"We told you our real names!" The young girl wearing a maid attire and a bright beady yellow mustard ribbon whines to the young boy coated with white all over.
"So? I'm not interested!" The young boy grumbles wearing a familiar fur hat.
"You're so uncool! You're no fun!" The young girl whines.
"Even if I have fun, I'll die anyway." The young Law grumbles.
"You have quite a lot of white parts now." The young girl takes note of.
"I don't know if I can live another year...I may die sooner than I calculated." The young boy with the shadowy hues considers.
"That aside, if you have a real name, tell us- dasuyan ! Or I'll tell the Young Master you stab Cora- san two years ago!" The young boy with a large physique for his age and slight buckteeth. His hair was arranged into two antennae and he wore a beanie threatens.
"Yeah, we will!" The young girl threatens.
"Trafalgar D. Water Law." The young boy answers unaware of the faint flinch from a smoker nearby.
"Huh?" The two blurt out.
"I shouldn't tell that name to anybody, actually. I don't go by a code name like you two so it's just a little longer. "D." is a secret name, "Water" is a true name. For generations, my family..." Lae begins to explain but…
"How boring! This is not fun at all." Annoyed, the young girl grumbles.
"Yeah- dasuyan ." The boy by her side says.
"You guys asked me repeatedly!" Law snaps scaring said girl who bursts into tears until…
"H-Hey, let go of me! What the... Corazon! What do you want?! Hey!" The young boy cries out as a blonde man suddenly snatches him dragging him away.
"Oh, he's gonna get beaten again. Cora- san looked scarier than usual." The young girl watches Corazon take Law off to who knows where…
"What do you want, Corazon?! Do you wanna fight?! What are you doing?! Bring it on!" Law roars after being tossed into a dirty ally alone with the man with the black feathered back turned to him.
"What you said before, was it true?" The man demands from him sweat sliding down his tense temple, thinking towards a certain someone as smoke spews out of the cigarette in his lips.
"What?" Law does a double take.
"The secret name "D"...If it's true, you need to get out of here. Get away from Doffy!" Sternly, Corazon snaps at the young boy baffled to hear the mute speak.
"Why?! Since when can you talk?!" Taken aback, the young Law demands from him.
"Since always." Corazon answers.
"So you've been... fooling Donflamingo all this time?!" Law gawks at him.
"I've never told him that I became a mute. He just thinks so." Corazon shrugs.
"That's... the same as fooling him! What are you thinking...!?" Law demands but before more could be said…
"Silence!" Corazon snaps his fingertips together.
"What?! Huh? What the... The sound of the streets is...The sound of the streets is gone! Why?! Looks like people are talking but I can't hear anything!" Law gawks gapes to see so many people walk by chatting falling to the deaf ears of Law.
"You're loud so I put up a wall. A sound-proof wall. You can't hear the sound from out there, huh? They can't hear us, either. The wall is invisible. I ate the Calm-Calm Fruit and became a soundless human." He reveals to Law.
"A Devil Fruit eater?! What... What's wrong with you?! You've lied about everything! Don't tell me that... making a blunder like an idiot is also..." Law couldn't help but consider.
"Yeah, of course. It's all acting." He smiles just as his shoulder catches fire from his cigarette astonishing the rat scuttling on the roof when seeing said smoke.
"Don't lie! Your shoulder's on fire!" Law snaps.
"I've done those dumb things since I was a kid. I can't change it. I'm dumb. A friend of mine always tries to keep me out of trouble with her observation but since she's not here I'm on my own." Corazon admits to the young boy, spewing smoke into the open air as he thinks towards his friend a small smile crossing his lips at the scolding she would give him while a certain admiral was sat snoozing away on the sofa soon enough being kicked out with him…
"Shut up! The most ridiculous part of you is the only thing that's not a lie?! Why do you hide things from your friends?!" Fuming, Law demands.
"I don't consider them my friends. What I'm trying to do is stop my big brother Doffy from going out of control. I don't know how that beast was born from our warm-hearted father and mother. He has no... humanity. He was born to be evil-natured and he's never afraid of anything. The only people who know about his true brutality are the four Executives including me and the first Corazon - Vergo. He's a strong man who's currently separated from the Family on a secret mission. The details of the mission have been kept secret even from the Family members. You have no business with him. Anyway... Don't become a beast like my brother! You gotta get out of here, Law!" Honestly, Corazon admits to the lost Law having no clue what was going on.
"No way! I want to be like that!" Law insists but…
"The secret name "D."! It's no mistake. You're a part of that fated family - the Family of D. Back in my home, children are disciplined like this. "A badly behaving child will be eaten up by D." There have often been people who have the name "D." who gained public notoriety and old people would frown and mutter. "'D.' will surely bring us another storm." Corazon tells Law, furrowing his brow by the thought of a certain blonde.
"What are you saying?! Am I some kind of monster?" Law freaks out.
"Maybe." Frankly, Corazon admits as he thinks back to a certain D member a close friend of his that had done some pretty terrifying things recalling a murky memory of him being devoured by a sea king on a travelling ship, he had thought that was the end of him if not for the beast screaming as next he knew through the pure darkness he was enveloped in, he saw light and felt a hand snatch his own as he was flung out of the beast before watching in shock as a certain boisterous blonde beat the crap out of the sea king…cursing and threatening it before the ship wet on about its day alongside the vice admiral acting as if she had simply swatted a fly while the sea beast fled frighted…
"Nobody knows the truth but that name has been ceaselessly and secretly inherited throughout history all across the world. And in some places, there are people who call the Family of D..."Sworn enemy of the gods"!" Corazon explains to the young Law.
"God?!" Law says shocked.
