"Gyahahaha! What a nostalgic pirate isle! Still the rowdiest dump around!"
A boisterous man strutted the streets, a horde of underlings in tow, his guffaws booming over the din.
Even amid the town's uproar, his getup screamed for attention: a nose like a crimson beacon, flanked by a lineup of wanted faces from every poster in circulation. His bellows drew stares from all sides.
As the Heart Pirates passed on the boulevard, they clocked the spectacle.
"Captain—that's the clown Buggy, right? The Rogue Town raiders' alliance."
"Grand Line already, huh. Hasn't been long since that mess."
They chatted casual, faces from the fresh headlines jogging memories.
The alliance buzz—multiple crews banding up—had just hit the papers. Sure enough, the brass was all present, strutting with the swagger of stacked odds, unfazed by the gawking crowds.
Law flicked a glance at the subordinate's point—then away, boredom plain.
Numbers? Impressive. But per-head bounties? Meh. No real threat.
Especially fresh off Luffy and Kid's brawl—watching those bounty-matched rookies go at it had him buzzing, future-proof talent on display. No spark for these small-timers.
The usually stoic Law? Tonight, he hummed with rare high spirits.
Green as they were, he'd spotted beasts in the making. Blood sang in his veins—a thrill in ages.
Brushing past Buggy left his crew tilting heads. The utter disinterest? Off-script.
"Huh? That's it? No vibe from the clown posse?"
"Not worth the hassle. No need to squash 'em now."
"Hmm. And the Straw Hat from earlier?"
"That one's inevitable. No rush—"
A soft huff escaped him, gaze dipping—then snapping up. Law froze on something odd.
A figure halted dead in the human tide, oblivious to the flow.
Kiri—the paper-wielder from the posters—staring straight back.
The Heart Pirates ground to a halt.
He blocked their path, eyes pinned—not on the group, but Law himself. Bounties topping his dotted the crowd, yet he ignored them flat.
Eerie outlier. His crew fell mute, tension thickening the air.
Law alone held steady, locking stares cool as ice.
Neither budged—eyes drilling deep.
The street's roar faded uncanny, crewmates sidelined like props. Just them, excised from the chaos—a suspended beat, unnatural.
In that void, they sized souls, no words needed—raw, beyond the ordinary.
At last, Law broke silence.
Voice low, even, he didn't stir: "Something you need?"
"Yeah. Got a chat in mind."
"Heh... Fine by me. Mood's right—shoot."
No waver, no debate; Law nodded crisp. His men gaped, jaws slack.
That easy? Unthinkable.
This guy's poison.
Rumors screamed it—ignore at peril, especially the captain's hide.
"Hold up, Captain. Trusting him? Bad call."
"Yeah—whispers say he penned that paper scandal."
"And Straw Hat's right-hand."
"Ambush bait, Captain—no guarantees."
Crew clambered to block; Law's grin thinned, stepping light.
"No sweat. Cross me? Handle it then."
"Sigh—knew you'd say that."
"You lot head back. He's solo—I'll manage."
If treachery brewed, he'd end it personal.
The unspoken vow hung; his men chuckled wry, waving him off.
No fear of loss—he'd counter any lunge, gut and discard without breaking stride.
No point chaining him; they let go easy.
Katana slung shoulder-high, Law veered into an alley, chin-jerking the shadows.
Kiri's smile deepened, trailing smooth.
Off the main drag, into the squeeze—lightless, foul, untouched by do-good sweeps. Foot traffic thinned to ghosts.
Hiders here? Tangle of lovers in the gloom, or schemers mid-plot.
They fit the latter.
People-sounds vanished full; they leaned walls, facing off.
"Alright—spill. What's your angle with me?"
"Heard something intriguing. Figured I'd vet truth from tall tale."
"Hah. Bold hunt for a hunch."
"Tough to ghost this rock. Eyes everywhere."
"Wouldn't doubt it."
Law chuckled, conceding.
He hadn't questioned the track-down—info was lifeblood, death's edge. A few days in, and the isle screamed it: secrets for sale.
Dealing with idiots? Drag. But this one? Sharp.
No need for hand-holding; they dove seamless.
Kiri led.
"Got me curious. You're tight with Joker, yeah?"
Law's brow twitched.
