my breathing, the trickle of electricity running through my body ...
From ... electricity?
- Han ... Han ... It's over, kid! After all, the desires were blown from the start! I left with much more experience and determination than you! The future is mine! Thanks to the money from the submarine that I will hasten to resell, I will become a great pirate! I will finally be able to trample on this bullshit that is love and justice!
- Hey...
In a whisper, I question Bacca:
- Is that the piracy you dream of for you?
- Of course! Theft, murder, domination! That's all that, being a pirate! Live freely! Kill freely! Happiness!
- In your eyes, freedom therefore comes down to these principles ...
- Eh? Obviously, I do not see why you ask the question. Live for and by his desires! Binge on the same stuff! If that's not freedom, then what is it? I am strong! This is why I am able to make my wildest wishes come true! That's a great pirate!
- If you say so.
In my heart of hearts, I calm myself down.
The fear of being killed, the anxiety of losing against Bacca, everything has disappeared. Aah, I think I was really on the wrong track. Of course, this man is more resolute than ever. Certainly, he seems determined to achieve whatever costs his desires. And until then, I have been crushed by this determination. Because I felt that by postponing the fulfillment of Cora's dearest wish and my own desires "later", I was worth less than Bacca. But the reality is quite different.
"Now" or "later", all this makes no sense until it is a question of "true freedom". I don't know what freedom really is and, to be frank, that's not even my ideal. Nevertheless, I am sure of one thing: this freedom that Corazon wanted me is certainly not as bad as the one Bacca speaks of. I also know that living by crushing others, at the sole option of one's desires, has absolutely nothing to do with any "true freedom".
Finally, that's it, I feel that I have made up my mind. Decided to reduce to pulp the ugly freedom that the enemy who is in front of me keeps telling me about. I calm my breathing and get up.
- Hmm? Are you mobilizing your last strength? Good very good! However you want! I'll finish you off once and for all! Ghe pa pa pa!
When I turn to Bacca, he is already in an attack position.
- Say your prayers, brats! Melty love!
His mouth emits a new ray. But I am not afraid so far. This whole room is still under the effect of my Room.
- Shambles!
I throw the hilt of my saber forward and use my power.
In less time than it takes to tell, the handle and the large rock in the room are swapping. As expected, the Bacca ray hits the rock head-on.
- Ah! That's not what will stop me, because my Melty love has the power to do everything ... fon ... Why does it not melt ?!
The ray suddenly vanished around the center of the rock. I take the opportunity to jump over it and slip into his lap.
- You were saying that the power of your acid consumes a significant part of your energy, eh? If this had been your first shot, I would have melted with the rock. But when I saw the hole caused by your ray shrinking, I understood. Your power is no longer the same as at the start.
- And ... So what ?! It doesn't change the fact that I still have the advantage ...
- Yes, it's true. If I had no more means of attacking, you would indeed have won.
Physical attacks do not damage him. The only valid option I have in mind is to attempt an offense with Wolf's electric saber. And it is not because the latter broke that I am no longer able to use the electric. I know it, I can feel it.
I then direct all my knowledge, my entire awareness, to the thumb of my right hand. I concentrate all the electricity in my body towards this inch, then I condense it and finally amplify it.
- You and your low-level determination, I won't let you defeat me. If I bowed to a guy who only has money and power, Cora would never forgive me.
I hear a crackle, as if something is about to explode. My thumb starts to glow, I can feel the electricity overflowing. This blow will be the last.
- No wait!
- Take that ... Counter shock!
I reach forward with my right hand and plant my electrified thumb in Bacca. a powerful current pours into all its liquefied body.
- Ghe pa pa pa pa pa pa!
An explosion of light. Followed by the sound of roasting meat. Without a single word, Bacca collapses.
- Ended.
The winner is designated. The people of Pleasure Town will soon be released from the Trocadero power spell. Only I won't be able to move right away. I sit down on the floor and breathe a deep sigh of relief.
I see Wolf, who by pure chance, has just regained consciousness, walking in my direction. Ah, no, it is not towards me that he is advancing. The old man walks over to his son, sits down next to him and takes out a dagger he had hidden in his inside pocket. Then, with the same gesture, he brandished it above Bacca's chest.
