Warning: There will be blood and violence in this chapter and most likely, on the succeeding chapters too. I'm sorry if the warning came late, I kind of decided it's time for it. Please be warned.

P.S. I might change the rating. MIGHT.

Omen

Fourth Sign

"Please don't make my life harder than it should."

Elka was muttering grievances to herself as they resumed their journey. She was very low key on cursing the pirate captain, fearing that he may do more than he did once he heard her. She noticed it, how the Warlord enjoyed making her feel miserable. The first time, she didn't really mind. After all, he was brought into her world unwillingly, and so suddenly that made him react in a violent way. The second time, she thought it was probably unintentional. Considering he's fairly new to her world, she knew he'd be restless and eager to learn more in order to identify possible threats that may come his way. But the third time around, he openly expressed how he liked the grim expressions on her face. Elka still tried convincing herself she probably heard him wrong. It was Trafalgar Law, the Surgeon of Death from One Piece, a calm and collected person, very calculative and careful, but was also described as sadistic.

Was this what Oda-sensei meant with Trafalgar Law's 'sadistic' description? That can't be right.

Elka giggled lightly. She thought it funny, as she couldn't recall how exactly was the Warlord 'sadistic' from the series itself. She even argued how Caesar Clown was worse than the surgeon himself, if Doflamingo didn't happen. Elka pondered the question of what makes a person sadistic, only to be yanked by the person in question.

"You don't plan to die on me, do you?" Law hissed, his grip tightening around Elka's arm.

In an instant, a cab in full throttle rushed past right in front of Elka. She couldn't remember when she lost sight of her surroundings, never realizing she almost crossed the road when cars were still going.

"You said red light means stop. What were you thinking?"

"I'm sorry I didn't realize..." Elka felt her heart beating fast. If not for Law's interference, she would have been ran over by some car. She could have lost her life then and there. Silently, Elka reminded herself to stay attentive. She could think about trivial things once they're out of the road.

"You didn't answer."

Elka threw him a questioning look.

Law frowned. "I asked, what were you thinking?"

"Nothing important." Elka gazed back on the road. "Don't think too much about it, doctor. I was just careless is all."

"You realize it would cost your life."

"Of course. And I am grateful to you." Elka was quick to reply, her face stern. She didn't want to embarrass herself by admitting to the man how she was pondering such triviality.

"Are you, really?" Law challenged.

This made Elka sigh. She had an idea of what the Warlord was after. "Is there any particular request you'd like to ask of me?"

"A lot, actually." Law quickly replied. As he was about to speak further, the light turned green, prompting him to move first before continuing, "One, I'd like a snail transponder. I need to contact someone."

Elka gave a small chuckle. "Snail transponders don't exist here, doctor. If there's someone you need to call, I'll let you borrow my cell."

"Cell?"

"Here." Elka pulled out her cellphone from her jeans's right pocket. It was the same device she showed Law when he asked for a map.

"I thought this was a map..?" Law was confused. He didn't understand how that thing could function as a map and as a transponder.

"It's a cellphone. In this world, we use this device for pretty much everything. As long as there's internet, we can contact anyone anywhere. If there's no connection, we load it up for using paid services." Elka explained. She tapped a few buttons over it before asking, "So, what's their number?"

Law took a while absorbing all of it. "Number? You need a number to call using that?"

"Of course. Now, let's hear it. I'll punch it in for you."

"Forget it. It's no use." Law curtly said, his apathetic visage barely veiling his annoyance.

Elka seemed to catch on slow considering she was a big fan of the One Piece world.

Although Law was reluctant, he felt obligated to expound the meaning of his words. "We don't punch numbers or any keys in to call anyone. There's just a button attached to them, and we rely on the snail's ability to communicate telepathically through radio waves."

Elka's lips pursed as her wonder was quickly replaced by understanding. Her ears lightly rung in shame, her face heated up in embarrassment. It wasn't like she was unaware of it, she just forgot at that moment the difference in communication between One Piece world and her reality. In Elka's defense, she was weary and hungry.

That's right. I haven't eaten breakfast yet. Elka peered over her phone to check the time.

