A new player is added to the board. perhaps this will allow me to escape my wretched fate.

"Bark Bark!"

A small almost white pup barks in excitement running around a cart being pulled by a old man in descent shape his berd and beanie the only things that stand out. "all right Chouchou relax well make it to town in no time!"

"Honestly, that pup can be too full of energy sometimes." I say to myself, but I wouldn't have him any other way. he certainly makes life more interesting at the shop I'll say that much. still, I'm getting on in years and will probably have to take fewer trips like these soon enough. I just can't help it though the prices are much cheaper for supplies the town over not to mention the fancy new hospital they have. they started construction last time I was in. maybe they'll have it built up by now. Heavens knows I'm due for a check-up sometime soon.

I take a look up in the sky noting the grey clouds overhead. For these last few week its been constant storms. Theres been a lul lately and i needed to get supplies in. not to mention chouchous cabin fever. Its no wonder hes acting so hyper. Still, cant get too relaxed here. It still looks like a monsoons going to hit anytime now. Luckily i can already make out some buildings in the distance. Well be able to get in soon.

I look at the shore next to me. I can see all sorts off debris and flotsum from the storms weve been having. Looks like chouchous trying to get a new stick with him sniffing the beach. As long as its not too big he can keep it. Heck last time the lucky little guy found a huge whale bone. Probably explains why he always sniffs around everytime we pass a beach.

"Bark Bark Bark Bark Grrrr Bark!!!"

hmm? that's odd. I've never heard Chouchou that frantic before. I roll my cart on by as I see what exactly he's barking at. "What is it, boy? something washed up on the shore?" he runs up to me still frantic I look over to see. There's a pile of refuse but I don't see anything of note. "Relax boy it just looks like some flotsam that drifted here from the storm. Chouchou suddenly darts off the path and straight into the pile! "Wha- Chouchou! What's gotten into you?! come back!" he ignores me and frantically digs. even odder, Chouchou's never disobeyed me like that before. not since he was a little puppy. something is wrong. I jog over as he seems, even more, wound up jumping and pawing at it. I catch my breath and wonder exactly what could be in there to cause all this hubbub.

That's when I smell it. A heavy iron scent came from the junk. Then I see something that puts a shiver down my spine.

Blood is pooling at the bottom of the pile.

I start helping to pull away driftwood, seaweed, and old rope. Looks like it belonged on a ship. Probably part of some wreck. As we go deeper I think I see cloth of some sort somewhere in the middle. As chouchou pulls off a piece of tattered sail we see him. Laying on his left side is a young man with glasses and short dark hair. his pail skin accentuating the freckles on his body. Medium height and build from what I can guess.

Hrrm,hermmm. I shake my head and jump into action as chouchou tugs on this youngens shirt and whines fitfully. As I go and grab him I suddenly see the damage he sustained. It's no wonder I could smell the blood so strongly. A part of me wonders if he's even alive but this close I'm able to feel a heartbeat and see his chest rise and fall. Although both appear to be done very weakly.

Still, at the very least I have to try. I pull him further from the pile when something suddenly falls from his shirt. I start to worry that something very personal of his fell out. Looking closer however my eyes could hardly believe it. "Is this?! I-I thought they were…"

I trail off as I grab it and make my way to the cart where chouchou was waiting for me. The first aid kit was in his jaw. "Good boy chouchou!" I say as I pat his head. He was always a sharp one.

I put it away and started dressing his wounds. Unfortunately, it won't be much. I had this kit in case I get a slight injury while traveling. Nothing like what this young man has, unfortunately. It should still be enough to get him some proper help at least. I hurry back to the rail and start pushing. Chouvhou runs ahead of me, looking back to not lose sight of us and barking as he goes.

I can only hope we make it in time.

"How is--ring."

Wha?

"Well, he's--to be--."

Who is?

"well, that's good-- least."

What's going on?

I slowly come to, my eyelids feeling heavy and my whole body along with them as well. I'm barely opening them when I see a man in a lab coat and an old timer with a small beard or goatee with a beanie. I don't know these people. where am I? a hospital? was there an accident? I see them continue their conversation their voices a little clearer to me.

"it was a good thing you came when you did. any longer and the blood loss would have sent him into shock." 'Old beanie' nods grimly at that. "I'm surprised that it would have just been blood loss. I mean with him..." he trails off looking down eyes unfocused and almost haunted. "Yes, but thanks to your actions you saved this young man's life. now your still unsure of his identity?"

