aircannonsinc Chapter 287 Echoes in the Snowfield, A Call After 11 Years
Chapter 287 Echoes in the Snowfield, A Call After 11 Years
Chapter 287 Echoes in the Snowfield, A Call After 11 Years
At the same time, the Beasts Pirates' flagship.
Cú Chulainn leaned against the ship's railing, gazing listlessly at the sea. His crimson spear was planted in the deck beside him, its tip faintly gleaming with an ominous blood-red light.
"Boring—" he muttered, "Chasing down a doctor? Does that even warrant my involvement?"
Jack stepped out of the cabin and said in a deep voice.
"Boss Kaido has given orders that the doctor may be able to summon a powerful Heroic Spirit, and he must be controlled before he grows stronger."
"Control?" Cú Chulainn scoffed.
"Using violence to force others to submit is a very low-level tactic. A true strong person should use power to make the other party willingly follow."
"Besides, you didn't give in even after being defeated by that lava hound—"
"So what brilliant idea do you have?" Jack asked, somewhat displeased.
Although he was later rescued by his boss and the Heroic Spirits, being captured by Akainu was a humiliation he could never escape in his life. Cú Chulainn did not answer, but only looked to the north.
His intuitive abilities were subtly at work.
Something is brewing there.
It was not a simple battle, nor was it ordinary killing.
Rather, it's something deeper, something that touches the boundary between life and death—something else.
"I don't have any brilliant ideas," Cú Chulainn grinned. "But thinking about it carefully, this trip shouldn't be too boring."
Jack frowned: "What did you sense?"
"The scent of death," Cú Chulainn said, "but not an ordinary death—it is an unfinished death."
"This feeling is something even magicians might not be able to sense; only we, these berserkers—can experience it."
"This thing is an obsession, a regret, a call that has not faded even after thirteen years."
He drew his spear and slung it over his shoulder.
"Hurry up and set sail. I can't wait to see what that guy is trying to summon."
Forty-eight hours later.
Mignon Island, a deserted island on the edge of the North Sea that is covered in snow all year round.
There are no permanent residents here, no resources, only endless snowfields and biting cold winds.
The only man-made structure on the island is a long-abandoned naval observation station.
Eleven years ago, this was the site of a transaction between the Don Quixote family and the navy, and also the place where Rosinante sacrificed himself to protect Rosinante.
Now, the Heart Pirates' submarine has broken through the ice and surfaced in a secluded bay on the east side of the island.
The hatch opened, and a cold wind carrying snowflakes rushed in.
Luo was the first to step out and set foot on this familiar yet unfamiliar land.
snow.
It's still snowing.
The snow was exactly the same as I remembered, as if it would never stop.
Luo raised her head, letting the snowflakes fall on her face, melt, and take away the slight warmth from her body.
"Captain, it's so cold here—" Bepo shivered. "And—it feels so oppressive."
Luo did not speak.
Of course he could sense it.
This land remembers the bloodshed of that day.
I remember the gunshots, the shouts, the deaths, and the sacrifices.
"You all stay near the submarine and keep watch," Luo said. "I'll go alone."
"But----"
"That's an order."
Luo's tone left no room for argument.
Bepo and the others exchanged glances, then finally nodded: "Yes, Captain. But—if there's any danger, be sure to contact us!"
Luo nodded, then turned and stepped into the snowfield.
His footsteps left deep footprints in the snow, which were quickly covered by new snowflakes.
Wearing a white spotted hat and a white robe, he almost blended into the snow-covered plain, except for his golden eyes, which shone with a resolute light in the wind and snow.
After walking for about half an hour, Luo arrived at a relatively flat open space.
This is the scene from back then.
Although the snow covered everything, Luo's memory was incredibly clear.
This is where Mr. Clason hid him in the box.
That's where Mr. Classon was shot and fell.
Further away, in the direction where the Don Quixote family members were standing.
And over there—that's the route the navy is using to encircle us.
Luo closed his eyes.
Those scenes replayed in my mind as if they had happened yesterday.
Mr. Clason pushed open the box lid and gave him that silly grin.
"Luo, you must live on."
Then, he tightly fastened the box, turned around to face the hail of bullets, and to face that vicious demon.
—
Luo opened his eyes.
There were no tears in his eyes; he had cried all his tears thirteen years ago.
Only determination.
He took out the prepared materials from his backpack.
The special ink purchased on the black market is said to originate from the seas near Alabasta and contains peculiar energy.
Then came the silver powder used to draw the summoning circle, and several bottles of potion used as a medium.
