CHAPTER 30 - Inner Conundrums
Ominous winds blew in the night. Though insistent to be alone, Law kept his guard up whilst returning back from Hashira Iguro's residence. He kept his blade on his shoulder, ready to enforce action should the night demand it. He was grimmer than usual knowing well of the stakes that escalated in the past day. Jack was out looking for him and Zoro, which could turn disastrous should the pirate make landfall at the Demon Slayer Headquarters. And there was the news of Kibutsuji who was supposed to be dead and yet Tamayo had given valid analysis that the Demon King might be alive.
Law praised Zoro's effort in taking down three big names in one night, regardless of the uncertainty that followed. Especially Doflamingo, who was considered a very dangerous pirate, capable of leading to severe repercussions should he be left alone. Law grasped his blade thinking of Doflamingo wishing that he had headed out and killed him with his own hands.
On the other hand, Law knew it wouldn't be the best idea to start a battle against Jack's crew on the Mainland. It was bad enough when he and Zoro were forced to land on the beachhead thanks to Moria's last-minute hindrance. As a consequence, the Beast Pirates made landfall pursuing them. Law knew there was only one simple solution to split up his enemies. To leave the mainland and confronting Jack at sea. Then again, fighting Jack didn't seem the best idea whilst the Straw Hat-Heart Pirates Alliance hadn't most of its members.
"Well, damn." Law mumbled, finding no significant answer.
Thoughts revolved inside his head regarding their need to depart back to their friends who awaited their absence and disappearance, at the island of Zou. He had checked on many contexts to get an idea over their unexpected venture into a different realm, trying to connect with sea incidents and lore that talked of the unnatural. Within all the theories and rumours, Law found only a handful which gave him some reasons to head out to sea and confront locations of the mentioned happenings.
A thought clicked at that moment, reminding him of the story of a precious stone that had been rumoured to summon unnatural events should someone possess it. Although its usage had been described with great vehemence, the actual outcomes were shrouded in mystery. Some recounts mention it could have summoned a storm of the greatest magnitude, whilst others describe the stone to communicate with merfolks, the latter which was considered a part of the many legends that included other fictitious characters at the mainland.
Though Law didn't express his search of enquiring every person he had met, he did ask the people he trusted. During the week when Zoro and his team were out in the wild, he had talked to various people, including Mitsuri, Iguro, the Stone Hashira Himejima and Kagaya Ubuyashiki to find some answers. Within them, Mitsuri and Ubuyashiki were the only ones who hadn't denied his search for 'fiction', Mitsuri supporting the wonders of the unknown item, which she believed would bring more love for adventure. Law couldn't deny his staple for adventure at sea, but her passion did not help his present matters. Upon being told, Mitsuri described her eagerness to go out to sea should Law and Zoro depart in search of their own realm. Law appreciated Mitsuri's strength and fighting ability and would've welcomed some help. But that could wait as he needed answers to the more immediate problem.
Ubuyashiki, on the other hand, talked of the stone which had been mentioned in the mainland's history with regard to piracy during the 1600s, when smaller-sized brigand groups fended off larger fleets with the rumoured stone.
"In the end, the said pirates had disappeared in time without being studied of their stories. Despite all the supernatural instances, there must have been some logical explanations." Ubuyashiki had said in the earlier meet.
Law found the Butterfly Mansion at the distance lit inside with incandescent lamps. He had a feeling he didn't have much time to solve his dilemma. The added thought of potential Demons lurking in the night helped him none to relax.
Must calm down. He tried to console himself.
"Law-san." someone beckoned.
Law turned around and found Aoi behind him.
"What are you doing out in this hour?" he asked.
"I went to get some seals that can keep Demons at bay. Lady Kanroji urged on the idea." Aoi replied.
"This isn't the right time to be outside. Situation is uncertain."
"Like?"
Law looked at her, "Demons and Pirates."
"Of course." Aoi replied, looking upon his worried face, "You haven't rested since you have returned. You look weary. I'd suggest you'd get some rest once we are inside."
"I appreciate the thought."
"Your health would deteriorate if you keep pushing without recuperation."
Law chuckled, "I am a doctor, young lady. Your concern should be enough to keep me aware."
"Of course." Aoi bowed, "I keep forgetting that you are a Hashira. Please forgive me. I should show more civility when addressing you."
"You are civil enough. Nothing more to add that can please me more."
Law rephrased the word 'Hashira' inside his head - A Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps. In other words, they were the highest hierarchy of demon hunters, deserving of respect in the society. The word began to weigh on him, just as his need to return back to his crew. People within the Demon Slayer society had come to respect him during his short tenure at the Butterfly Mansion. Members of the society have heard of his exploits against Demons from the past few weeks. Patients have showed up during Shinobu's absence and were terrified of the Heart Pirates Captain, who in his austerity, served justice in terms of treatment. Wounded Demon Slayers received no kindness from him, contrary to Shinobu's ethics and yet most of them had been back to good health, returning to service within short periods of recuperation.
For the first time, Law wondered of the various patients who had showed up in the aftermath of various Demon battles. And that included the kid Tanjiro and his uncanny Demonic sister. Tanjiro especially had been in a situation of concern, as mentioned by Aoi and the girls, he and his friends had fought an Upper Demon Moon.
"Captain Law, Aoi, you are back!" bellowed Tanjiro in gladness.
"Let's run, Tanjiro. He'll cut us into pieces." wailed Zenitsu.
"Hello." Aoi replied, "Law-san, I'll head in."
"Go ahead." Law replied.
Aoi walked past. She smiled back, much to the surprise of the boys who hadn't seen her smile often.