Aura iced over, grin snuffed—gaze sharpening to scalpels. The alley prickled, skin-crawl menace blooming.
No bluff—this was kill-if-you-stray, eyes broadcasting clear.
Intentional? Maybe not.
Law's chill reply came unconscious, but the flinch? Kiri's hook set.
Killing intent leaked reflex—that deep? Joker ran real.
"...Who spilled?"
"Who knows? Crowds here."
"No straight answer, then."
"Ease up— not here to squeeze. More like... team-up pitch."
"Team-up?"
"Yeah. Figured you'd get it—ex-Joker man."
The barb hung electric, needling skin. But fold now? No dice.
Kiri held the smile, eyeing Law's white-knuckled grip on his blade.
"Truth? I've got a mark to drop. Not asking muscle outright—info hunts need networks, and contingencies hit. Could use a hand short-term. That's my ask."
"That the play... What's in it for me?"
"Joker's dirt. If you want it."
Law snorted soft, piecing it. Damn thorough—where'd he dig?
Listening, the frost thawed gradual.
No coercion vibe. The terms? Tempting pull.
"He's underworld kingpin now. You think you can crack that?"
"Shadows are my jam. Got form."
"We'll see. Can't buy in blind here."
"Not pushing instant buy-in. Or... need a sign?"
"You're Straw Hat's enforcer. His play?"
Law's stare bored lethal—breath-stealer for most. But Kiri swam these waters, shrugging loose.
Smile unbroken, tone breezy.
"Nope—captain's dark. Solo call. Personal pact."
"Makes sense. Just watched him throw down, y'know."
"Yeah—knew he wouldn't sit pretty. Par for him. Don't sweat."
"Why keep him looped out? What's the solo angle?"
Beat. Kiri paused, mulling visible, then:
"Short version? Gut call. Some intel helps; some? Overkill. Least, no plans to stab Luffy in the back."
"No intent to knife him through me."
"Nope. Push that? You're done."
"Doesn't track. That loyal, but linking arms off-books?"
"All for crowning him King. He charges front—crew's got flanks. Leaves me rear-guard."
"Hn. Usable, at least."
Law weighed it, lingering.
Joker's name? Scarce. Locks tight—users knew the alias, not the man. Fingers countable. The dark? Vast, lightless, bottomless.
How deep his dive?
No lies—eyes warned death; Law probed.
"How much you know on Joker?"
"Who he is? Plenty. Hung near the aware."
"Fellow rat in the walls, eh."
No carnival yahoos, this one. Poise, kill-leak response, that grin—verdict sealed.
Take or trash.
Fellow pirate? Trust thin, snap-judgment fool's game.
Law eyed wary, coiled.
One probe left.
Burned quick—trust? Nah.
Still, had to clock it.
"Your mark—who?"
Answer'd tip scales.
No lightweight, surely. Joker intel plus that vibe? Ties beyond Straw Hat—big fish surfacing, easy bet.
Kiri mulled instant.
Bare hand? Gamble raw. Distrust default—dodge it.
But shrink now? Stagnant forever.
Spill or captain-faith.
Weighed light; choice snapped.
"Warlord—Sir Crocodile."
Shockingly smooth from his lips. Secrecy screamed no—but Luffy's shadow loomed: overthink kills. Act.
Here? Trust trumped all.
Hoarding? Backfire.
Law's lids drooped at the name—quiet, unstartled. Absorbed easy, face knowing.
"That explains... the interest."
Murmur laced satisfied; eyes cracked faint.
Kiri's grin faded unnoticed; the shift hit—a lonely tint deepening.
Second later, reset; Law's gaze lifted full, pinning Kiri.
Resolve locked: provisional yes.
"Got it. One catch."
"Shoot. What?"
"Not sold on you yet. Gotta test utility."
"Fair. How?"
"Race kicks tomorrow."
Law's grin twisted sly, devil-may-care resurfacing.
Kiri's wry twist countered.
Dread? Or fresh twist—either way, off the prior chill.
"Captain's life on the line, yeah?"
"Damn right."
"Then show your spine. Via that 'personal pact' of yours."
Trickier beast than Luffy, clear.
Music to Kiri's ears—he nodded firm.
