Why?
For some apparent reason, Penguin turned into a small child. Not only has his body size shrunk, but also his outfit changed from the boiler suit with our Jolly Roger emblem to an oversized white shirt and tattered black shorts. Is this just some of the strange (or normal?) natural phenomenon in the New World, or did he fight with a devil fruit user with the ability to change a person's age and size without my knowing?
I cocked my head and scrutinized him further. Based on his looks, he is probably around 12~13 years old child. He gazed up at me with his expressionless eyes cast with the shadow made by the brim of his hat. I released a long sigh, putting my hand over my face as I massaged my temples. Will Penguin return to an adult again? When? How? But what if he couldn't? Do we have a cure for it? Loads of questions popped into my head. I gazed back at Penguin and said, "Let me study your situation first, Penguin. Don't worry, I will definitely find a way to make you an adult-"
"Are you the adult that hired us for the next mission?"
Penguin suddenly inquired with a high tone childish voice. I arched my eyebrow in confusion but decided to stay silent and listen. Though his face is placid, and his voice was monotone, he was clutching the edge of his shirt, creating multiple wrinkles between his fingers. Is he feeling afraid or taking cautious of me?
"I am Penguin. I also have a companion name, Shachi. I don't know where he is right now, but please don't hurt him if he arrives late-" while listening to his words, I felt my eyes gradually widen in realization, "I will work double his work, so please forgive him- S-sir?"
Penguin was taken aback and dazed when I suddenly sat before him in a hook position as I covered my face with my folded arms on my knees.
So, his memory also returned …I thought as heavy feelings started to weigh my chest. Based on his words, it seems like he does not recognize me, which means this child's appearance is from when he and Shachi were still working under Shachi's aunt and uncle.
I can still remember how much frustrated I became while listening to their past story. After their parents were killed by a tsunami, Shachi's cruel aunt and uncle used them like slaves to conduct illegal activities for their selfish benefit. They would force them to do robbery and smuggle illegal items into the black market. If they fail their mission, they were hardly beaten by their uncle, aunt, or whoever hired them for dirty jobs. Their life was total hell.
I lifted my head and caressed his pate, careful not to slip his favorite cap from his head. At first, Penguin became tensed in fear, for he thought that he might receive a hit from me, but when he realized that I don't have the intention to hurt him, he relaxed and looked at me in total confusion.
"You're safe here, Penguin-" I comforted. "There are no adults here who will hurt you, and your friend, Shachi."
The kid flinched, surprised by my words. "R-really? Do Shachi and I not need to steal money or sell drugs here?" I felt the sting of pain when those words came out of Penguin's mouth. Even a small child like him knows that conducting illegal activities is bad. Sometimes I wonder, why the adults in this world are like immature kids. But I managed to keep my composure and showed my reassuring smile as I placed my hands on his frail shoulders.
"You have my word, Penguin, so relax."
"W-who are you, Sir? Why are you so kind to me?" he inquired with curiosity as he raised his head to level his eyes with mine.
"Me? Well, let's say I will be your and Shachi's future friend and captain." I hastily replied for I couldn't find any explanation at this moment.
"F-Future friend and captain?" he repeated and I gave him a nod, hoping that he will believe my unconvincing words.
"Come, you seemed hungry and tired. What do you want to want to eat? Let us-" my words trailed away when I saw drops of tears flowing down his pale cheeks. It took a few seconds before he realized that he was crying, so he immediately rubbed his eyes with his small hands trying to stop his tears.
"I-I'm sorry, I-I'm sorry-" he apologized with snuffs, still rubbing his eyes as he bent his head forward to cover his face. If I remembered correctly, Penguin and Shachi weren't allowed to cry in front of adults or during work, or else they will be punished by their aunt or uncle. They despised children who cries in front of them. "I just, I am just happy to know that we have a future-"
My eyes widened for a brief moment and felt empathy from his words. I remembered that night when Penguin woke up from his sleep after the surgery. Though he thanked me for saving his life, he grieved and shouted in frustration when he didn't know the reason for his existence. I, too, thought the same way before since my family and my hometown was burned down by foreign kingdoms. I swore in my life that I would destroy everything while I was living in this world. I hated everything. I didn't know why I was even born if my family and I will just end up being infected by an Amber Disease and be massacred. But after I met Cora-san, my life changed. My view of the world changed. Not only he but Junk-ya and the townspeople in Swallow Island too taught me many things which helped me to become human again, and learned what it feels like to be loved and to love other people. Through that, I was able to develop my purpose and goals in life.
I placed my head behind his head and around his shoulders, then embraced him. I was surprised by my action as well, but I felt this is the best thing that I can do for this frail child. "It's okay, Penguin. It's okay." I cooed. "You have gone through a lot of things. Hang on a little longer and soon you will be free, so don't give up on your life, okay?"
Penguin did a sharp gasp at my words, gradually raising his trembling arms and clutching my shirt with his small hands.
"Stay strong with Shachi, and live-" I emphasized the last word, "so that someday you will meet comrades that will change both of your lives. Can you keep that promise with me?" Though I am still a stranger to little Penguin, he nodded many times as he buried his face in my chest. His small shoulders convulsed and finally burst out crying. He wept as if he was releasing all the fears, anxiety, loneliness, frustrations, and anger he kept in himself the whole time. How much pain and suffering did this little child had gone through to survive the adults' abuse? I patted his back and embraced him until he became tired of crying and fell asleep in my arms.
