Chapter 35
-A year later-
Law stepped onto the deck to feel the icy wind on his face.
A year had passed since he last saw the revolutionary. A year without knowing anything about her. He didn't even know if she was still alive, since he didn't have her Vivre Card.
"Not even a fucking letter or call. Fucking woman"
He was looking for her all over the Grand Line, asking about her on every island they went to.
Many people thought they had seen her, but she was never in one place for more than two days. She was in constant motion and it was impossible to find her.
He asked Luffy that, if he saw her, to tell him immediately, but the new Pirate King didn't knew about her either. Her whereabouts were a mystery.
Finally, exhausted, Law decided it was time to take a break. He ordered his crew to set sail for North Blue.
-To North Blue? - Penguin asked - After so long?
-I feel like going home - he replied - We haven't seen Wolf in a long time. He will be concerned about us.
Sachi, Penguin and Bepo were excited. After 10 years, they would finally return to Pleasure Town. The place where the four met and lived their adolescence together.
-Yes, captain!
Law needed a break. The past few years had been completely insane. He had been a Shichibukai, he had fought Doflamingo, he had fought in Wano's war against Kaido, he had participated in the World War where the dictatorship of the World Government finally ended. In addition, the One Piece race had been crazy. Luckily, Luffy had finally found the great treasure, because Law was honestly already tired of that story.
He was only 27 years old, but he wanted to withdraw from all that madness now.
They all went out to the sea for different reasons. His reason was to avenge Cora-san's death, which he had finally accomplished. Shachi and Penguin wanted to see the world, and they did. Bepo wanted to meet his older brother Zepo, but unfortunately he died, althroug he was able to bury him with dignity and return to his land with the Mink to tell them that he was fine.
Along the way, they had made incredible friendships, had added up to 20 new nakamas to their crew...
They had already done everything they set out to do.
-And now that? - he asked himself. He had no goal left. No goal other than to live the life Cora-san had given him.
Finally, after a month of sailing, they reached the island of Pleasure Town.
-Fuck - Shachi said - It's almost the same as I remembered...
-Yeah, there are things that never change - replied the captain.
-We must find Wolf-san! - exclaimed Bepo excitedly.
-Don't scream! - Shachi scolded him.
-Sorry... - the polar bear replied sadly.
-Don't get depressed Bepo - Law encouraged him - Wolf will be happy to see us.
He gave his subordinates permission to do whatever they wanted as long as they were resting on the island, so they all ran excitedly into the city.
-Aren't you coming to the town, Captain? - Ikkaku asked, the only woman of his crew.
-No, we have to go to the forest. If anything happens, call me with this Den Den Mushi.
-Yes, captain!
The four pirates walked to that small country house in the middle of the forest.
-Ahhhh - said Penguin enthusiastically - This place brings back so many memories!
The four of them began to remember the old days.
-You two really beat the shit out of me - Bepo trembled - I still remember it.
-Can you stop reminding us that!? We already ask for your forgiveness! - exclaimed Penguin annoyed.
Law smiled too. They had started off on the wrong foot, but had become almost brothers. He would trust those three with his life without a second thought. And he knew it was the same for them.
Finally, they reached Wolf's house, the man who had welcomed them for so many years. In addition, he also gave them the Polar Tang.
-Wolf-san? - Bepo asked as he entered slowly.
They didn't find him inside.
-He must be in his laboratory - Shachi said - He was always with his stupid useless inventions.
The four walked to the man's laboratory, where they finally saw him.
Wolf turned and looked at them.
The old man's eyes filled with tears.
-Fucking brats! You're really back!
Wolf hugged all four tightly.
-But look at you! - he exclaimed while looking at Law - How much you have grown up, little bastard! You sure are the popular type with women, right?
He also praised the other three.
-You all have grown up a lot, the four of you! - Wolf started whinning.
-We wanted to visit you.
-And it took you 10 fucking years to do it? - Wolf asked annoyed, but with a disguised smile - A little more and you come to visit me at my grave!
The boys apologized and everyone laughed.
Wolf took them to his house to invite them to eat, but Penguin offered to cook just like the old days.
-Don't worry Wolf-san, I'm a cook after all.
-Thank goodness, finally someone useful - Wolf replied, sighing.
Law looked around the house.
-I have noticed that the house is... a little more tidy. Do you live with someone?
Wolf smiled.
-Well, the truth is that I do, actually - he approached them with a funny grimace - With a woman, and she's a beauty, I should introduce her to you~
-A woman!? Have you remarried, Wolf-san? - Shachi asked impressed.
-Don't be an idiot, she's younger than you!
-I didn't know you were into younger woman, Junk-ya - Law teased him.
-Shut up brat! - he sighed - She's a great kid, but has suffered a lot, I can see it on her face.
-And why does she live with you?
