Chapter Text
Law didn't remember how long he has wandered on his own. Drowning in his grief and self-hatred, he would look down to the sea and wish that the waves would take him down. Perhaps he, the last survivor of Flevance, should join his kin. The gods hated his kind and wished him to die. But the voice of Cora-san would always whisper at the back of his mind. “Live”. So, he didn’t. He didn't deserve an escape. He loathed living yet the cold embrace of death was not meant for him. He could not die until he killed Doflamingo. That monster who could shoot his own brother. He would kill him. He would rip out Doflamingo’s heart and stab it until it was full of holes.
Law shoved a piece of moldy bread down his throat. It was disgusting and he would most likely get sick from it. But he needed strength to use his power. This gift and curse that Cora-san bestowed on him must not be wasted. It took him days before he grasped the barest basic of his power. If he were in a better situation, he would be awed by this unique power on his fingertips, but he could only feel numb. His days were spent looking for food, using his power to remove the amber lead, and passing out. On and on, it went. He couldn’t remember the day. Only Cora-san’s voice pushed him to continue.
Law was stumbling on a rugged path when someone suddenly grabbed him from behind. ‘Doflamingo?’ he thought, panicked. He lashed out and tried to stab the person using a blunt knife he had found in the trash, but his hand was caught in a firm and massive grip.
It was a man with grey hair and a massive frame. His black eyes were locked on Law. He was wearing a Marine uniform.
“Who the hell are you?! Let me go!” Law struggled against his captor. “I have done nothing wrong!”
“You are Law,” the man said.
Law stiffened. “Who’s that? You got the wrong person.”
The man didn’t believe his lie. “No, I’m right. That spotted fluffy hat of yours gave it away.”
Law touched his hat and cursed inwardly. He knew he should’ve thrown it away, but his sentiment prevented him. It was his only remembrance of his parents. They had given it to him on his birthday. ‘But I could’ve at not wear it,’ he conceded.
The man laughed. “No need to be so tense, brat. I know you from Roci.”
“Roci?” Law asked.
The man scratched his head. “Oh, he didn’t tell you. That’s his real name, but you should know him as Corazon.”
“You know Cora-san?” Law blurted out and quickly slapped his mouth shut. ‘Idiot!’ he berated himself. His exhaustion and lack of meal had clouded his judgment.
“Alright, time to go.” The man slung Law over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
“Let me go!” Law shouted and tried to kick the man’s face. “Who the hell are you anyway!?”
The man didn’t flinch when his kick landed. “Monkey D. Garp. Roci asked me to watch over you if things go south. Can’t have a sick child running around alone, can we?”
“I don’t need your help,” Law hissed.
“You will get it anyway,” Garp said.
And so Law was kidnapped by a marine. He was taken into a ship and thrown into a room. Law took in his surrounding, his hand gripping the knife tightly. There didn’t seem to be anything suspicious in here. He had expected himself to be chained and thrown to jail, but instead, he was taken into what seemed to be Garp’s room on this ship.
Garp returned by kicking the door open, a tray of food in his hand. “Here, eat this.” Law glanced between Garp and the food. “I don’t put poison in it, brat. It’s not as if I can’t handle you myself.”
How long had Law not eaten a warm meal? The aroma was testing his self-control. “I don’t accept help from a marine!” His stomach uttered protest by making the loudest sound it could.
Garp laughed. “Don’t be stubborn. Roci asked me to take care of you so I will.”
“Shut up! I don’t care! I can take care of myself!” Law tried to run away but Garp easily throw him back onto the bed.
“You can’t even get up from that,” Garp said when Law struggled from getting up from the bed.
Law’s body was at its limits. After not eating well for many days, severe exhaustion, and countless wound his body had become thin and weak.
“You barely have any meat there.” Garp took Law’s bony arm. It was ridiculous how small he was compared to Garp. The man could easily snap his arm with only two fingers. “Eat!” The man shoved a plate of curry onto him.
Law’s stomach raised another round of protest. Law bit his lower lips and reluctantly took a bite.
“There, is that so hard?” Garp seated himself on a chair, watching Law eating his first full meal.
The heat from the food warmed Law’s inside. Reminding him of how long he had been cold. A prickle of tears emerged but Law pushed it down. He would not cry. Especially not in front of this guy.
“I knew Roci since when he was a boy.” Garp sighed, leaning on the chair. “That brat can’t seem to stop falling and breaking stuff. Clumsy to a fault. Someone had to keep an eye on him or he would slip and fall into the sea. Who would’ve thought that Sengoku actually took a shine on that boy?”
Sengoku? The fleet admiral? He knew that Cora-san was related to the marines, but he didn’t know that Cora-san was related to someone so high-profile.
