Luffy sprinted along the wall around campus, training his endurance. They had one more week until the sports festival, which was gutted by the Villain alliance. There would be no crowd, only cameras and all the students. Almost every student, the first year students, who would be taking part that year were bummed about the no crowd part.

He went faster and faster. Zoro was catching up, so Luffy sped up even more. The other students who cared about the event were training in other ways. The campus was big, so it wasn't like Luffy and his friend were taking up precious space. Law was practicing making his ROOMs bigger.

Luffy felt his power was good enough for the stage it'd be used on, and that he should work more on physical fitness. Law was not unfit. He was well built and strong, but it seemed mostly like natural strength and not from practice or training. Like how Zoro was. He could stop exercising for a month and would no doubt look just as fit. Sanji and Luffy had to work more on that. Well, Sanji the most. Luffy was always skinny.

The two friends stopped once they made the whole lap, both of them panting, Zoro much louder. They hadn't stopped where their water and phones were, so Luffy went there and brought it back to Zoro. "I wish you could take others with you. Besides Law," Zoro complained.

Luffy pulled a plastic bag out of his belt. He had a little pouch with little baggies that were bigger versions of dog bags. In case he had to take anybody, who would no doubt vomit once they arrived in the next space.

"I was just saying. I don't want to throw up," Zoro said. Luffy put it away and sat down. Are you excited about the sports festival? "Are you?" I asked first. "I'm less pumped now than I was. Having no crowd or audience will kind of take the novelty away. It won't be as exhilarating. We have next year, so hopefully things are normal by then. Now, what about you?"

Luffy looked at the ground below them, the park side. The school was surrounded by a park, the wall seemingly planted right in the middle. Luffy didn't know if the school was there first or if they'd chopped a huge chunk of the park away. Surely nature activists would have been mad about that…

I'm not sure. It sounded fun, with a crowd and cheering. I almost feel more uneasy now. With the crowd, isn't it like the mood of the audience? You know whether you suck by booing, and then stop embarrassing yourself. What if I do something stupid and I don't know it and should be told to stop?

"I will tell you if you're doing something stupid. I'll yell as loud as I can. But only if it's something truly humiliating, not what you think is embarrassing." Zoro gave a grin. "It'll be damn different from Ace and Sabo's time - lucky bastards - but we'll still be seen in the world. Cameras will still be there. The heroes will know who we are."

Luffy nodded and thanked him. I wonder what they'll think of me? He signed, looking at his scarred hand. I have all these scars on one arm and my face, and then the other arm has a sleeve on it.

Zoro's face fell. "They'll probably be curious and confused. I'm sure they'd want to know what happened to you, but all of that stuff is top secret right now, nobody would google that shit and find it." Luffy shrugged. Anything was possible if it had ever been on the internet. And the incident had, somewhere.

Luffy drank the rest of his water and stood up. Wanna go get some food? "I don't want to throw up, so we can walk there," Zoro replied. The two walked back the way they came, though not all the way back as they had to go to their dorms or the main school building. When they got to the busier part of the campus near the wall, they encountered other students training. They glared at Luffy and Zoro.

"Why are the pricks always glaring at our class? It's not only class 1-A. It was the other hero classes, too, you dumbfucks," Zoro said loudly, drawing angry reactions out of them. He flipped them off enthusiastically.

Luffy grabbed his shoulder, and Zoro looked down and frowned. Then he sighed. "I always thought temper got better the more you aged." You have to work on it. "I do, but it always comes back. Then I don't notice it until I've already pissed some shithead off." We all have our own problems. Right? Sanji has his family, you have your temper and attitude, Ace has his personal insecurities. We all have problems, whether they are obvious or not.

Zoro snorted. "What are you, some prophet?" I have too many issues to be a prophet. Zoro laughed. "I guess so. Oh, there's Law. /wonder what's wrong with him." They walked to Law, who was laying face first on the grass near the dorm. Luffy hurried closer and saw he was asleep.

"Jeez, he must have trained hard," Zoro whistled. Luffy picked him up, still sleeping, and teleported them back to the lounge in the dorm, on one of the fluffy couches. He didn't want to invade Law's privacy by going into his room when he didn't want him to. He popped back to Zoro and signed, I put him on the couch.

He laughed. "He's gonna be embarrassed later," Zoro stated confidently. Why? I just brought him to someplace that wasn't outside. "Nevermind," Zoro said with a hidden laugh, looking at Luffy strangely about it. I didn't carry him bridal style. He shouldn't be embarrassed. "We'll just see, I guess." The two walked inside and to the kitchen, pulling out leftovers and eating it.