- Stopped.
Just as he is about to bring down his gun, I grab his arm.
- Let me go, Law.
- Are you planning to kill him?
- Yes.
- He is completely unconscious, no need to do more.
- I am responsible because twenty years ago, as well as today, the city as a whole and its inhabitants were exposed to serious danger. It is my duty to repair the damage they have suffered. This is why you have to let me go.
- Out of the question.
Honestly, I don't know what Wolf is thinking at this precise moment.
How guilty does he feel? Is it plagued by contradictions? To suffering? I have absolutely no idea. Is it always that ...
- Him and you, you are from the same family.
Something deep inside me tells me that I absolutely must not let go of his hand.
- No matter what bastard he has become, Bacca remains your son. This is amply sufficient reason in my eyes not to kill him. My benefactor was shot by his own brother. So stop, I never want to see members of the same family kill each other again!
Wolf remains silent. Having nothing more to add, I also shut up. Soon Wolf drops his dagger from my hand. He covers his face with both hands and lets his tears flow. It's the first time I've seen the
old man cry like this.
***
- Law! Wolf!
When Wolf finally manages to dry his tears, Bepo's group enters the room in a sorry state.
- Oh puree, the three of you look terrible.
- You're not better, Law, replies Bepo, laughing.
Shachi gets excited:
- Frankly, you should have seen what we put on him!
"The most important thing is that we are all safe and sound," Penguin adds with a smile.
Yes, and above all:
- We won a great victory.
With these words, we congratulate each other by clapping each other's hands. Then everything goes very quickly. After having come to their senses, the inhabitants tumble into the temple with Rad at their head and tie Bacca and Boackenno securely with ropes and chains.
- You saved us, Rad thanks us, glancing in our direction.
- Oh, it's nothing, we acted on a whim, I answer.
A few hours later, soldiers of the Navy that had been warned arrived at the temple and took the two scoundrels away.
With their departure, the battle really comes to an end. But this does not mean that a party is organized in our honor.
Without asking our opinion, they make the decision to hospitalize us all in the crowd. A good week for a full recovery. Not even the time to enjoy the euphoria of victory. In addition, as the doctor suspects that we risk getting brindle if we are together, he puts us all in separate rooms.
I tell myself that I will be seriously bored. Except that in the end, I make good use of the long hours available to think. While I am lying alone in my bed, I think about a lot of things. What do I want to accomplish "now"? What should I do?
When I left, I made a solid decision.
- Yahou! We're back home! cries Penguin excitedly.
After a week of hospitalization, Rad walked the five of us home.
- And voila, it's time to resume the good old habits, says Bepo.
- Yes, you're right, I retort as naturally as possible. Hey, the old man?
- Mh, what? You are hungry?
- No that's not it. I would like to talk to you about something.
- OK, no problem.
We leave the house and walk towards the nearby fields.
A few snowflakes are falling and the wind is cold.
- It's been three years, Wolf realizes. I took you in first, then three other kids ... My daily life has become so noisy ...
- Eh eh! The world is thus made! People who are too good always get their money's worth.
- Maybe, but in the end, I had a good time. Before that, and for a very long time, I had never imagined myself sharing such lively meals at several.
- Stop, you'll make me cry.
- Tell me, Law, you intend to leave the island, don't you?
- !!
- Tss ... I haven't been pretending to take care of you all this time, you know. I've watched you enough to know that if you're asking me to follow you outside, it's to talk to me about something important.
- Old man...
- Mh ...
- I decided to go to sea. To become a pirate. To gain experience, to become strong and to grant Cora's wish. I will never become like Bacca. I will be a pirate who does not deny his convictions, a pirate who will not disappoint you.
- Oh good, if you say so.
- You don't oppose it?
- The world of pirates is a terrifying world. Between the stormy seas, the lack of water and food, the clashes between saguinaire adversaries and the quarrels even within the crew, there is no lack of reasons for some to see their good intentions warned ... Bacca is in it. the perfect example. If you tell me you're making an informed decision, then I won't try to change your mind.