-I found her about to die in a cave, what's more, in the place where I first found you, brat - he pointed out to Law.
Law was surprised.
-And where is she? - Bepo asked.
-In the forest, in the house where your uncles used to live, Shachi.
Shachi went silent for a second.
-Is that so?
-Now that house is an orphanage. She takes care of the kids. We both rescued them.
The pirates were impressed.
-Wolf... that's incredible - Law said surprised.
-Meh, it's all thanks to her. That girl had a notebook where she wrote down dozens of children's names. It is seen that they were all slaves in Marijoa until the World War exploded.
-And did you find them all?
-Of course not, don't be stupid. I stayed here and she traveled all over Grand Line and North Blue looking for them. Many of them died before she could find them.
All four were speechless.
-I want to meet her! - Shachi exclaimed - And even more if she's a beauty!
-That damn girl is quite tall, at most I see her with Law, since he's more or less the same height. Really, what the hell do you kids eat these days?
Law moved his hand.
-I'm not interested in you looking for a partner for me, Junk-ya.
-Oh? Really? - he approached the raven haired boy and hit him with his elbow - Don't tell me you have a girlfriend.
Shachi, Penguin and Bepo signaled him not to continue talking about it.
-Not exactly - Law replied without much emotion.
-Well, this really is a beautiful girl. At least be a gentleman and meet her! After all, if you stay here she will also be living under the same roof.
Law sighed.
All five climbed into the car that Wolf had created several years ago.
-And how is she like? - Shacho asked curiously - If you like her, she must be super nice.
-Mmmm - Wolf remained thoughtful - I couldn't tell you. She's an odd girl.
-Why?
-She's so fucking quiet and has a quite... expressionless face - Wolf dropped a drop of sweat behind his head - Let's say she's not adorable at all. With that poker face of hers, she will never get married!
Torrential rain began to fall.
-We must hurry, poor girl will be getting all wet - Wolf looked at his watch - Hell, I promised her that I would bring her to the city for provisions, thank goodness she never gets angry. Look, that's a good trait about her, she has more patience than a fucking tree.
Finally, the five of them made it to the huge mansion that once belonged to Shachi's uncles. They parked the vehicle and got out.
They saw a woman in the distance. She covered herself from the rain with a book over her head. She wore a long and very simple dress, typical of the peasants in the area.
-Could it be that... she's missing an arm? - Penguin observed from a distance.
-Huh? Ah yes, she said she lost it during war - Wolf answered without giving it too much importance - What a shame, such beauty being armeless!
Wolf observed that the four of them stopped dead in their tracks and fell suddenly silent.
-What? - he observed how they looked at her with their mouths open - Do you know her?
The girl finally turned as she hear male voices speaking. She was also surprised to see them.
-You must be fucking kidding me... - said Law.
-What?
But Law ignored Wolf and ran towards the pink-haired woman.
-It's Mina-chan! - exclaimed Bepo happily.
-So you do know her... - Wolf said surprised - Why do you know her?
-Ehhhh - Penguin didn't know how to explain it, but finally decided to say it without further ado - She's Law's lover.
-Or so we believe - Shachi seconded - The truth is that, they have a strange-ass relationship...
Wolf dropped the toolbox he carried with him.
He remembered that she had told him about a man when they met. And to think that she was referring to the brat he let live in his house for so many years. And that she ended up on that little island in North Blue... it was all too coincidental, it seemed to be done on purpose.
-Damn, the sea used to be a bigger place...
When Mina saw Law in the distance, she couldn't believe it was really him. A year had passed since she left. A year without contacting him in any way.
She saw him approach her.
"He must be furious" she thought.
Mina was prepared to get slapped or yelled.
But none of that happened.
Law simply stared at her with an incredulous gaze.
She smiled.
-Law...
For a second, Mina thougt he was gonna cry, but instead, he hugged her tightly.
She felt her own tears on her throat.
-Sorry...
-Don't... - he interrupted her - Just... don't say anything.
They both hugged each other in silence for a long time.
Finally, Law broke away from her and stared at her.
Her hair had grown back, and now instead of picking it up in a low ponytail, she wore it in a low bun, but her bangs were still messy and with a lock in the center long enough to cover part of her face.
Law smiled.
-I'm glad to see you again.
She smiled back at him, but this time she did drop a couple of tears.
-I am also glad to see you.
He collected her tears.
-Don't cry - Law said with a smile as tried to hold back his own tears - Please.
-Really - she sobbed silently - I'm really glad to see you.
They both listened to the pouring rain fall while they were inside the bathtub filled with hot water.
Mina leaned her back against Law's chest and closed her eyes.
She felt him wrap his arms around her.
-You really waited for me...
-What else could I have done?
-Get on with your life. What I did ... was wrong. I shouldn't have left like that, even less after everything you did for me.
-I could have done it - he sighed - But I guess I just wanted to be with you.