I don't like you! by BloodyMarryMe
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece or any of its character. I do own my OC Suzune Miyako. This story is rated T for violence, blood and suggestive themes.
Haya! One more chapter done. Sorry, I didn't make anything special for the fiftieth chapter since I think we need to move along with the story (since the last two chapters were non-cannon-based after all.). I hope you didn't wait long. Enjoy!
CHAPTER 50
"This is bad," Sai commented as he desperately tried to regain his breath. His usually calm and collected face showed a slightly worried expression, furrowing his eyebrows. He looked around at the dire situation they were currently in.
The yellow submarine slowly rocked on light waves in the middle of the vast sea. Surrounding it from all sides were five marine battleships, twice the size of the pirate vessel. On the deck of the submarine there was already a battle going on between the pirates and the invading marines. At first the marines thought to destroy their ship by attacking them with cannons from all sides, but that soon turned out to be ineffective as captain Law used this powers to switch the cannonballs with some previously cut marine body parts and sent the attack right back at them. Cannonballs that weren't cut or replaced by Law were cut down by Miyako's sword or easily repelled by the crew's kung-fu skills. The Heart pirates were strong; much stronger than before. However, even they were left feeling anxious when they faced countless marines coming from the battleships and the marine captains leading them. Still, even that would only be a bit worrisome for the crew….if it was only that. But what Sai and the rest of the crew was anxious about was the scene before them. The bright light that came from one of the battleships and landed among some of the pirates, forming a tall body. It was admiral Kizaru, standing right in front of Law and towering over the pirate captain.
"Hooo…If it isn't Trafalgar Law….long time no seeee…." The marine admiral talked in his usual slow pace, looking as laid-back as always.
Law gritted his teeth, cursing his bad luck in his mind while he clutched his unsheathed nodachi. They were careful all this time but as soon as they came up for some fresh air, these battleships appeared out of nowhere, surrounding them. For a second, Law's gaze darted at the large coral reefs near their ship. The marines were hiding there, waiting for them; it was a trap from the start. They must've been tracking them down for quite some time now, calculating their current route from previous information and planning this surprise attack to cut off their path. Akainu must've had enough and specifically sent Kizaru to finish them off before the Heart Pirates became an even bigger threat. Still, all that mattered little now since they were already in this pinch whether they liked it or not.
Kizaru moved his leg up and in one swift long motion sent an attack at the pirates surrounding him. At first everything was bright, blinding the pirates, but then the attacks hit them, sending all of the pirates circling him onto the floor of the deck. With a surprised yelp of pain, the pirates crashed onto the ground, unable to dodge the quick attack from such a close distance. It was as fast as the traveling light; the swiftness Borsalino was known for.
Law could only watch as his crew ended on the floor with pained expressions. However he didn't have the time to be distracted as the next attack was already coming at him.
Once again, the tall marine lifted his leg, this time aiming for Law's head. The long leg shone brightly and in the next instant, the logia attacked him. Still, Law wasn't training all this time, developing his haki further, to lose now. The pirate captain's haki surged through his body and finally the sword. He clutched the long nodachi with both hands, blocking the swift attack even though it was a logia type.
"Haki? Haaa…that's scaaary…" Kizaru commented seeing that his attack was countered by Law's sword. However, that didn't stop him from attacking again. He sent a series of kick attacks with his light energy at Trafalgar, so quick that the human eye could barely follow the bright blur that was once his leg. Yet Law managed to hold his own, moving quickly to either dodge or block every one of Kizaru's attacks.
As soon as he found a chance, the pirate captain jumped backward, giving himself more distance from the admiral. Still in his Room, he swung his sword, the attack charged with haki, aiming to slice Borsalino in half. However, the man who was as fast as light, dodged the attack easily. Behind him, one of the battleships creaked and screeched loudly as it split into two. The upper half of it started sliding down into the water, pulling the deck and everyone with it down into the watery depths. Screams and shouts sounded from the ship as marines evacuated by jumping into the sea.
Kizaru watched the large battleship sinking into the sea slowly but even if he felt something seeing some of his more unfortunate men getting pulled into the sea and drowning, he didn't show it. His face remained sleepy-looking as always even as he commented on the sight. "How scaaary….that was unfair, wasn't it…Laaaw…"
The pirate captain smirked bitterly as he kept his eyes trained on Kizaru. Even if he was still holding his ground, he could already feel the fatigue from using his haki and constantly fending off Kizaru's swift and powerful attacks. "If you think it was unfair to your men, then simply don't dodge next time."
Kizaru didn't say anything to Law's snarky remark obviously made to taunt the admiral, but instead he suddenly disappeared and in an instant appeared right in front of Law again. The pirate gritted his teeth and prepared for the next attack, watching Kizaru looming over him dangerously.
~…~
Miyako had her eyes closed, focusing on her next attack and ignoring all the fighting sounds around her. She was currently crouching on one of the tall masts of the marine battleship, holding a hand on her trusted katana that was still sheathed. While the rest of the Heart pirates were defending the submarine with Law's and Bepo's guidance, Shachi, Penguin, Jean Bart and her were sent here to take care of the battleships that still had their cannons aimed at the small submarine, waiting for their chance to destroy it. Now that Law was too focused on fighting Kizaru the marines had a much better chance at using the cannons again. Even if some of other pirates could block the cannonballs, everyone was engrossed into fighting with dozens of marines invading the submarine. That meant Miyako and the others had to act quickly, getting rid of the battleships or at least their weapons. Law managed to destroy one but there were still four more to go.
Miyako could feel the energy surging through her body, focusing in her hands. The marines were now trying to get to her by climbing sail ropes but she just kept crouching completely still on that mast. Then suddenly, the samurai woman opened her completely focused golden eyes that burned with determination. Her hand gripped the hilt of Yawarakai-Te and pulled it out in one swift move. Two slices were all it took. All the ropes tied to the mast and sails that the marines were climbing cut off and the men started swinging in the air and falling down once their grip let up. Not only the ropes but the ship itself got sliced into three pieces and the parts started moving vertically, resembling icebergs, before they started sinking into the water. *One down, three to go,* the girl thought as she jumped down from the falling mast and landed onto the large, thick chain of the battleship next to the one she just cut. The marines on the deck started shooting at her but she ran swiftly along the chain, going for the ship which was her next target.
From the corner of her eye she saw Law being pushed back as he kept blocking Kizaru's attacks. For only a moment she hesitated, thinking if she should come back and help him, but she quickly suppressed that thought. Law could do it; he was strong. She saw the result so of all their training with her own eyes as they traveled across the Grand Line. She had to believe in him as her captain, as Trafalgar Law, a man who certainly wouldn't die so easily. Right now she had her own job to do and that's what she should focus on; if she failed than helping Law would also be meaningless since the whole submarine would be blown up in smithereens. Besides, disregarding captain's orders and even getting involved into what was clearly his fight would be a huge blow for his pride and ego; that guy would make her regret it for sure. At that thought, Miyako's expression changed into a smirk and she focused her gaze back towards the marine battleship, jumping onto the vessel's railing and cutting through the marines and their rifles without stopping.
Landing on the deck of the other ship, Miyako heard loud crashing noises and turned towards their source. It didn't take her long to realize it was Jean Bart, destroying the ship with his bare hands. With just a single swing of his hand, the man was able to wipe out a dozen of marine soldiers, sending them overboard and into the sea. A particularly hard punch created a large hole in the ship, taking out a few marines in the process while others fell through hole and into the darkness of the ship.
The large navigator turned and grabbed a railing with his hands, then started pulling on it. He groaned, a few beads of sweat forming on his forehead, but soon with a loud shrieking sound the woodwork gave in and ripped off. A few meters of railing came off and stayed in Bart's clutches, who turned around with it and hit another group of marines running towards him. Throwing the piece of wood with all his power, it hit the mast that tipped dangerously. Then as if finishing the work, Bart charged at the mast, completely ignoring all the marines standing in his way as he ran over them and threw them to the sides. With a grunt, the large body collided with the pole and the wood broke off, falling down like a cut down tree and crashing into the deck. A few fearful screams got cut off as it fell on top of a few men, squashing them instantly.
"Thats enough! You won't kill any more of my men." A serious voice full of killing intent sounded itself behind Jean Bart. The navigator turned to see a marine captain in charge of the ship, standing there with a glare. The man might have been considered quite large when compared to an average-sized man, but in comparison with Bart, he was nothing but a somewhat bigger flea waiting to be stomped on.
Without a word of response, Bart lifted his fist high in the air and brought it down onto the man. To Bart's surprise, the marine didn't even try to dodge but instead crossed both forearms in front of his face and prepared to block the attack. "Fool," the navigator only commented before his fist came in contact with the captain's hands.
However, instead of the usual feeling of bones and skin breaking underneath Bart's heavy fist, the navigator felt intense pain in his knuckles. His hand simply recoiled from the marine and the force of his own punch sent him a few steps backwards. Bart gritted his teeth in pain, holding his bruised hand. "What…?" Looking at the marine captain, Bart noticed the guy's arms were completely black as if armor was covering them.
