One Piece Law Light Novel

Of course, his life was saved, but if I failed in my operation, he will never be able to use his arm again and will take a big shock.

- I'll take your bandage off, "Penguin." Then you can try to move your arm and fingers.

- A... Alright...

"Penguin" looks terrified. The old man, Bepo and the other boy are also watching the situation with an air of concern.

- Go slowly. As if you wanted to give something extra to the touch.

- Ok...

"Penguin" watches his arm. This arm that he may have to carry around, during and useless, until the end of his days.

Plic.

"Penguin" wiggles his pinky finger. Then, in the order, his ring finger, his middle finger, his index finger and finally his thumb. To conclude, he raises his entire forearm.

I succeeded! The connection of the nerves is crowned with success.

Ha ha ha! Frankly, it's not a bad feeling.

I suddenly have the impression of seizing this "Joy of the doctor" that my parents looked for more than anything in the world, they who taught me everything.

- Uaaah! So much the better! So much the better! launches Bepo, throwing himself on the neck of "Penguin".

This guy is terribly good-natured. He even seems to have forgotten that the one he is hugging right now was persecuting him not long before.

We only hear their tearful voices.

They both cry, their faces brimming with tears and slime.

- Thank you, thank you! whines "Penguin" lowering his head.

- I was so scared ... I thought I was going to die ... But thanks to you ... I'm here ... alive!

Still unable to move properly, the boy in the cap is content to sob, his forehead wrinkles.

- No need to thank me, I did it like that.

Then I turn around so that none of those in the room can see how silly happiness makes me look.

About a week later, they are both almost recovered. During this period, Bepo and Wolf gave me significant help. The latter continued to complain, with a frowning expression and giving the air of being disturbed, but he never tried to put the wounded outside.

Now that their condition has stabilized, we decide to ask them about the circumstances of their accident. What happened? Why did two lonely children end up in such a place? There is no shortage of questions.

- Listen, kid, we're going to do the presentations again! I am Wolf! Mr. Wolf, inventor and genius! This is what you will call me, with the greatest respect!

- It doesn't matter what he says. It goes in one ear and comes out the other, it is just an old crouton with a passion for junk.

- Shut up, Law! And stop confusing the conversation!

- Ok, ok, if you want.

Incredible, he immediately turns red like a tomato.

The two boys talk to each other, then start talking about themselves.

The one with the cap is called Shachi.

The other, in the "Penguin" hat, is called Penguin.

Timidly, as if they still feared us, they disclaim their identity.

- Shachi and Penguin, delight. Could you start by telling us under what circumstances were you injured?

Wolf asks them the question in a tone a little softer than the accountant, in a quieter voice.

- Far in the forest, Shachi and I have built a cabin we've been living in for about two months, begins Penguin, who also speaks for Shachi, who is suffering from the stomach injury. The two of us do pretty well with the hunt, and as even in winter we find a lot of trees that bear fruit, we have never lacked enough to eat. But one fine day, while we were cooking a bird, a wild boar attracted by the smell appeared out of nowhere ... It was so sudden that we didn't know what to do ... the boar took the opportunity to rush on us and pierce Shachi's side.

At this point looking exhausted, Penguin inhales at Shachi's side.

- Take your time, there's no rush, Wolf told him, pouring him more water.

- Immediately after, the boar turned to me. I could have run away, but I didn't want to leave Shachi to his fate. So, for lack of anything better, I headed for the cabin to pick up a bomb that I then tried to throw. Unfortunately, it exploded in my hand ...

- Hence the serious injury you made to yourself. But tell me, how did you get this bomb?

- We stole it in town. We said to ourselves that it could be useful for us to live in the forest, in case a danger arises.

- Yes I understand. It is not good to steal, but to ward off possible attacks of cattle, it is rather well seen.

Wolf pauses before swallowing a mouthful of tea.

Listening to the story of Penguin, a question comes to my mind. I imagine that Bepo and Wolf must have asked it themselves, too.

- And what about you parents?

I ask them the cash question, bluntly.

- Shachi's parents and mine died six months ago, Penguin blows.

At the time, I do not know what to say, but Penguin continues without further delay.

- That day, Shachi, his parents, as well as me and mine, we were having a barbecue on the most beautiful beach on all of Swallow Island. It was party time, everyone was enjoying themselves, and no one had noticed the strange aspect of the sea ... We had not realized that a huge wave was approaching at high speed. A wave so big that it could have swallowed up the whole island. Shachi and I were saved, because we were playing tree climbing further inland, but our respective family members ... were all washed away ...

At this point in the story, Penguin suddenly withdraws. He does his best to contain his tears.

Then, after a short pause, he resumes speaking, evoking in snatches what happened to them next. Their remaining families have agreed to entrust them both to Shachi's uncle and aunt. However, the uncle and aunt did not want children, but drudgery "tools". Penguin and Shachi found themselves embroiled in weapons smuggling and jewelry store heists, against their will. To eat, they were only allowed water and a little bread.

I listen to the story of Penguin with a frown - it disgusts me. To learn that there are adults capable of plunging into the infernal life of children who have just lost their parents puts me beside myself.

- They wouldn't even think of us as humans. In their eyes, we were nothing more than escalves! That's why we ran away. But since we had nowhere to go or a way to make money, we built a cabin in the forest ... without being able to live honestly ... Fed up! I'm sick of not knowing what it is to live!

Penguin starts to cry. The face points to the ground, he tries to stifle his sobs.

Shachi who was lying on the bed gets up in turn in tears and comes to sit next to his friend.

- If you hadn't helped us, we would be dead. So thank you for your intervention! And...

Shachi turns to Bepo awkwardly and, as if he has just made a decision, opens his mouth and says:

- You, the polar bear ... You took care of us when we couldn't move. You fed us, you helped us in our reeducation ... So I could thank you again and again, it will never be enough!

- Don't worry about it, it's nothing ... It's okay to help a person when they're hurt, right?

- No of course not! Especially when these people are the ones who persecuted you a short time ago. We hit you with punches, kicks, and you manage to be nice to us? That's normal for you?!

Shachi turns to Bepo, nods his head, before being imitated by Penguin.

- Dear polar bear ... Uh, no, Bepo. Thanks for helping us. And I'm sorry, really sorry to have let out my anger on you! Sorry!

Silence invades the room. Bepo tells them not to worry. Penguin and Shachi stand still, tears streaming down their faces.

„I'm sick of not knowing what's the point of living?"

That's what Penguin shouted. I imagine Shachi is in the same state of mind too.

And shit. I don't know why, but it instantly made me uncomfortable.

I had the impression that he was the spokesperson for my feelings when my city burned down.

- Say, guys ...