Chapter 8
Hongo wasn't lying; the people on this ship rarely come to the infirmary, and even Hongo only comes to check on things occasionally. Compared to the bustling kitchen, the infirmary is a better fit for you.
After your permanent residence was changed from the kitchen to the infirmary, it caught Beckman's attention. As for why you said that, it's probably because the pirates on the ship wouldn't come to the infirmary for bandages, but Beckman, who had no wounds on his body, came to the infirmary for that reason.
Of course, Beckman didn't start a conversation as soon as he walked in; instead, he casually brought it up when you were looking for a band-aid.
"You and Hongo seem to be very close."
Holding the band-aid, you felt it was a question whether to give it to him or not. Under Beckman's gaze, you handed over the band-aid you had found. As Beckman accepted the band-aid and said "thank you," you answered his question.
"He said I could stay in the infirmary and learn some life-saving skills."
That's not what I originally said, but I think it's best to put it in a nicer way.
Upon hearing this, Beckman smiled faintly, and his words were so cryptic that it was impossible to tell whether they were sincere or not.
"That's exactly what the Hongokai said."
With the topic of Hongo settled, Beckman, who was sitting in his chair, showed no intention of leaving and instead took the opportunity to start a new topic.
"Have you decided which island you want to disembark on?"
The question wasn't malicious, yet it made you feel incredibly pressured. The reason behind it was probably the same as the misunderstanding between Hongo and Lem. But since Beckman didn't ask, you couldn't very well offer an answer unrelated to the topic.
The best answer, of course, is the island closest to it.
"Any island will do, as long as it's under the protection of the redhead."
Beckman raised an eyebrow, his tone slightly mocking: "Is it okay if some islands are poorly managed?"
"That won't do!" You quickly changed your mind when you saw the smile on Beckman's face.
"Of course, islands with relatively stable management are better."
Appreciated by your reaction, Beckman chuckled and put the band-aid into his leg pocket, then poured himself a glass of water.
"Speaking of which, do you know about Whitebeard and Crocodile?"
You're not a gossip, but Crocodile's name piques your interest in the Beckman topic.
"Whitebeard...is he another Yonko? What's their past?"
Beckman, who brought up the topic, picked up a glass that was half full of water, drank most of it, and then revealed information you didn't know.
"The Sand Crocodile once challenged Whitebeard."
Logically, there should be half the story left, ending with Beckman's pause. You're not sure if the story ends there, but Beckman watches your expression with great interest, making you certain that the story contains more than just this much information.
As for why Beckman paused... it was probably intentional, to observe your reaction or something.
But this information that Robin never told you is really important; it will change your plans. Thinking about the possibility of being captured by Crocodile, you disregard everything else and proactively ask Beckman for the information you need.
"That--"
Just as he opened his mouth, Beckman abruptly stood up, the sound of his chair falling backward cutting off the conversation.
"We have a guest. You should hide in the infirmary first. As for what we were talking about earlier... we'll talk about it later when I'm done with my work."
Beckman's reaction can be summed up in one sentence. As for the "guest" Beckman mentioned, it's unsurprisingly a fellow thief who's been rigging the business.
Having survived on this ship, you naturally wouldn't doubt Beckman's words. Under Beckman's instructions, you quickly nodded and watched him leave the infirmary.
Before long, you heard the sound of bombing, and the sounds of pirates celebrating on the deck.
Compared to Crocodile's bloodless battles, even if you're not there in person, you can imagine the chaos on the deck just from the sounds outside the infirmary when you see the Red-Haired Pirates' fights.
As for whether the pirate crew that's been double-crossing each other will attack the infirmary, no one can answer that for you.
In this situation, all you can do while you're still able to move is try to find something in the infirmary that you can use for self-defense. Unfortunately, you won't find anything besides a scalpel.
As you hesitate about which scalpel to pick without angering Hongo, the door Beckman closed before leaving is suddenly kicked open, and you, standing in front of the scalpel, are so startled that you grab one at random.
Only when Lyme, as if to assure you of your safety, storms up to you and grabs your hand do you realize you're holding a blade.
No wonder you couldn't grip it properly; you were holding the blade. You stared blankly at your bleeding palm and fingers, and Lyme, realizing you were daydreaming, was furious.
"You—tsk! You come with me first!"
As Lem spoke, he tossed the scalpel you were holding. You watched the blood-stained scalpel fall precisely into the trash can, and the image of Hongo scolding them for opening and closing doors too loudly flashed through your mind.
If nothing unexpected happens, Hongo will talk to you like that later too.
The battle on the deck wasn't over yet. Just as Lym was dragging you to safety, pirates kept rushing towards you along the way.
Honestly, if it weren't for the fact that Lem was holding your wrist so tightly that you couldn't break free, and you weren't so terrified by the bloody fight scene that you couldn't breathe properly, you would have already shaken off Lem's hand and run back to the infirmary to hide.