'old beanie' nods "I haven't seen him before, and I know everyone in my town and a lot from this one as well." the doctor looks down at his clipboard and makes some notes. "Well, I suppose we won't have any answers until he wakes up. it should be soon now that we have that medicine in his system. we just must be patient." he makes his way to the door. "I'll be back to check on him after I do my rounds. until then, if you wish to stay or leave that will be up to you." with that he leaves, and the door closes with a click.

'old beanie' looks down. "Chouchou do me a favor and keep an eye on things I'll be back, just need to use the bathroom and get some water." he then follows suit. I try to move but it's difficult. half of my limbs feel so stiff that they don't even respond. I groan in pain and frustration.

"ruff!"

I blink at what I just heard. There's no way, right? I look over my bed and lo and behold there it is. a little dog sitting down staring right back at me. "Ruff!"

huh? that's unexpected. I'm not complaining though. I am an animal person." hey little guy holding down the fort?" "Bark bark!" well at least the bedside manner is impeccable if nothing else. I reach down to him, but something is wrong. my arm why isn't it? how wrapped up is it? I take my left hand and feel around to see the damage but why? why can't I? I pull at the bandages and try to see. try too. try too!

"argh! get off you stupid!" I try harder and harder to take off these damn bandages! ignoring the frantic barking next to me when suddenly the door bursts open and there is 'old beanie' rushing toward me. "Calm down son they just bandaged you up your wounds will reopen otherwise." he grabs my arm and restrains me until I calm down. I hyperventilate. unable to come to terms with just what I couldn't feel, what I couldn't find. "My arm. what happened to..." I trail off as a panic attack starts to engulf me. 'Old bean' looks me in the eye "listen you need to breathe with me you're in a hospital right now your safe here now breath with me. breath in" inhale. "And out." exhale. we go on like that until I calm down. he steps back and asks me. "Are you okay now?" I look at him and then I look down back at my arm. "I don't know." I bring my left back arm up to my right side again and the look on the old man's face is enough to confirm it.

I'm missing my right arm.

Time passed, and the doctor returned giving me the whole picture. not just my arm but my right leg and eye as well are gone. Hocker aka old bean had found me on the outskirts of town when Chouchou the dog sniffed me out and found me on the beach Hocker then brought me to his cart and rushed me to the hospital as fast as he could. "I guess I owe you guys. you saved my life." Hocker waves me off with a grin. "Think nothing of it. honestly, Chouchou deserves most of the credit. if he hadn't sniffed you out well that's better left unsaid, I think" I pet Chouchou absentmindedly while he made himself comfortable on my lap. "Well, I'll be sure to give him a bone and steak dinner later."

"ahem." the doctor cleared his throat." while I hate to ruin the mood, but I think it's time to talk about what brought you here." that sobers us up as we sit at attention." can you tell us exactly what happened?" I think about it and. nothing. I have nothing. absolutely nothing. I look up shocked that I can't remember anything. "I don't know. It's all blank" I say in a small voice. "Hmm." the doctor cups his chin. "that's not surprising. the amount of trauma you've sustained more ten likely is the culprit." he looks up back at me. "Is there anything you can tell us? Are there any friends, or family that we can contact over the transponder snail? maybe the name of the place you're from?" I try to rack my brain for anything just anything but "nothing." I whisper. Hocker looks at me in concern and the doctor frowns and makes more notes." I see, well until then I believe an overnight stay will be in order." we look at him in surprise. "More than likely this amnesia will take time to correct itself. while the tragic accident probably won't be remembered your earlier memories should come back promptly." I relax at that. hopeful that the doctor's words will ring true. "Thanks, doc"

"it is no problem now onto the next issue at hand. your future" the doctor raises a brow and looks between us. right, I'm pretty much left with nothing with half my limbs and missing an eye. not to mention nowhere to go. "I guess" I start to say before Hocker interrupts me. "He guesses that he'll have to take up my spare bed at the homestead. I look at him in confusion." Hocker?! what are you-?" he interrupts me again. "Well, it's not like I have anything better to do with my time besides running my shop. besides, Chouchou is practically begging me to keep you ain't that right boy?" he scratches his ears as a whine escapes him while he's fast asleep in my lap.

