The battle was over.
The townspeople regained consciousness and their freedom.
People cheered, celebrating each other’s survival, and expressed their deep gratitude to Wolf’s family.
But the fires were still burning.
Everyone set aside their thanks for the moment and focused on putting out the flames and rescuing those in need.
Kane was consumed by guilt, full of regret, apologizing profusely.
If he had known in advance, he would have spared Buck’s life.
Whether turning Buck over to the Marines or taking him in and reforming him — either would have been better than killing him outright.
With Kane above him, Buck would have accepted reform.
If he did not listen, he would get a heavy fist.
After all, Buck was Wolf’s blood, and Wolf had long since become family to Kane.
“It’s alright.
Don’t blame yourself.
I was going to finish that bastard with my own hands anyway.”
“Relax.
You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Wolf’s expression was calm.
He did not blame Kane — in fact, he tried to comfort him.
But Kane could see the hidden sorrow beneath the old man’s surface.
Seeing this, Wolf said no more.
He grabbed Kane’s arms with both hands, gave them two firm pats, and then boarded the Little Red Flower Invincible.
The three younger ones quickly followed, helping the old man pilot the submarine back home.
Wolf really was something else.
Worried about hurting the controlled townspeople and not being able to handle so many at once, the old man had driven the submarine underground, burrowing all the way to the center of Happy Town and bursting out — choosing to take out the leader first.
Truly worthy of an old pirate who had sailed the Grand Line.
He had the guts and the follow-through!
Unable to settle down, Kane stayed in town to help with disaster relief.
Law stayed behind to help too.
“Carlos Buck — Wolf’s biological son.”
“Buck had a violent temper since childhood.
All he did was fight and steal.
Everyone avoided him.”
“Later, Buck wanted to become a pirate.
Wolf held onto a sliver of hope — thinking that after seeing the world at sea, Buck might get back on the right track.”
“So Wolf joined a pirate crew and went to sea with him.
But the old man was disappointed — Buck only became more brutal.”
“After Buck got his Devil Fruit, his bounty kept climbing.
The last time he passed through Swallow Island, he destroyed the town.”
“The old man quit the crew at that time, helped the people rebuild the town, and chose to live alone on the edge of the island.”
Law continued pouring water on the flames as he kept talking: “Years later, Buck came back — looking for the treasure of Swallow Island.”
“I do know about that treasure.” Kane moved aside rubble and retrieved medicines from inside, placing them in an open area.
After ensuring everyone’s safety, they also needed to salvage people’s belongings.
Especially precious supplies like medicine, and most importantly — food.
These were the vital resources that would sustain people’s lives after the disaster.
“The treasure was found by Wolf a long time ago.”
“However, the expensive raw metals needed to build the submarine basically emptied Wolf’s savings.”
“After years of scientific research, he’d spent just about all the rest.
Buck came all this way for nothing.”
“Not necessarily.” Law raised his arm to wipe the sweat off his forehead, leaving a dark smudge, his expression unreadable.
“He said he was going to dismantle the submarine and sell the raw materials.”
“Well…” Kane didn’t know how to respond to that.
Buck was quite the “genius.” Not everyone could match that.
Kane fell silent.
The air grew quiet.
Law wanted to offer comfort but didn’t know where to start.
So he changed the subject to lighten the mood.
“Yeah.
You figured that out?
Do I really make it that obvious?”
Law shook his head, carrying a supply crate as he followed Kane out of the ruins.
“There’s a pirate flag on the submarine.
I asked Wolf about it — you designed it.”
“Hohaha~ What do you think?
The pirate flag design is awesome, right!”
Law’s expression remained flat as he recalled: a skull, a demonic hand, and various shadowy ghostly figures.
“Not really ‘awesome.’ It feels gloomy.
But it does look imposing.”
“Tch!
You little brat have no taste.”
Setting down the supply crate in the designated clearing, Law rubbed his chin.
“If you added a hat to it, that would be pretty cool.”
Kane glanced at the hat on Law’s head.
“A snow leopard style hat would probably look good.”
Law’s eyes lit up.
He struck his right fist against his left palm and nodded firmly.
“Good idea.”
