This chapter is something like a filler, but it clears up some questions (I think)


Chapter 5

"Trust me, if I let you sign this paper, you'll regret it"


Pros of being a teenager—you're treated like a young child. Easily forgiven, spoiled, and generally liked if you behaved.

Cons of being a teenager—you're treated like a young child. Everyone thought you couldn't do a single thing right, but still expected you to do it, anyway.

Or maybe it was just Sengoku.

And Law was fuming in frustration.

"Just because I can't cook well, Sengoku-san," Law hissed between his teeth "doesn't mean I would light the house aflame while I'm trying to boil water" his knuckles tightened on the kettle's handle.

"Just because you say you wouldn't, doesn't mean you really won't" Sengoku retorted.

"Do you need a formal, written guarantee, signed and stamped?"

"No. I need you to stop doing anything in the kitchen without Penguin or Shachi to monitor you"

Law rolled his eyes. He gave up. Sengoku could be very stubborn, and the man, for some reason, decided to be so when it came to trivial things like this. Something in Law's mind told him that it had something to do with working with Monkey D. Garp and keeping up with the latter's antics for years.

Ever since Sengoku heard Law's flaw of being unable to cook anything right—he blamed Penguin and Shachi for blurting that out during one of the rare dinners they had with the Fleet Admiral—Sengoku had somehow thought that Law would accidentally blow up the kitchen, and ever since then prohibited Law to cook anything unless the others were also present.

Law wanted to pull his own hair at the sheer ridiculousness of it. Just how could someone set something on fire that easily?

Ironically, Law knew the answer.

Strawhat was a disaster in the kitchen.

And Cora-san would occasionally set himself on fire.

Suddenly, Law felt bad for Sengoku. Because that level of paranoia must have come from experience. He didn't want to know just what Cora-san did in his younger days to instil the fear of a burning house in the Admiral's mind.

"Fine. I'll tell the sick Shachi to boil water for himself" Law said and put down the kettle on the kitchen counter, sarcasm loud and clear. Sengoku went back to the living room to put his bag next to the sofa and took off his coat (because the first thing he did when he took a single step into the house was to stop Law from starting the freakin' stove).

"He's sick? Where are Bepo and Penguin?"

"Just a cold. Bepo and Penguin are working"

With the Fleet Admiral keeping a close eye on them, Law thought it would be better for them to cease on pickpocketing and start working for some money. He didn't want to hear Sengoku finding out about their little crimes and chewing their ears off about justice and respectable behaviour and all that. They had chosen to work at the port and some construction site to build some muscles.

They had moved to the island of the Marine Headquarters, Marineford. As much as Law despised being in close proximity with so many navy personnel and even more higher-ranked individuals, the Headquarters had more and better facility. Not to mention the probability of being caught by Doflamingo was close to zero (Law just needed to pay more attention to not bump into Vergo).

Sengoku had bought them a nice, minimalist house—which Law had insisted to be far, far away from the headquarters building unless they wanted to be visited by the man every single day—and they settled in quite easily. Law didn't like the idea of owing the guy of course, and had promised to give back every single Beri Sengoku spent for them. Sengoku just waved him off, definitely not taking it seriously, saying that he had a lot of money anyway.

Sengoku had told them that they would only be allowed to enter the marine when Law turned 16. There had been some protests, so in exchange, he promised them he would make sure they would skip being the chore boys and go straight into being seaman recruits. Law frowned because he knew that chore boy was not even an official rank from the start, but thought better than to argue with the Fleet Admiral over this topic. So, since they had some time before Law's sixteenth birthday in October, might as well make something of it aside from training.

But Sengoku—despite at first looking pleased that they were taking the initiative to be independent—frowned.

"I thought the money I gave you guys the last time were more than enough to last a month or two" the man said. Oh, so he was worried that Law and the others had been wasting away money. Or maybe dreading the fact that one of them might have a bottomless pit of a stomach.

"For daily needs, sure. But we need savings and for some… other things"

Sengoku raised an eyebrow at the vague answer, but didn't say anything more as he started the stove and put the kettle on it. Law, deciding to do the bare minimum of being hospitable, put some fruits, snacks, and a carton of juice on the table for Sengoku to help himself on.

"How are your training?" Sengoku asked as he peeled an orange and popped the fruit into his mouth.

Law plopped down on a sofa across the admiral and poured juice into his glass "It's going well. Pretty sure in two years Penguin and Shachi will be able to repel small canons with ease"

"…Why canons?"

Law didn't answer as he sipped his juice. Sengoku sighed, having used to the boy not answering things he didn't want to. It reminded himself of Rosinante who couldn't lie to save his own life.

"I've got some time today" Sengoku said, now peeling a banana and glancing at the stairs that led to the boys' rooms, "after I make sure that Shachi is alright, how about we have a spar?"

Law's smirk was more than enough of an answer.


