Title: Seafaring Heartless: Acquiring Paradise

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece. It belongs to Eiichiro Oda. The following story is a work of fanfiction only.

Summary: Sequel to Exit North Blue: The next leg of their adventure was just around the corner. Law smiled as he leaned against the railing of the Polar Tang and looked out at the sunrise. His submarine was in prime condition, his nakama stood behind his goals, some of the best friends he had ever had were a part of his crew, and he had no reason at all to believe his plans would fail, or that he would be unable to acquire what he wanted.

Genre: Adventure

Rating: T

Pairings: I do not intend to write any pairings at this time.

Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who faved, followed or reviewed! I means a lot that you're still reading this. Also, I know this chapter is late (by a little over a month) But I promise the story is still in the works. I have a lot of life stuff going on right now, but I'm hoping to get back into the flow or writing and back to regular posting soon. Also, fight scenes are hard to write and I procrastinated.


Chapter Nine

Of Hacky Sacks and Botany

The moon rose higher as the night went on. Law sat contentedly against a log, just resting with a messy compact of herbs bound against the wound on his head. It wasn't as fancy as what he had on his ship, but considering the circumstances he was satisfied. Itsuki Garihelm had know exact what he was looking for. Clearly he hadn't be lying when he said he was a botanist.

It was with an almost lazy attitude that Law watched the others. Jack had managed to cook up a pretty decent vegetable stew in a metal pot Itsuki had pulled out of his garden tools and washed. For that they were all grateful. Now the boys slept, curled up together under a heavy tarp while the men played cards with the deck the gambler kept up his sleeve.

"See, " Jack was saying, "I told you they were a useful thing to have.'

Nearby Itsuki sat whittling away at a piece of wood with a pocket knife.

"Garihelm-ya," Law started slowly, "how did you get here of all places? Will you share?"

"It's a long story," came the answer.

Law smiled, "we have time."

-:-:-:-:-:-

Bepo was probably as antsy as he had ever been in his life. His friends were missing, he knew at least one was hurt. And there was no way to get to them without trekking through this cave. More than that it was the type of cave where going ahead himself would only cause trouble. At least the island locals seemed to know the terrain, and had brought plenty of gear including light.

Still, Bepo wondered why they had all gone this way instead of the other fork that Joe's Dad had wondered about. That would have been easier. They probably would have had food and company and a safe resting place… but perhaps they hadn't known how to get there. Or perhaps they hadn't know what was down that side.

After what seemed like hours they reached the location that Bepo immediately knew from the description of the previously mentioned star chamber. Bepo could immediately tell the group had been here. Their scents were everywhere. He shared that information and the Doctor's assistant, Reggie, seemed immediately relieved.

"Well that's good. That means everyone is mobile… Ruby, you brought climbing gear right? "

"Of course. I figured I'd go across ahead and place the pins and then everyone after me could be tethered in as they cross. Just in case. I have to admit. I'm pretty excited to be in here. I've never seen this all before."

"What's up just ahead will take your breath away. Now, Mr. Bepo, I need you to promise me not to run ahead after I get this door open. The footing up there can be a bit treacherous and there's a long drop."

Bepo couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed but he nodded. "I promise."

A moment later the man had leapt into some weird hopping dance routine.

-:-:-:-:-:-

It was a long trek back through the woods and Shachi's body protested with every step, but he couldn't stop now. He had to make sure Mansel was okay and then they had to figure out how to get to their friends. Fortunately the moon was bright enough to light his path and his eyes had adjusted to the nighttime conditions. Aside from his own injuries what posed the biggest problem was the chill. The night had only grown colder as it deepened, and while the boiler suit kept him from the worst of it, it was not designed for survival in the woods. He kept himself moving using the stars as his guide and trying to remember their position when he and Masel had split up.

It took a little more time than he would have liked, but eventually he found his crewmate. Mansel was standing over Phil, who was tied up against a tree in some vines in plain view of the path.

"Oh good, you're back," the older man grunted, a slight smile playing at the corning of his mouth in spite of his hidden manners. "I managed to deal with this one well enough. Should I leave him tied?"

"For the time being," Shachi answered. "His friend is close enough to find him when he wakes up, and he's right on the main path so we can always come back for him after we find the captain. Or send someone from the town."

