Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A woman stands beneath the shade of the trees, the breeze gently tugging at her long, snow-white hair. Her sharp features are framed in shadow, cold eyes fixed on the worn piece of paper in her hand.

A wanted poster — creased at the edges, but the face printed on it is unmistakable.

“You’ve earned yourself quite the bounty, Trafalgar… child,” she whispers, her voice low and edged with something darker than amusement.

She folds the poster carefully, eyes narrowing toward the open ocean, waves crashing softly in the distance.

“I have to catch him before they do.”

****************************************

Nami squinted toward the horizon, just as Luffy’s voice rang across the deck like a cannon blast.

“Oi! I see an island!”

Of course he did.

He was already leaning halfway off the Sunny’s figurehead, arms waving like a child spotting candy, calling for Chopper and Usopp, who immediately rushed to join him. The excitement was infectious — but not for her.

Nami stayed still, eyes narrowed, watching the outline of the island grow sharper with every wave they cut through. It looked peaceful… too peaceful. That kind of stillness always came with a price.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this place, Luffy,” she said flatly, arms crossing as her gaze swept the quiet shoreline. “Let’s just buy what we need. We don’t have to stay long—”. But he was already gone. The moment the anchor dropped, Luffy had launched himself toward the dock like a cannonball.

She sighed.

Right on cue, Sanji appeared beside her, one hand over his heart and the other extended dramatically in her direction.

“Nami-swan! I’ll protect you with my life!”. She didn’t even glance at him. “Uh-huh.”

Turning away, her voice shifted — sharper, more grounded.

“Brook, you’re going shopping with Sanji. Franky, you stay here and guard the Sunny. We meet back in three hours — no exceptions.”

“Aye-aye!” Brook tipped his hat, cheerful as always. “Yohoho! I wonder if they have any tea shops!”

Robin had already slipped away without a sound, heading toward a bookstore nestled between two buildings. Nami didn’t stop her. If anyone knew how to take care of herself, it was Robin. Zoro, however… took two confident steps into town, turned left instead of right, and disappeared entirely. She didn’t bother calling after him.

Typical.

With everyone scattering into the market, Nami exhaled and rolled up her sleeves. This was her domain now — the clatter of coins, the art of bargaining, the thrill of making ten berri feel like a hundred.

Her steps were quick, precise. She knew exactly what they needed, and more importantly, how much she was not willing to overpay. This was supposed to be a simple supply stop — a quick in-and-out before anything went wrong. But deep down, something twisted in her gut.

And as she disappeared into the crowd, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this island… had other plans.

****************************************

He whispered to himself, voice low and bitter, “Why the hell does it always end like this?”

Everything — every carefully laid plan, every hidden step — shattered in a moment. Of course. For the past two weeks, he’d lived like a shadow between trees, hidden deep within the forest of this island. No fire. No sleep. Barely any food. Just silence — and the constant ache of exhaustion. But it was better than being caught. Better than being paraded around in chains, another trophy for the World Government.

They hadn’t found him.

Yet.

But then again, Trafalgar  Law was possibly the unluckiest bastard alive.

He should’ve seen it coming.

“Of course they found me,” he muttered, ducking behind a thick tree as boots thundered past. “Why wouldn’t they? That’s my curse, isn’t it? I don’t hide. I only delay the inevitable.”

The forest erupted with shouts, Marines, Cipher Pol agents, who-knows-what-else. All of them barking the same thing:

“Don’t let him escape!”

“Surround him!”

“Orders are to bring him in alive!.”

“Tch.” Law wiped sweat from his brow, breath ragged. “Try harder.”

The agents swarmed like ants, but every time they thought they had him, he vanished again. He wasn’t just running. He was buying time.

His chest burned, lungs screaming, but he didn’t stop. Couldn’t. He was close. He broke from the tree line, and there finally two ships floated in the harbor, but only one made his brow twitch.

A lion-faced figurehead…..

Straw Hats… Of course.

He allowed himself a crooked smile. “You know what? Fine. Let’s make this interesting.”

Without a sound, Law sprinted across the dock, boarded the Sunny like a ghost, and slipped below deck. He found a quiet, empty crew quarters — eight beds. Cozy. Messy. Lived-in.

Perfect.

He didn’t bother announcing himself. He collapsed on one of the beds, half-laughing under his breath.

“Guess I’m staying the night.”

He’d wait. Let them set sail.

And once they were far enough from the island — far enough from those dogs in uniform — he’d make his move.

****************************************

The time passed quickly. One by one, the crew returned to the Sunny with bags full of food, tools, spices, and snacks. Even Zoro made it back somehow.

The crew returned from the town in high spirits. Nami was beaming for once, everything had gone according to plan. “No chaos, no trouble,” she said happily, hugging a sack of freshly bought supplies. “This might be a new record.”

The island disappeared behind them, swallowed by the horizon. The Sunny rocked gently as it sailed into open waters, peaceful and unaware.

Above deck, life returned to normal.

Zoro napped in the sun, one eye lazily half-open. Usopp and Chopper had resumed their endless fishing competition. Brook played soft notes on his violin, and Nami charted the next course in the library. Robin flipped a page in her book, unbothered. Franky was below deck, muttering “Suuuuper” every now and then as tools clanked around him.

Everything was… calm.

Now’s the time.

Trafalgar Law stood at the door of the crew quarters, expression unreadable. He adjusted his hat slightly, noting how his body felt strangely lighter rested, even after the long sleep he finally allowed himself. The fading ache in his limbs was a dull echo now, and though he still hadn’t eaten anything decent in two days, it felt like the first time in weeks his body wasn’t fighting him.

He took a breath.

Then, in the same flat tone he’d use to announce a diagnosis, he stepped into the sunlight and said

“Oi. Straw Hat.”

The words cut through the hum of daily life. Everyone froze.

Luffy turned from where he sat, blinking at the sight of Law standing calmly on his deck like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Law didn’t flinch.

“I’ve been here for a while. Hiding. Long story,” he said, voice steady. “But now that we’re far enough from the island, I figured it’s time to say hello.”

He paused, scanned their confused faces, and added dryly, “…Also, I’d like some food”

And with that, Trafalgar Law the Surgeon of Death, the 440 million bounty man stood there like a guest who had just dropped by for afternoon tea.

*****************************************

Law stood motionless on the deck, arms crossed, eyes calm, as if he belonged there.

But he didn’t.

Every Straw Hat froze in place.

Zoro’s hand was already on the hilt of his sword.

Nami stepped back instinctively, her Clima-Tact already extended.

Chopper squeaked and ducked behind Usopp, who was trying — and failing — to look brave.

Robin looked up from her book, eyebrows ever so slightly raised.

Even Sanji’s cigarette nearly fell from his mouth.

Who the hell was this man to stroll out of their quarters, speak like he was part of the crew, and then… ask for food?

Tension wrapped around the Sunny like a storm cloud, thick and crackling.

But Luffy — as always — broke it in the most unexpected way.

He stared at Law.

One second.

Two.

Three.

No words. No movement. Just that intense, unreadable look.

Then, suddenly — Luffy’s lips twitched.

He grinned.

Then laughed.

“Hahaha! You were here the whole time?! That’s awesome!”

Law blinked. “…Not really.”

Luffy turned to the Sanji, shouting over his shoulder like nothing strange had happened at all.

“Oi, Sanji! Make us something good! We’ve got a guest!”

Sanji looked like he’d been punched in the logic. “Wha—Guest?! He snuck onto our ship!”

Luffy shrugged. “Yeah, but he’s hungry.”

Law gave a small sigh, lowering his head a little. Of all the ships I could’ve picked…

And just like that, the storm passed though the crew remained tense, exchanging confused glances.

He wasn’t welcome.

But Luffy had already welcomed him.

And that was going to make everything more complicated.

*********************************************

 While Sanji chopped vegetables with practiced precision, the scent of sizzling spices filling the air, Law sat cross-legged near the deck rail, staring blankly ahead as Luffy fired question after question.

“So, the tattoos are they, like, symbolic? Did it hurt? Oh! What about the piercings? You did them all yourself? That hat! Is it special? Does it talk? Can I wear it?”

Law didn’t answer most of them. He just sat there, hunched slightly, internally questioning every life choice that led him to this moment.

They seriously don’t want me here, he thought, watching the rest of the crew disappear into the kitchen. And the idiot captain already accepted me like I’m part of the damn family.

Inside, the tension simmered hotter than Sanji’s frying pan.

The crew had gathered in the bar near the galley, voices low, glances sharp.

Nami stood at the center, arms crossed. “Alright. Who’s against letting him stay on the ship?”

Chopper and Usopp both raised their hands immediately in unison.

“Yes! Definitely yes!” Usopp said.

“He’s scary and mysterious!” Chopper added. “That guy screams danger!”

Robin, leaning casually against the wall, let out a quiet chuckle. “Even if you say yes or no… it won’t change anything. Luffy’s already made up his mind.

She took a sip of her tea. “We might as well talk to him. Figure out what his problem is before things explode.”

Zoro was slumped in the corner, arms crossed, head tilted back fast asleep. Not a single word or sword offered.

Sanji slammed a pan down, muttering through gritted teeth. “Tch. First he stows away. Then he acts like he owns the deck. Now I’m cooking for him?! What is this, a floating restaurant?!”

“Actually, yes,” Brook offered, cheerfully. “You do cook on a ship. That’s what chefs do.”

“Not. Helping,” Sanji growled.

Nami exhaled, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Fine. No one likes it. I don’t like it. But we’re not throwing someone into the sea just because they’re annoying.”

Usopp raised a hand. “Even if they might be a criminal?”

Robin smiled lightly. “Aren’t we all?”

Silence.

“Touché,” Brook said.

They all turned their gazes toward the door where somewhere outside, Luffy was now poking Law’s shoulder repeatedly, laughing at something, completely oblivious to the quiet storm brewing in his kitchen.

*********************************************

When Sanji finally served the food, Law sat down among the Straw Hats like a man walking into enemy territory unarmed.

He hadn’t realized how chaotic dinner with pirates could be or more accurately, how stupidly chaotic it could be.

Plates were flying, Luffy was already on his third helping before anyone else had finished their first, Chopper and Usopp were arguing over the last piece of grilled fish, and Brook was serenading his soup.

Law took one bite and instantly regretted every choice that had led to him stepping on this ship. This isn’t a meal. This is survival.

By the end of dinner, Law was no longer hungry just exhausted. He had hoped they’d forget about him.

They didn’t.

Once the plates were cleared and the noise died down, the questioning began like a jury made up of circus clowns.

“So, what’s your job?” Usopp asked, eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Law stared at him, deadpan. “I’m a doctor without a degree and I treat the criminals”

The crew went silent.

Robin raised an eyebrow with mild amusement. Nami crossed her arms.

Chopper blinked. “So… like, an underground doctor?”

“Something like that,” Law replied, voice flat.

Usopp leaned toward Luffy and whispered, “I told you, this guy is dangerous.”

Law resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

He sighed.

This was temporary.

Next island, I’m off this ship. No second thoughts. No delays. I’ll swim if I have to.

But as he glanced at Luffy, laughing with a mouth full of meat and zero concern for the world, Law felt something unfamiliar crawl in the back of his mind.

They’re idiots. But they’re not… bad.

Chapter Text

At some point, Nami gave up.

There was no use trying to reason with Luffy. Once he smiled at someone, it was over. He could find a talking crocodile with a bounty on its head and still offer it tea.

She had tried really. She laid out the risks, the logic, the fact that Trafalgar Law was not just some guy hiding in their quarters. But Luffy had just tilted his head and laughed like she’d told a joke. Now Law was still on the ship, still alive, and apparently… staying.

Hopeless.

So instead, Nami shifted her focus.

She watched him quietly over dinner. The man didn’t talk much. He ate slowly, barely reacted to the chaos around him. Cold. Mysterious. Distant.

And, unfortunately… ridiculously handsome.

Great. Just what we need. A brooding pretty boy.

But even as she tried to brush it off, something twisted in her gut. A warning bell. It wasn’t about his tattoos or his sharp tongue it was in his eyes. Like he was carrying something heavy. Something he hadn’t said yet. Something that might explode.

And drag us all into hell with him.

Again.

She had no proof, just instinct the same instinct that once kept her alive in the darkest corners of the sea.

That night, the Sunny grew quiet. The waves rocked gently. One by one, the crew drifted to sleep.

And Law?

That bastard had the audacity to complain.

“I can’t sleep in a room full of people.”

Really?

So they gave him Luffy’s private cabin the one he never used anyway and treated him like some royal guest.

The room was dim, lit only by the soft orange flicker of the lantern swaying gently with the motion of the ship. Nami sat on her bed, legs crossed, arms hugging a pillow to her chest the storm in her mind louder than the sea outside.

You sneak onto a ship, lie to the crew, eat their food… and then request your own room?

And worse?

He got it.

If this man brought trouble to the Sunny the kind of trouble that made Marineford look like a birthday party she’d be the first to throw him overboard.

Handsome or not.

Robin sat nearby, as always calm, flipping through the pages of an old novel like there was nothing in the world to be disturbed by.

But Nami was disturbed. She bit her lip, then finally blurted, “Robin…”

Robin hummed, not looking up. “Hm?”

Nami leaned forward. “Since that creepy doctor showed up, I’ve had the worst feeling. I can’t explain it. Something’s going to happen, I know it.”

Robin didn’t answer at first. She flipped one more page before setting the book down, then glanced up with her usual composed grace, “Oh, Nami. When don’t bad things happen to us?”

Nami groaned and flopped back on her bed. “That’s not helping.”

Robin chuckled softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Alright, fair. But I agree. He’s… strange. Not just quiet intentional. Like he’s always watching, but never reacting. Zoro noticed too.”

Nami sat up. “Zoro?”

Robin nodded. “He didn’t say it, but I could tell. The way he looked at him. Like two wolves sniffing each other out.”, Nami rolled her eyes. “Great. So he is dangerous.”

Robin leaned back against the headboard, resting her hands in her lap. “Oh, he’s definitely dangerous. But maybe not in the way you think.”. Then, with a slow smile, she added, “Let’s be honest. He’s mysterious, brooding, well-spoken… and very, very pretty.”

Nami’s face flushed in an instant. “Wha! Robin!”

Robin lifted an eyebrow, amused. “What? I’m just observing.”

“He’s creepy, not….. not!” she flailed for the right word, “attractive!”

Robin’s smile widened just a little, her voice silk-soft. “You know creepy and attractive aren’t mutually exclusive, right?”

Nami threw a pillow at her.

Robin caught it without flinching and returned to her book, unbothered.

Nami turned to the other side, muttering into her blanket, “He’s not my type…”

But her face was still warm. And her gut was still telling her:

Something’s coming.

********************************************

The morning started with an eerie stillness.

No crashing waves. No seagulls. Not even the usual creaking of the Sunny’s wood.

Nami was the first one awake. She stepped out onto the deck, her bare feet touching the cool wood, eyes scanning the horizon.

Something felt off.

The air was thick — not humid, but heavy. Like the sea itself was holding its breath.

She squinted up at the sky. The clouds were forming too fast, too low. No color, just dull grays and something… uneasy beneath them.

She frowned.

“This isn’t just bad weather,” she muttered to herself. “It’s hiding something.”

A soft rustle behind her.

Robin emerged from the hallway, a book tucked under her arm, her hair slightly tousled from sleep.

“Morning,” she said quietly.

Nami didn’t answer right away. She was still watching the clouds.

Robin followed her gaze. “You feel it too.”

Nami nodded slowly. “It’s going to hit us hard. The storm’s not normal.”

One by one, the rest of the crew began to stir.

Zoro was half-asleep, dragging his swords behind him.