“Good idea, my foot!” Kane delivered a karate chop to the top of Law’s head.
“You can add personal elements to the pirate flag when you become a captain, you little brat!”
“Shut up!” Law pouted, rubbing his head with both hands and shooting Kane a glare.
“When I set sail later, I’ll draw it on my flag just like that.”
“Dream on.
You won’t get the chance.”
Law raised an eyebrow, his face full of question marks.
“It’s not like I’m setting sail alone as the captain, right?”
“If I leave, you guys would be so lonely, so helpless, so miserable!”
“Not at all.” Law shook his head slowly, firmly.
Kane pretended not to see it, as if there was a light shining behind him, entering full theatrical mode.
“Ah~ I’m just too kind-hearted.
I can’t bear to see children suffering like this.”
“I’ve decided — I’m taking all of you to sea with me.
That way, you can experience the feeling of home anytime, anywhere!”
“No.”
SMACK!
Kane’s expression shifted.
His demonic hand pressed down on Law’s snow leopard hat, his dark face leaning in close — truly menacing.
“You don’t get a say in this.
You can’t resist.
Even if I have to tie you up, I’m dragging you onto that ship.”
“Bepo and the others too — all tied up!”
“No wait — unlike a certain annoying brat, they don’t need to be tied up.
They’ll come willingly.”
Law’s eye twitched.
He was clearly the one being called out.
“If you’re not getting on the ship willingly, then you’re not really a comrade.”
Kane lowered his head and turned around, leaving Law with a silent back view, his thoughts unknown.
The flames had been extinguished.
The salvage work was done.
People gathered in small groups, chatting about their hopes for the future.
Law, shedding his cool demeanor from moments ago, opened his mouth to say something to Kane’s back, then hesitated.
Come on, keep going.
Why did you get all gloomy?
That’s not your style at all!
On one hand, he had enemies out there and was afraid of dragging Kane into it.
On the other hand…
At least invite me properly!
Show some sincerity and attitude!
What’s with the kidnapping talk?
“Ahem!
Um…
Kane, when did you first want to set sail?”
“Sailing the seas isn’t easy.
Are you fully prepared?”
“If someone gets sick at sea, that’s a real problem.”
Kane reacted, looking up at the sky: “About a year ago.
I was ready to set sail.”
A year ago?
Law froze in place.
“At the time, I had drawn the pirate flag, learned to pilot the submarine from Wolf, and prepared all the supplies.
I was just waiting for the scheduled departure date.”
“Then I ran into some homeless brat.”
“He was so pitiful.
I brought him home — and canceled my plans because of him.”
Law started sweating.
That’s talking about me!
Guilt crept into his heart.
Law felt bad about it.
His lips parted slightly.
“But a year later, I restarted my sailing plans.
I invited a brother who I considered family to set sail with me — and got coldly rejected.”
“No, you misunderstood—”
Kane suddenly turned around, bent down, and brought his face close to Law’s.
“If I were that brat, I’d be jumping for joy!”
“He’s a great big brother who takes care of me in every way!”
“If I didn’t accept that great brother’s invitation, then where would I even put my face?” Kane had a smug, punchable look as he talked, slapping his own cheek.
Law’s head practically steamed.
The guilt he’d felt just moments ago vanished in an instant.
“Then what kind of person would I even be?” Kane kept going.
“Die, you bastard Kane!”
Law couldn’t take it anymore.
He charged forward with a fierce headbutt, knocking Kane over.
Kane clutched his chin and rolled on the ground.
“If you’re sincerely inviting me, then be genuine about it!
Stop being such a jerk!”
The moment Law’s words landed, Kane sprang up instantly, his expression serious, and extended his right hand.
“Law — come be my ship’s doctor!”
Law froze, caught off guard.
But his right hand moved reflexively — extending partway, then hovering in midair.
Kane seized Law’s hesitant hand firmly: “Law, I know you’ve got something weighing on you.”
“Your eyes are hiding a deep, unforgettable hatred.”
“Don’t worry about that hatred consuming me.
Don’t keep carrying it alone anymore.”
“No matter who that person is — I don’t care!”
“You can tell me now.
Or later.”
“I’m your big brother.
Whatever hatred you carry — I’ll take it on.”