Disclaimer—One Piece and all associated characters ect belongs to Eiichiro Oda not me I just enjoy reading/watching it. Spoken dialogue belongs to him if it seems very familiar.
-I don't have much to say upfront about this other than it's possible REASONS for what went down: notes at the end.
A Heart in the Hand...Is worth its weight in blackmail.
Answering the knock on the heavy metal door was something he found himself regretting almost as soon as the deed was done. Though he would not be aware of the full impact that one action would have until far later. In retrospect, he would realize that things had begun to go to hell as soon as he had bargained away his heart, but he only noticed things getting out of his complete control when he had been unable to make the marines leave Punk Hazard.
Vacation home? Law internally flinched at the incredibly stupid excuse he had used half jokingly, even as he kept up the arrogant smiling façade he used as custom. No one is going to buy that. Even G-5 marines can't be that stupid.
Smoker promptly telling him that Law had no business on Punk Hazard provoked him into a cutting reply and Law regretted his burst of temper.
My what a hypocrite you are Smoker-ya. Law thought as he observed the G-5 marines and their leader assembled before the doorway. It was a bit of a rush being the only thing, aside from the thick metal door, barring their entrance. But then again, Law did have a rather colorful reputation these days.
Amazing what a hundred hearts in hand can do for your future business prospects. Law thought with amusement remembering his theatrical parley to enter under the government's wing involving a crate filled with still beating hearts.
Considering his upbringing, it would have been impossible for him not to pick up some dramatic flair. It truly had been an inspired ploy.
The woman asking him to stand down was actually somewhat insulting but the information about others being on the island was noted with some interest. It must be someone of worth if Smoker had decided to ignore the taboo of the island so easily. The man may have been obsessed with Justice, thankfully not Absolute Justice, but he was like a terrier hounding a rat when he was on the hunt and would disregard the word of the law if it suited him.
I do wonder what will happen when he is no longer hunting for them like a good dog and decides to act like the back alley mongrel he is and bites them on their hands. Law thought with a scoff. I wonder if he has had all his shots?
The recording den den mushi the female marine pulled out for him was quite a considerate action, especially when she let him hear exactly what had brought G-5 to Punk Hazard. The voice was instantly recognized. It was one of those voices you would never forget after hearing it, even if it was but once.
Monkey D. Luffy…hmmm…that holds potential. His mind spiraled though various possibilities and ways he could deal with this unexpected reunion of sorts.
Smokers question was rather unneeded as it wasn't exactly a secret that he had taken Luffy from the battle at Marineford two years previous. Nor was the fact that he was at the human action house at the same time as the younger captain and Kidd. Law also there to act as a witness to when Luffy decided to punch a Celestial Dragon in the face. Both events had been widely witnessed by marines and talkative civilians. These events had made it difficult at times to get the kind of trust he desired so he could ferret out information from right underneath the governments noses.
Oh, but what a punch it had been. And also a very rare look into why eight rather skilled individuals, all of them now with bounties, followed someone as ridiculous as Monkey D. Luffy. It had also been one of the few things in recent times to make Law actually feel a sliver of, albeit vindictive, joy.
Not the smartest of dogs are you? Law thought even as he contemplated a way to talk the marines into leaving but was coming up dry on good ideas, frankly, he was distracted by so many variables that had just been introduced to derail his plans.
Additionally, he wasn't sure just yet that the marines leaving would actually be to his benefit. After all, canon fodder was always welcome when one was planning a siege. And if Law didn't have to use his own men, who he had left behind on Zo, then why not use a bunch of morons who were almost volunteering to be meat shields?
Gods only know what Caesar is doing here with the S.A.D. gas at his disposal. He is alarmingly obsessed with gases and experiments involving them. Law felt his lips twitch as he suppressed a grimace. Not that I have been able to find much of what he is really up to here.
Law decided to attempt to gain some time to properly think and plan on how he should handle the new information he had been given, so he questioned the authenticity of the cry for help. Of course was well aware that it was real. He knew what samurai was being discussed after all.
How intriguing. The Wano samurai is still quite apt at fighting even in three pieces. There must be some truth to the rumors of their skill after all; I was fortunate to get the jump on him. I doubt I could have won easily in a strait sword fight against him.