Sanji lit a cigarette with a lazy yawn. Usopp and Chopper stumbled out, already arguing over who dreamt something scarier.

Only Law remained still, still inside the quarters.

But even from behind the door, it was clear he wasn’t asleep.

He was listening.

Waiting.

And outside, the ocean grew quieter than it ever should be.

The storm was coming.

The scent of breakfast filled the Sunny, eggs sizzling, bread toasting, and Sanji barking at Usopp to stop stealing raw ingredients.

The dining room buzzed with morning energy. Luffy was already halfway through his plate when the door creaked open.

Law walked in, expression as deadpan as ever.

Luffy’s face lit up like a child on his birthday. “Oi! Torao! You’re late! I was gonna wake you up, but Nami told me not to!”

Nami, sitting nearby, casually sipped her tea and stared off to the side like she heard absolutely none of that.

Law stepped further in, slow and deliberate.

“No need, Mugiwara,” he said smoothly, voice edged with dry sarcasm. “I was awake before the sun rose.”

He paused just behind Nami, casting her a sidelong glance with a barely-there smirk.

“I simply wasn’t in the mood for… socializing. I assumed you offered room service, navigator.”

Nami stiffened for a heartbeat, as if debating whether to roll her eyes or roll up her sleeves. Her expression stayed perfectly calm too calm but the slight twitch at the corner of her mouth gave her away. She didn’t turn to look at Law, didn’t say a word.

But the silence? Oh, it was the loudest “shut up” he’d ever heard.

From behind the stove, Sanji turned his head slowly.

A sharp fwip sliced through the air as a towel came flying toward Law, but with a quick sidestep, he effortlessly dodged it without a word.

“This isn’t a damn hotel, Doc,” Sanji growled, voice low with annoyance. “If you want service, go book a room somewhere else preferably far away.”

Law take a seat like he hadn’t just insulted half the crew.

Luffy just kept chewing.

“Hey Sanji, got more eggs?”

Law sat down without a word, scanning the breakfast spread with a bored glance.

His eyes skipped over the bread basket like it was poison.

Sanji noticed the way he subtly avoided it and said nothing  just filed the detail away with the rest of Law’s odd preferences.

Doesn’t eat bread. Noted. Still an asshole.

Law picked up a slice of toast, inspected it with disdain, and slid it wordlessly across the table toward Luffy, who grabbed it without hesitation like a starving raccoon.

“Thanks, Torao!” Luffy beamed, crumbs already sticking to his cheek. “You should just stay with us! Be part of the crew!”

The room went quiet for a moment, all eyes drifting toward Law.

He didn’t even look up.

“No,” he said simply, calmly, like someone declining a second cup of tea.

Luffy blinked. “Eh?”

Law took a sip from his mug, expression unreadable. “You’re too loud.”

Usopp gasped. “He said no?!”

Chopper looked heartbroken. “But we shared food…”

Brook tilted his skull. “Yohoho… cold.”

Sanji rolled his eyes. “Tch. He doesn’t even eat bread, what did you expect?”

And Law?

He sat there, unbothered, sipping his tea while the rest of the crew spiraled into their usual chaos exactly the kind of thing he wanted nothing to do with.

Breakfast ended with the usual chaos laughter, crumbs everywhere, Luffy still chewing on his fifth plate. But as the crew stepped outside, the sky had changed.

The breeze had turned sharp.

Clouds thickened above the Thousand Sunny, rolling in fast, the horizon darkening like ink spilled across the sky.

“Storm’s coming,” Nami said, already scanning the sky, calculating. Her voice turned sharp. “Everyone, to your stations now!”

The crew didn’t hesitate.

Usopp gripped the mast, Chopper helped secure supplies, Franky ran to the helm, Zoro silently unsheathed a sword just in case.

Everyone moved.

Except Law.

He leaned against the rail, arms crossed, watching the sky with bored calculation like the storm was a puzzle and he already knew the answer.

Rain came in sheets. The waves rose.

The Sunny creaked hard under the pressure, tilting violently.

“Hold on! We’ll use Code Posture!” Nami called out, voice tense. “Franky, prepare it!”

Before they could engage the maneuver, a vicious gust slammed into the side of the ship.

“WAAAAAAAH!”

Usopp and Chopper were lifted right off the deck like paper dolls.

“Luffy! Help us!” they screamed, flailing through the wind, flying toward the open sea.

Luffy lunged, stretching his arms — but the wind stole them faster than he could reach.

Time slowed.

Then…….

“Room.”

“Shambles.”

In a blink of blue light, Usopp and Chopper vanished midair reappearing safely in Law’s arms on the deck.

They clung to him like terrified kittens, tangled and sobbing.

Law just sighed.

“Stop screaming. You’re not dead.”

With perfect timing, Franky activated Code Posture, and the Sunny stabilized, riding the wave like a bullet.

The storm began to ease.

“Brook,” Nami called out, water dripping from her bangs, “Can you see anything around us?”

Brook squinted into the mist. “No, Nami-san. But can I see your pa—”

CRACK.

Her kick sent him flying.

From above, Zoro called out one hand shielding his eyes.

“Nami. I see land.”

The crew looked ahead.

Through the fading storm clouds, a shadow of an island began to rise.

***************************************

Deep within the jungle’s edge, the wind carried the stench of blood.

Three men burst from the trees, panting, their faces pale with terror. Their boots slipped in the mud, their limbs trembling.

“This island’s cursed,” one of them cried.

“We shouldn’t have come here… That freak isn’t human.”

“Let’s go back. Forget the trusuers. I just want to live.”

But death was already waiting for them.

On the blood-slicked shoreline, the scene was a massacre. Bodies broken, mangled strewn across the sand like discarded toys.

And at the center of it all, she stood.

A woman cloaked in white, her dress flowing like moonlight, stitched with ancient patterns that shimmered like frost. The fabric clung to her figure, ethereal yet haunting as if pulled from a forgotten elven legend.

Her long silver hair danced with the sea breeze, streaked in splashes of red.

But it was the creature beside her that turned their blood to ice a massive, shadow-black wolf, its glowing blue eyes locked onto the survivors.

Fenrir.

She gently dragged her sword through the sand, the steel whispering like it had a voice of its own.

“So fragile,” she murmured, her tone dreamy. “Still running?”

She looked at them, her smile far too serene for the carnage around her.

“I wonder…” she whispered.

She reached down and rested her hand atop the wolf’s thick fur.

“Would your meat satisfy him tonight?”

The men turned to run, but it was already too late.

The last thing they heard was the low, guttural growl of Fenrir…

And her soft, delighted laugh as she whispered,

“Fetch.”

****************************************

The crew docked on the opposite side of the island far from the blood-soaked beach they didn’t know existed.

Here, the sand was clean, the breeze gentle. Birds chirped. The forest ahead looked calm… deceptively calm.

Luffy jumped down from the Sunny, eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“Sanji! Are the bentos ready?!”

“Almost, you impatient glutton,” Sanji grumbled from the kitchen window.

“I’ll stay behind and guard the Sunny,” Franky said, arms crossed, scanning the area. “Just in case anything funny happens.”

Nami stepped forward, holding her bag and pointing at the path into the trees.

“We’re not splitting up too much. No wandering off. Everyone stays in their group got it?”

She turned to the others and started assigning.

“Group One: Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, and Chopper.

“Chopper  you keep your eyes on Zoro. If he gets lost again, I swear I’ll throw him overboard myself.”

Usopp laughed nervously, Chopper saluted, Zoro yawned.

“Group Two: Sanji, Robin, Brook… and you.”

She looked at Law flatly.

“Tora-o.”

Law narrowed his eyes. “Oi, don’t order me around, Nami-ya.”

Nami didn’t even blink. “Just shut up. You’re already pissing me off, creepy man.”

Robin chuckled under her breath. Brook tipped his hat. Sanji glared at Law like he was planning to stab the bento.

With everyone ready, the two groups turned and began walking into the forest. Their spirits were light laughter, teasing, the rustle of boots on soft grass.

But deep in the woods, the wind shifted.

And none of them knew what was already waiting.

*****************************************

Nami’s Group:

The forest grew thicker as they wandered deeper in, sunlight filtering in scattered beams through the canopy above. Robin’s eyes scanned every vine and moss-covered stone, hopeful for traces of ancient civilizations. Nami, of course, had her own priorities.

“If I find a treasure chest, I’m not sharing it,” she announced cheerfully.

Law, walking a few paces behind, muttered, “What a noble declaration from a navigator.”

Brook chuckled. “Yohoho, I’ll take the treasure in the form of a woman’s heart!”

“Focus, skeleton,” Nami shot back, swatting a low branch out of her way.

Eventually, they stumbled upon a river cascading into a breathtaking waterfall, the mist shimmering in the light. The view could have been from a dream.

“Perfect spot for a break!” Robin said, settling near the water.

Sanji, already animated with enthusiasm, set his basket down. “Yes! A forest lunch for two dazzling angels!”

He swiftly pulled out a blanket laid it down neatly under the shade then placed cushions for Nami and Robin, carefully serving them drinks, snacks, and even a small bouquet of wildflowers.

Nami smiled. “You’re the best, Sanji-kun!”

Robin gave a graceful nod. “Thank you, Sanji.”

Meanwhile…

Brook and Law stood off to the side, eyeing a lumpy rock.

“I suppose that’s our table,” Brook said.

Law sat down on it, unimpressed. “No wine, no bread. This must be the peasant section.”

Sanji didn’t even glance their way.

“Oi, where’s ours?” Law asked dryly.

Sanji turned, grinning. “Huh? You two have hands. Use them.”

Brook chuckled. “I think he still holds a grudge for the kitchen incident.”

“I washed the damn pan!” Law growled under his breath.

As they ate, the serenity was suddenly shattered. A strange voice echoed through the trees.

“Oh, hello there,” came a feminine tone soft, polite… and completely insincere.

From the shadows of the trees emerged a woman with stark white hair and eyes like ice. She smiled, but it wasn’t warm.

Law was on his feet before his plate hit the ground. Sword unsheathed, his posture turned rigid every instinct screaming danger.

“My, my,” the woman said with theatrical offense, “Is that how you greet a lady, doctor? Tch… rude.”

“Depends on the lady,” Law said dryly, eyes narrowed. “You don’t look like someone worth trusting.”

Nami leaned slightly toward Robin and whispered, “Do you recognize her?”

Robin shook her head slowly, gaze sharp. “No. But I don’t like how the air changed when she appeared.”

************************************************

Group Luffy – The Other Shore

It all started, unsurprisingly, with Zoro claiming he knew the way.

“No worries,” he had said, confidently marching into the trees. “I’ve got a feeling about this path.”

Which, of course, was how they all ended up trudging through thick brush, knee-deep in leaves, and entirely unsure where the hell they were.

“Why are we following him again?” Usopp whispered, stepping over a suspiciously slimy root.

“He’s the only one who walked off like he had a purpose,” Chopper replied, slightly out of breath.

“That doesn’t mean we should follow him! Zoro’s ‘feeling’ once took us in a full circle on a straight road!”

Luffy, as usual, just grinned. “It’s more fun this way.”

Eventually, the trees opened up, revealing the edge of the forest and beyond it, a beach. But the moment their boots hit the sand, the jokes died in their throats. And what they saw wasn’t just bad it was chilling.

The beach was silent… eerily so. Waves rolled in, slow and too calm. The sky overhead had dulled, clouds turning the water a steel-gray. Scattered along the wet sand were bodies.

Dozens of them.

Torn. Twisted. Burned.

Some were missing limbs. Others were little more than scraps of cloth and bloodied bone. Whatever had happened here it wasn’t a fight.

It was a massacre.

Zoro stepped forward slowly, his voice unusually low, “…What the hell is this?”

Usopp gagged and stumbled back, his face pale. “W-We’re doomed… this is cursed… this is cursed, right?!”, and Chopper didn’t say a word. His eyes were wide, his hooves shaking.

Luffy stood still, his expression unreadable, shadowed beneath his hat. He looked at the bodies, then at Zoro and without saying anything, Zoro met his gaze.

They were thinking the same thing.

Whoever did this… didn’t just kill.

They enjoyed it.

Luffy finally broke the silence.

“We’re not alone on this island.”

Zoro’s hand moved to the hilt of his sword.

“Yeah. And whatever’s here… it’s not human.”

Chapter Text

Nami Group:

The woman stepped forward, each movement graceful.

The Straw Hats crew immediately shifted into position, their lighthearted picnic forgotten, staffs, and instincts ready.

Then her gaze landed squarely on one person.

“Trafalgar Law…” she said, her voice like velvet stretched over a blade.

“Or do you prefer… Trafalgar D. Water Law?”

Law’s jaw tightened for the briefest second.

What the hell…? Who is this woman?

It had been years since anyone dared say his full name—and longer since anyone knew it.

Still, he forced his usual smirk, tilting his head lazily.

“It’s been a while since someone’s bothered with the whole name,” he drawled. “Nice throwback.”

But she wasn’t playing along. Her eyes didn’t leave him.

“I didn’t expect to find you here… Not on my island.”

She gestured vaguely to the forest around them, her tone calm, eerie.

“A place where nothing is ever ordinary.”

Law’s grip on his sword tightened just enough to be ready.

Her smile darkened.

“And now I see you’re helping the Straw Hats too. Fascinating.”

Law’s eyes narrowed. His voice was low,“…Who are you?”

Nami’s thoughts stirred “How does she know him? Did we miss something… something we were supposed to know?”

“Oh… now I understand,” the women said, eyes locked on Law with wicked amusement. “That look on their faces? It makes sense.”

She smiled wider, sharp as glass.

“You didn’t tell them who you are… why you’re really wanted. The bounty on your head the blood on your name.”

Her voice dropped, laced with venom.

“You didn’t even tell them your real name.”

She tilted her head, almost mockingly.

“You’re carrying it, aren’t you? That little letter… D.”

She paused, her tone suddenly softer but colder.

“I’m sorry, dear. I assumed you’d been honest by now. Hiding it so well… almost like you’re ashamed.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“Or maybe ‘D’ sent you… to them.”

The wind died in the trees.

From behind Law, Robin’s voice broke the silence.

“So, you’re one of the D….” She tilted her head slightly, her smile teasing. “Though you might be the only one who never laughs. Must be the gloomy branch of the family.”

Law didn’t even glance her way as he muttered dryly,

“Good. The rest of them are already loud enough to embarrass the whole bloodline.”

He stepped forward, lips curled in quiet fury. Law drew Kikoku, the tip of the blade glinting in the fading light. He stared the woman down, unmoved by her smile.

Sanji barely took a step forward when Law spoke, his voice calm, measured dangerously so.

“I can already smell it coming… your chivalrous philosophy,” he said without turning around, tone laced with mockery. “I don’t fight women. You do the whole noble knight routine. We’ve been over this.”

He paused, his gaze settling on the strange woman in the distance, standing too still, like the calm before something awful.

“Mine’s a little different.”

His gaze flicked toward the woman

“I’m not your captain,” Law continued, taking a slow step forward. “So I’m not here to give you orders. But if you’ve got even a shred of sense, take the others and go back to the ship.”

“This island has no treasure. No history. Just… unresolved issues. Emotional wreckage. The kind of place people end up when therapy doesn’t work.”

He tilted his head slightly, eyes still fixed on the woman.

“I’ll handle it.”

Sanji clenched his fists, frustration flashing in his eyes.

“Fine. But don’t get yourself killed, surgeon.”

He turned back toward the crew, flicking his cigarette away.

“Everyone else let’s head  back to the Sunny.”

Nami hesitated for a heartbeat, eyes flicking to Law’s fading.

“…He better know what he’s doing,” she muttered.

Sanji didn’t look back.

“I’m sure he does.”