"Say the "god" means the Celestial Dragons the purpose of your people might be "destruction of this world." But it's completely different in meaning from what Doffy is going for! D.'s must have an idea that's opposed to the god's." Corazon explains to the young Law thinking back to his old friend…
"I don't know what you're talking about! I joined the Family to kill every single person as violently as possible! I'm not your subordinate! I am Doflamingo's subordinate! I'm gonna die in a year! What should I do if I get out of here?!" Law yells.
"Get out of here and look for a cure!" Corazon tells him.
"There is none! I'm gonna tell Doflamingo that you can talk and about your ability and all!" Law declares.
"Don't do it!" Corazon roars trying to take chase before cursing at the boy long gone as Corazon comes back to the ship dread hitting him at his brother greeting him however…
"It's Tsuru again." Doflamingo grunts taking Corazon aback until…
"I decided not to tell him we're even now." Law reveals himself smirking smugly however said smugness doesn't last long as next he knew he was tied to some rope on a boat books filling the boat as Corazon set off with the young lost Law in an attempt to find a cure for him…
"Po-pi-pu-pa-po-pi-pi. Ring, ring, ring...
"Are you calling Doflamingo?!" Hopeful, he asks Corazon as the young Law is still tied up on the boat with Corazon.
"Hey! Help me!" Law calls out to the snail Corazon answers.
"Rice crackers!" The young Sengoku answers.
"Rice-cracker pellets"! It's me." Rosinante reports.
"Oh, it's Rosinante, isn't it?" Sengoku recognises.
"I'm taking a break from my mission for a while." Corazon tells him.
"Are you in trouble?" Sengoku pries.
" No, it's personal." He answers.
"Okay, got it. How are the kids? Are they still there even though you're giving them a hard time? I don't think those three will leave. The Family's became quite ill-famed now. Be careful." Sengoku advises Corazon.
"Okay." The man chomps down on some crackers.
ADMIRAL SENGOKU THE NAVY HEADQUARTERS
"I entrust this case to you so do whatever you like. Keep me updated." Sengoku orders.
"Roger that. I'll send you the details in writing. Clank." He hangs up.
COMMANDER DONQUIXOTE ROSINANTE
"Admiral Sengoku! The man who wishes to transfer who I told you about the other day, is here." The marine enters his office.
"Oh, all right. Come in. So it's you. I've been hearing about you. This is your first year after you officially enlisted and you've been quite successful...wishing to transfer to G-5, huh? First of all, I want to ask you about the sunny-side up egg on your left cheek..." Sengoku asks but…
"Yes, sir! My name is Vergo, sir!" Vergo swiftly salutes eager to be brought on.
"Where were you calling just now?! You said "mission"! Are you a Navy soldier or something?!" Law demands from Corazon.
"You don't like the Navy soldiers?" Corazon pries.
"People tying to the Government make me sick!" Scowling, Law glares at Corazon.
"I'm not a Navy soldier." Corazon asserts.
"Really?! Hey! Let go of me! Corazon! Hey! I don't wanna go to hospital!" Law flails about as they land, Corazon grabbing him dragging him off.
"Stop acting so predictably like a normal kid! I'm gonna cure your disease! I'm gonna take you to every single hospital! Look! It's a big hospital! They'll cure you!" Corazon drags the boy in but…
"Wh... White Lead Disease?!" The doctor gawks at the boy before him.
"It's been around for a while now. Don't you have a good medicine for it, Doc?" Corazon asks.
"E-E-Excuse me but where are you from...?" He asks the young Law.
"Flevance." The young Law responds.
"The White Town! "Yikes! No! I'm gonna get infected! H-Hey! Bring me antiseptic and gloves and a gas mask now! And call security and the Government! Hurry up!" The doctor freaks out as the nurse screams scared.
"No! Nooo!" She screams.
"-Forget it!" Law snaps leaping off.
"Law!" Corazon calls out to him however…
"See?! I'm not even a human anymore!" Law takes off fleeing as Corazon couldn't help but gasp at his words while watching the tears freely fall from the frightened boy.
"I'll never be human to these guys…" The young pink haired girl whispers as she sits side by side with the young blonde staring sadly down at the food below on her own with the boy by her side, watching the marines merrily cheer celebrating as the young blonde couldn't help but notice the dark look in the young girl's glazed eyes eyeing the cheering crowd, noting the glassy glaze in her hues.
"H-Hey!" The blonde takes note of the tears freely falling onto the food below baffling befuddling the young blonde boy, wanting to do something to comfort her…
"White monster! Please leave! I beg you!" The nurse cries.
"Hey, you! How dare you bring such a kid here?! How many patients do you think we have...!?" The doctor berates the stunned Corazon as before he knew it…
"This is an emergency announcement. We have a child with White Lead Disease in the hospital." The announcer dictates.
"The big guy is violent! We'll sterilize the entire building now." Scared, the employees of said hospital holler as Corazon comes out dragging Law out of the house now on fire.
"It was the worst hospital ever! I'm sorry. Did it bring back your old memories?" Corazon apologises as he drags Law out.
"This is why I told you! I don't wanna go to hospital!" Law barks back but…
"That one was terrible... But I'm sure there'll be a good doctor in the next one!" Corazon dictates determined.
"I don't wanna go!" Law yells but it falls to deaf ears as they set off once again.
"White Lead Disease! No! Somebody, help! The survivor of the White Town!" A nurse scrams scared.
"Let's go to the next! You'll get cured in the next one!" Corazon swears it leaving the exploding building.
"Enough! I don't wanna go!" Law refuses but…
"Hello?! World Government?! We have a survivor from Flevance here! Why didn't you kill all of them?!" The doctor yells before he knew it however…
"You assholes!" Corazon kicks the guy out of the hospital as yet again another explodes with a cross Corazon dragging out a flailing done Law.
