Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Snow looked at the light shining from the lamp above him. It irritated him a bit, as he wasn't used to bright lights. Snow was lying in a bed waiting for Law to prepare himself. Snow would rather have it done quickly, as with each moment, he grew more nervous. This was it. He would finally be freed from his sickness. Remembering how many have died because of this sickness, Snow hoped they wouldn't hate him for being the only one living.

"You sure you can trust him, Captain?" Caribou asked, standing next to Snow's bed. "What if he tries something funny? You won't be able to defend yourself."

"You worry about nothing. Law won't do anything," Snow confidently replied, not worried about it. "He is a doctor. Would he dare to forsake his pride as a doctor? Only doctors worse than scum would do something like that."

"I don't like you," Law said as he got to the operating table. "But if I would want to kill you, I would not do it on the operating table."

That was all Snow needed to hear. Even if Caribou couldn't trust Law, it didn't matter. It wasn't like Snow had any other choice. He would die either way, and he would rather die now quickly than wait for a few more weeks for his sickness to take him out slowly and painfully. Law cut Snow's bandages on his chest, revealing dozens of thin stab wounds.

"Sometimes it got so bad that the doctor was forced to forcefully remove the toxins from our lungs," Snow explained as Law and his crew inspected Snow's scars. "Most didn't last long enough to have it done more than three times. But my body was stronger and more durable than others, so I had outlasted the others."

Law nodded before he activated his powers. A transparent barrier quickly surrounded them. Snow didn't know the specifics of how Law's power worked, but he knew enough to believe that it would be over soon. As the anesthetics started working and Snow fell asleep, he thought of his home and all the people he had buried. No matter what, he couldn't die before he destroyed the World Government.

…

Snow looked around him. Children playing around, painting the walls and the ground in the streets. It was a common occurrence on this island. Children were able to be children to their heart's content. Even Snow, who was mentally an adult, would join them and try to paint boobs on walls. It was a fun time, with no responsibilities and worry.

The island wasn't rich, but the community was united and shared everything, so there wasn't anyone hungry or cold. The rain didn't bother anyone as everyone had an umbrella, whether they were small for children or big for adults. The streets of this town were always shining with bright colors and big smiles. Until the sky got darker, and the rain became acid.

Snow watched as the color of the streets was washed out because of the acid. The smiles disappeared and were replaced with tears as everyone started to lose their friends and family. Children no longer played on the streets; if they were strong enough like Snow was, they would be in the mines, and if they weren't strong, they would be at home. Locked in their rooms.

"You don't have to do it, Snow," The mayor of the town told Snow as he dug the ground for the two caskets.

At this point, Snow realized it was a dream. He didn't feel the pain of the acidic rain falling on him as he dug up the ground. The holes were for his parents, and he felt he had to do it. They were the first he buried. They weren't the first victims, but they died soon after the mines and melting factories were working on full power.

"You don't have to fight for us, Snow," Doc said as Snow lay on the bed. A tube was in his chest, extracting toxins from his lungs. "All we ever wanted was to see the sun shining once again, to feel its warmth on our skins."

"Don't worry, son," The blurry faces of his parents stood next to him. "We are proud of you, so do as you wish. Go on adventures and see how the sky looks in different places in this vast world."

"It will be the same," the grey eyes covered by blond hair stared back at Snow. "You know it. Wherever you go, you will see it: the strong abusing their power and exploiting the weak. It will always be the same if no one changes this world. How many are we going to bury? How many towns do we have to see disappear? If not us, who will stop them?"

Snow looked at himself. Then he looked behind to his family and friends he would leave behind. He was sorry they had to look at him so worried, but he had to do it. He wasn't strong enough to watch it happen again. If he were going to live, he would ensure that history no longer repeats itself. That was the least he could do for a chance to live.

…

The glaring light from the lamp above him made Snow squint his eyes. Law's crew was surrounding him, checking on his vitals. The machine's beeping sounded like he was all right. The crew quickly turned their attention to him as he rose from the bed. They looked conflicted about what they should do; even though he was their patient, he also beat their captain.

"Leave us," Law said as he looked at Snow and then at his crew.

"Was the operation a success, doc?" Snow asked, as he felt lighter and he could breathe easier.

"I did everything I could," Law replied. "I removed the toxins within your body, but your lungs were already too heavily damaged. I removed the worst parts, but it was already too late."

"So, I am still dying?" Snow asked, somehow not surprised by the news. "How long do I have?"

"If you don't overtax yourself, maybe you have three years before your lungs fully collapse," Law answered. "There is nothing that can be done."

