Beginning every chapter this way, with an apology is starting to become a bad habit, none the less I do apologies. It has been far to long since I wrote an chapter, and I also apologising for it's shortness. However see this like a "filler" chapter between bigger arcs. I needed some things to happen without being a part of any other arc, and to show a few things that happens the months after Vinsmokes defeat. So this chapter takes place over 2 months, and as I promised last time, it follows Sabo.
And I promise Sabo will have a bigger part in some other arcs, where you get more information about his backstory. But more about that later.
I must say I love Sabo and Law's moments, they are fun to write, and you will get more scenes with them later on, or over time.
The new gang will also play their part, mostly in the next arc, but I needed to introduce them here.
You will also get more Vivi later on, and an explanation for Law's behavior, but that may take a while, but I will give it, I promise!
And next arc will be about the Marines! Dun, dun, dun! You will get more of their backstory, and follow them now. So be prepared for more Smoker and Aokiji. And a bit of Garp and Luffy's history. Unfortunately you have to wait for most of Sengoku's part, because most of it will come with Cora-San and Law's past. But some part will be in here. But most of it will be through Smoker's eyes, and he doesn't know about Cora-San's past, so yeah. And before I give up everything, I will stop writing.
I hope I can update a bit faster next time, but as always thank you for redgin and reviewing.
Enjoy :)
Sabo slowly opened his eyes, only to close them due to the light, but if he was honest, the light was very dim, and he tried again. As he opened them, he looked up in a celling he didn't recognised and for a second he almost paniced.
"You woke earlier than I thought you would" Sabo slowly turned his head, feeling how everything started to spin, but he soon saw Law, and he remembered yesterday, and how much they had to drink. The dark haired man didn't seem bothered by it, at least not to the extent Sabo was.
"You can hold your liquid" was all Sabo answered, closing his eyes once more, waiting for it to stop spinning.
"Training" Sabo couldn't tell if Law attempted to joke with him or not, however he turned towards the man once more.
"When did you start?"
"First time? Younger than most parents would allow" he answered him and Sabo wondered how Cora-San allowed it. "It wasn't his decision"
Sabo was surprised when the other man answered him without a question asked, but the words defended Cora-San, making it less surprising. Sabo slowly sat up, world still spinning as he did so.
"Drink" Law nodded towards a glass standing on the table in front of Sabo. The blonde studied the liquid, but couldn't tell what it was. However; he soon came to the conclusion that it most likely was something that would help him, seeing no reason for Law to poison him. If the other man wished to end him, he could have done so already. As the liquid was magic it eased his headache almost immediately, making the world stop spinning.
"I would have needed something similar when I was younger" Sabo smiled towards the other man, making Law raise an eyebrow before he actually gave him a small smile.
"Most would" Sabo couldn't hinder himself from smiling back at the other man as he stood up.
"Sanji made breakfast in the kitchen if you desire" Law informed him and Sabo nodded, pleased to eat the other man's food at least one more time. Compared to his own skills, which wasn't lacking compared to others, Sanji's outdid everyone else. Without exaggerate, he was sure that Sanji was the best chef in town. "Your brothers are there as well"
"Are you joining us?" Sabo wondered but Law shook his head. "Then I thank you for the company yesterday"
"Pleasure was all mine" Law answered and Sabo guessed it was the last time Law would speak to him in a gentler, none sarcastic way, if they ever spoke again. Sabo closed the door before he headed towards the kitchen.
"Sabo?" he was just about to leave the building when someone called out for him, and he turned around to see Aokiji walking towards him. Sabo agave the taller man a smile as he approached him. "I apologise for stopping you"
"Nothing to worry about, my apartment can wait a few minutes" Sabo answered, he wasn't on his way home, but that was information the other man didn't need to know. "How can I help you?"
"I wish to thank you" Sabo gave the other one a honestly surprised look, not following why the other man wished to thank him. "For saving Robin from Crocodile"
Sabo had been informed about their relationship, and even without that information, it was obvious that the former marine cared about Robin, but his words still surprised him. However Sabo gave him a genuine smile.
"I am glad I could help her"
"If you ever need anything, let me know" Sabo was unsure if he would ever be able to ask the other one for help, without revealing who he was, but he nodded none the less.
