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The journey to Dressrosa was not as straightforward as Law had preferred. Sure, it’s should’ve been expected when he learned of the ridiculous antics the Straw Hat captain likes to pull. Law can admit tying himself into an Alliances on a whim addition for his plan wasn’t the smartest move, even if it was a good opportunity. And so, an inconvenience caused from Law’s own uncalculated judgement is something he can live with.
But Law was only expecting one hassle. He certainly did not expect for the whole crew be all… like this.
“Luffy! I’ve heard there might’ve been a treasure-filled ship wreckage around here, can we sail around to find it? Pleeeasee?”
Unconventional.
“Fun adventures?! Alright! Set sail, everybody!”
Like their captain.
His disbelief must’ve been visible if the gentle chuckle he knew belong to Nico-ya were anything to go by.
…Right. Punching a celestial dragon and breaking into Impel Down was the blaring red flag Law had ignored in favour of the Straw Hat captain's initials and defiant actions. It would be way stranger if his crew aren’t as shrewd as he was.
Law missed his crew.
No rooms for regrets when he’s closer than ever.
The Strawhats’ ship— Thousand Sunny, as he’d been repeatedly informed —was anchored to a nearby island for supplies refill and were ready to sail when their navigator chimed in about a local rumour. Excitedly chattering about treasures, money and all, surprisingly materialistic for a Straw Hat.
He sighed, Law had come to the conclusion long since Punk Hazard (which felt way longer than just a week ago) that no one in this crew is sane enough to be convinced out of anything, especially not their captain when his own definition of ‘fun’ was involved.
They sailed just a little over a mile before the wreckage was sighted, stranded in the flat piece of a rock surface. From the distance, Law can make out of a distinctive marine symbol etched on the fluttering tattered foresail. Its scale of damages lacked any indication of intent, instead reminisce of destruction incited on instinct.
Could’ve been a sloppy use of devil fruit power, but it was quickly ruled out by the resounding growl emerging from the water below.
“Ackk! What is that!? We’re going to dieee!! This is all your fault, Nami!!!”
That loud cry undoubtedly came from Nose-ya, followed by a characteristic excitement their captain had audibly let out.
Law only watched by the railing as Straw Hat-ya effortlessly defeated the surfacing sea king. Staying by the Thousand Sunny in preference of keeping an eye over Doflamingos’ clown.
There’s unease among the enveloping carefree air that Law certain only he felt. The phrase “The calm before the storm” has been ringing to mind insistently ever since they blackmailed the warlord and it kept growing louder every time he tried to dismiss it.
Half-a-hour of peace before a commotion arise. Nami-ya had left the wreckage with a bag full of treasures over her shoulder with a few other Straw Hat member scattered around her across the deck, nothing urgent from their casual manners. Straw Hat-ya and the rest must’ve still roaming in the ruins.
“There’s still a lot of treasures inside, and I can’t carry all of it! Can anyone help me…?” She pleaded animatedly, then as if fantasizing something, enthusiastically announced, “Just imagine how much money we can gain!”
“Absolutely! Everything for you Nami-san dear!” Their cook immediately sprang into action, pouring flatteries like petals shower before glaring everyone else in cold contrast, “Oi, all of you better help too, got it?”
The napping swordsman yawned in turn, “Like hell I will.”
“What did you say, shitty bastard?…”
Aside from the unfolding bickers he’d grown accustomed to, nothing seemed remarkable, at least up until…
“…It’s all white! Nothing I’ve ever seen before, can’t even figure out what it’s made of! This bounds to make us rich!” The navigator described when Nose-ya asked.
Law abruptly turned to her, confused stares directed at him, plenty concerned and some studying.
But he can only focus on what she had said—White treasures?
A sense of turmoil climbs and short-circuits his whole body as the word registered. Stains of itchiness slowly unfolds within his skin.
He tried to list the unlikeliness possibility of the White City’s treasures ending up here.
It’s not as if every valuable with white colouring came from Flevance, could’ve been a dye, or paints, maybe Nami-ya only meant the colours of the jewels.
Her comments about the ores stands out, sure. But it’s unlikely a navigator would be well-versed on every ore’s existed, even if they are a thief…
Despite Laws’ reasoning, the phantom pain did not subside.