"The only foolish one here is you. You will not get out of this and you will pay for what you did to my men, pirate." The marine still kept the deadly glare towards Jean Bart as he spat the last word with disgust. Before Bart could make a plan, the marine charged at him and jumped high enough in the air to reach the navigator's head. The captain attacked, aiming the punch at Jean Bart who took a step back and blocked with his large forearm so he wouldn't get hit directly in the head. The fist, still coated in that strange black armor, connected with his hand and pushed him back a few steps. The pirate felt surprising pain in his hand and bones, where a large red mark had formed. Being such a large man with a strong body, Jean Bart never had to worry about breaking any bones…that is until now. He wasn't sure if his forearm was broken, but the pain was enough for him to suspect so.
"What is that…a devil fruit power?" Jean Bart asked though it was more of a comment to himself. He wasn't really expecting an answer from the marine captain and he didn't get one either. Instead, the marine charged at him once more, delivering punches with both hands. This time the navigator decided to play it safe and dodge but he wondered how long he could keep that up. The other man wasn't so fast that it was worrisome, but it was still tiring to dodge all his attacks. Jean Bart stepped to the side just in time to avoid another attack that smashed the deck and created a large hole where the fist hit. Suddenly it was a long kick coming from the side, and the leg had the same black armor instead of the arms that were now back to normal. Jean Bart didn't expect such an attack and was too close to avoid a kick attack. Once again he put up his arms, prepared for the hard surface of the armor to hit him. However, it never came.
A katana was glistening right before the pirate's eyes, shaking slightly as the wielder held off the powerful attack of the marine's leg. Looking down, Bart could see Miyako clutching the katana with both hands and gritting her teeth as she fought against the powerful pressure of the kick attack. Usually, the girl's sword would easily cut through a human's leg like knife through butter, but instead it was scrapping at the black substance, creating little sparks. Even Yawarakai-Te didn't cut through the strange armor.
"Miyako…" The navigator called out in apprehension, silently giving his thanks to the girl.
She slightly turned her head to look at the large pirate with the corner of her eyes, still blocking the leg that was lifted and trying to push her away. "Bart-san, are you alright?"
The navigator nodded without a word. Instead, he looked back at the marine who was towering over the girl menacingly. Her lean, small form was in complete contrast to the large, bulky marine. Even with the suit and the captain's long coat covering the man, his strong built was obvious. Yet Miyako managed to stop the man's attack, even if her hands were shaking from the blow to her katana in the process. "He's using some strange armor that can just appear on his body," Jean Bart said. The samurai nodded and looked back at the marine who lowered his leg and glared at the newcomer. "I know. I've seen it once before, at Abney Cove. I fought a man with the same technique." She then turned to look at the marines who were running towards them, circling the pirates. Some were preparing to shoot the cannons again. "Bart-san, this ship is still functional and the marines could shoot at the submarine at any moment. We need to stop them." She looked back at the navigator.
The large man understood what she was trying to say, without her needing to explain anything more. It was obvious she had experience with whatever this marine was using and wanted to deal with him, but somebody still had to stop the cannons. Jean Bart nodded without another word, grasping the situation perfectly. His one arm was still sore but he gritted his teeth and decided what he had to do. With one final nod, the navigator tuned away from the two. "Be careful," was the only thing the usually silent man said before taking off.
The marine captain pierced her with his stare, glaring daggers at the girl. "Burning-eyed Miyako…You will regret this woman. You can't beat my Armament Haki, I will crush you."
Miyako's gaze stayed firm as she put her katana in front of her, preparing for battle. "I heard that once before already. That man also underestimated me."
The marine scoffed and in an instant attacked the pirate girl. "Don't get cocky girl!" His punches armored with haki started raining down on her, one after the other. He wasn't just using haki but was also a strong and large man. His one fist was enough to create a hole in the ship's deck. Still, Miyako kept blocking every hit, stumbling a few times at the sheer force of it, but still managing to keep up somehow.
The samurai blocked one punch, sliding her katana over the man's armored arm as she shifted into attack mode. However before she could hit, he blocked with his other arm than tried to deliver a round kick at her head which she evaded by crouching down. She jumped back once to get some more room and then used her leg to push forward, right as the marine also charged at her with his next punch attack.
Miyako felt the haki surging through her, remembering the feeling when she fought that special forces marine at Abney Cove. She let all that power focus on her hands and weapon, just as the marine captain approached with a fist blackened with armament haki. The fist and the sharp steel collided, making sparks again. For a second it looked like the katana would simply repel from the fist, but then Miyako put more force into the attack and the sword cut through. It slid along, cutting the man's arm horizontally all the way from the knuckles to his inner elbow. The girl slid her katana out while passing the man and finishing her attack by stopping behind the shocked marine. The man fell to his knees from both pain and shock, looking at his split arm with wide, horror-filled eyes. A loud scream of merciless pain echoed throughout the area.
Hearing footsteps approaching him, he looked up to see two golden eyes gazing down at him. A bloodied katana glistened in the sun by the woman's side, foretelling his ominous fate. He's going to die, killed by a young girl. The woman came closer, preparing her weapon as she spoke one final time to him; "We cannot lose here, no matter what. If I can't even defeat you, how can I protect my friends or let them depend on me. That's why, to become strong and protect my friends, I can even cut through you!" Rising the sword high above her head, Miyako sliced one last time at the man looking up at her. With a quick slashing sound, the body fell to the ground limp and lifeless. The blood slowly poured out onto the deck while the man's eyes lost any of their previous brightness, looking just like the murky eyes of a dead fish.
Just then, Miyako felt tremors underneath her feet and realized the ship was slowly sinking. With a smirk, she looked over at Jean Bart who effortlessly pounded a group of marines into the ground with his one good hand. *He did it.*
~….~
Law tried to catch his breath, staring at the tall opponent before him. Borsalino once again charged at him and the pirate captain quickly used his powers. "Tact," he announced and shifted his fingers. From one side, a piece of wood floating on the sea from one of the sunken marine ships went flying straight into the admiral. The marine stopped in his advances and swung his leg, slicing the large piece of material into two. The piece of the ship was flung away onto the deck, almost hitting some of Law's men. In the same instant, Trafalgar swung his sword two times at Kizaru who had to turn into light and avoid, moving further away from Law. However that same light then started reflecting itself across the submarine's deck, hitting a few of the Heart Pirates in the process and piercing through them. The men shouted in pain and fell on the floor.
The pirate captain gritted his teeth and once again used Tact; at least there were enough of disposable pieces all around them in the sea from the destroyed battleships. The piece of a metal flew towards Kizaru who had to stop his attack. The man once again formed his body, standing on the submarine's railing with a relaxed expression and both hands inside of his suit's pockets. Law felt himself getting irritated by the man's impassive expression; as if none of this was putting any strain on Kizaru. On the other hand, the captain was struggling just keeping up with Kizaru's speed of light and using so much haki at the same time.
"It seems you improved…Riiiight, Laaaw?" The admiral moved one hand from his pocket, positioning his fingers to form an imaginary gun just like children would do while playing. However, this was much more dangerous as light appeared from Kizaru's index finger. A shot of light came right at Law who fortunately had another piece of metal prepared. Using his powers, Law used the metal as a shield, colliding it with the light attack before it could reach the pirate directly. A large explosion blinded everyone on the deck and the force of the explosion was enough to send some men flying. Even Law was pushed backwards, his back hitting the metal wall of his submarine with force. Pain coursed through his spine but the pirate had no time to even consider such minor problems when he saw Kizaru flying towards him with a newly made sword of light. The two swords collided and the captain felt pain in his hands from just blocking that attack. "Kizaru…." Law commented through gritted teeth but then saw his worried first mate Bepo, from the corner of his eyes, who was also slowly awakening his haki. "Sakazuki always preaches about good or wrong, neeee. But you knooow, before good and bad there is a faaar more important premise...and that is weak and strong." With that, Kizaru once again stepped forward to attack the pirate captain.
"Haya!" The polar bear attacked Kizaru from the side with a kick.
The admiral dodged it and turned to light again, moving away from the two pirates. "Hooo…now even reinforcements are coming…that's quite bad for me…"
"I don't think that's all you have to worry about," Law warned as he glared at the taller man darkly, nodding in the direction behind Borsalino's back.
Kizaru turned to see for himself; the marines on the submarine's deck were all defeated and now Heart Pirates surrounded the admiral. But that wasn't the source of his worry since Kizaru didn't feel threatened by these pirates. However, looking at the battleships he could see all five were slowly sinking, destroyed by the Heart Pirates. The marines were either trying to salvage the ships or have given up and were now desperately trying to save themselves by jumping into the sea. Looking even further back, behind even the battleships was the source of Kizaru's real worry; a storm was coming.
"Too bad the New World is so fickle; it won't go along with your plans," Shachi said, who along with his team assigned to destroy the marine's battleships, was back onto the yellow submarine after a job well done.
"This will be a fierce one, captain," Sai added, looking at the approaching storm. They could already hear the thunder. The ominous black clouds were approaching fast, bringing a big storm with them. They could see a few small twisters forming in the distance and every now and then a lightning would hit the surface of the sea, creating ripples. The cold wind had already changed its direction, blowing more fiercely towards them.
"What will you do? You're men are out there, you're ships barely usable. If you don't hurry and do something, they'll all die. And you are a devil fruit user too, you can't swim…do you have the time to waste here?" For the first time during their fight, Law allowed himself a cocky smirk of victory. Kizaru could still try to beat them, but there was no way he would be able to do so before the storm arrives. Then he and his men would be doomed. The only thing the admiral could do now is pull back and save the marines, hoping to catch up with Law again. But there was little chance for that since the fast submarine could easily maneuver beneath the surface, escaping the stormy waters.