"I will remember that" Sabo answered before he bowed in goodbye and left the building.
His eyes were fixed on the man walking into the casino, wondering why he walked there. It had been a coincides that he had spotted the tall man wearing make-up, after he left the hospital. He had thought of it as nothing at first, seeing it as nothing strange with him walking around in his own district, but from his position on the roof, he had soon seen him wonder into the casino district. It wasn't unusual that people from other district walked there, but Cora-San hadn't seen to be the type that would do so, making Sabo wonder. Knowing who the man was, and what he used to do before the cities downfall made Sabo interested to know more. He was unsure if he would be able to collect any information that would be of value, but it wouldn't hinder him from collecting what he could. He followed the man from a safe distance, and as he entered Crocodile's casino he followed.
Sabo placed himself at the bar where he could observe the door Cora-San had left through. From the information Robin had given him, he knew that the door leads to Crocodile's room, something that surprised the blonde. He had expected the ex-marine to gamble or maybe meet a friend, but not the owner of the casino. Sabo could see no reason for them to meet, since he knew that Law had turned down Crocodile's offers years ago. It was true that Law or Crocodile could have established a new contact, but none of his information pointed at that, and from what he had seen in Law's behaviour, he wasn't interested in alliances. Cora-San could of course meet the other man for other reasons than on Law's behalf, none that could make any since to Sabo, but in this town there was little things that made since. He wished he could know what the two men was talking about, but he knew that he wouldn't be able to break in without being seen. For a second he thought of leaving, seeing that he could do nothing else than guess the nature of the meeting, but he stayed hoping he could get a clue when Cora-San left.
Sabo had worked his way through a few drinks and a casual conversation with the bartender, Mr. 2. He was one of the few men Robin had spoken well off, and from what little Sabo had encountered he could understand why, to some extent. He had just emptied the last glass when Cora-San walked out. Sabo studied him, the other man seemed to be a bit out of it, and before he covered himself completely with the coat, he could see something that looked like tooth marks, leading him to guess what the men had been up to. He couldn't see the reason for their, or rather Cora-San's behaviour, or rather choice to be with the other man, and he knew he wouldn't receive any answers, unless he would be in the same room, something he was far from keen to do. He could go out of lengths way to collect information, but he had a line he didn't cross, and that was the line. For a second he smiled at the fact that observing people have sex was a line he didn't wish to cross, while murder was one he did cross. He guessed, despite his best efforts to not let the city get to him, he hadn't succeeded as well as he had hoped. He saw how Cora-San left the building and Sabo decided to follow him, seeing if he would head in another direction than home.
"When you worked for Crocodile, did Cora-San visit?" Sabo was walking next to Robin as she was shopping food for the others.
"Law's father?" she sounded surprise and he nodded. "Not to my knowledge. If I had seen him I would have remembered"
Sabo understood why, the man was hard to miss as he entered a room.
"Does Crocodile preform serveries of the kind you used to do?" Robin stopped at those words, almost staring at him.
"Do they…?"
"It's just a theory, I have no evidence"
"To answer your question, he does not, unless he has started dong that since I left" Sabo had thought that much, but he wanted to be as sure as he could. "But if he sleeps with him, he is after something. He never does anything for pleasure"
"I figured, but I can't imagine what he is after"
"Do you think Law knows? Or is it him, he's after?"
"I can't tell if Law know, but I doubt Cora-San would do anything to harm Law" for a short second he got reminded the tall blonde had seemed to attack Law in some way, but beside that and the moment at the Vinsmokes, he had seen nothing that love from Cora-San.
"I hope he knows what he does, Crocodile is a dangerous man" Robin only stated, earning herself a nod from Sabo. He doubted that the blonde didn't know, to some extent at least. Even without knowing that Crocodile was Mr. 0, he should know that he was dangerous, especially since he was a former marine.
"Thank you" he said, earning a nod from the other before he said his goodbye and disappeared into the shadows.