It was quarter to twelve.

Elka gazed up at the sky. She didn't realize how it was almost high-time for lunch as the sun was hiding behind the clouds. Judging by the cumulus, she figured it was going to rain. She was still uncertain if it was going to be heavy, but she hoped it's just a light drizzle.

"Doctor, are you hungry?" she suddenly asked, glancing up at the pirate captain.

Law was partly surprised, as he didn't really feel hungry until the girl opened the subject. Food was the least of his worries, but he considered Elka's condition so he agreed to eat first before proceeding to their destination.

The duo took a cab to reach the Seaside Coast. Elka told Law there was a good and affordable restaurant established near the sea, implying how it was definitely not a waste of time. Law was satisfied with that information and silently observed the scenery while Elka spoke with the cab driver.

Roughly fifteen minutes and the cab stopped by at an allotted space for customers in front of an establishment. It was a building made of bricks colored in black with maroon roofs. It looked like a simple cafe with its huge windows and wooden tables by it. There were also a few people dining outside and bicycles were parked by their tables.

"Thank you sir." Elka paid the fare and the two finally got out of the cab.

Law took his time savoring the sight of the sea, the salty wind gently blowing his anxieties away. He was glad it looked the same, and felt fairly nostalgic as the sound of the waves by the shore drifted to his ears.

Elka studied Law's face as he tenderly gazed at the coast's horizon. She understood how the man had been feeling since. He was anxious, although he never showed it, and he found solace just by the sight of the sea. Elka felt a little guilty with the pirate's situation. Although she still had no concrete understanding how the man wound up in her world, she figured she might have done something - triggered something that made such phenomenon to occur. The fact that Trafalgar Law's persona, ability and power remained true in reality meant that he was in fact more than a fictional being. Their world acknowledged his whole being, and although it sounded far-fetched, she couldn't deny everything she witnessed.

There must be a way to return him back to One Piece! I have to help him!

Elka was just realizing by then how the Surgeon of Death had been putting up a front. She noted how the man's shoulders dropped a few centimeters by then, how his cold grey eyes looked warmly over the sea's direction, how a small, kind smile was plastered on his face and that tiny sigh of relief he huffed before turning to her.

Elka jolted when their eyes met. He caught her staring intently at him, making her apologize in response.

"I'm sorry! Please excuse my rudeness!"

"You sound like Bepo. Stop apologizing for every little thing." Law gestured towards the cafe. "Besides, weren't you hungry?"

=/=

The interior of the cafe was cool and well-lit. The whole place was painted in light colors, colorful paintings of different sizes decorated its walls and there was also a cozy stone fireplace placed between glass windows gazing out at the coast. The tables and chairs were both made from wood to which Law suspected was mahogany as their timber had rich colors.

The place looked practically deserted as there were only them, a young couple seated at a corner and three persons behind the counter. Elka assumed that most of their customers chose to eat outside as the view and the cool wind brewed from the sea was preferable.

Elka stepped in front of the counter as she examined the menu that was presented in a chalkboard above said counter.

"I've eaten here before and their pancakes are great." Elka glanced at Law who was just about to step closer.

Law was curious at the glass shelf display beside the counter as there were several bottles arranged in there that he didn't recognize. Despite his curiosity, he refrained asking.

"So? What else do they have?" he glanced up and patiently read the menu. He was relieved to find out he was able to read and understand their written language.

"Os Cafe is well-known for their breakfast meals. You should check them out."

"If I may suggest, our bestsellers are 'omelette of the day' and 'garden omelette'. Our customers also liked our sandwiches. We have a variety-"

"I don't like bread." Law interrupted, not letting the personnel on the cash register finish her sentence.

Elka lightly pulled at Law's arm and spoke out in hopes of clearing any misunderstanding if there were any made. "We'll order pancakes. Two please. For the beverage, just water."

The cashier smiled and quietly punched the order in. She then relayed the order to her crew members in the kitchen, cuing them to start.

After Elka paid, the duo chose to seat near the fireplace. Sitting face to face, the two began to talk, privately.