The admiral was silent for a while, looking between the Heart Pirates and the incoming storm. Finally he sighed as if tired of it all. "You're a devious one….Laaaw." He gave the pirate captain one last unreadable look as if planning something, but then turned into his light form and quickly traveled toward the battleships and his men.
Trafalgar could feel the tension leaving his body, making him suddenly feel all the tiredness and pain his body was holding off from adrenalin until now. However, he couldn't relax yet. He scanned the deck and all of his crewmembers, making sure that everyone were accounted for. "Sai-ya, Jean Bart-ya, quickly go to the control room and get us under the surface and out of here! The rest of you, help the injured ones inside. Medical team, prepare everything in the infirmary and start treating the others immediately! We're getting out of here!"
The deck was filled with the sound of loud footsteps running everywhere. Soon the rain started falling down, showering onto the pirates but nobody cared as they prepared everything for emergency escape.
~…..~
Even when they were deep beneath the surface and sailing the dark waters of the sea, Law couldn't relax. His sickbay was filled with groaning or unconscious men, most of them hit by Kizaru's light attacks. Some had high burns while others had parts of their body pierced just like a bullet would do. The number of injured was high and some of them were even medics, so other pirates had to lend a hand to the medical team. Even Jean Bart, his navigator, was in the infirmary so his control room was left with only Sai.
"It's not broken, but the bone is fractured. It will take time to heal so you won't be able to use the left hand much," the Dark Doctor explained to Bart as he fixed to immobilize the large arm.
"But who managed to break even your bones, Jean Bart?" Cody question in slight disbelief that this hard body met something that could actually break it. He had his upper torso bandaged, since he was hit in the shoulder by Kizaru's light attack but as soon as he was fixed up, the blue-haired medic begun helping out with the other injured since they were already so shorthanded.
The large navigator hummed in his low, deep voice, remembering the marine captain. "It was some sort of black armor…It just suddenly appeared on the man's skin."
A few other pirates near them turned round with questioning expressions, interested in the topic. "Eh? Black armor?"
The surgeon's eyes narrowed at that explanation. The face of that man instantly came into his mind, making a disgusting bitter taste fill his mouth. That man covered in black armor all across his large body, towering over Law's beaten form on the ground, as he pierced him with those eyes hidden behind small shades. One thought remained in Law's mind; Vergo. "I've seen it before…it's extremely hard."
Jean Bart nodded. He had a fractured bone to vouch for that fact. Then his thoughts traveled back to the samurai in their crew. "But Miyako was able to cut him."
Everyone looked back at the navigator with bewildered expressions. "What?!"
Even the doctor's eyes were wider than usual. "Jean Bart-ya, what do you mean?"
Bart simply repeated his previous statement. "Miyako. She cut him down."
Everyone from the group turned to stare at the young girl at the back of the infirmary, too far away to hear their conversation. She was currently helping Sam by bandaging his wrist.
When Miyako was suddenly called over in front of captain and a few of the men, she wasn't sure what to think. But after standing there awkwardly, while most of them were staring at her silently like she just grew another head, she felt even more nervous than before. Trying to hide her anxiousness, the girl smiled a little, still making a pretty awkward expression. "Um…so, what is this about exactly?"
Law was the one to speak, instantly cutting to the chase. "Miss Miyako, did you fight a marine who could produce black armor on his body, today?"
"- and is it true that you cut it!?" Josh blurted out before Miyako could answer. He was given a reprimanding look from the captain, shrinking back apologetically, but still anxiously awaiting the girl's replay.
The samurai blinked in surprise, not expecting this to be the topic of their conversation. "Ah…yeah. Cause I already fought a guy with the same technique at Abney Cove. Now you know why I was so beat up when you found me." She scratched the back of her head, a bit embarrassed at the memory of Law carrying her in his arms at that time. "I think the guy called it Armament Haki. Apparently it's a type of Busoshoku Haki, so you need to use your own Haki when fighting it."
Bart grunted in understanding. "That's why my attacks weren't enough."
Her captain pulled his lips in a thigh line, hiding his frustration. In a slightly colder tone he addressed the girl. "And you didn't deem it necessary to tell me?" He wasn't sure was the frustration really coming from Miyako not telling him or because he still had Vergo's armament form in his mind's eye.
The comment took Miyako aback for a moment. "Sorry, I didn't really know what to tell." At the time she also wasn't sure about that technique since she didn't have much information about it and they never encountered it again until now. "To be honest, even if I said all that, it's a big problem for me too. Even though I can cut it, I have to concentrate a lot of power so it takes a big toll on me. It's not easy for me at all." She didn't want them to get the wrong idea thinking she was already some kind of expert at dealing with this armament Haki. Actually, she still considered herself to be far too weak especially since they were in the New World now. She had to train even more and become much stronger until cutting through that armored body became as easy as cutting paper. Everything less was unacceptable. Miyako was sure the others in the crew had similar thoughts. She could see it on the faces of all the men here, covered with dark shadows as they all carried grim and serious expressions. Everyone was thinking the same thing; I want to become even stronger. However, it was different than when they faced Sentomaru and Abaddon at that dinosaur island. At that time they went through utter and complete loss, but this time they managed to stand their ground even against five battleships and a marine admiral. This was the result of their everyday training and struggle. Still, nobody was getting overconfident or cocky about it. Instead, it just made them realize they could still move forward, still carry on to become even stronger for their goal of finding One Piece.
Trafalgar nodded but that suffocating feeling of frustration in his chest didn't go away. Instead, he just wanted to conclude the topic for now. "We'll talk about this later. There's still work to do here, everyone return to your duties." There was still a dark shadow cast over him but it was hard for even him to pinpoint why. Was it really only because he remembered Vergo and Doflamingo or was it something else. He glanced at Miyako who returned to helping others in the infirmary. Or was it because as a captain and a leader, as the one supposed to be the strongest in his crew, he felt he was being outdone by his own subordinate? Just like when Miyako first came to his submarine and showed him her Haki skills, able to even fight logia, before he knew anything about it. Now once again she was running in front of him, able to do something he couldn't. Would she be able to beat Vergo that day? Law stifled that thought deep inside his brain as soon as it came out. Thinking something like this was ridiculous. Besides, Miyako came from the New World. Not to mention she was a samurai of Wano, a country said to create the strongest swordsmen. Great swordsmanship skills were to be expected, it's what Law himself expected when he decided for her to join his crew. That's why he wanted to buy her in that slave auction in the first place. Telling himself all these reasons made it all the more ridiculous that he was frustrated because of those same kenjutsu skills she owned. And yet that frustration wouldn't go away, still clawing at him deep from within his chest. The captain knew that thinking more about it would only make it worse so instead he immersed himself into the operation of one of his crew members. Using his surgeon skills always made him feel better, making him forget about the world around him and focus on the interesting specimen he was working on. In the operating room, nothing else mattered. That was how he got rid of any unnecessary feelings while doing jobs with Doflamingo and that is what he needed to do now.
~…~
Law washed his hands in the metal sink situated in the infirmary. After hours of dealing with his hurt crew where some even developed fevers, he was finally done for the day. Speaking of which, he didn't even know what time of the day it was anymore. The unnatural bright lights that shone in the infirmary along with the constant darkness of the deep sea water, didn't give any indication whether it was only the early afternoon or the middle of the night. Usually he would at least know it by Munk's meals but he specifically informed everyone not to bother him, not even with bringing him food. He didn't have time to eat nor sleep at a time like this. With a sigh, Law turned off the water and closed his eyes for a second. He could already see the dark circles under his eyes becoming even darker as his sleep deprivation continued. The doctor exited the sickbay, switching off the lights on his way out, and headed to the lower floor towards his quarters. Right now he didn't even care what time of day it was or the fact that he didn't eat anything since their fight with the marines, he just wanted to lay on his soft bed and fall asleep for as long as he could before another emergency of the New World surprises them.
As she continued to walk down the dark halls illuminated with dim lights, the captain stopped suddenly. *I thought I heard something.* He couldn't really tell what that sound was or if he even heard it. Perhaps he's tired mind was playing tricks on him, alerting Law that it was high time to get some rest. But just as he decided it wasn't anything of interest, the sound was heard again. It was continuous now and it sounded like air itself was being sliced over and over again.
Whip whip whip whip whip
Becoming more interested, Law walked towards the sound until he arrived at the room from which the light shone. He could see a shadow on the floor, moving quickly and dancing in the light. The captain soon realized what this room was; it was the large storage they turned into a training room. At the time, Law even used his powers to create some wooden training dummies to polish his haki skills. Miyako and him often sparred here, showing off their swordsmanship skills. *Somebody must be training here.*
The man came closer and looked inside, seeing only one person there, training alone. Miyako had her katana out and was swinging with it over her head and down swiftly, practicing the basic head strike in kenjutsu. The wooden poles used for practicing in the room were all already cut up or full of slices and gashes on their bodies. So instead, Miyako was now training her slashes through the air, imagining opponents in front of her. Law leaned against the doorframe, watching the girl's serious, stoic form as she continued to practice, so immersed into it that she didn't even notice him. Her gaze was focused forward. That's when the captain noticed something splashing down every time the girl would strike with her katana. Looking closely, he noticed little droplets of blood were falling onto the floor around the girl. With even closer examination and some greater focus of his currently tired eyes, Law could see blood dripping down from Miyako's palms, soaking into the hilt of the sword or falling onto the ground. The man's eyes opened a little more as he watched the determined girl who either didn't feel the pain anymore or stubbornly ignored it as she continued to practice. *How long has she been here?* For her hands, already used to wielding the sword, to become wounded enough to even bleed, Miyako must've been practicing like this for hours.