"Don't take everything," Franky said, coming in and sweating himself. Luffy wondered what he'd been doing. Zoro translated for him. "Strength training. Hey, Luffy, how much do you weigh?" 118. "Holy crap, wow." Luffy's face turned red and Zoro glared at Franky, who got the message. "Ah, I'm just surprised at the weight given how much you seem to exercise."

Zoro said Luffy had always been small. Franky nodded, and didn't ask again. Luffy was eating a sandwich on the couch when Law came out of the hallway and into the main room. "Who moved me?" he demanded of the group, consisting of Zoro, Franky, Luffy, Nami and Tashigi. Luffy raised his hand slowly, worried he'd upset Law. He'd just tried to help him out.

Law immediately deflated and his face turned red. I'm sorry. I just teleported you into the lounge… Luffy signed, face showing uncertainty. "No, it's fine. I didn't even notice I fell asleep." Zoro smirked at him, making Law narrow his eyes.

"Well, sleepyhead, might want to get back into exercising. Got six days to be able to beat me or Luffy." Luffy glared at Zoro for trying to actively piss Law off. He didn't get it. Zoro put his hands up and apologized, and went back to his food. Franky was observing Law, too. Nami and Tashigi had been talking, the black haired girl complaining about being fast, but not strong.

Nami truly seemed unconcerned. After all, her quirk would never be used for physical labor. Everyone looked at Law in a way he didn't understand. They always teased him and he never knew what it was about. But he never asked, even if he wanted to know.

After eating, Luffy said he was going to take a nap. He threw the trash away and disappeared into his room, and laid on the bed. He was about to fall asleep, the clouds starting to block out the sun while a rainstorm approached, when he was hit by an intense flashback.

It threw him into a scene he hadn't imagined in a while. It wasn't during the torture. It was when he woke up that day, seeing the hospital room, the numb feeling of his left side. The aches and stinging feelings present but very dulled. The knowledge that, even if he didn't know what had happened to him fully, things were different now.

It left him curled into a ball and crying into his pillow, shaking with silent sobs as he kept his eyes fully closed. He took his phone from the bed next to him and texted Ace, asking if he was alone.

No, but I can be. It was a minute before he texted back that he was alone. Luffy teleported and hugged his brother. They were in the staff room of the school. Ace hugged him back, rubbing his back. "You're okay, Lu. You'll be okay." He cried into his shirt, clutching the fabric of his back.

Luffy just hugged him, the smell of home even if Ace spent most of his time at school, doing his job that kept him here much more than at home. Ace was patient, and rubbed calming circles on Luffy's scalp, being much taller than his petite brother. When Luffy did pull away, Ace wiped his tears away with his thumb, and didn't ask for any specifics, knowing Luffy would talk if he was comfortable.

I want to be a new normal. Maybe not the same as before. "Did you have a flashback?" Luffy nodded, and explained what it had been. Ace's face fell and he wiped away another tear. "That day is long in the past. You're living now. A different way, but still living. You're happy. Maybe not most of the time, but I know you can be happy." I want to be normal. "There's no defined definition of normal, Lu. You're normal for someone who went through what you did."

Luffy didn't reply, just got another warm hug. Ace asked him if he was looking forward to the sports festival, and Luffy reiterated what he'd signed to Zoro earlier that day. After spending a long while with Ace, he got one last hug and went back to his room. He found Zoro waiting there, napping on his bed.

The smaller teen shook him awake, and the other jolted up. "Oh! Are you okay? I tried to come see you but you were gone. Did you have a flashback?" Zoro knew him too well. Sanji came in a couple seconds later carrying a plate of cookies.

"You okay?" Luffy was happy his friends knew him so well. Sometimes he didn't like it, but the majority of the time he did. I did have a flashback so I went to see Ace. It wasn't a bad one, though. Just upsetting in a different way, Luffy signed. He took a cookie and slowly ate it. There were only three on the plate since Sanji knew Luffy wouldn't eat a lot. He was glad, since he would worry that he wasn't eating enough if the plate was full of cookies.

"Well, at least we have good distractions during the day, right?" Sanji asked, sitting next to Zoro. Luffy sat on the rolly desk chair and nodded, eating the second cookie. "We'll be the first group of students to be in a sports festival like this. It'll be different than usual."

