OK! Pre-op's done. Ready for the QS? Gonna fix you up!
Just make sure all four of them are going well, that's all.
Right! Four's the aim! Jotting it down. S&V, X's&D's at 1pm sharp! I'll have it done in a flash, no sweat!
Alright. I've got to ask though, what are we even doing here at 1pm sharp for?
Ah, right! MR just wants an extra check-up, nothing serious! Nothing we can't handle. Full-on team effort, noshir!
Yeah, and why are we calling them quadruple stomas if it's just a check-up? You sure it's nothing serious? You're acting kinda off. Don't tell me you messed up the surgery on me already or something.
Off? Nah, I'm cool as a cucumber! You'll see. We're just putting in extra stents 'n stuff, routine procedure! All A-okay! You'll be home free 'n easy in no time!
Okie-dokie, then we're set! Next step, getting the patient prepped. Gotta clear out the area, get it ship-shape. Follow my lead, one-two-three, GO!
Uh, just so you know, while you're preparing me, I will be having some complications... See ya after that, doc.
Complications? Ugh, figures. Whatever! Onward ho! Get ready, here comes the iv fluids. Hang tight, gonna scrub in like mad!
You're gonna do these right, right? Like I said, four functioning stomas are crucial. His eyes were starting to lose their color.
Four functioning stomas, for-sure! No slip-ups! We're doing this proper, right as rain! I'll make sure of it! IVs in, check! Now, let's suit up! Gonna dive right in and nail it!
Your skin color is...Uhh...P-Pink! Pinkish-pink! Yes, very pink! Pink is your skin color! Law puts on his surgical mask Now, let's not waste another sec, time to get this show on the road!
....... sigh You really didn't look? How hard is it to notice something like that?
I-I did look! Y-your skin's pink! Pinkish-pink! I swear it is! Gah, ignore it! We've got work to do! Alright, all set! Ready for the procedure! Let's get this ball rollin'!
Hmph. It's.... Coral. So close.
Coral? Oh, dang! So close, huh? Well, g-guess it's not my fault! It's...It's fine! We're still good to go! Just gonna...Gyahh, just gonna get into it! Here we gooo! Gonna get this done lightning-fast!
No. You don't understand. You've gotta make sure all four stomas function. It is impossible to function properly with only three stomas. If you get three of them in, there's a chance I'll live. But I'd rather have all four of them in to maximize my chances of survival. I'm putting my trust in you here, Doctor. Are you going to do this? Or am I gonna die?
Oh gosh, oh gosh! You're dead serious! Don't worry, don't fret! Gonna get 'em all in, ain't no doubt! Ain't nothin' gettin' past me! Gonna nail it! Four stomas, check! Triple-checked! Get ready for blast-off! Time to show 'em what I'm made of!
Okay... One last thing before you start surgery.... Can you do me a favor?
Shoot, what's up? You need somethin'? Gimme the lowdown, I'm listenin'!
When.... He paused, his heart beating fast. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again. When my time comes... Promise me you won't let that doctor with a fish face butcher my corpse?
W-what? N-no way! I promise, I swear! Not on your life! The second you kick the bucket, I'll jump in front of that fish-faced doc and block his path! Ain't lettin' him lay a finger on ya! Cross my heart!
Thank you... You really mean it, don't you?
Y-yes, I mean it! Won't let anything happen to you! Absolutely! A promise is a promise! It's engraved in my mind! You can bank on it! I'll protect you with every fiber of my being!
You better.... he giggled suddenly. God, I love cigarettes....
Haha, y-yeah! Cigs are the best! Nothin' beats the taste! But don't worry, I got your back! Ain't no doctor gonna lay a finger on ya! Not on my watch! Don't you worry!
Thanks, doc. You've been a real pal to me lately.
Hey, anytime! You're family to me, you hear? Nothin' more important than family! Just lay back and relax, I'll handle everything! Don't sweat it!
He smirked, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. And hey, if it kills me, that's what matters.
stares, horrified Wait, wait, wait, wait a minute... what?! What do you mean "if it kills me"?! We're gonna fix you up real good, ain't no doubt! I won't let anything bad happen to ya! Ain't no smoking gun gonna beat us! Not on my watch!
Hey, hey, it's okay. People with four stomas survive longer than normal people. You heard me. Even if I die, it means I beat normal people in some way. Makes me feel more important in a weird way.
No, no, no, no, no! Don't say that! You ain't dyin'! Not on my watch! Not with me standin' right here! We're gonna beat this thing together, hear me? Ain't no dying allowed! Ain't nobody tougher than us! Not a chance! pounds fist on table We're gonna fix you up real good and send you off into the sunset with flying colors! Ain't no doubt about it!
...... Do you promise? That.... My body won't be butchered by any strange faced person, okay? Just that......
Yes, yes! Cross my heart! I swear it on my life! That doctor won't lay a finger on ya! Not a single one! I'll personally make sure of it! Promise! I'll defend you till my dying breath! Ain't no one messing with you, my friend! You're safe with me!
He smirked, blowing smoke in your face and coughing. Whoa... I haven't done that in years....
coughs Wh-whoa! Dude, that's some potent smoke! chokes Man, you should quit that! Bad for the lungs! wipes tears from eyes But... clears throat But yeah, I promise! Ain't no butchering happening on my watch! You're safe with me, buddy!
Hey, would you want me to teach you how to smoke?
Oh, uh... tch, you know me, always up for learnin' new tricks! Show me the ropes, dude! Teach me how to smoke like a pro! grinning But remember, I promise to keep you safe! Ain't no harm in a little smoke, right?
Don't tell anyone I taught you this, alright? He grinned.
Got it, no one's gonna hear it from me! You're the boss! Teach me the ways of the smoke, oh wise one! Let's puff away like true professionals! And don't you worry, I won't breathe a word about your secret teaching methods! Promise!
Before we start, though..... he chuckled, flicking the ash off his cigarette. He placed it out in a cup, sighing softly. What's your name? Just in case I die? You've probably heard mine from the news....
My name's Trafalgar D. Water Law. Ring a bell?
Yep.... I just remember you from the Marines. His eyes darkened..... Goodbye, Trafalgar Law. It was nice meeting you....
W-wait! Don't say goodbye just yet! We ain't finished with our mission! I'm not letting you die on me! Not yet! grabs the syringe Let's get this operation rollin'! We've got stomas to put in! Ain't no time for goodbyes! Stay with me, pal! We're gonna beat this together!