However, Law didn't try to stop her. In a way, he was too impressed to stop her; to amazed by her sheer determination. Or perhaps it was because the more he watched her, the more that frustration deep inside of him disappeared. *I was a fool…To be irritated by the fact she could do something like cut through armament haki. The only reason she could do it in the first place was because she was giving it her all every day. Because she kept pushing herself forward and training. I was just feeling annoyed on my own.* He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, but this time the frustration was aimed at himself. This woman…it was this woman who kept pushing him forward with her own hard work and determination. He stared at her clear gaze. There was no doubt there, no uncertainty, just pure wish of wanting to become stronger. And for what? Law found himself interested; what was it that pushed this girl forward? What was it that made her want to become stronger? When it came to fighting in general and using his devil fruit powers, Law was probably stronger than her. But when it came to pure swordsmanship, she was always ahead of him. At first he thought it was frustrating, but after seeing her form now, all those dark thoughts were gone. She always aroused his competitor spirit but he didn't find that hateful; quite the contrary, that's what he loved about her. Law stopped his thoughts at that choice of words; love? He never really thought of it that way, was it really love? But looking at her right now; her bright gaze of golden eyes, her serious expression, her whole form with her head held up high, he couldn't help but find it beautiful. It was charming, yet fierce just like her. Whether it was love or not; he didn't know it yet, but even if it was, he couldn't admit it…at least not to her.
'In the end, you will belong to me.'
Those were the words Miyako left him with a few weeks ago, showing him that determined but confidante piercing gaze of hers. That means that whoever admits he has fallen in love, loses. And if Trafalgar Law hated something, then it was losing. Especially losing to her.
Just seeing her determination made Law want to become stronger himself. He didn't want to lose to her whether it was about strength or emotions. The man crossed his tattooed arms on his chest, still leaning on the metal doorframe and watching her. Finally, with a sigh and a shake of his head, he decided to put all those thoughts in the back of his mind for now. Instead, he wanted to focus on what was in front of him right now. He pushed himself off of the door and stepped inside. A few steps later, the sound of his boots across the metal floor brought Miyako back to reality and she finally noticed him. Stopping her ministrations, the girl turned to look at him with wonder in her eyes.
"What are you doing still awake?" She asked remembering it was currently the middle of the night. There were still at least three more hours until dawn.
"So it was that late, huh? I wasn't sure." Law scratched his head adjusting his fuzzy hat and yawned lazily. Now that he was released from his deep thoughts, the body was once again demanding some sleep. He saw the girl's confused frown at his statement but decided to ignore it as he continued. "I could ask you the same thing, though?" He deliberately left the questioning tone in his voice as he stared at the girl with his half-lidded grey eyes.
Miyako's frown deepened and she looked ahead again. "I couldn't sleep," she explained shortly, ready to start swinging her katana again.
She lifted the sword above her head and swiftly brought it down, cutting the air in the process and creating that slicing sound again. However, as soon as she brought the sword down, Law's one hand expertly caught her wrist, quickly preventing her to repeat the strike again. She looked at him with mild irritation mixed with confusion from being rudely hindered.
The questioning look didn't escape Law's gaze, but he simply stared at her, piercing her with his stormy eyes. There was no emotion on his face, or at least nothing clearly visible. It was the same unreadable mask as usual even as he stared straight into her eyes. "Your hands are injured," blunt and to the point as usual, he warned her, trying to stop her from foolishly hurting herself even more.
At first Miyako looked a bit surprised as if she completely forgot about that fact. She looked down at her hands and sighed, closing her eyes for a second. "I know, it's fine. You stop feeling it after a while."
Law just returned her sigh with his own, tired one. This girl could be so thickheaded sometimes. "That's not the point," he simply answered in a matter-of-fact tone. "What good is a samurai if they can't use their sword."
"I can use my sword!" The girl answered instantly, a bit harsher and louder than before, as if he just hit a sore spot. Even Law stayed silent for a while, slightly startled by the girl's suddenly fierce tone.
Nevertheless, he had no intention of letting her continue with this. "Not if you injure your hand any more than this." Still holding her wrist, he made her lower the sword down and after a while the girl complied, letting her katana fall loosely by her side. Law was just about to invite her to the sickbay to take care of those wounds but then remembered he already cleared everything and cleaned all the tools. Dirtying them again and then cleaning everything up would be too troublesome, not to mention they would have to go back up where he just came from. The man sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose for a second, before a new idea came to his mind. His quarters always had a first aid kit. Some disinfectant and fresh bandages should be enough for these injuries anyway. "Come with me." He pulled her wrist, leading her out of the room and down the hall towards the quarters area.
Miyako was too tired to even protest so she just sheathed her katana and followed after the captain. It was only when they were already in the room and he switched the lights on that she realized they were in Law's quarters. With a blink she looked around and then stared at him, instantly sobering up from her tired state. "Why did you bring me here?"
"To treat your wounds of course," the captain commented, getting out the first aid kit. The man turned back to the girl and smirked with a sly expression. "Why did you think I brought you here?" Even now he couldn't help but tease the girl.
Miyako stiffened as she tried to hide her shocked embarrassment. Now he was accusing her of having a dirty mind! It wasn't her fault that this guy always sexually harassed her whenever they were alone. "I-I wasn't really thinking of anything," she mumbled looking to the side, obviously guilty and lying.
The pirate still kept his amused expression as he went to sit beside her on his bed, urging her to show him her hands so he could use the disinfectant on the wounds. With a bit of reluctance, the girl opened her palms. Law sighed but all in all, the damage wasn't serious. Some of the skin just got torn from friction with the hilt of the sword. It would soon heal and turn into calluses as long as they don't break again. Law put some disinfectant on the cotton wad and grabbed the thing with long tweezers. "This will sting a little," he warned remembering Miyako's hate towards alcohol on open wounds or anything that stung her. Actually, more than a warning it sounded like a gleeful commented since she couldn't escape from it either way. It was her punishment for getting injured with her own foolishness in the first place.
Miyako frowned but stayed still this time, not wanting to give Law the delight of watching her squirm.
"What made you suddenly start obsessively training like that in the first place?" The doctor gave her enough pity to distract her with casual chit-chat as he worked on her hands.
The samurai shrugged, not sure what to tell him. "I guess just meeting the marine admiral was enough to motivate me…Also, I want to be able to cut through that armament haki without problems the next time I encounter an enemy with it."
Law stayed silent for a while, before starting up the conversation again. "Kizaru told me that what matters most in this world is whether you're strong or weak. I believe he is right. And if we want to survive in the New World, we have to become even stronger; that's a fact. Weaklings will lose everything in this sea." Law finished putting the bandages, looking up at the girl who had a distant, thoughtful expression. With another sigh, he stood up to put away the items. "Alright, you're done. You can-" Turning around again, the captain saw the girl already lying on his bed in a curled up ball just like a cat. She was breathing evenly, indicating she was already deep in sleep. With a few strides, Law sat beside her on the bed, looking at the peaceful girl. She must've been more exhausted than even she realized. He rubbed his eyes with long fingers, thinking of what to do with her now. Truthfully, he was tired as well and it was too troublesome to try and get her back into her own bed now. Deciding it was fine to stay here, Law took off her shoes and pulled her up so her head was resting on the pillow. The girl moaned something incoherent a few times but didn't wake up.
"Master…" The girl worded out in a whisper. Law stopped and looked at the girl, thinking she was waking up now but after that one word, it was once again silence. She didn't even stir anymore, already deep in her dreams. The captain pulled a blanket over her before taking off his own shoes and the yellow hoodie, then lied onto the bed.
Switching off the lights, Law stared at the dark ceiling above him. He was exhausted but there were still many thoughts swirling inside his head, preventing him to fall asleep. *We have become quite infamous with big bounties on our heads. Things like today will just keep happening and if we're not prepared, we'll be destroyed. Akainu had obviously had enough and decided to get rid of us before we become an even bigger threat. But if marines keep going after us like today it will only be a hindrance to our future plans. Besides, defeating Doflamingo will get immensely harder if I have to worry about the marines at every step of the way.* Law pinched the bridge of his nose as he often did while thinking. *No, I need to get them off my back. There's only one way to do that…* The pirate captain gritted his teeth in irritation. *I don't like it. Especially becoming similar to that bastard.* Law could already see Doflamingo's wide grin full of mocking pride; 'So you've decided to follow in my footsteps, Law. What a cute subordinate.' Joker's imaginary words echoed inside of Law's head, cutting into him with a feeling of bitterness. He could picture the situation clearly in his mind. Still, Law realized he had no other choice if he wanted to move on with his plan and proceed to sail the seas without any more annoyances. He would do whatever it takes to proceed with his plan, to shake this world to its core; he would even become a dog of the marines for a while.
