March 18, 801 WG
Lance, Grandmother Gwendolyn and a host of men and woman stood on the shore as the Polar Tang and the Thousand Sunny pulled up to the dock. The survivors of Flevance stood at the railing and stared at the townsfolk, a few of the children even waved. Some of the adults smiled and waved back.
Lance stepped up and shouted, "So did we get things sorted out or what?"
Before Luffy could respond, Law jumped down to the dock from his ship. The Mendorans immediately went on guard but didn't react otherwise. Law stared at them for a moment. He hadn't hurt them, but he had attacked one of their guests. Luffy wasn't surprised they were wary of Law.
Law held his position for a moment then got down on his knees and lowered his head to the boards of the dock. Everyone stared in shock. "I apologize for my outrageous behavior and beg your forgiveness. What I did was wrong and I'm sorry I disturbed the peace of your island and harmed your guests while I was guest here as well."
Luffy was stunned by Law humble apology. He knew Law wanted to make amends with the Mendorans, but Luffy hand't expected Law to actually bow down. However, since Law was about to ask them to take in his people and sister, it probably wasn't a shock that he was trying to smooth over all the hurt feelings he had caused a month earlier. Luffy didn't think it was necessary. Lance and the others held little love for the World Government. They wouldn't turn away Law's people, Luffy was certain of it.
Lance stepped forward and put his hand on Law's shoulder. "Raise your head, Captain Law. I am deeply moved that you are willing to apologize for your actions but I think I understand what happened now."
Luffy jumped down next to Law as the other man raised his head. "Thank you for accepting my apology," said the Heart captain. Lance and Law both rose to their feet at the same time.
Lance looked him over and asked, "What happened to your sword?"
Law looked away. "I lost it."
"Oh?"
Luffy wrapped Law's shoulder with his knuckles. "Oi, ask about letting your people stay already, Tra-o."
"Luffy-ya!" snapped Law as he glared at Luffy who just looked the other way with his hands behind his head as if he hadn't just said anything. Lance stifled a laugh and waited.
Law took a deep breath and asked, "The passengers onboard these ships are the survivors of Flevance. I was able to cure them all of the White Lead Disease but they have nowhere to go since their country was destroyed. The World Government might also seek them out to silence them about what they know. This place seemed remote and peaceful, so…"
"You were wondering if they could stay here?" finished Lance.
"Yes," said Law. "I know it comes with a lot of risk but…"
Luffy glanced back at the people onboard their ships. The two ships had stopped at a deserted island once they were certain they weren't being followed. Law was able then to finish treating his people and to explain what had happened.
"You mean it? You're Dr. Trafalgar's son?" said a man who stared at Law in disbelief. Several other adults also looked both stunned and dubious.
"Law…" whispered the Sister. She stepped forward and took his hand into hers. "I can hardly believe how much you've grown."
"I can hardly believe your alive," returned Law with a small, sad smile. "The last time I saw you, you were lying on the ground in a pool of blood, Sister."
"I'm sure that must have been a disturbing sight and I'm sorry you had to endure it. I never imagined the soldiers would lie to us like that," said the Sister.
"Sister…"
She looked around at the ships then the crews before them. "But what's going on? What was that facility? And why are you with these pirates?"
Law looked over the gathering before he replied, "I'm with these pirates… because I'm a pirate." The gathering gasped in shock. Law turned and pointed to the submarine and said, "That's my ship, the Polar Tang. I'm the captain of the Heart Pirates."
"Onii-chan…"
"But why?" said the Sister.
"Because there was nothing left to me but this or death," replied Law. "The World Government's deception was complete. To this day only a few know the truth about White Lead Disease. The vast majority of the world believe it was a virulent, incurable plague, and don't regret massacring our homeland."
"Law…"
"You were used in an experiment to test their cryo-chambers to see how effective they were, but the World Government doesn't want survivors from Flevance. If anyone but Vegapunk had been in charge of the project, you would have been killed in your sleep. That's just how much they value his skills and continued service. Vegapunk, however, is getting old and the World Government doesn't want to lose their best scientist. I can do something that would save Vegapunk but getting me to agree to it was impossible. Then they somehow discovered my connection to you. So they used you to force me to do what they wanted. They promised your safety in exchange for my cooperation, but there was no guarantee they would keep their world. I wanted to believe it, but I know they would not have risked it. They would have deceived both Vegapunk and me with their false promises, taken you away like they were finding you a place to live, then killed you when no one was around. They couldn't afford to have witnesses to their crimes."
The Sister and the other looked horrified at his tale.