….
"CAPTAIN! WHAT HAPPENED TO ME!?"
I jolted and squeezed my pen in surprise when I heard the sudden exclaim of Penguin simultaneously with the abrupt sliding of the cubicle curtain from behind. "How long was I sleeping? No, before that, why am I even here?" he asked in a total daze and had already slid his both legs down the edge of the bed.
"You suddenly turned into a kid then slept for 8 hours." I laconically answered.
"For real!?" Penguin doubted his ears, but he knows that I am not the type of person who does not give silly jokes so this baffled him even more.
"When I scanned your body, I found out that you ate a small piece of this 'Eastern spice mushroom.'" I said as I lifted the glass jar that keeps these mushrooms from my desk. "I think you mistakenly bought it assuming that this is 'Caesar's mushroom' when we visited the Herb Spice Island yesterday. Well, it cannot be helped since their appearance is almost the same. These mushrooms can only be used for broth purposes, not as a chunk ingredient for a certain recipe. A person who will eat this mushroom will turn into a small child for several hours." I explained as I showed the pictures of the two mushrooms I mentioned. After listening to my explanation, Penguin released a long, disbelief sigh, covering his face with his hand probably feeling embarrassed for his action and for the fact he turned into a small child.
"Captain?" he called while lowering his hand down. I mumbled in reply and beckoned him to speak, wondering what he is about to ask next. "While I was asleep, I had an interesting dream. I was in my kid's appearance and was wandering into an abyss. But then a soft light came out from nowhere and when I turned my head in that direction, you were standing there, also in a kid form, stretching my hand to me-."
Penguin started to share his dream. I felt this will be a good reference for me to study the side effects of Eastern spice mushrooms, so I took the clipboard beside me and click the end cap of the ballpen to jot down notes.
"Shachi and Bepo also appeared in their kid form too. Shachi put his arm around my shoulders, and Bepo took my hand as they led me in your direction. Oh, and also, old man Wolff appeared in my dream too! He gently pushed my back and showed me his wide grin just like when he sent us off when we departed the Swallow Island."
My eyes widened for a brief moment and made me grin when Penguin mentioned Junk-ya's name. I felt nostalgic as flashes of memories in his house and the town where we lived for three years played in my head. I wonder how that old man is doing. It's almost been a decade since we left Swallow Island. I hope he doesn't make accidents so much.
Penguin continued sharing his dream.
"So yeah, I took your hand, and when the four of us walk towards the light, I woke up. End of my mysterious dream. And tada~ I was sleeping for 8 hours." He smiled followed by a long sigh again, probably feeling guilty for wasting his time resting.
"Sorry, Captain. I will work hard to compensate for the 8 hours I-"
"No, it's fine. No need to push yourself too hard. Rest today and work from tomorrow." I immediately said. Penguin is a diligent and responsible person. Since we've lived together in Wolff's house, he always took care of us like an elder brother even though we are not biologically connected. Sometimes, I feel he is working too hard for the crew, from submarine chores to battle against other pirates or marines. I guess this is what we call an 'elder brother's heart?' That's why I want him to rest, and give time for himself. But when I said that, he pursed his lips and sulked, showing that he was not pleased with my order.
I placed my right elbow on an armrest and propped my cheek on my fist with a sigh.
"Hey, Penguin-"
He perks his head while wearing his boot.
"Yes, Captain?"
"Are you happy?"
"-Why all of a sudden?"
"Just answer my question."
He cocked his head to his side, confused, and wondered why I am asking this typical yet sensitive question him. But he beamed and replied.
"I am living my life to the fullest Captain. Heart Pirates is my pride and life! I am grateful that I met you and Bepo that day. On the day when you saved Shachi and my life, we swore to put our life on the line for you, Captain." he said as he stood up from the bed as raised the right sleeve, and showed his scar. "We owe you our life, Law-san." Then showed his big grin.
Hearing his words, I smirked and turned my office chair, and faced my study desk again. His face totally changed compared to the dead, impassive face he was wearing during his little self several hours ago.
"I see, but I won't let you guys throw away your lives for me because I will protect you all. Anyway, you are discharged now," I said, "But I order you to rest today. I already told Shachi to take over your role to cook our dinner tonight. Understood?"
Penguin just pursed his lips again. But a moment later, he uttered an "Ah" as if he remembered something.
"Captain?"
"Hmm?" I mumbled as I continued writing my notes.
"Did you know that I bought two jars of 'that' mushroom-?"
My pen stopped sliding on the paper.
"Do others know about that mushroom?" He asked.
"No- I was immersed in studying about this mushroom…" now I started to have a bad feeling. "I heard that Shachi is going to make an Old-fashioned Beef Stew tonight," I said as I slowly turned my office chair towards the other. "Are there any other mushrooms you bought aside from Eastern spice mushrooms?" I inquired and leaned my body forward while intertwining my fingers before my face.
Penguin just stood there for a few moments without saying a word then shook his head.
Our faces turned grim then we dashed out of the infirmary.
THE END.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I was inspired to write this short story after reading One Piece fan manga on Twitter. The story plot is not entirely my idea, but most of it is based on my imagination. I also mentioned a few scenes from One Piece: Law Novel (which is also mentioned in One Piece Wiki), so for readers who did not read the novel yet, I encouraged you to read (especially if you are a Law and Heart Pirates fan XD) so that you can understand my story better.
I hope you all enjoyed reading the story~ Thank you~