~…...~
Miyako could feel herself awakening but her still tired eyes refused to open as she was engulfed with the warmth of soft bed sheets. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes. Fortunately there was no bright light to invade her eyes since the submarine was still moving underwater so the room still looked dim with minimal lighting, making Miyako feel like it was still nighttime. It made the girl want to simply turn around and sleep some more, but the only thing stopping her from doing so was the realization that she had to help Munk with breakfast as it was her duty on the ship. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the dim lighting and that's when she realized there was someone else right in front of her. Miyako gasped, startled, as she stared at the tanned face not far away from her own. The girl's eyes widened when she remembered she fell sleep in Law's quarters…again! With a speed of a bullet, she sat up in bed, still staring at Trafalgar. This was already the second time that she let down her guard and just fell asleep right there on the captain's bed. The first time was embarrassing enough, especially when Law confronted her with his teasing remarks about it, but now she once again had to go through that torture. Miyako panicked in her mind, holding her head with both hands as she tried to stop the scream of desperation. But then she stiffened as understanding hit her. She looked back at the man on the bed, seeing his sleeping form. He was still sleeping so at least she could sneak out without being noticed. However, her hope soon burst like a thin bubble of soap when she realized that won't change much; in the end, Law would still know she fell asleep in his quarters. Her head slumped down as she sighed in loss.
The girl's gaze traveled back to the unconscious captain. Law was usually a light sleeper so it was surprising he hadn't awoken yet from all the commotion she was doing in the bed; perhaps he was even more tired than she was. *That's right, he was taking care of everyone in the infirmary yesterday, he even had three major operations, and all that right after fighting with Kizaru.* Miyako sighed. Law's exhaustion was perfectly understandable. Even after all that he still had to take care of her injured hands. A pang of guilt hit the samurai as she looked at her neatly bandaged hands. The injuries weren't big or threatening; she was used to such wounds ever since the first time she started wielding the heavy sword in her small, still child's, hands. Usually she would just clean them in cold water afterwards, making the hot, irritated flesh cool down. Her master didn't think much of them either, it was normal for a swordsman to have wounds on their palms from training; her master even said it was a way to see if the katana was being held properly by the position of the callouses on one's palm. This was the first time someone really took the time to treat them and even bandage them afterwards. Miyako smiled gently, still staring at her bandages. *Well he is a doctor, after all.*
She looked back down at Law, considering whether to wake him up or leave him to get some more rest until Bepo comes for him. That's when Miyako's breath hitched and her back straightened instantly as a bead of sweat appeared on her forehead from nervousness. She didn't really notice before since she was deep in her thoughts, lamenting her fate after falling asleep here, but now that she looked more closely….was Law half naked!? Miyako gulped as she eyed her captain. His usually covered head was without the fuzzy hat, revealing ruffled mess of black hair. The dark skinned doctor had a peaceful expression as he slept; no scowl or that snide smirk he normally wore. His hoodie was discarded somewhere so Miyako could see his bare chest as it evenly rose and fell while he slept. This was the first time she saw Law's shirtless form and all the tattoos on his body; there were even more than she thought. Both of his hands and arms, but also each shoulder from where the tattoos connected to the large one across his whole chest, which looked like a heart with the familiar grinning smiley in the middle. Now knuckles on both of his hands had the tattooed word 'death' on it, which he added before leaving Noir. Unintentionally, Miyako wondered if he had any tattoos on his back also, but it was impossible to see since he was lying on his back. Realizing what she was thinking about, Miyako felt her cheeks flare in heat. She slapped them with both hands, trying to cool down and shook her head wildly, squeezing her eyes shut in the process. *Idiot idiot idiot!*
But even so, her eyes still opened slowly and wandered on, analyzing Law's lean frame. Fortunately he was still wearing the spotted trousers that ended with his bare feet. His whole anatomy didn't really look overly muscular, but rather slim. Even so, his torso showed well-formed muscles gained from training and fights. Surprisingly, he didn't have any visible scars but Miyako presumed it was due to his devil fruit powers that were long ranged and left little chance of him getting hit by the opponent. Most of the time enemies wouldn't even be able to get close to the Surgeon of Death.
Just like last time, Miyako found herself watching the captain as he slept. She didn't really know what does she find so appealing about it, but somehow she liked to watch his sleeping form. Perhaps it was his peaceful and completely different demeanor than usual. She didn't have to feel tense or on guard like she often did around him when he was awake, always challenging her with those piercing grey eyes. Miyako snickered quietly to herself, feeling the need to mess with him somehow while he was sleeping and she still had the chance. At first she wanted to draw on his face but then decided she still wanted to live afterwards so that was out. She didn't really find hanging from the submarine's pole instead of a jolly roger very appealing. Without thinking the girl poked the man's cheek, feeling the squishy softness beneath her finger, and she felt a spark of amusement rise inside of her like a child. She wished she had a camera to take a picture of some ridiculous sleeping pose she would made out of him. Still playing with Law's face, Miyako slightly pulled on his goatee, wanting to at least mess it up, but it was actually pretty groomed and neat.
Suddenly, a hand whipped out and grabbed the wrist of her hand which was still on his face. In the next second, Miyako was pushed down onto the bed with the man's weight on top of her as he pinned her down. The girl could only stare up at him wide eyed, still surprised at the sudden change in their positions, and not clearly understanding what just happened. However realization soon dawned on her when she saw Law's smirking face above her. With a nervous smile, the girl tried to get herself out of the situation by lying. "M-morning captain, I was just about to wake you up."
Law's amused expression never left his face as she continued to stare down at her. "Is that what you were doing? And here I was sure you were playing with my sleeping face."
The girl almost choked at his statement as she realized she was completely busted. *He was awake?! For how long!? Was he pretending to be asleep all this time?!* Panicked questions swirled inside Miyako's mind, screaming one after the other. Still keeping that nervous smile plastered on her face as if it was stuck there, Miyako asked, "H-How long were you awake?"
Law's devilish smirk slowly widened right before her eyes, making him appear even more diabolically mischievous than usual. Indeed, he was enjoying this. "Around the time you started poking at me…is that some kind of new hobby for you…or just a fetish?" He made sure to emphasize the last word, wanting to rattle the shy girl as much as he could.
By now steam was coming from Miyako's ears as her brain overloaded from the heat that came with her bashfulness. She could only hope that her face wasn't as red as she thought it to be, since she could feel her cheeks heating up considerably. "N-No…I wasn't…really…" The girl stuttered aimlessly, losing herself in the awkward moment.
"Hmm?" The captain just hummed in question, teasing her even more as he lowered his head more towards her. His eyes never broke contact with the wide golden orbs of his samurai. They were so close now, the tips of their noses were touching.
All Miyako could see were those grey eyes staring down at her, along with the wide teasing smirk on the captain's features. She could hear her own heart beating loudly, thumping in her ears, as she became unable to catch her breath. The condition just became worse the more she saw Law lowering himself and coming towards her. Unconsciously, she grabbed a pillow lying there beside her and clenched it with one hand. "Noooooo!" She was even able to break her hand from Law's hold since the man didn't expect her to react so wildly, and she pushed the pillow in between them, hiding her blushing expression and stopping Law's advances by shoving the pillow in his surprised face. The doctor was so startled that he fell backwards, sitting on the bed. As soon as he removed the pillow from his face, he noticed the girl was no more. Glancing towards the doors of the room he saw her dashing out, not even bothering to close the doors behind her as she escaped from the quarters while running. At that point, Law didn't even know whether to laugh in satisfaction or get frustrated by her running away. So he opted for sighing deeply. He actually felt like the girl was being more open towards him lately, but it seemed some things would never change.
~…...~
Miyako was sitting behind the counter in the kitchen, her head in her hands, as an especially gloomy atmosphere surrounded her. She looked so depressed that even the other cooks didn't know whether to leave her alone or try and cheer her up. *I ran away…Again. Even though I told myself I won't run anymore. Didn't I declare all that to him about not running away anymore!? I even told him I would make him fall in love with me!* An especially pained whine escaped her as she remembered those embarrassing declarations. *But it's just too embarrassing after all!*
Munk finally had enough of looking at Miyako like that and went up to her, tapping her gently on top of her head with his wooden spoon. "What be th' pro'lem, lass? Those carrots ain't gunna cut 'emselves."
The girl finally lifted her head, showing off a sorrowful expression. "Sorry, Munk. I'll get right on it." Dispirited, the girl stood up and went to the counter, taking a large knife for cutting bones instead of a normal cutting knife. Not even realizing she was holding the thumb right underneath where she meant to cut the carrot, Miyako lifted the large knife and prepared to swing down. Luckily, Munk saw the disaster on time and prevented it by grabbing the sharp knife from the girl's hand right as she started swinging down with it.
"Whoa! Th't be deathly dangerous, lassie!" The large chef stabbed the knife in a cutting board well out of Miyako's reach and sighed, running his fingers through the thick beard. "I not be knowin wha' tha prol'em is, but ya be better takin' some break before ya kill yaself….or any unfortun'te soul."
Miyako sighed, fidgeting now and then. Munk kept looking at her with expectant eyes, awaiting some answer, but she wasn't sure what to tell him. Finally, the girl gathered the courage to voice out some of her concerns. "Munk, do you think a shy person can…just stop being shy and become straightforward. Maybe, if they train really hard-"
However, Munk's hearty laugh stopped Miyako from continuing on. "'s that what be botherin' ya, gal? Bein' shy 'r straightforward be yer personality, you can't train that. 'Tis not a skill of the sword, ya know." He lightly tapped the girl across her cheek, before continuing. "But ya know girly, when you first came aboard 'tis ship, ya weren't shy…ya were blunt, but also cold. Cause then you still not be a apart of this crew. Ya were shut inyarself, not trustin' us. But now, I think ya be much more honest with yarself girl…so I don't think 'ths all a bad thing. Bein yarself and showin' it in front of a person, means you trust that person. So ya just stay d'way ya are!" Another loud laugh came out of the large chef before he ruffled her hair with his big hand.