＊
Guided by Anita, the trio hit the town's prime tavern—and froze at the roar spilling out. Faces traded; Igagram teetered on hysteria, Vivi's peril twisting his mug.
Per the local: standard frenzy.
No panic fuel, then—Sanji and Silk strolled steady, steps even.
Only Igagram ramped the noise.
"While we dally—Princess Vivi?! Gentlemen! We must haste!"
"Shut it, old timer—overkill much?"
"Yeah, Igagram-san. Trust Vivi a bit."
"But my guard's honor—!"
"Your gig? Pirate problems don't care."
"Heartless?!"
Post-briefing, his volume cranked—Anita winced, brow-furrowing deeper, mood souring fast.
Silk's approach? Near-halted by the scowl's depth.
Even in the bedlam, egress spiked: patrons streamed out, a few out-shouting Igagram—including a woman, reined by a brute.
"Let go, Buffalo! I gotta reach him!"
"Again with the sap-trap? Just gonna get iced by the young master, y'know."
Sanji's glance flipped his gaze lovestruck. Stunner in distress—yanked by the giant, but no snatch: chummy vibes, no peril.
Classic tableau.
"I'll stick to stop it! Let—go!"
"No dice. Young master's orders: bail pre-Dead End. Mess incoming."
"Not leaving!"
"Same song. He's playing you—why the young master always offs 'em."
"No! He said—I'm essential!"
"Fix that yes-man curse, huh? Island'll eat you next."
"Let—gooo!!"
Brother-sister energy? They receded from the tavern.
Sanji stalled, rooted; the rest bee-lined the door.
"Wh-What a vision. Shackled to that oaf? Jealous..."
"Sanji—hurry or we're ditching~"
"Yeees, Silk-chaaan! Got you—no sweat~!"
"Loud fool. Moron."
Anita snorted derisive, hand to the latch—then yanked back as it swung in. Near-miss; she eyed the newcomer.
Towering frame loomed.
Spotting her, gaze dropped: light bow from X Drake.
"Pardon. No harm?"
"Yeah—fine, though."
"X Drake? Ex-Marine turned pirate... Big name here too."
Silk's murmur caught him; Drake's lids dipped brief.
Hat low, he quickened pace, crew in wake.
"Old news. Keep it civil."
"Ah—sure..."
His band ghosted sleek—no chat window. Silk gawked after; Sanji sidled cool, appraising.
"Ex-Marine pirate. All got baggage, huh."
"Yeah... seems so."
"Whatever—move it. We're here."
"Princess safe? Gods, no incidents...!"
Anita's nudge propelled them in at last. The sprawl hit: vast, visceral.
Ruckus reigned.
Brawls bloomed everywhere—hulks trading haymakers, heat thick as fog. What sparked it? Pirate pandemonium, pure.
Igagram unraveled instant—Vivi-fear fueling the frenzy.
He bolted rail-ward, scouting frantic.
The other three—calm till spotting Zoro, arms crossed, planted nearby.
"Zoro? What're you doing in this dump?"
"Hm? You guys."
Sanji's mutter pulled his swivel; Zoro clocked Igagram late.
Silk and Sanji closed, suspicion spiking.
"What's up, Zoro? Weren't you with Kiri?"
"Lost again?"
"Shut it. Got our own drama."
"Huh, sure. But solo here? Spill—how?"
"Tch—not a kid. Simple."
"You... forgetting Cocoyasi chaos already?"
The brewing edge drew Silk's sigh, hands akimbo. Same old static—venue shift, zero thaw.
Meanwhile, Igagram bellowed Vivi's name, voice drowning in the roar—undeterred.
From afar? Oddball squad.
Anita? Bored tilt, hands laced back, huffing huffy.
Then—crash from above.
Out of sight; Zoro and the five pivoted blind. Fight, likely—nowhere near shock value.
But in this inferno? Standout thunder? Off.
Seconds to peg: blast-born.
Igagram blanched horror-struck.
"Princess?!"
Gut punch? No visual—yet he knew: her there.
He surged upward, summit-bound.
Left behind, Zoro, Silk, Sanji sighed synced—ignored? Nah, hassle to lone-wolf him. Allies ahead? Maybe.
Anita? Duty done—could bail. But a flicker held: mild intrigue. Why not linger?
Impulse tugged; she tailed the trio's wake.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
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