"It's going to be a long walk," Mansel grunted.

"I know, but we'll have the wagon coming back." Shachi shrugged. "Worse case scenario we find a spot to camp for a few hours and take a little longer returning." He was tired. He could feel it. And he was sure Mansel was too. Logically they should rest now, but finding the others had to come first.

-:-:-:-:-:-

There was no point in stealth Penguin decided as he dashed across the field, getting enough momentum to leap over the stream and pray he didn't trip over any unseen objects in the moonlight. There was a patch of the road where he could see they would eventually meet up, if he was fast enough. He pushed with all his might, and he got there first.

He slowed as the motion of something barreling towards him caught his eye, and dodged. Just another hacky sack. It sailed past his head disappeared into the gloom behind him. Penguin wasn't sure how many that left but he knew the other man had to be running low, so he had to deal with this quickly before any of those hacky sacks could be recovered. Yet from their previous encounter Penguin knew a straight-up fight wasn't going to be the solution. He was going to have to use this brain. Doing what he could manage to use the terrain around him. He took a look moment to got a good look at everything. The trees, the grass, the rocks, even vines and an idea began to form in his mind.

-:-:-:-:-:-

Itsuki Garihelm took a deep breath as he took a look at those around him, and Law could tell he was figuring out where to start. After a moment the man took a deep breath, and fiddling with a bit of string taken from his pocket, spoke.

"We could start with the fact that I was marooned here." the man stopped, "No, not so much marooned as abandoned by my crew. It's hard to be marooned in a place that still has ships in the port, but after they left me I figured it would be best to stay." Even in storytelling his voice was direct and to-the-point, delivered almost in monotone.

"I was part of a pirate crew once. We came here seeking treasure. Gold 'n Gems and the like. What we found was this garden. I grew up in a family of botanist and became one myself, recognized it instantly. I knew this was what we had been searching for, the captain did not approve. He wanted to raze the town and steal everything they had, but I warned them. My punishment was to be left here. And so I stayed here." That was it. The whole story delivered in one paragraph.

"How long have you been here?" Law of questioned. Though he only knew so little, that very little had told him what he needed to know about the man.

"About ten years give or take," came the reply.

Law knew there had to be more to it than that but he left it alone for now. But there was something else, another possibility that intrigued him. Besides, now that he'd had some medical treatment he was feeling better, more clear. A little talk wouldn't hurt. And this man, Law had the feeling he hadn't even scratched the surface of what he was capable of, but he had seen what he needed to know. Law didn't think it would go amise to offer the fellow an opportunity for more, and after everything else, he didn't think his crew would object.

"If you feel like sailing again, you can come with us," he offered. Itsuki gave him a strange look. "I'm a doctor," Law started to explain, "quite frankly having a botanist close at hand could be very useful. And give you a chance to see other Islands discover other plants, that is if you miss it."

"What about this garden?" the big man began slowly, "It needs to be protected."

"Does it?" Law queried with a raised eyebrow. "It seems the only way to find it is to be born in the town or told. Most people don't actually care about plants, and I get the feeling the island residents have been protecting it just fine for years before you came along."

"You're telling me that you're going to forget you knew about this place? That the townspeople are capable of protecting it? The world doesn't work that way. Eventually some big pirate crew is-"

"Then, we change the world," Law cut him off. He could see Itsuki's surprise at being stopped in the middle of what was probably one of the longest sentences Law had yet to hear him utter.

"I- let me think on it."

"Go ahead," Law grinned, "we have time."

-:-:-:-:-:-

Bepo sniffed the air carefully as the secret passage opened up before them, he had not expected that. Not in a cave like this. But as promised he held himself back letting Ruby move ahead with all her climbing gear. He was even good enough to wait until called, coming up last in the passage and arriving at the gap to the chasm below just in time to see her finishing setting up some sort of makeshift railing.

"Bepo," she started handing him was seemed to be an odd pair of shorts made out of straps and clasps. "Since you have the greatest risk of falling I want you to wear the climbing rig when you cross." Bepo took one look over the edge and agreed willingly.