Smoker promptly denied anything to do with the call, but his choice wording put Law on a defensive and forced him out of his lazy pose against the door. The wash of hot anger was abrupt and had him instantly on the defensive.
My trap. Does he think that? Surely he doesn't believe me to be stupid enough to draw others to my location when I am here illegally myself? When I am so close to stepping up the Plan? When so much could go so very wrong?
He bit out a curt reply and instantly swore silently as he had not actually given it thought but said it mostly on reflex.
Darn it. Smoker isn't completely stupid or inept; I just gave him a great way to think I am, in fact, guilty. Law's lips twitched down into a frown. Which means he will want to stick around and investigate.
Smoker demanding to see inside the Lab was not welcome, Law had yet to find a way to access the S.A.D. after all. And he had yet to come up with a good diversion to get at the gas without losing hold of its soul maker in the process. Unfortunately due to his anger, he spat out the first thing to come to mind in a growl, which was regrettably about as stupid as the first time he had claimed it.
Davy Jones claim it! Am I really going to keep up with the vacation home gambit to try and explain why they should go away? That was in all likelihood the lamest excuse I have ever come up with in my life, and now I am sticking to it like an utter moron. Law amended himself quickly in attempt to salvage his reply and offered to cut of Luffy's head, though he didn't say anything about leaving it off or it being fatal.
After all, the younger captain owed him still. It wouldn't do to kill him before Law cashed in on that debt. Not that Law would call it that, the best way to have someone repay a "kindness" was to tell them not to. The wonders of a guilty conscious were truly a glorious thing.
The woman looked very intimidated by his presence even though she was obviously passably skilled with a sword and a Captain in rank. He diagnosed it to a weak personality and the fact he was an imposing Shichibukai with a rather violent reputation involving dismembered body parts. Smoker was not even fazed.
Not that Law was surprised by that fact; Smoker was nothing if not a well-known hard ass.
How in the hell did that woman get promoted? Hanging on your coattails Smoker-ya? Seems you're a softy on the inside, or she has some importance to you that makes you overlook her numerous deficiencies? Law thought with disgust. A relative perhaps? A lover? If so, what does that say about your preferences?
Their rather tense dialogue was interrupted by shrill echoing cries coming from inside the laboratory.
What is this? Law tilted his head at the somewhat familiar noise he could not place, a second later the noise grew louder. Well, there went any shred of plausible deniability I possessed. Not that there was much to be had in the first place.
He felt a drop of sweat run down his temple and begin to freeze in the frigid air. Law wasn't particularly looking for a fight at the moment even if he was confident he could win. However, he was not keen on letting some of his tricks out in front of so many and also exhaust himself before the main event. A rush of air and a sense of someone coming at high velocity had him tip back on his heels as a large…raccoon? Rammed its way easily through the door with a high-pitched yell.
No, a reindeer judging by the antlers but the body is wrong…a Zoan? His mind whirled wondering if Joker had sent someone after him at last but then he recalled where he last saw a deer with a hat. Straw Hat-ya's crew, the doctor who treated the octopus-fishman at the action house, the one with the paltry bounty of 50 beri's.
His identification of the crew was confirmed as the Straw Hat's redheaded navigator, looking more developed and with longer hair, strode out complaining about the cold. Along with her was the cyborg, looking bigger and more metallic and the blond cook with the strange genetic quirk resulting in some truly spectacular eyebrows.
In truth Law wouldn't have minded doing some medical investigations on three of the four. Straw Hat knew where to find some truly interesting specimens of humanity…well sentient life anyway. After all, they had an animated skeleton running around with them if the newest bounty posters meant anything.
Strangely, they had a gaggle of children of various sizes with them. Including some that looked like giants at first glance.
And there is confirmation into Caesar's very shady experiments with giant genes, the sick depraved bastard that he is. There was another familiar face, well head, also that he had at first overlooked being held by the blond cook. Hh, the Wano samurai I sliced up…well a third of him anyhow, reassembled even. Trying to get ahead of the game by aligning himself with one of the more altruistic and powerful crews around? Not a terrible idea actually…
He wasn't the only one that was doing observing. The navigator was intelligent enough to recognize him. Though, aside from some new clothes he had hardly changed in the past two years so he didn't give her much credit for her reaction. She was appropriately alarmed.