“Torao? Something’s wrong?” The navigator asked.
Disregarding the urges to ‘shamble’ the bag into his prickling hands, Law kept his voice composed, “Its nothing. Nami-ya, do you mind if I take a look at your loots?”
No harm in being cautious, might as well as confirm it and prove his body wrong.
She and the other Straw Hats eyed him thoughtfully. Only then he realized his mistake. Of course it’ll be refused, Law was a rivalling crew, captain at that. It’s rational for them to distrust him, let along—
“Alright. But don’t even think about stealing it, and each piece will cost you precisely one million bellies!”
Law forgot rationality was scarce in this crew, and for once, was glad for it.
Disregarding the “cost” and his own disbelief, Law pulled a few grasses from the deck, released it in the air and swapped them with a click when they met the ground in swifts motion, replacing it with—
His finger froze.
What is it doing here?
“Nami-ya! Drop the bag and wash your hand!” Law hasty shouts surprised everybody and set a few on guard, a series of clang followed.
Logically he knew such a low exposure won’t affect anything. But that logical part of his brain is currently overridden by the part that kept yelling in panics.
His brain was scrambled in numerous incoherent thoughts, each leading astray— How did it get here? Was Flevance…? That’s impossible. What if? No, he can process this later. How much contact did it get to anyone? He should say something. Check everyone. This could ruin everything! They’re staring, he should really explain, how will he explai—
—Okay, let’s not lose composure and be straightforward.
“It’s poisonous.” Not a great start, someone yelped in fear, he clarified, “Low exposure won’t harm anyone, but it would still be unwise to keep them around.”
Various sigh of relief was heard as Nami-ya rushed to the bathroom.
“Call your captain and the rest. We should burn them alongside the ship remains.” Law instructed, steady as an anchor. Ignoring its cold and sinking weight.
Heats of flames whispered to his skin even from afar. Law lingered, observing as flames incinerates the woods, fabrics and everything else. The star sets a view, at least.
A pace of hoof grew near, belonging to none other than the Straw Hats’ doctor. The reindeer hesitated for moment before questioning him, “Torao, how did you know it was poisonous?”
Law blinked. Right, it must’ve been odd for him to recognize it at a glance. And by few quick stares pointed at him, Tony-ya weren’t the only one curious.
“…I’m a doctor.” Were the only excuses that came in mind and it had earned him onlookers disbelieving looks (a snicker too, for some reason).
Nevertheless, Tony-ya seemed to buy it by the awe in his face and continues to ask in rapid fires, “Can you tell me all about the poison? Symptoms? Factor? Cures? Everything? This could be useful in the future!”
Like a deer in the headlight, he stiffened.
A part of him wanted to shut the reindeers down, cut the subject and everything else in regards, but snapping gains suspicion, and suspicion over trivial matters is plain foolish. He can’t afford senseless mistakes.
Yet simultaneously, there wasn’t any reasonable explanation his— normally —resourceful part could form. Piles of reasons and excuse falls unconvincing in his mind, leaving nothing to say to the expectant gaze.
“Everyone! Dinner’s ready!” Saved by the announcements. Everyone on deck went upstairs, regarding losing meals more important than whatever Law’s answer will be. He owed Black Leg-ya one.
.
.
.
A plate of onigiris singled itself from the assortments of meats and seafoods, he took a seat at once when slithering fingers was sighted threatening it. Familiar chitchats and debates settled itself into the background.
“Sanji! There were so many meats inside! Can you believe it?” Was Straw Hat-ya’s, followed by a light-hearted laugh.
The cook nagged, “So what? You won’t eat my food?”
His captain grabbed another drumstick, someone yelled, “Of course not! Your food tasted the best!” Black leg-ya huffed, though endearingly.
Tuning out the conversation, Law felt like he had forgotten something, but as the itchiness and irregular pulse came to a fade, he’d ignored it.
“Toraooo! Come outside!” Was all Law heard before the bouncing captain barged inside. The younger captain had a bored expression, indifferent to the mess of papers and book littered throughout the floor.
Law had locked himself to the Thousand Sunny’s infirmary for the past two days, spending time writing medical reports Tony-ya had asked and reading books, ridding himself of Flevance memories. The accusation of avoiding himself from anyone is one he can’t refute, and Straw Hat-ya must’ve showed up in that correlation.