Sabo watched the map, spread in front of him. He had marked the activity over the past month. The void, created after the Vinsmoke had been filled by a new organization. Sabo had yet to discover more about them. They had taken over what was left of the old Vinsmoke home, and from what he could tell, even Big Mom avoided them. From his understanding she had a good connection with the Vinsmoke's, but the new constellation in her district wasn't welcomed, but she hadn't acted up on it. Sabo was unsure of the possible outcomes, knowing far too little about the new group. But the district had been more hostile and people avoided it more than before.
He turned towards the other markers of Black Beard and Kaido's men, none of them had made a move, but their men had started to regroup, and showing themselves more often in other district. Sabo knew that if they moved in on any of the bigger groups, a war was inevitable, however there was nothing he could do about that. He hated to admit it, but the one who could hinder Black Bead and Kaido was the other three larger groups. Luffy, Law and the Casino District would be over won with different difficulty, but they would lose in the end. Sabo turned towards the Marines, knowing they would fall first, without effort. Despite Smoker's best attempt, the force was playing its last card, and it was just a matter of time before they fell, and when they did, the city was going to become worse. Even if they were a small group, a memory from the old days, they kept some order where they could, and some of the common people founded comfort in having them, despite the things Akainu did. Sabo wasn't too pleased with the group, even if Smoker did his best, he knew that the marines still had distrusting people among them, but they were better than most groups, none the less, and he didn't wish to see them gone. With the right changes, they could be a useful force, protecting the people, something he knew would never happen, unless the city changed to the better.
Sabo sighed as he placed himself in the chair, tiredly. He was aware that he fought a losing battle, but he couldn't give up, hoping he could change somethings before everything went to hell, or rather more than it already had. He closed his eyes, for a second feeling like giving up, something he knew wasn't an option. He turned to the stack of papers, resting on top of the table and he took one of the folders, needing to keep himself occupied, hindering him from giving into the thoughts too much.
The end of the pipe made contact with the man's head, bursting it open, before he turned towards his brother.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, almost schooling Luffy for taking such a risk, walking towards Big Mom's district with what seemed to be an injured man.
"Hi Sabo" Luffy smiled towards his brother "Seems like my brothers are always saving me"
Sabo sighed, he had no desire to be angry at Luffy, but seeing how easily he took everything, especially after the incident with the Vinsmoke made him angry. However; he calmed himself, knowing Luffy wouldn't change even if he became angry at him.
"I need to get to Senguko" Sabo looked at them man, resting on the stretcher, carried by to, for him, unfamiliar men.
"Mister Sabo" Sabo turned towards a familiar voice, Vivi's. "Can you help us?"
Sabo looked at the woman, towards the injured man, knowing who she was, he understood that the man was the king. Despite that the woman had changed her hair colour, and aged, he had figured out who she was, mostly thanks to Luffy. When she had visited him at the hospital, Sabo figured out she was the princess, since Luffy had informed him of their meeting. And since Luffy hadn't mentioned someone else entering his life, Sabo did a calculated guess. However; it was information he didn't know what to do with. Both Vivi and her father had been loved by the people once, but Sabo had no desire to see them reclaiming the throne ones more. Luffy had informed him that Vivi sought to do no such thing, and from the look of her father he was in no shape to do so, at least no until they have met Law. Sabo thought that Law would most likely be able to save the man, and that may make him a new player in the game, depending on his motivation, and Sabo thought of his option, letting the man die may be what's best for the city, and his plans, but he knew that Luffy wouldn't forget him if that happened. Was that something he would be willing to live with? Sabo wasn't sure, was it fair to risk the whole city for his own happiness? He looked at the people in front of him, and seeing Luffy's begging eyes made him sigh, he was selfish, choosing his brother over the cities future.
"I will aid you" he answered soon feeling Luffy's body around him, as his younger brother hugged him.
"Let's hurry!" Luffy removed himself from his side and they continued towards Law's hospital.
"Senguko!" Luffy's scream echoed through the hospital, as Luffy was about to run through it.
"I suggest finding Law without running through every floor" Sabo gave him a call look, and Luffy nodded but continued screaming, making Sabo almost regret hindering him from running off.
"Oh hi Luffy" Cora-San waved towards the boy as he came down from a set of stairs. "You have guests with you"
Despite the gentle tone he used, Sabo could tell that he was on his guard, and not too pleased by it.