"Maybe the school will imitate cheers to make it seem like there's an audience," Zoro sighed. "Man, this sucks." Luffy had told them about what Roger had said, and they were now just as confused as Luffy, and everybody else. Law had been there, too. Luffy invited him to be there for the explanation.

Sanji turned to Luffy and asked if he'd done something to Law. I brought him to a couch when he fell asleep outside. His face fell deeper. I thought I was doing a nice thing, but I guess I was wrong.

"I think his masculinity was just wounded," Zoro snickered. "I know I'd be embarrassed if somebody carried me to bed and tucked me in." I wouldn't be, so I thought it was the right thing to do. "That's cause you don't give a shit about looking weak. Even though you aren't, you're fine with people seeing you that way."

I don't want to flaunt my strength. Just having it there makes me feel better. "Humble Luffy."

"Sensitive Zoro."

"Shut it, simp," Zoro snapped back.

"You're using that stupid term?" Sanji wondered lightly. Zoro shrugged, and the argument ended. The three of them ended up chilling on Luffy's bed and watching a scary movie. They didn't usually bother Luffy, but Sanji usually was the one most freaked out. Luffy was completely sheltered from the Saw movies, which he was fine with.

When there was a suspenseful moment, Luffy suddenly grabbed Sanji, who yelped and jumped, making Zoro laugh and Luffy internally chuckle. Sanji glared at him, and the smallest looked away. Zoro continued to laugh, and Luffy felt a moment of normalcy. It was a good way to end the night.

-x-

Class 1-A, really class 1 since there was no 1-B, sat in their designated room before the sports festival. The week had gone by quickly. Between school and homework, everyone else was training. Many were only working on their quirk, since that was what mostly would be looked at. Not physical strength.

All of the guys felt differently, and focused more on their fitness. Nami, Hiyori and Vivi all just worked on their quirks. The other girls did train, but they didn't attempt to kill themselves by going overboard like most of the guys did. Sanji worked with Tashigi to make huge meals at dinner for everyone who was starving from working out.

"Ready?" Vivi asked, the class Rep. they'd voted for in the beginning of the year. They stood up and many looked nervous, while some looked excited. Luffy and Law were the only ones that looked slightly bored, though Luffy had an excuse. On their way out of the waiting room, Luffy asked if Law was okay.

"Yeah. I'm just not very pumped for it," he said honestly. Are you nervous? "Not really. What happens happens. What about you?" he asked. Luffy said he wasn't sure. He'd always looked forward to it so he and Zoro and Sanji could shine, but it felt unexciting with no crowd. "I can understand that. Hopefully we all do well." Then he looked ahead. "I hope I don't fight you…" he said quietly.

Why? But Law looked like he hadn't meant to say it. "Because I feel our match would be endless. We can both teleport." Good point. Law seemed relieved. Sometimes Luffy just didn't understand him.

When they walked out, the stadium was mostly empty. As the other first year courses came out, they were all surprised to see there were people in the stadium. Just not who they expected. They were all of the other classes, the second and third years. It was nice, the school was trying their best to make it normal for them.

But it still wasn't the same. Though it was better than no audience. It was Kikyo who was announcing things. She was the strictest teacher on campus, which Luffy was glad she was in the general studies course and Luffy would never have to be in her class. "Since this year is quite different than any other year, we're having the rest of the UA population be the audience. Hopefully this suffices."

It probably wouldn't for everybody, but it was thoughtful. "There will be three activities, but I'll announce each one separately. Be prepared for a difficult time here! As always, the event is being broadcasted across the country. Pro heroes may not be watching it live, but they will see."

Somebody raised their hand. Kikyo called on them. "Will the heroes accept any interns right now?"

"That depends on the circumstances," the woman said in a clipped voice, though Lufyf thought she wasn't trying to be mean, even if the student shrunk from the tone of voice. She got straight to business. Luffy remembered watching Ace and Sabo's first sports festival. It was much more lively, and their announcer made things dramatic.

This atmosphere was much calmer and more serious. Luffy was disappointed, and could see the feeling mirrored in his best friends' faces. Law looked tired. Luffy wondered if he hadn't slept well. Hopefully it didn't hinder his performance.

"The first event will be an obstacle course, like usual. This one has been made more difficult due to the current circumstances," Kikyo explained. Luffy assumed it was to make them look stronger to any pro heroes watching. Since strong heroes were needed at this time.

Luffy noticed the first years didn't look pumped at all. It was unfortunate it turned out this way. "Next year, you will all participate in this once again since this year's is quite different than usual. But still do your best, now." This lifted the mood a bit, knowing they had a second chance next year.