He didn't much like the trec to the other side, and it was a relief to finally settle his boots on what he was sure was solid ground. It was for this reason that Bepo missed the carvings on the wall altogether. What he did not miss was the stairs. In fact as soon as everyone was safely across, and he was out of the climbing harness, Bepo was leading the way once again. This time the others let him.

-:-:-:-:-:-

Shachi shivered under the moon light as he and Mansel looked around what looked to be a decimated patch of forest. The ground was trampled, tree branches were broken, bushes were snapped. There was even one patch that had a bit of blood. Clearly there had been a fight here.

"It's Penguin's" Mansel confirmed, his nose that dark pebbled look of his half form. "But I think he's all right. Both scent trails continue on down the path. If I had to guess based on location and strength I'd say that his opponent knocked him down here," Mansel pointed at the small bloody patch, "and then went after the cart again. Penguin then got up and pursued… think he'll be alright?"

"Penguin's strong." Shachi answered without a moment's hesitation.

"Strong for the North Blue perhaps, but this is the Grand Line. You pirates may be in over your heads."

"You're one of us now. But I think he'll figure it out. Come on. Let's find them and then you can see for yourself." and Shachi walked onward.

-:-:-:-:-:-

CRACK a hacky sack hit a branch and nearly tor it from the tree it was being propelled with such force. Penguin ducked behind the tree trunk. Wood splintered and for a moment the nightlife around them grew silent before picking up again. The two were fighting each other after all and that made no difference to the night owl as long as they were no threat to him.

From a distant memory Penguin could hear his martial arts instructor's voice, as if whispering in his ear. "Fight smarter not harder. Use the terrain around you to your advantage. If you can't exploit your opponent's weaknesses, find another way. One they won't expect."

He couldn't get in close up to finish the man himself, but maybe something else could, something Hemsworth wouldn't see until it was too late. But it had to be set up first, and that meant Penguin had to hold out long enough to do it. Hold out and hope that bag of squishy projectiles the man carried ran out of ammo. He could see the bag had grown noticeably smaller, though it wasn't empty yet. Penguin himself had picked up what he could find of them as well, just to keep them from being reused.

He was also taking the time to pick his position carefully now, Staying in the same general area, between Hemsworth and his friends, and using the man's abilities to set the trap he hoped would eventually end things. As long as what he was doing wasn't discovered. But he couldn't let the other man run away again.

-:-:-:-:-:-

As Law and Itsuki spoke, Jack had worked out constructing a fire pit in a sheltered but clear portion of the garden. That done he had gotten to work on the fire itself. Law had to admit that if Jack was as handy on a ship as he was out here he had no qualm about giving the man a ride home. Soon everyone had moved closer to the fire and Clione had managed to coax the two boys into the warmest spot in the effort to try to get them to sleep.

The all needed sleep, Law mused, but by turn so that they could watch the fire… and whoever was awake was going to have to watch him too. True, he was feeling better with the poultice he had made from the plants against his head, but he was also fairly sure he had a concussion.

But just as they had settled in there came a noise from the cave entrance. Law bolted upright and immediately regretted it, though his hand was on his nodachi ready for a fight he knew he had no chance to win alone in his condition. Yet what came out of that doorway made him smile.

"Bepo!"

"Captain! I came to help you. I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry?" Clione asked and he got to his feet, trying not to disturb the boys who had fallen asleep close by.

"It took a long time," the bear mink-man answered.

"Well you're here now," Law replied with a smile as he settled back into his position.

Joe who had woken up with the commotion blinked blearily as he looked at the newcomers, and then bolted straight for one of the men. "Dad!" came the joyful cry as he was lifted into the man's arms.

"This is Ruby," Bepo started to make introductions as he nodded at a woman who was stowing excess climbing gear into a bag. "And Reggie here works with the town doctor so he-"

"Good!" Law exclaimed interrupting. "Then you can tell me how bad my head really is, It's difficult to be accurate when you're trying to walk someone else through diagnosing what you can't see."

The young man moved quickly to his side. "The doctor himself went with a few of your crew mates in a cart." He started to explain as he prodded Law's head. "We thought they'd get here first taking the long way, but we got the tunnel clear quicker than expected."

Law sighed in content as Bepo moved to lay against his back, giving him a comfortable place to rest, and then promptly fell asleep. The bear's snores were comforting. Something about Bepo's ability to sleep anywhere helped him feel like everything was going to be all right.