"I am sorry to burst in here, but he needs help, and Chopper couldn't help him!" Luffy explained, Cora-San nodded in response, looking at the sick man, he was about to answer when Luffy rushed past him, towards Law who came down the same stairs his father had.
"Why are you screaming?" he asked sounding very irritated. Sabo couldn't hinder himself from smiling, seeing that the other one reacted just as he expected.
"I need your help!" Law lifted his gaze and studied the man, and the ones surrounding him.
"No! You have your own doctor, and this isn't a place you can just walk into as you like" he gave them all a cold look.
"But he needs help!" Luffy said determent, not taking no for an answer. "So help him!"
"Are you trying to order me?" Law's voice was cold and Sabo remembered what he had done to Sanji's brother, and he looked between the men, prepare to act if needed.
"Law" Cora-San's voice was gentle and it made the doctor turn towards him, and Sabo saw how the other man become more relaxed. "I am sorry Luffy, but I think it's best if you go somewhere else"
Luffy looked at them both, disappointed and for a second Sabo thought his brother would start a fight when Vivi walked towards Law.
"I apologise for coming here like we did Law" her voice was calm, and her eyes steady "I wouldn't have risked it if I had any other choice, but you are my last option. He will die without treatment. I know it's a lot to ask a stranger for, but he is all I have left in the world, and I can't save him anymore. I hope there is a chance you can, please? I will give you everything I own"
Sabo expected the doctor, if not cut her throat open, giving her an condescending answer, but he did none of those things. Instead he become quiet, as he was taken by her words, and Sabo couldn't understand why. Law wasn't the man that helped people because they begged, or used sweet words, things like that didn't matter to the other man, yet he looked at Vivi, as she had hit him.
"Law" Cora-San placed a hand on his son shoulder and Sabo understood that those words had triggered something for Law.
"Take him to the operating room" he turned around without looking at them and Sabo gave Luffy a look, hindering his brother from cheering, as they walked towards the operation room.
Seeing Law work was a mixture between fascination and horror. Sabo could tell that Luffy didn't see the horror in Law's work, and he stated that the devil fruit was cool over and over as Law worked. Vivi was worried, but from what Sabo could tell, it wasn't over what Law did, no she was worried that her father wasn't well enough to live through it.
"Do you wish for anything?" Hawkins walked into the room, giving them all a smile, and Luffy waved back, despite only standing a few feet away from the older man.
"Could you make some drinks?" Cora-San asked in a friendly way, earning a nod from Hawkins. "Oh wait, I will help you"
Before Hawkins had a chance to say no, Cora-San left the room, and Hawkins hurried after. Sabo smiled, understanding from what he had seen of the former Marine, and his clumsiness, you didn't wish to have him in the kitchen, not even making drinks.
"Don't worry Vivi, your father will be alright. Law is amazing!" Luffy took the woman's hand, trying to give her some level of comfort and she gave him a small smile back. Sabo couldn't help but smile, Luffy had the biggest and most innocent heart.
"He is still weak, and need resting, but he will live" Law looked at Vivi when they walked into the room, and she threw herself around Law's neck, hugging him. Sabo noticed how Law become stiff, not comfortable with the situation, but he soon surprised Sabo with hugging her back.
"Father" Vivi let go of Law and walked over to the tired man, placed in a bed.
"Hi" the man's voice was sour, and tired, but he smiled none the less towards his daughter, who tried to hinder her tears. The former king took her hand and held it before he turned towards Law. "Thank you, it's the least I can say"
Law didn't answer, and he didn't seem to care that the other one thanked him.
"You are a good man" Law still didn't answer him "Your parents must be proud of you, seeing what a good of doctor and man you have become, son"
Law left the room without a word and Sabo looked as he did, he could tell that something had thrown him out of balance, just as before.
"I want them removed from the building" he heard Law say, and seconds later Cora-San and Hawkins walked into the room. Cora-San was wet and Sabo guessed he had caught fire as usual.
"Did something happen?" Hawkins met their eyes, and Sabo knew that the other man saw the change in Law as well, and it wasn't surprising since the two of them spent some time together.
"I apologise if I offended him" Cobra turned towards Cora-San. "I praised his skills and thanked him"
"Oh, well he is not too good on handling that your majesty" Cora-San stated, and despite giving the other one a smile, his voice was colder than usual, something that Cobra noticed as well.