"Look, Law! People in this town look kind!" Corazon perks up however…
"No! Ugh! I'm gonna get infected! Go away!" He is swiftly mistaken.
"How dare you call yourself a doctor?! Screw you!" Corazon beats the doctors within before storming out of another flaming building.
"Eight hospitals were damaged."
"Which way did those two go?!"
"The boy with the disease is..."
"Corazon, not only have I not gotten cured but I'm at my limit." Law grimaces clinging to the back of Corazon carrying him up the hill.
Stop whining! You'll get cured in the next one! It's either find the cure or death! Your life is on the edge now! Stay strong!" Corazon reminds the boy as they continue up the steep hill of snow.
"White Lead Disease! "Close the hospital! They're gonna come in!" The staff scream.
"I'm gonna killed y'all!" Corazon screams back.
"No, Corazon! Corazon!" Law tugs the ma back from acting rash as next Law knew…
"What am I doing...? I've been repeatedly making the kid from the tragic town relive the tragedy... And he hasn't gotten any better... Am I doing it for "D."? Or cause he reminds me of her…?
"I can't believe you, we didn't pass that assignment thanks to your clumsiness!" Cross, the marine boys sneer scowling down at the blonde shaking quivering quaking before them in a corner.
"You shouldn't be a marine." Another annoyed voice throws in.
"Yeah you're an anchor you'll just drag us down!" Another accuses.
"We're not teaming up with you! " The group of boys decide oblivious to the pink pony tailed woman stopping at the sight of the three boys ganging up on a blonde boy, tearing up.
"Aw is little Rosi going to cry!?" The boys cackle taunting the sniffling blonde but before more could be said…
"Hey." The pink haired girl steps up.
"Oh if it isn't little miss perfect." The boys sneer.
"The only reason you're at the top is cause we don't hit girls!" The boys beam brightly at the just done blonde.
"Yeah!" The boys bellow.
"Sounds like more of a you problem." Pointedly, the blonde deadpans.
"Huh?" The boys blink befuddled before gasping when next the group of boys knew…
Easily, the pink haired girl stands over the battered, beaten, bruised broken men, blood seeping out of their cracked crush skulls as she simply smirks down at them, the blonde boy before her shaking, quivering, quaking while she doesn't even bat an eye to it leaving the boy alone in the alleyway while her hands seep scarlet.
"Alright who's going to keep an eye on Rosinante!" The captain of the marines query eyeing the group of rookies.
"Not it!" Immediately, a fair few hands are raised.
"Yeah I don't want to be near that liability!" Another accuses as the blonde squirms from the sudden spotlight shining down upon him.
"I like living thank you very much!" Another laughs as a familiar ponytailed pink haired girl watches on from the sidelines leant against the wall with another girl by her side, with a mohawk merrily talking to the stoic silently staring girl.
"Someone has to make sure that idiot doesn't fall if he does he's dead. I'd bet my berri on it!" The mohawk girl by the stoic woman's side speaks up.
"Maybe that's a good thing his fruit is useless!" Another amused voice soon joins.
"Yeah what good comes from silence?" Another adds as the blonde's brow furrows from their words, imaging arrows impaling into the blonde falling flat to the ground, legs twitching as before the marines knew it, the wind blow briskly through their hair of many marines, clinging onto their lives through the storm, bullets of rain roaring pouring down as the thrashing ship tries to handle it.
"Help! Help me!" The voice of Rosinante roars through the thunder roaring down from the high heavens of pitch black, clinging to the railing before crying out as he falls flat into the sea screaming gurgling, trying to swim but soon enough with his fruit finds himself drowning devoured by the rough roaring waves of the sea.
"Shouldn't we get help?" A marine near the blonde points out.
"We're doing the marines a favour by leaving that anchor h-huh?!" The leader of the boys blinks befuddled by the blur of pink.
"Wait who was…?" One of the lackeys begin but…
"Ann!" Alarmed, Bell 'mere cries out rushing over to the railing shell shocked to see her coming back up with the blonde in her arms.
"H-Hey! What the…!? Tsunami!" The marines soon scream seeing said wave.
"See what happens when you help that anchor! He's cursed! He's nothing but bad luck!" A boy calls out to the two to the blondish pink haired girl as Rosi couldn't help but whimper when thinking at this moment, this was where he was going to die, this was where it was all going to end, this was when…
"Hold on to me." His hues widen when hearing her words.
"H-Huh?" He soon screams when a sea beast comes out of nowhere as she seemingly stares at it as before Rosinante knew it he was engulfed in darkness…
"Wh…where am I?" Rosinante groans, blinking bleary by the scorching sun above him, his hues widen when noting the sandy shore he was perched upon or that was what his hands felt, grasping hold of it he watches the sand slip out, his hues widening when noting the bench of leaves behind him.
"On an island." She mutters as Rosi couldn't help but gawk at his makeshift bed of leaf's seeing her sharpen the spear in her hands with a stone.
"H-Huh? W-Wait where are you…argh ow!" Rosi calls out taken aback as she suddenly stands after poking the fire to head into the forest, he tries to follow after her however…
"You should stay…" She furrows her brow by the blonde behind her but…
"W-Wait for me!" He refuses to listen trying to crawl up the rocks struggling to do so.
"…" Silently, she watches his attempt as she soon sees dozens of rocks come crashing down an avalanche of sorts scaring surprising the blonde.
"Huh? ARGHHH!" The young Rosinante soon screams from the rocks that come crashing down, rolling down scaring said boy running away as the young blonde girl goes on ahead to hunt.