Familiar? No really? I would never have guessed that.
The deer reminded her why he was a familiar face and corrected Law's assumption she recalled exactly who he was as she blanched at hearing his name spoken. The reindeer had some credit to him if he recalled Law even as distracted as the younger doctor had been at the auction house.
Though I can't help but feel a touch insulted by Cat Burglar Nami-ya. I didn't grow a full beard out or something equally significant. It's not like there is a whole lot of difference developmentally between 26 and 28.
The navigator spurred by her memory, and likely his reputation, promptly lay down a smack down of verbal blame. The words were mostly ignored however; it was too difficult to concentrate on them even if he cared to actually listen to what she was saying.
Wow…shrill…and loud. Maybe I will run medical experiments on all four of them then, autopsies at the very least. Law amended his earlier musing attempting not to cringe as his ears were assaulted. If only to see how her vocal chords can reach such levels. It has to be a mutation of some sort. Is Straw Hat-ya's crew full of mutants? His swordsman had green hair if I recall correctly…
The blond cook noticed Smoker, freaked out, and then and promptly ordered the group to run for another exit. They were gone in a short amount of time and well before anyone could react properly to their interruption.
Smoker's gritty voice called Law's bluff regarding his being alone on the island in a dry and blatantly sarcastic fashion, forcing Law to drag his eyes back to the marine.
And you actually believed my incredibly stupid ploy? Or are you just stating the obvious. Law frown deepened as he turned his attention back to the marines. Well, either way, this whole confrontation has degraded most unfavorably.
Attempting to play innocent but failing rather spectacularly Law truthfully admitted his own surprise at the revelation of other pirates around. The marines took this as their cue to ignore Laws presence and chase after Straw Hat Luffy's crew. Which would lead to them bumbling inside where they would make Caesar bug out and lessen Law's chances at getting what he came for and capturing the gas-human. That would be the outcome that is if the morons got past Law.
Crap, this is not good…I will have to alter my plans now. He thought rapidly attempting to come up with a way to salvage his position. Well then Smoker-ya. If you are going to mess with my plans then I will force you to dance to my whims. First, by making sure you don't leave here alive, or at least, without my permission.
He let a portion of the chaotic energy circulating his body spin into a controlled ring under the palm of his free hand, the fingers of his other biting into the sheath of his sword in anticipation. As much as he didn't want this fight, the Straw Hat crew had forced his hand. They seemed to bring such improbable conflict with them as every time he had even been in their vicinity his plans had been derailed and forced to change to accommodate them.
I may need to start imagining the most ridiculous of situations when they are around, as they seem to happen rather than the more probable outcomes.
"Room." He ordered willing the energy to spiral out into a large dome taking up most of the surrounding area.
Shall we dance?
He flipped over his hand feeling a surge of adrenalin and caught an invisible energy bundle yanking it skyward while closing his eyes to concentrate.
"Tact!"
The screams from the G-5 peons were very close to music in his ears. But this was only the start of the symphony; after all they hadn't even got to the first movement yet.
Law spoke clearly to the assembled mass of panicking men even going so far as to give them a rather fake apology, as he felt no guilt in his earlier lie. It hadn't even been a very good lie in the first place and was their own faults for believing him. And he had given them fair warning after all; Law wasn't going to let them leave if he had anything to say about it, they had already gotten their chance to clear out.
Your warnings of my abilities are going to be of little use Smoker-ya. After all, I am much more powerful than I was. Law thought at the other man's shout.
Law drew his nodachi feeling a smile draw it's way across his face as he watched the marine's ship rise up with broken bits of ice. He had been forced to grab and manipulate the ice in the water not the ship itself thanks to the sea-stone hull but that made the feat all the more impressive looking.
Perhaps…I can work this all to my advantage. Law thought finally able to get some of his stray ideas into order, the lull granted by his blatant use of his devil fruit abilities was paying off.
Well partially. Smoker looked like he was going to blow off his top. And considering he was made out of smoke that might happen a bit more literally then generally intended by the idiom.
Oh dear, I seem to have pissed him off. Whatever shall I do? Law huffed a light laugh casting his eyes over his shoulder remembering the other group who he could feel still close enough to catch thanks to Haki. Hmmm, I can't let the Straw Hat's get away either as they are a variable I can't account for yet, they had the samurai's head with them also. Plus…that bitchy red head deserves some comeuppance.
Holding multiple rooms was not impossible these days, nor did he have to remain in one place to keep the room stable. He had gotten quite a bit better with his power over the last two years out of necessity. His rooms were bigger, could be held for much longer, not to mention the ability to hold several inside of each other or radiating outward from himself, and most importantly he didn't have to stay stationary any longer. The last improved his ability to fight and removed one of his weakness caused from using his powers.
"Room!"
He cast out the second room behind him and stabbed four times in quick succession with his nodachi, aiming unerringly at his targets guided by his mastery of the room and Haki.
And now let the games begin. Law raised his left hand.
"Shambles!"
He twisted his fingers switching around personalities and memories in a game of pseudo roulette.
This should slow them down. It will also be quite amusing in the long run. And it is not permanently damaging leaving my options open, a perfect solution to a less then ideal situation.
Deed done he turned his attention back to his first room wondering why Smoker had let him go off on a tangent. To remind the marine who he was dealing with Law twisted his first two fingers and thumb on his left hand making the ship and ice dance in the air freaking out the G-5 peons.
That got Smokers attention. Against all expectation he treated Law with a modicum of respect and restraint, obviously knowing acting against one of the Governments "Tamed Pirates" was not wise without good cause. That and that he was still in Law's dominion. Smoker must have had a suspicion at just how dangerous Law could be if he so desired, even if Smoker's crew did not.
Come to think of it, their demands were rather annoying.
Well since you asked so nicely. Of course you can have your ship back. Law thought with a dark thrill running though him at the prospect of what he was going to do.
The crew was delighted by his verbal assent and he was quick to crush their hopes. With a single slash imbued with Haki he cut the ship in two and then yanked on the pieces now "marked" by his "influence" with his free hand forcing it and ice to start smashing up the area.
You should have been more specific with your request. Law's smile grew as he watched the dregs of the marines run around like headless chickens, all the while begging to be let go. Oh no, that will not do. You didn't leave when I gave you the chance, now I will find a way to make you useful. Whether you like it or not.
He spun his fingers manipulating pathways of energy only he could perceive and started to form an abstract sculpture that was in no way able to sail out from the island.
I think I shall call it, Specificity: A Study in Ice and Word-choice.
The G-5 marines were bitterly complaining that he broke his contract with the government by attacking them.
Breaking a contract with the Marines….hmm pirate anyone? He thought with a huff. Gods, what morons are they allowing into the hypocritical justice club these days?
He noted a few going for their pockets muttering about reporting him. Had they forgotten that they were helpless in his room? In his space?
I won't allow it.
He spun his long sword with ease until it was pointed down and placed his hand behind the blade grabbing at the node of energy that collected there with his fingers.
"Scan!" He barked moving the sword laterally and then quickly clenching his fingers around a large number of similar threads of energy before hauling them backward.
There was a clatter as the newly formed pile of mini den den mushi settled behind him. Law stifled a laugh as the peons frantically checked their clothing finding they were missing their communicators.
Look at them squirm….hmhmhm.
Raising his voice he calmly informed them that not only would they not be leaving, but also he was going to effectively strand them here without hope of reinforcement. In affect, they would not be looked for as Punk Hazard was off limits, not that G-5 was on the top of anyone's list of assets anyhow.
Finally he had managed to push Smoker over the line and the Logia user charged yelling out Law's power and devil fruit with a snarl.
Modification Man? Really? I think I prefer Surgeon of Death. Modification makes me sound like I am doing cosmetic surgery for the Nobles. That thought was quite repugnant forcing his mouth into a light sneer. I think not.
Law twisted to his left and blocked the jitte easily. Without pause he turned the parry into a long side slash that missed Smoker but did not miss anything behind him. Including the lesser marines.
