CHAPTER 21 - Law in Business
The very next morning, Law received a referral letter sent by Ubuyashiki. The words described Law's ongoing plan to retrieve a ship. It was approved and mentioned that it was almost complete.
"Kiyo, I'm going out." Law was ready to depart. He explained the details.
"Let them know, alright. I should be back in a day or two." he added.
"I don't think it's a good idea to leave. Are you sure?" Kiyo asked in concern.
Law nodded, "It should give Kibutsuji an excuse to stay away from the headquarters."
Kiyo was the only one awake in the estate that early in the morning. She went ahead to see off Law on his journey. The estate was rattled to find the morning news.
"Why did he have to go now?" Mitsuri was unsettled, "The demons might attack anytime."
"He did mention that Kibutsuji was after him. So…" Kiyo tried to explain.
"That's more a reason someone should've gone along. I'm more concerned about him." Mitsuri walked around.
"An audacious man." Tamayo chuckled, "He must've done it on purpose. Unafraid and courageous."
"He's out of his mind." Yushiro remarked, "Ubuyashiki must've made a valid statement yesterday pointing out his danger situation. Anyone else would've hidden in the darkest nooks."
"The Master told me to keep an eye on Law. Law demanded me to stay away from his path." Mitsuri wailed.
"Then let him." Yushiro said, "It would save us the trouble of rescuing him later."
"He has the knowledge of the demon research."
"I think there's more to what Kibutsuji is interested in." Aoi joined the conversation.
"But he's a good swordsman. And a good doctor." Mitsuri told her, finding a relief.
"He wasn't serious in that fight." Aoi revealed, "He didn't use his special powers, and that might prove a problem if Kibutsuji gets hold of that."
"What do you mean?" Tamayo asked.
"Devil Fruit Power." Kiyo said, "I saw him using it to cut Zenitsu and Inosuke down during their rehabilitation."
"No wonder they are afraid of that man." Aoi nodded.
"What is this power you talk of? I never saw anything." Mitsuri asked.
Aoi and Kiyo explained the things they had seen when Law was in charge of the infirmary. The Op-Op Fruit was used to remove bad tissues, poisons and treat patients injured from battle.
"I don't think he needed to use those powers more than it was needed, I guess. That would have been disastrous to any opponent." Aoi said.
Mitsuri developed a small resentment against Law for keeping his secrets from her. But then again, the man had been busy with his work and barely discussed anything out of context.
"Let him be." Mitsuri said. Displeasure was seen on her brows, her smile was gone, "He only cares about himself. We will hold the fort without his help."
Aoi and Kiyo observed that she felt hurt. And they knew Law was hardly to blame. He was an excellent doctor and a kind man, who looked out for his patients. He was forced to threaten Zenitsu and Inosuke for their shenanigans and restlessness. All the patients that were under his care returned back to their work once they were released. And no one seemed unhappy with his methods. Aoi and Kiyo looked at each other with worry.
Mitsuri decided to go out. Resentment on her face. She didn't mention her reasons. The rest of the inhabitants observed her leave in a foul mood.
"I think I should not have said anything." Aoi felt guilty.
"No, dear." Tamayo denied, "It gives us more reason to be prepared. I knew that man wouldn't listen to rules, and that's what makes him strong."
Aoi looked at her and nodded, "These pirates are strong." she agreed, "I heard that his friend, Roronoa Zoro, was able to defeat Pillar Shinazugawa in a one-on-one battle. Captain Law and Zoro-san were bestowed the title of Pillars by Master Ubuyashiki, to fill in the gap left by Pillar Rengoku's death."
"I did hear the man Zoro clashing blades against Kokushibo, the Upper Demon Moon. Pretty impressive." Tamayo said.
"I don't believe Law-san is in danger." Aoi mentioned.
"He will defeat Kibutsuji if they should meet." Kiyo chirped.
Tamayo was glad they had faith in the man.
"I won't put high hopes yet." Yushiro was hardheaded, "But I find it hard to believe that things are stirring up. If their strength is comparable to Upper Demon Moons, we might... We just might have a chance." He gripped with a sweaty smile. "Time to prepare."
Law jumped on a moving train. He leaped aboard the last compartment, taking an easy journey. Saving time, the stowaway found himself in Tokyo in the next six hours, much earlier than he had anticipated. Evading the onlookers, he made it to the city, finding himself in a bustling crowd of countless people. He took out the map and checked the location he had marked.
The Docks.