"Told you not to come. You thirsty?" Calmly, after returning to the camp she places the coconuts down.
"Y-Yes…" Shyly, he nods before gawking when with some swift chop.
"S-So violent!" Rosinante couldn't help but gawk gape at such power.
"Here." She hands him half a coconut.
"H-How did you do that?" Rosinante couldn't help but wonder in awe as she silently sips her coconut milk ignoring him.
"…Thank you." Shyly, Rosinante bows his head taking a shy sip of his own coconut side.
"Hm?" Humming, she starts cutting the white insides of the coconut to eat.
"You didn't have to come in after me…" Meekly, he watches her eat the coconut insides.
"…And leave you to drown? That's stupid." She deadpans.
"But they're right you know?" Rosi smiles strained.
"Huh?" Humming, she nibbles on the coconut flesh.
"I'm an anchor." Anguished, he smiles strained.
"With that attitude sure." Unapologetic, Ann deadpans eating the flesh from the coconut.
"S-So blunt! You really know how to spare a guy don't you?" Rosinante holds his chest comically falling flat on his back from the invisible arrow the still nibbling Ann sent his way while she tries to enjoy her meal.
"You're the one being all mopey if you don't like how they treat you prove them wrong." Ann deadpans.
"But they're right as soon as you came to save me the tides went all weird!" Rosinante disputes.
"That was bound to happen with the weather…" She shrugs.
"Huh?" His hues widen when hearing her words.
"It was heavy, the air smelt sweet too, tried to warn the cap, didn't listen." Simply, she grunts.
"…What?" Rosinante couldn't help but frown at her answer.
"Eat." Simply, she hands him some coconut shavings before taking his to shed said flesh from the coconut.
"O-Oh wow I didn't know you could eat this. That's amazing heh, I guess three's a reason why you're the top of our class!" Cheerily, he smiles at her however…
"…You should rest up." She turns her back to him, lying on her side, using her hand to rest her hand.
"Huh?" He blurts out.
"Wasting your energy over pointless chitter chat ain't worth it." Bluntly, Ann deadpans.
"Uh…but…hey look at this!" Rosinante calls out making her sigh.
"Huh?" She peers over her shoulder.
"CALM!" He places his hand on his chest a small sound wave of sorts coming out of him.
"See you heard nothing right?" He smirks as he farts.
"…I certainly smelt it." Ann grimaces.
"Uh…sorry." Apologetic, Rosinante smiles shyly.
"Just go to bed." Briskly, she orders.
"R-Right!" Rosinante complies as the two head to bed for the night…
"Eh? Fish…what kind of message is that…wait is she going to fish but I doubt hse has a fishing rod she may need help!" Happily, Rosi perks up at the thought after waking up to see said message drawn into the sand. Smiling, he rushes into the wildlife to do just that however when he makes it to the bridge, his hues widen when he gawks gapes at the sheer sight of the woman roaring raising a fish the size of a sea beast over her head tossing it onto the grass, instantly knocking it out.
"She's Garp's granddaughter all right!" Frightened, Rosi couldn't help but gawk gape at such speed and strength stunned into a still silence he is oblivious to the ropes beginning to tear until his sharp scream stirs the attention of the woman below, her hues widening when seeing said sobbing blonde crying calling out to her as before he knew it he was in her arms bridal style, smiling sheepishly at the clearly done woman.
Quietly, the younger Ann tends to the fierce flames of the fire furrowing her brow by the fish she's cooking, parts of one at the least with the bulk behind her. However as she focuses on the fish she couldn't help but wonder where Rosinante was however she is soon greeted by the screaming blonde rushing out of the jungle, his face enflamed.
"The hell did you do!?" She gawks gapes at the mess of a man.
"I brought something to spice up our food!" Happily, he shows said honey to her.
"…Honey?" She eyes the mess on his hands.
"Yep!" He smiles.
"…We're eating fish." Frankly, she deadpans.
"So…?" Smiling, he exclaims.
"…Honey and fish don't go together." Truthfully, Ann deadpans.
"You're way too blunt! Can't you appreciate the attempt at helping!?" Rosinante roars at Ann fed up.
"You can help by staying at camp." Curtly, she reminds the walking hazard.
"So you do think I'm a burden! You think I'm an anchor too!" He accuses pointing at her, the tears freely falling from the emotional wreck.
"You're so annoying how long're you gonna keep crying? Huh?" Ann scratches the side of her head sighing however she soon stops from him sitting down going quiet, stopping said sob.
"Thank you…" Timidly, he bows his head.
"For what?" Frowning, she eyes the taller lankier boy before her.
"For…keeping me alive…for jumping in, in the first place…for saving me too!" Tearfully, he whimpers weakly trying to hide the tears back befuddling her.
"What? That's just common decency why are you thanking me for something that common? Why are you even following me into the forest I told you to stay out and look for ships, to make messages so why do you keep following me!?" Mad, Ann's emotions finally flare up, growing just done with the fool she had been stuck alone on an island for a week with…
"Cause if I didn't help out I could never be your friend." Sniffling, Rosinante cries confusing her.
"Huh? That'd be better than dying right? Why do you want to be my friend so much anyway?" Astonished, Ann asks.
"Because…because there isn't anybody else!" Rosinante whimpers stating the fact firmly, all his so called friends…just teased him all day, hit him bullied him, they weren't his friends
"…What?" Ann eyes the mess of a man before her.
"Everyone else in the marines sees me as burden but you don't or at the least I thought you didn't you were kind to me, whenever I'd panic and stumble you would always be there whether that be helping me with assembling the guns or partnering up with me when no one else would! You even threw yourself into the sea for me when no one else would! You're kind and I want to be your friend!" Finally, Rosinante reveals to Ann astonishing her, he knew what they said about her calling her inhuman, a demon, a devil, one that could be promoted to admiral in no time with such skills…and yet she remained rooted to the sidelines almost trying to hide from such praise…trying to be a side character almost.