Smoker's warning after the counterattack came too late. Law had the ability to create very large rooms now after all and the damage already done. There was no way to get away in time before he would manage to crush them or cut them to pieces. Smoker explaining that the room was essentially his operating room was quite accurate even if missing in more than a few details and nuances.
Oh Smoker-ya, you flatterer you. Law smiled broadly at the marine using his favored epithet looking up at the carnage just waiting to incur. In my operating room, I am a GOD.
The woman yelling his name as she charged was one of the more pathetic things he had seen as of late. Smoker obviously thought so too, attempting to call her back due to her Haki control being too weak.
I would worry more for her personality and constitution if I were you, she is good enough with a blade, I suppose. She at least knows the sharp end from the blunt. However... Law thought resting the back of his sword against his shoulder watching her jump in an easily avoidable strike.
At the last instant he ducked and slashed through her. He didn't need to turn back to see here land as he knew he had neatly bifurcated her torso. The tip of her sword flew by his face and hit the snow tip first.
…All the skill in the world will not save you if your mind and soul will not back it up. What will you do now Smoker-ya?
Law huffed a laugh smirking at her foolishness and at the shocked faces of the G-5 marines. Their exclamations of dismay were rather humorous, though he could not understand their admiration for the female captain.
Comic relief might very well be the reason Smoker keeps them around. Gods know it isn't for their skills…of course that hypothesis implies that Smoker has a sense of humor under all that crag. Law thought. As for their good favor of the woman… I would have to imagine that it is more due to not seeing a female for far too long. She's not even all that attractive and she has that annoying propensity toward weakness.
Muttering from his back caused Law to glance over his shoulder at the half a woman. Her face was twisted into part fury, part embarrassment. He huffed in disgust at her blatant display of weakness, his breath condensing into a cloud in from of his face.
He sneered back at her telling her quite plainly that she could not pick her way of dying, as she was weak. The simple fact was the weak were destined to be the prey of the strong. Her reaction was to get angrier her hand clutching at the snow.
Hmm, is there a tiger under all that pussycat? Or is she just a half blind weakling swinging around a hunk of sharpened metal? A pampered kitten playing at being an alley cat perhaps?
One way or the other she pushed off the ground attempting to slash at him with her broken sword.
Well that was disappointing…not that I was expecting anything more. He thought as she fell short crashing into the ground face first.
He offered to cut her up more to see how she would react to the threat, a last chance to see if there was anything of worth hidden in the marine. She didn't rise to the occasion.
Law raised his sword, debating on making it a killing strike to put her out of her and most importantly, his misery. Law barely registered the yells of the lesser marines, the bullets however, he noticed.
Law lazily flicked out his hand twitching his fingers and pulling around the invisible threads of energy until the bullets had switched with the snow falling over the marines. The great thing about his power was that objects retained their initial inertia if he desired, so if a bullet was fired at him if he switched it somewhere else it was still firing at the same speed. Of course, he could affect inertia and switch that around and not the object itself but in this case he chose the former.
He told them plainly the simplest version of what he had done in response to their exclamations. He did not expand on his abilities, as there was no reason to let anyone in on the actual secrets of his powers. After all, if everyone only thought he could switch things they wouldn't realize that was merely the tip of the preverbal iceberg.
Idiots.
Law raised his sword again to finish what he had begun but Smoker blocked his downswing.
Darn it. So you have finally decided to join the fun? Law's lips tightened. And now you address me directly.
Smoker phased into smoke spinning around Laws back and suddenly Law felt a hand around his neck before he was smashed backward into the snow. The jitte coming for his face followed only an instant later.
Son of a bitch! He swore simultaneously switching with a piece of ship hearing it explode into fragments when Smoker hit it.
The eerie feeling from the weapon registered into Law's mind.
Good thing I got away, loosing powers right now would not be in my best interests. Law took careful slow breaths so not to pass out from his injured throat so he wouldn't choke on air and pass out. Darn Seastone! And with him being a Logia there is no way I can touch the thing unless he lets go and I have long enough to snag it using the snow. A shame, getting a hold of that jitte would make this much easier to win.
He called Smoker out on his Seastone weapon and was soon forced to block a number of attacks by the Vice-Admiral. Law empowered his swings with Haki, so even if Smoker blocked or dodged, part or all of his attack was sundering the battle field and any unlucky peon that got in the way. Finally he forced Smoker to some distance away with a heavy shove on his blade.
Time to up the game a bit. Law thought as Smoker ordered him to get out of the way. Neither you, nor anyone else has the right to tell me what to do.
Raising his left hand he held his sword ready in the other waiting for Smoker to make his move. It came a moment later as a horizontal column of smoke attached to a fist shot right at Law. In response he twirled his fingers tossing around shrapnel at and in-between him and his attacker. Law was again forced to block the jitte as it came for his face.
Darn Logia! I can hurt him with Haki but his abilities give him an edge against my own. I will have to catch him off guard somehow.
Law jumped upwards before switching his body out with snow effectively teleporting upward fartherout of the way of another punch striking at the ship cutting it further and tossing the pieces at Smoker hoping the Seastone hull would deter the marine. He then teleported down to the ground and without pause started into a fast sprint to put some distance between himself and the marine again. Smoker kept up with him again questioning Law as to his purpose on Punk Hazard and why he was even a Shichibukai in the first place.
I won't be the one to tell you. Law thought. You can wait to see the endgame like everyone else.
Another jump-teleport escape brought him to the sky and he yanked another block of ship at Smoker but it was a failed attempt as smoke fists still followed Law along with the very dangerous jitte. He flipped backwards landing on the ground again and was forced into another series of exchanged blows as Smoker followed him close behind.
Smoker is more inclined to dodge what I toss at him than not. Now how do I work with that… Law thought, his mind furiously working on a strategy.
A particularly intense strike forced Smoker away; both fighters were painting from the exchange. Smoker grunted out a complaint.
Law verbally agreed though didn't expand on his reply.
That is actually wise of you. You shouldn't trust the Shichibukai, I can think of at least one other who is only in the position because he is playing you all like fools. Law smiled at the thought watching the marine begin to circle around from under the rim of his hat. Hmmm…what can hurt even a man of smoke? Ah! Lets go to the heart of the issue.
Law knew he had to be careful and take the chance as soon as it presented itself otherwise he would likely not get a second. Hooking the signature of the cut up ground just below Smoker with his left index finger he flicked it upward forcing the ice to be replaced by a spire of rock. Smoker turned to smoke and charged. Law repeated the action multiple times seeing Smoker still preferring to dodge the rocks rather than destroy them unless he had no choice.
Sneaky.
As the marine drew close Law managed to impale him, and if he truly wanted the marine vice-admiral dead this would have been the moment. All he would have had to do was use a piece of Seastone coated ship hull not rock and the infamous White Chase would have just died at the hands of Trafalgar Law. Little did the man know that Law had just decided to leave him alive, at least, for the moment. Smoker glared at him, again demanding an explanation. He obviously seemed to think Law was not acting on his own.
And he is not entirely wrong, he must not be a complete meathead…but why hasn't he evaporated? Ah, I see. Well nothing wrong in letting him think he's won at the moment. Law thought forcing his expression into one of disgruntled confusion.
Even knowing the attack was coming he still had to fight to block Smokers feet coming from his side due to the force packed into the strike. Smoker picked up his jitte again and in a flurry of blows Law demanded that if Smoker wanted answers he should answer his own question first. Finally, Law managed to push the marine back and switched a spike to separate them. Law wedged his sword into the ground and curled the fingers of his right hand funneling energy into the tips sharpening them and readying himself to attack from a half crouch.
Take the bait Smoker-ya. You may attempt to be sneaky but that was a learned trait, in reality you are all bluster and bluntness.
Law's wish was granted as Smoker crashed through the top of the rock overshooting Law. He couldn't resist giving Smoker an oblique confession of why he was working for the government disguised as a mocking observation of their current standoff. He twisted his body striking out through the remainder of the spire and right through into Smokers chest. Rock, flesh, and bone gave away to his hand like air.
"MES!" Law ordered smiling maliciously when he felt his success.
Got you. Law teleported the small blocky room holding the marines heart to his hand in place of snow.
Smoker dropped to his knees as Law turned and pulled his sword from the ground. In his left hand Smoker's heart was beating the pulse fluttering against his palm.
A Vice-Admirals heart? Just what I always wanted! Why you shouldn't have Smoker-dear.
Watching the defeated Vice-Admiral take a nosedive into the snow Law looked down on him. Fight concluded, Law was now left with the decision whether to crush the heart or not. He was aware the lower marines had ran off and out of his room while he had been occupied with Smoker, but he was not concerned with them at the moment. He had destroyed the den den mushi with his chaotic slashes and their ship was so much rubble thanks to their own leader. This was Law's chance to change his mind and kill the marine before he got around to causing more trouble.
An observation caught Law's attention, forcing a flicker of amusement and stilled his hand.
All that fighting with copious amounts of evasion evasion and it takes a heart removal to make him loose hold of his cigars. That is a 100 a day addiction conviction if I ever saw it. Law scoffed his fingers caressing the edges of the tiny room in his hands. His lungs must look like hunks of black coral.
Confident that there was no one else of any significant skill, Law let the largest room fade as he turned to return to the laboratory. Now that the distraction was dealt with, he had a plan to begin implementing. He pocketed Smokers heart putting it in a different pocket than where he had Monet's.
Hmm. Now I have two hearts, though neither is the one I really desire. Though, Smoker's could be useful in the long run.
It was not to be as a voice he recognized hailed him. He stopped at the call and looked to his right to the sight of none other than Monkey D. Luffy riding atop Brownbeard with the missing members of his crew.
Unconsciously he mumbled the other captains name under his breath, only half believing that the other chose now of all times to show up.
From now on, expect the most unlikely things to happen when Straw Hat-ya is nearby.
A moment later the owner of the voice himself ran over his expression more joyous than the last time they met. Luffy instantly professed his surprise at seeing Law and thanking him cheerfully for his help before switching thoughts in a flash to ask where Law's crew was.
What a strange magical world the inside of your head must be…are those? Why yes, they are the Wano samurai's legs. Amazing how his parts seem to have gotten around today. Law thought seeing the extra legs attached awkwardly to his younger rivals back.
For a moment Law was unwillingly drawn into the past. Memories of Marineford and Amazon Lily came to mind. Yells to bring Luffy aboard his ship for escape and treatment, hearing Luffy's heart shatter as he realized his brother was dead, speaking to the Pirate Kings first mate with his crew as Luffy prepared to depart from his care.
He blinked out of the reminiscence and tipped his head slightly before admitting that he had done it all on a whim and reminding the younger man that they were still pirates and that fact shouldn't be forgotten.
If you repay your debt anyhow of your own violation however, who am I to argue?
Luffy wasn't phased by Law's dismissal and laughed him off agreeing that they were rivals for the prize at the end of the Grand Line but that he still owed people for his current good health after the disaster two years previous.
Brownbeard attempted to attract his attention but was ignored in favor of looking over to the marines.
Are they really stupid enough to run back into my midst? Don't they realize I can easily trap them in a room again? Of course, whatever am I thinking, this is G-5.
Luffy noticed the marines too and seemed to recognize the woman who G-5 had managed to reassemble. She had gone strait for Smoker and was visibly alarmed as she turned him over and saw the rather conspicuous square hole in his chest.
Oh hell, here comes the waterworks. Law internally cringed in disgust. I am leaning toward lover or father-like mentor. Ugh, I can't decide what is worse.
He was proven correct as she began to scream at him hysterically and again try to charge him with her broken sword.
Because that worked so well last time. Law thought observing her approach. Well one thing to her credit I suppose…she is persistent.
He half-heartedly attempted to dissuade her and annoyed that she hadn't learned her lesson before, decided to take up his manipulation of events to the next level.
Holding out his left hand he calmly let the energy spiral out.
"Room." Following this he made a quick two stabs and a slash.
"Shambles." He ordered switching around the personalities of Smoker and his subordinate before he let the room fade again.
I need to conserve energy…I still have a lot yet to get done. He thought felling his energy drop noticeably.
Huffing, he chastised the fallen woman for being so serious. Its not like I have killed him. Yet. He thought returning his sword to its sheath and resting it against his shoulder. Of course, his life is quite literally in my hands at this moment. You would do well to realize that.
The lesser marines charged, anger overriding their common sense. That is if they had it in the first place.
The Straw Hat's sniper noticed the marines and yelled to his captain in an attempt to warn him of the danger.
Awfully jumpy for a bounty head…of course he could just be a coward. Hmm, I had forgotten that nose, another point for Straw Hat-ya collecting mutants.
Luffy ignored the marines and addressed Law telling the elder pirate that he had a question.
Law cut him off, knowing that this was not the place for a talk between the two of them and directed Luffy to the back entrance with the half promise that they would meet up again. He ended the conversation with his comment about loss and goals.
He does owe me. It also seems to want to claim that debt on his own…and he is quite the wild card. I could use that…perhaps we can come to an agreement in the future. Law thought. But first, I need to see how Caesar reacts to the new developments.
Luffy took off in a bouncy run and Law turned to return inside. The marines ignored Law in favor of Luffy, directing their guns at the rubber man. Once inside the Lab, Law pulled the heavy metal door shut closing out the sounds of battle.
-Several things explored here in a long AN
-First: Why in the ever-loving hell did Law use the "vacation home" excuse not once but twice? I can't rightly say I know as the guy is supposed to be incredibly intelligent and this seems like the dumbest diversion ever. So that leaves: A, he didn't give a Darn so didn't bother to come up with a real excuse; B, he was off balance enough from juggling various things that he couldn't think up something; C, he has a low opinion of G-5 marines and decided to see how easily he could mock their intelligence. I decided to play middle field and attempt to do a little of all the above.
-Second: The fight with Smoker could have ended a lot quicker with Law a lot less beat up. How might you ask? Two ways. First: Law steeling the Jitte with "scan" or cutting off Smokers hand with Haki and promptly beating the crap out of Smoker with his own seastone weapon (He had plenty of opportunities to do so). Issues with this? My theory is Law can't affect seastone directly in his room unless he is affecting something it is attached to and that object has been "marked" by him via his cutting ability. Thus why Law could manipulate the coated ship (by using Tact on the wood parts of the ship, ice around the ship, or water at first. Secondly after cutting it, it was marked and thus able to be manipulated by Shambles) but not the jitte. The jitte never being marked or never touching the ground for long enough for Law to manipulate. Second way Smoker could have been beat: when Law is impaling Smoker with rocks he had to have been aware that they would do jack squat against a Logia user—in fact he seems to be using them to ultimately herd Smoker into loosing his heart. If he had switched out those areas with seastone coated ship hull (I am assuming the marines didn't totally screw over G-5 by not allowing them the good ships or Smoker could have kept his initial ship from the series)instead Smoker would have been rather horrifically dead.
So in short why didn't Law kill Smoker and be done with it? Answer: he needs the man alive for some reason.
The Debt: I fudge cannon a bit as I am making a large physiological assumption on Law's behalf. Law does say that Luffy owes him nothing for the rescue and subsequent medical care…this seems a bit out of character for Law. He seems to have some sort of skewed honor code as he lets praise fall where it is due. So why say there was nothing owed when there is a debt there? My thought is that he is manipulating the situation that Luffy feels that he owes Law rather than Law forcing action from Luffy and therefore possible resentment. It's about schematics.
Law is religious? Actually no, he isn't. He is a doctor with a bit of a complex and had in all likelihood a crapstick life…case and point his issues with DD and Vergo. Aside from the fact that we don't see much canon religion this sort of childhood isn't very fertile to result in a religious adult. This is more a habit of speech rather than actual feeling. It is in my mind a possible common oath that one would pick up like slang. the reason it is "gods" not "god" is all the Great weapons are named for gods, plural. I think this is even mentioned as explicitly being named for gods—thus OP is possibly polytheistic or was at some point. Now assuming there is a lot of different beliefs going on in the world then depending on where you are Gods could be either respectful or very much not. I am assuming that it would be something he picked up from growing up more than anything. For Law it's an oath without any real meaning behind it.