I'm honestly stunned, speechless. "H-hocker you don't-" he raises his wand stopping my protest "ah I don't want to hear it. I can't possibly let someone in such dire straits as you" well I can't argue with that. the fact that he's my only option doesn't help either. "Thanks, Hocker I appreciate this, really."

the doctor decided to put in now with a piece of paper. "Well, now that we have that out of the way I have your treatment plan right here. normally allow a bit more time for our patients to recover but your wounds are healing rather well and the storm from last night has given us problems with overcrowding. so, if you're willing to check out early, I have no reason to stop you." ah, that would explain those bags under his eyes. he handed us some stacks of paper and headed for the door. just look over those papers, they contain his discharge and his recovery plan, and at the end are some acquisition forms for some items you'll need such as his prosthetic and eye patch." well at least he's through but wait. "Prosthetic? singular?" the doc at least looks apologetic at that. "Unfortunately, there isn't enough of your arm to fit a prosthetic arm on, but we do have the means for a peg leg. it's not glamorous but it is functional."

well, that sucks. although it could be worse. "I'll make do. just got to follow the doctors' orders and I'll be back in shape in no time." the doctor laughed at that one. "Ha, if only I had more patients that had that attitude." he makes his way to the door before turning to us. "By the way visiting hours will be ending in 15 minutes I suggest talking things over before the big day tomorrow."

click*

And then there were three. I decided to ask the important question first. "Why are you helping me so much? it's like you said I'm a stranger to you why would you want to help me a perfectly good stranger." Hocker turns to me and grins "Is it so wrong to do the right thing?" I couldn't help but stare at him, jaw open. "Besides, I could use a cashier that way I can focus on other parts of my business."

I snap my jaw shut. "Well, thanks. Really, ill make sure to do my best." I then gesture to my literal lesser half. "As long as you can be patient with my condition."

Hocker put a hand on my shoulder and gave me a reassuring smile. "Just remember to focus on healing first. No need to stress yourself on my account." he stands up and stretches. Chouchou hops down and shakes away the sleep. "Now then, I think you need your rest. I'll get to you in the morning. The doc should have everything you need to take with you when it's time to check out."

He waves back at me while he's heading out the door. Chouchou gives one last "Bark!" before scampering after his master. I take a deep breath and flop myself back into the bed. A lot happened in the span of less-than-an-hour. To top it all off the first time I woke up is as far back as I can remember! My life story of waking up freaking out and having an old guy show up out of nowhere and not only save my life but give me a job to help me get back on my feet.

I turn to my side and stare out my window hoping that maybe an answer will suddenly appear. Answers like. Who am I? What am I? Where did I come from? What do I even know about myself? I know the last one at least. 'Not much'. I can't even name my favorite color. Do I even know my favorite color?!

I close my eyes and try to sleep. I can only hope that rest and time will give me those answers. Honestly, it's almost funny. I could have sworn I saw that dog before. Something about him, about his owner. I could almost feel something when I first saw them. They didn't recognize me so I doubt we crossed any paths with each other. I start to drift asleep taking me as these thoughts go through my head like counted sheep.

Still.

Why would they be so familiar?

—--

keep an eye on the store for me

Hi, my name is Tay— –-ker! T-A-Y—-- —-K-E-R!

this pet store is his treasure

You really love Tigger, don't you?

barking filled with anger frustration and no small amount of sadness.

~Yo ho ho and a bite of gum-gum!~

this was all I can save. You were pretty brave defending this place huh?

AAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!

CRASH

—--

GAH!-thud!-ow.

Well, that's a great way to start the day. I sit back up and rub my head. "Urgh, I can't believe I fell out the bed. I haven't done that since-" I stop eyes wide open and I drag myself as fast as I could to the chart at my bed the only piece of pen and paper I know of in the room. I grab it and turn the clipboard around and write. Hocker, my name, a woman possibly my mom, Chouchou in front of a burning building, a pirate show?, some guy giving dog food to Chouchou, a scream, and-

Wham! I slam my fist into the floor. Breathing heavily and sweating like I ran a marathon. My limbs are trembling and I stare back at my notes. I remember things. Things about myself I even have a name now or at least part of one. Doesn't matter though. It doesn't matter that I look like a psychopath writing down his mad scribblings. It doesn't matter that I got myself new bruises just trying to get a scrap of paper. It doesn't matter. Because I finally have something I can call my own. Something that's a part of me.

I sit back up and flip over the clipboard back to the first page. I stare at the first line.

NAME: John Doe

I bring the pen up and cross out the John Doe and next to it I slowly write down what I remembered.

NAME: -John Doe- Tayker

I stare at it. One little word. A mangled-up jumble of letters of a partial memory. But it's mine. I have an identity. Something that makes me more, a person. wiping my face of tears and snot. I can't stop the smile I have on my face. Who knew such a simple thing could have such a huge impact?