"…I'm not." Softly, she whispers bowing her head.
"Huh?" His hues widen when noting her darkened features.
"I'm not kind I'm rude, I'm bitchy I'm standoffish didn't you hear what the others say about me? They call me a demon, you don't want to be involved with me." Seriously, she warns him.
"I don't care what they say about you you're kind!" Rosinante refuses to beleuve sure the marines in their class were mean calling her such things but he could see she was kind so why deny it? He didn't get it.
"…" He stares at her shadowed features.
"When the bullies would pick on me you'd always stand up for me even when you didn't have to you always…you always were kind to me and I want to be kind to you too why can't you accept my help!? I can see you hate being alone so why do you keep pushing people away?! Being alone is much worse than getting hurt!" Rosinante continues on regardless baffled why she was pushing people away?
"…It…it isn't so bad when I'm here?" Softly, she whispers shaking almost.
"Right." He confirms.
"And it'd be bad if I wasn't here?" She asks anxiously.
"I'd be dead if you weren't here!" Happily, he answers.
"…You want me to live?" Shyly, she whispers.
"Of course I do! What kind of question si that?" Rosi couldn't help but question confusion clear in his tone towards her.
"…I see. Alright here. You can coat the fish with honey. Might be interesting…" She considers before going over to the bush.
"What about you?" He watches her approach the bush.
"I think I saw some herbs that can help with your stings." Sighing, she crouches down.
"R-Really?" Hopeful, he smiles.
"Yeah can I trust you to cook the fish?" She asks him.
"Course you can count on me!" Merrily, Rosinante beams brightly up at Ann who couldn't help the small shy smile before making her way over to hers however as soon as her back is turned, her hues faintly flicker dread hitting her hard.
"W-" She opens her mouth to stop him however his sharp scream soon stops her as she sees the fierce flames feast upon the panicking Rosinante as she throws him into the sea, ceasing said flames making her sigh at the mess of a newly dimmed fire and fish meat coated in sand.
"…Sorry…" Rosi bows his head sighing sadly at another anchor attempt however his hues widen when hearing the sound of laughing, his browns widening when seeing to his surprise an amused Ann laugh her heart out as Rosi couldn't help the small chuckle of his own to join her own as before the two knew it they were laughing their hearts out as the marine ship soon came to pick them up…
"No... I don't care about that anymore. I have... I have been feeling sorry for him...Law! I'm sure you don't want…this idiot who just keeps hurting you...to say something like this but...You're still a rude little boy...and hearing you say "I'll die soon" is...heartbreaking...You... stabbed me... that day but...it didn't hurt at all! I know you were the one who was in pain! You poor thing! Law!" Tearfully, Corazon breaks down, the tears freely falling from his as he drinks himself stupid slamming the bottle down before tucking Law in, the tears freely falling as he turns his back to the boy who soon sheds tears of his own as Corazon falls tripping once more as the two sleep for now…
"Cora- san ...Hey, Cora- san! Breakfast is ready. What is that face?!" Frowning, Law glares at him.
"You just called me Cora- san..." Corazon swoons smiling.
"Shut up and eat breakfast! Cora-san!" Law snaps scowling.
"Hey Cora-san…" Law eyes Corazon chewing his food.
"Hm?" Humming, Corazon turns to him.
"This friend of yours who are they? They have a D. in them right?" Law assumes.
"How did you?" Confused, Corazon begins but…
"You murmured about them in your sleep." Law admits.
"Ah…" Corazon exclaims.
"They your lover or something?" Law assumes.
"Nah I could not handle the craziness of Ann." Corazon chuckles at the thought.
"Ann?" Law exclaims.
"Yeah she's a good friend of mine we met in the marines, the stories I could tell, you know she once saved me from a sea beast." Beaming, he tells Law.
"Really?" Law says surprised.
"Yeah it just swallowed me whole and she ran up and opened up its mouth and just pulled me out." Corazon chuckles.
"Liar!" Law accuses but…
"I'm not seriously she's just that crazy one time her observation haki is probably the only reason I made it out alive sometimes heh...one time she had to deal with a noble that wanted her she of course said no in the wrongest way possible for a noble." Corazon explains.
"What'd she did?" Law queries.
"If I remember right she said why would I want to marry scum like you? The noble pulled quite the hissy fit me and my friend had to tell her to deject him kindly so she then said sorry I can't say that I take that back only then to say I can't your personality is as shit as a brick." Corazon admits.
"She said that to a world noble?!" Law says surprised.
"Yeah Ann's a tad bit too blunt sometimes. Still I hope she's well I haven't seen her in a while…" Smiling, Corazon chuckles coyly at the thought of his old friend, his smile soon faltering furrowing his brow by the thought the mission took priority, he had been so busy with Law he hadn't really realized…Ann would understand…still he hoped she was okay wherever she was…
"Ring, ring, ring... Ring, ring, ring...
"Hey, Cora- san ! Cora- san !" Law calls out to him.
"Ring, ring, ring... Ring, ring, ring...
"I like how it sounds. Call me again!" Cora cheers smiling blushing brightly.
"Cut it out!" Law snaps.
"Don't be shy!" Cora chuckles.
"Just pick it up! The Snail!" Sternly, he orders.
"Ring, ring, ring... Clank." He does.
"It's me, Corazon." Cora answers.
"Corazon, you're there, aren't you? It's been six months since you two left. Is Law with you?" His hues widen when hearing his brother's words.
