Chapter 15: So, why are you screaming?
After removing the small animal's body from the twig I was holding, I moved on to the next step of my search for Garp while carrying the dead animal's body by holding its long ears.
My body started to sweat as the temperature in this forest started to get hotter, indicating that the sun was at its peak. However, even though the sun was at its peak, this forest still appeared a little dim because large and shaded trees were blocking sunlight from entering.
'I know it is a bad idea to bring fresh meat with me in this wilderness, but I have no choice but to steel my resolve and move forward, right?'
-
I don't know how long I've been walking in this forest. But, on the way, I found another two rabbit-like animals and killed them. Therefore, I now have three fresh cuts of meat with blood that keeps pouring on the ground while I continue looking for Garp.
*howls
*barks
As soon as I heard the voices, which I was sure were coming from wild beasts in the distance, my heart skipped a beat. I knew that if the wild beasts smelled the fresh meat I was carrying, they would encircle me in no time.
So, I immediately halted my steps and waited for the sound of the beast to recede until it was no longer audible before continuing my journey.
Although I am aware that Luffy's body, which is only 6 years old, is very strong in comparison to the bodies of children his age, I am still unsure whether or not this body is capable of withstanding a pack of wolves or even more powerful beasts that live in this forest.
"Damn that old man, putting me in this kind of situation, doesn't he know what a beginner class is?"
"I've only heard that he was very hard on Luffy, but now that I've taken over Luffy's body and experienced it myself, I didn't expect him to be this bad."
After making sure that everything was back to normal and safe, I breathed a sigh of relief. However, at that point, I realized that if I moved further into this forest by myself, it would only hasten the process of my death.
But for some reason, I feel that Garp didn't really leave me alone. I even feel that he's watching me now secretly without me knowing it.
"Couldn't hurt to try."
After taking a few deep breaths, I immediately let out a scream as loud as I could make it, "ahhhh... help... grandpa help me..."
At first, I didn't hear any movement, and Garp didn't even appear toward me as I expected him to. However, I didn't give up and tried to change my strategy.
"ahhh... please... they are tearing me apart... grandpa, if you don't come now I will die, and can't continue your dream of becoming a Marine..."
This time, I was able to sense the movement of the bushes and tall grass that was all around me. All of a sudden, from behind the bush in front of me, a large black furry animal that looked like a bear with sharp fangs and claws appeared as if it was ready to pounce on me.
"It's bad... I'm really going to die," I muttered hopelessly, and because I was so terrified and shocked, my body just froze rigidly where it didn't want to move.
"Luffy are you okay?"
But suddenly, Garp emerged from behind the bear-like creature while asking anxiously. Because I was still in a state of shock, I could only keep my silence while continuing to stare at this beast.
As if realizing what I was thinking, Garp then laughed out loud while pointing out that this bear-like animal was dead, and I also just realized that this beast had not moved or shown any other movements.
"So, why are you screaming?"
After I had regained my composure, I responded, "There was a pack of wolves that tried to attack me earlier, but it seems like they have left now after sensing grandpa's presence."
Even though I could sense Garp was a little suspicious, he just laughed it off in the end and moved on and asked me to start cooking our prey.
-
"So what did you get, Luffy?" asked Garp as he started skinning the bear he had hunted.
"I only get this," I said in response while demonstrating three animals similar to the rabbit that I hunted.
Although Garp seemed somewhat disappointed, he nodded his head and said, "although your hunt isn't that special, you can still survive in the wilderness with it."
After that, Garp began teaching me how to skin animals, cut up the meat we hunted, and start a fire. He said, "Listen, Luffy, meat is the best choice of food because not only is it easy to get, but the meat will always be delicious, even if it's just grilled without any seasoning."
Soon after, with my help, Garp began to light the fireplace, and smoke began to billow in the midst of this wilderness. Piece by piece of meat began to be burned, and an appetizing aroma was released.
Without me noticing, saliva began to drip from the corner of my mouth as well as Garp's, and when one of the large pieces of meat was already cooked, Garp hastily grabbed it before I could.
"This is also another lesson that will be useful to you later. You need to hurry up for the food business because it will prolong your life in the wilderness."
I just sighed and nodded my head because I knew it was pointless to argue with this old man who was so set in his ways.
After waiting for a long time, I can finally enjoy this delicious, soft, and chewy meat after several failures because Garp always seizes my opportunity.