Wolf has a soft voice. He gives me the impression of a father who gives his child his last advice for a good start in life.
- Since you saved me the day, old man, I got plenty of new things. First of all, I made some friends. Then you taught me how much life is worth living. Despite everything, if I have nothing to reproach with my daily life, I know that deep in my heart remains a dark "deposit" inherited from the past. The hatred I harbor for Doflamingo, as well as the haste to make Cora's dearest wish come true, keep remind me of this.
- The hatred and sadness that we once carried within ourselves do not disappear overnight. I am in a good place to talk about them, because I have been carrying them around for twenty years.
- If I continue to live this way, I feel that I will never get better. I always thought that I would have to go "someday" to Dressrosa for my problem to be resolved. But during my fight against Bacca, I realized that I wanted to understand what "true freedom" was. Today I have to try to understand what Cora wanted to say to me. This is the reason why I am going to go to sea now and not later. I have a duty to.
Once I am done speaking, we just sat there for a while in the undergrowth. Without telling us anything. We silently watch the snow fall, and small accumulate.
- When do you plan to talk to them?
- Tonight. I don't know how they will react, but I intend to ask them if they want to follow me or not.
- And the departure, when do you precede it?
- Within a week. Until then, I still have a few things to do on the island. I have to say goodbye to the locals, as well as to those who have treated me particularly well. I am thinking in particular of the doctor and Rad.
- You won't be ... too sad? Wolf asks me, looking away. I know you liked this town. It's gonna be hard, though, right?
- It's not that I have a heart of stone, but I don't want my feelings to be a brake on my progress.
- OK, I understand ... It's cooling off, don't you think? Let's go home.
- Hey, old man, you never thought of becoming a pirate again?
- I'm staying here. In the end, I enjoy this island as well as this city. I go about my business, I work with all my ardor on my inventions and I sometimes go out for a walk. I lead a life that suits me well. The adventures of pirates, I leave them to the young people that you are. Kah kah kah kah!
With a calm and assertive step, Wolf sets off. I walk behind him, slightly behind him. I had other things to say to him, but until the end, I could not find the adequate words.
That same evening, after having dinner and back in our room, I decided to speak to Penguin and the others. I expected them to be surprised, but they received the news calmly.
"Lately, Law, it was enough to watch you to guess that you were up to something. Your pirate story surprised me a bit, but I'm not upset, Bepo admits.
- I'll be leaving the island in a week. And you, what do you want to do?
I ask them the question, trying to stay as natural as possible.
- I'm not forcing you to do anything. You can very well go on living the same life, eating with the old man and exchanging jokes and continuing your work in town. Only, if ... if ever, you ... you wanted to come, then ... that ... that would help me a lot ...
I who wanted my invitation to pass like a letter in the mail, I finally stumbled over all the words. The speech I gave them smacked of embarrassment and jitters.
- I'm coming! I'm going to sea with you, Law. I studied the methods of navigation, I became stronger thanks to my feet-fist techniques, and it's been a long time that I think of going "someday" in search of my big brother ... But you know me, I lack character and I will never decide to take the plunge. That's why it's now or never! With you! To accomplish the goals I have set for myself!
At these words, I let out a small smile. To hear Bepo confess to me all that he has on his heart fills me with joy.
- I'm also going!
- Same for me!
Penguin and Shachi answer me in turn, suddenly.
- After the death of our parents, Shachi and I fell very low ... But thanks to Wolf and to you, we regained a taste for life, and today we enjoy every day. Only, Law, your words have more than aroused my curiosity! Just thinking about what awaits us outside this island, beyond the seas, I already can't stand still! This is why I decided to accompany you!
- Me, it's the same as for Penguin. How to say? At the end of our fight against Boackenno, when we defeated him, I felt so good! So of course, I was scared and I knew that the slightest mistake would cost us our lives, but I finally understood that I too could do great things! It is for this reason that I want to go on an adventure! With you guys. And meet that something that will change my life!
Penguin and Shachi's lyrics come straight from the heart, there's no doubt about it. Reason why I have no other choice than to believe in them.
