Ikkaku grimaced. "I don't like this, Captain."

"We'll keep quiet and out of the way," Law said.

They were seated in the slave auction house that belonged to Doflamingo Donquixote. Not that many people knew that. Law had been distracted all day, staring up at Mariejois. It was even worse that he had missed a sighting of Hawkins because he was too busy being lost in a daze. Hawkins had paled at the sight of them, and Ikkaku had even readied one of her throwing daggers, only to realise Law hadn't noticed him. Hawkins had quickly scurried off.

Now she, Shachi, Bepo and Penguin were in the auction house with Law, a dazed and distracted Law. That wasn't a good thing at all. Not when they were in one of Doflamingo's buildings. Law did have the awareness to overhear the Kidd Pirates talking about him, and even smirked and stuck his middle finger up, but the moment he looked away his eyes already started to grow distant.

"This is reckless," Shachi muttered.

"We just gotta stick close to Captain," Penguin said. "None of us take our gazes off him for even a second. Got it?"

It was telling that Law didn't protest.

.:.

"Joker, I just received some interesting information from my staff members," Disco said, smiling brightly. "You'll love to hear it!"

"Oh? And what is that exactly?"

Disco could feel the anticipation running through him. He felt jittery from the excitement. This would be a good day today indeed. First they had gotten a hold of a giant, and now there was a special guest among the crowd? Just how lucky was he?

Disco grinned. "I have been told that among our guests today in the auction hall there is a special one who had joined us, someone who you have been after for a long time now. Trafalgar Law and some of his Heart Pirates are currently seated within the auction hall, right at this very second!"

"Fufufufufu, now that is good information to hear. Sadly I can't personally come in to see him, but I'll send one of my men over. We're currently in Mariejois right now on special business."

"Very good, Young Master. We'll keep an eye on Trafalgar Law on our end, and warn you if he begins to leave."

"Much appreciated, Disco. Good luck on your auction today. Fufufufufufu!"

Disco grinned. What a wonderful day it was turning out to be.

.:.

The show began. Ikkaku gritted her teeth and had to bite back her disgust, while people were sold to all these horrible pigs. Law looked just as disgusted, leaning his head heavily on his hand as he watched, while Shachi, Bepo and Penguin watched grimly.

"I could throw a bomb right now..." Ikkaku grumbled. "Right at that stage with that stupid bastard on it and blow those assholes up."

"We'd get into a whole world of trouble," Shachi complained.

"Ice-ya would probably come running," Law chuckled darkly. "That would finally get his ass shifted for once."

Ikkaku smiled, about to comment, but paused when she saw the Straw Hats, without their Captain oddly enough, wander in. They looked like they were in a pretty heated discussion. They were right behind them, or more so Bepo, so their crew overheard everything.

"Your mermaid friend got captured?" Law asked quietly, startling them.

"L-Law!" Nami gasped.

"Why are you watching this crap?" Sanji scowled.

"It's related to a person I know," Law said vaguely. "I wanted to see if anything interesting happened."

"I can't believe you guys brought your mermaid friend to Sabaody of all places," Shachi complained. "Are you lot really that clueless?"

"We've never been here before," Nami admitted.

"Jeez, you Straw Hats." Shachi shook his head.

"We've got a plan to get her back," Nami insisted. "We're going to outbid everyone here for her."

"The only problem is if a Celestial Dragon takes an interest in her," Law murmured. "Thankfully they haven't noticed me so far, otherwise I'd out running right now since they are so obsessed with withes-"

"Which is why maybe I should try do something if Camie-chan does somehow get sold..." Sanji muttered.

"Hell no," Nami hissed. "Witches are worth even more money. Nature or otherwise."

"Yeah, don't out yourself," Law whispered. "It's a terrible idea."

"We'll win this," Nami said firmly. "We've got to."

"Good luck," Law offered tiredly. "By the way, Sanji-ya?"

"Yeah?"

"You been looking at the sky a lot?" Law asked.

Sanji went quiet. "A few times."

"When you leave Sabaody you'll collapse with a fever and start having visions," Law offered. "It happens to witches like us, so try to be careful."

"Rouge did tell me back in Alabasta, but thank you anyway, Law. Do you know why that happens?" Sanji asked.

Law shook his head.

"I see. Well, thanks for the information."

"No problem."

.:.

Sabo went pale as he stared at the headline. "Thatch is getting executed?"

"He got handed over to the Marines by Blackbeard," Dragon said, his brow furrowing heavily. "Ace was with them."

"Dammit!" Sabo snarled. "Ace is never going to forgive himself for this when he's free of Teach's control. Fuck!"

"Sabo-" Dragon began gravely.

