Chapter 40

The rest of the special ops did ponder their decisions thoroughly. By tomorrow came, no one was missing, Law wasn't a little bit of surprised. They were picked by Levi for a reason. They should also have the dignity of a soldier and loyalty to Levi. What kind of soldiers were they if they chose who they would fight against? He nodded at them and went to the point.

"I've asked the Company to lure the MPs for us," he said. "I asked them to tell the MPs that they got Historia and Eren in their hands in some cave... We'll ambush them in the forest as to not endanger Reeves' and his men. The MPs should be bringing their best men for the transfer as to not mess it up."

"I hope no one will be careless," Law said seriously. "Everyone watch each other's backs." His yellow eyes glancing at each one of them. "I hope no one will hesitate no matter what happens..."

Law's words brought a heavy atmosphere, something unimaginable from a teenager. This kind of thing was one would expect from their Commander.

"Shishishi. You're so serious, Torao~ We'll do just fine!"

This made Law roll his eyes. "Right."

Just like that, the heavy atmosphere was gone as if it never existed.

"Let's get going..." Levi said. He glanced at Law and Luffy for a moment before he led everyone out.

Farlan caught this look which made him make a slightly complicated face. He understood Levi's thoughts a bit even if he didn't speak them out loud.

How would one react if the kids they raised weren't what they thought? Farlan thought. Farlan glanced at Law who had a relaxed demeanor. It was like he wasn't off to a mission that was probably going to get him killed like what he said a day ago. 'Is it too late to pray that whatever it is... is not a big thing?' Farlan was a little nervous at the thought of what kind of future was awaiting them.

Their journey to the forest wasn't as silent as anyone would have thought. Law figured anything with Luffy with it would become an outing or a sightseeing trip. Luffy kept the entire journey stress-free and a bit of fun. He chattered all way throughout the travel and made friends with the people he and Law haven't met before they were sent to Shadis.

So far, out of four people, only two bothered to converse with the youngest: Petra Ral and Olou Bozado. Ral was rather a petite woman with blonde hair. From her interactions with Luffy, Law could guess that she was a kind woman, which made him question her capabilities or her performance in their mission. Meanwhile, Bozado was a clumsy man. Law couldn't stop twitching every time the man bit his tongue, trying to look cool or imitate Levi, which Ral didn't appreciate.

Isabel poked Law. "Hmmm? You're making a funny face, Law."

"Not," Law pushed her finger away from his cheeks. There was no way a respectable pirate captain like him was making a funny face.

The other two people of the squad were behaving like how he expected soldiers would be. Law looked at them with approval which made the said soldiers, Eld Jinn and Gunther Schultz, felt like they've passed some hidden examination.

"I guess you know how to pick people, Levi-ya," Law said.

Levi grunted, "Is it unexpected?"

"Not really," Law said, shrugging. "Your squad is a bit overpopulated though…" Compared to other squads, Levi's had the most people in it.

"Farlan or Isabel takes a break from expeditions from time to time so it didn't matter how many people there are in my squad," Levi explained. This made Law's eyes widen a bit in surprise.

"Huh, I thought you guys were inseparable?" Throughout the years that the two pirate captains have stayed with the trio, they knew they did everything together: beat the shit out of others, steal together, etc.

Levi didn't comment nor answer the younger teen's wonder. He didn't want to say what happened in their first year had shaken his heart- he felt a bit fear from the course of events. He could have lost someone back then- or worst everyone. It was fortunate that by some kind of luck, everyone got back in one piece.

That event made him realize that one can't predict when they'd die. Since the boys under his wings were very young, he decided there should be at least one of them that would stay behind to take care of the two if the ones going out died outside. Back then, there weren't many expeditions occurring so the boys never really noticed anything. After all, recruiting people and training people wasn't an easy feat for the Scouts. People rarely want to join the Scouts on their own accord. The Scouts lacked the people for expeditions, on top of that, their request to go outside is usually rejected.