- Alright, I know I can count on you.
See everything I say.
- How do we do it for the boat? Penguin asks me.
- I'll go get one in town.
- You might as well not do things halfway and take a big one straight away! One of those who can accommodate a hundred sailors!
- Like we had enough money. A small boat will be more than enough for the four of us.
We then continue to discuss at length about the ship of our dreams.
"But tell me, Law," Shachi calls out in a small voice. Wolf is going to find himself all alone, right?
- Too bad for him. He has his own goals to accomplish. And life is also about learning to leave those you love. There's nothing we can do about it.
- If you say so...
No matter how I speak, I have as much vagueness in my soul as Shachi. But at the same time, I feel it, I must not remain captive of this kind of feeling. We then go to Wolf's room to tell him that we will all be leaving the island. "Ah, okay" are his only words. Then I go back to my own room and fall asleep without thinking about anything.
The following week unfolds like all the others. We get up in the morning, have breakfast all together, then Wolf goes to work in his lab and we in town. After making our respected colleagues aware of the current circumstances, we work twice as hard to thank them for all they have done for us. In the evening, we go home, heckle like crazy again, and go to bed, exhausted. During this week, no one talks about piracy. At the very most, we buy a cheap wooden ship, to take to the sea. Wolf, Bepo, Penguin, Shachi and I make the most of every moment we spend together laughing and arguing over trifles, like that. has been the case so far.
The day before our departure, Wolf summons us to his laboratory. We go there after finishing our working day and saying goodbye to all those who have taken so much care of us.
- Ah, there you are.
- What do we owe the honor of being summoned here? Ah! Don't tell me you're planning to use us for one of your weird experiences before we set sail ?!
- Idiot! Do you take me for a mad scientist, or what ?! Come on, follow me, instead of telling shit!
We descend the stairs after him and arrive in the cave. Once the lights are on, we see the yellow submarine moored in the same place as the last time. For a machine having smashed the earth in two in order to enter the temple, I find the hull in relatively good condition.
At this point, I realize that something has changed about his appearance.
A large skull, this symbol that pirates proudly wear, is drawn on its fuselage.
- What...
Impossible for me to hide my astonishment.
- Mister Junk, what does that mean ?!
- Sitting at the table in the middle of the night, you often think of a symbol for your pirate flag, right?
- Co ... How do you know that?
- Hmm, nothing could be easier. I found several of your drafts in the trash. In the discreet genre, we do better. I also know that on this symbol, precisely, you wrote in red: "Adopt!"
- Wow, seriously ... But that's not the problem! I ask you why this symbol is drawn on your submarine ?!
Wolf smirked at me.
- A pirate ship without the symbol that goes well, it's not very chic, is it?
- Eh?
- Law, Bepo, Shachi, Penguin, I ask you to accept this ship. Originally, I built and equipped this submarine with the idea of going on new adventures. This is why I would like you to take it with you, so that maybe you can make part of my dream come true.
- You ... are you sure?
- Pooh! I don't want to have a bad conscience when I hear one day that you died because your wooden boat sank. Take this as a gift from me.
The service he is rendering us is too great. How are we going to pay it off someday? But for now, I tell myself that it is our duty to accept his gesture of benevolence.
- OK, if that makes you happy. We cannot refuse the request of an old man at the end of his life.
- That's it, make fun of yourself. But know that I still have fifty years at least! Until then, focus on not ending up in fish food!
- Kah kah kah kah! Wolf ends with a laugh.
The eyes sparkling with joy, Shachi, Bepo and Penguin do not take their eyes off the submarine.
- Now that the inventor of genius that I am has entrusted you with his masterpiece, you have a duty to become perfect pirates aboard "Hanamaru the invin ..."
- It's devide, we'll call it "Polar Tang"!
I cap Wolf at the pole and propose the first name that crosses my mind without letting him finish his sentence.
- Too classy!
- Awesome!
- It rocks!
Big success for my proposal.
- Band of wretches !! How dare you baptize "Hanamaru the invincible" with such a name ... also ... aaah ... no, nothing. After all, it's your machine, do what you want with it. Um, "Polar Tang" ... Yeah, not so bad for a kid ...