Sure enough about fifteen minutes later a large cart pulled by two strong farm horses rumbled through the gate at the far end.

"Mr. Mayor!" Joe's father jumped in surprise as a portly man helped an older gentleman out of the cart with his medical gear. "I didn't know you went the the cart!"

"Well I heard my grandson was stuck in the cave and promised my girl I'd seen him safely home," the man answered as he glanced around for Henry. Spotting him still sound asleep he clicked his tongue and shook his head affectionately. "Boy always could sleep anywhere. Whelp better settle in while our good medical professionals give everyone a look over. Glad to see the cave expedition team got through!" and with that he moved around the fire to plop down next to Henry who had only sighed and rolled over in his sleep.

The doctor meanwhile had moved to look over his assistant's work with Law before both separated to look over Jack and Clione and then moved to check on the boys. Of all of them the children were in the best condition.

The driver of the cart unhitched the horses and began giving them a rub down.

It was then Law noticed a small shy figure hanging off to one side. "Mouse?" he questioned wondering why the his cabin boy hadn't spoken sooner. But as he stepped forward Law immediately know it was because the lad had been trying not to cry. With a smile Law stretched out an arm to beckon Mouse forward, and a moment later the youth had moved to throw his own arms around Law's torso. It was rather like being tackled, but not an unwelcome gesture.

"Captain!" the lad choked, "For a moment I thought I'd lost your voice altogether and when it came back it was quiet and full of pain… and then on the way here Penguin-Aniki and Uncle Shachi, and Mr. Mansel had to get out of the cart to fight those men and…"

"What," Law made him pause, "Shachi, Mansel, and Penguin are in a fight."

Mouse nodded. "Separate fights but yeah. That lady's men came after us."

"Well it's them," Law answered trying to smile, though the truth was he was worried for has seen enough to know these people were in a different league. The first fight when he had been backed into the cave to start with had proved that much."So I'm sure it'll be fine. We need to wait for the doctor to approve travel for us anyway."

Mouse nodded, somehow looking reassured.

-:-:-:-:-:-

Shachi looked around and frowned as Mansel sniffed the ground now in full German Shepherd mode. Penguin's trail was getting harder to track. They had found the location where the other man had left the road some time ago, and the devastation and occasional stray hacky sack made it clear where the fighting had occurred. But the fighting seemed to constantly start and stop again in new locations. It was those in between points that were proving hard to track.

Mansel had handed Shachi his hat and gone full zoan mode some five minutes past. It seemed that as Penguin's fight progressed things were beginning to look bad for him.

"I know he's injured," Mansel stated as he began to move forward nose to the ground, "I can smell his blood. But I'm beginning to worry that he's going to fight until he can't stand any more and then depending on the type of man the enemy is…"

Shachi knew the fear they other man was voicing. "Penguin's the type of man who won't give up no matter the odds. Especially if his comrades are fighting too. He might even refuse to let us help him if need be, but if we can find him we can carry him out. We knew where the captain is, and we know the village doctor was heading there as well, so in a worse case scenario."

"I know," Mansel sighed, the expression looking strange on a german shepherd, "It's that worse case scenario that I'm dreading though."

-:-:-:-:-:-

This was by far the most difficult fight Penguin had ever faced. Even with the plan he'd made up in his head in the midst of it. Fortunately for him, that plan was based on his surroundings and his surroundings had not let him down.

As they fought Penguin had been able to keep Hemsworth from noticing as they left the path and drew deeper into the woods. As the foliage grew denser vines and ivy became more apparent, and the number of dead trees increased as well. It was these things that gave Penguin what he needed.

The vines were strong and sturdy, and gave Penguin tools to fight at a longer range, and with every dead tree Hemsworth used a hacky sack to fell, mostly by missing Penguin, they began to be hemmed in. That too was what Penguin needed. Less cover for the younger man to hide behind and less freedom of movement. More than that the thicker foliage made it harder for him to find and recover his projectiles.

After the set up all it took was timing. That was the harder part. Penguin was in bad shape and he knew it. Banged up and bloodied he was sure at least one rib had been cracked and breathing was difficult. But patience was the key to winning this and he had to win this for he would not face his captain in shame.