Law placed his sword arm down. Zenitsu panicked seeing the blade move.
"You look unharmed." Law remarked.
"Thanks to your help the previous time, we were able to resume our duties as soon as possible." replied Tanjiro.
"No need to thank me."
"We heard about Lady Shinobu. I can't believe Kibutsuji showed up."
"Well, that makes her the second Demon Slayer after you to meet him."
"My apologies. I forgot to credit Zoro-san. I heard he was the one who defeated Kibutsuji."
"He did."
Law observed the kids were in good health.
"I believe you are staying around the Headquarters for a while?" he asked.
"Maybe. Unless some Demon shows up and we are dispatched ahead by those annoying crows." Zenitsu replied.
"You can forget about those crows," Law said, "There have been certain developments whilst you were gone, for which you shall be detailed. We might not have the manpower to defend the headquarters should our enemies strike at the darkest hour."
"What do you mean? Demons?" Tanjiro asked.
"And Pirates."
"But we believed the Demons were gone with Kibutsuji's demise."
"Well, there are some uncertainties in that regard despite the irrefutable fact that Zoro-ya and Kocho-ya's group defeated Kibutsuji. I had an encounter with a Moon-Demon not too long back. They might send in troops to attack."
"What? Are you scared of Demons? I heard you fought a lot to gain the title of Hashira." Inosuke mocked.
"Wait, Inosuke. Please forgive him, Captain." Tanjiro pleaded.
"Kocho-ya sees you as her protégé and she urged me to keep an eye on you three if things don't look right." Law replied, "If I remember correctly, I heard you fought an Upper Moon-Demon and that seemed a lot for you three to handle."
"We don't need your protection. We have gotten stronger." Inosuke replied.
"Indeed, and you'll be staying here guarding the Mansion and the headquarters should enemies do show up. Or is it not your responsibility to aid Kocho-ya and Ubuyashiki's households in times of uncertainty and threat?"
"It's our responsibility." Tanjiro replied in earnest. He bowed down in respect. Zenitsu followed him.
Inosuke was taken aback but his sense of duty overcame his pride, letting him prostrate in front of Law as a form of repentance for his said words. Law found the act exaggerated asking them to raise themselves up.
"You should rest whilst you can. You have guard duty here tonight." Law said.
"Yes, sir!" Zenitsu panicked, believing Law might hack them off should they mess around again.
"And make a visit to Miss Tamayo. She shall tend to any wounds should you need tending."
"Lady Tamayo's here?" Tanjiro was surprised.
"Mmmh." Nezuko replied to him encouraged.
"Now scuttle, you lot. I have things to attend if you have nothing more to say." Law said, dismissing the young Demon Slayers.
The boys observed him go past him with an unrest strut.
"He seems tensed up." Zenitsu remarked, "I wonder if it's got to do with Zoro-san and Lady Shinobu's journey."
"The Captain is worked up about the pirates that showed up at Shi-niju. I heard Tomioka-san and Hashira Tengen Uzui couldn't defeat the leader of the enemy group." explained Tanjiro, "We should better prepare for the battles ahead."
Law was locked up in his room busy pouring over books and maps, trying to find answers before their situation should turn out of control. Whilst his research, he realised a basic thought. He and Zoro weren't the only ones who had stumbled out of the New World. There were the Beast Pirates, the whole bunch of them, and Gecko Moria who had been defeated not long ago. Law remembered Moria had been locked up in a secret room around the end of the corridor ahead to the right. It was a dusty room with an old door that visitors very often wouldn't notice to ponder inside.
Law decided to pay the pirate a visit. On his way, he was found by Nezuko, who had been roaming around looking for her brother.
"Kid." Law said, observing the Demon girl.
"Mmmpf." Nezuko replied.
"Your brother should be around. You can ask the girls."
At that moment, Nezuko was taken aback for some reason.
"Mmm… mmmh." she muttered in a low voice.
"Something's wrong?" Law had known Nezuko for a while when Tanjiro had been a patient under his care. He assumed her expressions should she try to communicate. And her sudden withdrawal drew Law to a guard.
"Come with me. We'll find your brother." he said. Nezuko trusted Law for helping the boys when wounded. She decided to follow him.
Before they could have ventured to search for Tanjiro and his friends, Law found the entrance to the secret room around the end. Nezuko tagged along and wondered his surprise when they found the door open ajar. Quiet voices sounded from the inside. Nezuko's pupils narrowed feeling something was wrong. Law responded the same drawing out his blade. But for some reason, he couldn't sense anything out of the ordinary with his Observation Haki.
"Stay on guard." Law advised.
"Mmmf." Nezuko nodded in reply.
He slammed open the door sending in light from the corridor. Nezuko followed his step drawing her claws. They discovered Moria's decapitated head with a cloth around his mouth to prevent from yelling, and whilst the night grew dark, the visitors hadn't expected to find Aoi trying to abduct the former Warlord's head without his suspicion. The head was kept inside a cage.
"Mmmmm…" Nezuko growled.
Law made no reply but observed the girl ahead with a glare.
"Don't you have something better to do? And I thought you'd remain locked up in your study whilst the others suspected nothing." Aoi said.
"Should I ask why you are here? Depending on your answer, I have the right to confine you, or anyone for that fact, who chooses to visit this room without my expressive permission." Law said.
"I know that you have kept him here, and I just needed the opportunity to escape whilst you were distracted in your thoughts. I guess I was wrong." Aoi said, rattling Moria's cage.
"You are wrong if you believe you will be allowed to leave."
"Bring it, pirate!" Aoi growled. Her blue eyes glaring back.
TO BE CONTINUED...