Chapter 10
The next few days are pretty normal. I have genuinely come to like my crew mates I feel alive in the desert sun. It reminds me of Alabama in the summer. Summer vacation when I was as free as a bird. While everyone else, especially Bepo, are sweating lakes. I relish the fresh air while I can get it. Surprisingly enough, we leave Alabasta without causing any major disturbance. I'm not complaining, though.
Alas, we fall back into our normal pattern back on the sub. I help with the cooking, next I train, followed by more cooking, then I assist Penguin in piloting the sub, and then I pass out exhausted. The routine would have become monotonous, except that the crew seems to have a never ending supply of stories. I assume that these stories are filled with hyperboles, if they are real at all. I don't care if they are true or not.
The next island we reach is Drum Island. At some point Law picked up, stole, or blackmailed someone for an eternal log pose that was set for Drum Island. His dream to become the greatest doctor in the world was the reason for this minor setback.
"I hate the cold. I hate snow. I hate ice. I hate this island." I complain. "What are you talking about? This feels great!" Everyone else replies. Kaz throws a jacket to me. "Thanks," I tell him. We set out for the village, minus Shachi who is keeping watch over the ship. Law has given all of my weapons back to me. This is a sign of trust, I presume. I trail behind Bepo and walk in his footprints. I'm the only one who does this. Law, Penguin, Kaz, and obviously Bepo are reinvigorated by the -10 degree weather. As we draw close to town we hear a fight.
A group of no name pirates is raising Cain against Fire Fist Ace. We stop on the outer perimeter and observe the fight. One down, two, four, seven, twelve, and then I lose count. It takes Ace about a minute to finish off this ragtag pirate crew. Rookies. Ace steps back to admire his handiwork.
"Not too bad for someone like yourself." Law comments. "Do you want to join them?" Ace asks pugnaciously. "I don't see why I should, because I can give the order that will take your life away in an instant." Law brags. Pirates have never been accused of being humble. He's talking about me. I wish he hadn't mentioned me. I was perfectly fine with flying under the radar and out of notice. "As if." Ace challenges. "Things are not always as they seem." Law advises. He turns his attention away from Ace and to the nearby buildings.
Law strides toward the nearest bar. Most people would assume he's going in for a drink, but what he really desires is information. It would hurt his ego to ask Ace for directions. Underneath his psycho facade Law is more complicated. He's astoundingly brilliant, when it comes to medicine. He is the most dedicated, egoistic, cruel, and calculating man I've ever met. We follow our captain into the bar.
The bar has a fire blazing in the center of it. Like a moth to light, I immediately crouch near the warmth. As Law gets information from the bar tender Ace squats next to me. "What was your captain telling the truth when he said he could give the order that would kill me?" Ace asks seriously. "Yes." I answer. "How would he do that? I'm the second division commander of the Whitebeard pirates. Tell him that he needs to get his head out of the clouds." Ace says playfully. I turn my head to face him and say, "Some people can really surprise you." I am not going to surrender that information easily. He can try to pick my mind all day, but I have enough cryptic advice to last a week. "Who is going to surprise me? You?" Ace asks. "You never know." I respond bluntly. He looks back at the fire. He must have given up on getting information from me. I could tell Ace what will happen if he refuses to give up on chasing Blackbeard. He wouldn't want his brother to die. Opening my mouth wouldn't change anything. In the real world I loved Ace. Here, it's another story. I look out for number one first, because my friend depends on my life. To have knowledge that would save another's life, but to withhold it from them is frightening. I could change the whole course of history with a conversation at a bar.
Law comes up from behind me and says, "Let's go." I hop up and follow him out of the bar. The snow is really starting to come down now. We find the doctors after trekking a mile on a barely perceptible path. Law waltzes into a dull prison like two story building. "So, this is the hospital of the world's greatest doctors?" I question hesitantly. For all I know Law might want to chop off my head for doubting the skill of these individuals.
After two weeks of freezing our butts off we leave this sun forsaken island. We gain another crew member. Ruyi was a fair skinned, towheaded, medical student of average height. He is the only person that is shorter than I am. He is impatient, energetic, and he almost beat Bepo when they fought. I can't hold a conversation with Ruyi without wanting to strangle him. He's always on the move. All I want is for him to stand still when I talk to him.