Despite his upbeat notion, he was aware that they had a confrontation against the Imperial Navy. He was careful not to stumble upon imperial troops. They were an often sight, Tokyo being a port city, and the capital of the mainland. He made it to the docks and met the person mentioned in his reference letter. The shipwright shook his hand, making mentions of Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who had paid the full amount for the ship. It was almost done, a wooden ship equipped with cannons, and strong enough to withstand conditions of the previous journey. The imperial guards mocked the wooden design in an age of modern guns and iron ships. Law couldn't care less, making board onto the ship. It was a beauty. It wasn't as big as Moria's ship, but then again, they didn't have a large returning crew.
Law walked down the planks once he was done with observation. He thanked the shipwright boss and his crew for building a ship on short notice. A few more days and they'd be able to voyage the seas. The thought of returning back gave Law hope. He indeed felt grateful to Ubuyashiki and the Demon Slayer Corps who were kind enough to help them pirates out.
The clock turned late. Law decided to reside the night in Tokyo, hoping to take a returning train the next day. The shipwright gave him references for inns and brothels that might suit his needs. Law had no time for fun with women. He was tired, working for days without much sleep, thinking to relax the night whilst he was away on his business trip.
Back at the Butterfly Mansion and Ubuyashiki's archives, his study of old Portuguese and Dutch traders that made their way into the mainland since the 1500s gave an insight into sea incidents when ships used to disappear. The events seemed to have a lead except for the locations which were almost as random as the sea. Zoro and he had survived ashore in the Ryukyu Islands, a vague location considering the disappearing incidents. Shipwrecks north near the Kuril Islands, a convoy of merchant ships that had disappeared near the Aleutian Islands; the map extends. Southern Seas were harsher and any form of shipwreck or vanishing events had been completely random and unrelated to the others. Except for a certain cluster that caught Law's eyes in the past few days. There was a considerable number of ships that had disappeared over the years, north of the Mariana Islands. Not often as one would've expected. Voyagers that made through that patch of waters mentioned no abnormalities in the logs. But within the countless guidebooks of the Pacific, was a mysterious passage in a shady book that spread rumours. It mentioned that a certain artifact was needed to open an otherworldly rift in the water, something alike to Moses splitting up the Red Sea long ago. Law had second thoughts despite having experienced the unworldly phenomena of the Grand Line. He remembered that the ship disappearances were legitimate reports, deciding to prepare for a voyage. It was the best lead he had got.
Law found himself at the district of Yoshiwara, in front of a settlement named the Tokito House. The shipwright boss referred to the place. Law had his doubts. It was a brothel without a doubt. He walked all the way and decided not to look around. He thought to make a visit if nothing else.
The lady manager of the house was pleased that Law was an acquaintance of the shipwright boss. She gave a generous offer.
"I hope this is only meant for a room and for one night." Law clarified, "I won't be taking any special service."
"I like your modesty." said the manager, "But are you sure? This house has its specialty."
"I understand but thank you. I appreciate your thoughts."
"It's a pleasure." the manager replied, "And besides I saw your ship. It's a real beauty amongst all the imperial metals. Oops, I should watch what I say."
"What do you mean?"
"The imperial troops wouldn't hesitate to arrest anyone mouthing bad at them. They're vicious."
Law appreciated the tip, "I'll keep that in mind."
He made the registration and went upstairs. Along the way, the women stared eagerly upon him. He looked around and observed the corridor. Moans and laughter of women made him a little uneasy.
"I heard the manager say you aren't interested. Why don't you come in?" one of the ladies tried to seduce him into her room.
"Thanks, but no." Law got out of the jam, making a quick rush for his cubicle. The girls laughed at his innocent soul. Law avoided the best as possible. It wasn't that Law had any irking against any women. He was hetero or so he believed but remembered that he was being targeted by his enemies. He decided not to risk letting his guard down whilst he was in the area. He slid the door open, walking inside only to be surprised that he wasn't alone.
"I made it clear with the manager lady." Law groused. The woman looked at him with indifference.
"I have your futon ready." she replied. She had quite the looks and any man would've gladly accepted the invitation.
"Let me check…"
"You are in the right room." the lady replied, stopping Law from heading outside.
"I'm flattered, lady, but would you be kind if we don't go through this?"
"This is my room." the woman replied.
"If that's the case, then I've made a trivial mistake."
"You haven't. And you are welcome to join here."
Law knew that the conversation was going in circles.
"Alright, I'll get in that futon try getting some sleep…" Law declared. The woman seemed enlightened. Law wasn't a bad-looking man and his confident aura made her blush.
"…with my sword. I won't bother you and the feeling should be mutual."
The woman grumped dissatisfied.
"I would've invested more to desire a woman of your looks, but today's not the day."
"So you are married, I guess? What do you do for a profession?" the woman asked.
"I'm not married. I am my ship's doctor." Law said, sitting down.
"I hope you are not going to talk with me the whole evening?" he added.
"Geez, you are no fun." the woman retorted, "By the way, my name is Koinatsu. And I'm the oiran of this house." she got up with distaste for the man, "And I lied, this isn't my room."