The woman didn’t flinch. She stood calmly, her white hair dancing around her face like smoke. “Finally,” she said, voice thick with delight, “the little surgeon shows his teeth.”

The woman’s heavy blade scraped against the earth as she advanced step by deliberate step toward Law.

Without a word, she lifted it to her shoulder

And just like that, the fight began

**************************************************

Luffy Group:

 Luffy sensed something approaching and leapt back just in time the wolf was massive.

Chopper froze, eyes wide in disbelief. He had seen this creature before… not in a medical text, but in one of Doctorine’s old fantasy books.

“Fenrir is a monstrous wolf born with immense strength and sharp claws. Feared for his unstoppable power, he was chained to prevent destruction, but is destined to break free and bring chaos. He symbolizes uncontrollable fate and fierce wildness.”

“Luffy, be careful!” Chopper called out, ducking behind Zoro. “I read about this thing it’s not supposed to be real! And I don’t think Conqueror’s Haki works on creatures like this!”

Luffy gave it a try, but as Chopper warned, it had no effect. The creature stood its ground, radiating power and bloodlust.

“Zoro,” Luffy said firmly, “I’ll handle the wolf. Take Usopp and Chopper back to the ship protect them.”

“Got it, Captain,” Zoro replied, stepping forward without hesitation taking Usopp and Chopper with him.

**************************************************

“You’re… seriously annoying,” Law growled, his voice hoarse.

His legs barely held him upright. Blood trailed down his arms, soaking into the torn fabric of his coat. Every breath burned. Every step was heavier than the last.

Fighting her was a nightmare.

Law was struggling to hold his ground which was strange. He was usually stronger than this. Every time her blade clashed with Kikoku, it felt like something was being pulled from him.

Even Kikoku seemed to shiver in his grip.

“What the hell is this…?” he thought, gritting his teeth.

There was no visible wound, but every movement felt heavier, like he was sinking into himself.

He stole a quick glance at her expression calm, almost bored like she knew exactly what was happening.

At this rate, he was going to lose unless he figured out her trick. And fast.

But suddenly…

She stopped.

Mid-step, mid-swing.

Her eyes locked onto something behind him, smile fading into something far colder.

“What the hell are you planning now…” he muttered, trying to steady his breath, body screaming for rest.

But the woman said nothing.

She just… watched.

She looked Law in the eyes, a calm yet chilling smile on her lips.

“You must be wondering how I know your story… from the day you were born, to the fall of Flevance, to the man who died for you.”

Her sword vanished into black smoke as she stood tall, fog gathering around her.

“I’ll stop the fight for now.”

She turned slowly, but before disappearing into the mist, her voice echoed back with sharp pride “These days, they call me Lilith Fenra.”. She glanced over her shoulder, eyes gleaming. “But that’s just the name the world knows.”

Her tone dropped, darker almost whispered.

“The real name… the old name… is only spoken by those smart enough to fear it.”

She paused, just as her form began to fade into the mist. Then, she glanced over her shoulder, her eyes glowing faintly.

“Make sure that pathetic government doesn’t get to you first… Because I’m the one who’s going to kill you, Trafalgar D. Water Law.”

And just like that  she vanished.

Law let out a long breath, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.

“Great… A psycho woman with two names and one goal—me dead.”

Then suddenly, Luffy appeared beside Law.

Law blinked, surprised he hadn’t sensed him coming. He immediately assumed the woman had brought him here.

“Torao, you’re hurt,” Luffy said, frowning.

“I’m fine, Mugiwara,” Law muttered. “What were you doing?”

“I was fighting this big wolf! Chopper gave it some weird name……anyway, I was winning! Then I ended up here. I’m gonna go kick its ass again!”

Law sighed. “Forget the wolf. We need to get back to the ship. Trust me… it’s not worth it.”

Luffy stared at him for a moment……really stared. Then, to Law’s surprise, he simply nodded.

“Okay.”

Then Luffy tilted his head. “You want me to carry you?”

Law shot him a sharp glare. “Shut up.”

“Okay, okay,” Luffy laughed

**************************************************

The forest around them was dense and shadowy, the path barely visible under the thick canopy.

Luffy walked beside Law, who was still nursing his wound but moving steadily.

“Man, this place is huge,” Luffy said, looking around with a grin. “How do you even find the ship here?”

Law smirked. “You just follow me and try not to get us killed.”

They moved carefully, stepping over twisted roots and ducking under low branches. The distant sound of waves guided them hope in the wilderness.

Finally, the outline of the ship appeared between the trees. Relief washed over them both.

“See? Told you I’d get us back,” Law said, a rare smile crossing his lips.

Luffy punched Law’s shoulder lightly. “Not bad, Torao.”

Law finally returned to the Sunny. He was limping, his coat torn and bloodied, but he walked like someone who had no intention of collapsing in front of anyone.

Nami crossed her arms. “Took you long enough both of you”

Law didn’t respond. He walked past them, climbed aboard, and dropped down to sit against the mast, breathing heavily.

Sanji raised an eyebrow. “So… you alive. Impressive.”

Robin, leaning on the rail, asked calmly, “Was that woman really who I think she is?”

Law nodded slightly. “Yeah. Lilith Fenra.”

That name made Brook pause mid-step. “Yoho… so it was her.”

Chopper ran over to check Law’s wounds. “You’re lucky to be breathing.”

Law didn’t look at anyone. He just closed his eyes.

Nami looked away, biting her lip.

Robin watched Law in silence.

No one said it out loud, but they all knew:

whatever just happened wasn’t over yet.

And she would be back.

Chopper carefully treated Luffy’s wounds, muttering to himself while bandaging the captain’s arm. Nearby, Law sat stubbornly against the side of the Sunny, refusing help as usual.

“I’ll treat myself,” he said flatly, brushing Chopper away. “No need to fuss.”

*******************************************

After the chaos, a strange calm settled on the deck. Robin approached quietly, her arms folded as she stopped beside Law.

“Do you happen to know something about Lilith Fenra?” she asked, her voice low and steady.

Law leaned his head back, gazing at the sky. “If I remember right… back when I was a teenager, people used to whisper about a witch. One no one could stand against. Then she disappeared… a long time ago.”

Nami and Brook were nearby, listening. Brook tilted his head thoughtfully.

“Her age is unknown,” he said. “But rumor has it she’s over 700 years old. They say she was once someone no one dared to cross… not even the World Government.”

Robin nodded slowly. “When I was with the Revolutionary Army, I came across her name. According to Sabo’s research, she’s the only human recorded to have mastered true witchcraft at an advanced level. He suspected she came from a powerful family lost in the Void Century… which might mean she knows something about the Ancient Kingdom.”

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

Then Nami, who hadn’t spoken the entire time, suddenly broke the quiet.

“…Why did she look at you like she knew you?”

Her voice tightened. She took a step closer, eyes narrowing.

“And why didn’t you tell us you have a damn bounty?!”

Law blinked at her, unfazed. He let out a long sigh and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Why would I need to tell you something you should already know?” he said flatly. “Do your homework, Nami. And besides… I told you, I’m leaving at the next island. There’s no point.”

He didn’t expect the sudden kick to the side of his head.

“Ow what the hell?!” he hissed.

Nami smiled sweetly, arms crossed. “You deserved it, creepy doctor.”

***********************************  

Later that evening

When Luffy found out Law had a bounty, his eyes lit up like a kid spotting candy.

“Whaaat?! Your bounty’s so high! But you’re not even a pirate! Why do you have one?!”

Law didn’t answer. He stared ahead, silently sipping his coffee and pretending Luffy didn’t exist.

“Wait… are you like Robin?” Luffy pressed, tilting his head.

“No,” Law snapped instantly regretting it. He knew better than to engage. Now the floodgates were open.

Zoro, arms crossed and expression unreadable, added in his low tone, “Then why the hell do you have a bounty?”

Law exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face. He spoke flatly, “Because the world government really wants the Devil Fruit I ate. That’s it. Can we move on now?”

“Ah, makes sense,” Zoro replied with a shrug.

Luffy, of course, wasn’t done. “What fruit is it? Can it turn you into a giraffe? Or a porcupine? Or…..”

Law slammed his cup on the table, glaring. “Do I look like I turn into a porcupine?”

“You could hide the spikes under the hoodie,” Luffy grinned.

Law muttered under his breath, “I should’ve let the women kill me.”

***********************************

When night fell and the crew finally went to sleep, Nami volunteered to keep watch. The sea was calm, the breeze gentle, and the sky scattered with stars. She stood quietly at the edge of the deck, eyes fixed on the horizon, letting the silence settle around her like a second skin.

Somewhere below deck, Law was tossing and turning in Luffy’s unused captain’s quarters. Sleep, as always, avoided him. Eventually, he gave up. With a sigh, he got up, threw on his hoodie, and headed toward the library in search of something to read.

On his way back out, book in hand, he saw her.

Nami was standing alone under the moonlight, her hair catching the glow like threads of firelight. Her expression was calm, peaceful… beautiful.

Law blinked, surprised by his own thoughts. He frowned slightly, annoyed at himself, and pushed them aside with practiced discipline. He walked up slowly and cleared his throat.

“Enjoying the quiet?” he asked, his voice low.

Without looking at him, she answered softly, “Yeah. I like spending time like this… when everything’s still.”

There was a pause before Law said, “Didn’t mean to intrude. I’ll keep quiet.”

Nami didn’t tell him to leave. And he didn’t.

They stood there in silence, side by side, no words shared for minutes that felt strangely full.

For the first time since he boarded the Sunny, Nami didn’t feel wary of him.

He was different from the rest of the crew. Quieter. He carried a storm inside him, but somehow, being near him felt calm. And in that brief moment without even realizing it something inside her shifted. The silence stretched on, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.

Law sat down near the railing, flipping open the book he brought from the library. The soft rustle of pages blended with the quiet lapping of the waves.

Nami glanced sideways at him.

“Couldn’t sleep?”

He didn’t look up. “I don’t usually.”

She nodded, as if she understood. “Nightmares?”

He didn’t answer right away. Then, softly, “Memories.”

She said nothing, just let the wind speak between them. After a while, she walked over and sat beside him not too close, but closer than she ever had before.

“You don’t have to carry it alone, you know,” she said without looking at him.

Law turned a page, then paused. “I do, actually.”

There was no self-pity in his tone, just tired truth. But still… something in it stung her.

Nami leaned back against the rail and looked up at the stars. “Everyone on this ship carries something. We just… deal with it together.”

Law didn’t respond, but she saw it the tiny twitch of his jaw. The way his eyes lingered a moment too long on the stars before lowering back to the page.

She smiled faintly. “You’re not as cold as you pretend to be.”

He gave her a sideways glance. “Don’t start imagining things.”

“I’m serious.” She chuckled. “If you were, you wouldn’t have caught Usopp and Chopper in that storm. You didn’t even hesitate.”

Law closed the book. Looked at her directly now.

“Don’t mistake instinct for kindness, Nami.”

Her eyes met his and for a heartbeat, neither of them looked away.

“…Maybe,” she said. “But you’re still here.”

A silence fell again, heavier this time, filled with words they didn’t say.

Law looked away first, breaking eye contact as he stood.

“I should get some rest,” he muttered, more to himself than her. But before walking off, he hesitated then glanced back at her, “…Thanks. For the quiet.”

Nami gave him a soft smile. “Good night, Law.”

As he disappeared below deck, Nami let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. And maybe, just maybe the sea wasn’t the only thing that had started to change.

Chapter Text

Two weeks.

That’s how long Trafalgar Law had been stuck on the Thousand Sunny.

The first week had been chaos, courtesy of a sword-wielding, reality-breaking woman who seemed to know more about him than he knew himself.

The second week? A cruel twist of fate no islands, no ports, just endless sea. He needed a big island, one with a city, libraries, and people who whispered secrets. He needed leads on Obscura Draconis the island of his ancestors.

That cursed name had echoed in his mind ever since his grandfather once told him stories half-whispers, half-legends of a hidden land tied to their bloodline.

“One of the Trafalgar line will help bring the final age of piracy,” the old man had said with a tired smile.

Law, then a boy sitting at his grandfather’s feet, had rolled his eyes at the time. And yet, here he was haunted by that tale. Not because he believed it, but because everything else he had believed in… had died.

His family, his sister, his city… all burned down by the World Government. And then came Corazon his one light only to die in his arms. After that, revenge… didn’t taste like anything. The fire inside him faded. Killing Doflamingo stopped being a mission. It became just another shadow, and Law had enough of those already.

Now?

Now there was her.

That woman.

She looked like his grandmother. Not just similar……identical. Like a ghost from the past, laced in blood and secrets. And it unsettled him more than he cared to admit.

Law stared out at the ocean, brows furrowed, mind a storm.

Until he showed up.

“Torao!” Luffy beamed, running over like a golden retriever with too much energy. “Join my crew!”

“No,” Law said flatly.

“Let’s go fishing together!”

“No.”

“Let’s—”

“No.”

“Wanna—”

“No. And for god’s sake, fuck off.”

Luffy laughed like it was the funniest thing he’d heard all day, then wandered off to bother Usopp instead.

Law sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.Then came her voice.

“You might as well accept your fate,” Nami said, leaning against the railing beside him. “He’s not going to let up.”

Law turned to her, expression unreadable. “Unfortunately for him, I’m more stubborn than he is.”

She smirked. “Oh, I know. That’s why you two are exhausting.”

He gave a low chuckle, almost despite himself. “I don’t like being told what to do.”

“Neither do I,” she said, and for a second, their eyes met.

Not as enemies. Not quite as allies.

But something… in between.

Sanji stepped out from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel.

“Alright, dinner’s ready!” he called.

The crew gathered around the table, as plates clattered and laughter bubbled. Everyone was already halfway into their meal when Robin, ever the quiet observer, glanced at Law and casually asked,

“So… why is your bounty that high, Trafalgar-san? You told Luffy it was because of your Devil Fruit, but… I have a feeling there’s more to it than that.”

Law leaned back in his chair, fork in hand, his expression as blank as the ocean sky. “Mm… I don’t know,” he said dryly. “One morning I woke up and….bam…..bounty on my head. I figured I must’ve looked at someone the wrong way. Just like you, I suppose.”

Robin smiled gently, sipping her tea. “That’s quite the coincidence,” she replied. “Most of us needed to work for it.”

Sanji scoffed. “Cut the crap, you lying doctor. Robin’s from Ohara. She’s not here for decoration she’s got a past. Then he narrowed his eyes. “You, on the other hand, keep talking like your whole life’s a shrug.”

Law couldn’t exactly tell them that bastard Doflamingo was behind the bounty that would open a door he wasn’t ready to walk through.

So he just said, tone dry and a little sarcastic. “They believe my Devil Fruit holds the key to immortality, and since I’m the one who ate it… they want it back. Which basically means me.”

He gave a small shrug, “The bounty’s not really for me, anyway. It’s for the fruit, so yeah apparently, half the world wants me dead because I had the nerve to eat a glowing fruit off the ground.”

Then Law added, deadpan:

“But please, do enjoy your meal.”

Robin chuckled softly behind her cup. “It’s rare to hear someone speak so casually about their impending death.”

Law smirked, “Morbid honesty keeps the appetite sharp.”

“You and I must have different definitions of honesty,” Robin replied.

“And different appetites,” he said, nodding toward Luffy, who was now choking on meat from laughing too hard.

 Luffy swallowed a huge bite of meat, then grinned wide at Law. “Don’t worry, Torao. You’re one of us now. Nothing to worry about!”

Law let out a long, exhausted sigh not from battle, but from trying, and failing, to explain to this idiot for the hundredth time that he was not part of the crew. “I’m not your crewmate,” he muttered under his breath, but Luffy was already reaching for more food.

