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Monkey D. Luffy had to be the craziest, most intriguing, and most overzealous person that Trafalgar D. Water Law had ever set his eyes on. From the moment that he met Straw Hat Luffy for the first time, he had seen it. Well, Luffy did punch a Celestial Dragon the day they met in person, so there was that.

Then the War of Marineford had broken out, and Law couldn’t even begin to explain what led him to heading straight there from Sabaody Archipelago instead of continuing off to the New World. Maybe, it was something Straw Hat Luffy had done.

It was a pull that was taking him straight there. An irrational feeling in the pit of his chest telling him that he needed to be there. That he needed to be fighting. He had heard of such a phenomenon, but it was one that he was choosing to ignore for the time being. It was like a strong determination and will that was overcoming his own senses. It was the height of irrationality. He had no coherent thought to explain his own motives. He had nothing to gain from even going. Yet, it still led him right here. Right into the middle of the Marineford Summit War. The Marines and Warlords versus the Whitebeard Pirates for the life of the Second Division Commander, Portgas D. Ace.

He had noticed it first at Sabaody, when he met Monkey D. Luffy’s eyes for the first time. A strong pull that was trying to tie them together. Like, somehow, their futures would be forever intertwined together from that moment on. It wasn’t something that Law could medically or scientifically explain by any means.

Now, here he was, lurking on the sidelines of Marineford, sneaking his way around the Marines and Whitebeard Pirates – and apparently a bunch of Impel Down Prisoners that Luffy helped break out trying to get to Fire Fist Ace – who was apparently Luffy’s brother. Sworn brother? Ace’s true identity was revealed as the supposed son of Gol D. Roger and Luffy the son of the Revolutionary Dragon. A part of him wasn’t surprised about Luffy, but he was more surprised about Ace. He had heard the stories of the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. He was strong and just as crazy as Straw Hat Luffy. Maybe, with an extra brain cell added in there somewhere. He wasn’t exactly sure. He didn’t actually know these people, and he wasn’t even sure why he was here.

He had ordered the rest of his nakama to stay at the ship while he went on his little mission. He had no plan. No idea of what he was actually doing. Just that he was here, and he was prepared to fight some Marines. Maybe craziness ran in the D name. Because, just being here made him just as crazy. He was normally very good with his strategies. Good at thinking on the spot when he needed to in order to get the job done. Now, it was just a blur. His feet carrying him anywhere that he apparently needed to go.

He had managed to stay out of the limelight for the time being. Watching the absolute chaos that was the battlefield. The Warlords were present, and Law had to force himself not to focus on Doflamingo’s presence being there, fighting against the rival pirates. He was watching as bodies started to fall. Watching the dirty tactics that the Marines were using.

The second the Marines had started cutting the video feed from the Den Den Mushis is when he figured it out. Law snuck up on one of the Marines, casting a room as he used Shambles to get his hands on the snail. The Marine had turned to look at him in surprise as Law held the snail in his hand. Law smirked, placing the snail into his pocket for the time being as he unsheathed Kikoku. “You’re going to tell me everything that I need to know.” Law murmured. He was quick with his movements, cutting the Marine up as the man screamed out in fear and shock. The pirate let his head settle in his hand as he hummed. It made him think back to just outside of the auction house at Sabaody. Fighting alongside Eustass Kid and Luffy. He bounced the head in his hands as his smirk got just a bit bigger, “Alright, if you want this back or want me to put you back together, tell me what the Marines are planning.”

He turned the head of the Marine to face him, his smirk curling upwards just a bit more. The Marine was making a noise of nervousness. Mouth twitching and eyes wide.

“You’re Trafalgar Law. What are you doing here?!”

“No idea, but they say curiosity killed the cat. Now, talk.”  

Luffy was determined. The only thing on his mind was getting to his brother. He couldn’t live without him. He needed Ace to be alive. Here with him and by him even if they were miles apart on the sea. Continuing to live out their own lives and dreams.

He refused to live if Ace couldn’t.

Do you want me to live?

Of course, he did. Ace was his brother. He was the single most important person in his life currently. The person who continued to drive him to be stronger. He had no idea what he would do if he failed today. He cared deeply for his nakama, and he still needed to find them so they could continue their journey together. That would all be in vain if he failed here today.

