Word count of 1,781 - A portion of an unfinished piece where Trafalgar Law recruits Jean Bart on Sabaody that shows the influence of my OC Ritsuko in that decision.
"He must be a fan on mine too!" The bold Captain Kid declared.
Ritsuko flinched as she noticed her Captain begin to tense. "Don't," she whispered in warning beside him. "Just don't-"
He turned slightly to flip him off with a smug smirk spreading across his face. Ritsuko rolled her eyes with a faint groan, even as Penguin and Shachi began to snigger. Seriously, of all the people gathered here, why was he antagonizing the one with the highest bounty on his head? She had already been reluctant to tag along in the first place, but now she was over it. She abruptly stood up and turned to leave, scrapping the edge of her boot roughly along the length his shin. Law stiffened with a terrible grimace, barely stifling a cry of pain.
"Oh sorry, my bad." she exaggerated slowly in complete sarcasm.
He caught hold of her arm to stop her. "Where are you going?" He grumbled, still bitter at the stunt she pulled.
"I've changed my mind, I'm heading back," she said smoothly as she pulled herself free and pressed through the row of gathered guests. He frowned after her with suspicious eyes.
He noticed that she was approaching the exit closest to the Kid Pirates and they were gathered close together, speaking in soft conspiring tones while eyeing her. His hand curled into a fist as he didn't like the hard glint in Eustass's eye. Would he allow her to pass by unchallenged?
"Is that your Captain?" One of the crewmembers asked as he pointed down towards the Hearts.
"Yeah, he can be so immature sometimes," she said off-handedly, almost dismissively. "I don't suppose you're looking to recruit right now?" She asked causally as she strolled past with her hands resting in her pockets. That simple, relaxed posture showed no sense of fear whatsoever.
Kid's brow furrowed as his mouth pursed a bit curiously. She had caught him off guard and so she slipped by without any trouble. Still, Law didn't like the lingering way he had as he watched her retreat.
"I don't think she really meant that, Captain," Bepo was quick to reassure him.
"Of course not," Shachi added. "I bet she's just looking for an excuse to meet her hero."
Law's gaze shifted back to his friend. "Who might that be?"
"Didn't you see Captain Jean Bart? He's a slave now to one of those Celestial Dragons who just arrived but back in his day he was legendary."
Law's eyebrows raised slightly in genuine surprise. It was definitely a name he was familiar with, and all because of her. As an avid fad, she'd followed his past exploits, recorded in periodicals long since out of print. He looked back to see Kid gesture for one of his crewmen to leave the auditorium in the same direction she had. He didn't want to think she was being followed but it wasn't a risk he was willing to take. One doesn't become Captain by ignoring their gut. He signaled for one of his own to approach. "Keep an eye on Ritz for me," he gave firm direction.
Oki looked exasperated. "She hardly needs a babysitter, Captain," he grumbled in turn. This wasn't the first time Law demonstrated his tendency to be over-protective when it came to her, and she never took well to being followed either. He would just as soon not get involved but Law's sharp glare silenced his remaining protests. He nodded submissively as he turned to leave.
"Honestly, Captain, you know how this is going to end," Penguin sighed as he shook his head.
"It doesn't matter," he said firmly. "I'm not taking any chances with those bothersome Marines around."
That was certainly true and worth considering. She had the second highest bounty on her head, just under Trafalgar, but only if captured alive. The Marines were reluctant to intrude on this Auction House, but any pirate caught roaming around would be considered fair game.
The main auction was soon underway and so his attention focused instead on the options being presented. None caught his interest and so he didn't bother to bid on any. Things became considerably livelier when Straw Hat Luffy literally burst onto the scene. He'd heard quite a lot of improbable rumors concerning this young, but eccentric Captain. Within minutes it was obvious that he exceeded all such impossible expectations. Law silently watched on with such amusement though he wasn't inclined to join in such shenanigans as the Straw Hats over-powered the security force within the auditorium.
The arrival of Silvers Rayleigh sent a chill right through him. What was he doing here? And in a place like this? He babbled on casually enough, but it didn't lessen his heightened sense of dread. Then when he used the Conqueror's Haki to take out the rest of the assembled guard, it was quite the shock. That level of power, meant to subdue the weak-willed, was truly formidable to overcome. He was pleased to see that his assembled crew, especially Bepo, remained conscious.