Only then Law noticed he had murmured in unaware (an odd and dangerous habit his crew had pointed out) when Straw Hat-ya, out of the blue, replied, “Huh? Lifespan? I’ve heard that word before…”
A pause, Law was about to explain when Straw Hat-ya continued in recollection, “Right! Iva-chan said I’m losing twenty years of those! Whatever that meant…” He shrugged.
…What?
Law had to process the horrifying implication of Straw Hat-ya’s sentence before letting out an undignified “How…?”
“Hm? Is it important for you? I’ll tell more if you come outside.” The nonchalance attitude perplexed him.
He stood up, an important addition for the medical record, “Straw Hat-ya. Explain.” The boy in front of him was unbudging, the ever-famous stubbornness in full display. Change of approach. “Alright. I’ll go with you, but first—”
Terrible mistake. Two rubbery limbs had coiled around his torso, cutting him off, “Great! Usopp, I got him!” And just like that, he was thrown into the decks’ grassy lawn; his hat flew to who know where and his offender laughing without care to the world.
Looking back, it was reasonable for a rivalling captain to avoid disclosing any weakness, he knew that. Yet, something about the newly acquired knowledges had left acids inside his stomach.
He turned be faced with the painted sky— hastily mixed pink, oranges and purples was decorated by disarrayed stars. Within peripheral was Nose-ya yelping in fear and apologizing profusely. Soft breezes waltzed against the grasses, the sails and his stray hair.
Twenty years, huh?
Then, an odd melancholy came to Law as his ear registered a drifting melody. His eyelids fluttered to a close. Exhaustion had caught up and withheld his body down.
…longer than he will ever live, at least.
Bartolomeo-ya’s ship was loud, though loud in different way Thousand Sunny was (and in way the Polar Tang never was). That fact certainly did not stop the younger bandaged captain to bounce around like he owned the ship— which would gladly be given if he asked —even when he kept slipping off from the injuries, or alternatively, from the nearing islands freezing climate.
It was about the tenth ‘thud’ of Straw hat-ya falling off the mast when Law decided he heard enough.
“Straw Hat-ya, give it a rest. Your body won’t heal if you keep slamming it into the boards.” He said sternly, “Doctors’ order.”
“Mmm…” Even if his word will fall in deaf ears, he was not manhandled yet, which is good. Law had enough of being dragged around like sacks of potato in one day. Another tumble to the floor, “Well, if you said so.”
Did… Straw Hat-ya just complied?
He honestly had not expected for the stubborn captain to even acknowledges his complain, let alone cooperated. It was a positive thing, Straw Hat-ya injuries are awful and could benefit from a rest, yet Law felt strangely displeased about it. ‘…Isn’t this Stockholm syndrome?’ He forsaken the thought almost instantly and left.
Perhaps it had resulted by the snow, or maybe because he had just gone through one of the worst day of his life, could even be a paranoia for all the combined headache life love to throw at him. Nevertheless, his brain had been picking out oddities for these past days and had it gnawed at his skin to the point of unignorable.
It bothered him more when the Strawhat captain was root of his concern. And not in way where his unshakeable brazenness wrecks Laws’ plan and logic and common sense for all the world to see. No, it was the subtle difference in behaviour Straw Hat-ya carried through that threw Law off. Which was somehow worse. (Stockholm syndrome it is)
He ate meals prepared on the feast Barto crews had celebrated every night and note at the fact the gluttonous captain hadn’t sneak even a finger into others plates.
He detached himself from the bustling crowds and notice not a single syllable of his jarring nickname was declared.
He noticed the Strawhat captain became defensive of his namesake hat and never took it off at all since two weeks ago. Law could even swear he caught his unrelenting patient tired once.
Of course, all of this display could very well mean nothing and he was overthinking it. The factor of wound and frost was enough explanation for the weariness, which Straw Hat-ya’s terrifying recovery will solve them in the mean times.
Doesn’t change the fact he shouldn’t disregard it, and Law didn’t. The problem, as it usually was, lies on the enigma that Straw Hat Monkey D. Luffy is. Because somehow— like animal instincts —he managed to vanish every time Law’s about to check on him without even a trace. Disappeared. On a ship. In the middle of the ocean. Not even his power could find him, which is, what the hell?