A half-annoyed, half-cheerful expression floats over Wolf's face.
- Thanks, Mister Junk, we'll make good use of it.
- You're welcome. I am counting on you to show the greatness of my genius to the whole world.
With these beautiful words, we join our fists.
The day of departure arrives.
I open the curtains, it's not snowing and I see the sun up in the sky. A perfect day to go to sea. Many inhabitants must be present to wish us good luck. We all have breakfast together, as usual, and then leave the house. Then we go to the laboratory where we board the "Polar Tang" so that Wolf teaches us the basics of piloting, before transporting the ship to Pleasure Town where we submerge it. Along the way, we leave the submarine to greet the inhabitants one last time. Contrary to all expectations, Rad is the one who cries the most.
- Bouaaah! These little moms who have become so strong are about to go on an adventure! I don't care if it was to become pirates! I have never been so moved by my life!
I had no idea that Rad had a tear so easy. To tell the truth, I still don't know a lot about this city. I could have spent so many good times, shared so many laughs with these people, not forgetting those things that they could still have taught me. Despite this, we are going on a journey. We push our ship towards the vast expanse of oceans.
- Let's go, guys.
I let them know that the departure is imminent and join the deck of the ship. Wolf is no longer with us. He is with the inhabitants, remained on the quay, preferring to say goodbye to us rather than to take part in the journey. The time for farewells has come.
- Thanks for everything, old man. Try to stay alive as long as possible!
I throw these words at him from the bridge. In turn, Bepo, Shachi and Penguin each address a few words of thanks. That's it ... Is that all? I have the impression of having made a mistake somewhere. This weight on my chest, it does not disappear. Words ... I need more words …
- Law, I put the ship underway, announces Bepo behind my back.
- Understood.
The submarine begins to move and slowly pulls away from the coast. This is the moment that Wolf chooses for a laugh:
- Law! Penguin! Shachi! Bepo! I had fun!
As he launches these words at us with the greatest naturalness, I hear myself shout:
- Wolf!
This is the first time that I have called my friend by name.
- Law, you ...
- You are not cheating if you think that I do not feel anything! As if I could not be sad to leave you! You, more than anyone else !!
There are words for which one does not need to put the forms, nor to feel ashamed. Words that must be sent to their recipient at all costs. Words I want Mister Junk to hear.
- Thanks, Wolf! Thank you for the kindness you have shown during all this time! Even if we are separated! Even if we don't see each other again! You will forever be my greatest friend !!
This useless stuff that runs from the eyes, you know what, gives me a little hoarse voice at the end. Suddenly, Bepo emerges from the cockpit. I see that he and the other two have their faces pressed to the ground and their fists clenched against their eyelids.
- Have a good trip, you dirty kids! Discover the world! Learn what freedom is! Me, I ... I have been happy all this time by your side! Wolf shouts at us, raising his right hand.
In our turn, we raise our hands as high as possible. Then we turn our backs to him. We won't be looking back.
- Bepo, go back to your cockpit position.
- Right now.
The ship sets off again and the coast is visibly moving away. We have become pirates. From now on, we will have to live on our own, to obtain what we want ourselves. When I walk into the cockpit with Shachi and Penguin, a precise symbol suddenly springs to mind.
- A heart.
- What?
Yes, I only see this symbol to designate our crew. The love I received from Cora, the tenderness that Wolf showed towards me, and the trust I place in my comrades. What better than the word "heart" to bring together all these elements?
- We are the crew of the "Heart" !!
Superb sky. Favorable wind direction. No need to shed more tears for this ideal start. Turns to "now", we move forward. Convinced that at the end of the road a dazzling freedom awaits us.
EPILOGUE
Early in the morning, when the sparrows start to sing, an old man appears on the beach who has come to do a little exercise. He begins by stretching the muscles in his upper body, continues with those of the lower part, then rolls up and unrolls the shoulders before performing a few short jumps.
Movements that he must perform conscientiously every morning to then move and carry out without too much difficulty the many daily tasks that await him.
