"Is that... a bear?"
"Seriously~ A bear... wearing clothes?"
On the Gale, Nami, Chopper, and the others spotted Bepo, Penguin, and a few others out for a walk.
They hadn't expected to find any living people in these ruins.
They were especially astonished when they saw Bepo.
They weren't the only ones surprised; Bepo and the others outside the hospital were even more so.
Having lived in these broken ruins for several years, Bepo was encountering outsiders for the first time.
"A-A flying ship!"
"Hey! You guys, look!"
The moment he spotted Leno and his crew, Bepo jumped up and down, calling out to Penguin and the others, who were chatting casually.
By the time they reacted, the Gale had already landed in front of them.
"Pirate Empress Boa Hancock?!!!"
As Leno and his crew disembarked, Penguin, Bepo, and the others immediately recognized Hancock.
After all, the title of 'World's Most Beautiful Woman' was simply too attractive to men.
"Who are you, and why are you here?"
Hancock, standing next to Leno, spoke with an imperious tone, her question sounding like an accusation, her eyes regarding them as if they were insects.
"W-We are members of the Heart Pirates, and this is our base."
Hearing the question, Bepo instinctively answered honestly.
"Hey!" Penguin and Shachi were displeased with Bepo's attitude. 'You're being too honest!'
"Don't change the subject, you rude beast!"
"This Empress is asking why you are here?"
"Sumimasee~"
The reprimanded Bepo immediately apologized with a deflated mood, not daring to look up again.
"It can talk?!!!"
Nami, Chopper, and the others were already curious about the bear wearing clothes, and now that the bear had opened its mouth to speak, they were even more amazed.
Robin also examined Bepo for a few moments before speaking: "He must be one of the Mink Tribe that Leno mentioned."
"That's right, he is indeed a Mink~" Yamato, standing nearby, also scrutinized the bear.
"What's going on out here…?"
Hearing the noise outside, Law walked out with a gloomy expression.
Just as he was about to ask what was going on, his eyes inadvertently glanced at Leno standing opposite him.
His pupils immediately constricted violently, and cold sweat broke out on his cheeks.
Law calmed himself down before stepping forward to speak, his tone somewhat respectful.
"Didn't expect the 'Thunder God' himself. To what do we owe the honor?"
Penguin and the others nearby, who had been lost in Hancock's undeniable charm, were instantly jolted when they heard the name 'Thunder God.'
"Thunder God?!!"
Gasping out loud, they finally realized what was happening, looking at Leno with horror.
It was definitely him! They had been staring at this man's woman, completely mesmerized, right in front of the 'Thunder God'!
The thought made their hearts sink halfway. They felt like the things on their shoulders might be somewhat redundant now.
"Sorry!!!"
Watching the group bow and apologize in perfect unison, Leno was amused. He glanced at Law and finally spoke.
Just passing by. Aren't you going to invite us in?"
"Ah—please, this way!"
Hearing Leno's words, Law was startled, then turned sideways to invite them in.
In that brief moment, he had considered many possibilities, even thinking Leno might have been hired by Doflamingo to deal with him.
But on second thought, it was impossible. How could Doflamingo hire such a legendary figure?
After entering the hospital, everyone took their seats in the ground-floor hall.
Truthfully, Leno wasn't particularly interested in Law; he had just spoken on a whim.
But after coming inside, he realized he didn't really have anything to say to him.
'Oh no, this is awkward!'
Leno realized the problem and felt a bit anxious, but his face maintained a nonchalant, unconcerned appearance.
However, when Leno didn't speak, the others felt uncomfortable.
Facing a powerful figure like Leno, Law and his crew were already under immense pressure, even fearful.
Law, at this moment, personally experienced what it was like to be on pins and needles. Unable to read Leno's mind, he didn't dare to speak casually.
The subtle, yet tangible, pressure emanating from the person across from him made his hair stand on end.
His usual mind games and strategies for dealing with other pirates were completely useless now.
In the face of such overwhelming power, no schemes or tricks would work.
And the crew members behind him were all hunched over like quails, heads lowered, terrified that Leno's gaze would fall upon them.
Leno put down his teacup, casually scanned the surroundings, and his eyes lit up as he found a topic of conversation.
"Trafalgar Law, this place was originally your home, wasn't it?"
"!!!"
"How did the 'Thunder God' know that?"
Law was startled but also confused. This information should be known only by his crew members.
Leno casually shook his head without answering. Instead, he directed his gaze toward the large white bear behind Law.
"Bepo, how about joining my crew? I can take you back to Zou!"
Hearing Leno's sudden invitation, Chopper and Nami's eyes instantly sparkled, and even the usually calm Robin showed an expectant look.
The polar bear's goofy appearance was simply too adorable; it had captured their hearts, and they wanted him!
Chopper's thoughts were simpler: if this polar bear joined the crew, he would have a 'fellow species' as a companion.
"Huh? Me?!"
Bepo, who had been lowering his head, momentarily spacing out, was taken aback by Leno's sudden invitation.
He looked up, pointing to himself confusedly, his face a question mark.
He looked left and right, confirming that Leno was indeed speaking to him, and then he quickly replied.
"Zou... I will go back."
At those words, Law's hands clenched at his sides. Anger and humiliation churned within him. Leno had just tried to recruit his crewmate right in front of him. It was an insult—but there was nothing he could do.
But now, they were the sheep and the other was the butcher. Law wouldn't dare to show any dissatisfaction, no matter how great.
Bepo's affection for him was unquestionable; after all, they had been together for over a decade.
Law's current worry was whether Bepo's impending refusal would anger the 'Thunder God.'
If they provoked the other party, their lives would be in grave danger.
At this point, Bepo thought seriously for a moment, then continued.
"I think I'll pass. I want to go back with my own crewmates."
"Sumimasee~"
Thinking he had just refused the other party, Bepo, realizing what he had done, quickly and habitually apologized.
As Bepo finished speaking, the eyes of Nami, Robin, and the others instantly dimmed.
Leno looked at Bepo intently and deeply, without speaking. The scene became silent for a moment, and the atmosphere unconsciously grew heavy.
Law, sitting opposite, felt his back soaked in cold sweat, ready to resist at any moment.
Just then, Nojiko, sitting next to Leno, gently tugged at his sleeve and shook her head at him.
Leno was stunned for a moment, then let out a helpless laugh.
It seemed Nojiko had misunderstood his intention, thinking he was going to use force.
Leno was actually thinking about the Minks on Zou, trying to figure out who he should recruit onto the ship later.
"Relax, everyone," Leno finally said with a smile. "It was just a passing thought. I won't force anyone to join me—everything's voluntary on my ship."
He laughed, light and easy. "Hahahaha..."