And reluctant to ask for the Straw Hats help, Law gave up. He lacks patience to play this ridiculous cat mouse game. it’ll eventually work out, like it always does, anyway.
Law pretended not to notice Roronoa-ya and Nico-ya’s increasing observances toward their captain.
A crashing splash was heard over the water. Law perked his head, attempting to make the situation out of the stirring ruckus.
“Luffy-senpai went overboard!”
Huh.
It should’ve been alarming, to a certain extent it was. However, Law who had spent two weeks in the Thousand Sunny had seen the man fall into the ocean every four days for the most unbelievably stupid reasons possible, where his cook or swordman then haul him back to the deck soaking wet and the dumbass would flash one of those absurd grins before continuing whatever game he had been doing even sodden. Like he hadn’t almost drowned. Took time getting used to it.
“He’s not waking up!”
Hm, that one guarantees a visit. Law should account external factors this time. The water must’ve been freezing around here and cold certainly does not mix well with rubber skin, nor does seas.
Taking a stride across the deck, he sighted at least fifteen peoples in the crowd, the unconscious (could very well sleeping) Straw Hat-ya obscured among them. That strode increased speed when he spotted Roronoa-ya’s grimace. Not a good sign.
“How’s his condition?” he queried, crowd quickly dispersed as he arrived with only the Straw Hats remaining. He threw two dry towels to the drenched swordsman.
Law frowned as he glanced at his ally, soaked and shivering against the freezing temperature. Was he always this pale?
Roronoa-ya wrapped both towels around his captain and replied, “Worrying.” Unhelpful.
Law shambled both of them to a vacant room— because for all the miracle the Straw Hat can pull, infirmary built on Going Luffy was not one of them. “Nico-ya?”
“I am not well-versed in any way.” She bloomed a smile, Law could point its wry corner if he was an asshole with death wish. “But Luffy’s breath was shallow, he seemed in pain…more so than before, and…”
Nico-ya waved in sequences he knew meant an eye has sprouted somewhere around. For a moment, the world paused as her smile dropped. Then, with no warmth radiated, the woman bored straight into his eye. Which just a slight unsettling, is a terrible omen. “There’s white splotches on his chest.”
Law breath hitches. Then vanished in a flick, leaving three Straw Hat figures on deck.
Six hours.
It took six hours, of shuffling Roronoa Zoro-ya’s out of the room, of confirming— then dissecting the lead out of Straw Hat-ya body in unsanitary makeshift surgery (not unordinary), and another three hours of monitoring his unexpected patient, all while keeping Barto Club members from entering, before Law actually began to process what had just happened.
So, nine hours.
It was on the devil hours, where only draughts and dim moonlight glim upon the room, curtain half-draped and the surfaces of ill-lit water displayed. A rhythmic breath stands loud against its silences, occasional creaks deafen present ears.
Only his ears anyway.
Law, wilting on the stool, kept his senses keen in case of irregularity. Compromising the lack of proper equipment with alertness. Ultimately, his mind gave up concentrating in one objective, distraction was scarce in the dead nights. Flooding was the reality; every question, shock, memories, fear, had made ways through the dam’s crack. A prickling sensation enveloped his neck.
Question, was a good number of it. It’s the simplest, and the most beneficial to focus on. All stored in a box to answer one by one. Problem solving, straightforward.
What had happened? His ally collapsed with Amber lead on his body.
What caused it?
…
…He’s terrible at this.
“…It’s not possible…” He blankly muttered. A harsh contrast against the cold serenities, as though he had just disrupted an unspoken rule. “…It’s just not! …He’s from east blue— When could h—”
The ship.
“…No, that couldn’t be it.” Tap. Tap. Scritch. “The damage won’t be this severe, the lead would barely affect his… lifespan…”
Lifespan. Right, of course. The world wanted Monkey D. Luffy dead equally as it wished him to keep living through miracles, he’d forgotten of that fact.
It’s not implausible. Add amber lead and subtract it by Straw Hat-ya’s twenty years, severe strain and the seas contact. Is farthest Law deduction can reach with the disease information withheld and long went unknown.
One question solved. Presumably.
Itch spread relentlessly. Another question, one he stupidly had forgotten; What was the treasure doing outside of Flevance, and inside a marine’s vessel?