Every morning the old man gets up at a fixed time and prepares his breakfast of eggs and ham. Then, after doing some outdoor activity, he walks to the greenhouse where he grows vegetables to see if they are growing properly. When he finished, he took charge of his laboratory where he worked hard on his inventions until sunset.
While he continues to design new machines, he also works regularly to improve older ones. This is for example the case of "Super cleaner No. 13" which he touched up about a year ago, allowing him today not to sacrifice any more of his precious time in the household. Just turn on the "No. 13" and it will clean the whole house thoroughly without leaving the slightest trace of dust. The old man struggles to hide his satisfaction at this invention worthy of the greatest geniuses.
Back home, he prepares his dinner which he eats alone at his table. If the people of the city have already advised him to take a cat to overcome his loneliness, the main person is playing deaf ears. In his eyes, dining alone and in peace is far from lacking in charm. After washing the dishes and taking his bath, he goes to his bedroom, turns off the light and falls asleep.
Once a week, he goes to town to stock up on food and parts necessary for his work as an inventor. He is appreciated by everyone there, to such an extent that it happens from time to time that a small crowd is created around him. And although many inhabitants offer him to come and live among them, he persists in refusing.
The old man is living peaceful days. However, to say that he never feels alone would be a lie. Because his dining table used to be a pretty bustling place. It was noisy, tumultuous, but we ate there in a warm atmosphere.
Since that time, many changes have taken place, those operating on the physical plane being certainly the most obvious, he sometimes has back pain. So much so that he can no longer do without his stretching at the start and end of the day. Despite this, he never complains and does not let out unnecessary sighs. He knows very well that he would be the beloved of the "others" if they saw him give up for so little.
When he finished his morning exercises, as he struggled to get home, he saw a man approaching on a bicycle. Holding in his hand a wad of leaves that he waves, the latter calls out to the old man with a certain excitement.
- He Wolf! It's incredible!
- What is it, Rad? You make a racket of it in the morning.
- Shut up and look at this instead! The newspaper and the research notices that go with it! "They" are on the front page!
- Hmm ...
The old man retrieves the newspaper from the hands of his friend who is struggling to catch his breath. The expression on his face remains the same, but he gestures swiftly with his hands. He puts his glasses back on his nose and fixes his gaze on the photo in the newspaper.
Aah, it's "them" in the picture.
In the article, the events are described as follows: for some years now, a gang of pirates have been weaning on North Blue who kidnapped young people and children with the aim of selling them as slaves. Their untimely changes of lair made it difficult for the Navy to get their hands on them, not forgetting the fact that they were battle-hardened and doc difficult to defeat. But the previous week, a crew of pirates by the name of "Heart" had suddenly appeared at the bandits' lair before crushing them without them being able to offer the slightest resistance. The prisoners were released unharmed and then all returned to their families. "I acted on a whim!" These were the only words the captain of the crew of the "Heart" had uttered before resuming the sea aboard his submarine.
In the newspaper, a photo immortalizing the two crews is printed in bulk. It was reportedly taken by one of the prisoners with a camera placed within reach.
We can see a young man covered in a fur hat, sporting a large tattoo on the chest, displaying a terrifying face and raising his saber in the direction of the enemy. On reading the article, the photo alone is enough to capture the power that emanates from this man. Another shot represents those who can be considered to be the other members of the crew. Some dressed in headgear, women and men with massive build, as well as among others a strange polar bear. Surrounded by a multitude of enemies, none of them seem to be afraid, and all give the impression of fighting with prodigious valor.
- It is beautiful, this photo, right? We see immediately that the Pirates of the "Heart" have been remarkably successful.
Ah ah ah, when I think that it is our little kids who have become so strong, it makes me feel good ...
- It's not over soon, right?! You are not going to start whining!
- From ... Sorry ... But, Wolf, it must still make you happy to see that "they" are all well, eh?
- Pah! I never worried about them! I remind you that I shaped them. What would worry me would be to learn that they are behind their pirate colleagues. I also remind you that "piracy" is synonymous with "risking your life". So if they die, it will be knowingly.
