When Law saw the spear flying straight toward him, he froze for a split second.
Surprise.
Just one moment—
and that was enough.
He knew it.
He wouldn't be able to dodge.
— Damn… — flashed through his mind.
Instinctively, Law decided to use his Devil Fruit.
He opened his mouth to shout:
— ROOM—
BANG!
A gunshot tore through the air.
The spear never reached him.
The bandit's head snapped backward as a bullet pierced straight through his skull.
The body collapsed lifelessly onto the ground.
Law stood frozen.
His breathing turned ragged.
Slowly, he turned toward the direction the shot had come from.
There stood Wolf.
A firearm rested in his hands.
His face was serious—cold, sharp, completely different from the man Lo knew.
Wolf walked closer, glanced at the fallen bandits, then looked straight at Law.
— Law, — he said calmly. — Do you know what your mistake was?
Law nodded silently.
Wolf continued:
— Never turn your back on an enemy
unless you're one hundred percent sure they won't get back up.
Silence hung in the air.
Then Wolf's expression softened.
A faint smile appeared.
— But you did well.
I saw everything.
You didn't rush in. You thought. You used your head.
He placed a hand on Lo's shoulder.
— Keep going like that.
At that moment, a quiet sob broke the silence.
They turned and saw a large white bear standing stiffly, staring at them with wide eyes.
Wolf squinted and suddenly said:
— Law…
Did you save this bear so you could eat him later?
— W-WHAT?! — the bear screamed.
He trembled, tears filling his eyes.
— P-please don't eat me!
I don't taste good! I swear!
Wolf froze.
— …He.
— …Just.
— …TALKED?!
Law barely held back a smile.
Wolf quickly lowered his weapon and raised his hands.
— Hey, hey, calm down!
I'm not going to eat you.
He leaned closer.
— I heard the screams and came to help.
What's your name? Do you have one?
The bear nodded timidly.
— Y-yes…
My name is Bepo.
I'm a Mink… from Zou.
This time, Wolf's surprise was even greater.
Law noticed it immediately.
So he knows about Zou…
— Why are you here? — Lo asked. — Where's your family?
Bepo lowered his head.
— I… got lost.
I couldn't find my way back home…
Law listened quietly, then turned to Wolf.
— Wolf-san…
Can Bepo stay with us?
I'll take responsibility for him.
Wolf was silent for a moment, studying the bear.
— …Alright.
He can stay.
But he's your responsibility. Understood?
— Yes! — Lo answered firmly.
He turned to Bepo.
— You heard him.
Do you want to live with us?
Tears streamed down Bepo's face.
— Thank you!
Thank you so much!
He stepped forward and hugged Law tightly.
— I promise I'll help you too!
Two days passed after Bepo began living with them.
He was surprisingly obedient—
helping Wolf with parts, assisting with the Polar Tang, and doing every task without complaint.
Early one morning, Law stepped outside and noticed a flock of News Coo birds in the sky.
— Wolf-san! — he called. — News!
Wolf bought a paper, and they read it together.
The headline was printed in bold letters:
BREAKING NEWS!
Shichibukai Donquixote Doflamingo has become the new ruler of Dressrosa, overthrowing the tyrant King Riku.
Law slowly clenched the newspaper.
— …So it's begun, — he whispered.