Chapter 8

Sana took another close look at her wanted poster.

Wanted Dead or Alive: Siren of the Desert Sana Zenndiqque - 20,000,000 Berry

It was a picture of her, and based on her clothes it was most likely taken over the past two years at one of the previous ceremonies.

"It hurts my pride to think that you have a wanted poster before me. And I'm meant to be the bad guy here."

The lack of empathy and almost joking tone in Law's voice frustrated her more. He was normally not like this, he knew how to be serious. So why could he not take her situation seriously?

"I don't think it's funny."

There was an instant switch in Law's expression. The teasing smile turned into a serious frown.

"Join my crew!"

Sana blinked a few times out of sheer bewilderment.

"Didn't I tell you to stop joking."

"I'm quite serious. You have assets that would be useful to me in the future, and I can give you a place now that you have nowhere to go."

Again, she wore a dumbfounded expression on her face. He couldn't have been telling the truth, there was nothing about her that Law could've found an useful asset. She was quite literally still a child, an immature and naive one at that.

"Do you even know what a siren is?"

No, she did not. The nickname or bounty the World Government given her didn't make any sense. She didn't mean to hurt anyone or lie, but she ended up being one of the biggest reasons Khaso turned out this way. In a way, she contributed to everyone's suffering and fed off of their fears to live in luxury.

"A siren is a creature that lures men to their death with it's voice. They are considered quite sensual creatures, so I can't see how it's a fitting name for a child that can't even hold their liquor yet."

Sana took out a crumpled piece of paper and slammed it on the table in front of her.

"I decline. I'm not planning on joining you. Instead, take me to this place."

Law peeked at the contents of the scrap piece of paper only to see some coordinates scribbled down on them.

"I feel like I've done quite enough to help you already."

"I not only took you to the library of Taewe, but I also helped you steal some books from there. If anything, you owe me now."

"Looks like you still have a lot of spunk left in you."

Sana silently rose from her chair and turned towards the door. She made the right choice, after all, wasn't this why Kai gave her these coordinates? Siah's mother, her stepmother was still alive and Kai advised her to go to her to be safe. But who is she meant to be safe from now; pirate and pirate hunters? What about the marines and the World Government that printed her posters and sent them around the world for everyone to see. Was she meant to stay safe from regular village folks, or even an unassuming friendly neighbour.

Before she could reach for the door knob, she stopped and returned back to the chair.

"I still want you to take me to this place," she ordered him. Law thought she forgot who the captain of the ship was. "But I won't stay there, I will just be dropping Siah off."

"Didn't expect you to abandon your beloved sister this quickly."

"I'm not abandoning her, but she'll be much safer there than with me who can't even protect myself. As for me, I'll temporary be accepting your offer."

"Temporary?"

"You said it yourself, I'm a child who can't even hold my liquor yet. So what use am I to a big, strong pirate like you?"

Law snickered at her sarcastic comment, "That's for me to know and you to find out. Don't worry, I'll morph you into someone I can use."

Sana cleared her throat to try and push away the anxiety building up in her chest. Using the table to prop her up, she stood up again.

"I'm leaving, please call for me when we arrive at the coordinates."

"Before you go, you might also find this article of interest to you."

Law flipped the newspaper back to it's front page. The paper covered the story of Alabasta's triumphant victory over the now former Warlord of the seas, Crocodile and the ascension of the rightful King Cobra and Princess Vivi. She knew of Alabasta as it was neighbouring her own country, and truly felt happy for the people to have finally been liberated from their tyrannic rule. Before she could fully read the article, Law turned to the next page.

"A bright future: King Cobra and Princess Vivi visit Khaso. Promise to restore it back to it's glory."

The story gives a brief background of Khaso from the point of view of the World Government. A tyrant family was ruling over the country for decades, and the marines managed to chase them out and save it's citizens. Without a new ruler in place to manage the country, the World Government sought out the help of Nefertari Cobra who was the newly reinstated ruler of Alabasta and his daughter Nefertari Vivi. The pair made their first visit to the country, talked and listened to the concerns of the people and promised to watch over Khaso the same way they'll watch over Alabasta.

"It looks like Khaso is slowly working towards their happy ending after all."

There were no happy endings in Law's world, no ordinary, powerless person will ever get one. But Sana still believed in them, and after he said those words, he could swear he saw tears streaming down her face. Sana clutched the newspaper to her chest and walked out of his room.

Khaso was finally liberated.