- Phew, I find you a little harsh, anyway .... Although, it looks quite like you ...
- What you can annoy me when you do, Rad. If that's all you had to tell me, I invite you to get back to work. I may not look like it, but I have my work cut out for me.
- OK, I understand. Don't forget to come and say hello to me at the station the next time you're in town.
With these words, the man gets back on his bike and takes the road to the city.
The old man, meanwhile, once again stares at the newspaper in front of him. Unlike earlier, excitement seems to run through his eyes. He then examines the wanted notices that the man has read. A boy - no, a young man rather - whose face is familiar to him, has a daring smile on one of the notices.
Time has passed since that time.
Aware that water has flowed under the bridges, he could not however say exactly how many years have passed. The only thing he can be sure of is that this lively life he was leading now belongs to a distant past.
He remembers everything.
The discovery of the boy in the cave, his return home in the company of a polar bear, the day he took two young runaways under his wing, the time when he himself had an accident and where these young people had him saves life, the surprise attack they led together aboard the same ship against pirates, their voctory at the risk of their lives, when the boy prevented him from killing his own son. Everything, he remembers everything. His memory remains intact and each of these memories comes back to him in its most vivid colors.
As he glances through the other wanted notices, snow begins to fall. The old man is dazzled by the gorged flakes of sunlight. He walks towards the shore and looks far towards the horizon line, beyond which he discerns the silhouette of young people.
He sees them, aboard their yellow submarine, traverse the vastness of the oceans. A perilous journey during which the slightest mistake can prove fatal. This does not prevent them from smiling, however.
At this thought, he felt warmth invade him and courage born in him. The ardor to carry on the rest of his life runs through his veins and oozes from every pore of his skin. There is no question of losing against "them". He still has work to do, great inventions to build. But it's strange, all the same. This body which seemed so heavy to him a few moments ago is now filled with vitality, incredibly light, as if it had just found a second youth.
His loneliness has simply evaporated. The old man is able to imagine them again.
He sees the young man with tattoos courageously healing a wounded man.
He sees the one in the cap humming while cutting the hair of his comrade wearing a hat with the word "Penguin" inscribed on it.
He also notices a large polar bear whose face indicates that it is maneuvering their ship headlong into the storm.
Aah, that's more than enough for him.
As long as "they" lead the life "they" were made for, the old man asks for nothing more. Nevertheless...
- You hear me?!
He howls with all his might towards the sea.
- Here, everything is fine! I have busy hours and I have happy days! What about your rating ?! Do you have a smile on your lips? Are you living the bomb chest ?! Are you getting closer ... to "true freedom" ?!
Despite the lack of response to his calls, an expression of contentment seems to animate the old man.
Because he is convinced that one fine day, when his "friends" will have found this "true freedom" to which they aspire, they will return, their faces resplendent with joy, to surround the table in his dining room.
- Hmm ... I'm not sentimental enough for that, he murmurs as he walks back home with a nimble and joyful step, letting a soft warm smile appear on his face.
***
A yellow ship floats in the waters of North Blue.
A banquet takes place on the bridge where many people are agitated and make a great noise.
Among them, the young man in the fur hat, the one in the cap, another in the hat with "Penguin" written on it and the talking polar bear are all four gathered in a corner, devouring a gigantic piece of meat. A meat that comes from a crocodile over twenty meters long hunting on the island where they stopped over a few hours before. The fight against this wild beast that would have crushed any human normally constituted had been for them a mere formality.
Right in the middle of the banquet, a flight of swallows suddenly crosses the sky. At the same time, the four accomplices discern like a voice.
- Say, guys, didn't you hear something? asks the young man in the fur hat.
- You too, Captain? I had the impression that it came from the other side of the ocean.
This response from the boy in the cap does not fail to titillate the curiosity of the polar bear who hastens to grab his telescope to take a look into the distance.
- I do not perceive any enemy in the surroundings ... But I am like you, I also heard a voice, adds the polar bear without ceasing to scan the horizon.
"It was a familiar voice, tinged with a hint of nostalgia," the boy in the "Penguin" hat said in turn, letting out a slight sneer.
