CHAPTER 28 — The Creature Who Chose Him
📅 15 May, S.C. 1510
📍 Makino's Bar → Ren's Shed
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The creature was still sleeping when Ren woke that morning.
Wrapped in a blanket, breathing lightly, ears twitching from discomfort.
Makino stood beside the table, wiping its forehead with a cloth.
"Ren," she whispered, "he has a fever. But it's not too bad."
Ren examined the wound carefully.
The bleeding had stopped, but swelling remained.
Kiro leaned on the doorframe.
"You sure this thing won't bite our faces off?"
Luffy hid behind him.
"IF IT DOES, I'LL BITE IT BACK!"
Ren shook his head.
"He's scared. Not aggressive."
The creature whimpered softly.
Makino frowned.
"…Ren? He needs a name."
Ren paused.
He looked into the creature's half-open amber eyes.
Sharp.
Intelligent.
Wild.
But lonely.
A name surfaced in Ren's mind, gentle and natural.
"…Zemo."
Makino smiled.
"That suits him."
Luffy pouted.
"WHY NOT MEAT?!"
Kiro elbowed him.
"Shut up."
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PART 1 — TENDING TO ZEMO
Ren ground medicinal leaves carefully, mixing them with warm water.
Makino watched.
"You learned this from the forest?"
Ren nodded.
"These herbs reduce swelling and pain."
He applied the paste gently on Zemo's wound.
Zemo flinched—
but didn't snap or growl.
Makino raised an eyebrow.
"Ren… he trusts you already."
Ren blinked.
"…I just helped him."
Makino shook her head.
"No. Trust like that takes more than treatment. He chose you."
Ren looked down at Zemo.
The creature's breathing slowed.
It shifted slightly, pressing its head lightly against Ren's hand.
Ren froze.
Then slowly…
softened.
"…You're safe now."
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PART 2 — THE FIRST INTERACTION
Later that afternoon, Zemo woke up fully.
Luffy leaned too close.
"HI ZEMOOOO!!"
Zemo growled—
Luffy screamed—
Kiro dragged him away.
Ren kneeled calmly.
Zemo stared at him intensely, as if trying to read him.
Ren placed a small bowl of broth on the floor.
Zemo sniffed.
Hesitated.
Then drank.
Makino whispered behind them,
"…He really likes you."
Zemo finished drinking and nudged Ren's knee gently.
Ren blinked.
"That means… thank you?"
Makino nodded.
"That means 'I trust you.'"
Ren froze.
Trust.
A simple word.
But one he rarely heard in his previous life.
He whispered,
"…I won't let you down, Zemo."
Zemo rested his head on Ren's lap.
Makino smiled softly.
Kiro shook his head.
"Yeah. He's officially Ren's now."
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PART 3 — SLEEPING WITH WARMTH
That night, Ren carried Zemo to his shed, placing him near the fire pit.
Zemo curled into a ball.
Ren brushed his fur gently.
"…Rest. I'll take care of you."
For the first time, Ren realized something:
This world…
this village…
these small bonds…
He wasn't surviving alone.
He was building a family.
Zemo whimpered softly once more—
but this time,
not in fear.
In comfort.
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END OF CHAPTER 28