From across the table, Nami crossed her arms and asked sharply,

“So… is there anyone famous after you because of that fruit? Some big-shot bounty hunter or psycho warlord?”

Without missing a beat, Law answered in his usual dry tone, “Doflamingo. And Blackbeard.”

Forks paused mid-air. Usopp blinked. Chopper nearly dropped his cup.

Zoro didn’t even look up. He just muttered under his breath,

“Hmph. Could’ve been worse.”

Law raised an eyebrow, lips twitching in amusement, “Oh? You want me to invite Kaido next time?”

Zoro smirked faintly. “Just make it interesting.”

Brook nearly dropped his tea. “Yohoho… those are not exactly friendly names!”

Franky whistled. “That’s some super bad luck, dude.”

Robin sipped her tea calmly. “I suspected it was something heavy.”

Zoro, still leaning back, barely opened one eye, “You are a sad man. All the world’s against you.”

Law raised an eyebrow and scoffed softly, “Tell me something I don’t know. At this point, I’m just collecting enemies like souvenirs.”

****************************************

When night fell, Law sat beneath the tangerine tree, a book resting loosely in his hand. The air was calm, scented faintly by the citrus leaves swaying above him. For once, the world felt quiet enough to read.

Footsteps tapped softly against the wooden deck. Nami appeared, holding a lantern. She seemed surprised to find him already there, settled under her tree. “This tree… it’s from my homeland,” she said gently. She didn’t know why she offered that, but somehow… she didn’t mind him knowing.

Law looked up from the page, eyes catching her figure in the moonlight, the loose neckline of her dress making him flinch internally. Focus. He wasn’t a damn pervert but this woman had a talent for throwing him off balance.

“It’s a nice spot,” he said, closing the book halfway. Then, as if casually, “I’ve noticed Luffy acts weird around this area. Sometimes avoids it completely. Any reason?”

A sly smile tugged at her lips.“Yeah. I told him I’d kill him if he broke a single branch.”

He blinked. “Ah. That explains the fear.”

Nami laughed softly, and without asking, she lowered herself beside him not too close, but closer than she ever had before. For a while, they sat in a companionable silence, broken only by the creaking of the ship and the hum of waves.

“You know, these trees always remind me of home,” Nami said, her voice softer than usual “My mom used to take care of them all the time. When I joined the crew, I wanted to bring something with me that would remind me of where I came from. Something that still feels like home.”

She didn’t know why she was sharing so much personal information it just slipped out. She swore it was this man and those infuriatingly beautiful eyes of his… they had a way of pulling the words right out of her.

Law briefly wondered what he would’ve brought from his homeland a corpse, maybe. The thought made him scoff under his breath, yeah, that’d go over well.

Instead, he said “Yeah… it’s nice to have something to remind you of where you come from.”

Even if, in his case, what remained wasn’t exactly souvenir material. Then he said “Thanks for sharing, even though you didn’t have to”

They stayed like that a while longer a breeze picked up, cooler now as the night deepened. Nami instinctively rubbed her arms, trying to warm herself. Without a word, Law stood up, took off his coat, and placed it over her shoulders.

She looked up at him, surprised.

“You didn’t have to…”

“I know,” he interrupted, voice low but steady. “But I did.”

She hesitated, her fingers clutching the edges of his coat. “You’re going to get cold.”

He sat back down beside her, closer this time. Their shoulders barely touched, but the warmth of it lingered, “Guess we’ll both just have to deal with it.”

Nami glanced sideways at him, a small smile playing on her lips, “You’re more of a softie than I expected, creepy doctor.”

Law rolled his eyes. “Don’t ruin the moment, Navigator-ya.” But he was smirking just a little.

*********************************

The morning sun cast a soft golden light across the deck of the Thousand Sunny. The ship rocked gently with the rhythm of the calm sea. It had been two long weeks since the encounter with the mysterious woman, two weeks of unease wrapped in unnatural quiet.

No islands. No enemies. Just… waiting.

The door to the captain’s cabin creaked open.

Law stepped out, shoulders slightly hunched, still brushing sleep from his eyes. He wore a fitted black shirt, sleeves lazily pushed up to his elbows, and dark jeans that hung comfortably on his hips. His signature hoodie was gone though no one questioned why but the sword strapped to his side remained, a silent warning.

His hair was slightly messy, and a faint shadow clung beneath his eyes from another night of little sleep. He looked like someone who didn’t belong among cheerful idiots and yet, here he was.

Across the deck, Nami turned casually… only to pause. Her gaze lingered longer than it should have, studying him the quiet way he moved, the cool indifference in his expression, and the tired sharpness that never really left his face.

He caught her staring.

“Something wrong with my face, Nami-ya?” he asked flatly, lips curling just a little.

She scoffed. “Just wondering when you started looking like you live here.”

Law shrugged, walking past her toward the railing. “Maybe I just adapt better than you expected.”

“Or maybe you’re getting too comfortable,” she muttered, though not loud enough for him to reply.

A moment later, Luffy’s voice echoed from above:

“Oi! I see an island!!”

Nami blinked, then spun to the horizon and there it was. Lush. Alive. Finally.

Law stood beside her, arms crossed, watching the shape take form with a subtle, unreadable expression, “After two weeks of nothing,” he said under his breath, “that almost feels suspicious.”

Nami didn’t argue. She just nodded once, “Stay sharp, doctor.”

The Thousand Sunny slowed as it glided gracefully into the harbor of a bright, bustling island. Colorful buildings lined the coast, and the scent of tropical fruit mixed with the salty sea breeze.

The crew gathered at the deck, leaning over the rail to catch a glimpse of the new town.

“We finally made it!” Usopp shouted, arms in the air.

“I can already smell the bakeries!” Chopper bounced in excitement.

“Alright, everyone!” Nami called out, stepping forward with a clipboard in one hand and her usual no-nonsense tone. “We’re just here to restock and get information. No one and I mean no one goes off on their own.”

Sanji appeared beside her with heart-eyes. “Anything for you, Nami-swan!”

Brook tapped his cane. “Yohohoho! Understood, Nami-san!”

Zoro yawned and leaned on his sword. “Tch. Got it.”

“Okay,” she continued. “Group one is…..”

But before she could finish assigning the teams, a familiar voice cut through the moment.

“I’ll go on my own.”

Law was already stepping off the ship, hands in his pockets, calm and detached like he hadn’t just blatantly ignored her.

Nami blinked.

He didn’t stop.

“Oi! Torao!” she shouted, furious. “Who told you you could just walk off?!”

Law paused only briefly at the dock, glancing over his shoulder with that same infuriating calm.

“I’m not part of your crew, Nami-ya,” he said, deadpan. “Consider this… a solo errand.”

And with that, he disappeared into the street.

Nami’s face turned red with anger. “I swear I’m going to strangle that moody doctor one day!”

Usopp and Chopper flinched, “She’s really going to kill him this time…”

Zoro sighed. “Well… he’s not wrong.”

“Shut up, moss head!” Sanji said.

Nami stood at the edge of the deck, fists clenched, still glaring in the direction Law had vanished.

Just then, Luffy strolled by her, whistling a carefree tune, already halfway off the ship.

She snapped her head toward him.“Oi! Luffy! At least wait for the plan!”

He didn’t even look at her, “Meat smells better when I’m closer to town,” he called back lazily.

“YOU’RE GONNA GIVE ME GRAY HAIR!” she yelled after him, throwing her arms in the air. “I swear, I’m going to age twenty years sailing with you idiots!” She turned in frustration, only to find Robin leaning calmly against the rail, arms crossed, a soft smile on her lips.

“Nami,” Robin said smoothly, “maybe it’s time to stop fighting it. You’ve been on this ship for how many years now?”

Nami huffed. “That doesn’t mean I’m giving up.”

Robin chuckled lightly. “We’ve been stuck on a ship with no island for two weeks. Let them stretch their legs. They’ll come back… probably.”

“Probably?!” Nami echoed, scandalized.

Robin gave her a knowing look.

“You’ll chase after them anyway.”

Nami opened her mouth to argue, then sighed in defeat.

“…I hate how well you know me.”

Chapter Text

Law walked alone through the wide, sunlit streets of the island town. The buildings here were tall and graceful, made of pale stone and warm wood, their balconies overflowing with hanging flowers and ivy. Bright awnings shaded fruit stalls and cafés, and the air was filled with the scent of citrus, sea salt, and baked bread.

It was, annoyingly, peaceful.

He kept one hand tucked into his trouser pocket, the other holding his sword’s sheath, as he moved past laughing children chasing bubbles, old men playing cards under a fig tree, and a woman balancing a basket of fish on her head like it was second nature.

At some point, the noise shifted just slightly. Too subtle for anyone else to care, but enough for him to pause. In one smooth motion, he slid Kikoku off his back and carried it at his side. Not drawn. Just ready.

His steps were unhurried, but his eyes sharp scanning, memorizing. Big city, busy docks, layers of movement. A place like this? Perfect for information… or for vanishing.

“Tch.” He clicked his tongue and turned down a narrow alley, away from the crowds. “Sunny little towns with cheerful people… always creep me out.”

But even as he said it, his gaze lingered for a moment on a young couple sitting on a bench, laughing over something small. He didn’t know why, but something about it made his chest feel… heavier.

He shoved the thought away.

Right now, he needed maps, rumors, whispers anything about Obscura Draconis. This place was too lively not to know something.

When Law stepped into the bar, the place was alive with chatter and clinking glasses. Several groups occupied the wooden tables, laughter echoing between the old walls. He walked straight to the counter, ordered a beer, and leaned on the bar with his usual indifference. The bartender served him with a nod, and Law asked calmly, “Is there a Marine base on this island?”

“Yeah, but nothing serious,” the man replied, drying a mug. “This island has its own king and guards. The Marines are just here for show three or four guys at most.”

Law took a slow sip of his drink. “By any chance, have you heard of an island called Obscura Draconis?”

The bartender froze, then gave him a look as if he’d grown a second head. With a sigh, he muttered, “There’s a crazy guy who lives outside the city. Talks nonsense about all kinds of things maybe ask him. Or try the library, they’ve got books on myths and old maps.”

Law tossed a few coins on the counter, nodded his thanks, and left.

The library was quieter than the bar, naturally, but it still smelled of old paper and dust. He stepped inside and was immediately greeted by a grumpy old man at the front desk.

“Hey,” Law said flatly, “where can I find books on ancient history or old island maps?”

The man grunted, sized him up with judgmental eyes, and pointed to the far aisle.

Law headed to the history section and stopped. Of course. Who else would be here? “Fancy seeing you here,” he said with a tired sigh.

Robin turned, calm as always. “Oh? Torao-kun. Didn’t think you were into history.”

“I’m not. I’m looking for anything on a specific island.”

She smiled with interest. “What’s the name?”

“Not telling you.”

She gave a knowing hum. “I might be able to help. I’ve studied rare archives, and during my time with the Revolutionary Army, I came across—”

“Thanks,” Law interrupted dryly, “but I can manage without a lecture.”

Robin chuckled. “Oh, don’t be shy. Try me.”

He paused, then muttered, “Obscura Draconis.”

Robin blinked. “Never heard of it.”

Law raised a brow. “Figured as much.” Then added with a smirk, “So much for the all-knowing archaeologist.”

Before she could answer, he turned and walked out of the library, already regretting asking. Guess I’ll take my chances with the crazy guy after all.

When Law stepped outside the library, he spotted Nami walking down the street, her arms overflowing with bags. No one was helping her. He blinked and muttered to himself, That’s strange… where’s her personal slave—the cook?

Before he could turn away and pretend he didn’t see her, she caught sight of him.

“Torao!” she called out cheerfully, flashing him a radiant smile that unfortunately—made his heartbeat hitch just a little. “Thank goodness! Someone I know who can help me!”

Great, Law thought grimly. First Robin, now Nami. What’s next Luffy popping out of a fruit stall?

“Where are you heading?” she asked as she readjusted the weight of her shopping bags.

“Outside the city,” he replied flatly. “There’s a guy I need to talk to. Might have useful information.”

“Perfect! I just finished shopping, let’s go together!”

Law squinted at her. “And what if I want to go alone?”

She gave him a playful pout. “Don’t be so cold, Torao. You should be honored a beautiful lady is choosing to accompany you.”

Law sighed, defeated. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Let’s just go.”

And with that, they headed down the cobbled streets together one of them smiling, the other already regretting every decision that led him to this exact moment.

The road out of the city was quiet, shaded by tall trees and lined with scattered flower fields. Nami walked beside Law, still carrying a couple of bags despite his occasional, pointed glances at them.

“You know,” she said, swinging one bag casually, “you could at least offer to carry one.”

“I could,” Law replied dryly. “But then you’d expect me to do it every time.”

She rolled her eyes. “Wow. Chivalry really is dead.”

“Chivalry is for people who weren’t blackmailed into staying on a ship full of lunatics,” he muttered, adjusting the strap on his sword.

Nami smirked. “Please. You’ve been living rent-free in the captain’s quarters. You should be doing my laundry by now.”

“I’d rather be killed by that wolf-woman again,” he shot back, glaring at the dirt road ahead.

“Suit yourself,” she said with a shrug, then added after a beat, “So what’s this guy you’re meeting? Someone dangerous?”

“Old. Probably insane. Claims to know about forgotten islands,” Law said, not even hiding his skepticism. “Your type, apparently.”

“Ha-ha,” Nami said flatly. “If he tries to touch my bags, I’ll rob him before he blinks.”

Law chuckled under his breath. “That’s the most honest thing I’ve heard all day.”

She glanced at him, a bit surprised to hear him laugh. “So you do have a sense of humor.”

“I’m saving it for special occasions,” he replied with a straight face.

Law suddenly stopped mid-step.

Nami nearly bumped into him. “What now?”

He pointed ahead with a deadpan expression. “Is that… your swordsman?”

Zoro stood just outside the treeline, arms loosely crossed as he stared into the dense forest ahead with visible suspicion. He wasn’t moving just squinting at the trees like they personally offended him. “Yeah… no way this is the right direction,” he muttered, then turned slightly in place, pretending like he wasn’t lost. Again.

“Oh, come on!” Nami groaned. “Zoro! What are you doing here? You were supposed to be back at the Sunny hours ago!”

Zoro turned toward them.

“…I was heading back,” he said calmly, “The roads just… rearranged.”

Law raised an eyebrow. “Yeah. That happens. Especially when you ignore the signs.”

Zoro looked at him with suspicion. “You always this annoying?”

“No,” Law replied. “Only when I run into idiots lost two streets from the port.”

Nami snatched one of her bags and shoved it at Zoro. “Good. Since you’re here, carry this. And don’t get lost again.”

“Fine, fine…” he muttered, dragging his feet as they continued walking.

Law leaned toward Nami, voice low and dry. “You really treat your crew like pack animals.”

She smiled sweetly. “You’re lucky I haven’t asked you yet.”

“Yet,” he echoed grimly.

They walked for a while, the busy noise of the city fading behind them, until the trees thickened and a quiet stillness settled over the path. At the edge of the forest, they spotted a small, crooked cottage with smoke curling lazily from its chimney. A tired-looking man sat slouched on the porch, a cigarette between his fingers, eyes lost in the air like he’d been staring at the same patch of sky for years.

Law narrowed his eyes. “Perfect,” he muttered under his breath. “Just the type who definitely keeps secrets in a bottle.”

He stepped forward, calling out dryly, “Oi, old man. Hope you’re sober enough to answer a question.”

The man turned his head with the slow, reluctant motion of someone annoyed by sound. His eyes were murky but focused now. “Shoot.”

Law crossed his arms. “You ever heard of an island called Obscura Draconis?”

The man didn’t reply right away. He studied Law for a moment, something ancient and knowing stirring behind his dull gaze. Then he exhaled a long stream of smoke and muttered, “…Hope you’re ready for what you’re about to hear.”