So, he pushed himself. His gaze barely leaving Ace who was still chained down to the scaffold and forced to watch the fighting between his own nakama, brother, and all the people who were fighting to save his life against the Marines.

He refused to fail today.

For just a split second, there was a spark in his mind. Like it was trying to notify him that he wasn’t alone. He ignored it completely, screaming out for his brother again.

It was the only thing on his mind. He had to make sure it was. He couldn’t waver now. Not when he was getting closer.

Law had decided to play nice, putting the Marine back together after gaining the information he needed. Though, he did take the second to send him off somewhere behind him, uncaring of where. Law looked back out to the fighting.

So, that was the plan. Luring in the pirates into the enclosed space that was the bay, and then they were planning on executing Ace early. No wonder they were turning off the Den Den Mushis. They didn’t want the world to see that they were preparing early or the tactics they were about to use. It would put them on the same level as the pirates they faced. They were going to play dirty.

He pulled back out the snail, looking down at it as he smirked. Well, he was a pirate, and he too liked to use ulterior motives.

Now, he had a bit of a clearer picture of what he should do. What his plan needed to be. He needed to get himself closer to the scaffold. He could easily get Ace off of it if he got close enough. His shambles should work on the chain. Ace was a Logia Devil Fruit user. The Mera Mera no Mi, so he would have shackles on him that were made from sea prism stone. That would be the only thing standing in his way. Though, he’s never tried a room around the stone before. He wouldn’t be able to get the cuffs off of him but the chain itself shouldn’t be made from the material. The material was too valuable to use on something like a chain. They would focus on the part that was actually touching the Devil Fruit user, sot he inside of the shackles.

The Whitebeard Pirates and the Impel Down Prisoners were the perfect distraction. The Marines would keep their focus on them. Not him slipping around on the outskirts. He needed to stay away from the inside of the bay. That’s where it was dangerous.

With his own ship, he wasn’t concerned for his nakama. He had watched as they put the ship back underwater to disguise them being there. It only came up long enough for him to get off and him to give his order. Bepo wanted to come with him, and he was sure the mink was panicking in concern and wondering if he was okay. He would be fine. He didn’t want to risk his nakama if this went sideways. Especially since he didn’t exactly have a solid plan until now. It was just better that way. It was easier to move as one person even though their teamwork was spot on. All he had to do was say their names and they acted accordingly.

As he moved along, he kept an eye on the fighting, keeping his guard up. The Marines were really underestimating the bonds of nakama. Especially those of the Whitebeard Pirates. A crew – with their sworn allies included – that was willing to put their lives on the line and die for the cause. Law was not one of those people, but he would guess that he would love to shove this into the face of the Marines. Watching the Marines lose today would be a great sight to see.

The pirates lost if Portgas D. Ace died in Marineford today.

He wasn’t going to let that happen.

It didn’t matter where he was on the battlefield or how far away he was from Straw Hat. He could hear his voice carrying over the entirety of the battlefield. His desperate but still determined shouts of Ace’s name. Proclaiming that he was going to save him from the scaffold. Luffy just had that kind of flare to him apparently.

He could see the shift during the battle. The way that Luffy’s drive was also pulling along Ace’s nakama and the others around him. Helping him get closer and closer.

What really was it about Straw Hat Luffy?

The war had turned from all-out war to horror in the matter of minutes. Law knew of the plan that would trap the pirates in the bay, but he never thought about this. The pirates had been sealed away, and Law was safely on the top of the plaza wall. Watching as all but one of the barrier walls went up. The only one that didn’t go up was one that held a giant’s body on it. Little Oars Jr he believed was the name he heard for the giant.

His eyes widened as it all began to click.

If they do manage to trap them in the bay like they want… the pirates have no where to go. That’s what the Marine had said.

Law held the Den Den Mushi in his hand, pointing it out towards the bay. He could barely breathe. Luffy was down there still. Still within the bay. Law wouldn’t say that he was frozen, but his attention had been completely grabbed by Akainu. The Admiral shooting his magma up into the air and sending it right into the bay. The blasts of magma melting away at the ice and going into the water. He could see the water bubbling from the magma’s heat already. He could hear their screams as they tried to escape the water that they had fallen in.

“This… I knew they would play dirty, but they are caged like animals.” Law whispered. Maybe, the Marine just didn’t know the full extent of the plan that the Admirals held.