CRACK another branch fell to his right and Penguin took a deep breath and hurriedly finished the laso he had crafted out of vines. He crouched down and he waited. This time giving out a cry of pain before being as silent as possible, hoping the other man would take the bait and draw near. Fortunately, by this point the ruse was believable.

Penguin listened as the footsteps drew closer, pleased to hear that Hemsworth too was breathing heavily. Good. He had been making the other man work at least. When they were close enough he jumped forward, vine laso in hand, and managed to get it around the younger man's shoulders. A second went to tie his hands to his sides, and a third around his legs. A moment more saw another length of vine brought out and the man bound hand and foot as sucurly as Penguin could make in. For good measure the ends of the various vines were then tied to branches, logs, and rocks in all directions. By the time the boy got out of that Captain Law would be safe.

It wasn't a clean win as Penguin would have preferred but at this point he would take it.

"Don't worry. I'll send someone along to fetch you once my business at the cave is done," Penguin grinned looking down into the furious face of his one time opponent.

Just then a snap of a twig led him to turn around.

"Well, now, so this is what you've been wasting time with," came Shachi's sarcastic tone. "Come on. We've a captain to find. No more time for play."

"Lets me just jot down this locations," Mansel grunted turning back into a man and pulling out a small notebook. "When we get back to town I'll send the constable to pick this one up along with the other two. No need to bother with them on the return trip unless we decide to move him to the road." Penguin could only smile tiredly in reply.

"Need a hand? Or a shoulder to lean on?" Shachi asked, his face suddenly full of concern.

"Please," the younger pirate answered, gratefully taking him up on the offer of help.

-:-:-:-:-:-:-

The availability of the cart made things much easier for the return trip. There were sixteen of them altogether, so that did mean that some of the people were going to have to walk back through the cave system. Fortunately about ten could fit in the cart and Bepo insisted a good run would do him good. No one doubted the Bear-mink's ability to keep up.

It was quickly decided that the boys and Joe's dad, along with law who was injured, and the two medical professionals would ride in the cart back with the driver. That left room to pick up the three men left behind to fight and made available someone to tend any injuries if needed. It was the mayor himself who graciously was the first to offer to walk back once Ruby stated she'd be happy to lead the rest safely through the cave. Although she gave Itsuki a look that said full well she believed he too was equal to the task of leading. With Bepo running beside that left the rest to the cave excursion, and Law watched with amusement as several bets were made as to who would be the first back to town. This was mostly Jack's doing.

As they piled into the cart and got comfortable Law was left to wonder about the well being of his other companions, although not for long as they passed all three men helping each other along the road only a few miles from the garden. Law sat up in alarm as soon as he saw Penguin, but was quickly pushed back into his seat by the doctor's assistant who gave him a firm look as the professional took a look at the other man, tutting and shaking his head.

"Why is it always you?" Law asked grumpily but unable to hide his relief at seeing they are were alive.

"If it's ever not me you'll know things have gone badly," came Penguin's smart reply as he was helped into the back of the cart where he could be tended.

"We've left a few prisoner's along the road," Shachi informed them as he and Mansel found seats.

"When we get to town I'd like to talk to your constable about bringing them in," the former investigator added.

"He's already hard at work rounding up the rest of their gang," Joe's father assured them. "I'm sure he'll be grateful for the full set."

Everyone settled as the cart got underway again, this time driving through the night and into sunrise. They arrived at the town soon after it lifted over the horizon, and pulled up to a tavern where it seemed the town's people seemed to to have agreed to meet. To Law's amusement Jack was already waiting, having arrived only a few minutes earlier with proof that he had won his wager.

The injured were brought inside where the others were waiting, the children were reunited with the rest of their families, the rest of the crew cheered, and everyone sat down to a big morning meal, courtesy of the tavern keeper who had been a part of the rock removal party. It wasn't long before Law learned that the cart had switched horses and the driver gone out again, this time with the constable, to pick up the last of the men that had given his crew such trouble. Soon after that Itsuki made his appearance.

As the hearts pirates sipped coffee, crunched bacon, and plowed through egg scramble and hashbrowns, the large man arrived with a large pack which he dropped to the floor as he sat down across from Law.
"I've been thinking." He stated in his low tones.

"Yeah?" Law answered in an equally wordy reply.