Then when it was obvious that Luffy's antics had at last attracted the attention of the Marines, he began to worry. What if Ritsuko was intercepted before she reached the Polar Tang? He had to stall these military lightweights and keep their attention on him to keep them from wandering. Not wanting to risk the safety of the entire crew, he kept only three with him and sent the rest back to the submarine. He didn't like the idea of teaming up with Kid or Luffy, but it was a necessary evil.
During a brief pause in the action, he just happened to notice Jean Bart sitting off by himself. He seemed indifferent to the scene around them, as if he didn't care which side won. He was a real giant of a man, much larger than he'd expected, but there was a calmness about him that intrigued him all the same. Despite the grubby clothes and the thick slave collar bolted tightly around his neck, there was a serenity of a man just bidding his time. His stance was hunched over with clasped hands, but his eyes had a steely gaze to them, which spoke of a sharp and calculating mind. His body was captive but it was clear that his spirit was free.
He could now understand what she admired in him, and why his rude gesture to the Kid Pirate Captain had been incredibly juvenile. He suddenly made up his mind to recruit this man, but would a Captain ever willingly submit to another? Freeing him wouldn't necessarily obligate him to join, especially if he was determined to regain his former glory. His mind raced with ideas on how best he could convince him.
"Trafalgar Law!"
"Hmm?" He grunted softly as he looked up to see a massive Marine charging towards him.
"How dare you treat us like a bunch of toys?!" He snarled as he raised his sword for a downward strike.
It was laughable really, not even worth his time. Law closed his eyes with a serenity of his own as he turned to walk away. "Bepo," he smoothly assigned to meet the challenge in his place.
The Polar Mink dropped down from his position in the trees and landed a solid kick which easily cracked the Marine's jaw. Law continued to walk past his friends, back towards the Auction House. He trusted them to carry on this fight in his place. They hesitated at his retreat.
"Captain, are you going back inside already?" Bepo asked in disbelief.
"Cover for me, I'll be right back," he informed them as he continued on towards the former Captain. He kept his pace relaxed and steady, one hand left casually in his pocket as his sheathed sword rested against his shoulder. His mind now shifted to how best to remove that collar. Silvers Rayleigh had removed it within a split second, but he wasn't keen on having it explode. That would only draw even more attention and things were already getting out of control.
Jean Bart noticed his approach but didn't bother to look up until he realized that he wasn't just passing by. This was one of the Supernovas, with a fairly impressive bounty and at such a young age. And the second one to approach him today too, he frowned curiously as his Law gently smirked up at him.
"I mean you no harm," he reassured as he raised his hand, summoning a faint ring of energy. Was what this? "I'm just gonna remove that collar of yours."
Jean Bart blinked in surprise but remained quiet. There was something keen in this young man's gaze that made him seem trustworthy, at least in this instance. The pair was surrounded within a dome and with a brief flash the collar soon clattered to the ground, amazingly intact. How was that possible? Jean Bart rose to his feet and rubbed his sore neck with a faint groan. "But why?" He asked. He wasn't reckless enough to rejoice in a freedom that may just be short-lived after all.
Law's smile held a soft scheming charm to it, he just couldn't help himself. "Captain Jean Bart," he began. "Care to come along with me and my crew?"
His choice of words was quite intentional. It was giving recognition to his former position, acknowledging his power and strength as more than just another subordinate. However, he had to make the distinction in rank clear. He was the Heart Captain, the one ultimately in charge. The informality of the question also made it clear that he was welcome to refuse his offer too. Even as a fresh wave of Marines charged towards them, Law patiently waited for his answer.
He had seconds to decide but it was an easy choice to make. Being a Captain meant he could recognize talent when he saw it and he wasn't too proud to serve under a rookie either. Jean Bart swept his great arm across, knocking several Marines clean off their feet.
"It's been a long time, since anyone's called me by that name," he frankly admitted. "But if joining you means that I can be free of the Celestial Dragons and leave this place…" he spoke as he struck down one Marine after another, like annoying little insects. "Then I would be happy to call you my Captain," he said proudly as he raised his arm in a hearty salute.
Law's relief was evident in his face as he smiled in turn. "I'm glad to hear it. Half the thanks goes to Straw Hat though, as well as your number one fan."