The pirates were screaming. Blood curling screams as they boiled alive. Others getting hit directly on by the magma that would either burn them alive or kill them in an instant depending on how they were struck.

It made Law’s stomach turn. Even more so when the smell got to his nose. The smell of magma and burning flesh.

Absolute justice. It’s what he heard that Akainu lived by. The one principle in his life that had that specific Admiral being one of the most terrifying Marines. It didn’t matter to Akainu who lived or who died, just as long as if the job got done.

Law’s gaze moved to where he believed Luffy to be at.

You better stay alive, Straw Hat-ya.

Law had kept moving. Forcing himself to go on despite hearing all the screams. Still, he could still hear the determined shouts of, “Get to the plaza! We have to save Ace!”

The bonds of the sea. That’s what was showing in that moment. Even as they were being killed off quickly by Akainu. Even as the tides started to turn, the pirates weren’t giving up. Nothing was going to stop them until their task was completed.

This would only end when either Ace was dead, or he was far away from Marineford and out of harms way.

Law couldn’t explain his own determination. He never met Portgas D. Ace before, but he held Whitebeard in a high regard. There was a respect that he had for the man. No man left behind. Even if it meant war.

He felt like this should have been expected, seeing Luffy be catapulted right out of the bay and into the plaza. Right before the Three Admirals. Luffy didn’t even looked phased. He looked more pissed off than anything. The flaming desire to get to his brother still circulating off of him and around the area.

More and more of the pirates were getting into the plaza after that. There was still a chance and a good one at that. Law had still managed to keep himself concealed enough that he hadn’t been spotted or have to fight another Marine.

There was one thing that he was certain about. This war wasn’t about executing Ace for his own crimes. It was for what ran through his veins. The Lineage Factor that directly connected him to Gol D. Roger. If it was really true. He had heard the beginning. Heard what Sengoku had said. That Ace’s mother’s will for her son’s life was so great that she defied the laws of nature. There was no plausible explanation to how she did it. Staying pregnant for twenty months. It was unheard of. A true miracle.

No matter what brought Ace here, it led him to Luffy. Luffy had been screaming throughout this entire war. Addressing Ace directly.

Ace, you’re my brother!

Say whatever mean stuff you want! I’m still going to save you!

Somehow, Straw Hat’s words had managed to reach even him. It was driving him, and he had nothing to gain from any of this. All that he could gain is watching as the Marines lost a war that was being broadcast everywhere. An execution not even truly meant for Ace. They were scared of him. Scared of what type of power that he could possess. Gol D. Roger was someone that Law had learned a great deal about. Who wouldn’t? He was the crowned Pirate King. The only man to make it to the final island that no one knew how to get to on the Grand Line. Had seen the One Piece. The One Piece still felt like an urban legend even now.

It was just seeing Luffy’s determination to save the life of his brother that kept Law here. Kept him moving. Though, Law couldn’t lie and say it didn’t intrigue him that having the son of the Pirate King still alive would be the greatest fuck you to the Marines. This would probably place an even bigger bounty on his head, but he didn’t care.

There was absolutely no sense of rationality in him at the moment. Luffy had the ability to draw people to him with just his presence, and it was greatly working in Straw Hat’s favor as he fought his way through the plaza. Getting help from the likes of Marco the Phoenix and other Whitebeard Pirate Commanders. Law was pretty sure he even saw Revolutionary Army members. Though, that’s not surprising to him either considering who Sengoku said his father was.

What kind of family did Monkey D. Luffy have?

All Law knew was, he was in over his head, and he was out here alone.

Luffy was so close. He was right there. They had made him a path right to the scaffold. The others holding back the Marines from getting to him. It had placed a smile on his face as he rushed up the concrete. “Almost… there.” Luffy huffed. He was breathless. He was running on pure adrenaline at this point, but he was so close. He could see Ace completely now.

It was a straight shot right to him before it wasn’t.

The air caught in his throat as the smile dropped from his face and his eyes widened. The dust cleared around the new person now standing between him and Ace, revealing to him that it was Garp. Well, this just got a lot harder.

“Gramps! Please move!” Luffy screamed.

There was a dark look on Garp’s face. His fists balled. Luffy really didn’t want to have to fight Garp of all people. Was why his own grandfather – his and Ace’s grandfather – standing between the two of them?