"Doflamingo! Law perks up at the voice.
"I see. I'm glad both of you are okay. Have you found a good doctor?" Doflamingo asks as Corazon taps an answer.
"I thought so. Bring Law and come back to the ship. We might be able to cure the disease. I got information about the Op-Op Fruit. Offered a huge amount of money by the Navy, some stupid pirates who don't know its value will accept a tradeoff, it seems. The Government must be pulling the strings behind the scenes. It's risky but we'll seize it. Once we get it, because of the nature of its power, the person I trust the most should eat it. You eat it, Corazon. And cure Law's disease. Clank." Doflamingo explains before hanging up.
"Good news! Law! You have a chance to survive! Forget about foolish doctors! If we can get the Op-Op Fruit, we'd be able to cure your White Lead Disease!" Cora cheers turning to Law.
"What's the Op-Op Fruit?" Law pries perplexed.
"It gives you the ability to modify human bodies! You can perform miraculous operations and cure even unknown diseases with it!" Cora cheers.
"I don't believe in that magic crap..." Law dismisses.
"No! It's no magic! You need medical knowledge! I know that you're the son of a doctor who was trusted by the people of Flevance! Since the time you were able to understand, you were learning medical knowledge and techniques, weren't you?!" Cora recalls.
"Yeah but... what does it have to do with this?!" Law frowns.
"So, it's perfect for you to eat it!" Cora states.
"Me?! Doflamingo said you should eat it!" Law disputes.
"A person will die if he eats two Devil Fruits. Doffy said that because he doesn't know that I'm a Devil Fruit eater. You and I... We won't go back to the Family! I decided so when I noticed this journey would take longer than I thought. I think Doffy knows that I'm a traitor by now." Cora declares determined.
"But he didn't sound like it. He said you should eat it..." Law disputes.
"There is another reason for Doffy to say he wants me to eat the Op-Op Fruit I'll get killed if I go back! Listen, we'll get a jump on Doffy and the others and steal the Op-Op Fruit! You eat the Fruit! When you get cured, let's go hide somewhere! Prepare to set sail! We'll get the Op-Op Fruit at any cost!" Cora scowls getting out his snail.
"Rice crackers"!" Sengoku responds.
"Rice-cracker pellets"! It's me." Rosinante reports.
"Rosinante! It's been a while. I've been worried about you! Hey, Garp! Why don't you go out for a sec?!" Sengoku calls out to him.
"What?! I just brought you senbei crackers! Make green tea for me!" Garp whines.
"Vice Admiral Garp...Now isn't a good time, Sengoku- san ?" Rosinante assumes but…
"Get out! Idiot! I gotta work! W-O-R-K!" He roars.
"Humph! How dare he treat me like a nuisance! Sengoku! Oh, Kuzan! Do you wanna eat senbei crackers with me? Come on stood brooding in that office of yours and actually eat something it's been weeks now!" Garp calls out whining much to Corazon's confusion, why wouldn't Kuzan be eating anything? He normally ate with Ann unless she was on one of her long term missions and refused to bring him, he could get pouty but never this extreme…
"Um... Can I talk?" Corazon asks as he snaps out of his thoughts turning back to the topic at hand.
"Yeah, sorry. Go ahead." Sengoku allows.
"Do you have a deal regarding the Op-Op Fruit?" Cora queries.
"H-How did you know?!" Sengoku says surprised.
"My brother knew it." Rosinante reports.
"What?! But it's top secret!" Sengoku freaks out.
Cora-san must be talking to...I kind of feel dizzy...Law couldn't help but grimace holding his head.
"When and where will the trade be?" Corazon demands.
"Three weeks from now, at Rubeck in the North Blue." Sengoku tells him.
"Rubeck...I'll meet up with Doffy and the others at Swallow Island three days before the handoff." Corazon looks over the map.
"Three days before, huh? So I guess all of the Family members will wait for the fight there for sure. That's a good tip. That'll be it for Doflamingo! We'll ambush at Swallow Island and catch the Donquioxite Family in one fell swoop! You stay away from the island!" Sengoku orders.
"I was planning on it. The list of all Doffy's business partners and the big names connected with him behind the scenes, I'll give it to you sometime soon. I think it's enough for you to uncover... the dark side of the North Blue." Corazon admits.
"Okay. Thank you. Clank." Sengoku hangs up.
"Hey, Law. Are you ready? We gotta sail out...Law! Law! Hey! You gotta be kidding! Stay with me! Not now! We finally got a chance! It's not been three years yet! I thought you still had time left according to your calculation! Oh no! He has a very high fever! What should I do?! Doctors are all useless! Argh what would Ann would!? Oh yeah! Let's give him some water! Dammit! What am I supposed to do?! Tell me, Law! Please make it! Stay alive for another three weeks! Give me a chance!" Corazon begs beseeches pleads to the young boy on death's door as before he knew it…he was on death's door.
"Cora- san..." Law whispers weakly shaking shuddering from the cold despite the robe wrapped around him in the blizzard before him.
"…good. You are okay. Silence. Look! It's the Op-Op Fruit! This Devil Fruit will save your life!" Corazon promises the young Law showing said fruit.
"But even if I eat it, you don't know if it will cure my disease..." Law argues.
"What are you talking about?! It will! Now, eat it! Here! Eat it quickly!" Corazon shoves said fruit into Law's mouth.
"What are you doing...?! Gross!" Grimacing, Law winces at the taste.
"There! Chew it like this! Chew it up and swallow it down!" He orders as Law complies.
"H-Hey, Cora- san ! I wasn't even ready to become a…Devil Fruit eater! Cora- san ? H-Hey!" Law gasps when seeing said male fall flat into the snow below.