"Doctor, Os Cafe is famous for their bread. People around here loves bread, and most dishes here are served with wheat toast or sourdough together." Elka told Law in her softest voice. The place was fairly quiet if not for the faint music playing in the background. She had to tone down her voice to avoid letting anyone hear her.

"I thought you knew me from that book of yours. You should have known I dislike bread." Law replied in an equally quiet tone. It wasn't like he had the same concerns as Elka, it was just how he normally talks.

"Yes. I'm sorry. I forgot." Elka sheepishly answered back. She was aware Law disliked a certain food, but she just couldn't remember what it was. "I'll have you know, bread is a staple food in our culture."

"All the more reason to leave this place." Law snorted. He never planned to stay for long in that hellhole in the first place.

"I know but we haven't got a clue how you even got here." Elka sighed. "All right, while we wait, let's brainstorm."

Law raised an eyebrow. "Brainstorm?"

"Yes. Tell me what you remember doing the last time you were in your world, and I'll tell you what I did before your assault."

Law paused for a moment and stared at Elka's face. She looked fairly determined, and by the sound of it, she was considerably willing to help him find a way out. This pleased the man.

"I was in my room." Law began. "Not exactly my 'own' room as I was just..taking a lift from a marine battleship headed for Punk Hazard." his eyes narrowed on Elka, debating whether it was fine to divulge any further information to the woman, until he decided it wasn't even worth mentioning and continued, "I took a nap, just a short nap, but it turns out to be the worst decision I made."

Elka was nodding her head lightly as she listened to the pirate captain's story. From his statement alone, she determined he was the Trafalgar Law of two years skip based on One Piece's timeline, although she was unsure if it was the time the Straw Hats arrived in Punk Hazard or even before that.

"Okay, my turn." Elka paused for a moment, contemplating whether she should be perfectly blunt with the man or lie a bit. She thought it wasn't even lying if she didn't give him the whole truth. "Yesterday, of course I had class. My class ends by four and I go home by bus. Once I was home, I changed clothes, opened my PC and watched the latest episode for One Piece which I missed last weekend. After that, I cleaned and rearranged my figure collection for the second time this month. I do it twice a month."

Law carefully listened. Although it seemed her backtracking was far-off, he considered its potential relevance to the matter.

But Elka abruptly stopped and didn't say anything further.

"Is that all?" Law inquired. He didn't quite get anything from her statement.

Elka was fidgeting in her seat. She couldn't even look at Law directly, constantly rolling her eyes to her side, obviously avoiding his gaze.

"You proposed this. If there's more, let me hear it." Law insisted. He disliked people keeping secrets from him, especially if it was related to him.

Elka's face was turning red. "Since..it's a holiday, I didn't study and read some, well, err..doujinshi."

"Doujinshi? What's that?"

"Err, it's like a book of sorts." Elka averted her gaze from the man. "Anyway, after that, I was on Xteam until midnight before I went to sleep."

Law frowned. There were a few terms he didn't understand. Regardless, he didn't ask further as Elka looked visibly flustered just by revealing those things. He figured they may be sensitive matters in that world, and he was not interested on such things.

"I don't see the point. Nothing connects." Law finally said, his tone clearly suggests his frustration.

"That's true..." Elka regained her composure when she heard the man. The only common thing they did was sleep afterwards.

"Excuse me." a male waiter interrupted the two as he was about to serve their freshly cooked pancakes. "Here's your order. Please enjoy."

The two proceeded to eat their food, but when Law took a bite of his, Elka couldn't help but watch him.

"You don't like bread but you're okay with pancakes?" Elka suddenly asked.

Law shot her a mean look. "Let me guess, because both are made with flour?"

"Yes!" Elka's face brightened, seemingly oblivious of the Warlord's menacing stare.

Law sighed. Just seeing that stupid look on her face made him feel spent. "You wonder about the strangest things."

"So, why do you hate bread so much?"

"Because I hate them. Now leave the subject and start eating."

"So it's not because of flour? I thought it was more of a nutritional issue."

"As a doctor, I would recommend bread as a good source of carbohydrates. You should know that as well." Law deadpanned. He resumed eating, leaving Elka wanting further explanation.