These were all obtained by him in exchange for his medical skills or made by himself during his time on Saturn Island.
Using potions as a medium is also a way of hoping to summon someone who is compatible with oneself.
Crouching down, Luo began to draw a summoning circle on the snow with trembling hands.
This is not a standard Heroic Spirit Summoning Circle.
The summoning circle for the Holy Grail War should have been provided by the system, but Law's qualification was transferred, so he didn't have that convenience.
In addition, Luo himself was unaware of this, and he thought that everyone needed to draw such a summoning circle.
Therefore, based on his knowledge and combined with his understanding of space and life from the surgical fruit, he designed this unique formation.
The base is a six-pointed star with three concentric rings of runes, and a space in the center is left for placing the catalyst.
He drew very slowly and carefully.
Every stroke is imbued with magic.
Every stroke carries a memory.
The wind and snow grew stronger, almost covering the unfinished formation.
Luo used his ability to create a small room, sheltering himself from the wind and snow, and continued working.
Two hours later, the formation was completed.
Luo stood up and retreated to the outside of the formation.
He took something out of his pocket; it was no longer medicine, but a small, old object.
Fragments of the brim of a spotted hat.
This is part of Mr. Classon's hat.
Thirteen years ago, on that day, the hat was pierced by a bullet, and a fragment fell into the box where Luo was hiding.
For the next thirteen years, Luo kept it with him.
This was the item he owned that was most closely associated with Mr. Classon.
It was also his only wish to summon heroic spirits.
"By my Command Spell—"
Luo raised his left hand, and the Command Spell began to glow.
"With my life as the starting point—"
His life force began to surge, the domain of the Operation Fruit automatically unfolded, and R0OM enveloped the entire summoning circle.
"Using my unwavering conviction as a bridge—"
Mr. Classon's smile appeared in my mind.
Answer my call—
"An existence that transcends the boundary between life and death!"
"If you hear this wish—"
"If you witness this thought—"
"Descend here!"
"Answer me!"
"Can the dead return?! Can humanity overcome death?!"
boom!!!!
The summoning circle burst forth with a blinding light!
That was not ordinary magic light, but a radiance that was a mixture of cyan and pure white, like the original colors of life!
A beam of light shot into the sky, tearing through the wind and snow, illuminating the entire snowfield!
Luo was blinded by the bright light, but he could sense that something was descending.
Not Mr. Claeson.
That aura—completely different.
More ancient, more sacred, more — heavy.
The light gradually faded.
A figure appeared in the center of the summoning circle.
He was a man dressed in a white robe, who looked to be around thirty years old. He had a gentle and refined face and long, silver-white hair that was casually draped over his shoulders.
He held a staff wrapped with a snake in his hand. The snake was a living creature, its golden eyes curiously surveying its surroundings.
What is most striking about him are his eyes, which possess a profound insight into life and death, as well as the unique compassion of a healer.
He looked at Luo and nodded slightly.
"I ask you—"
The voice was gentle, yet contained an incredible power.
"You must be my Master. You seem to be a doctor as well."
Luo's heart pounded.
Not Mr. Claeson.
But—this…
"My name is Asclepius," the Heroic Spirit introduced himself.
"I wonder if you have heard of those from another world who are in charge of medicine and healing, and who also challenge the boundaries of life and death."
He paused, his gaze falling on the fragment of the hat brim in Luo's hand.
"You use the relics of the deceased as a catalyst, and with the obsession of resurrection as your wish, you call upon my arrival across time and space."
"Such a summoning can be described as extremely precise."
Luo's breathing almost stopped, and at that moment, information about his own Heroic Spirit entered his mind.
Asclepius, the god of medicine
The legendary figure who attempted to resurrect the dead, thus angering Hades, the god of the underworld, and was ultimately killed by Zeus with a thunderbolt.
A person who challenges the boundaries of life and death.
"You—" Luo's voice was hoarse, "Can you—bring the dead back to life?"
Asclepius remained silent for a moment.
Then, he slowly shook his head.
"In my lifetime, I did try. I used my medical skills to revive the dying and even to give the deceased a second breath."
But in the end—”
He raised his finger and pointed to the three Command Seals that appeared on the back of Law's hand, proof that Law was connected to him.
"Life and death are the fundamental laws of the world. Forcibly reversing them will inevitably backfire."
Luo's heart sank.
But Asclepius continued.
"However, the laws are not absolute. There is indeed a gray area between life and death."
His gaze deepened.
"While I cannot fully revive the deceased, my medical skills can heal all injuries and illnesses, prolong the life of the dying, and even—"
He didn't continue speaking, but instead changed the subject.
"If your wish is merely to see me one more time, to speak one more word—"
"Then perhaps—it's possible."
Luo's pupils contracted.
Is it possible to do that?
Even if it's only temporary, even if it's just an illusion?
"What conditions are required?" he asked eagerly.
Asclepius was about to answer.
Suddenly, the two of them turned their heads at the same time and looked at the edge of the snowfield.
Several figures appeared there.
The leader, her pink feather coat fluttering in the wind and snow.
Doflamingo.
Behind him stood Torrepol, Diamanti, Pica, and—Shakespeare, bowing gracefully.
"Fufufufufufu————"
His signature laughter echoed through the snow.
"Long time no see, Luo."
Doflamingo took off his sunglasses, revealing a pair of cold eyes.
"And—this new friend."
His gaze fell on Asclepius, a hint of surprise flashing across his face.
"It seems to be a heroic spirit of the same type as Shakespeare. It's both unexpected and yet perfectly logical."
Luo instantly entered battle mode, unleashing the Demon Cry and deploying ROOM!
"Doflamingo—"
He gritted his teeth, his hatred boiling like magma.
Eleven years have passed.
He finally faced this man again.
The place where Mr. Classon died.
"Don't be so nervous, Law." Doflamingo shrugged.
"I'm just here to say hello. And, by the way, to see how much my dear brother has grown up, the kid he risked his life to protect back then."
He looked at Asclepius.
"Your Excellency, you just said—it's possible to temporarily summon the shadows of the departed?"
Asclepius calmly watched Doflamingo.
"You are one of the killers remembered by this land."
It's not a question, it's a statement.
Doflamingo's smile froze for a moment.
"Oh? You can sense it?"
"Death leaves a mark, and killing leaves a memory," Asclepius said.
"This land remembers the bloodshed of many years ago. And your very essence shares the same origin as the malice within that blood."
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
But Doflamingo quickly regained his smile.
"Fufufu—interesting. So, sir, if I asked you to summon back Rosinante, the shadow of my brother, would you agree?"
Luo roared, "You are not allowed to mention Mr. Classon's name!!"
ROOM - Cut!
An invisible slash struck Doflamingo!
But Diamanti stepped forward, brandishing his longsword to block the attack.
"Kid, show some respect to Dover!"
The battle is imminent!
However, at this very moment—
Heavy footsteps came from another direction.
And, wild laughter.
"Oh? Looks like we're a bit late, but we've just caught the show!"
On the other side of the snowfield, Jack and his crew of Beasts Pirates had just landed.
Leading the way was Cú Chulainn, carrying a crimson spear.
The Mad King's gaze swept across the entire area, his frenzied perception covering the entire island, lingering for a moment on Doflamingo.
Finally, it fell on Asclepius.
"Heh—it seems this target is a big shot."
He grinned, revealing a beastly smile.
On the other side of the battlefield, Luo stood in the center of the summoning circle, with Asclepius standing beside him.
Ahead are Doflamingo and the Donquixote Family executives, as well as the Heroic Spirit Shakespeare.
The wind and snow were howling.
Eleven years ago, Rosinante protected the young Law, caught between the Don Quixote family and the navy, and ultimately risked his life to carve out a path to survival.
Eleven years later, Law stood in the same place, facing the two major forces of the Donquixote Family and the Beasts Pirates.
But this time.
He had gained his own power.
Now I have—a comrade-in-arms to fight alongside me.
Luo took a deep breath and gripped the Ghost Cry tightly.
"Asclepius".
"Yes, Master."
"Can you fight?"
The God of Healing smiled slightly and gently tapped the snake staff in his hand on the ground.
"Although I am a doctor, a doctor also knows how to quiet down the enemy."
A greenish-blue magic began to surge.
"Moreover—"
He looked at Luo, a hint of resonance flashing in his eyes.
"Both you and I have challenged the boundaries of life and death."
"I have angered the gods by raising the dead, and you have summoned me because you long to see the departed again."
"These causes and conditions, these attachments—"
The golden snake on the caduceus raised its head and flicked its tongue.
"It is worth my utmost effort."
A cold smile appeared on Luo's lips.
"Then————"
ROOM, expand to the maximum!
It covered the entire battlefield!
"Let's begin the surgery."
"This time—"
He looked at Doflamingo, his eyes burning with eleven years of anger and hatred.
"I won't run away again."
The wind and snow were raging.
Three forces, two heroic spirits, and a destiny spanning eleven years.
On the snowfields of Mignon Island.
It's about to erupt!
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