Miyako stared up at the pirate, thinking about what he just said. *It means I….trust Law…* She looked at Munk's honest and grinning face. "Munk-san…" She trailed off but then squeezed her eyes shut and slapped both hands onto her cheeks as if to wake herself up. *No, I can't be like this! Now I'm even making Munk and the others worried…not to mention I'm disrupting everyone's work. I need to pull myself together.* With newfound determination, Miyako looked up at the pirate chef, her eyes more focused than before. "No, I'm alright, sorry Munk. The breakfast will be due soon so you need the help. I can't procrastinate now."
For a while more, Munk kept eyeing her suspiciously, assessing whether she was really alright to handle a knife or hot pans, but decided they really did need any help they could get right now. With a nod, the large man smiled. "Tha' be me girl. Come now, we be havin' work t' do!" The chef turned to his own work, while shaking his large spoon in the air and beginning to mumble another tune in the process. Kai and the other helping chefs also smiled, happy to see Miyako back in high spirits, before they too went back to their work of preparing food for the crew.
~…..~
After helping in the galley, Miyako took a tray of food and sat down on the table where Cody and Josh were already eating along with Shachi, Penguin, Bepo and Sam. The girl took a bite of her onigiri as she watched the pirates who were once again up to no good. It seemed Shachi, Penguin and Josh were teasing Sam, while Cody tried to calm the situation and Bepo simply watched at their strange ministrations. Sam was an assistant mechanic, wearing big, thick glasses that covered most of his face. As everyone else he had a hat that always hid his face even more. Finally, the man had the collar of his white overall completely up, covering his face all the way up to his nose. In the end, nothing of the man's face was actually seen.
"Come on, Sammy, what are you hiding? You're always so covered up like it's the middle of winter." Josh teased, trying to see the man's face.
"Yeah, yeah, could it be you have a really ugly face underneath all that?" Penguin grinned, adding to the taunts.
"Maybe it's a disguise!" Shachi laughed.
"Knock it off you guys." The assistant mechanic grumbled, not amused.
"Oy, oy…Leave him be, will you." Cody sighed, taking out a pack of cigarettes and putting one into his mouth. However, he didn't have time to light it as Bepo gave him a warning stare.
"You can't smoke here, Cody!" The bear tried to take his cigarette away.
"Eehh…gimme a break, Bepo. We've only been on the surface for that fight yesterday and then had to dive back immediately. In the end, we've been staying inside the submarine for days. Just one." Cody all but pleaded, but the first mate wouldn't budge from the rules.
"Don't you think I know that? I've been stuck in this hot prison with all of you." Bepo slumped onto the table with his red, long tongue sticking out. "I'm already melting…"
"Don't call our submarine a prison. And don't sweat onto the table, that's gross!" Penguin angrily shouted at the bear.
The first mate looked even sadder as he apologized, still sweating profoundly. "Sorry…."
"Come on, Sam!" Meanwhile, Joshua and Shachi were still messing with Sam, now even holding him while trying to get rid of all the items clouding his face.
"Whaaa, stop it guys!" The man protested, trying to break free, but now even Penguin joined them once again. The four men kept wrestling together, not even minding that they were still at the galley sitting at the table.
Miyako just watched the men, as they acted like little children. She looked at Cody thinking he might intervene but saw he was still trying to sneak a smoke and lit it up while Bepo's watchful eye wasn't on him. Still, the bear wouldn't give, and so it went on. Finally, feeling sorry for poor Sam she decided to act, trying to stop Josh and the mechanics. "Would you knock it off already! It's not Sam's fault if he's so shy!" For one, she could understand being shy and sympathize with him.
But just as she was about to hit Josh over the head, the redhead managed to take Sam's glasses off while Penguin did the same with the hat and lowered the high collar. Meanwhile, Shachi was still holding the poor guy from behind giving Sam no chance to escape. Everyone at the table stopped, even Cody and Bepo, and looked at Sam with shocked expressions. Bepo didn't really get it, but here had to be something going on since everyone was staring at Sam like that.
Before them was a man in his early twenties, with wavy light brown locks and bright blue eyes with long eyelashes. His facial lines were perfectly symmetrical, and the bridge of his nose just right. All in all, it looked like a face of a model in one of those magazines. Miyako actually blushed as she stared at the prince-looking man before her, not expecting this in the slightest.
"Who….are you?" Shachi was the first one to speak as he asked.
Sam actually blushed even more, trying to grab his glasses and hat back from them. "S-stop it you guys! I can't see anything without my glasses!"
Josh felt himself getting frustrated for a reason he didn't even want to say out loud. A vein popped out on his forehead and he smacked the thick glasses back onto the man's nose. "That's right, wear all this and don't ever take it off, you bastard! And don't you ever wear contacts!" Everyone already had to accept the fact that Law and Cody were lucky with women because of their good looks. But at least the others in the crew had consolation that everyone else were suffering the same as them; unable to get women so easily. But this guy could easily come in par with Trafalgar and the blue-haired medic with his prince-like looks. "That's unfair Sam!" Penguin also complained in a whine.
"Eh!?" Sam didn't seem to understand the sudden animosity and anger his friends were directing at him, not recognizing their jealousy.
Bepo finally reached an epiphany and hit one paw into the palm of the other. "Ah, I get it! They're angry because Sam is more handsome!" He stated matter-of-factly.
"You shut up, nobody asked you!" Joshua yelled at the bear in embarrassment and annoyance.
"Sorry," the bear reflexively answered.
"Hey, don't take it out on him!" Miyako defended the first mate, glaring at the medic and the two mechanics.
"Awww, now even Miya-chan is mad at us. This is all your fault, Sam!" Shachi shouted in desperation.
"Haaaaa?!" Sam was completely lost, not having any idea what was going on, but somehow feeling he was being blamed for ridiculously unreasonable things.
"As always, you lot are the loudest here." Sai suddenly joined them with a tray of food, putting it down at their table. Sitting down, the man looked around at the rowdy bunch.
"Sai? What are you doing here, aren't you supposed to be on navigation duty right now?" Cody tilted his head, still holding an unlit cigarette between his teeth.
"I also have to eat sometimes, you know." The young navigator sighed, answering in his usual monotone tone.
Miyako blinked in wonder. "Now that I think about it, even Bepo is here. Don't you usually eat with the captain?" The girl looked at the polar bear in confusion.
"That's because captain Law isn't here yet." Penguin announced the obvious.
"It's because he told everyone to gather in the galley cause he had an announcement to make. The last time I saw him, he was busy in his quarters," the first mate explained.
"An announcement?" Everyone asked in unison. Just then their talk stopped as the man in question entered the galley.
It seemed the whole crew already knew Law was about to talk to them since silence washed over the room. Everyone were waiting for captain's words with expectation. For a while Law kept standing there, looking across the room as if to analyze the atmosphere. Then finally, he spoke up. A few simple words that left everyone stunned and speechless.
"I will be joining the Shichibukai."
It was stated in such a simple, matter-of-fact tone that it would be passed off as a joke if said by anyone else. However, since it was Trafalgar Law, a man who never joked with such plans, the crew knew he was completely serious. That only made the whole situation more unbelievable.
"What do you mean, captain?" One of the crew members asked, finally breaking the silence.
Once the first question was asked, a whole swarm of questions and comments of disbelief followed. Soon, what was at first a light murmur, turned into a chaotic mesh of voices. Law, who was holding his nodachi on his shoulder, hit the ground with it suddenly, creating a loud enough noise to instantly silence everyone in the galley. When all the attention was once again focused on the captain, he continued.
"It's true. I thought about it and I believe this is the best course of action for our plan."
Once again the Heart Pirates started looking at each other, uncertainty clear in their expressions.
A crew member then dared to ask. "But aren't Shichibukai known to be the dogs of the World Government? Why would you want to become something like that?"
Meanwhile, Miyako looked at Shachi, Penguin and Bepo at her table. The three people, though one was a bear, knew Law for the longest but they were surprisingly quiet through all this. Was it because they already knew what he was planning or perhaps knew their friend long enough to know he had a good reason for doing this? Whatever the case, the three didn't seem to doubt him nor try to oppose him on this matter. Even so, Miyako's curiosity was too big to leave it be. Like everyone else, she wanted to know the reasons behind this sudden decision. Even if Law said he thought about it for a while, this was the first time they all heard of this. But will he give them the answers this time or will they just trust in him blindly like he demanded when infiltrating Abney Cove? Honestly, Miyako didn't want to go through all that again. But this was just like Law, planning and deciding everything on his own, then just giving the crew an already formed decision that he made for all of them. Even if he was the captain, Miyako didn't like the way he excluded his crew and shouldered everything by himself. Would it be too much for his pride to actually ask about their opinions first? A pang of frustration appeared in the samurai girl as she continued to think this.