—--

And just because you are at a hospital doesn't mean that you can rough yourself up as you did! YOU. NEED. REST!

The euphoria I felt this morning was quickly snuffed out by the loud and painfully truthful words of my attending physician. A nurse came in a little after my little breakdown and freaked out at the partially limbless patient laughing and crying on the floor over a piece of paper. They haven't stopped chewing me out since.

Hocker arrived with chouchou in tow with his wagon. He had been quietly chickling at me while the hospital staff nagged at me. Eveything got situated with all of my meager things along with the supplies Hocker brought in town. While Hocker talks to the doctor no doubt reassuring him that I won't mentally break on his watch I look over the wares. I never got a chance to ask him what exactly he does. Looking here it might be a pet shop. I see an assortment of things pet toys, colors, leashes, some litter, a bird cage, (had a shudder go through me for some reason when I caught sight of it., )and a few bags of bird cat, and dog….food?

this was all I can save. You were pretty brave defending this place huh?

Yeah, looking at it. It's almost the same box. I pick it up and take a closer look when Hocker came back. "Well, we're good to go! Unless your feeling misty-eyed about the catheters." absentmindedly i replied. "Probably, but not for the reasons your thinking of." I put the box down and turn to him. " Heyocker what do you do anyway. I forgot to ask." Hocker gets behind the bar and starts pushing the cart. "I own a pet store. I was actually on my way to pick up more supplies when we found you."

Looking at the cart and its supplies I can tell that more could be added. "I'm guessing you couldn't stock up as much with me here?" I ask while rubbing the back of my head in embarrassment. jeez, tayker not only is he having to carry your fat self but now your affecting his livelihood too?

Hocker turned back and pinned me with a serious look on his face. "Now don't feel like I'm suffering here. I have enough supplies to last me through the week. Besides with you manning the registers when you recover, I can take longer trips. It's a win-win all around."

I nod and things go into a comfortable silence. I look around and see the town we're in. cobblestone streets line the road and small but comfortable-looking houses give off a rustic yet industrialized look to this town and the hustle and bustle of the people give off a relaxed small-town vibe to this place. Weirdly I look around and expect to find something else on these streets. Something large, metal, and loud. I brush the feeling off and continue our talk. "So where are we anyway. I never got to learn about the location with everything going on yesterday."

Hocker looked shocked before nodding his head in understanding. "right since you just learned your name you probably need help relearning everything else." he cleared his throat and gestured around with his right hand whilst still pushing with his left. "This great pace is orange town! 40 years ago this place was nothing but a dream for a better life after pirates destroyed our previous town."

I whistle in appreciation. "*whistle* that had to be tough. But I can appreciate getting a fresh start."

"Yup, it's hard work but very rewarding pulling together and building something from the ground up." he looked ahead and grinned. "Speaking of which here we are!" we pulled up to a squat one-story building. The sign hanging out front with the word pet on it leaves no doubt about it. We made it to the pet shop.

Hocker and Chouchou hopped off the wagon and started moving to the front door. "Now just wait there and we can get everything set up. I friend of mine usually comes over around this time to give me a hand with unloading. If he's not too busy that is."

I nod as I take a look at the streets. There aren't a lot of people around as far as I can tell. Only saw a few while going in. " hey Hocker, where is everyone anyway. I barely saw anyone while we got through town."

Hocker finished unlocking his door and made his way over to start unloading. "That was intentional I made sure to go through a quiet street to avoid too much attention. You'll meet everyone eventually but for now, we'll wait a bit and get you settled first."

I nod gratefully. He's not wrong. Between the semi-coma and lack of limbs, I'm still warm out and I didn't even do that much. Hopefully, with physical therapy, I'll be able to do something a normal person can do.

I was about to say something when we heard a voice. "There you are Hocker! I was waiting on your usual route through the town. When you took so long to show up I thought something happened! It's already a day later than when you said you would be back I started to get worried." Strolling up to us in a huff was a man about the same age and same highs as Hocker although he has puffier and longer hair and a more serious air about him.

Hocker raised his hand with a smile. "Boodle! Just in time, I was just about to unload think you can give me a hand?" Boodle sighed as he came over. "Don't try to change the subject. What happened? It normally doesn't take so long for a supply run so what could have-" "afternoon." "Likewise. Take so long-" boodle stopped as he realized that I just spoke with him in the middle of his nagging tirade. A nag-ease if you will.

He looked over to me and slowly turned back to Hocker. "Who is that exactly?" Hocker walked over and spun boodle around towards me and with an arm over his shoulder made the introductions. "Hocker meet tayker, tayker meet boodle the Mayer, and good friend of mine." I did a two-finger mock salute. "Nice to meet you, mister Mayer."

The shock started to fade as the Mayer started to take in my appearance and turned back to the pet shop owner with confusion replacing the look on his face. "Hocker what exactly happened while you were out!"

Hocker looked a little embarrassed and started to explain. "Well to be honest this just sort of happened."

I put in my two cents as well "to be fair he did want to expand the business it only makes to start with a rescue." I say while gesturing to myself. Hocker started to laugh as boodle looked gobsmacked. "But-you-ah-I." Hocker smacked him in the back to knock some sense back in him. "Relax boodle chouchou found this young man while I was getting more stock. Good thing too otherwise I'm not sure what would have happened."

Boodle regained his composure and tried to get everything in order again. "We'll yes I see. Do you think you can explain to the beginning though?"

Hocker explained everything from the discovery on the beach to the hospital and then right to when he showed up. "And here we are," Hocker explained as he put the last of the supplies up. We were inside the shop. Hocker did some multitasking explaining while he and boodle did the work. I was sitting down with chouchou in my lap so he didn't get into the food.

Boodle had a hand on his chin digesting what he had explained to him. "I see. That certainly would hold you up for quite a bit." He turned to back to me. "This must be hard for you right now. I'm sorry for the rude behavior earlier." He finished with a bow. I wave him off hoping to get back on the right foot with him. "Na it's fine. It's not like you would have known."

Boodle raises his head back up. "Be that as it may it still doesn't diminish what you have been through so far. I hope you can be rest assured that I will do everything I can as Mayer to see that your transition into our town is a smooth one." I bow to him now. "Thanks, Mayer boodle it means a lot to me." He waved me off. "Please call me boodle. Most of my friends do." He then turned to Hocker with his arms crossed. "But Hocker I sure hope you know what you're doing. Taking care of a freshly crippled young man is not the same as taking care of a puppy." Boodle then quickly turns to me with a bit of sweat on his forehead. "Er, No offense." I shrug it off easily enough. "None taken. I'm honestly kind of in the same boat as you are. There isn't exactly a manual to cover everything about what I'm gonna go through. The paper the doctor gave us only counting so far."

Hocker had a serious look on his face as he looked at us. "I know this won't be easy for any of us but I can't we'll just leave some young man by his lonesome after going through so much to save him. And if I did I would never forgive myself.

Boodle looks a lot more accepting after his explanation. A little surprised and touched too. "Hocker…"

Hocker then gave a cheeky grin and ruined the moment for us "not to mention I can finally pawn off register duty to someone else now Hahahaha!"

Boodle then proceeded to chop at him on my behalf. "You dumbass! Just when I thought you would start acting your age!"

I couldn't help it I just start laughing over what I'm seeing. "Hahahahaha well, I'll try to lend a hand as much as I can I only have the one though!"

At that Hocker tried to hold in his laughter and boodle just groaned and put his head in his hand. "Don't worry I can put my best foot forward. Just the one though."

Hocker had to cover his mouth now. Mostly at boodle covering his face with both hands and groaning even loader. "Ohhhh" I then give the coup de grace. "I mean at the very least I'll be able to keep an eye on the pla-whoooa!"

Apparently, chouchou is a natural critic because he tackled me and put his paws on my mouth to shut me up. Hocker now fell to the floor and proceeded to sweep it with his back with how much he was rolling back and forth while laughing his head off. Hocker just nodded in approval at chouchous betrayal. "We'll at least SOMEONE here can be the mature one here."

Hocker got up and dusted himself off still a little red-faced from laughing. "Oh come on boodle give me a little more credit. I took care of chouchou and he's turned out fine. It's not like I'm looking after a baby. I'm too far in the years for something like that."

Boodle turned to Hocker arms crossed in a serious pose. "Still, just remember that if either of you needs help this town always looks after its own. Don't be afraid to come to us for help."

We all nod. Even chouchou. Hocker then puts a hand on my shoulder before stating to the Mayer. "No need to worry. We'll manage we always do here."

Hocker then stretches and lets out a yawn. "Now that the excitement passed I'm already feeling the traveling catch up with me. Boodle if you don't mind perhaps you could give this lad a tour of the town. Do yet said he needs to get used to his crutch before he can get a new prosthetic leg in."

Boodle nodded at him and started to help me up. "Sounds good. Having to have some extra cargo probably didn't help either. I can show him around a bit. Let him get used to his new surroundings."

I shrugged. I think I've always had an easy attitude toward things I guess. Good to know. "Sounds fine to me. If it helps me learn to get around better I'll take the chance."

Hocker nodded and headed to the back. "Sounds good. Take chouchou with you. He could use the exercise and I won't have to worry about him getting into the stock while I'm not looking. I'll have dinner ready when you all get back."

I look to boodle with a confused expression because what? "Does chouchou usually eat the merchandise?"

Boodle helps me out the door with chouchou in tow. "You'd be surprised. It's almost supernatural how he can eat so many boxes without anyone noticing." I listen as I hobble along listening to his story. Chouchou almost looks proud with his head held high and marching in front of us.

——————————————

As their voices faded I hurry to my room and headed to the safe in my bedroom. I had it installed myself when I nearly had my deed to my house taken by accident when I handed a customer their receipt. I open it up and carefully put the precious cargo in.

It's wrong of me to do especially considering Tayker's circumstances but until I have a better understanding of his character it's better for everyone involved to keep this away for safekeeping. I'll tell him someday but right now he must focus on his recovery before being handed something like this.

Honestly, I'm not even sure that this was his, to begin with. Still, I don't desire anything this thing could give me, and if my young friend makes far better use of it than I could.

I will tell him but for now, this is for the best.

Right?

————————————

"What?"

"I said to the right!" The marine grimaces at being reprimanded. It's not his fault he didn't hear right the doc has an 8-foot-long tongue always sticking out how is he supposed to hear everything perfectly?

He still doesn't know why he's here. Doesn't this guy have the funds to get lab assistants to do this grunt work I'm a marine I should be fighting for justice not arranging garbage. I guess it could be worse. At least I not being under orders from Akainu. *shudder* I still get chills whenever I smell cooked pork.

While lost in thought about cooked meat and volcanic tempers I was unaware of the large shadow cast by an even larger forehead of the head scientist in charge.

—--

Whack! "Ouch!

"If you have time to daydream then you have more than enough time to get moving with my equipment! Remember to place it to the right of the room, not the left. I have everything organized how I want it and it would be disastrous if even a bolt was misplaced." the marine nods and grumbles as he makes his way further into the complex. Oh if only I managed to get those contracts written up in time then I would have had those new interns by now. Unfortunately, a breakthrough with the pacifista project had occupied most of my time now I have to keep an eye all over the place to make sure that no one stumbles where they shouldn't on egghead. Thankfully these new acquisitions are placed on the other side of the island. It doesn't do any good for my blood pressure though ill say that much.

"Calm yourself doctor. " someone calls out. Someone that has a physic of a sumo wrestler and wears a red apron tied with a rope and has an axe as big as him on his back. "Sentomaru, I'm not sure if you realize but we're already blown past our budget for these items so I hope you can at least be a little more sympathetic about this whole ordeal."

Sentomaru gives me a flat look. "And how many times have i told you that we need to prioritize your safety. We are in the new world. While egghead is world government property we can never be too careful." sentomaru looked out at the sea with a scowl. "Who knows when the 'bastards of the seas' may wreck havock."

I rub my chin digesting his words. "Well, one of them is a woman so she wound't be labeled a bastar-"

"I know! I know! you dont have to get all technical with me!" he turned to me with anger all over his face.

I wave away sentomarus concerns and address him. "I know your frustrated sentomaru but egghead hasnt had an upgraded facility for years. With the new knowledge ive accumulated i think i can turn this island into an even better pillar of scientific ingenuity then ever seen before and i have to have a hands on approach for this otherwise id never see it done how i need it to."

He crossed his arms as I finished my spiel. "Hmm. Be that as it may I'll still feel better about it after your in a secure location with better defences."

I was about to try and put my overly worried bodyguard's mind at ease when a marine ran up to us nearly out of breath. "Sirs! We have a package for your eyes only on our ship. We need to hand it to you pronto." he finished with a salute.

We turned to each other in confusion. We were not expecting anything of the sort, at least not today. "Well just give it to us then."

The marine then turned sheepish. "Er the problem here is that its not on the ships manifest."

A short walk later and we came upon the ship with the mysterious cargo. It was small wooden box nowhere near as big as the others that arrived. In fact i could pick it up without breaking a sweat. Besides the note saying that it needs to be brought to me personally it only has one other distinguishing mark.

A paw print.

I know exactly what that could meanbut after sharing a glance with sentomaru we both come to the ame conclusion and subsequent question.

Why would kuma be sending us a package?