Chapter Text
Eight years after the One Piece War, the Polar Tang was docked at an unnamed island somewhere on the Grand Line to restock on some things.
Law had decided to wander since he knew that his crew didn't need him just for a supply run. He eventually found himself in a tavern. He spent a few hours there, on-and-off playing along with the flirting of a waitress out of boredom.
Although he typically hates small talk, the mumblings of some strangers at the other end of the bar caught his attention.
"Hey, did you hear about those ships that've been passing through these parts lately?" asked one man.
"What're you on about?" replied a second.
"You know! Those unmarked cargo ships," the first answered. "I heard they're carryin' some unusual shit... something about slaves and some kind'a white isle in the North, too."
This tidbit alone piqued Law's interest in all the wrong ways. He set his drink on the counter as he stood, intent on hearing more. As he headed their way, he slipped a tip to the waitress with whom he'd been talking.
The second man countered, "Why're you bringing this up now? A ship like that hasn't been through here in more'n a month."
"I know, but I heard — geh!" He froze when he saw the dark expression on Law's face as he approached.
When Law closed the short distance that had been between them, he tilted his head curiously. "Well? What've you heard?"
"I... uh..." The second man spoke this time.
"Yes...?" Law was trying to be patient, but he wasn't sure how long he could last before splitting a skull or two. The look on his face alone was scaring both gossipers.
The first man cleared his throat. "...well... I d-don't know everything, b-but..."
"You mentioned slaves," Law cut the man off. "...and white land. Where is this Northern white isle?"
"I don't know where it is!" the man snapped nervously. He threw up his hands in a placating manner. "From what I heard — which isn't much, mind you! It's a small place that apparently looks snowy year-round in the North Blue... I don't know where..." he repeated himself without a thought. He really was scared.
His friend jumped in here. "But we've seen cargo ships pass here a couple times in the past. Not recently, though. Never marked, but they have green keels. We only know about that end of their travels 'cause we heard a couple of the guys who sail 'em talking about it one time..."
"...I see." Law turned away from the pair at that. "Thank you." 'Green keels... Seastone.'
Without another word, he left for the port. He needed to think.