He straightened slightly, voice low and worn but steady.

“Obscura Draconis… That’s no ordinary island. The island isn’t on any map. It appears only when the moon disappears into the sea a place whispered about by sailors who refuse to say its name aloud.

The shores are covered in black ash, the air heavy like smoke from ancient fire. Once you set foot on it, something changes. Your shadow starts moving on its own ahead of you, behind you, or sometimes… not at all.

The forest is lifeless. Faces hang between the dead branches mummified, wide-eyed, forever watching. Time breaks here. Your watch stops. The compass spins. Even your footprints vanish.

In the island’s heart lies a giant skull not carved, but real. It breathes cold air. Etched into its ribs is a map, visible only when lit with human ash… and read with blood. The blood of someone marked. They say an ancient cult worshipped the Black Dragon here. Their sacrifices kept something buried. But the offerings stopped… and the shadows woke.”

He leaned forward, squinting at Law.

“You looking for that island, son? Then you better be sure of who you are… and who sent you.”

Law didn’t answer immediately. He felt Nami’s gaze shift toward him, curious and tense.

Then, with his usual dry calm, he replied, “Yeah. I’m sure. Unfortunately.”

The old man gave a humorless chuckle and leaned back into his chair. “Then may the sea have mercy. Because the island won’t.”

Law thanked the old man and turned to leave, but before he could take two steps, the man called out lazily, “Check the private section of the library… there’s a book about that island, might help you. Though with your luck, kid, I doubt it.”

Law grumbled, “Yeah, yeah, thanks for the reminder, grandpa.”

Nami, who had been listening, snorted. “He’s not wrong. Ever since you got on our ship, we’ve been swimming in bad luck.”

The old man chuckled from his chair. “I don’t even need to curse him. That boy’s got enough misfortune for the whole damn planet and then some.”

“Will you both shut the hell up!” Law snapped, fists clenched, veins popping. “I swear, I’m this close to teleporting you into a volcano.”

Later, Law and Nami returned to the library. Just as Law reached for the door, it swung open and out stepped Robin, calm as ever, holding a book and a rolled-up map. Exactly what he was looking for.

“Oh, Torao-san,” she said with a soft smile. “Looking for something?”

Law blinked. “Wait…….how the hell did you get into the private section?! I was about to have Nami beat the crap out of the librarian!”

WHACK!

Nami’s foot connected with Law’s head like it was part of her daily workout.

“How dare you volunteer me for violence!”

Robin, unbothered, adjusted her hair. “No violence needed. Just a little charm. Everything went smoothly.”

Law muttered under his breath, rubbing the sore spot on his head, “When I came here, that fossil looked at me like I was a stray dog. I swear I’ll cut him into alphabet soup.”

With the book and map in handnand Law’s pride slightly bruised they all made their way back to the Sunny… with Law reconsidering every decision that led him to ride with this cursed circus of a crew.

 The crew decided to spend the night on the island, and naturally, Luffy declared it a celebration night at the local bar. Everyone followed him, eager for some fun except for Law, who volunteered to stay behind and “guard” the Sunny. Truthfully, he just wanted a few peaceful hours away from the chaos.

With the ship finally quiet, Law decided to indulge in a long, hot bath. He filled the tub, leaned back, and used the most luxurious shampoo he could find one he knew belonged to Nami. He smirked. “Let’s see how fast she explodes.”

But thinking of her made his brow twitch. Nami had been under his skin since the first week, and annoyingly enough, his reactions weren’t what he was used to. He needed to stop this, he wasn’t a fool. He was cursed. A walking omen. A woman like her didn’t need his kind of misfortune.

****************************************

Meanwhile, Nami done with the noise, music, and Luffy’s dancing decided to head back early. All she wanted was a shower and some sleep. But when she stepped into the bathroom…

She froze.

Law was standing in front of the mirror, towel in hand, golden eyes calm as he dried his hair completely unaware of her presence.

For one solid second, they stared at each other.

Then he blinked and tilted his head slightly, utterly unfazed.

“I didn’t take you for a peeping thief, Nami-ya,” he said coolly.

“Shut up! You should’ve locked the damn door!” she snapped, slamming it shut behind her as her face went red.

Moments later, the door creaked open again and Law stepped out, towel now tied around his waist, water still dripping from his chest. He stopped just beside her.

“The bathroom is all yours, my lady,” he said, voice dripping with fake elegance.

Nami stared just a second too long. Her brain betrayed her, ‘Damn him. That body those tattoos it’s unfair.’ She quickly forced her eyes up to his face.

Mistake.

He was smirking.

“I’m flattered,” he drawled. “I didn’t know I’d caught the eye of the infamous Cat Burglar.”

“I wasn’t looking,” she lied immediately. “Your tattoos just surprised me.”

“Mm.” He took a slow step toward her, mischief sparking in his eyes. “Are you sure? Because your face is saying something very different.”

Before she could snap back, he took one more step, close enough to unsettle her. But then, something shifted in his eyes guilt, maybe, or restraint and he stopped himself, turning away.

He muttered under his breath with a smirk, “Tch. I’m really losing it.”

And with that, he walked off, leaving Nami blinking, heart pounding, and way more flustered than she’d ever admit.

When Law entered the room, a quiet frustration clung to him like a shadow. It had been years since he’d allowed anyone close emotionally or otherwise and he’d always prided himself on control. But ever since Nami started to slip past his carefully built walls, that control had started to crack.

He leaned against the door, letting out a slow breath. “Ridiculous,” he muttered to himself. “A single woman shouldn’t be able to rattle me like this.”

And yet, the image of her frustrated, flustered, beautiful kept playing in his mind like a curse he couldn’t cut away.

Just as he sat on the edge of the bed, the door slammed open. Nami stood there, soaked from her rushed shower, towel wrapped tightly around her, and murder in her eyes.

“You… used my shampoo?!”

Law blinked. “…It was there.”

“IT WASN’T FOR YOU!” she shouted, pointing an accusing finger. “That was imported from Water 7! Limited edition! One drop costs more than your whole wardrobe!”

Law raised an eyebrow, tone cool and teasing, “Tch… If it’s that precious, maybe don’t leave it lying around like free samples.”

“You smug bastard—!” she stormed toward him, fists clenched.

“I’m flattered, really,” he said with a half-lazy smile, golden eyes gleaming with mischief. “You stormed back just to fight me? That’s almost romantic.”

“I stormed back to kill you,” she snapped, cheeks slightly red despite her fury.

He chuckled low under his breath and stood up, brushing past her with an amused smirk. “Your shampoo’s terrible, by the way. It smells like citrus regret.”

“LAW!”

He disappeared down the hallway before she could grab the nearest object and throw it. Behind him, he muttered with a faint smile, “Totally worth it.”

**************************************

As Robin and Brook made their way back to the ship after grabbing a late-night coffee from the harbor café, they casually walked past the hallway near the captain’s quarters.

Robin paused mid-step, tilting her head. “Hmm?”

Brook stopped beside her. “What is it, Robin-san?”

Robin leaned closer, squinting slightly toward the slightly ajar door of Law’s room. Inside, she caught a glimpse of Nami, in a towel, standing flustered in the middle of the room, clearly having just stepped out of the bathroom. Law wasn’t there, but his shirt was tossed over a chair, the air faintly warm from steam. Nami didn’t notice them.

Robin gently pushed the door closed without a sound, then turned to Brook with a small smirk curling on her lips. “Well, that was unexpected.”

Brook’s eye sockets blinked or tried to. “Yohoho… were they…?”

Robin chuckled quietly. “No, not yet. But it feels like watching the beginning of an old lovers’ quarrel intense, awkward, and oddly domestic.”

Brook crossed his arms. “Ah, so the cold doctor and the hot-headed navigator? I must admit… I didn’t see that pairing coming.”

Robin gave a mysterious nod. “You will. I’m starting to look forward to it.”

They both walked away without saying another word, like silent witnesses to a secret neither of them planned to share……yet.

When Robin and Brook entered the kitchen, they found Trafalgar Law already there, casually preparing coffee using Sanji’s prized equipment like he owned the place.

Brook tilted his head, letting out a theatrical gasp.

“Yohoho~ Law-san, using the cook’s sacred tools? You better wipe the evidence before you become tomorrow’s roast!”

Robin raised an eyebrow with a smile. “Bold of you to break into Sanji’s kitchen like that. I admire the recklessness. It’s almost suicidal.”

Law didn’t even bother turning around. He took a slow sip of the coffee, then replied flatly,

“Well, if I disappear tomorrow, tell the world I died over bad caffeine and poor boundaries.”

Brook chuckled. “Sounds like a tragic love story!”

Robin gave a soft laugh. “I’m genuinely curious how far this little rebellion will go.”

Law glanced at them with his usual calm stare, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Worse case? I get dismembered. Best case? Sanji learns to share.”

Just as he turned back to his cup, Robin leaned a little closer, her tone curious but amused.

“Oh, by the way… next time you sneak someone out of your room, try to be quieter. The hallway echoes.”

Law paused for half a second then took another sip, unfazed.

“…Noted.”

*************************************

As Law stepped out of the kitchen, Brook tilted his skull thoughtfully and chuckled, “Yohoho… they’re starting to sound like an old married couple already!”

Robin simply smiled. “Let’s just say… I’m excited to see where this goes.”

Chapter Text

Law was running…….bleeding, breathless, and half-conscious. His stomach was torn open, his left hand mangled, barely hanging by shredded muscle. That damned beast wouldn’t let up, jaws snapping at his heels as he stumbled through the forest.

He couldn’t use “Room”…….. his Devil Fruit wasn’t responding. And she was there, lounging on a boulder like a bored goddess watching a wounded animal crawl. Her eyes met his just as the wolf sank its teeth into his shoulder…….

He jolted awake, drenched in sweat.

“A dream,” Law muttered to himself, breath ragged. But the phantom pain in his shoulder felt too real. Instinctively, he pulled his shirt down to check……nothing. Skin intact. Still, unease twisted in his gut. Something wasn’t right.

It was still early. The sky outside the window was a soft gray pre-dawn. No one would be awake yet… except the damn cook.

Dragging himself out of bed, Law headed for the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face before throwing on his usual: black hoodie, dark jeans, and boots. As if armor could stop dreams.

In the kitchen, Sanji was already moving with practiced rhythm. Law entered quietly, not in the mood for conversation.

Sanji glanced up. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” Law replied curtly, rubbing his temple.

The cook narrowed his eyes. “You’re in a worse mood than usual. That’s impressive, considering your usual standard.”

Law didn’t respond. He just stood there, waiting for the coffee like a ghost in black.

When Sanji finally handed him the cup, Law took it with a simple nod. “Thanks.”

As he turned to leave, Sanji muttered, “Well, at least you say thank you. Unlike the moss-head.”

Law took a long sip, pretending not to hear, but a small smirk tugged at his lips as he walked toward the library. He had a map to study, a mystery to chase… and now, possibly, a nightmare to decode.

***********************************************

Two hours before Law woke up.

On the island, Lilith Fenra stood beneath the twisted branches of a dead tree, moonlight dripping over her like silver blood. Perched loyally on her shoulder, the jet-black crow let out a low caw not loud, but sharp enough to echo unnaturally through the forest.

She raised a pale finger to the bird’s beak.

“Time to go,” she whispered, her voice like wind over shattered glass. “He’s drifting again.”

The crow took flight, not flapping, but gliding unnaturally, as if the air itself parted to let it pass. It soared over the sea, silent and shadow-like, until it reached the Thousand Sunny.

Above the sleeping ship, the crow hovered then descended, phasing through the wooden boards like mist. Inside the dim room, Law stirred in his bed, sweat already glistening on his brow. He twitched. Groaned.

The crow did not perch. It dissolved into smoke, slipping into his ear like a whisper of madness.

Images began to rush into Law’s sleeping mind, teeth, blood, claws. A forest. A woman with cruel eyes watching him die slowly. He tried to move, but his legs wouldn’t obey. The wolf was there again, jaws wide, hunger endless.

From the island, Lilith whispered into the wind, and he heard her.

“Sleep well, little D. Let’s see how long your mind stays yours.”

And Law woke up choking on his breath.

******************************************

Law was sitting in the library, hunched over a scattered collection of old maps and notes and the books from the city library. He had no idea how long he’d been studying long enough to forget time existed until a familiar scent pulled him out of focus. A plate of food landed gently in front of him.

“You didn’t come for breakfast,” Nami said, arms crossed and eyebrow raised. “And it’s almost lunchtime. You should really eat something.”

Law blinked, genuinely surprised by the gesture. “Thanks,” he muttered.

Nami sat across from him, casually glancing at the papers. Mostly to avoid looking directly at him because damn it, even in all black, with his ridiculous hoodie and smug attitude, he looked annoyingly good. She needed to stop staring before he noticed.

“Did you find anything?” she asked, trying to sound casual.

Law smirked and leaned back slightly, tapping the page with his pen.

“You’re the navigator here. I was hoping you could help me turn this puzzle into an actual map. As much as I’m clearly the smartest person on this ship……” he paused with that mocking little grin “I have zero experience with navigation.”

Nami narrowed her eyes. “Cocky bastard.”

Still, she leaned forward and started scanning what he’d done, notes, rough sketches, guesses. Annoyingly, some of it was actually impressive.

“You’ve done a decent job figuring out the structure,” she said, then smirked. “Give me two hours and I’ll turn it into something even a doctor could read.”

“How generous,” Law said dryly, sipping his drink. “Does this come with emotional support too?”

“You’d need a new head for that,” Nami shot back.

*****************************************

As Nami began to work, focused and confident, Law stretched out his legs beneath the table and finally started eating the food she’d brought him. He didn’t understand why she cared whether he ate or not, but the gesture struck something inside him.

It’s been a long time… he thought. Since someone worried about me like that. Not since…

Cora-san.

That familiar ache hit him hard, and he instinctively glanced away from her. This isn’t good. I can’t afford to get attached.

Still, before he could stop himself, the words came out.

“When we land on the next island…” he paused, as if weighing his sanity, “let me take you out to dinner. My treat. For bringing me food and helping with the map.”

Nami looked up, clearly caught off guard……. then smirked.

“Oh? You do have a heart under all that black. Thanks for the invite, Torao… but make sure your wallet’s full.” She leaned slightly closer, teasing. “Because I’m going to drain it.”

Law let out a quiet laugh more than a scoff, less than amusement، and was about to respond when he felt a gaze burning into the back of his neck.

He turned toward the window instinctively.

For the briefest moment, he could swear…

A black crow sat on the windowsill, watching him.

But when he blinked………it was gone.

His expression hardened.

What the hell was that?

Nami noticed the shift in Law’s expression, the slight narrowing of his eyes, the way his posture straightened.

“What is it?” she asked, her pen pausing mid-line.

Law didn’t answer right away. His gaze lingered on the now-empty window, jaw tight.

“Nothing,” he muttered eventually. “Thought I saw something.”

Nami tilted her head, watching him carefully. “Was it something dangerous?”

He met her eyes for a moment, then offered a half-smirk……. the usual mask sliding back into place. “Just a bird.”

Nami frowned, sensing he was brushing it off too easily. But she didn’t push. Instead, she gave a small shrug and returned to the map.

“Well… if that bird causes trouble, just remember, you still owe me dinner.”

**********************************************

“Oh, our little boy is starting to grow feelings,” Lilith Fenra murmured with a sly smile, her fingers gently stroking the feathers of the crow perched on her arm.

She turned her golden eyes toward the bird, voice soft and laced with amusement.

“Keep watching, darling. Maybe we can use her after all.”

The crow cawed once, as if in reply and then took flight into the grey sky, wings slicing through the breeze like a silent blade.