It seemed that he still hadn't had much luck. Maybe because he had already lost so much, he didn't feel that bad about the news. He managed to prolong his lifespan, even if three years didn't sound that long. What could he do if he failed, even when he tried his best? Or did he?

Law wasn't the only doctor in the world, nor was he the only one with the devil fruit ability to help him. Since the toxins in his body were gone, all he needed to do was heal the damage done to him.

"Are you sure about it?" Law probably didn't expect Snow to smile at the news. "I know for a fact that someone can heal me."

"Who?" Law got interested.

"The first to come to mind is Marco the Phoenix, one of the commanders of the Whitebeard pirates," Snow answered as he dressed up. "And there is another one. I heard an interesting rumor that the Donquixote Pirates have someone who can heal any kind of wound. Maybe if I joined them, I could get help from them."

"Do as you wish, but I've done my part," Law said, his eyes full of hostility.

"Or maybe I should destroy the Donquixote pirates and take that someone by force," Snow continued, smiling at Law. "Which would you like more, Trafalgar D. Water Law?"

Snow wasn't bothered by the sword at his neck. His and Law's eyes were locked. Snow could see curiosity, fear, and hatred in Law's glare. They both knew who was the stronger one. Even if it was a confined room, and Snow couldn't use his abilities effectively here, Law knew if they fought, they most likely would destroy the ship and kill both of them.

"How?"

"I robbed King Chap and found some interesting documents of White City. Then, after some digging, I found out that you belonged to Donquixote pirates; whatever they did, you separated from them. I guessed that it was something bad, and now you hate them. And so, I came to an amazing thought. What if I could get you to join me? Wouldn't it be wonderful? I help you destroy Donquixote pirates, and you help me find someone who can save my life."

"And if I refuse," Law didn't believe Snow fully.

"Then I will refuse your refusal."

"You can't do that."

"Yes, I can," Snow replied with a smirk. "Who is going to stop me? You?"

"I don't need you," Law withdrew his sword. "Once we land, you will leave my ship, and the next time we see each other, I will do my best to kill you."

"Nah, I stay," Snow replied, sitting on the operating table. "I like this ship. And most importantly, I need your help. So, I won't leave, and you shall join my crew."

"That won't be happening," Law replied.

"Yes, it will," Snow didn't back off. "You should have already realized that you are weak, Law. If I could defeat you when I am just a rookie pirate, you won't survive long. And not trying to sound disrespectful, but your crew is pathetic. If you continue like this, they will die."

"Even so, I won't be forced to follow someone like you," Even though Law gave up on the idea of fighting him, he has no intention of agreeing with Snow.

"I know we got on the wrong foot, and it was my fault," Snow jumped to his feet. "So, how about a deal? Since I only have three years to live, work with me for that long. I will help you defeat Donquixote pirates, and you help me find someone who can save my life. Common, it isn't that bad of a deal, and you need strong allies if you want to survive in the Grand Line and especially the New World."

"The deal isn't that good for me, though," Law replied. "You take my ship, my crew, and me. Isn't that a bit unfair?"

"The world is unfair. Grow up," Snow said. "Look at me; a young, handsome, and strong man like me is dying because the world wasn't fair to me. Do I complain about it? No, I take action in my hands. I am stronger than you, but I don't have a ship or crew and need a doctor. So, I will take it since everything I need is before my eyes. In return, you can use me as you want to get what you want. I think that is fair."

"Why should I even consider trusting you?" Law asked.

"Take a chance," Snow replied. "Think about it. With my and your powers, there aren't many who could go against us. And if we include Caribou's logia abilities, we might have the strongest rookie crew. You know deep inside you that you can't accomplish your goals with the power you have, so why are you so hesitating? Take my hand. Take your revenge."

"My goals don't end with Donquixote pirates," Law replied. "They are grander than you can imagine. Will you be able to handle it?"

"Heh," Snow extended his hand with a smile. "Would it be Yonko, the World Government? It doesn't matter. We shall take what we want and destroy what we want. Together, we achieve our goals, and I promise I won't order you around as I wish just because I am the captain. And if it truly doesn't work, I will leave your ship and you alone."

Snow could tell that Law was considering it. Snow's deal wasn't bad, and he had already proven strong and knowledgeable about the world. Law knew he needed Snow, even though he didn't want to give up his title of captain and ship. It was a fair price. And so, Law took Snow's hand. And just like that a crew that will shake the world was created.

A.N. As always, If you want more, up to seven advanced chapters, you can support me on pa treon. com \ ironwolf852. And if you have any requests for stories, I will only take them on my pa treon.