Still, this time Law surprised her by actually explaining everything. "Perhaps…But in this case we are merely using each other for our own benefit." Seeing his men's confused looks, the captain continued. "We still need to become stronger to find the One Piece. However, the marines are constantly standing in our way and it seems Akainu has decided to eliminate us. It's not really surprising, especially after what happened with the Tenryuubito. They are a hindrance to our plans this way but once I become a Shichibukai, the marines will have no choice but to give us all amnesty. That way we will be able to continue sailing in the New World and look for One Piece without the Fleet Admiral constantly on our tail." Trafalgar didn't mention anything about Doflamingo or Kaido. It was true that by becoming a Shichibukai, Law will probably be able to get his hands on some useful information that he couldn't before, and that could help him in his preparation again Joker, but his crew still knew nothing about his plans to destroy Smiley and Joker's plans. For now, it was better it stayed that way.
"Eh? But won't that be just going along with the marines?" Another man asked.
Law smirked as if expecting that question. "I don't intent to be a Warlord for long. However, for now it would be the best course of action to give us more time. Still, nothing is really holding us to keep to that agreement once we won't need it anymore." His smirk widened.
"Heh. So we're just using the World Government for amnesty until we get strong enough." Sai smirked, liking the idea suddenly.
"But how do you intent to become a Shichibukai. Usually, it is something the World Government decides and then sends a proposal to the pirate." Jean Bart chimed in from the back.
Law's smirk now turned into a mischievous grin. A grin that clearly stated he had a plan. "Then we will simply have to give them an offer too appealing to refuse."
The Heart Pirates looked at each other in wonder. Still, there was no man here who didn't believe in captain Trafalgar Law. After all, Law's plans always worked in the end so there was no need to start doubting his judgment now. If captain Law said it was in their best interests, then it had to be true. Now the Heart Pirates only wondered; what did their captain have in mind this time?
~…..~
Sai stared at the wanted poster in his hands one more time before turning to the periscope and looking through it. "It's them. I'm certain, the jolly roger of their crew matches." He turned to his captain as he spoke, showing him the wanted poster.
Law nodded and looked at the pirate captain on the picture. "Andrew Van Horne, captain of the Scurvy Pirates. Bounty of 50,000,000 Beri. I knew I could count to find some big bounty pirates in the New World." Trafalgar smirked as he watched the middle-aged pirate on the picture who was grinning at him with a smile full of golden teeth.
The submarine sailed slowly underwater towards the pirate ship up on the surface, not expecting the attack that will soon come upon them.
"So are we attacking them, Captain?" Bepo asked, blinking with his beady black eyes.
Law nodded and took out the Den Den Mushi in the control room, addressing everyone in the submarine. "Men, we are surfacing in 3 minutes so get ready to attack as soon as we are out of water. We will approach the side and lock onto them to invade the enemy's ship. Remember what we talked about; you studied the wanted posters of the crew, I want everyone with the bounty higher than 500 000 captured alive. Everyone else…you can dispose of." The captain finished, turning off the den den mushi and turning to his two navigators once again. "Sai-ya, Jean Bart-ya, get us level with them and out of waters."
"Aye Aye captain!" The two men nodded and went to work, calculating their speed and approach angle to the other ship.
"Are you really sure you want to do this?" Miyako suddenly asked. She was standing on the side with her arms crossed on her chest and a serious gaze in her eyes as she watched the sea in front of her from the main window. It seemed there was something she was unhappy about, she had been like this ever since Law announced his plans to the Heart Pirates. He thought she would at least be happy for knowing about the whole plan from the start.
"Is there something you're dissatisfied with, Miss Miyako?" This really wasn't the time nor the place to be discussing it since they were preparing for battle. Besides, Law really didn't want to experience any of her usual stubbornness or insubordination while a part of his crew was watching. Still, ignoring it didn't seem like an option either since there was a clear dark aura of irritation around the girl.
Miyako sighed and closed her eyes but then turned to look at him, staring him right in the eyes with a mild glare of annoyance. "Of course there is. If I remember correctly, I decided to follow you, not the marines or the World Government. Why do we have to answer to them all of a sudden?" She still pierced Law with her burning golden eyes, demanding an explanation.
Now it was time for Law to sigh. "You should already be aware of the need to do this…You were there when Kizaru attacked us, you know we need more time. Traps like that one will just keep occurring until we won't be so lucky to meet a storm like last time. We've trained hard to be strong enough for the New World and now we are, but it isn't over yet. Marines keep getting in the way of our plans, they are a hindrance we need to deal with for now."
"Our plans of finding One Piece…?" Miyako asked with a strange expression, still piercing him with her glare. There was something about that question that made Law think she wasn't upset just because of the Shichibukai issue. There was an obvious meaning behind her tone.
Nevertheless, Law didn't let himself be taken in by her pace. He kept the usual straight face, ignoring Miyako's true question in her words. "Of course," he answered simply as if it was obvious.
Miyako didn't say anymore, but instead turned her head to stare outside the window again, still wearing that serious, unsatisfied expression.
Bepo and the navigators looked at each other awkwardly, uncertain how to deal with the tense atmosphere in the room. There was obviously something between their captain and the samurai, but it didn't seem like anybody wanted to address it, including those two.
Jean Bart was first to speak, deciding to direct the topic back to their original goal right now. "We're ready to surface captain," the large navigator warned, looking at Law and awaiting his final order.
Law took the nodachi which was lying against the wall with his one hand, while grabbing the railing for support with the other. He gave a small nod to the navigator, that didn't go unnoticed, and with that signaled the start of their mission.
Bart slowly pulled the helm towards him, leading the submarine out towards the surface. In an instant, a yellow vessel appeared out of the sea right beside the pirate ship, surprising every one of the Scurvy Pirates. Without warning, the large metal doors of the submarine slammed open and pirates in white overalls and colorful hats ran out, charging at the pirate ship and jumping over the railing to reach the deck of the enemy's vessel. Shouts and battle cries filled the air as the battle begun before the captain of the Scurvy pirates could even react.
Andrew Van Horne, a tall man with one wooden leg and a large red beard limped over to his ship's deck and took out a sabre. "Come on ye scurvy dogs! Fight for yer lives against these picaroons!" With a thick accent, the captain yelled, coordinating his crew and holding his own against the Heart Pirates. However, even he couldn't do anything when Law called out his Room and swung the long nodachi. Before captain Van Horne could dodge, slow with his one good leg, the slashes went thorough him, giving him a strange sensation of being cut in pieces yet still alive.
The rest of the Heart Pirates crew with Bepo leading the way throughout the ship, soon took over the enemy vessel. With Bepo kicking their first mate into unconsciousness with a loud cry of 'Aya!' the whole crew of Scurvy Pirates was defeated. The Heart pirates soon gained complete victory. Enemy pirates who weren't dead or drowning overboard all gathered in a group on their ship's deck, which was now dirtied with blood and sweat. They were tied with ropes, sitting on the ground. The Heart Pirates raided the ship, looking for anything valuable and useful to take, while a group of them stayed to circle around and guard the prisoners, waiting for their captain.
"What ye want with us, Rookie of the Worst Generation." The captain Van Horne glared at Trafalgar Law who was examining the prisoners in front of him, comparing them to the wanted posters in his hands. At that question, Law looked up at the captain from underneath his hat, rising one eyebrow at the strange name he was just given. Worst Generation? That was the first Law heard of it. When the other captain noticed Law's questioning look, he smirked, clarifying. "What? Ye don't know? 'Tis what the World Government be calling you lot from Sabaody, more than 18 moons ago."
Law thought about it for a second. *He must be referring to the day we were all attacked at Sabaody Archipelago by Kizaru and the pacifista. The 11 rookie pirates who the marines failed to capture at that time. So now they're even calling us the Worst Generation?* A barely visible smirk appeared on Law's face, hidden underneath his spotted white hat. He turned to Bepo, ignoring Van Horne's glare and handed him the wanted posters of the men in this crew who all had a bounty of half a million or higher. "They will do. I don't need the rest."
The other captain stiffened. "What ye want to do to me and me men?"
Law suddenly grinned darkly, staring right at the other man. "You will find out soon enough. Should I start with you, then?" Trafalgar reached out with his tattooed hand, the word 'death' ominously approaching towards the other captain.
~…..~
Van Horne and some of his men watched in horror at the gaping holes in their chest. Instead, a heap of still-beating hearts kept pulsing before their eyes as they were being transferred into a large bag.
"W-what…be going on here?" The captain of the Scurvy Pirates barely managed to choke out from his dry throat. He watched as the Surgeon of Death put the tips of his fingers over the other captain's chest and mumbled a single word; 'Mes.' In an instant, a blue cube enveloping his own heart was being pushed out of his chest. It hurt like crazy, as if someone was really cutting out his heart and the man couldn't help but scream in pain. But more than pain, now he was just feeling pure shock as his heart continued to beat and he was still alive, yet he could stare at his own heart which was away from his body. "What'd you done 'ere, boy!?"
Trafalgar narrowed his eyes and took Van Horne's heart in his hands. There was no blood, only the preserved heart in a small cube. He presented the organ in front of the one-legged captain's eyes. "This is your heart." Law explained simply before squeezing the said organ. A piercing pain entered Van Horne's chest and coursed throughout his body. He felt as if he was having a heart attack as the pressure in his chest increased. A loud scream came out of his mouth as the captain fell forward, face first onto the deck. Law then released the heart and the pain stopped. He waited for Van Horne to calm down a little as the other captain kept panting on the floor.
"I can easily crush your heart like this. In other words, your life in my hands…literally." Law grinned at his own cruel joke.
