They were standing around him.
Five men.
They were armed — knives, spears, and one held an old rifle. Greed and irritation were written clearly on their faces.
"Hold him!" one of them shouted.
"That beast is worth a fortune! Its fur alone will make us rich!"
Law slowly inhaled.
Hunters…
No. Not just hunters.
He noticed the symbols on their clothes — crude, familiar marks.
Small-time bandits. The kind that worked for pirates or mafia families.
If I interfere…
I'm still too weak.
His hand tightened around the hilt of his sword.
But if I don't…
That bear will die.
Wolf's words echoed in his mind.
"Law, when you fight — always use your head."
Law narrowed his eyes and analyzed.
Five enemies. One with a ranged weapon.
The terrain — forest, narrow paths, poor visibility.
A direct attack means death.
He stepped back behind a tree, crouched, and steadied his breathing.
I can't fight like a hero.
I have to fight like a surgeon.
Rocks. Roots. A slope.
If I distract one…
Force them to split up…
The white bear growled again — not in rage, but in fear.
Law clenched his teeth.
"…Damn it," he whispered. "You picked a bad day to get caught."
He drew his sword.
This wasn't training.
This was his first real choice.
The bandits laughed.
"Let's finish it already!"
"Hey, it's still alive!"
While their attention was on the bear, Law slipped behind one of them.
His hands trembled.
My first kill.
If they notice me, I die.
He struck.
A scream tore through the forest.
The others froze in shock as one of their own collapsed.
Law rushed for the next — too late.
The man dodged, though his arm was slashed.
"Who are you, brat?!"
"You killed one of us! You want to die?!"
Four bandits closed in.
"Let's capture the kid and sell him with the bear," one laughed.
"We'll be rich!"
The white bear lifted its head and saw Law standing before it.
Gratitude filled its eyes.
Calm down, Law.
This is your first real battle.
Only the strong survive.
If I can't beat them…
How can I face Doflamingo? Kaido?
How can I take revenge on the World Government?
The first attacked.
Law dodged and countered — blocked by a spear.
Another strike forced him back.
From behind—
A punch.
Barely avoided.
Damn it… no openings.
At least the gun is gone.
First — the unarmed one.
Then the spear.
Law moved.
One clean slash.
Another body fell.
The remaining three attacked blindly, enraged.
Law provoked them.
"Is that all you've got?
You can't even kill a kid."
They lost control.
Law struck again.
Another enemy fell.
Then—
A punch to the stomach.
He coughed.
A spear pierced his shoulder.
Pain burned.
One rushed him.
Too late to stop him.
Law stepped in—
And drove his sword into the man's stomach.
Only one remained.
"Surrender," Law said coldly. "Or die."
The bandit screamed and attacked.
Law blocked, deflected, stepped close—
And pierced his chest.
Silence.
Law turned toward the bear.
Behind him—
The bandit he thought dead lunged forward with a spear.
"DIE, YOU DAMN BRAT!"