There was a mixture of anger and annoyance on Garp’s face as he stared down at where Luffy was running. Luffy couldn’t stop. He refused to stop. “There’s no way that I will step aside. I’m a Vice Admiral with the Marines! I was fighting pirates long before you were ever born!”

Why was it coming to this? Garp was family. Even if they were on separate sides of the law. On separate sides of this war, he was still someone Luffy cared about.

“Gramps!” Ace screamed.

Luffy shook his head. For a moment, that jolt was back. One that was urging him on. Telling him to keep going and that Garp wouldn’t block his path. To do anything to get around Garp. It didn’t feel like his own thought.

“If you want to get past me, it will be over my dead body! Straw Hat Luffy!” The dread filled Luffy as the gasp left him. That’s what this really was about. It really was because Garp was a Marine and that Luffy and Ace were both pirates. He was going to have to fight his own grandfather to get to his brother.

You got this, Straw Hat-ya.

Luffy blinked. What was that? That definitely wasn’t his own thought at all. His own emotion.

He shook it off, listening to Garp speak again, “This is the path that you chose!”

“Please, Gramps! Let me pass!” Luffy pleaded. He didn’t want to fight him. He still didn’t. The concrete started to crack under where Garp was standing, but the Vice Admiral didn’t waver.

“Luffy!” Ace’s voice was full of fear. Scared for him. Ace was being forced to watch all of this go down. There was nothing Ace could do, but Luffy could.

You’re right there. Get to him.

The anger warped on Garp’s face again as he screamed out, “I’ve told you already! If you want to get past me, it will be over my dead body!”

Luffy shook his head again. He refused to fight Garp. He couldn’t do it. This was something that he couldn’t do at all. “I can’t do it, Gramps! Please move!” He was begging and pleading at this point. He never wanted it to come down to this.

“If you don’t kill me! Ace will die!” Garp shot back almost immediately.

“Never!” Luffy could do this. He could do this without fighting Garp and Ace dying. He could have both. Couldn’t he?

Garp stomped, cracking the already breaking concrete underneath him. “It will happen, no matter how much you hate it! I won’t hold back!” Luffy gritted his teeth. Nothing else mattered. Ace mattered. That’s what he came here to do. “From now on… I will regard you as my enemy!”

You have no choice. You have to fight him. Save Ace.

Luffy kneeled down, his knuckles hitting the concrete as he activated his Second Gear. The steam rolling off of his skin and the almost luminance look coming to tinting pink skin. It really was coming down to this.

Garp moved, his fist coming towards Luffy as the pirate moved to bring his own fist. He could barely hear Ace’s screams, begging and pleading for them to stop. Luffy’s fist had connected with Garp’s jaw, and it felt like time had slowed down just for a second as Garp was sent to the side, heading straight down for the plaza ground. Luffy had squeezed his eyes shut, internally screaming to himself but he still had to keep going. His feet landed back on the concrete as he continued ahead. He could see Ace’s shocked face. Eyes wide and jaw dropped open as he stared at Luffy.

There was a split second that felt like Garp had stopped his attack. That something had changed within that second.

The concrete was falling apart underneath his feet. He had to push whatever the voice was inside of his head to the side as he leapt from each broken piece. This was his only way to Ace, and he couldn’t fail now. Now after what he just had to do.  

 He deactivated his Second Gear just as he felt the metal of the scaffold underneath his sandal. A large grin coming to his face from seeing his brother chained down right in front of him. “I made it!” He exclaimed. “I told you I’d do it!”

“Luffy!” Ace whispered in his shock.

Law was absolutely in awe as he watched Luffy. The way that he took on even Sengoku to get Ace free. He had watched as the scaffold had folded under the pressure between Sengoku in his Buddha form and Luffy expanding his body with his Gomu Gomu no Mi.

Straw Hat-ya has to be the craziest guy I have ever met.

That’s when law started to move, rushing across the plaza. His heart was pounding against his chest the entire time. His eyes never left Luffy. Watching in horror as the Marines had fired off cannon fire at them. Ace definitely wouldn’t survive that with the sea stone around his wrists. What was Luffy’s plan here?

He had only paused he movements when he noticed it. Clattering on the ground were a set of cuffs.

He did it. Law thought, eyeing the cuffs before looking up.