"So why all the fuss?"
"Thought to tease you whilst I was around, nothing more. Looks like you can't be budged, a real cold fish."
She left with a resented face.
An unexpected guest showed up at the Tokito House that night. The manager was overwhelmed by her presence and yet felt appalled. Koinatsu was in the same boat. She left outside without making a second glance.
"And what brings the great Warabihime in our establishment." the manager greeted, displaying her passive contempt.
"I'm not here to chat with an old hag like you, if that's what you want to know." the woman retorted.
The manager kept her cool.
"By all means, do state your business."
"I'm here for a man." Warabihime said, "I was told I'd find him here."
"We have countless men who come in delight to our service."
"I've heard there has been a paarticular one who had the sense not to consent with the ugliness in this hovel." Warabihime mocked, "Now, I don't have time to trifle around here. I'm looking for a man named Law."
"And what business do you seek?" the manager demanded.
"Nothing. I have come for a small chat."
"I'm afraid he mentioned he was quite tired. I'd hate to disturb the patron. So I must ask you to…"
"That's all the better reason to wake him up."
Warabihime got impatient and walked up the stairs. The manager couldn't stop her from making her way. She only hoped that Warabihime did not cause trouble.
All the girls watched in awe. A few of them disdained over her beauty and attitude. Warabihime enjoyed the reception. She strutted through the corridor, knocking on the door of the last room.
"Is anyone inside?" the woman teased.
"Leave me alone." the tenant replied.
The door slid open. Law sat observing the intruder. Warabihime showed her disdained face, looking down with a sneer.
"Should I be amused of your insolence?" she demanded.
"Who the hell are you?" Law demanded.
To the woman's surprise, it almost seemed as if he was waiting for her.
Did he find out? she thought.
"I heard you were asleep." she said.
"Well, you did intrude now, didn't you?" Law retorted.
The rest of the girls eavesdropped on the conversation.
"Now, I won't deny that you have quite the looks, but I want to get some sleep alone." Law said.
"I know you are an occupied man. I'm here to talk." Warabihime clarified.
"Who are you?" Law asked.
The woman looked behind and closed the door. The communication between the eavesdroppers and gossipers was cut off from the private conversation. Her scorn made it clear for the girls to scatter from their reach. Law observed. The woman turned around and sat down.
"Now, I wasn't expecting an audience and haven't given you permission to sit." Law disapproved.
"A man that's hard to get to. Now, that intrigues me." Warabihime seemed to flirt.
"Are you deaf, lady?"
"And rude." her face turned back to her cynical self.
"Alright, make it quick." Law demanded her business.
"I'll get straight to the point." Warabihime said, raising her eyes. The pupils vertically narrowed from her gaze.
"The Master wants to make a conference with your presence." she said.
Law began to realise who she was, or at least, her affiliation. He grinned in surprise.
"So, Muzan Kibutsuji has sent an emissary to make contact? Are you not interested in killing me?" he asked with a cocky face. Warabihime felt mocked from his demeanour, and felt a danger. But she had confidence in her skills. Law was surprised that he hadn't been able to feel her demonic presence, which filled the room once she laid down her truth. He realised that the woman was at least a demon of a Moon class, maybe an Upper Demon. Her pupils showed no numbers or rank.
"You understand who I work for. So what is it going to be?" Warabihime asked.
"No." Law made a straight reply, "That boss of yours can find someone else."
"Did I make the impression that I was asking?" the woman began drawing her fangs. Her sash began to extend behind her. It gave Law the impression that she was stripping her clothes to show her full self. He drew his sword knowing it was dangerous either way.
"I meant it when I say that I am here to talk." Warabihime's extended sash levitated out in four ends, hissing against Law like a snake. To his surprise, the man in the room felt a collage of human presence. It came in from the sash, which he realised wasn't an actual fabric.
"So that's your Blood Demon Art?" he asked.
Warabihime was amazed at his quick deduction, "Each of them has the sharpness of a blade, and can store live humans for my needs." she revealed, "You do know what that must mean?"
"You hold them hostage." Law answered, "I believe you won't be letting them out soon?"
He knew better than to jest. Indeed, there were people inside the sash. His Observation Haki affirmed their presence of at least a dozen of them trapped, endangered.
"I'm willing to end the lives in this establishment if you are not careful." Warabihime warned.
"That would lose your credibility in your job. I believe you have a reputation?" Law tried to agitate his guest.
"I'm running out of patience here. My identity is the least of my concern right now." she showed her fangs.
Law knew that there would be a bloodbath if he didn't cooperate. So much for a hopeful doze.
"Very well." Law consented to her demand, "Lead the way, lady. Let's get this over with."
TO BE CONTINUED...