"So, why do you hate bread so much?"

"You realize you're just repeating the same question you asked earlier."

"Please, I'm really curious." Elka's body was already leaning forward, her shirt almost touching the honey syrup over her pancakes.

"I already said I just hate them."

"Is there any trauma related to it? Like, maybe, you accidentally ate a burnt sandwich and your tastebuds have been messed up since?"

Law looked incredulously at the gal who in turn looked at him expectantly.

"Look, Elka-ya, there's nothing more in it. I simply do not like bread." Law's patience was crumbling and it took all efforts to stop himself from ending the girl. He took a deep breath before glaring at her, "Now I'd like you to finish your food so we could leave, or are you asking to get hurt?"

Elka got the message and resumed eating. She was a bit relieved to know Law was like any other ordinary human being for simply disliking things without any deep meaning. Still, she scolded herself for pushing her luck too much wanting to make the Warlord feel at ease with her.

=/=

"This is the Seaside Coast. I can't exactly bring you to a pier so there are no big ships around here. Just those small and medium ones." Elka announced as soon as they reached the waterfront. It was an open coastal region, free for everyone to stroll into. Rarely, one or two yachts may be seen there save for a few sailboats frequenting the waterfront.

Law only held a steady gaze at the horizon. Being near the sea truly eased him but the lack of clues and signs regarding his current situation made him feel antsy. He didn't exactly know how the sea would help him to get a way back to his own dimension and although it was unlikely of him, the Warlord hoped something out of the ordinary would just pop out of nowhere, tell him 'this is the way' and be over the nightmare he was going through. He very well knew he was practically asking for a miracle to happen and he thought it was deplorable for someone like him to resort to such wishful thinking.

Elka couldn't tell if it was okay to speak as Law seemed to be lost deep in his thoughts. She waited for the man to say something, anything at all, until deciding to just leave him to his own devices for the time being and randomly looked at anything she found interesting. Elka rarely went out on a trip like that anyway, considering how she's stuck with her common route between her school and dorm so it was one opportunity to take in the surroundings. She did went on vacation, but she preferred staying indoors watching Anime or reading Manga.

The two just stood there, pointlessly gazing at the sea until thunder rumbled. Not later, a light shower followed.

"Doctor, I didn't bring any umbrella." Elka said as she looked up at the sky. She held her palms up, feeling the fine droplets on her skin. "If this drizzle become rain, we won't get to anywhere."

Law remained silent. He approached the seashore and crouched down, dipping a hand in the little waves. Instantly, he felt weak, confirming his weakness against seawater still holds true. Satisfied, he went back to Elka's side.

"Let's go."

=/=

The two soon found themselves back on the train station. Law was silent ever since despite Elka's occasional remarks about the places they came across. Whenever Elka tried to strike a conversation, Law would only spare her a glance, nothing more. This made Elka feel scared as she didn't understand what was going through the Warlord's mind. Although he didn't seem mad, he held a serious look which would have repelled her if not for the fact he's with her.

"Um, once we get back to En City, we'll go to the mall." Elka reminded. She already told the Warlord of her plans back on the cab, but she just couldn't bear the tense silence.

Law did not respond. He only looked at her for a second then returned his gaze ahead.

When the train arrived, the car wasn't as crowded as before. Elka attempted to find a vacant seat only to find out all seats were occupied. With a sigh, she just stood in the middle, again, with Law standing beside her.

In the next station, a huge crowd rode the train. Unlike before, Law clutched Elka's forearm to ensure they didn't get separated when the influx of commuters squeezed in. Elka was fairly surprised by this, prompting her to question the pirate captain's reason for it, only to receive a cold shoulder. Elka didn't mind as it was more convenient to stay that way. She was practically hugging him and she appreciated the warmth his body gave off.

Arriving at En City Station, Elka was quite relieved nothing happened. She figured that with Law holding her during the whole trip, it probably warded off those perverts. She was thankful for the Warlord's gesture despite not knowing his true motives for doing so. After all, she really didn't want to get harassed for the second time.