The same mischievous smile then crosses the face of the young man in the fur hat that the others call "Captain", as if the latter had not needed to speak to understand the meaning of the words made by his friend.
- Yes, I agree with you.
Listening to the twittering of the swallows, the young man remembers past events.
He has come a long way, both geographically and temporally, since he chose the path of piracy and now leads a life of adventure. Impossible for him to return regularly to his past, he does not have time. As Captain of a pirate crew, he must pull his comrades forward and take a front line position when the time comes for battle. He saw every moment thoroughly, as if it were the last.
Now that the name of the crew is known and recognized, the heads of a large part of the members are being put at a price. What constitutes in the eyes of the young man a certain pride. In the future, he will continue his journey alongside his friends while exposing himself to danger on a daily basis. Carelessness no longer has its place.
But there are still memories that he should not forget.
The memory of the benefactor who saved his life and then taught him what love was. Then this old man with whom, by a happy combination of circumstances, he became friends.
The hours he spent by their side will forever remain in his heart like the warmest memories.
If he thinks of the old man, it may be because he heard the song of the swallows. Does he lead a quiet life? Is he not behaving like an irresponsible person? Is he immersed in his inventions to the point of forgetting to eat? Does he maintain good relations with the inhabitants of the city? The reasons to be concerned are almost endless.
"Aah, what I would like to see him again," he whispers in his heart. He no longer counts the times he has thought of visiting his old friend since he went to sea. What a pleasure it would be to take the road to this island with his fellow pirates to organize a gigantic banquet in the company of the old man. Sometimes he gave in to this kind of reverie.
But unfortunately this is not possible. He cannot go back to this warm, so sweet past, because the, "now", he has things to accomplish. Enemies to beat countries to save, an immense sea on which to travel with his crew. He must keep moving forward, his eyes on the future. Today, that is what matters most.
Moreover, he still has not discovered what "true freedom" is. And he knows that the old man would give him hell if he ever dared to reappear in front of him without knowing what was going on.
- But hey, if I hang around too much, I run the risk that the old man will end up breaking his pipe, he whispers for himself alone.
- Mh, did you say something, Captain?
- Tell me, Bepo, do you trust your skills as a navigator?
- Uh, well ... uh, yes! Of course! I've been studying storms and heavy swells for so long that they no longer hold any secrets for me!
- Very well. Then the time is right.
- Pou ... For what?
Without answering the question, the young man gets up and walks towards the bow. All the crew members notice it and stop drinking.
- Hey, all of you! he shouts at them.
-I have decided what will be our next destination.
A great clamor arose among the crew. On the faces of each and everyone, the anguish of landing in a perilous place mingles with the excitement of living a new adventure.
- So, Captain, what direction do we take? asks the boy in the cap.
What the young man answers:
- That of Grand Line.
That's it, he did it. He said that name.
- Koaaaaa ?!
The whole crew is literally astonished. Nothing surprising about this, because they are all perfectly aware that the Grand Line is designed to be the route of all dangers. However, the shock quickly wears off to give way to resignation.
- Let's go!
- Yeah! I can't wait to give my all!
- I decided a long time ago to follow you wherever you go, Captain! So it's not now that I'm going to panic!
In turn, each member of the crew gives voice with enthusiasm.
- Do you hear, Cora? What you see there is my ... no, our crew!
- Hoist the sails! Point the road to follow! Crew of the "Heart", forward!
- Woooh !!
Charged with the dreams of all crew members, the yellow-colored ship is advancing in strong winds on the ocean.
Standing on the bridge, the young man stares at the blue expanse stretching out before his eyes, a slight smile on his lips.
He imagines. He imagines the harsh battles that lie ahead, as well as the joy that always accompanies them. He also thinks of all that remains for him to accomplish in order to reward his benefactors.
He is convinced of it. Convinced that once this time passes he will find somewhere, at a given moment, "true freedom".
- Take a good look, Cora. I promise to make your dearest wish come true!
This promise vanishes in the sound of the waves.
The culmination of the dream that the young man cherishes is still a long way off.