A risk worth its price… Considerable enough for the government to return after their forgotten little coverup. What could the White City be in possession of for them to… No, surely not?
…Was profits, money, and riches so paramount for a country-worth of lives be dispensable? (Look where he had ended up on)
Shit. He had not considered this at all. Doflamingo was one thing, even if monstrously powerful, he is not infallible. But the world government? What can he do against the systems with controls over the globe?
“I was ignorant.” Law breathlessly concluded, his chest felt tight. It wrapped and bleached his inked tattoos white.
Ignorant, to indulge temperance toward the signs his allies had displayed. Ignorant, to overlook the possibilities that government could set its sight toward Flevances prosperity regardless of consequences. Ignorant, believing he was through when Doflamingo is out of the picture.
His ignorance almost costed his allies life. Had costed him the Straw Hats trust. And will cost hundreds of deaths.
There was nothing Law could do. He was damned to witness another country befallen by the very same thing he had been subjected into, incapable to change a thing at all.
A fate for the sole survivor of Flevance. Only his to bear.
Bitter laugh escaped him. Despite Cora-san’s effort, he couldn’t help but loath the marine just a little more, and possibly himself too. Something gnawed at his skin, struggling to dull the encasing thorns.
Scritch. Scritch. Scritch.
“Stop.” A hand had forcefully took his away. Law yanked at the grip and nearly materialised a room in reflexes before registering the situation.
A pair of wide eyes boring straight at him, drawing breathes away. Law suddenly became aware of the red inflammation speckled all across his body. Did he cause this?
Straw Hat-ya stirred too early, it should’ve taken at least one more day before he woke up, even unnatural metabolism counted.
Not a single word Law wanted to speak dared to flee in front of those judging gaze. He managed anyway, “You woke up.”
No reply. The younger captain face still reflected its unexpected and indelible seriousness. Law continued as he took a step forward, ignoring the now aching skin, “Does anything still hurts? Why didn’t you tell anyone?” Changes of subject, hopefully it worked.
Failed, because this is the Strawhat captain he’s dealing with, “You’re our friend.” He out-of-the-blue said.
“We’re allies,” Law quickly corrected. Allies until Kaido is defeated, he should’ve said. Instead, he asked, “Where is this coming fr—”
“Friends. You helped me, two years ago and just now.” Straw Hat-ya interrupted, his voice held its ever present convictions. Where did his endless confidences come from?
It was a mistaken assumption, “I had my purposes.” He felt stupid for arguing with the barely awake captain.
“You didn’t.” A firm denial. “You asked for help.”
“Straw Hat-ya, what are you getting at?” He demanded. Law had a job to do, and his unwilling patient love to make everything harder. “You’re still half-dazed. Go to sleep.”
Straw Hat-ya abruptly leaned toward him and Law found himself face-to-face, incapable of avoiding the confronting glare.
“We’re friends.” He stated, “Friends help each other when they needed it.”
He blinked. Ah. This is what Straw Hat-ya were trying to say.
Law suddenly remembered an article he had read two years ago. It was of one of the Strawhat pirates most well-known achievement; Enies Lobby. Even if tangled in threads of deceives, Law distinctly recalled the paragraph describing the government flag set aflame and the war his crew declared against them to claim the Devil Child back. Meeting them now, it was easy to unravel the lies and the truth.
He won against the world once and offered Law another. For someone aren’t even a part of his crew. That’s…ridiculous.
The kind of ridiculousness only his ally could even say with such certainty and Law wouldn’t doubt it. Because this was Luffy-ya he is faced with, the ever-stubborn boy who punched a celestial dragon and defeated warlords and inspired countries to even admiral. The captain who knew no consequences and bound of realities, and the ally Law was chosen to befriend with regardless of rejection.
Luffy-ya face shifted to content. As if reading his mind (like he had ever since the beginning) and agreeing to the presumption Law had arrived to.
Because Law was a friend.
“…What are you even saying.” Law helplessly sighed.
And, if he smiled, Luffy-ya had already returned to sleep without a comment. Snoring and forever indifferent to the crumbling walls he had forcibly crashed through for reason and logic Law would never understand.
‘Don’t try to find reasons for somebody’s love.’
…Damn him and his luck.