The two traversed the roads silently as if they were strangers coincidentally taking the same path. When they reached the mall Elka was referring to, she took the initiative to break the awkward silence between them.

"I just need to buy a book and a few medical equipment." Elka told Law, but the man only nodded his head.

Law decided to walk a step behind Elka like earlier as she was practically guiding him inside the building. There were tons of people walking back and forth too, most of them carrying shopping bags or pushing carts. It was a busy establishment, with plenty of merchants stationed at each stalls, some calling out to customers while others preferred to give out flyers instead.

"Sometimes I come here just to look at random merchandise." Elka spoke again. She was desperate to make Law speak as his abrupt silence unnerved her.

"Are there any weapon merchants here?" Law decided to talk.

Elka felt relieved upon hearing the doctor's voice. "There are but not the kind of shop you're probably expecting."

"Besides knives disguised as combs, what other weapons does your world have?"

"Mostly guns. There are swords too but most of them, genuine or not, are used as decoration instead as weapons."

Law hummed. He didn't expect there was a huge similarity of weaponry between their worlds, but it was quite reassuring. In his situation, information was his best weapon.

"Now that I think about it, what is the equivalent of the World Government here?"

Elka twirled her head in shock upon hearing Law's question. She looked at him wide-eyed, fear vivid from her eyes. "You didn't just-"

"Relax. I'm just curious."

Elka paused for a moment. "Please doctor, don't cause any commotion." her voice trembled.

Law narrowed his eyes on Elka. "I've been wondering, why are you so scared? If I understood correctly, I'm the only ability-user in this world of yours."

"That's what's scaring me the most. You're the only one." Elka resumed walking and Law followed suit. "You see, people are afraid of the unknown. I am afraid of the unknown."

"Didn't you know me? When I showed you my powers, you acted like you knew what's happening."

"It's true I'm aware of your devil fruit ability, but that doesn't mean I understand it." Elka gulped hard before adding, "Look, you were a fictional character. You weren't real. You were just a fantasy."

Law was peeved at Elka's words. "You didn't just provoke me."

"I used past tense." Elka quickly replied, her heart almost stopping by the Warlord's dangerous tone. "I - everyone thinks you're not real, so of course no one would believe that creepy power of yours, at least not until they do get hurt."

"But I can use it." Law held his hand forward showing Elka a light blue aura spinning just below his palm. "And you've seen it twice today."

"Right. Now see, because it's almost impossible for someone to possess such powers, people won't believe it. It's part of our fear. If it's something out of the ordinary, it's probably not real. That's how we think. They may think you're just psychic, while most people would probably think it's just special effects."

"Special effects?"

"That maybe we're just shooting a film."

"Film?" Law was quite shocked with how Elka put it. He thought it stupid. Why would people even consider it was just special effects or a film? "That's just idiotic. If most of your people think this way, it's no wonder if you get suddenly wiped out."

"That's going too far, doctor." Elka forced a smile as they took a turn at a street. "We're here."

Elka casually walked inside a shop filled with books. Law remained outside and patiently waited for the gal to finish her business in that particular store. He observed the folks in his vicinity while pondering over that last conversation. The Warlord couldn't imagine how people were naive. He thought he could probably massacre everyone in that book shop save for Elka and expect those people walking outside to dismiss it with the belief of being 'special effects' - a 'film'. From that idea alone, Trafalgar Law understood the source of Elka's fear. He had power to destroy her home while she didn't have any to protect it.

Still, he wondered about the world's security. If they did have such, then military power was also present, so why was Elka too scared for him to cause a ruckus? Was she implying he wouldn't stand a chance against their world's militia?

That can't be.

"Doctor?"

Law turned to look at the source of the voice, finding Elka standing beside him carrying a brown paper bag.

"I'm done here, let's go to the next shop."

Trafalgar Law was torn between simply asking Elka regarding their world's government or just outright demonstrate half of his power in order to clear up the issue about 'strength'. It bugged him, how Elka was so adamant with him staying low. She feared him, that much he understood, and he naturally welcomed that. Still, when he did use his power, even towards her aggressor, she didn't even thought twice to stop him.

