"???"
At that moment, Merlin looked up, surprise in his eyes as he saw the slender boy of about eleven or twelve standing between the other two in the doorway.
He wore a gray-and-white fur winter hat patterned with leopard spots, a gray shirt, and brown cropped pants.
A ring of distinctive black eyeliner framed his bright, fierce eyes. Merlin tilted his head. "Luo?"
The boy was none other than Lami's older brother, Trafalgar Law.
"It really is you! You're alive after all. I knew it—there was no way a menace like you could've died back there."
Eyes wide, he hurried forward, his body trembling with excitement. His scarred, pale hands grabbed the front of Merlin's beige shirt, and tears welled in his eyes. "You really are alive. I'm so glad!"
Merlin looked at the boy, who stood barely four feet seven, and his expression softened. He patted him on the head, a smile touching his lips. "Yeah! I'm alive. And I'm so glad you made it, too."
Suddenly, Law shoved Merlin in the chest. His face reddened, and he gave a scornful snort, eyes narrowed as he grinned mockingly. "Of course I didn't die. How could I?"
Seeing the brat putting on airs, Merlin narrowed his eyes slightly. "Are you asking for a beating? You dare talk to me like that?"
Law's expression stiffened. Memories of getting beaten up by Merlin as a kid abruptly came back to him. He glared at Merlin with a dark look. "Hmph! I'm not the same as I used to be. I've gotten strong. I know artillery, hand-to-hand combat, and swordsmanship. You definitely wouldn't stand a chance against me now."
Merlin gave him an up-and-down glance, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You don't even have a gun or