The burly man who could strangle you with a simple bend of his arm in your eyes is no match for Lyme when one of his hands is occupied.
Besides blood, you also saw detached arms or organs from dead pirates, as well as some unidentified liquid. Not only visually, but the salty sea breeze also carried a foul, metallic smell.
Perhaps Lym took you out of the infirmary with good intentions, but after being unprepared to witness a brutal scene that shatters your worldview, you'd rather stay in that infirmary where you don't even know if it's safe.
When the human body is subjected to stimuli that exceed its capacity, it will make defensive-like movements or reactions.
So when Lem lets go of your hand, your body instinctively recoils, and with Lem's annoyed "Hey!", your back, touching the railing, slides down with the sudden tilt of the ship.
Your sight and hearing are rendered useless in the azure sea. Before you lose consciousness completely, you seem to see someone's shadow.
-
When you woke up again, you were lying in a hospital bed in the infirmary. Hongo was looking at something at the desk next to your bed. After noticing that you were awake, Hongo put down the documents he was holding and gave you a gentle smile.
"Are you feeling unwell now that you're awake?"
When you realize that the village is approaching, your body moves backward into the corner behind the hospital bed before you even realize what you have done, until your back hits the wall where you can't go any further.
And your hometown, which is close to you, also remains stationary in your subconscious actions.
"Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you."
Hongo speaks in a very gentle tone, as if you were a fragile object.
Fear? Hurt?
You can't quite remember what happened before you lost consciousness, but the bandages on your dominant hand and the pain remind you of the glaring color of blood. This is followed by uncontrollable breathing, and amidst the erratic breathing, Hongo's voice is exceptionally clear.
"Take it slow, don't be afraid. Slow down your breathing...do as I say."
Guided by the locals, you adjust your breathing according to their counting rhythm until your breathing returns to a normal rhythm, and then you find your own voice again.
"I...you saved me?"
Seeing that you had returned to normal communication, Honjo breathed a sigh of relief and tentatively took a step forward with his water glass in hand. After confirming that you did not react excessively to his actions, he walked to the bedside and handed you the water glass.
After you accepted the water at the perfect temperature and thanked the local resident, he finally answered your question.
"Sort of, but it was Beckman who rescued you from the sea."
"Beckman...?"
Hongo's words reminded you of the memory of falling into the sea. You remember that Lyme was with you at the time; Beckman shouldn't have been there.
I don't know what you're thinking, but seeing that you're interested in this topic, I'll continue the conversation.
"Yes. Do you want to see him? Or anyone else on the ship?"
Thinking of the scene on the deck just now, you shook your head and declined Hongo's suggestion.
"If possible... I'd like to stay here for the time being."
Hongo, who had been refused, smiled and accepted your request.
"Okay, I'll go get you dinner."
Seeing Hongo get up to leave, you instinctively grabbed his sleeve. Hongo, who stopped because of your movement, turned around, his face showing confusion over your action with a slight smile.
You didn't even know why you did it subconsciously. In a moment of panic, you let go of Hongo's clothes and blurted out a question to break the atmosphere.
Am I all alone here?
Hongo, sensing the unease behind your behavior, paused slightly, but when he met your gaze again, he wore his usual smile.
"Yes, no one will bother you when I leave."
Your anxiety was somewhat relieved by Hongo's words. You thanked Hongo in a low voice, and then he left the infirmary, leaving you curled up on the bed, holding a cup of still warm water.
The brief moment of peace didn't last long; a series of orderly knocks sounded at the infirmary door. The steady, powerful rhythm jolted you from your reverie, and you asked the person outside in a trembling voice who it was.
"who?"
“It’s me, Beckman. May I come in?”
Beckman's voice sounded even deeper through the wooden door of the infirmary.
You wanted to refuse, but considering that you were an outsider on the ship and that the place you were in was a public space, you changed your refusal to an acceptance.
As his gaze swept over the pistol at Beckman's waist, his uneasy, delayed thought brought to mind the fact that the man before him was also a pirate. And you, you're on a ship full of pirates.
An uncontrollable trembling makes you want to run away, but Beckman, noticing your state, takes the initiative to bring up the topic that wasn't finished during the day.
"Do you still want to hear about Whitebeard and Crocodile?"
It has to be said that Beckman is very good at diverting people's attention. With just one sentence, he can make your thoughts change from "being alone in a room with pirates" to "the person who can restrain Crocodile".
"May I?"
"sure."
Amid Beckman's laughter, you hear him recount how Whitebeard and Crocodile had crossed paths in the past.
When you hear Beckman say that Crocodile was defeated by Whitebeard, your mood plummets to rock bottom.
This means that when it comes to seeking asylum... you've been looking for the wrong people from the start.
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