They all gathered in the hall, the entrance bottlenecked. Luckily, the four had gotten to the front, and when the alarm blared, telling them to start, they sprinted forward. Many of their class were directly after them, with the other courses trapped, fighting to get through the crowded entrance.

The first obstacle was not what Luffy was expecting at all. He remembered Ace and Sabo had had bots like the practical entrance exam. The years following their first one had bots, too. This time, they were robots, but they weren't like the ones they fought against before. They were much more advanced, and were in the forms of big cats, sharp teeth and claws there.

Luffy didn't feel like fighting them, while the others had to when they were rushed. Luffy just teleported ahead of them, avoiding them completely. Law did the same and both of them were running side by side. Luffy sped up, running as fast as he could to get ahead. Law did, too until they got to the next obstacle. It was hallway of sorts. Walls were on either side of the course, projecting lasers.

It was similar to what you'd see in spy movies. Luffy decided not to skip it, even if Law went ahead. The others were catching up, more than just their class. Luffy got to work getting through the lasers, not getting touched as he easily maneuvered his way through the obstacle. Law was doing his best, but he was too big for a lot of it.

He was swearing in irritation under his breath as Luffy crawled and climbed through. He did get touched by the lasers a couple of times and it gave off an uncomfortable jolt of electricity, making his legs spasm for only a moment, slowing him down, before the feeling faded. He could hear others swearing angrily.

Then Zoro was there, running straight through the entire field, his pants getting fried with holes as he ran into each lazer. Luffy thought he was crazy. But then he was out, and trying to catch up to his friend. Next there was a huge chasm with ropes connecting them, only the ropes were so thin it would be difficult to crawl with. Law couldn't make his room this far, as the chasm area was quite long. Luffy could teleport, but that would be boring. He took his shoes off and used his best balance, channeling the time he'd aced a tightrope walk, and ran along the rope. Law stayed behind, cursing. He seemed more into it now.

Soon everyone was there, trying to figure out how to get across. Sanji used his reinforced and strong body to kick off of the ground to the nearest outcrop, a break area between ropes. He did the same, passing Luffy. The others were figuring out their own way across, not stopped for too long.

Luffy landed second and chased after Sanji. Then Kid launched towards them. He pulled Luffy backwards with his magnetism. Luffy teleported and was behind him, taking him with him and making him ill and dizzy.

He ran forward, ignoring the retching and cursing at him. But now he was far behind Sanji. The next obstacle was land mines, only they were above the ground. But they were incredibly close together and difficult to not touch.

Luffy analyzed the mines, finding a pattern of distance. He'd probably be clumsy if he walked or ran. Sanji started to tiptoe his way. Luffy started doing slow cartwheels, keeping only the tips of his toes and fingers on the ground on his way. It was a success! He hadn't touched any of the mines!

Zoro slashes through them, making them all explode to give him a path forward. "Wait up!" he shouted to Luffy, who of course didn't slow. Ichiji, Tashigi and three people from the general studies course were after them before Law appeared, switching places with the person in third place.

Sprinting faster, Luffy made it through the tunnel first, Zoro, Law and Ichiji clase behind, Sanji making fifth. The students in the stadium cheered loudly, imitating a crowd very well. They were in regular clothes, so they didn't all look like UA students in their uniforms.

"And Luffy comes out first! What a spectacle! He could have used his quirk for each obstacle, but he didn't! And Zoro pushed through the pain! Amazing!" Shanks was commentating. He praised each of the people who made it in time. There was a time limit. If they didn't make it to the stadium in time, they were out. Luffy watched as all of his classmates made it besides Kiku. It would have been cool for their entire class to make it, but she didn't, sadly.

There was a short break for water before the students who made it in the time limit were separated from those who didn't, who all made their ways into the stadium to cheer on their classmates as the other students had. Luffy saw cameras focused on the students who were waiting for the next announcement, and saw how he looked to the rest of the nation.

His face was a little pink from exertion, but he wasn't covered in sweat. Though his face and neck burn, along with the visible scars, were very prominent in the direct sunlight. But he tried not to think about it. He was just glad he didn't have to speak and be silent. So far, at least. But he was sure Shanks and Marco, who was also in the box with teachers, had decided Luffy's being mute would not be public knowledge at the moment.

Soon, Kikyo came back to her stadium. "The next activity will be a game of capture the flag. Two a team, with one carrying the other on their back. You must use your quirk for this, so think hard about how to do that." Many of the students made upset or irritated noises. Luffy paid attention while some were cursing their luck and their quirks for being unsuited for this. "You must get at least two flags, the flags being headbands around both partner's foreheads. You have ten minutes to pick teams."

Zoro and Sanji walked to Luffy and asked if he wanted to be a team with each of them. I wouldn't be able to use my quirk. You'd both get sick. "True. Damn it." You two can be partners. I'll ask Law. He can teleport with me. "Okay," Zoro said. Luffy walked to Law and asked if he wanted to be partners, since he could handle Luffy's teleportation.

He agreed to it, and Luffy was going to be on top since he was so much lighter. We can take turns using our quirks and stealing others headbands. "Yeah. I have an idea for my own." He picks grass from the ground that wasn't the stage for fighting, and handed it to Luffy. "Hold these. I'll take them and swap them with headbands so we don't even have to go get them." I can teleport us if somebody gets too close. "Sounds like a good plan," Law commented.

Girls paired with boys, the girls on the boy's backs. Besides Tashigi and Hiyori. Tashigi was on the bottom with the teal haired girl on top. Zoro was on Sanji's back, too. Since Luffy was strong and small, he would be clinging to Law's back with his own strength so his partner could use his hands.

Soon the ten minutes were up and Luffy had the headband tied tightly around his head. He clung to Law's back like a monkey, arms around his neck and legs around his waist. He was holding the grass blades in his joined hands where Law could pull one out. They stood in one spot for a moment, Law making rooms around anybody that made it close. There were twenty groups. The last ten groups would be the ones to make it would be in the next round.

They weren't noticed too quickly until people saw Luffy had more flags around his head and neck. They were targeted by angry groups whose headbands were snatched without a sound. Luffy teleported them away and to another part of the grassy area. Law snatched another until they had five.

"Let's stop and just keep these. We've used our quirks and gotten over two," Law said. Since Luffy wouldn't be seen nodding, he put his chin on Law's shoulder and made a nodding motion so he could feel that Luffy was agreeing. Law froze and Luffy worried he'd done something wrong before he had to teleport again.

Once again, there was a time limit, and once it was over, the winners were declared. Luffy dropped off of Law's back and gave him a thumbs up before giving Zoro and Sanji high fives, since they, of course, passed themselves.

The students got another break, but this time it was for food and the bathroom, so it was a bit longer break. Given how little people there were here, just the school, the food stands were very limited, too. It was disappointing that there were only a handful of food places. Not that Luffy ate too much.

The four of them, Law with the three, went to get food, which was free since it was food made on campus, Luffy got to takoyaki and a small bottle of orange juice while Zoro, Sanji and Law took advantage of the free food and got two of everything. They went back to the stadium, and were told to sit with their class.

So, they went up to where their friends were already. Kiku was not the only one to not be in the third and last round. Nami, Tashigi, Franky, and Yonji had not made it. Ichiji and Niji acted embarrassed with their brother, and Luffy thought they were terrible siblings. They only cared about if they were strong themselves.

Ace and Sabo loved Luffy unconditionally, no matter the stress of sadness he often caused them to feel. They cared for him no matter what, and were always there for him. The differences between Sanji and his step brothers were staggering. But Luffy was happy with that. Franky and Yonji had been reluctant partners, and failed because of Yonji's controlling attitude. So Franky was furious with him.

Nami and Tashigi weren't good partners either. But Nami wasn't upset, not wanting to fight the strongest in the class. Possibly. They didn't know who was against who.

When the time came for them to be matched up, Luffy was against people from the other courses. People he didn't know of, anything about their quirks. Everyone knew his. Should be interesting. He would be against Law if he beat Killer. He didn't seem too happy about it. Sanji was against Hancock and possibly one of the support course students. Zoro was happy to be against his most disliked of the Three Jis: Niji.

Luffy knew it was a grudge of him exposing him for being tortured the first day of school. His two best friends had never forgiven him. Zoro was just more transparent with his hate. Luffy may end up fighting Zoro and Sanji, but he wasn't worried. Zoro would have to be careful with how strong and how good his aim was of his destructive and dangerous power.

Are you okay? Luffy asked Law. You seem so sad. "I'm fine. Just tired and bored. It's not nearly as interesting or exhilarating with these conditions." The others around nodded in agreement. "I know the country is still watching, but it's like I'm detached." Yeah. But we have next year. "Yeah. That's good news."

Luffy's match was first, so he just teleported to the stage, standing on one side. His opponent was a girl with long, pink hair. She had a piercing on her cheek. He didn't know her power, but he would stay away from her, not let her touch him. He wished he knew, but was also excited by not knowing what he was up against. It was how things would be with most villains, right? Well, his goal wasn't to be with villains, only rescuing people. Making them sick, but safe. "And fight!" Kikyo shouted. Luffy stayed where he was, and the girl, Bonney, ran at him. She tried to grab him, but he ducked, and dodged easily, looking like he wasn't even trying.

He teleported behind her and kicked her back. She swung around, but he was now on the other side. He did his signature move that nobody but his class had seen, and slammed her to the ground with his legs. She attempted to grab his leg, but he flipped away. Shanks was excitedly talking about Luffy's agility and speed.

Finally, he grabbed her and teleported her out of the stadium. He had snuck bags into his pockets, and handed her one to throw up in. "And there is it! The terrible move! Teleporting somebody and making them ill! Though smaller and younger people fare better," Shanks said.

Marco's voice came up and he said, "If Bonney had touched him, he would have lost. He would have been turned into a child, and the game would be over. Dodging is sometimes more helpful than attacking."

"Good point!"

Luffy bowed to her, who was still retching into the bag. "And the winner is Luffy!" Kikyo announced. The audience of students cheered for him. He went back to his spot, his face red. Zoro clapped him on the back lightly and said, "Nice. But that was a dick move, making her ill." Sanji laughed and said it was a good option, though. Incapacitated the enemy. Though he was upset that he'd hit a woman. Even if he didn't say it, it was clear.

Next was Law vs. Killer. Kid told his friend he'd better win. Law didn't look too excited about it, but Luffy signed him a good luck. When he was gone, Luffy asked Zoro if something seemed wrong with him. "I think he really doesn't want to fight you." Sanji nodded. Why? "Maybe he doesn't want to hurt you or someshit. You're his favorite person, after all." Why? "What do you mean? You've been friends with him, since early on."

The girls wore a knowing look, especially Nami. Luffy didn't get it, but didn't ask. But he did hope Law did his best, even if they had to fight. Luffy would fight him. Law was strong, he didn't want to make him look bad, and also not himself. He wondered which of their quirks would be the one to win.

When the two got on the stage, Killer attacked immediately. His quirk wasn't suited for fighting, able to transform his face and body into somebody else's, so he fought physically. Kid was cheering him on, though his words were full of threats about what would happen if he lost. If Luffy were Killer, he'd be a bit worried. Kid cared most about winning.

Luffy knew he probably wouldn't make first place, and he didn't mind not being number one. He just wanted to get high enough to be noticed for something other than his appearance. Law was clearly not into the fight, but didn't want to lose. He made a ROOM and switched Killer out with a rock, putting him out of bounds, making him lose.

Kid exploded in anger, accusing Law of being a coward. "It's his quirk. Did you think he wasn't going to use it?" Zoro asked in an amused voice. It started an argument between the two until Hancock demanded that they shut their traps. Both scowled at her, and it became a three way argument.

Law came back in, and sat next to Luffy again. Good job. "Thanks. Your match was much more interesting." Luffy said Law made more of an impression with his quirk. I showed a weakness, that I can't take other people with me when I teleport. It was true, the weakness had been shouted out by Shanks, but it was bound to come out.

Kid glared at Luffy when it was mentioned that he made somebody vomit. After all, he'd done it to Kid. Ichiji was also scolwing, also having been a victim to that underhanded and hopeless move.

Zoro was next against Niji. "I won't hold back, fucker," Zoro said, cracking his knuckles with a scary smile on. Niji smirked back. He would be at a disadvantage since he couldn't electrocute somebody unless he was directly touching them. They both went down to the stage, taking opposite staircases.

They began the moment Kikyo said "start". Niji ran at Zoro, who let out a slice at his chest. He was in control enough to make them able to fade quickly, so they didn't hit the stadium. "And that control is amazing! Even at the beginning of the year he was unable to do that! So, nobody in the stands needs to worry," Shanks said. Marco commented that Zoro was in a tough fight if Niji grabbed him. "But he dealt with the electrocuting sting of the lasers."

"Doesn't mean Niji can't get the upper hand," Marco replied. Zoro ducked and dodged each attack, which were sloppy. But he couldn't touch him, so he could only rely on his quirk. Luffy knew he had formed a plan based on the look Zoro suddenly had. Sanji noticed it, too.