Lilith tilted her head, watching it go.

“Let’s see how far this heart of his can stretch before it snaps.”

***************************************

Law stepped onto the deck, seeking a breath of fresh air. The wind was calm, the sea quiet a rare moment of peace. He spotted Robin seated under the shade, as usual, reading a thick leather-bound book with her legs crossed and expression unreadable.

He approached her without much thought.

“Thanks… for what you did back in the library، bringing the books and maps.”

Robin didn’t look up. Her voice was soft, with a smile hiding behind it.

“No need for thanks, Torao-kun. Friends help each other.”

“We’re not friends,” he replied bluntly.

She turned a page. “Of course not.”

Choosing to ignore the pointless banter, he got to the point.

“There’s something in the book I’m reading. I don’t understand some of the words. Thought you might be able to help.”

He handed her the book, opened to a page filled with symbols and ancient script. Robin took one glance her fingers froze mid-page. Her expression shifted. What she was looking at wasn’t just obscure it was familiar.

Her voice dropped a tone. “This language… it’s old. Very old.”

She didn’t say Poneglyph, but the weight of her words said enough.

Law watched her closely, arms crossed. He noticed the way her eyes scanned the page more than once, the slight tension in her shoulders. He had already guessed this wasn’t just old folklore. This book held something real. Something dangerous.

And Robin? She knew it.

But he said nothing, waiting. He could read people better than most gave him credit for. She was thinking whether to speak, or to stay silent.

Robin walked ahead in silence, her steps calm and composed. Law followed, the weight of her expression enough to tell him this wasn’t another lecture about ancient history. When they entered the library, Nami glanced up. Her eyes narrowed at the seriousness on Robin’s face, and she instinctively paused her work, fingers resting on her pen.

Robin didn’t waste time. She sat, motioned for Law to sit across from her, then looked him directly in the eye.

“How much do you know about your family, Law?”

Law raised an eyebrow, leaning back in the chair with a sigh. “Is this an interview now? Should I start with my blood type?”

Robin didn’t flinch. “Law. I’m serious.”

He clicked his tongue. “Fine, fine.” He crossed his arms. “Not much. My grandfather liked telling weird stories. My parents made it very clear I should never mention my full name. That’s it. No ancient prophecy, no buried treasure, no magical heirlooms. Sorry to disappoint.”

Robin ignored the sarcasm. “Where did your great-grandfather live?”

He stared at her. “What’s next? You want my childhood diary?”

“Law” she repeated with a colder tone.

He sighed again, this time more heavily. “Alright. Flevance. You happy now?” His voice lowered, serious for a moment. “And yeah, like you, I’m the last one. Keep that between us.”

Robin nodded slightly, then spoke. “The island you’re searching for……it belonged to your ancestors. And only someone carrying the Trafalgar bloodline can unlock what’s hidden there.”

Law let out a low whistle. “Wow. I always knew my family was a headache, but this is next-level.”

“There’s more,” Robin continued. “That woman, the one we encountered. I believe she’s connected to you. Possibly another Trafalgar. I don’t know exactly how, but it’s not coincidence.”

Law raised a brow, his tone half mocking. “Great. Long-lost relatives popping out of nowhere. Just what I needed.”

“And the page,” he added after a pause, “what did it say? Or should I brace myself for another dramatic family secret?”

“I’ll translate it for you… and give you the peace to read it at your own pace,” Robin said gently, her gaze steady as always.

Before Law could respond, Nami’s voice cut in casually from the side of the room, without even looking up from her notes.

“By the way, I finished redrawing most of the eastern sector. If this place really exists, then your precious island should be somewhere between these coordinates,” she said, tapping her pen against the map with a practiced air.

Law glanced at her progress and raised an eyebrow, leaning slightly closer.

“Huh. Not bad for a greedy cartographer,” he muttered dryly.

Nami smirked, still not looking at him.

“And not bad for a grumpy doctor who steals shampoo.”

Robin hid a smile behind her hand as she flipped the page.

“You two are exhausting.”

Law sighed theatrically and leaned back in his chair.

“Yeah, well… at least we’re making progress.”

*******************************************

When everything was finally settled, Law went to look for Luffy. He found him sitting calmly on the lion’s head at the front of the Sunny, staring out at the endless sea.

Without a word, Law jumped up and sat beside him. After a moment of silence, he said quietly, “Thanks… for everything you’re doing for me.”

Luffy turned to him with an unusually serious expression and replied, “It’s alright, Torao. We’re friends. And friends help each other.”

Law scoffed. “We are not friends.”

But he sighed, leaning back slightly before continuing, “There’s an island I need to go to. I want you to take me there. Honestly… I’ve started to get used to your annoying crew. And I’m terrible at navigating, so…”

Before he could finish, Luffy cut him off with a grin, “Okay! Sounds like a new adventure!”

Law fixed Luffy with a sharp, surprised look, his voice calm but firm. “If you help me get to that island, your journey to becoming Pirate King might be delayed a bit.” He said that to Luffy to make sure he clearly understood everything before agreeing.

“It’s fine,” Luffy shrugged. “Adventures come first.”

Law ran a hand down his face. “Unbelievable…”

*********************************************

Inside the Library 

When Law mentioned where he was from, something shifted in Nami. She realized she didn’t actually know the place he came from. Not really. But what struck her wasn’t the geography. It was the quiet weight behind his words.

The fact that he was the only one left… the only survivor.
That hit harder than she expected. There was a kind of tragedy in it that no map or book could ever fully explain.

Suddenly, so much made sense.

His indifference.

The sarcasm that never seemed to turn off.

The way he distanced himself from the crew, even when standing right beside them.

It wasn’t arrogance or coldness. It was protection armor forged from pain.

Nami saw it clearly now. What Law carried wasn’t just intelligence or discipline it was loneliness, thick and old like a shadow that never leaves. A quiet kind of grief that had settled so deeply into him, it had become a part of how he moved, how he spoke, how he breathed.

She gave no reaction while when he and Robin talk. She didn’t want him to think she pitied him. So she kept her eyes on the map, pretending to focus, tracing lines she could barely understand, anything to avoid showing what she truly felt.

Because she knew someone like Law wouldn’t want sympathy.

Not from her.

Not from anyone.

Robin watched Law and Luffy from the window with a thoughtful look. Then she turned to Nami and said, “If the text on that page is true, he might be the one destined to help Luffy become Pirate King, and break every law in this world.”

Nami leaned back in her chair, tapping her pencil against her lips. “Great… One chaos-bringer wasn’t enough. Now we have two.”

Robin smiled faintly. “Well… at least they’re entertaining.”

*********************************************

Robin spent most of the evening translating the four pages. It wasn’t easy…….whoever from the Trafalgar family wrote them had clearly been going through a hard time. After she was done, she quietly handed the translation to Law.

Later that night, Law checked on Nami to see the progress on the map. She was focused and determined, a hard worker, and a damn good navigator.

She informed him that they’d need to stop at a nearby island to restock supplies.

“Based on what I’ve assumed from the route,” she said, “the island you’re heading to isn’t an easy one, and there’s nothing but sea around it.”

*******************************************

When night came and the rest of the crew had gone to sleep, Law sat alone and unfolded the paper Robin had given him…………….. the translation of the ancient pages.

“To whoever finds these words…

I know what we became……… one of the proudest of families. We had everything. Our knowledge, our magic, our arrogance, they separated us from the other clans of the D. We believed we were above them, beyond them. And in some ways, we were.

We reached heights in science and sorcery no one else ever touched. Even among ourselves, those with lesser knowledge were treated with disdain. We thrived in every field, the study of nature, of beasts, of the earth itself, but it was medicine and magic where we shone brightest. Some of the most powerful magic users in history came from our bloodline.

But… when our greatness peaked, so did our downfall.

We were erased……. not by the hands of fate, but by those we once looked down upon. In the end, it was the family we scorned who brought our ruin.

In my final days, I broke the law we had sworn never to bend. I tried to smuggle my little brother off the island. None of us were ever meant to leave alive… but gods, I pray he made it. I pray the curse of Emilia Trafalgar does not follow him as it did us.

And if you are reading this… perhaps it already has.”

Unknown writer, Year 798 , House of Trafalgar

After reading the final lines, Law leaned back, the paper resting lightly in his hand. He stared at it in silence for a long moment, then exhaled a short, bitter breath.

“So that’s it, huh? Emilia Trafalgar’s curse reached the whole damn family…”

He ran a hand through his hair, his golden eyes narrowing with a dry smirk curling on his lips.

“Look at us now. Once the proudest house in the D lineage…… now reduced to the biggest fools alive.”

He tapped the edge of the paper.

“Even the medicine we created couldn’t save us from the White Lead Disease… and what’s left?”

His voice dipped lower.

“A madwoman who plays with souls… and a half-broken doctor talking to himself on a pirate ship.”

He chuckled, but it was humorless.

“Great legacy.”

Chapter Text

The morning sun filtered gently through the sails of the Thousand Sunny. After breakfast, the crew gathered lazily on deck some stretching, some yawning, and some still chewing.

Luffy stood near the railing, grinning as the wind played with his straw hat.

“We’re heading to a cool island Law told me about yesterday!” he announced suddenly, voice full of excitement.

“Wait, what?” Usopp blinked, holding a wrench. “That wasn’t on our course!”

Sanji looked up from pouring Robin her tea. “If the captain said it, then it’s set.”

Zoro, still lounging nearby, muttered, “Tch.”

Nami narrowed her eyes slightly but didn’t object. After all, Luffy made the call and part of her already knew why.

By midday, Zoro called with his usual calm tone “There’s land. Straight ahead.”

As they approached, the crew scattered into their usual chaos. Luffy, of course, leapt off the ship before the anchor even touched the water.

“Luffy!” Nami yelled after him. “Can you wait for five seconds?!”

Too late. He was already a dot sprinting toward town.

The others followed at their own pace. Franky was mumbling about mechanical parts, Robin had a book tucked under her arm, and Chopper was excited to look for medicinal herbs. Only Nami, Law, and Brook remained on board.

Law leaned against the railing, hands tucked into his hoodi, sword still strapped at his side, and his gaze followed the curve of the island ahead.

Nami was adjusting her bag when Law spoke without turning.

“I haven’t forgotten. About dinner.”

She looked at him, blinking. “You mean… our deal?”

He finally glanced her way, smirking. “The center before the sun down. I’ll wait there. I’ve been told I owe you.”

Nami tilted her head, raising a brow. “You better show up, Surgeon. I don’t dress up for people who ghost me.”

Law chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair from his eyes. “Wouldn’t dare. I’m still recovering from the last time you kicked me.”

Brook, sitting near the helm with his violin, chimed in cheerfully, “Yohohoho~ You two are starting to sound like an old married couple. Should I prepare a love song for the evening?”

Nami gave him a light shove. “Brook!”

Law turned, stepping down onto the dock. As he walked off, he said over his shoulder,

“Try not to spend all your shopping money before dinner, Cat Burglar.”

Nami watched him go, her arms crossed though the slight smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.

Brook leaned closer to her and whispered, “You know, I haven’t seen him smirk that much in two weeks.”

Nami didn’t respond, but her eyes lingered on Law’s back as he disappeared into the crowd. Something about today felt… different.

And she wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a dangerous one.

**************************************

As Law walked through the winding streets of the city, the familiar sounds of merchants and music faded into a dull hum behind him. He wasn’t in a hurry, just letting his thoughts wander until something in the corner of his eye caught his attention.

Down a narrow alley choked with shadows, a man stood with his back turned. He wore a long, gray coat that looked like it had been dug out of a grave…..dusty, torn at the edges, hanging stiff on his shoulders like it belonged to a corpse.

Law stopped.

Something about the stillness of the man… felt wrong.

He stepped forward, cautious. “Oi. You alright?”

No answer. The man didn’t even flinch.

Law moved closer. “Hey,do you need hel….”

The man turned.

Law’s breath caught in his throat.

His face was sunken, his skin pale like wax left too long in the sun. His eyes…..gone. Hollow black pits where life should be. His lips quivered as he mumbled the same word over and over, voice shaking like a broken record.

“…Sorry… sorry… I’m sorry…”

Law instinctively reached for his sword, then froze as the man suddenly moved, lurching forward and…….

………passed through him.

Like mist.

A freezing shiver ran down Law’s spine. He spun around……nothing. The alley was empty.

He looked left, then right. No trace. No sound. Just that creeping cold.

Suddenly, a young boy peeked around the corner of a nearby crate, wide-eyed.

“You okay?” Law asked.

The boy tilted his head, frowning. “What are you talking about? You were just standing there… talking to yourself like a crazy person.”

“There was a man,” Law said firmly. “Torn coat. No eyes. Right here.”

The boy stared. “Mister… there’s no one here but you. You sure you’re not seeing things?”

Law’s frown deepened.

The kid took a step back, muttered, “Creepy…” and ran.

Law was left alone, heart still pounding, jaw tight.

He didn’t believe in ghosts.

But ever since he crossed paths with her…

Things had started to feel off. Like something, or someone was playing with his reality.

High above the alley, perched on the roof, a single black crow tilted its head.

Watching.

Waiting.

**********************************

Law stepped out of the alley, his jaw clenched and his breath shallow.

“Fucking hell,” he muttered under his breath, dragging a hand down his face. “What the hell does that damned witch want from me?”

His heart was still racing, mind spinning. First the dreams, now this phantoms in broad daylight. It wasn’t just bad luck anymore. Something was digging into his head, scratching at the edge of his sanity.

“If this keeps up,” he said bitterly, glaring at nothing, “I’ll lose my mind before I even get close to that island.”

He looked around one last time, hoping dreading that maybe he’d see something. A sign. A crow. Her.

But there was nothing. Just a breeze in the air and the city going on like he wasn’t even falling apart.

*********************************

In one of the narrow alleys near the edge of the bustling market, Zoro wandered aimlessly, clearly lost again. He scratched the back of his head and glanced around with mild irritation.

“Huh… Wasn’t this street here before? Or did I turn too many damn times again?”

Across from him, in the alley opposite, he caught a strange sight, Law was standing still, talking to what appeared to be thin air. From where Zoro stood, there was no one else just Law, tense, moving his hands slightly as if someone had passed right through him. He looked shaken, almost… haunted.

Zoro didn’t react. His face remained unreadable, just the usual cool, blank stare—though one brow lifted slightly in quiet curiosity. He followed him; the doctor looked like he was about to lose his sanity, so Zoro decided to tag along and hang out with him.

As Law stepped out of the alley, visibly disturbed, he tried to steady his breath. He ran a hand through his hair, cursing under it. But just a few steps into the street, a familiar voice called out behind him.

“Oi, Torao.”

Law turned around slightly, finding Zoro walking up with his usual lazy stride, one hand resting on his sword hilt.

“You look like you could use a drink,” Zoro said, tone calm, almost too casual. “There’s a bar nearby. What do you say?”

Law blinked at him for a moment, studying his face. No judgment. No questions. Just that unreadable swordsman stare.“…Sure,” He muttered.

Zoro gave a small nod and walked ahead, leading the way as if nothing was strange. As if he hadn’t just seen Law talking to something or someone in an empty alley.

And Law didn’t ask how he found him, because he knew he wasn’t going to like the answer.

As they walked through the winding streets, Law glanced sideways at Zoro, who kept confidently heading in the wrong direction.

“You’re going the opposite way,” Law said flatly.

Zoro squinted at a sign. “No, I’m pretty sure it’s this way. I remember that wall.”

“That’s the same wall you passed three times. Sit back and let the adult handle this,” Law muttered, slipping his hand into his hoodie pocket and stepping ahead.