"I'm coming with you."

"Good." and in Law's book that was all that need be said.

The town doctor, Law learned, had considerably more to say. As the pirates finished their meal he approached as well, dragging a chair over from and nearby table and settling himself in next to the captain.

"And which one of these men is your ship's doctor?" He questioned looking over the table at the men who made up the heart pirates, all of them in the white boiler suit except Bepo who was wearing his orange one, and Vern who had let the the top dangle with the arms tied around his waist like a belt.

"I am" Law answered curtly.

"You are? No wonder you're such a bad patient. Worst thing to happen to a crew too, a ship's doctor getting hurt. You should stay on the island until you recover. I could explain to your crew it would be best"

"My ship is perfectly equipped to handle my medical needs." Law insisted, keeping his face blank.

"Phaw, like I'd believe that,"

Law stared at the man incredulously for a moment. "Penguin, Shachi, get over here." He called. the two men were quick about coming over if not overly concerned about what their captain might have to say given the relatively relaxed atmosphere of the meal. "I want you to help me show Doctor-ya here the submarine's medical bay. Maybe that will put your fears to rest? And you can tell these two any instructions you have for my well being and I assure you they will not only be able to handle it, but make sure I follow them to the letter."

The doctor frowned, chewing on the end of his mustache, clearly taking into account the fact that Penguin was injured as well. "Very well, let me see this medical bay of yours, but if I do not approve you're saying here at least a week or until I say you can go. Whichever happens sooner."

"Deal," Law agreed in a heartbeat. He, like his crew, knew that there was nothing at all lacking about the Polar Tang's medical bay.

But that was not the end of the morning's breakfast conversations. No sooner had everyone finished their first plate, and those who wanted to began to serve up seconds from the family sized bowels that he been placed on the table for them, than the tavern keeper entered the room with the paper from the recently arrived news coo.

"Well you boys have been busy!" the chubby man crowed and he flipped through the pages, "new bounty posters have come in. Anyone wanna take a guess as to who's included?"

"Well we know Captain Law, Penguin, and myself all have one existing," Shachi answered getting up and sauntering over. For a moment Law could still make out the military walk that marked the man a former marine. "Oooh hey now! That's interesting! Anyone want to take bets on the new face?"

For a moment there was clamoring from the crew as some guessed and others made bets. Even some of the townspeople chimed in. It seemed working together for a common goal had made some fast friends. That had definitely been a preferable outcome, Law mused.

"Well the original bounty poster was posted after Kryocelea, how many thing have we done since then?" Penguin started thoughtfully.

"Let's see there was the take over of the shipyard on Lothal…" Vern mused.

"Surly that wasn't that big a deal?"

"The destruction of Port Rose… Where we did learn what we thought were our most recent bounties" Penguin continues over Verne's interjections

"Yeah that was before the captain tore that place apart," Albert murmured quietly.

"And we all did sort of just help tear up Bakersville and the Captain cut off its mayor's head and left it on a pike more or less…"

"Still alive," Law felt the need to point out.

"Can't imagine they were happy about that at all," Mansel added with a grin.

When a Humph of impatience Shachi took the offered wanted posted rifling through the, and holding up a hand for silence. It didn't take long before all eyes were on him. "So… Verne you've got one now… 3,000,000, " There whoops and cheers and a rather confused Vern was patted on the back until he remembered that the most recent event had all centered on his arrest and proof of innocence. Of course he was known as a pirate now, and a pirate Law was willing to demolish a town for. Law knew that in the world government's eyes that was worth a desired capture. He could also see that in Verne's eyes it was worth sailing with his new family."

"Penguin you're at 47,000,000 I'm up to 55,000,000…" Shachi continued.

"Why are you so much higher than me?" was the immediate responding complaint.

"And… Whoah…"

"What? What is it?"

"The captains at 82,000,000." the noises of shock, surprise, and jubilee around the room were well worth the wait for that news.

"They get my face this time?" Law could only grin.

"Yep."

"Hey look! Bepo's head is in the corner!" This came from Penguin who had gotten up to peer over Shachi's shoulder.

"It is? That makes me vice-captain doesn't it?" came the bear's slow voice.

"NO IT DOESN'T" multiple people chorused.

"I'm sorry."