“That boy always cares about justice and cares too much. He somehow decided that he wanted to become a spy. I don’t think someone like him fits that job. He shouldn’t be skulking in the dark, trying to blend with the worst of humans.”
“Get to the point already,” Law snapped, gripping the spoon so tightly that his fingers turned white.
“What I’m trying to say here, brat. Roci gave up his life so you can live. So I’ll make sure that you live your best life and not throw it away like an idiot.”
Law gritted his teeth.
“I know that look boy. I know that you’re going to do something stupid. And I’m not going to let you do that.”
Law shouted, “Who are you to order me?! You marines have killed many innocents! Stop acting as if you have a nobler stand than me! You killed everyone! My parents! My sister! Children! We didn’t do anything wrong! It was your damn government who covered everything up because of their greed and it was my people who paid the price!”
Garp only looked at him. Not an ounce of anger appeared on his face. “I know. Whatever I say will not erase what happened. For what it's worth, neither Sengoku nor I know about the operation. There is a lot of corruption and rot in the marines.”
“And yet you still stay,” Law mocked.
“And what do you want me to do?” Garp asked. “Become a pirate. Don’t pretend that they’re any better. That pink weirdo should already show you that. I hope that by joining the marines I could at least try to change it from the inside. Roci believed the same. Do you think he is the same as those who destroy Flevance?”
Law flinched. His body trembled from his repressed emotions. Frustration over his incompetence. Hatred towards the world. Sorrow over his losses. A tear managed to escape his eye. Law grabbed the rim of his hat and pulled it down.
Garp sighed and patted Law’s head.
Law was too busy controlling his emotion to protest.
“Grow up and get strong,” Garp said. “Until you can beat me, I’ll watch over you. That’s what Roci wanted.”
The ship sailed peacefully. Nobody was foolish enough to attack Garp the Fist. Law kept to himself in the room. He had decided to stay with Garp until he had recovered. Although Garp was annoying, there was no denying that he was a powerhouse. Being under his protection while Law was trying to master his Devil Fruit would remove unnecessary distractions. Even if Doflamingo appeared, Law was sure that Garp could handle him.
Law focused on eradicating the amber lead from his body. Garp was somehow conscious enough to give him stacks of books to distract himself. The books were a weird mishmash of genres. There were children's books, geography, marine guide books, and many more. Law didn’t complain. It never hurt to gain more knowledge. Sometimes Garp would try to talk to Law. Most of the time, Law would just ignore him and let the man ramble to himself.
“Where are we going?” Law finally asked.
“East blue,” Garp said. “You’ll be staying in a small village. I have my grandson there.”
“Grandson?”
“Monkey D. Luffy. You two will be good friends!”
“Unlikely.” Another D. And from what he had seen of his grandfather, Law didn’t have much hope of getting along with his grandson.
“Don’t worry you’ll like him! Dahaha! He’ll make sure of that!”
Law narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Whatever. He could handle a kid.
When they finally arrived at Foosha, the weather was clear. Even from afar, Law could see a small figure jumping on the pier.
“Graaaaampsss!!!!” A young boy screamed. His black eyes sparkled as the ship decked.
Garp laughed as the boy jumped on him like a small monkey. The boy shot out dozens of questions like bullets that Law couldn’t make out what he said. Finally, he took a deep breath and looked at Law who was standing close to Garp.
“Who are you?” the boy asked as he hang on his grandfather’s arm.
“Trafalgar Law,” Law said.
“He’ll be staying here from now on,” Garp said.
A wide smile bloomed on the boy’s face. “Hello! My name is Monkey D. Luffy! Nice to meet you!” He jumped down and shoved his face as close as possible to Law’s. His smile was so bright and wide that it was almost blinding. Law averted his eyes when it reminded him too closely to Cora-san.
Law grunted in response.
Luffy wasn’t bothered by his cold response. “That’s a cool hat! I like the spots! Where are you from? Why are you with gramps? Are you hungry? I am hungry. Let’s go eat, Torao!”
Law was taken aback by the butchering of his name. “T-torao? My name is Trafalgar Law!”
Luffy shoved a pinky up his nose. “Yeah, that’s what I said.”
“No! You didn’t!”
“Whatever your name is hard.”
“Then just call me Law!”
“No, I like Torao better!”
“Brat!”
Garp boomed out a laugh over their exchange. “See! I told you you’ll be friends!”
Luffy beamed at that, while Law scowled.
“I have a friend!” Luffy hugged Law tightly.
“No, I’m not your friend! And let go of me!” Law tried to push Luffy away, but the kid was like an octopus.
“Shishishi! Come on! Makino is making us lunch. Her food is amazing!” Luffy grabbed Law’s hand and dragged him into the village.
Law was surprised by this whirlwind of a child that he didn’t put out a fight.