After a few silent turns and a couple of detours, Law led them to a small but decent-looking bar tucked between two buildings. A wooden sign hung above the door, slightly crooked, swaying with the breeze.

“Here. A place where you can drown your sense of direction properly,” Law said, holding the door open.

Zoro snorted. “You’re really talkative for a guy who looks like he hasn’t slept in days.”

They sat at a corner table. A waitress came by, and before she could ask, Zoro ordered, “Sake. Two bottles.”

Law raised an eyebrow. “Planning to bathe in it?”

“Don’t tempt me.”

Law sighed but didn’t object. “Fine. Make it three.”

As the drinks arrived, Zoro raised his cup. “To getting lost and still somehow ending up in the right place.”

Law clinked his cup lazily. “That’s the story of your entire existence, isn’t it?”

Zoro grinned. “Cheers, creepy doctor.”

“Cheers, moss-brain.”

**************************************

When Law decided he’d had enough to drink just enough to calm his nerves but not enough to be caught tipsy in front of Nami, he thanked Zoro for the company and paid for both their drinks. Even though Zoro stayed behind to continue drinking, Law made sure to cover everything. He figured he owed him that small distraction.

As he stepped out of the bar, the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long golden shadows over the streets. Law adjusted his hat, muttering, “Don’t be late,” remembering his promise to meet Nami in the city center.

He took a shortcut through a narrow alleyway to save time, a decision he regretted almost instantly.

A whisper floated through the air, soft and cold.

“Water…”

Law stopped in his tracks, heart tightening.

“What the hell?” he muttered, eyes scanning the empty alley. He swore he heard it. That voice.

Then

………again.

“Water…”

The same voice. The same word. Quiet and hollow like it came from a place far deeper than sound should travel.

Law clenched his jaw. “It’s not real… it’s in your head,” he told himself, picking up his pace.

But the heavy air pressed around him like a second skin, and even as he walked, he felt it that presence. That same faceless man from before, eyeless and broken, watching him.

Following him.

She’s near.

He didn’t know how, but he could feel it. Ever since he’d met that damn woman, things started unraveling. Whispers, shadows, hallucinations, or worse.

“It’s not real,” he hissed under his breath, forcing his legs to move faster. “Just keep walking. Ignore it.”

But deep down, he knew; whatever was happening, it was only getting started.

***********************************

Lilith watched him through the crow’s eyes, laughing with unfiltered amusement.

That arrogant little bastard actually thought he was better than her? She would make sure every last drop of that so-called “pure blood” was wiped out, even if it meant her own downfall. She despised them. Every last one of that rotten bloodline. The only justice would be their complete erasure from this world.

She still remembered when she discovered that Trafalgar Jack had smuggled his younger brother off the island. Anger didn’t even begin to describe what she felt…….. it was pure, blinding fury.

She hunted him, tormented him, and when she finally killed him… she made sure his death was slow, ugly, and unforgettable.

And yet… the bastard had smiled at her as he died, as if he knew something she didn’t. That smug grin still haunted her, fueling the fire inside. She would never forgive him..

When the World Government wiped out Flevance and shattered the remnants of the Trafalgar bloodline, she was furious — not because they were gone, but because it wasn’t her who ended them. Their death was stolen from her, and she would never forgive that.

But one still remained the last survivor.

She would make sure he died screaming.

But not yet.

‏The island would only respond to the pure bloodline of the main family… not to her, nor to any branch stained by foreign blood or fractured by distant ties. Those diluted lines, mingled with strangers’ veins.

So she needed him alive. For now.

Once the island opened…

Then, he was hers.

“Keep walking, little doctor,” she whispered to herself, her grin sharpening. “Dream your stupid dreams, flirt with that orange-haired girl, pretend you’re safe. I’ll be waiting. I always am.”

***********************************

When Law reached the center of town, he was doing his best to appear normal like he wasn’t seeing things no one else could. Every shadow felt heavier, every passerby too distant. But he forced his shoulders to stay relaxed, his steps steady.

He spotted a large fountain in the middle of the plaza, its waters glinting under the soft orange light of sunset. People moved around casually, laughing, talking, unaware of the storm building in his head.

Law sat on a bench nearby, his hands in the pockets of his coat, trying to ground himself in the moment.

He wasn’t going to ruin this.

Not tonight.

***********************************

When Nami arrived at the plaza, she spotted him immediately.

Law was sitting alone on a bench near the fountain, one hand tucked in his pocket, his sword leaning casually at his side. The sunset caught his face just right, casting soft gold over his features. His eyes, in that light, looked almost like melted honey.

He wasn’t doing anything special, just sitting there and still, he looked annoyingly good.

Nami felt her heart skip for a beat.

“Seriously? Just sitting there and you still manage to look like that?”

She took a breath, pushing the thought away.

“Focus, Nami. This isn’t a date. It’s just dinner. Just a thank you. Nothing more.”

But the flutter in her chest disagreed.

Nami called his name gently just enough to pull him from his thoughts. When Law turned to look at her, her breath caught.

She knew it the moment their eyes met. She was gone. Completely.

He approached with that calm, unreadable expression of his, but his words carried a quiet smile.

“Just in time,” he said.

They walked side by side through the quiet streets, their steps slow, unhurried, as if the night had carved out this moment just for them.

Eventually, they reached a small, cozy restaurant tucked between ivy-covered buildings.

“Looks like a good place,” Nami said, glancing up at the warm lights glowing behind the glass.

Law gave a small nod.

“I found it while wandering the city. It’s quiet… thought it’d suit us.”

She gave him a sideways glance, her smile playful.

“You and your love for quiet places.”

He didn’t deny it.

Inside, they chose a table by the window, where the soft candlelight flickered against the glass and the city beyond moved like a painting. They ordered a few simple dishes nothing extravagant and a bottle of good wine.

While they waited, Nami began to talk. At first, casually, about the crew and old adventures. But soon, her voice grew more animated, her eyes brighter as she recalled the wild days in Water 7, how Sanji had joined them, Usopp’s stubborn heart, and the madness of Skypiea.

Law sat across from her, quietly listening. He rarely interrupted, and when he did, it was with a short question or a faint smile that showed he was truly paying attention.

For the first time, he saw it clearly not just the navigator or the clever thief but the woman who genuinely loved the sea, the chaos, the wonder of it all. And somewhere in the middle of her stories… he began to understand why.

The waiter arrived with their wine and began setting the table with practiced ease. As Nami continued speaking, Law’s gaze drifted to the window.

And then he saw it.

A crow.

Perched on the roof of the building across the street, eyes fixed on him. Still.

Watching.

Waiting.

His stomach tightened.

He didn’t move.

He didn’t ask Nami if she saw it, couldn’t risk her thinking he was losing his mind.

Because, deep down, he wasn’t sure anymore if the things he was seeing were real… or if they were pieces of something darker unraveling inside him.

So instead, he reached for his glass of wine.

He took a slow sip, then another choosing the warmth of the drink over the untouched food on his plate.

Outside, the crow didn’t move.

And neither did the unease curling at the edge of his thoughts.

But across the table, Nami was still smiling, her voice still full of stories.

And for a little while, Law held onto that.

Held onto her.

Even as the shadows watched.

By the time they finished dinner, the wine bottle was nearly empty and mostly because of Law.

He was a little tipsy.

Damn it, he thought, how did that even happen?

He never let himself lose control like this.

But tonight had been… different.

While chatting with Nami, he’d started telling her about a madman he once treated on an isolated island. His voice was calm, even playful. But as he spoke, something in the corner of his vision made his blood run cold.

There.

Standing just outside the window.

The man without eyes. Silent. Motionless. Staring.

Law’s heart slammed in his chest, but he didn’t let it show. Not in front of Nami. He pushed through the story, masking the unease with faint smiles and deeper sips of wine.

He drank more than he should’ve, just to silence the rising dread.

After they paid, the two of them wandered the quiet streets, the world hushed and glowing under the soft wash of moonlight. They didn’t speak much, but there was no tension just a strange, gentle peace between them.

Eventually, they reached a beautiful overlook, where the sea stretched out endlessly under the sky. The moon hovered low, its reflection shimmering across the water.

Law stepped forward, resting his hand on the railing, his eyes fixed on the ocean below.

He wasn’t sure what pushed him to speak. Maybe it was the wine, or the quiet, or the way she looked with the moonlight tangled in her hair.

Maybe it was the strange ache in his chest.

“You’re so beautiful… like the moon,” he said softly, almost surprised at his own voice.

He turned toward her……and paused.

Her eyes had widened, her cheeks flushed with color.

She looked stunned, caught off guard. But not in a bad way.

And in that moment, something about her expression…..vulnerable, uncertain, and completely genuine hit him in a place he thought he’d buried long ago.

Before he could think better of it, he leaned in.

And kissed her.

The kiss wasn’t rough or rushed.

It was gentle. Careful.

Like someone who wasn’t used to giving affection, but meant it with everything he had.

Nami didn’t move.

She should have.

She should have pulled away, maybe even slapped him.

But she didn’t.

Because in that moment, something about the kiss felt… real.

Soft. Unexpected. Honest.

His hand brushed her jaw, steady and warm, and she found herself leaning in just slightly…..just enough to meet him halfway.

The world was quiet. The sea whispered below them.

And for the first time in a long time, neither of them felt alone.

The kiss ended as gently as it had begun, but the silence that followed hung heavy between them.

Law blinked, as if just realizing what he’d done. His gaze dropped from her lips to the space between them, and he immediately took a small step back.

“I… I’m sorry,” he said, voice low and strained. “That was out of line.”

But before he could say anything more, Nami shook her head.

“No,” she cut in, not sharpl. Just quietly. “You crossed a line, yeah… but I don’t know why I’m not angry.”

She looked away, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, unsure of what she was feeling herself.

Her heart was racing, but not in fear.

“Let’s just… head back to the ship,” she said after a pause. “You need rest.”

Law didn’t argue. He simply nodded, falling into step beside her.

The walk back was quiet again, but not cold. Just… cautious. Like they were both trying to understand what had just shifted between them.

When they reached the ship, Nami stopped at the edge of the deck and looked at him.

“Thanks… for dinner,” she said with a soft smile, her tone warm despite the tension.

Then she turned and walked toward her room without another word.

Law stood there for a moment, watching the door close behind her.

Then, with a quiet sigh, he made his way to the room he was using for now, the captain’s quarters.

Luffy had offered it without hesitation when Law first came aboard.

Tonight, it felt emptier than usual.

Law sat on the edge of the bed, elbows on his knees, fingers laced together tightly as he stared at the floor. The room was dim, lit only by the moonlight seeping through the round window. The echo of the kiss still lingered on his lips, in his mind, and most annoyingly, in his chest.

What the hell was that?

He cursed under his breath, running a hand down his face.

He shouldn’t have done that. He knew he shouldn’t have.

“Stupid,” he muttered to himself. “What were you thinking?”

He blamed her at first her voice, her smile, the way she looked at him with those knowing eyes like she could see straight through him. She’d always been a bit too clever for her own good.

But then the guilt twisted deeper.

It wasn’t her fault. It was his.

He’d let himself get too comfortable. Let the wine dull his senses.

Or maybe… maybe it wasn’t just the wine.

Maybe it was her.

The way she listened to him without judgment.

The way she talked about her crew like they were family.

The way she carried herself fierce, loyal, unshaken by everything life threw her way.

And then there was the other thing.

The man in the window. The crow.

The eyes that weren’t there.

He didn’t even know anymore if what he was seeing was real.

He couldn’t trust his mind not fully. Not lately.

And it scared him more than he liked to admit.

Maybe he kissed her because for just a second, he wanted something real.

Or maybe… maybe he was falling for her and didn’t know how to deal with it.

He lay motionless on the bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling as if searching for answers in the silence above.

His heart still beat faster than it should. Not because of fear.

Because of her.

And he hated that.

“You’re losing it,” he whispered to himself. “Get it together.”

But deep down, he knew the truth.

He was already too far in.

And the worst part?

He had no idea what to do about it.

**************************************

Nami lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling in the dim glow of the lantern, her arms folded under her head. The room was quiet except for the soft rocking of the ship and the occasional creak of wood.

Across from her, Robin sat on her own bed, legs crossed, reading quietly, but Nami could tell she wasn’t really focused on the pages.

“He kissed me,” Nami said suddenly, her voice low, like she was still testing the words out loud.

Robin didn’t look up immediately. She turned a page calmly before glancing toward Nami with a small, knowing smile.

“Law?”

Nami nodded, still staring at the ceiling.

“Yeah… I didn’t stop him.”

There was no shame in her tone. Just confusion. Like she was trying to make sense of something that didn’t have a clear answer.

“I thought I’d be mad,” she continued. “Or at least weirded out. But I wasn’t. I just…”

She trailed off, frowning to herself.

Robin set her book down gently.

“You feel okay?”

“Yeah. I mean… more than okay, actually. That’s what’s messing with me.”

Nami sat up slowly, hugging her knees.

“Why am I happy about this? I barely know him. He’s only been here a few weeks, and still, when he said I was beautiful, it felt like… like it meant something.”

Robin tilted her head thoughtfully.

“Because it probably did. Law doesn’t say things he doesn’t mean.”

Nami looked down at her hands, voice softer now.

“I don’t know what scares me more that he meant it, or that I wanted him to.”

Robin smiled gently.

“You don’t have to understand everything right now.”

Nami let out a breath, somewhere between a sigh and a small laugh.

“I told him we should head back to the ship. I think I just panicked.”

“And now?” Robin asked.

Nami shrugged, leaning back onto her pillow.

“Now… I think I just want to sleep. I’m too tired to figure out what any of this means.”

Robin nodded, picking her book back up.

“Sleep is a good start.”

As Nami closed her eyes, the warmth in her chest didn’t go away. She didn’t know what was happening between her and Law. But for the first time in a long while… she didn’t hate not having the answer.

Chapter Text

The sunlight spilled gently through the thin curtains, casting a golden glow across the room.

Nami blinked slowly awake, her body still, but her mind already racing.

She remembered the kiss the way his lips had lingered on hers, and the quiet that followed.

She pressed her lips together, unsure whether to feel awkward… or simply wait and see how he would act today.

Robin was already up, brushing her hair in front of the small mirror, a calm look on her face.

“Morning,” Nami murmured, sitting up.

“Morning,” Robin replied with a knowing glance but no teasing. She never pushed.

Nami was grateful for that.

*****************************************

Meanwhile, Law was already awake, though he hadn’t slept much.

He sat on the edge of the bed in Luffy’s room, staring at the floor again. He’d gone over last night in his head at least a hundred times.

He still didn’t know what it meant — or what to do now.

But one thing was certain: he couldn’t pretend it didn’t happen. Not to her. Not to himself.

When he stepped onto the deck, Nami was already there, leaning against the railing, the wind playing with her hair.

She turned when she heard his footsteps, and for a split second, neither of them spoke.

Then—

“Morning,” she said, a bit softer than usual.

“…Morning,” he replied, his voice low but steady.

There was tension… but not the bad kind.

The kind that waits.

*****************************************

The galley door swung open with a flourish, and Sanji stepped out, holding a steaming tray in one hand and adjusting the towel slung over his shoulder with the other.

The rich aroma of fresh bread, eggs, and something suspiciously fancy wafted into the air. “Breakfast is ready, you half-awake freeloaders!” he called out, kicking the door shut behind him with his heel.

Like clockwork, the crew descended upon the table with the enthusiasm of a pack of starving beasts. Plates clattered, forks flew, and what could only be described as the daily food war erupted.

Luffy was already trying to steal Usopp’s sausage, and Zoro was fending off Chopper with a skewer.

“Hands off my eggs, Mosshead!” Sanji yelled, smacking Zoro’s hand with a ladle.

