On the way over, I happened to see that scene where Brother Shano kicked the Navy Grand Admiral into the air and then slashed through the sky.
It's been a year since we last met, and Brother Shano has become super, super powerful... Moreover, he seems to have established a formidable force that shakes the seas.
Under his command, there should be many skilled doctors, right?
Does he still need someone as amateurish as me...
"Of course, you can help."
Shano smiled and rubbed Chopper's blue nose, "You came just in time. Look, Kuina's injuries are quite severe. Start by treating her, and then help me bandage those two big fellows."
"Okay! Don't worry, leave it to me!"
Chopper's eyes lit up, he secured his little backpack, and with a chirp, headed straight for Kuina.
Shano then turned his attention to the panting Bebo: "And you are?"
Both of these mascots had gathered together, so of course, he recognized him.
But he still had to ask.
Bebo was busy carefully looking around, and after confirming that he didn't see that orange-haired girl he was afraid of, he finally sighed in relief while patting his chest.
Hearing Shano's call, he immediately stood straight, nervously saluting Shano:
"Reporting, sir! I'm Bebo! The Navigator of the Red Heart Pirates! Um, previously Chopper passed out from a sedative, and I was following our captain's order to take him to a safe place. He just woke up, and wants to find his captain, so I brought him over..."
Shano looked at the stammering white bear in front of him and chuckled: "No need to be so nervous, the Red Heart Pirates, huh... Where's your captain?"
"Law..." Bebo was about to answer when his eyes suddenly brightened, "There he is! Sir, the captain is coming this way!"
Oh?
Shano turned around.
Just in time to see Law supporting the blood-covered Sanji walking toward them, followed by Zoro, who was bandaged like a mummy, and Ace, whose face was charcoal black and disheveled.
Apparently, Law had just given them all some basic medical treatment.
"Hey, hey, hey, it's really weird, Green Algae Head, you haven't answered me yet. How did you manage to get to Shampodi before I did all by yourself?"
Sanji limped, but didn't forget to mock Zoro, "You didn't get food poisoning from eating your own cooking, did you? Passing out for a month and waking up to find yourself in Shampodi?"
"How did you kno... nonsense, you damn Curly Eyebrow!"
Zoro was first stunned, then became furious, "How I got to Shampodi is none of your business, but I became a Super Rookie this year. Meanwhile, I haven't heard anyone mention you, so what's your bounty, huh? Show me your warrant!"
"Fi-five hundred million Belly, what of it?!"
"Am I a fool? Granny Shakky said that the highest bounty among the Super Rookies this year is that freckled guy behind you, and he's just over 300 million Belly!"
"I said it's 500 million, and it's 500 million! Don't believe? Looks like I need to teach you a lesson for you to see the difference between us now!"
"Bring it on, who's afraid of who!"
Both were bandaged and in casts, unable to exert force, so they directly resorted to using Turtle Fist, whacking each other with a series of loud slaps.
"Two idiots..."
Law rubbed his forehead in exasperation.
Tortured throughout the journey, he began to feel that helping treat these guys, all followers of Lord Shano, might have been a foolish move.
"Hey, Tra Man!"
Ace suddenly hugged Law's neck from behind, grinning ear to ear:
"Why are you walking ahead all alone, don't be so cold. After all, we almost died together! Speaking of which, your abilities are convenient. I'm in need of a doctor, want to join my Black Spade Pirates?"
"Let go, Ace."
Law expressionlessly pushed Ace's arm away, "I have no interest in becoming someone else's underling."
In the very next second.
He saw Bebo on the grass opposite him, as well as the man beside him, looking over with a grin…
"Lord Shano."
In the next second, Law appeared opposite Shano, bowing, his tone respectful and sincere:
"I am Trafalgar Law, captain of the Red Heart Pirates. I have long admired your reputation, and it is truly exhilarating to witness your feat of striking down the Heavenly Celestial Dragon and declaring war on the World Government."
He looked up, carefully choosing his words as he asked:
"Would you be willing to take in the Red Heart Pirates? Although our abilities are limited compared to your officers, my crew and I are willing to follow in your footsteps and contribute to ending this decaying era."
"Hey!" Ace couldn't help but shout, "You bastard! Didn't you just say you didn't want to be someone's underling!"
"It's different."
Law shook his head slightly, "Lord Shano has been a benefactor to me. The reason I entered the Grand Line was to repay that favor."
A favor?
Shano couldn't immediately recall, until Law offered a few more explanations, reminding him of the Newspaper King he had once cut down.
Well, this makes things easier.
Law, whether in terms of medical skill or combat power, had top-tier potential without any character issues.
Initially, upon seeing him, Shano was wondering how to recruit him, but unexpectedly, Law offered to join.
"Welcome to the Endgame."
Shano smiled, patting Law on the shoulder, having no reason to refuse someone who delivered themselves to his door.
His gaze swept over the group of bruised and battered Super Rookies behind Law. Zoro and Sanji were still fighting with casts, with Ace glaring discontentedly at the back of Law's head.
"Kuina."
Shano calmly spoke.
"Leave it to me."
Kuina stepped forward expressionlessly, she had long had enough.
Thunk thunk!
Five seconds later.
Zoro and Sanji, ears flushed, each sporting three large bumps on their heads, knelt in front of Shano in a groveling position, tears streaming down their faces.
"We're sorry, Brother Shano!"
"Even though it's been a rare reunion after so long, we were still quarreling like kids, ruining the mood, with no sense of awareness!"
"Hey, hey, hey, what's going on?"
Ace watched, dumbfounded, "Why are you two so afraid of her, isn't it just a woman—"
Thunk! Smack!
A third person joined the grovelling pair between them: Ace, smoke steaming from his head, kneeling and tearfully confessing, "I was wrong, I was wrong, okay? I swear I'll never underestimate women again; just stop hitting me..."
This woman is terrifying!
"Things are finally quieter now."
Shano nodded slightly.
Meeting Law for the first time naturally required some formalities, comfort, and encouragement, but with these idiots, there was no need to stand on ceremony.
Especially with Zoro and Sanji, who were like younger brothers. If not for the fact they were too young back then, they would have surely been among the Endgame elders.
"The Two-blade Adventurer Group and Chef Adventurer Group?"
Shano accepted the warrant documents handed over by Kuma, frowning, "What kind of ridiculous names are these, only embarrassing me. From today on, they're dissolved, and you two will directly join the Endgame Headquarters."
"Oh."
Zoro and Sanji nodded dutifully.
"Show some resistance already!"
Ace, astounded, stood again, "What's going on, you two just surrender like that? And you call yourselves captains? Is this how you repay your crew? I, for one, will not dissolve the Black Spade Pirates or join the Endgame!"
"Eh?"
Now it was Zoro and Sanji's turn to be bewildered, they had set sail with the primary goal of joining Brother Shano, assuming this freckled guy's intention was the same.
"Surprised?"
Ace turned to Shano, grinning widely, "Brother Shano, long time no see. I remember you beating me up countless times back in the day! But for now, I probably still can't beat you. But once I enter the New World, things will change bit by bit. When I get stronger, the first dream I want to fulfill is to openly and squarely defeat you!"
"Idiot." Jack rolled his eyes.
"Such ambition." Kuma smiled, adjusting his glasses.
"Nonsense." Kuina sharply remarked.
Shano didn't take it seriously, chuckling, "Ambitious indeed, in that case, I'll wait for you."
He and Ace weren't as close as Zoro and Sanji, nor did he expect the prideful Ace to willingly join the Endgame.
"Alright, it's a deal!" Ace bared his teeth, laughing heartily.