"It's good...You can... cure yourself now...We have outsmarted Doflamingo... We won..." Smiling, Corazon exclaims as droplets of ruby red drip down descending upon the snowy sheet staining it.
"What's wrong, Cora- san ? Are you just tired? What?! Wait a minute! You're covered in blood! Cora- san, did you get shot?!" Scared, Law gasps when seeing said scarlet spill out of the punctured man.
"Yeah, I made a little blunder...guess I really am useless without my observation bubby." Bemused, Corazon tries to make light of it despite the crying child by his side.
"Damn! What are you doing, Cora- san?! Oh yeah! Get better! Get better! Get better! Stop bleeding! Stop!" Law tries but…
"That's foolish of you...I told you the ability doesn't work like magic." Corazon chuckles coyly.
"What am I supposed to do, then?! You... got shot because of me, didn't you?!" Terrified, Law cries.
"I said it's not like that... I just messed up...Law... I'll be alright! These wounds won't kill me...Listen carefully, Law. If the worse were to happen to me…" Corazon begins but…
"Don't say that!" Law stops him.
"Law…listen there's someone in the navy you can trust I know you have your reasons not to trust the navy but this person…will definitely protect you. Tell Ann Rosi sent you okay?" Corazon tells him.
"O-Okay." Law nods knowing where to go next, Portgas D. Ann…he would remember that name.
"We sure did get the Op-Op Fruit. But it won't stop Doflamingo running wild yet! I'm sorry to use you when you're weakened but I need you to do me a favor…" Corazon tells him as next Law knew…he was in a box.
"It's been six months. Corazon." Doflamingo looms over the bloodied battered beaten body of his younger brother, shakily smoking, leant back against a treasure chest as Law screams but the silence of the box makes it fall to deaf ears as he simply smiles.
"Young Master!" His men call out to Doffy drawing out his arm when Rosi reaches for something in his shaken state.
"You have no place to go? Then, do you wanna come with me?" Sengoku crouches down to the crying child crying his heart out as marines stand by before the vice admiral comforting the shaken child just as present Corazon draws out his flint lock…
"Marine Code 01346, Commander Rosinante of the Navy Headquarters. Donquioxite Family, captain, Doflamingo. I have been undercover to prevent a future tragedy of your doing. I am a Navy soldier! I'm sorry that I lied you... I lied because I didn't want you to hate me." Corazon explains to his blood brother.
"You fool! Do you think it'll help you to apologize now?! Stop telling those insipid jokes and…answer these two questions! Where's the Op-Op Fruit?! Where's Law?!" Doflamingo's grunt demands from him.
"The Devil Fruit...The Op-Op Fruit... I let Law eat it! He's a Devil Fruit eater now! He managed to get out of the cage. I bet he's been taken into protective custody by a look-out ship from the Navy HQ by now. By the time you find him he'll be under the protection of someone I trust with my life. Someone who I see more as family than you. Someone who I know you'll be no match against. You can't touch him now!" Corazon dictates determined, he knew Ann would treat Law well he had faith in her…
"Young Master- sama ! We heard the Navy said on the radio earlier they took a boy under their care!" Baby Five reports from the sky.
"Why didn't you report that sooner?!" Doflamingo snarls.
"I rushed here even if I don't look like it- dasuyan! "I'm sorry!" Buffalo adds.
"Check into that quickly! I'll undo the Birdcage!" Doflamingo dictates unaware of that boy being a very young X Drake.
"This is an unbelievably great coincidence! As I thought, Law, something compels you to stay alive. Saviors keep descending upon you one after another. Corazon smiles.
"Prepare to set sail! If what he said was true, we'll sink the Navy's look-out ship and get Law back!" Doflamingo dictates.
"Don't. Why would you wanna go after Law?" Corazon demands from his blood brother.
"Why would I wanna go after Law? If he ate the Op-Op Fruit, he needs to be educated in order to die for me!" Doflamingo chuckles unaware of the horrified Law.
"Boy... You've done tons of unnecessary things! Why do you wanna get in my way?! Why do I have to kill another member of my biological family?" Doflamingo draws out his gun as Law tries to hit the box trying to get out but…
"Cora-san, are you sure you'll be alright?! Law worries.
"I know you can't shoot me... You're so much like your father!" Doflamingo sneers.
"You told me you'll be alright, didn't you?! Law bangs thrashes trying to break free but…
"Listen, Law. Pirates can't resist taking treasure boxes to their ships whenever they find them. That means if you stay in here, you'll definitely have a chance to get out of the cage. Don't miss it." Past Corazon tells past Law.
"What about you, Cora- san ?!" Law frets as he sits in the box.
"Dummy...Doffy wants you and the Op-Op power. Doffy and I are brothers by blood. Of course, he'd get pissed at me but I'm sure he won't kill me. Calm. This will cause anything you interact with to not make any noise. Alright, see you in the next town. Maybe we'll go see Ann after this she can confirm that story you don't believe she'd love you too speaking of hey, Law. I love you!" Corazon smiles giving him the peace sign before putting the lid down leaving Law in the box as Law smiles grinning.
This isn't what you told me, Cora-san! You said he won't kill you! Law thrashes trying to break free but…
"Law won't obey you! Doffy... Affected by White Lead Disease, he was doomed to die in three years. But he got over it. He's not the same Law...who lost track of himself and came to visit a crazy pirate that day. There is nothing he can gain from you since you're like a child of destruction! Leave him alone now! He is free!" Corazon smirks shakily standing still bleeding out as he sways squirming trying to stay alive as the tears freely fall from Law hearing the sharp sound of gunfire…
"Not yet...I'm gonna stay alive for a little bit more...Because if I die now...the spell I cast on you will be broken instantly...and your voice and noise you make...will be heard throughout the island. Go, Law...Quietly... without being noticed...Go farther... and farther...There is nothing to bind you down anymore...Whether it's the iron border barrier of the White Town or a short life expectancy... Nothing and no one will limit you.