He only received a glare from Van Horne, though. "So ye...*pant*..be sayin' *pant* we be yours slaves *pant* now?"
The smirk never left Law's face as he answered. "That's right. You can't attack us, or come after us. I can do with your heart whatever I want at any time."
"Ye….bast-gaaaah!" Van Horne never got to finish the insult as Law squeezed his heart once more. After releasing it, the captain was again left panting, still on the floor. "Then…what ye be wantin' *pant* with us? To be yer *pant* subordinates, yer crew?*"
The dark doctor looked down at the other man, sheer coldness in his grey eyes. "You don't have that worth." Tossing the heart into the bag and onto the pile of a few dozen other hearts, Law added. "I don't want anything further with you and you don't need to know anything more either. Weaklings don't get to ask questions." He turned from the tied up pirates. Before walking back to his submarine, Trafalgar stopped once more and looked over his shoulder at the pirate captain. "If you want to blame something, then blame your own weakness." With that he continued walking, shouting orders to his crew to get ready for departure after restocking supplies taken from the other ship.
The enemy pirates could only watch in shock and silence as the large polar bear took the bag with their beating hearts, tossing it over his shoulder and heading back to follow after Trafalgar. At that moment all of them really were cursing their weakness but they were also cursing the Surgeon of Death, Trafalgar Law.
~…~
"Let's partyyyy!" Penguin yelled, raising a mug of beer high in the air.
The rest of the Heart Pirates cheered and they all bumped mugs and glasses, drinking the alcohol hungrily.
It was already nighttime with the moon high in the sky, shining down onto the currently rowdy submarine. The sea was calm for a change so the pirates decided to celebrate their successful first step towards the new plan they were about to execute, by having a party on the deck of the submarine. They didn't get a lot of chances to enjoy the fresh air and night sky here in the New World, so Law let them indulge for the night. However, it came with the condition that they were all up and ready tomorrow morning sharp, without any excuses of headaches and hangovers.
Even Trafalgar was holding a glass of whiskey in his hands, sipping it now and then while watching Shachi and Penguin make a fool of themselves as usual. They were currently singing and dancing, already drunk. Meanwhile, Bepo was stuffing himself with fresh fish since they found a whole batch in the Scurvy Pirates' pantry this afternoon. Meanwhile Cody was enjoying his cigarette, ignoring Joshua who kept nagging at him about the health issues with smoking. It might be ironic that Cody who was a medic, smoked, but Law didn't mind as long as he didn't do so in the infirmary. Even Jean Bart was enjoying himself, drinking beer form a large mug while chatting with Sai, probably about their course tomorrow. Deep in thought, Law realized his eyes kept searching for one person in particular yet she wasn't to be found. However, his gaze found her soon enough. She was standing on the side, holding onto the railing of the vessel and looking up at the starry night sky. A small frown appeared on the captain's face when he remembered Miyako was probably still bothered about the whole Shichibukai plan. Wanokuni didn't want to get involved with the World Government so they always stayed on the side, neutral as a country. That's why she probably didn't feel so good about the thought of being used by the Government or the Marines. It's not like Law enjoyed that thought either, but there was a deeper meaning to doing this. Then he remembered the strange look she gave him in the control room.
Standing up, Law walked over to the samurai. As she heard his footsteps, Miyako turned a bit to look at him, her big golden orbs gleaming in the night. "Captain," she greeted him rather formally as he stood by her side, also looking up at the stars. On his surprise she didn't try to tune him out but instead continued. "The sky's beautiful tonight, isn't it? And it's so peaceful…you wouldn't think we were really in the New World, the most dangerous place in the world."
Law looked back at his cheerful crew who were still laughing and singing loudly. *I don't know about peaceful, though.* Never the one to beat around the bush, Law decided to ask her straight. "Do you trust me?"
She turned to look at him again, her expression clearly demanding an explanation as she watched him with wonder.
So he continued. "You asked me whether it was really to find One Piece…as if that was only an excuse." Law stared. *And you may have been right,* the thought crossed his mind but he left it unsaid. "But this plan really will get us closer to One Piece, that's what I believe. This way I can roam free and do what I please as a pirate. It's true, maybe like this I can even get more information about Joker and the devil fruit maker-gas, Smiley. All in all it's a win-win situation for us. But trust me when I say this; I won't betray my crew." He stared her right in the eyes, locking his grey ones with her golden orbs. "So I will ask you again; do you trust me?"
Miyako stiffened a little, thinking about everything Law just told her. *I know you wouldn't intentionally betray or hurt your crew. But you are prepared to go this far for Doflamingo…Who knows, maybe even sacrifice yourself in the process if need be. These guys don't know anything about Joker, if you just decide to leave and handle him on your own….leaving them behind, isn't that a kind of betrayal too?* However, Miyako couldn't say anything of what she was thinking right now. Besides, Law never told her he would go that far to take down Joker so she didn't have any proof. But the animosity in his glare, the way he spoke that day in the infirmary when he admitted his past with Doflamingo…that aura of his was enough for Miyako to suspect something. He was serious, dead serious, and Miyako wondered how far he would take it. With a sigh, the girl closed her eyes. "I understand. I trust you. But-" Opening her eyes, she gave Law a serious, warning look. "-if the marines ask of us to do something I am completely opposed to, I won't do it."
Trafalgar Law actually chuckled at the girl's serious but slightly pouty look, making her seem like a sulky child. "Fair enough." He nodded in approval, before gazing back at the sky.
"But is it really ok with you? I mean, the Government may give you orders to do missions for them. Don't you hate being ordered around?" Miyako raised one eyebrow in suspicion.
However, the captain just smirked at her question. "Actually, the Shichibukai are rarely called to take action for the marines. I don't plan on being a warlord for that long anyway. Only until I get what I want, which reminds me…" He looked right at Miyako again, silently staring at her for a while. The girl looked back, awaiting. "Teach me how to cut through armament Haki armor."
Miyako stayed silent for a while, but then simply smiled without a word. The smile wasn't arrogant since her captain just asked her for a favor. It was just a small, but genuine smile; Law could tell because it reached her eyes, making them shine even brighter. Standing there in the darkness with a gentle smile in the moonlight with the starry sky above and the vast dark see behind her, the girl looked like a scene from a painting. It awoke a sudden urge inside Law and he stepped forward, towards her. One hand covered her own smaller one placed on the railing while the other cupped her cheek, holding her head in place. He noticed the girl's nervous glances towards the Heart Pirates who were still laughing and talking in a group. "They won't see, they're all drunk and too busy with their party," he assured her smoothly right before his lips covered her own. He felt her coming closer as she returned the kiss, placing one of her hands on his chest but not pushing him away.
In the darkness of the night, two shadows leaned closer to each other until they became of one shape, completely unnoticed by the people behind them.
I hope you enjoyed it! So as I said before, it's time to move on with the plot towards the cannon one. That doesn't mean I won't be making some original plot twists, because you know me; I just have to put some of my own story parts in it. :P There will still be some new islands on their way. It just means the plot will now slowly progress towards Punk Hazard and through it, I will try to explain some of the cannon parts of the story that happened. However, right now there is still little known about the Heart Pirates and their adventures. We know Law gave 100 hearts to the Navy to become a Shichibukai, but how did he get them? What is the Rocky Port incident? Since these parts of the story are unknown, unfortunately I will have to write my own original plots for them as explanations. It might be completely different from the original, so bear with me. :/
Special thanks to MsStripey10 for beta reading this chapter.
I was in a bit of a rush, so I answered the reviews that had a question, suggestion, or something like that. However, I'd like to thank all the others who commented as well. Thank you everyone for all of your lovely and supportive reviews. You always give me the energy to carry on writing, even when my life is hectic. :)
Koshuu: Yep, Miyako will get even stronger. Right now I'm thinking of a new attack for her. :)
Shiningheart of ThunderClan: hehe To Law, it only matters what's necessary to him. :P But you're right, it just wouldn't be right without the captain in it. ^^
xXLovelyAnimeLoverXx: I like her too; she was feisty but kind. :) Yep, I'm looking forward to writing it too!
JustChan: That's too bad. :( Hopefully, you'll enjoy the new ones more. The Heart Pirates have a silent agreement; Miyako belongs to the captain so nobody is allowed to try anything. Cause they'd rather not die… :P But somehow, just robbing a bank seemed a bit…plain? :/ They can rob people any day, this was a one-time opportunity for Shachi and Penguin. XD
Lawismyhusband: Thank you~ It will evolve more, they're not quite there yet.
Izzie: To be honest I'm always thinking whether I should make a special chapter for days like Valentines, Halloween and so on, but somehow I don't find the time. ^^' I might do some one shot special as I did for Christmas, though. I'll see how things go.
Yumi sawamura: Actually, I already have some ideas for the Kid pirates story. I know I'd have enough inspiration, so the only problem is time. That's why I didn't start it yet. I mean, I still have my Death Note story on hiatus! x_x
Hahah it worked! XD I can totally imagine Law's black aura right now. XD Uh-oh. At times like these, there's only one thing we can do…Luuuufyyy heeeelp!
NightStar85: aaah, I can totally imagine the irritated Law. :D Well, we'll see what happens with Miyako and him until then, though. ;)
Thunderqueen-nat: There will still be some original plots and islands (I will try to keep it shorter), but I will also go through the cannon plots of how Law became a Shichibukai and what not. There is still a lot I need to write before Punk Hazard. ^^'