Law turned to take in Luffy and the other Straw Hats. "Without the help of the captain of the Straw Hat pirates, I… all of us, would have been lost. I really am grateful to you for saving them when you owed me nothing for everything I did."
"That's what friends are for, Tra-o," said Luffy with a big grin.
The Sister smiled even as the others looked at each other. It was a lot to take in so soon after being awakened into a world that was sixteen years older than when they went to sleep. A lot had happened in those sixteen years.
"Now what?" asked Zoro. "Where is everyone going to live now? If the World Government is really going to come after them then where can we take them that they would be safe?"
"How about Mendora?" suggested Luffy.
"That would put those people in danger!" said Law.
"It might be all right," said Nami. "The island has a weak magnetic field, so it often gets missed by travelers. We just kind of stumbled upon it while heading to Raftel. It was a lucky find."
"That's what Lance said about how the place stays safe," agreed Usopp.
"Then there's the fact that Lance is there and he and Tou-chan are old war buddies," finished Luffy. Law choked at Luffy's casual statement.
"You might not want to mention that so easily, Luffy," said Robin. "You could get Lance in trouble."
"Ah, sorry!" said Luffy with a big grin then he walked up to Law and patted him on the back. "So let's head to Mendora then."
"I didn't agree to that!"
"So you have somewhere else in mind?" asked Sanji with a smirk.
"Mmmmm… No…"
Luffy's thoughts returned to the present when he heard Grandmother Gwendolyn speak. "Don't worry, we'll be happy to take them in."
Law gaped. "Really?"
"The World Government doesn't pay us any mind. Sad as it is to say, as long as the people of Flevance don't try to go around telling the truth of their country they should be fine. We have no reason to report their arrival to any Marines that come by and no one from the World Government will even know we've acquired more people if they accept our customs and dress. They've never done a census here before. The first year is the most dangerous but if they remain quiet, the World Government will forget about them."
The old woman smiled and gave the young men a wink. "I'm sure you two will soon give them plenty more reasons to focus on you instead of a few stray citizens, anyway."
"And there you have it," said Lance with a grin. He turned to Luffy and patted the young man on the shoulder. "So you think you can make it to Raftel now?"
Luffy grinned and nodded.
"Good! Now I think you have a promise or two to keep," Lance said and looked over his shoulder.
Luna and Ann stood behind him. Ann was partially hidden behind Luna, all the new people on the ships making her shy, no doubt. Luna stood tall and smiled at Luffy. In her hands was Luffy's fully repaired straw hat. Luffy strode forward and took the hat from her. He knew it was his, the wear on the straw, the repair scars from when Buggy stabbed it two years ago. There was just no sign of the horrid tear he had inflicted on it. No sign that it had ever been in nearly two pieces.
"You fixed it! I can't even tell it was ever torn!" exclaimed Luffy in a mix of shock, admiration and joy. Luna smiled at him. Luffy took the one he was wearing off, the one Luna had loaned him, and held it out to her. "Here you go and thanks!" He then glanced at the ribbon just as Luna put her hands on the brim and cried, "Oh jeez! The flower!"
Luna laughed and said, "It's all right. I already have a new one selected and I think it's really going to look great."
Luffy gazed at her, but the young girl was dead serious. "Thank you," he said again and bowed his head. "You really are amazing, Luna." Luna beamed him with another smile.
Luffy looked down at Ann. "So Ann, do still want to return to the ship? I'm sure you had a lot of… ahhh!" Ann crashed into his knees with such force that Luffy was nearly knocked over. It seemed that was a "yes".
"I think she missed you, Luffy-ya," said Law with a chuckle.
The people of Flevance began to file off the ships now that it seemed everything was settled. The children stuck close to the adults as they began to intermingle with the Mendorans. Lami, however, ran up to Law and hugged him around the knees as Ann had. The Sister came up beside him.
"So what will you do now, Law," said the Sister.
Law looked at her for a moment then turned his attention gathering of Flevance and Mendora. The din of lively chatter was already rising from the crowd. "I don't know," replied Law. "I can't stay here. I wasn't able to locate my vivre card that Lucci made and, besides, I've been on the move for too long to settle down now." He laughed a little as he focused on the young woman in the nun's outfit. "And I do need to give the World Government something to worry about besides you."
"If you don't have any place to be, why don't you come to Raftel with me?" asked Luffy, while hoisting Ann into his arms. Ann turned her green eyes on Law as she studied him from behind her stuffed bear while laying her head against her uncle's chest.
Law turned his attention on the younger man, incredulous. "You're not serious?"
Luffy just grinned at him.