The cave that the Reeves had chosen was a bit far from anywhere- it was certainly a perfect place to do the unspeakable. Dimo Reeves was waiting for them anxiously along with his men. Seeing them, a bit of the tension the boss disappeared. Nobody could blame him. After all, if the Scouts stood them up then it would be their lives in vain.

"You guys took your time getting here," Dimo grumbled. His arms were crossed over his chest and his beer belly protruded out.

Farlan awkwardly laughed while the others didn't really think much about it.

"How long till they get here?" Law inquired.

The boss glanced at him. Yesterday, this teenager unnerved him. Were all teenagers like him these days? He mentally frowned. His own boy, who was lazying off somewhere, wasn't as reliable as this youngster before him. He mentally shook his head and sighed. "An hour or so," he replied.

"So, Reeves-ya, as we talked about yesterday," Law reminded. "I need you to at least show your face to them when they get here… Don't worry. Before they'll reach you, we'll ambush them- you can start running by then by the way, in case you don't trust that we can take them on. I'll send some of Levi-ya's men to protect you and your men…"

… particularly Ral-ya and Bozado-ya, he decided mentally.

"It's not like we have a way of getting out of this," Dimo shrugged. The moment he accepted Levi's preposition of working together, they were already doomed. Well, before accepting, they were pretty doomed as well. They already failed whatever the higher-ups wanted them to do, so it was imprisonment from whatever dirty water they're going to splash them with and getting executed for it. In the end, all failures lead to death. He was willing to take a gamble with the Scouts with their lives in line. At least they had a chance to make it out alive.

Everyone knew what the man meant. Law himself felt a bit of pity for humanity inside these walls. They lived their lives in a cage, lived in a goddamn lie, and die never knowing the truth, lived without knowing what freedom was… It was nothing different to livestock and now these livestock were in danger of getting wiped out from the inside and outside.

'But hey, aren't these people lucky,' Law thought bitterly. 'They got the jackpot thanks to some man we don't know who and now they're getting a quick solution to all their problems…'

Law didn't know whether them landing in this place was intentional or not, but he was leaning on the latter. Nobody in this place knew what Grand Line was nor devil fruits and the like. How could someone from here intentionally look for them and do something? At most, some devil fruit user that had a grudge with any of them had found them and took his revenge or what and sent them here. Law could only blame his and Luffy's carelessness that night. But if it was a devil fruit user… can they still go back? The user might only be able to use his abilities in one way or his abilities only worked in one way and that would mean he and Straw Hat-ya were stuck here forever unless they find something that could get them back. Not to mention, they were here for years already. That was more than a long time and was more reason why to believe the previous statements.

Anyways, an hour wasn't too long for a wait. The Special Operation Squad and the two pirate captains took their places after scouting around the vicinity. The hour of the wait was almost up and in no time, they heard horses galloping towards their direction.

Law looked at Dimo who tried to be composed but still looked a bit tense. The pirate captain sent him a reassuring nod which the old man saw. Dimo seemed to be a bit embarrassed that a younger generation was comforting him.

Aiy… Look how the times have changed. Kids are braver than old men like me, he sighed.

Law had 4 people stay up in the trees while the rest were hiding in the bushes. Law used his haki to feel the numbers of approaching people.

Sure enough, Law thought. They're ready for battle. The other side had numbers that were comparable to theirs. Law looked at Luffy who looked very giddy. The other captain was right across him, shaking excitedly.

Luffy sensed Law's gaze at him. He returned it with a grin and sparkling eyes.

Don't go too overboard, Law tried to communicate to him with his furrowed brows. Law wasn't quite too optimistic that the other would get it though.

The sound of hooves nearing made most of the people feel tense and anxious, especially those who were inexperienced in dealing with people. Law continued to observe the MPs with his haki.

1000 meters away…

500 meters away…

100 meters away…

10 meters away…

I feel like my writing is all over the place... Is my progress slow? What do you guys think? OwO) Please point out any errors if I have some. I want to improve more~ _(:3 」∠)_