Why would she even care about that guy? He harassed her. Her fear of him was palpable, yet she immediately forgets it when someone else is in danger. Law was infinitely displeased by it.

"Here it is! Finally!"

Elka exclaimed gleefully as she held in her hand a green stethoscope. She glanced at Law, smiled and told the man to wait for her while she pays for the said item. The Warlord silently obeyed, his eyes never leaving Elka until all of a sudden, a gunshot rang by the entrance.

There was a short scream and people panicked about until a loud announcement was made. "Alright everyone put your hands on the back of your head! NOW!"

The door was locked shut and a group of masked people waving guns and knives quickly rounded up the rest of the customers, including Law and Elka.

The Warlord was used to such cliched thugs as he encountered a few back when he was still venturing out in North Blue. Even in Grand Line, there were a few bandits who dared to cross him and got what they deserved. But it was a different world, and although Law should be able to make quick work out of them, he chose not to, not because he didn't feel like it, but because he couldn't. Yet.

Law stared hard at the guy pointing a knife at Elka's back while twisting her arm upon restraining her. He could care less with Elka getting roughed up but it didn't mean he'd let her die. She was the only clue he had, and Law was not about to lose his only card for getting back.

"Now stand at the back, people!" the standing leader announced, gesturing at his minions to guide their victims to the said place. He then proceeded to the cash register and threatened the cashier, prompting the said person to open the cash register and give the robber everything inside it.

Law made subtle movements to get closer to Elka. The fact that he was taller than any of the crooks was an advantage to him, so he carefully strode in a slant direction until he reached Elka.

"So, Elka-ya, what's your plan?" Law muttered under his breath. He didn't want to alert any of the robbers as it may cause Elka's inevitable demise.

Elka was glad Law didn't immediately fight back. "Just let it pass." she whispered, shutting her eyes in nervousness. "I'm no hero. All I can do is to pray that nothing worse happens." she was ashamed by her powerlessness but she knew even if she did have that stealth knife with her, she wouldn't be able to accomplish anything. If she was foolish enough to brave it, her life was forfeit.

Law was amused by this. He was pleased to know Elka actually valued her life. Disgraceful or not, the fact that she was able to think things through and choose the best option to preserve her life was impressive. The Warlord decided not to do anything to honor Elka's honesty. Besides, he was already satisfied just seeing Elka's fright.

Not long though, sirens blared loudly just outside the store before the robbers could even exit. The police's response was swift thanks to a few bystanders quickly reporting the scene. In their city, despite the crime rate being fairly low, news of such was always on the list in the evening headlines everyday. It was Elka's first experience of such, making her curse how her luck had finally ran out.

The Warlord was unfamiliar with the sound of the siren but he was quick to understand what it was. Judging by the victims' sighs and the criminals' panic, it was the signal for 'justice' to butt in and help civilians. Law lightly giggled at the thought.

"It's the marines, correct?" Law glanced at Elka who only stared blankly at the wall.

"They're called the police. It's good they're here."

"Do you think a fight may break out?" Law's tone was moderate but it failed to disguise his venomous undertone.

Elka grew nervous. She stared at the man, carefully studying his features. He looked composed like usual, but she caught that 'thrilled vibe' from the way he asked. "Please doctor, I've been begging you since, don't do anything reckless." Elka hissed, her voice almost rising.

Law couldn't suppress a chuckle. "I was just curious. You worry so much."

"Hey you two! Stop talking!" one of the robbers nudged Law's and Elka's back respectively with his gun's muzzle.

"Are you celebrating because the police are here?! HA! AS IF!" a booming voice echoed throughout the shop, quickly followed by a woman's shriek. "You're all our hostages! Those idiots won't be able to lift a finger for you morons!"

The crook dragged the woman by the door and pointed his gun at her head, threatening the police that if they didn't let them go, they'd kill all victims in the shop. As they all listened to the man's declaration, Elka shook violently in terror.

I don't want to die. This phrase kept repeating over and over in her head, but she made an effort to calm herself down and hope for the best. She psyched herself up. It's going to be okay. She told herself. Her breathing became labored, her heart almost jumping out of her rib cage, her eyes turning glassy as tears began to well up under her eyelids.

