set pre-timeskip. Law is going to be a less stoic/ no nonsense until then. Also i don't know why but i sort of imagine Law and co voyaging one a ship before they get a submarine


Siren's voice: Prologue

"Captain, we've reached the nearest island!" Bepo, the polar bear mink exclaimed.

The Heart Pirates; a small crew currently consisting of their Captain, Trafalgar Law, and this crew, Bepo, Penguin and Shachi. The boat creaked as it hid behind the tall cliffs of the island. Despite them making it to the closest island, a tense air remained on the ship.

"We didn't see any Navy ships when we got close," Penguin said what the whole ship was thinking. "I expected at least a few roaming around the dock, but the dock is empty."

"Shachi, come with me." Law remained calm despite the uncertainties his crew had. "Bepo, Penguin, stay and watch the ship until we get back."

Khaso island was neighbouring the Kingdom of Alabasta and matched its desert landscape as well as its scorching heat and unbearable humidity. But the one thing Khaso lacked was the liveliness of Alabasta. Alabasta was still a few hours away by ship, so Law decided to anchor by Khaso. There were a few essentials they needed, especially sailing in the open sea under the intensity of the sun. Rather than waiting to get to Alabasta, it was safer to make a stop at Khaso before the decided to sail on.

Bepo and Penguin lowered a small boat off the ship for Shachi and Law to row towards the coast. The sun was scorching down on them as they rowed, and the closer they got to land, the stranger they found the lack of activity by the sea. Although they usually wouldn't be swarming with navy ships, taken the climate in this part of the world it was smarter to make more frequent stops at nearby islands to rest before moving on.

There wasn't anything about the present day Khaso that really stood out otherwise. It was once home to a what was considered an advance civilisation back in the day. Knowledge of course attracts human greed, and so, the ancient civilisation was wiped out completely and developed into present day Khaso.

"We need barrels of clean drinking water," Law said as he continued to row. "It would be wise to stock up on medical supplies. Bepo is more than likely not going to be able to handle the heat well so we need to be prepared."

"Let's get some booze too, captain."

"We haven't had booze in a while." Law didn't hesitate to agree with his suggestion, which took Shachi by surprise. "We should take it easy before we enter the New World."

Shachi huffed and puffed and moaned and groaned as he continued rowing, whilst Law didn't break a sweat. The abandoned dock seemed welcoming enough, but he was no fool to hide his boat in plain sight. Eventually, the pair reached the golden sands at the coast of the island and unbounded. They didn't bring much other than a few gold coin to make some purchases. Law took another look at the desolated beach as Shachi pushed the wooden boat behind a rock formation and tied a rope around it to keep the boat from drifting away.

.

The nearest town was less than welcoming to the two men. They were directed with nothing but hostile stares as they passed through the crowd. The market was bustling with life just like any other market elsewhere. But the citizens all wore cloaks to hide their faces. Every figure looked eerily the same, as if their identities had been taken from them. This just made Law and Shachi look more out of place.

Law just observed the people, ignoring his crew member who was still attempting to make conversation with people. There was no way they would be getting anywhere at this rate. Alabasta would have been a better option to make a stop if it hadn't been for the rookie pirate group who called themselves the Straw Hat pirates. After taking down Crocodile, who once reigned as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the place was swarming with the navy.

Just then, the heavy marching and shouting of men clouded over the chatter of the market goers.

"There are two sinners on the run. Find them, now!" A tall, tan man in uniform shouted, before barking orders at nearby citizens. "You, remove your hood and let me see your face!"

Law sighed to himself, looking at the sudden unrest amongst the crowd. "Looks like Alabasta wasn't the only troublesome option."

"There's something going on," Shachi pointed out the obvious.

"Looks like it. Let's get out of here before things blow out of proportion."

"Captain, I thought of a fool-proof plan!" Shachi beamed proudly. "How about we try and blend in with them to buy supplies. I can try and get us some cloaks."

"Sounds simple enough. Let's try that."

Avoiding the more crowded area swarming with guards, the pair wandered through numerous alleyways. There were smaller street vendors selling all kinds of things, whether it be colourful, hand-woven fabrics to fragrant teas.

Soon, Law was the first one to spot a pair of girls walking towards them. One looked significantly older than the other, the youngest probably no older than six years of age. Based on the taller ones stature, Law guessed she was around seventeen. Not much of their faces were visible, apart from a few stray strands of black hair that peeked through their hooded cloaks. It wasn't the sight of two young girls that caused him to look over but their suspicious demeanour.

The girls were roughly gripping onto each other's hands, seeming to fear to be separated. The older one was sneaking glances over her shoulder, making sure no one was following them. They were on edge, possibly tailed by someone else.

Shachi was the second to notice them, following his captain's gaze. He didn't understand his captain's interest in the girls. They looked quite young based on their heights, and Law wasn't one to gaze lovingly at a woman if he saw one. Shachi took this as a sign from his captain to question them.

"You want me to try asking them?"

"Leave it! They aren't going to respond to us."

Feeling somewhat less intimidated by the small stature of the girls, Shachi approached them. Seeing the strangers approach, the older led the younger girl to hide behind her.

"Do you know where we can get ourselves a pair of cloaks?"

Neither made eye contact and remained still, in the hopes that these foreigners didn't hurt them. They were hoping these strange men would just walk by if they didn't respond to them.

"Leave them, come on!"

Law walked past the scene, ushering his crew mate along. It was the same response they got from everybody else, just less hostile and more frightened. The girls were already on high alert about something else, so that didn't help the situation either. But it came to both of their surprise when the older girl responded to them.

"Outsiders aren't welcome."

Law and Shachi looked at each other, before looking back at the older girl. Shachi decided that this was a go ahead for him to continue the conversation. He tried to put on his most friendly smile that ended up looking crooked.

"We sort of figured," he tried to laugh awkwardly. "So, about those cloaks everyone's wearing."

"It's those drawings on your body," she continued, pointing at Law's numerous tattoos. "Khaso doesn't welcome foreigners, especially people who go against their temple's word. Someone with 'DEATH' written out on his body would be believed to bring bad omen to Khaso."

"The cloaks..." Shachi desperately tried to bring her attention back to him.

"We won't be here for long," Law muttered, before turning his back towards them and leaving them behind. "Let's go."

Shachi looked back and forth between his captain and the girls, before he hurried after him.

The girls stood still like statues until the pirates left. However, as soon as they were out of sight, the older girl dragged the younger the same way the men came from.

"Those two outsiders must have arrived today. Their boat must be somewhere on the island."