"I apologise if I offended him and you" Cora-San only nodded, before he offered them the drinks they had brought along.
"Where's Sanji?" Luffy asked the blonde.
"He and Marco went to the market"
"Aww, I hoped I would meet him" Luffy was clearly disappointed and Cora-San gave him a encouraging smile.
"You can always return to meet him another day"
"I will wait for you at the entrance" Sabo excused himself before he left the room. Sabo knew that the Luffy would ask a few things about Sanji before they got ready to leave, giving Sabo a few moments alone, pondering over what actions the king may take.
As he wandered outside, it took him a few seconds to understand that it was Law who had occupied the swings nearby, with a cigarette in hand. If he hadn't met the man before, he would never have guessed that it was the surgeon, moving the swing lazily with his feats, seeing more lost than Sabo had ever seen him. It was true that Sabo didn't know the man, therefore didn't know his different moods, but as he acted today felt off, and it didn't felt like he behaved like that on a regular basis. For a second he debated if he should go back inside, finding Cora-San, but Law had met the taller man, so maybe the blonde already know about his behaviour. It did seem like the family had an unspoken bound, understanding each other without words. However; it didn't sit right with him seeing Law like that, and for a second he almost laughed, finding that he rather had the sarcastic, rude, homicidal doctor in front of him than this. Sabo wondered if he could do anything as he walked over, knowing that it was a risky move, since he couldn't predict how Law would react.
"Are you alright?" he asked and Law looked up, meeting his eyes under the hat.
"Are those the only words you know?" Law wondered sarcastically and Sabo couldn't hinder himself from smiling but stopped when Law gave him a questioning look. Sabo placed himself on the swing next to Law before he answered.
"No, but it's the polite thing to ask" Law didn't respond, not that Sabo had expecting it. "I apologise for coming to you"
"It's apparently an open facility now days, so why bother apologising" Sabo smiled once more, before Luffy met Sanji, none of them thought of walking into Law's district, asking for help, Luffy changed that, for better or worse. But he understood the man next to him, he would be as unpleased as him, if people meddled in his affairs. Sabo chose not to answer him, unable to say something to deny it.
"Can I borrow one?" he asked instead, looking at the cigarette in Law's hand. The doctor handed over the one he was holding.
"I don't smoke, so here" he stated and Sabo couldn't hinder himself from giving the other one a surprised look, wondering why he had lit a cigarette if he didn't smoke. "The smell calms me down"
Sabo was once more surprised, not by the statement, seeing it as logical since it must remind the other one of Cora-San, no he was surprised that Law informed him. But it wasn't information that could hurt the other one or his family, so maybe it wasn't as surprising.
"I see" Sabo placed the cigarette between his lips, soon letting the smoke escape up into the air. "I normally don't smoke, trying to stay healthy, and live a long life, well as long as it can be in a town like this"
It happened that he smoked, often if he wished to receive some information, by fitting into a group. He had learned that people often talked to smokers, and he used it to his advantage.
"Well we all have different goals" Sabo didn't answer, not wishing to talk about his goals, and knowing Law wouldn't either. Sabo doubted that he would ever figure out the other man's goals, no matter which methods he used.
"So how's Sanji doing?" he asked instead, maybe it would make the other man feel better, or what Sabo now meant to do. He was unsure why he kept up the conversation with Law, since the man wasn't a chatty person, and most likely wished to get rid of him. But Law hadn't asked him to leave, so maybe he wasn't bothered, or at least excepted his company.
"Better" was all Law answered, clearly not wishing to talk about the blonde and Sabo hindered himself from asking another question, sitting next to the other one in silence instead, seeing that it was what Law preferred. Sabo studied the other man next to him, as well as he could without making Law questioning it. Despite that time he spent at the hospital, when Luffy was submitted, he knew nearly nothing about Law, and Sabo didn't like not knowing. He couldn't predict Law's plan and movement, what his plan for the city was. Law was like a blank card, or like the Joker, even more so than Doflamingo, who chose that name for himself. It was true that Doflamingo was unpredictable, hiding himself away, but when he acted Sabo, it was always a well-organized plan, and far too often a horrible action. Doflamingo provide everyone, making more chaos than any other player, without even being at the table. Crocodile acted under an alias as well, but his actions always benefited himself, making his power stronger. But Law's actions seemed unplanned, chaotic and crazy, something Sabo had come to understand they wasn't from what he had seen, but it didn't make them easier to read.