Law understood her fear. She nearly yelped when she heard a loud crack from outside. All of the victims grew restless as time passed.

"So, Elka-ya, what's your plan?" Law asked, repeating the same question he asked earlier, but this time, mockingly. Elka's reaction implied she forgot Law was present and that he could very well save her life.

Elka glanced up at him, a tear trickling down her face. "Doctor..." she uttered, but didn't say more. She wanted to ask for help but she figured the Warlord might just make everything worse.

"Tell me, what should I do?" Law asked again, almost challenging her.

Elka looked down. She almost want to shout the words, but she convinced herself to remain logical. If Law was never there, she had to have faith on the police. "Don't do anything...please..."

Law clicked his tongue in annoyance. He swore he was going to massacre everyone in the vicinity. "Why are you so-"

"AH!"

Unexpectedly, the lead robber pulled Elka by the hair and forcibly dragged her towards the door. They didn't notice how two people - both women - were already killed. He picked at random, his favorite being women.

"Hey-!" Law was about to protest when a lackey thrust the barrel of a gun against his chin.

"Don't move or I'll blow your brains out!"

Trafalgar Law contemplated for a while how he would butcher the guy before finally deciding to just cut the man's throat. He grabbed the sharp knife that was protruding from the man's satchel and swiftly stabbed him at the side of his neck, making sure he hit the carotid artery to ensure death.

This exhibit of his caused turmoil among the victims and criminals alike as a lot of blood gushed out from the man's neck. It also alarmed Elka, seeing how all of the masked men holding guns were now pointing at Law. He was outnumbered, and this worried the gal.

Law raised his hands up in surrender without dropping the knife he swiped. He looked at the man who stopped dragging Elka away midway to point his own pistol to the Warlord.

"Look, I just want you to free the girl." Law deadpanned. He held the man's gaze which visibly irritated the man, demonstrating his annoyance by firing his gun and grazing Law's left cheek.

"She your girlfriend? Huh? So you playing hero? Huh?! YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR PLACE, STUPID!" the man angrily thrust the nose of the gun between Elka's breasts, clearly trying to provoke the Warlord, but never giving him a chance to retort back. "KILL HIM!"

Immediately, those who held guns fired at the signal and Law had nowhere to run. In a swift motion, Law crouched down to pick up the body of one lackey. Serving as a meat shield, it effectively protected him whilst he created his spherical space around the whole shop. Everyone present flinched when they caught a glimpse of an expanding light blue aura surrounding them but quickly dismissed the matter when they no longer see it.

"You bastard! You would use someone as a shield?!" one lackey shouted, seemingly aghast with Law's actions.

"You're trying to kill me, don't expect me to just let you." Law got up and held out the corpse in front of him with its neck bleeding steadily added with a few bullet holes all over its body. "If you want, I can give you your buddy back. In exchange, give me the girl."

"SHUT UP YOU PSYCHO! HE'S ALREADY DEAD!" in an outburst, the man kept firing his gun. It seemed he lost his mind upon witnessing such brutality. This made Law think they might be newbies in that line of work.

"HEY! STOP!"

Everyone ducked and tried to find shelter from the continuous firing while Law just stood there as the corpse he was holding covered for him. He was well aware that Elka was unaffected by his ability so switching her with anything won't work. Law figured he had to go about it the hard way, and although it was seriously inconvenient, he welcomed the challenge.

A/N: Please bear with me. I'm real sorry this is such a cliffhanger like, I swore never to end any chapter this way but it's already too long (I didn't realize lol). Also, sorry if this took a while. I already had the scene in my head but ya know, other scenes just keep popping up I can't decide which to show first. Anyway, thank you so much for reading!

sarge1130 - I just realized from your comment that you're also a collector. It's true this is his figurine with the Punk Hazard outfit, ya know, by Megahouse. I'm glad you liked the story, as a fellow collector, it encouraged me to write more! :)

everyone - thank you so much! I hope I didn't disappoint you, although I probably, already did with this chapter. Please forgive me.. D: