CHAPTER 16 - The Breath of Love

The small town was dead as the night. The clock struck nine. It was the night after Uzui departed from the Pillar meeting. It was indeed a strange circumstance for a town to go dark at the hour. The moon was the only source of light.

"I don't see anyone. Are businesses supposed to drop at this hour?" Kanao asked, looking around with caution.

Uzui looked upon her and a slight chuckle, "From what I've known, you were the quiet kid. You've become quite the chatty girl since you've met those new kids. Shinobu told me you fancied the 'headbutting' kid, the one with the Demon sister."

Kanao was surprised by the sudden revelation of things. She wasn't expecting Uzui to bring out something so unexpected.

I can't believe sister Shinobu said such things. Wait, I don't know if this is true. Why am I blushing?

Kanao turned red.

Uzui said, "I know how you feel. I have three wives myself, so it's okay."

"Wait, you are mistaken." Kanao objected, "And did you say, 'three wives'?"

Uzui stopped the conversion after he heard a snicker from one of the houses. Kanao followed him and drew out her sword.

"Looks like we are not alone." Uzui stepped forward.

"First Form - Shivers of First Love!"

Law was taken aback by the flurry of slashes that came upon him with a force that he didn't expect.

"Love Breathing - Second Form - Anguish Inducing Love!" Mitsuri charged with brilliance, letting out an attack that flailed like a whip.

Law couldn't dodge the attack. The force of the Second Form made an explosion upon contact. Iguro thought to stop the battle. He believed the fight had gone on long enough.

Mitsuri showed no restraint. Despite Law's reputation and being an outsider, Iguro believed that Mitsuri was overdoing with her passion and damage, assisted by her whip-shaped sword. Aoi and the girls observed the grand joust of Hashiras. They believed Hashira Kanroji had the advantage since the start, Captain Law taking a nasty beating from a woman, who was considered one of the strongest even amongst her male peers.

Law was never a man to fool around, and could've maneuvered the attacks with his Op-Op Fruit powers. The girls remembered. Law had mentioned fighting Mitsuri without using the weird powers, the same ones which he used to subdue Zenitsu and Inosuke for disobeying medical routine and their outbursting shenanigans.

The dust cleared revealing the man, yet in one piece. His sword turned black, much to everyone else's surprise and curiosity. Law discovered the scrapes through his jacket. Mitsuri's First Form attacks did the job. For the most part, he was able to dodge with his Observation Haki, being relatively unhurt.

"The Second technique would've sent me to the patient's room." Law told himself, "The Armament Haki stopped the final blow."

Everyone was shocked to find the man standing, Iguro amongst all, who had known the secrets of Mitsuri's unbelievable strength. No mere man could've defended a direct strike from her Second Form. Mitsuri's strength could've given the other Hashiras a formidable competition.

"Armament!" Law reinforced his Haki, expecting Mitsuri to throw her love tantrum in a second round.

"You are strong." Law said, "Much stronger than I had believed. Your strength alone shall give many pirates the run for their money."

"Well, thank you." Mitsuri blushed.

Law knew better than to let his guard down. He took the opportunity to strike back before Mitsuri could attack again. His blade clashed against her, letting off sparks flashing out from the standoff. Mitsuri struggled for the first time, pitting her strength against a man who showed more brute prowess than any man or demons she had ever fought. Law had no intention of backing down, wanting to see the fight to the end.

"That's enough!" Iguro stepped in to stop the joust, for he believed the friendly fight had turned into a Death Match. He stepped in with his blade drawn to invoke his words. The sword clash broke off, with both the swordsmen, retreating back.

"Very well." Law respected Iguro's intervention, remembering that the whole thing was a joust. He was so involved, he regretted the fact that for a moment he had lost thought of the same. His opponent gave him no slack to believe so. Either of Mitsuri's 'Love Breathing' attacks could've been fatal for non-Haki users, and that earned Law's respect towards the female Hashira. Mitsuri ended her side of the battle, withdrawing her whip-sword.

"You are worth your reputation." she said.

Iguro realised that Mitsuri wanted to test her new ally. In a way, the Snake Hashira had been in the same boat, interested in finding out Law's abilities.

"I regret to say it, but I doubted the Master's words when he mentioned of your abilities. And I'd apologise for not accepting you just because of the fact that you were an outsider." Iguro bowed.

"Same here." Mitsuri bowed, her face blushing; steam flowing overhead.

Aoi and the girls were glad that the fight had ended without anyone hurt. But despite everything that had happened, they decided not to mention Law's Devil Fruit powers. They were simply glad that he was on their side.

"I don't need apology." Law said, "But I hope you won't pick fights later after midnight. I'm busy."

"No, no." Mitsuri said.

"Kocho-ya told me to look after this estate of hers. I'd be in trouble if it should disappear."

Iguro couldn't find the humour in the statement. Aoi and the girls knew Law had the strength to perform something like that.

"Well then, I've heard of Shinobu's situation and her message, and now I have seen proof of Captain Law." Iguro withdrew his blade, turning around.

"You are leaving?" Mitsuri asked.

"I have my work. Mitsuri, I don't want you to do that again."

"No, I won't." Mitsuri replied embarrassed.

"Captain Law, I can somehow understand the significance of that fight between Shinazugawa and Roronoa Zoro. You pirates are a strong bunch of people, and I appreciate your aid to the Demon Slayer Corps." Iguro said.

Law nodded. He observed the man leave. Aoi escorted Iguro to the outside.

"So, I believe you are staying?" Law asked.

"Yes, as we had agreed before the fight." Mitsuri reminded.

Law sighed, and walked away. He met with Kiyo, Naho, and Sumi on his way.

"Help her around, okay? I'll be in my room." he said.

"Yes, sir. Uh, the dinner's ready. Would you be having it in your room as usual?" Naho asked.

Law looked at her and thought for a moment.

"I'll join you at the dining hall." he replied, "And yeah, you three get some sleep along with Aoi-ya, after dinner. You've been working the whole day."

"Are you sure?" Sumi asked concerned.

"Don't worry about those brats. And speaking of which..." Law found Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke observing from the end of the corridor.

"Whaa!" Zenitsu exclaimed upon Law's discovery.

"I told you. We should've stayed asleep." Tanjiro said, "Now, he'll cut us down like before."

"Run!" Zenitsu shouted.

"Hold it!" Law bellowed.

Mitsuri was woken up from her daydream. The girls turned around. Aoi showed up after seeing off Iguro. The patients were caught red-handed.

"You three aren't going anywhere before dinner." Law declared.

Zenitsu fell to the ground with a gasp.

And so, a hearty dinner was set up. Everyone on the long table relished the dishes. Tanjiro and the boys chatted and fooled around with the girls, Mitsuri enjoyed their company and talked of adventures with her newfound companions. Law, amongst all, listened to them without a word, wondering of his old days. Bepo, Shachi, Penguin, and the rest of his crew were awaiting his arrival at Zou. But his duty did not bother the moment. Among other thoughts, Law was reminded of his days back in Flevance. The kids reminded him of his family, his sister Lami, and his parents of whom he had admired much to become a doctor. And it reminded him of Rosinante, the man who had been there for him when doom awaited from his Amber Lead Syndrome. The man who saved his life.

Uzui knew better than to sneak around. The Demons would've known of their presence, and the Hashira knew better than to keep the enemies waiting. Kanao followed him to the house, where noises were heard of someone having a hearty meal. The lights were out all around. No townsfolk would've been relishing a dinner under morbid darkness, unless it was a thief, or a Demon having his fill out of human corpses. Uzui burst the door open.

Terrified residents observed the intruder. Moonlight lit the entrance. Uzui drew out his sword and looked around.

"I have a feeling I saw you before." A grumpy male voice came from the end of the room. Uzui observed the darkness.

Kanao approached the residents and mentioned that they had come to save them.

"We are Demon Slayers." she said.

"Prepare yourself, Demon!" Uzui drew out his dual swords. The reek of home-made alcohol filled the room.

"You can at least let the man have his fill." the fellow in the dark got up with a burp and turned around. He walked ahead, drawing his blades.

"It's impolite to disturb when people are having dinner. You've scared the shit out of these good people."

A man carrying three swords showed up in the dim light, along with a stare of being pissed off.

"Mr. Zoro!" Kanao exclaimed.

Uzui couldn't mistake him. A man with green hair, and a scar over his left eye. The defeat of Shinazugawa was fresh in his mind.

"That's me." Zoro replied, "Who the hell are you?" he demanded.

TO BE CONTINUED…