"Stop trying to solve the puzzle" Law warned and Sabo met his cold eyes.
"It wasn't my intention, even if I admit it's difficult not to. So many of your actions surprises me" Sabo admitted, realising it wasn't what he had thought of saying. Admitting anything to someone who was your enemy, was far from good.
"We are strangers to each other, all our actions are surprising"
"I wouldn't say all actions are surprising, you turning us away wasn't" Sabo tried to joke "You helping us was"
Law didn't answer, as the other man looked down at his tattooed hands, and Sabo wondered how far he could push the other man, without risking his life. That something in the meeting had messed with Law was obvious, but he couldn't understand what.
"Did you feel obligated helping her because she is our princess?" Sabo asked, doubting that, but some people saw it as an obligation serving the royal family.
"Pfft. She isn't my princess, and even if she was, it wouldn't matter. The royal family lost the city a long time ago" Law stated coldly and Sabo smiled, not surprised by the answer, even if he wondered about Law's phrasing, saying that Vivi wasn't his princess. Disliking the family and not believing in them was one thing, but most people would agree that they were their ruler once. But he didn't ask, not interesting in Law's opinion about the royal family.
"Sabo!" Luffy waved when he came out from the hospital and Sabo finished the cigarette before he stood up.
"That's my que to leave" he looked at Law who didn't answer him and Sabo left without another word, walking over to his little brother.
"Is Senguko alright?" he asked, looking at the man as he stood up.
"I can't tell" was all Sabo answered and Luffy was about to walk over when Sabo hindered him "Not a good idea"
"Can't leave him if he is upset!"
"You can if you wish to stay alive" Sabo warned, knowing that Luffy's way to make someone feel better, often involving hugs would most likely result in Luffy's death. "And we need to make sure Vivi and her father gets home safely"
Luffy turned from Law to the woman and the others, nodding with a smile.
"Let's get home!" The others nodded and Sabo threw one last look at Law, wondering what was wrong with the other man, knowing he would never get an answer to that question.
Sabo looked at the file, or rather stared, as the world was to unbelievable to believe. The information could be false, starting as a rumour, but he had interrogated different sources who had said the same, Vegapunk was alive. It had been seven years since the man disappeared, why and how he didn't know. It was something he had tried to find an answer to, but it seemed that few knew, even the Marines he had spoken to. The only thing he knew was that a man named Caesar was involved, he had disappeared the same night, and Sabo had found less trace about that man than Vegapunk. He had heard rumours about Vegapunk over the years, but none about Caesar, and it seemed like hadn't existed. But it seemed like Vegapunk had been found. The rumours said that someone had taken him from Doflamingo, if that was true Sabo knew that whoever it managed to do what was a force to be reckoned with. Without evidence he guessed that it was the new gang who had taken over Vinsmokes home, CP9. People had started to whisper their name on the street and Sabo was confused, the history books he had mentioned the cipher pol, but also that they had become extant without a known reason, around fifth years ago. The group could use that name for shown, read it in the books as he had, but adding a nine was to him surprising since it only existed eight groups. Sabo hadn't figured out if the name had a meaning, or any evidence that they group was behind finding Vegapunk, but he saw it as most likely since none of the gangs had stated that they had found him, or had him. If the rumours had spread that he was found, it was bound to state who had him, if it was one of the gangs, but not a word. Everything surrounding the man was rumours, as it always had been, but compared to the others this was new ones, easier to believe. Sabo placed the files on the table before he grabbed his hat and pipe, leaving for the night.
He rested his head on top of the table, breathing as he relaxed. He hadn't been home in days, trying to find more information regarding Vegapunk. Hearing rumours was easy, since everyone talked about it, but finding sources confirming it was a challenge, and it had taken longer time than he wished for, forcing him to walk the streets. He had gone as much undercover as he could, taking job in different bars around town, seeing people often talked to the bartender. It wasn't the first time he went undercover, but as he did, it forced him to show his face to people. His appearance was nothing special, seeing he could be anybody, but if someone had a good memory and walked between different bars the may recognise him, and if nothing else ask him about it, something he wished to avoid. For everyday he stayed undercover it took a toll on his nervous, forcing him to be extra careful, on guard. Without risking to returning to his home, leading someone there he was forced to sleep in different places not as safe. But it had been worth it since he received some information that was to his liking, or maybe disliking. He wasn't pleased by the fact that the CP9, which he figured out had found Vegapunk, if they took him from Doflamingo or not, he could not tell. The group planned to hold an auction, selling Vegapunk to the highest bidder. Sabo knew that if any of the gangs got hold of the information Vegapunk had, they would have a great advantage in the coming war, if not the victory, and he needed to hinder that, but he had few options.
He couldn't win the auction, knowing despite the large sum he had collected over the years wasn't enough. If Luffy had possessed the money, he would have been his first option, knowing his brother wouldn't use Vegapunk's knowledge, at least not to the extent others would. If he could have trusted Ace to have enough power over White Beard's gang, he had asked him, but he knew that wasn't the case. And it left him with only one option, Smoker and the Marines. Normally he hadn't risked giving the Marines such information, knowing that they were still corrupt, but the Marines was better than any of the options. He also knew that Smoker and Vegapunk was old friends, hoping it would mean that the Fleet Admiral wouldn't let harm come to Vegapunk, even if his men demanded things of the scientist. Sabo lifted his head, forcing the headache as he needed to inform Smoker before he went to bed, knowing that the man would need as much time as possible to save his friend.
Sabo entered through the window, choosing to cover the lower part of his face, knowing Smoker would recognise him otherwise. He wished he could have avoided ever meeting the other man, but because of the battle they had thought it was impossible, meaning he needed to be extra careful around the man. He looked down at the older man sitting at his desk, reading as he often had done when Sabo watched him. Normally Sabo left the files he thought the Marines needed when the room was empty, but he needed to make sure Smoker saw them this time, and that no one else did. He was unsure of the safety level around the base, and he wasn't willing to risk it, just to go on unseen.
Sabo slowly landed on the floor, making Smoker turn towards him at once, reaching for his weapon. Sabo raised his hands, showing he meant no harm, as he studied Smoker's every move.
"What do you want?" Smoker's voice was hostile, not to Sabo's surprise. "You have never shown yourself before"
Sabo didn't answer him, only walking closer to the man slowly, avoiding Smoker from doing anything drastic, before he placed the folder in front of the man.
"It's about Vegapunk" Sabo said in a lower voice than normally with the help of the mask he wore. He could for a second see both hope and surprise in the other man's eyes before he opened the file skimming through the documents.
"Where did you get this information"
"Wrong question" Sabo said behind the mask and hat.
"Why me?" it was a better question, and Sabo understood the man's suspicion, knowing no offered help without a reason.
"Besides you two being old friends, I think him and the city would be safest, if he was under your protection" Sabo admitted, even if it was far from the whole truth, something Smoker didn't need to know. Smoker returned towards the paper once more before, and Sabo waited if the man would have any other question, wishing to answer them if it would help the other one to save Vegapunk.
"Do you know what condition he's in?"
"I do not. I haven't seen him with my own eyes" Sabo hadn't taken the risk to break into the old mansion, knowing far too little about CP9 and what he could risk encountering doing so. Smoker nodded, writing his words down on a separate paper.
"Is he the only thing being auctioned?"
"To my knowledge yes" Sabo hadn't heard of anything being sold at the same time, it could happen, but was not likely.
"Everyone is welcomed?"
"Yes, as long as you have the money for shown" Smoker nodded writing it down as well, before he turned towards the papers, skimming them once more before he nodded towards him, showing that he had no further question. Sabo made his way towards the window with ease and was just about to leave when Smoker spoke one more.
"Break into my office again and I will arrest you, if not kill you" it was a warning Sabo knew he would follow through on, but he only smiled behind the mask.
"Save your friend instead of worrying about that" he made his way to the roof, soon leaving the Marine base, without being seen or heard, returning home.