Zoro then executed it and aimed at his opponents feet, making him have to jump and stumble back. He was far from the edge of the stage, but Zoro sent a very hard slash at him, cutting into the stage and causing Niji to lose his balance and fall out of bounds. The crowd cheered, and Luffy clapped, the only one in their class to do so. Niji tried to run at Zoro, who just tripped him.

Then he wandered back to the bleachers, smirking. Luffy gave him a high five when he got back. Ichiji and Yonji looked at him angrily. "How embarrassing. Both Niji and Yonji won't be making it to the top. Gotta do your best huh, Ichiji?" Zoro taunted with an amused grin. Sanji hid a snicker, liking when Zoro effectively roasted his hateful step-brothers.

Sanji was next, and Luffy was worried about his match up being a girl. Though it wasn't one of his favorites, it was still a girl. But Hancock was strong, so Luffy wondered how this would go. When they went to the stage, both of them were still at first until Hancock ran first, kicking to try and turn him into stone. When he dodged and ran back a bit, she followed, kicking effectively, but missing Sanji.

He did seem to have a plan, but Luffy didn't know what it would be. Hancock was easily one of the strongest of the girls, Robin close after. Hancock had multiple moves, and she made her love-love arrows and attempted to turn Sanji to stone. The move mostly blasted the stage, creating a smoke screen of a sort that Sanji took advantage of.

He was suddenly to the side, and grabbed her around the waist before gently flinging her off stage onto the grass. She was furious, and Sanji was grinning, no doubt happy he hadn't harmed her. Though his thigh had gotten the kick-treatment, even if it was light. A patch of stone was there, and Hancock finally accepted her defeat and fixed him.

Luffy was surprised with how quickly she accepted it, and both of them walked back to the stage. The other matches weren't as interesting to Luffy, and he mostly "talked" with Law, who was really good at reading fast sign language. Ichiji and Kid won their respective fights with other courses.

So, it was Law, Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Ichiji, Kid, Robin and one student from the general studies. Luffy was against Law; Zoro, funnily enough, was against Ichiji; Sanji against Kid; and Robin against Camie from the general studies. Marco said that it might be that the students had gone against villains that they were the most who'd passed.

"Of course that applies to the second and third years that have had an encounter with members of the alliance," Marco added. Shanks agreed with that.

Luffy and Law's match was next, and they both stood on opposite sides of the repaired stage. He looked so reluctant, and Luffy worried he'd be completely handed the victory to this match. He ran first this time, and was able to land in a punch before he was switched to the other side of the stage. He was annoyed that Law kept doing this, never hurting him.

He frowned deeply while he was attacking, but Law just kept sending him away. It was annoying, but he was fast and every time Luffy teleported near him, he was switched with something else on the stage. Luffy knew he had a limit and was quickly approaching it.

Law finally decided he wanted this match to end and tried to punch Luffy after switching him with another pebble on stage, but right before his first hit Luffy's face, it halted right in front of his nose. Luffy kicked him out, taking advantage of the pause, which annoyed him. He flew out of the arena, and was about to hit the ground before he switched places with Luffy, and he was the one who was out of bounds.

He'd lost. He wasn't upset about the loss, but upset that Law was never serious. He shouldn't have held back. They were friends, but this was an important fight, and he half-assed it. He'd said he didn't want to fight Luffy, but he'd expected him to at least take it seriously for his sake. Luffy walked past him without making eye contact and then teleported to his seat.

He took his phone from his seat and left the stadium, disappearing when Zoro tried to get him to stay. He landed on the roof of the arena and sat down, knees to his chest. He was very angry and irritated. Did Law pity him? Think he was weak and so he didn't want to hurt him? Bullshit! Luffy was strong. Maybe not emotionally or anything, but he was strong enough that the fight should have been taken seriously.

He watched the next fights from above. Zoro won his, Kid won his, and Robin won by dragging the other off the stage with a line of her arms out of the ground. If he weren't angry and upset, he would have found it amusing. His phone buzzed and he saw it was Law.

I'm sorry. I just didn't want to hurt you. Yeah, like a punch in the face by an average strength guy would have been debilitating. He'd been through worse, and had gotten over the reaction to being hit. Besides, this just made both of them look weak. He shouldn't have hesitated. Luffy wasn't happy with it at all. Didn't want to see him. He was still angry.

He didn't reply. He watched the matches between the winners. Robin ended up unable to fight after her match because she'd twisted her ankle, but just hadn't shown pain during her fight. So, it was Zoro against Kid. And it destroyed the entire stage, breaking it into pieces as Zoro went all out, as hard as he could.

His slashes were sent flying back at him, so he used his physical fitness to dodge his own deadly attacks. Finally, Kid was able to get him out of the ring. Kid got first place again. Luffy was proud of Zoro when he didn't get furious. He actually walked to Kid and shook his hand. Luffy was very impressed with his friend.

Once the stadium cleared, Luffy decided to come down. He was still angry, still embarrassed. It would be bad enough if he won a half-assed fight, but he'd lost it, which was even more humiliating!

The class just went to the dorms to change, there was no announcement by Marco. Luffy went to his room immediately and changed, putting his dirty clothes into the laundry basket and then found Ace. "Hey, Lu. I'm sorry about your match," Ace said, knowing right away what Luffy was clearly upset about.

He embarrassed me. Made me look bad. I would have been fine losing if he actually tried. Ace put his arm around Luffy's shoulders. "I'd say he was the weak one out of both of you. He couldn't punch you even after you went after him over and over. I don't think you came out of that match looking bad. He used cheap moves."

It was still insulting that he didn't fight me seriously. "I can see how you feel that way. I would feel that way, too, if I were you. But, could you ever hit me and Sabo? Or mom?" No. But you're family. "Law clearly cares about you a lot. Maybe he just couldn't bring himself to hurt somebody he cares for." We're not family or even best friends. I tried to hurt him, he should have returned the favor.

Ace looked at him like he was missing the point. He was tired of the look. Why does everybody think I'm stupid. They all look at me like that. Like I'm stupid and missing something easy to see. Ace immediately caught himself. He sighed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to give you that impression. I just think you underestimate how much Law does care about you," Ace explained. "I think he's like how Deuce was in the beginning. Before we were best friends, we were friends. He always seemed to care about me more than I did him. It sounds bad, but it was just how things were."

Luffy sighed quietly. Law did care about him and helped him out, especially at USJ. But he still couldn't help being confused and insulted. By both the fight and the way everybody looked at him. He wasn't stupid… right? He was smart. He had good grades. Maybe it was something normal people knew that he didn't.

A tear slipped down his cheek, and Ace was freaking out immediately. Am I stupid? "Why would you ask that?" Ace asked quietly. They all act like they're hiding something from me. You do, too. Is there something else wrong with me? Ace looked very conflicted. "You're not stupid, Lu." Then why?

Ace looked very conflicted, and Luffy tried to get up to leave. But he took Luffy's gloved hand. "There's nothing wrong with you. I think everybody is seeming to keep something from you because they want to protect somebody's feelings."

Whose? Why? "Like you, not everybody wants others to know how they feel. They want to keep things to themselves. I think that you might actually be the best one for the person who is being shielded. You're not treating anybody differently than you usually do. If it were me, I'd be annoyed if everybody knew about something I wanted to be kept private." Who? Ace didn't answer. "I think Law is hiding something and everyone but you have figured it out. Which also might be why he hangs out with you.

"Have you treated him any different than you have before now? Before the annoying looks?" No. Ace smiled. "And I'm sure he's glad with that. If you're not treating him differently, then that must feel good to be around you. I really think he didn't go all out on you because he just couldn't do it. Not because he thinks you're weak or was trying to win the easy way."

Luffy still wasn't happy, but what Ace said made sense. If Luffy was feeling some way that everyone knew he was, and he didn't want them to know, then anybody who didn't seem to know would be better to be around. "Let him explain himself about why he wouldn't hit you," Ace said.

The younger nodded with a small sigh. His anger was fading a bit. "Tell me what happens after?" Ace asked. Luffy nodded again and disappeared and went back to his room. He took his shoes off and then left his room. He found Law sitting against the wall next to Luffy's door, head down and face sad.

He looked up sharply when Luffy opened his door. Law stood up, and Luffy gave him a blank stare, albeit a little colder than his usual one. "I'm sorry. That I embarrassed you and made it seem like I thought you were weak." Luffy looked down, wanting more of an explanation. "I just couldn't hit you." Cause I'm weak? Luffy challenged. "No! I just don't hurt people I care about." You've hit Zoro and Sanji before.

When they were training, not out of anger. "I know… it's just different with you sometimes." He sounded thoroughly uncomfortable. And though he wanted a real answer, and was irritated, he didn't want to make him upset. Okay. Law still looked ashamed when Luffy walked away and downstairs to eat something.