Sengoku stared at the bear mink who had, if his estimation was right, grown a good eight inches in the three busy months he didn't visit.

Growth spurt, Sengoku thought as he shook his head, making a mental note to give the boys additional money for some new clothes.

"Sengoku-san" Bepo smiled brightly at him, holding the door open wide. Sengoku went inside to see the three other boys—teens now, he had to remind himself often—who were lazing around in the living room that somehow had been remodeled into a sitting room, what with the big, soft cushion, the carpet, and the pillows and books lying around. Sengoku stared at the interior before landing his eyes on Law.

"No one really pays a visit here aside from you, anyway," the boy said, somehow reading Sengoku's mind. Sengoku raised an eyebrow at the boy's blatant indifference to his sudden visit, as if he had expected it, while Penguin and Shachi looked pleasantly surprised at him.

The Fleet Admiral noticed the subtle physical difference on the boys. They had gained some height and just the right amount of weight. Law's skin had gained some tan, the white patches fading into barely-noticeable scar. If he squinted, he could see lines of muscle on Penguin's upper arm.

Bepo closed the door behind them and went back to his previous spot, which turned out to be behind Law, acting as the boy's pillow. In the first days when Sengoku visited almost every week, Sengoku had almost tried to tell Law not to bully the mink, but stopped himself when he saw Bepo smiling goofily while Law gave him an affectionate belly rub. Sengoku had smiled at the scene then, and it still made him smile now.

Penguin and Shachi got up and helped Sengoku with his bags.

"These are for you"

The two boys beamed as Sengoku handed them two bags—one was filled with food, no doubt—and expressed their gratitude. Sengoku smiled at them before going straight to the kitchen, preparing to make dinner—it had been a long time since he made dinner for someone, or some people—and wasn't surprised to see decent amount of food in the fridge. He knew Law was a meticulous planner. The boy must have made all kinds of rules in their small living area. Sengoku was relieved that all the boys were reliable in their own way.

Even though his conscience kept tugging at him, a constant reminder that they were kids who were forced to grow up much too early.

He waved the thought off as he started washing some ingredients.

...

"What's the occasion?" Penguin asked as he helped Sengoku set the table, peering at the plates of food.

"It's dinner" Sengoku answered. Shachi raised his eyebrows "This is a feast," he pointed out, though there was an excited, hungry glimmer in his eyes.

Sengoku stared at the food. He mostly ate at the marine headquarters' dining hall, which was brimming with any kinds of dishes because some people just had blackholes for a stomach. And the food he just made wouldn't even be enough to feed Garp for one meal. But if he thought about it, maybe he did go a bit overboard.

"You're growing boys," he finally said, straightening his back, "Especially Law. He needs to eat a lot" he added, looking at the boy who was filling the cups with water.

"I've grown a lot since the last time you saw me. And I will be even taller," the boy simply said, seeming not bothered by the jab at his appearance.

"You need to grow some muscles, too"

"I will"

Sengoku sighed and decided to drop the topic. He caught Law's glance at the grilled fish and had to hold back a smile. Three months back, he had been asking the boys about their food preferences. Law had refused to say anything, but his three friends happily answered for him. (Sengoku was amused to see the surprised, somewhat betrayed look on Law's face.)

...

Dinner was uneventful aside from the fact that Bepo essentially inhaled the three bowls of shaved ice covered in syrup that Penguin had prepared for him. And the way Law fed the bear half of the bread on the table, the other half eaten by Shachi and Penguin.

"Does Bepo like vanilla breads?" Sengoku asked.

"He likes most sweet things," Law answered, putting a pretty big chunk of meat into his mouth.

"It's Law that hates bread" Shachi said in between bites. Law widened his eyes before proceeding to glare at Shachi, who in turn looked another way.

Law could feel Sengoku's thoughtful stare at him. He hadn't wanted the man to find out about it—partly because he shared this one preference with Cora-san and partly he just didn't see any meaning in telling the marine about it—but oh well.

Law was the first to be done. He collected the empty plates and went to the kitchen to wash them. Soon enough, the rest followed suit and went back to the sitting room, where Sengoku had said he wanted to have something important to talk man went through his bag and pulled out a manila folder. He took some papers and, after a second of hesitance, spread them on the low table.

"I want you to take a look at these," he said.

The boys peered at the papers.

To say they were surprised was an understatement.

Penguin and Shachi had their jaws on the floor while Bepo's eyes widened as big as saucers. Even Law's eyes twitched as he stared at the papers like they personally offended him.

"Why would we want to be your grandsons?" he asked, tone raised. Penguin took one paper and saw it was filled in, the biodata and all, with only the signature spot empty.

Sengoku blinked.

"I don't think I'm that old to have grandsons your age," he said, leaning forward and putting his hands together "but I do want to be your legal guardian" he added.

Law frowned. When he had decided to make a connection with the Fleet Admiral much earlier in this life, he had expected many different results and outcomes, but certainly not this.

Being helped? Sure.

Favored? Why not.

Adopted? Hell no.

He should have expected it, though. Because the man had taken in a crying child he met on the street and raised the kid as his own. What would stop the man from scooping up more children and taking them under his protection, especially when they said they wanted to be marines?

"I don't want to be legally connected to a marine in any way," Law said sternly, looking into the Fleet Admiral's eyes to make sure the guy understand that he was serious. And he thought he had made it clear from the start that he hated the navy. Being one was already hard enough—well, not yet, but he would be—Law didn't think he would stand it to have one as a family, blood-related or not.

"I'm just going to be your legal guardian" Sengoku pointed out.

"That means being a parent figure" Law retorted.

"That's up to you."

Law clicked his tongue, racking his brain for more reasons to refuse "Do you really think you can handle us? Take responsibility for our actions?"

Sengoku opened his mouth only to close it again. Law smirked as he saw the Fleet Admiral giving it a second thought. He grabbed the paper with his name on it and handed it back to the man.

"Trust me, if I let you sign this paper, you'll regret it" Law threatened.

Especially with what I have in mind for the future, he thought. He turned to look at Bepo who was looking back and forth from Sengoku, Law, and the paper, brows knitted in confusion and slight worry. Law smoothed his gaze, having noticed just a spark of excitement and hope in the bear's eyes when he read the papers. Even Penguin and Shachi looked like they wanted it to happen. Of course, the prospect of having the Fleet Admiral of the marine as your grandfather—or father, as Sengoku said—was too good to pass.

And Sengoku seemed like he would be a decent—if not a good—parent. They had seen first-hand that while strict and sometimes too serious, the guy was kind and thoughtful, and most of all, could make the people around him feel safe. Law assumed that was the result of years of protecting and saving people under the name of justice.

"They're free to choose, though" Law finally said, giving his friends one last look before heading upstairs to his room.

He shut the door and locked it, taking a random book from the shelves and sat on the chair.

He was determined not to sleep tonight.


Sengoku had to do a double take when he saw Law, who was holding the door open for him.

The kid knew what he was so surprised about, and had the gall to smirk in amusement.

"Hello, Sengoku-san. Are you going to come inside or should I close the door right on your face?"

Sengoku held in the urge to bonk the boy upside the head, finally stepping inside the house, his eyes never leaving the teen. After he had settled on the sofa, he decided to bring it up.

"You got piercings" he said calmly, pointing at the one pair of golden-colored loop earrings on each of Law's ears.

"I did"

Sengoku shifted his gaze, frown deepening, and pointed at Law's arms, "and tattoos" he said again, voice still eerily calm.

"Yes"

It took everything in Sengoku's weary-induced mind not to lash out at the boy and stay calm.

He's calm. C a l m. A composed adult who would talk things out civilly—

"And why the hell would you do that?"

Sengoku saw Law raised an eyebrow— probably at Sengoku's choice of word—before he shrugged, clearly thinking it wasn't a big deal.

"I wanted to" he simply said.

And what kind of answer was that?

Sengoku ran a hand down his face in frustration. He would like to think that he was an open-minded person, but this… He wasn't ready for this. Rosinante's rebellious phase never got too far aside from occasional venting on house properties—which wasn't much of a problem anyway since Sengoku was used to dealing with temperamental pirates who break things for fun—but never… this.

Sengoku heaved long, deep sigh, trying to control his temper. He was just tired. And something unexpected like this was a bit overwhelming and made him upset. That's all.

"Uhh are piercings and tattoos prohibited in the navy?" Shachi asked, wondering what they had to do about Law if the answer was 'yes'.

And God, did that mean Law got those without them knowing whether it was allowed or not?

"…No" Sengoku answered, a small, mean side of him actually having half a mind to say 'yes' just to see the boys' reactions.

"But you would definitely attract more attention, for better or worse" Sengoku warned Law, hoping the boy wouldn't go even further (because the man just couldn't find out what exactly was on the boy's mind at most times).

To his despair, Law smirked instead.

So it looked like it had the effects that the boy desired.

Great.

Sengoku glanced at Shachi and Penguin, wondering if they would get those too now that they knew the navy didn't exactly prohibit it. They usually followed Law, after all. The man decided to just be glad that the motif of the tattoo was… unproblematic. It was just akin to tribal tattoos, with no connection or implication of vulgar or other things, at least as far as he knew.

Unbeknown to him, Law had planned on adding a very disturbing word on both of his hands.

"Just… don't get into too much trouble"

Because now Sengoku was more than sure they would eventually get into one, if not already.

Law just smiled.


A/N

I might add some other filler chapters like this one. It's pretty fun to write light, slice of life-y chapters once in a while.

Next chapter enters a new mini arc ^_^

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