After the chaos died down and the table was reduced to crumbs and battle scars, Sanji began cleaning up, grumbling dramatically under his breath about being the “only civilized soul aboard a floating zoo.”

Eventually, he returned with a tray of hot tea, setting it down with flair and a bow in front of Robin and Nami — completely ignoring Law and Brook with surgical precision.

Robin sipped her tea, then turned to Law with a calm, unreadable smile.

“Now that breakfast is over and your appetite is… mildly satisfied,” she said, her voice like silk. “I’d like to return to our work — the pages from the book with the message. We need to continue the translation.”

Law, who had just finished his tea and was eyeing the remaining toast like it owed him money, gave her a nod.

“Fine. Let’s see what kind of ghost story we’re unraveling next.”

Robin’s eyes gleamed.

“It’s more than just ghosts, Torao. History always is.”

*****************************************

When Law and Robin stepped into the library, the room was quiet, the scent of old paper and dust thick in the air.

Robin took her seat and immediately began translating the book, her eyes scanning the ancient text with practiced ease.

Law, meanwhile, busied himself searching through the surrounding shelves, flipping through titles that looked like they hadn’t been touched in decades.

A few minutes passed in silence before Robin’s voice cut through the stillness — calm, but firm.

“I know it’s not my place… but you’d better be serious about what you’re doing with Nami.”

Law froze, his back still turned to her.

What the hell?

He blinked, completely caught off guard. Of all people, he hadn’t expected her to say something like that. 

Of course she told her, he thought bitterly.

He didn’t answer. Honestly, he didn’t even know what he could say.

So instead, he stayed quiet… silent in that way only he could manage.

Robin, ever graceful, didn’t push. She simply returned to her translation without another word.

Law let out a slow breath — only then realizing he’d been holding it.

*****************************************

While Law was still flipping through the books they had brought from the archive, Robin quietly continued her translation, her fingers trailing across the ancient pages with focus and care.

After nearly two hours of silence, she finally looked up, her voice calm but firm.

“I’ve figured it out.”

Law glanced toward her, setting his book aside.

“If we want to find the island, two things must align,” Robin said. “The moon must be full, and it has to be raining. Only then will the island reveal itself. The book describes it as ‘the blood moon and the drowning gate.’ It’s hidden behind the fog and only appears under those exact conditions.”. She closed the book with a soft thud, then added, “We’ll need to ask Nami about the regions where this kind of weather is possible. She’s the navigator — and a good one at that.”

Law had just finished talking with Robin and decided he would be the one to update Nami on their discovery.

He stepped out onto the deck, the sun brushing his shoulders as the breeze carried the faint scent of salt and citrus.

He found her in her usual spot, nestled between her beloved orange trees, a newspaper spread in her hands, sunglasses perched lazily atop her head.

“Hey,” he said casually.

Nami glanced up — and instantly, her mind betrayed her by flashing back to that kiss. Stupid brain.

She forced herself to act unbothered, raising a brow. “What do you want?”

Law smirked faintly. “Why are you assuming I want something?”

She gave him a flat look. “Because you always want something. Spill.”

“We figured out how to find the island,” he said, ignoring her jab.

“Really?” She leaned forward. “How?”

“We need two things: rain and a full moon.”

She blinked. “Seriously?”

“As serious as I get,” he replied dryly. “According to the book, the island only reveals itself under a full moon and heavy rain. Something about a gate opening in the fog. Ever seen anything like that on your maps?”

Her eyes lit up with interest. “Actually, yes. We had narrowed down a few possible routes, but if we apply that weather condition, it helps us cross out most of them. That really narrows it down!”

Law stared at her. The way her brain worked — how fast she connected things — he couldn’t help it.

In that moment, she looked like a goddess sent to guide idiots like him.

She noticed the look and internally groaned. Stop looking at me like that. It’s not fair!

“Thanks,” he said quietly, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear as the wind blew it across her face. His hand lingered.

“For helping me.”

The moment stilled.

Her breath caught.

He was leaning in, and for once, she didn’t want to stop him.

Screw logic. Screw timelines.

She wanted this.

But then——

“TORAAAAOOOO!”

Luffy’s voice cracked through the air like a cannon blast.

Nami jumped back, her face flushed. And before she could stop herself, she smacked Luffy hard on the head.

“Ow! Nami! That hurt!” Luffy whined, holding his head.

“Maybe don’t come running through my trees, Captain,” she snapped — though really, she was just furious he’d ruined the moment.

Luffy turned to Law, grinning like an idiot. “Let’s play!”

“No.”

“Please?”

“No.”

Before he could whine again, Luffy’s attention was snatched by a wanted poster fluttering past.

He grabbed it, his eyes widening. “Ohh, Torao! Your bounty got higher!”

Law snatched the paper. “What the fuck?! How?”

“I was going to tell you,” Nami said, sipping her drink with fake innocence. “It’s in the paper.”

He flipped to the article.

“The Surgeon of Death spotted traveling with the Straw Hat Pirates, his affiliation is now under heavy suspicion.”

Underneath, a massive new bounty total and a headline that read:

“Another Dangerous Ally Joins the Pirate King’s Crew?”

Law groaned and dragged a hand down his face. “Perfect.”

*****************************************

Later that evening, Nami stood beside Jinbei on the deck, looking over the chart pinned across her desk. The sea breeze danced through her hair as she traced her fingers along the map.

“There’s a change in course,” she told him quietly. “Let the crew know we’re taking the southern route. We’ll be passing through both paths just in case, but I have a strong feeling about this one.”

Jinbe nodded. “Understood.”

“We’ve got two weeks until the next full moon,” she continued. “But we need to reach the general region within one week. Let’s hope we run into an island that matches the conditions along the way.”

There were three potential routes that matched Law’s description from the book, but something in her gut screamed that this was the one. She trusted her instinct — it hadn’t failed her yet.

*****************************************

That night, Sanji proudly served dinner: grilled fish, a citrus-glazed salad, and fresh bread — everything warm and comforting.

The crew sat around the table, chattering and laughing as Nami spread out the updated map. “We’ll follow this route,” she explained. “I cross-checked the weather patterns with our current position and moon phase. If the book’s right, we’ll want to be in this region right before the moon is full.”

“Sounds complicated,” Luffy said through a mouthful of fish. “But cool!”

“It’s a gamble,” Zoro muttered, arms crossed. “But I guess we’re used to that.”

“It’s not a gamble,” Nami corrected, raising a brow. “It’s called navigation. Look it up.”

“Yohoho!” Brook laughed. “Captain, we’ll leave the thinking to our brilliant navigator.”

Robin nodded thoughtfully. “Your instincts haven’t failed us yet.”

Nami gave a small smile. “Let’s hope they don’t start now.”

After dinner, the crew slowly trickled off to their rooms.

Nami lingered a little longer, waiting for the right moment. She folded up the map and tucked it under her arm.

“I should tell him,” she murmured to herself. “He deserves to know we’re making progress.”

She made her way to the crew quarters and stopped at Law’s door. She knocked gently. No response.

She knocked again… louder this time. Still nothing.

Frowning, she hesitated for a moment, then slowly opened the door.

What she saw made her freeze in place.

**********************************

Law stood frozen in the center of the room.

His breathing was uneven, chest rising and falling like he’d just run for miles.

His eyes weren’t focused — glassy, vacant — and his lips kept muttering broken whispers.

“Not real… stop it… it’s not real…”

But it was.

At least to him.

In his mind, the walls were twisting. Warping. Shifting.

The man from the previous town — the eyeless horror — was back. But this time, he wasn’t alone.

A woman, pale as bone, her throat sliced wide open — so deep he could see her windpipe twitching in the slit.

Blood soaked her dress like ink spilled on parchment… and yet she smiled at him.

A wide, jagged, inhuman smile.

Law stumbled back, crashing into the table behind him. He tried to focus, to center his mind, but the pressure was building behind his eyes like something was trying to claw its way out.

He knew now — this wasn’t a Devil Fruit.

This was something else.

Something darker.

Magic.

Old, foul, twisted magic.

A low caw echoed from the window.

He turned.

A black crow stood there, motionless, watching him. But it didn’t blink. It didn’t twitch.

Its feathers shimmered wrong — like smoke instead of feathers.

Its beady eyes stared into him, as if it knew every thought tearing through his mind.

It wasn’t a bird.

It was her.

She was in his head.

And she was winning.

*****************************************

Nami POV: 

The room felt too quiet.

Too heavy.

Nami could feel it the moment she stepped inside.

It was suffocating.

Law stood in the middle of the room like a man caught in a nightmare. His eyes were wide but unfocused, his lips moving in a whisper only he could hear. There was no one else there. Just him. And the storm inside his mind.

Without thinking — driven by a pulse of fear in her chest — Nami rushed to him and slapped him across the face. 

Hard.

He blinked.

The haze cracked… but not enough.

So she slapped him again.

“Law…” she started, raising her hand for a third, but this time he caught her wrist.

His grip was gentle.

His voice, barely a whisper.

“I’m awake.”

He let go and sank into the nearest chair, running a hand through his hair like he’d just surfaced from deep water. 

“I don’t know what’s happening to me…” he said quietly, voice raw. “I’m losing my grip. I’m seeing things that aren’t there… and when I try to move, it’s like something’s chaining me down.” 

Nami knelt beside him, trying to meet his eyes. “If I don’t see it,” she said gently, “that means it’s in your head. And maybe… maybe she’s doing this to you. The woman we met on the island. But maybe… just maybe… it’s working because you’re letting her in.”

Law didn’t respond at first.

He stared ahead, as if afraid of what he’d see if he blinked.

Then, softly — like a man shedding the last layer of armor — he said,

“I don’t know, Nami.” 

A pause.

“I just… I’m tired. Tired of pretending I’m not affected. Tired of acting like I don’t feel anything.” He turned to her.

His voice trembling ever so slightly. “Can I ask you something? Will you promise me something?”

She arched an eyebrow, cautious. “Tell me first. Then I’ll decide if it’s worth promising.”

He gave her a small, almost broken smile.

“Please.”

Something in his voice cracked her open.  “I promise,” she whispered. “Whatever it is… I’ll do it.”

He said, voice low and deliberate,

“I’m certain that woman wants the island just as much as I do. But it seems she can’t reach it without me. That’s why she let me live when we fought on the island. She had the upper hand — she could’ve ended it — but she didn’t. She just walked away… like nothing happened.”

He paused, gathering his thoughts, eyes fixed on the floor as if searching for the right words. 

“And once we find the island… she’ll either kill me or use you to control me. That’s what I believe.”

He looked up, meeting her eyes. “And the truth is… I’ve started to feel something for you. I know you feel it too. That kiss… it wasn’t a game to me. I meant it.” His voice dropped, softer.

“So if things escalate… if it gets bad… you need to run. Don’t look back. Just go.”

Nami stared at him, stunned — not sure whether it was the sharp clarity of his theory, the fact that he was trying to protect her… or his sudden, vulnerable confession.

Then he said quietly, “So please… promise me you won’t get involved when things turn dangerous.”

But Nami stood firm, her eyes blazing. “How selfish can you be, Law? You tell me you like me, then ask me to run the second things get hard? Sorry, but I’m breaking that promise before I even make it.”

She stepped closer, her voice trembling — not from fear, but from conviction. “And as for my safety… I’m surrounded by a crew of monsters who would tear the world apart to protect me.”

Without thinking, without hesitating, she leaned in — and kissed him, fierce and full of fire.

Law didn’t hesitate.

The moment her lips met his, something in him snapped free — something he’d kept chained for far too long. He kissed her back, not with caution, but with quiet hunger. The kind of kiss that said I’ve wanted this… but never thought I could have it.

Her fingers clutched the front of his shirt, holding onto him like he was the only solid thing in a world that kept shifting.

He could feel the tension in her hands, the fire in her touch — and it only drew him deeper. His hand slid to her lower back, the other curling behind her neck, angling the kiss as he deepened it. He didn’t rush. Every movement was deliberate — slow, certain — as if he wanted to memorize the way she tasted, the way she sighed against him.

Then, still kissing her, he stood from the chair, lifting her in one fluid motion like she weighed nothing. 

Their lips never parted. 

Her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, her grip on his shirt tightening. He held her firmly, his steps steady, gaze never leaving hers even between fleeting gasps of air.

He laid her gently on the bed — and even then, his mouth never left hers.

The kiss deepened once more — messier now, more desperate. He hovered over her like he was afraid the moment would end if he let go.

And in that moment, there was no past.

No curse.

No bloodline or war.

Just the warmth of her mouth.

And the quiet sound of two people finally giving in.

Her breath hitched as his hand gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, his eyes softening as they looked into hers. There was something vulnerable in the way he stared — like he wasn’t used to being allowed to feel this much, let alone show it.

Law rested his forehead against hers, still catching his breath. “I didn’t plan this,” he murmured, his voice low and hoarse. “I didn’t expect… you.”

Nami blinked, heart pounding, her fingers still curled in the fabric of his shirt. “I know,” she whispered. “Me neither.”

He let out a quiet laugh — more like a breath — as if the weight in his chest had loosened just a little. His thumb traced the line of her jaw with a tenderness that almost surprised even him. “I’ve been walking in shadows for so long,” he said, “I forgot what light felt like. 

“You’re not the only one,” she replied, her voice barely audible.

For a while, neither of them moved. Time seemed to slow — just the sound of distant waves against the ship, the quiet hum of the world continuing outside their small moment of peace.

Then Law leaned down again — not to kiss her this time, but to rest his head against the crook of her neck, his hand draped loosely around her waist. The closeness wasn’t urgent anymore. It was something else. Something rarer.

Safe.

She closed her eyes and smiled faintly, her hand brushing through his dark hair. For the first time in what felt like forever, neither of them felt alone. 

******************************

The room was quiet, the soft rhythm of breathing the only sound in the dim light.

Moonlight filtered faintly through the thin curtains, painting silver streaks across the floor.

Nami stirred beneath the covers, her eyes slowly fluttering open. For a moment, she lay still — listening, feeling the warmth beside her, steady and calm. Law was still asleep, one hand resting near her waist, his face relaxed for once.

The tormented furrow between his brows had eased, replaced by something peaceful… maybe even vulnerable.

She gently slipped out from under the blanket, careful not to wake him. But before she could fully stand, his voice cut through the quiet.

“…Going somewhere?”

It was soft, low — not a demand, just curiosity laced with fatigue.

She turned back to him, brushing a few strands of hair behind her ear. “I’m heading back to my room. Just… before anyone wakes up.”

Law didn’t move. He only blinked slowly, then gave a small nod.

“Yeah… makes sense.”

She could hear the unspoken truth in his voice — he wasn’t expecting anything more.

Not yet.

He didn’t even know what this was, or what he was anymore.

But neither of them had the energy to define it right now.

She gave him a faint smile — and slipped out the door.

**************************

In the girls’ quarters, the room was dim and still, lit only by the faint blue wash of pre-dawn light. As Nami tiptoed inside, trying not to make a sound, she froze when she saw Robin already awake — sitting up against the headboard with a book in hand, her gaze quietly shifting to Nami the moment she entered.

Nami hesitated, as if caught doing something she wasn’t supposed to — though technically, she wasn’t.

“…You’re up early,” Robin said softly. Not accusatory, just observant.

“Couldn’t sleep,” Nami mumbled, slipping under her own blanket without looking her way.

Robin watched her in silence for a beat.

Nami lay on her side, her face turned away, but the tightness in her shoulders — the shadow in her expression — it wasn’t hard to read.

“…Is Law alright?”

Nami’s breath caught for a second. Then she whispered, “Yeah. He’s fine.”

Robin closed her book with a soft thud, offering no further questions.

But both of them knew the truth wasn’t that simple.

And in the silence that followed, morning quietly arrived.