Smiling, Corazon stretches out still smiling as Law sneaks out of the treasure chest crying his heart out as he makes his escape…
"Hey…you okay?" Law jolts up at the voice his hues bursting open when grey meet concerned sherry red, stubbornly, Law tries to wipe the tears away as the night sky shines down upon the sleeping heart pirates.
"H-Hey it's okay I'm not going to hurt you." Ann assures the shaking child reaching for his blade but finds it not here.
"It's alright…" Softly, she whispers, her hues softening sadly at the boy before her.
"…Dammit." He curses cross.
"So you're Trafalgar D. Water Law. Sorry I didn't talk to you straight away Luffy was kicking trees and all sorts I've left Jinbe to get him to sleep but I don't know if it'll last." Ann admits as she sits by the boy's side.
"…Portgas D. Ann or should I call you Roger D. Ann?" He asks her.
"Eh Portgas seems more fitting now then a little birdie told me you've been looking for little old me." Mischievously, Ann amused exclaims.
"…You're hard to track down." Law's hues narrow.
"So you use Luffy to get a audience with little old me? My, my don't I feel honoured?" Happily, she smiles.
"Someone told me a log time ago if there was someone I could go to it was you." Law bows his head pained at the memory.
"…And what could you want with little old me?" Ann asks.
"Revenge." Law states the fact firmly.
"Oh?" Ann arches a brow bemused.
"Do you know someone called Rosinante?" Law pries as Ann feels her heart drop.
"…Rosi? How is he? Is he well?" Anxiously, Ann asks concern clear in her tone towards her old friend.
"He's dead." Law delivers as Ann's hues dilate dread hitting her hard at the news.
"…Oh Rosi…was…was it quick?" Softly, she asks but the still silence says otherwise…
"…It was Doflamingo wasn't it?" Ann grimaces.
"…How much do you know?" His hues narrow at Ann.
"…Everything. I think…" Ann mutters.
"And you did nothing?" Law scowls glaring at Ann.
"…I have my reasons." Ann furrows her brow by the familiar flames feasting upon the tall towering tree of Ohara…
"Tch…" Law glares at Ann who grimaces at another person in her life lost…
"So…you want Doflamingo dead?" Ann assumes aloofly.
"That's right and you ca do that." Law asserts.
"…What if I can offer an alternative?" Ann argues.
"What do you mean?" Law's hues narrow.
"Something drew you to Luffy…the will of D perhaps?" Playfully, Ann smirks slightly, she could see it work, Doflamingo would be a worthy test for Luffy if he was to be the pirate king in the future not to mention it would destroy Dressrosa and avenge him…perhaps this plan could work…if things worked out as Ann had thought they would.
"You…do you know the will of D?" Law pries however…
"You must have seen Luffy's stamina and power…" Ann assumes.
"What of it?" Law frowns.
"What if I told you hw cold be the one to take down Doflamingo?" Ann argues.
"…What?" Law scowls.
"The Will of D is a powerful thing." Ann looks up at the starry sky above.
"You can do it!" Law snaps seething.
"I could but if you truly want Doflamingo to suffer…you need to listen to everything I say." Sternly, she turns on hr heel, sherry wine meeting his hues.
"And what would make him want to help me?" Law scowls at Ann.
"Well you owe him for one though knowing how he is…you'll need to come up with an excuse…" Ann hums.
"What would you suggest?" Law eyes Ann.
"You can't just blank me out on this Ace!" Agitated, Ann roars raising her voice to Ace.
"You blanked me out about Kaidou..." Ace grumbles.
"Ace I can't just go up and kill the guy." Ann scoffs shaking her head sure she was tempted but she just couldn't...
"Why not? You're strong!" Ace argues annoyed.
"Shanks would kill me besides it would disturb the balance..." Ann tries to explain drained at the thought of explaining the inner politics among the Yonko to her baby brother, she loved him truly but he had no clue even when working under Whitebeard...he still had a lot left to learn.
"...You could destroy him!" He scowls at Ann.
"Ace I'm being serious here people like us need to lay low we can't afford to bring attention to ourselves." Ann whispers worriedly, people like them had enough trouble as it were...
"So we have to ignore all those suffering in Wano while we sit back and enioy our food and drink." Disgusted, Ace glares glowers down at the drink in his hand.
"...Ace..." Ann sighs sadly, she couldn't she wished she could help the people of Wano truly but there was a balance, a order her captain wished to maintain and she would follow.
"…Take down Kaidou." Ann answers as Law's eyes expand when hearing her words.
"What?" Law scowls.
"He wants to be the pirate king for that to happen the Yonkos need to fall." Ann asserts.
"You think he could take him?" Law considers.
"If he survives this I believe he can I'll give you my word." Ann assures.
"But you won't fight him?" Law scowls.
"I have only so much freedom as part of the red-haired pirates not to mention the navy on my tail due to my lineage but you and Luffy you two are free." Firmly, Ann explains to them.
"…If he survives." Law frowns.
"He will and you'll see his power." Ann smirks smugly.
"So if I use him to kill Doflamingo he'll use me to get Kaidou." Law summarises.
"Sure…if you do as I say Doflamingo will be six feet under." Ann smirks smugly the two shaking hands glad to have come to this understanding.
*So yeah...just wanted to give an explanation as to how Law knows her...what did you think of this chapter? Of Corazon and Ann's friendship? Of Ann now?*