"I need to find out more information," Sabo said. "Whatever the Whitebeards are planning to do to rescue Thatch, I want in, because Blackbeard should be there, and wherever Blackbeard is, Ace isn't too far behind these days."

"We can't offer any help," Dragon said mournfully.

"I know." Sabo nodded. "The Revolutionary Army isn't ready yet, but I can't sit here and wait. I'm getting Ace back."

He couldn't keep waiting any longer.

.:.

"I see him, Doffy."

Vergo stood in the shadows of the auction hall, hidden just behind the side door. He could see Law seated at the back of the auction hall, talking quietly to the Straw Hat Pirates. That was of no matter, once Law left the auction hall Vergo would follow him, and take him back to Doffy where he belonged. Trafalgar Law would be their witch again.

The boy had no choice.

"Good. I think it's time we bring him home, Vergo. He's had plenty of time to play at this rebellion streak of his. Oh, but do try not to rough him up too much. He's our witch after all. We're supposed to take care of them, fufufufufufu!"

Vergo huffed. "Then he better not act like a little brat."

"Fufufufufu, if he does then I'll punish him when you bring him home."

.:.

The Straw Hats had failed. They had been out bided by a Celestial Dragon, just as Law had feared. Law could see Eustass-ya leaving with his crew, complaining about how a farce this world was. Law couldn't help but agree.

However something crashed through the main doors and launched right into the building, sending people in the crowd of onlookers flying.

Ah, that explained everything. It was Luffy. Of course he was being a reckless ass as ever, because he ignored all the poor big guy's protests and logic and tried to bolt after Camie with his one tracked mind. Law might actually have to save the poor girl from being exploded.

It got worse when it was discovered the big guy was a fishman.

Luffy hadn't even noticed.

That oblivious moron. Rouge would strangle him if she could right now. He could feel her talisman burning hot against his neck.

"Shit," Shachi said, going pale. "He's about to shoot-"

The Celestial Dragon shot the fishman guy down without any remorse. Law cursed. The Straw Hats looked absolutely horrified.

"Hachi!" Nami screamed.

The crowd began sighing in relief and muttering about catching Hachi's disease. Law's blood boiled. Those comments reminded him too much about his journey with Cora-san years ago. All those doctors... Ikkaku grabbed his hand and squeezed it tight, her teeth grinding.

Luffy was going to kill the Celestial Dragon.

That look in his eyes.

Yet Hachi still tried to stop him, despite getting shot, but idiots will remain idiots, and thus the stupid Celestial Dragon threatened to shoot Hachi again.

And the Celestial Dragon's face proceeded to eat the floor as Luffy's fist collided with his face.

Everyone was silent for a brief moment, until the other Celestial Dragon began shooting. That brought about a mass panic, because all the customers bolted for the door. Law remained lounging in his seat, content to watch the chaos unfold.

Then Usopp came crashing through the ceiling and landed on the father Celestial Dragon. Shachi burst out cackling and cheering. Law smirked at the sight.

"We have to hurry and get out of here before the Navy and Admiral arrive!" Nami yelled.

"You're a bit late on that," Law sighed. "Your Observation Haki is still a mess, huh, Luffy?"

"Traffy!" Luffy grinned. "You're here two?"

"What do you mean by that, Law?" Nami cried.

"They've had the place surrounded before the auction even began," Law said. "I'm not entirely sure who they were here to catch, but I doubt they expected anyone to beat up the Celestial Dragons."

"Heh, you Straw Hats have put on quite the show," Eustass-ya said, smirking.

"That's Eustass Kidd," Robin said.

"He's the one with the higher bounty than Luffy?" the skeleton yelled.

Law paused when he looked at the skeleton, and his brow furrowed. Another head witch? What the hell? Luffy had three head witches on his crew now? They were supposed to be rare to see in the first place, yet Luffy somehow had managed to meet several already!

Ace from the Elemental Clan, Robin from the Death Clan, this skeleton from whichever clan he was from, Dr. Kureha from the Immortality Clan (whom Law had actually met once as a child with his parents when they had been trading medicinal recipes), Sanji from the Empathy Clan, Princess Vivi from the Shapeshifting Clan (Luffy had told him about Alabasta), Paulie from the Creation Clan and well Law himself from the Healing Clan.

That was eight head witches Luffy knew, from what Law even knew of.

While they were all distracted, the female Celestial Dragon did another dumb move. She pointed a gun at the mermaid.

"Now you die!" The woman smirked, about to shoot.

A wave of Conqueror's Haki knocked her out. Law grimaced at the sheer power of it, while Shachi and Ikkaku looked a bit unsteady. It swept over everyone, knocking out the guards and staff members ruthlessly.

Dark King Rayleigh.

Holy shit.