The next day, after Law finished helping around the house, he was about to head outside to train again.
— Law, — Wolf suddenly said. — Come with me to the village.
— It looks like we need to buy some supplies.
Law paused for a moment, then nodded.
— Alright, Wolf-san.
And so, the two of them began descending the mountain, heading toward the village below.
As they walked, Law spoke up.
— Wolf-san… did the parts you ordered for the Polar Tank finally arrive?
Wolf shook his head.
— No. Once a year, a merchant ship comes to this island.
— If they happen to have the parts I need, I buy them.
Law nodded quietly, and they continued on their way.
When they finally reached the village, Law looked around in surprise.
It wasn't small—but it wasn't large either. A modest village, yet lively.
The moment they entered, people began greeting Wolf from all directions.
— Hey, Wolf!
— How are you doing, Wolf?
— Came to buy groceries again?
— Thanks for fixing my refrigerator! It works perfectly now!
Voices overlapped one after another.
Law blinked, startled.
— Wolf-san… I didn't know you were so popular here.
Wolf burst out laughing.
— Haha! Can't be helped.
— I'm the only mechanic on the entire island.
Together, they began buying supplies—food, tools, and various daily necessities.
At some point, Wolf stopped in front of a clothing stall.
— These will do.
Before Law could react, Wolf started picking out clothes for him.
— W-Wolf-san, that's not necessary—!
— Don't argue.
Law tried to refuse, but Wolf didn't listen and bought him a full set of clothes anyway.
As they continued shopping, Law suddenly overheard a conversation between two villagers nearby.
— Did you hear? Someone saw a huge tiger in the forest again.
— Yeah, but that forest's full of massive animals. Nothing new.
Law's eyes sharpened slightly.
So the forest really is filled with dangerous beasts…
That would make for excellent training—
He shook his head internally.
No. Not yet.
I'm still too weak.
When I'm completely confident in my strength… then I'll start hunting them.
While Law was thinking, Wolf also seemed to have heard the conversation. He frowned slightly and glanced at Law.
— You're thinking about hunting those animals, aren't you, Law?
Law shook his head.
— I did think about it… but not now.
— I'm still weak. I'll only do it once I'm strong enough.
Wolf smiled and gently patted Law on the head.
— Good.
— Knowing your own limits is important.
He chuckled softly.
— If it were someone else, they'd rush into the forest without thinking…
— and end up becoming food for those beasts.
Wolf looked at Law seriously.
— Always use your head when facing an enemy.
Law nodded in response.
Once they finished shopping, the two of them headed back toward the mountain.
Along the way, Wolf suddenly looked up at the sky again.
Noticing this, Law followed his gaze.
News Coo birds were flying overhead—several of them, moving together.
Wolf frowned.
— Don't tell me… something important happened again.
Law tilted his head.
— Wolf-san, why do you think that?
— Those birds always deliver news, don't they?
Wolf shook his head.
— You're right, Law. They always deliver news.
— But if the news wasn't important, they wouldn't come in groups like this.
Law looked more closely.
Indeed—there were several News Coo flying together.
— I think… — Law said slowly, — this news might be about candidates for the Warlord system.
Wolf shook his head.
— I don't think so.
— It hasn't even been a month yet. It's too early to have chosen candidates.
Law remained silent, his eyes fixed on the sky.
The world is moving faster than people realize…
And he knew—
Sooner or later, those birds would bring news that would shake the seas.