The cannon fire and smoke surrounded Luffy, his brother, and someone else that Law couldn’t recognize as he saw the jolly roger of the Whitebeard Pirates appear within the smoke before it warped, swirling together in a tunnel of flames, and flying out. Within seconds, he could hear the roars of happiness coming from the pirates.

That was the power of Fire Fist Ace.

It pulled a smirk onto his face as Ace and Luffy stood back-to-back on the plaza concrete now. Flames dancing on Ace’s skin and Luffy’s fists raised. Both of them smiling as they swapped words with one another.

Watching the two working together, fighting side by side, it was flawless. A silent communication moving between the two as they took on the Marines that had encircled them.

Luffy looked happy. The smile that was back on his face now. He had done exactly what he claimed he was going to do. Fire Fist Ace was freed from the scaffold. Now, all that was left, was him escaping Marineford entirely. This war wasn’t over yet.

Law couldn’t shake the impending doom that he felt in his stomach.

Not the from the second he saw the dark look on Akainu’s face.

Luffy had done it. He had actually done it. The excitement – and fatigue that he was ignoring – going through his system as him and Ace fought together. It was just like the old times. Living in the woods of Mount Colubo and fighting together.

Now, it was just time for them to escape and they were golden.

They were getting closer to the bay when suddenly, Ace stopped. Luffy recognized the fury on his face immediately. He had seen it many times in the past. Whenever someone spoke ill of Roger. Akainu was staring at Ace now, the harsh words leaving his lips that were only working to stir up his brother.

Luffy felt his heart skip a beat. This wasn’t good. Ace never really was good about controlling his anger when it came to people he cared about. If someone struck just the right nerve that would set him off. Ace was in all correct terms, a hot head.

Luffy had to stop him, and quickly. Something was wrong here. He couldn’t explain the feeling, but it was like a spark in the back of his mind pleading with him to get Ace to turn back and just run. Ace never ran. It was just something he didn’t do. Not when he got into a fight. He either won or he did manage to slip away because he had something else he had to do. He never ran if the fight mattered to him. Mattered to the person Ace cared for.

Ace and Akainu were still hashing it out, at least, verbally for the time being. Judging by the fire that flickered on Ace, he was not happy. Ace had gone so long asking himself if he deserved to be born. Luffy believed he was. Luffy couldn’t live without his brother. Couldn’t Ace see that?

“Can it!” Ace screamed. Luffy could hear all the anger in his voice. His flames glowing brighter by the second. His flames were reacting to Ace’s emotions. Luffy didn’t have to see his face to know just how angry he actually was. He could tell just by the tension in his shoulders and how sharp the tone of his voice was.

“You know it’s true! You all will die as failures! And Whitebeard is a lonely, old fool!” Akainu snapped back.

“Whitebeard is the greatest pirate who ever lived! You hear me!” Ace roared, his flames gaining more heat from his words. “You don’t know anything about the man who saved my life!” With those last few words, Ace was engulfed in his own flames.

Luffy heaved, taking in a deep breath, and exhaling sharply as he felt the fatigue in his body creeping up on him more. He couldn’t get close to Ace when he was on fire the way he was. His flames would burn him. He had to let this play out.

“Get away from him, Ace!” The Whitebeard Pirates that weren’t far from them shouted. Their begs and pleas falling to deaf ears. There was no reasoning with Ace when he was like this.

Akainu was preparing his own attack as well. Magma versus fire. Luffy had a really bad feeling about all of this. He had to get Ace away from that man. He was the reason Ace stopped. His words that sparked that flame in Ace.

“This is his era! Don’t you forget it!” Ace screamed as he let out his flames that connected with Akainu’s a second later. Their attacks connected, and that sense of dread continued to worsen.

“Your Oyaji and you will end up the same. Dead! And by my hand!” Akainu roared.

Luffy felt the air catch in his throat as he heard Ace’s pained cry before he was flying back and landing on the ground on his stomach and face. “Ace!” Luffy exclaimed.

“How?! Did he burn him?” Izou – Luffy believed he heard that was his name – exclaimed, the shock in the marksman’s voice.

Luffy tried to force himself to breath despite the pain he was in as his gaze lingered on his brother. Ace was going to lose.

“Ace…” Luffy whispered, going to run over to his older brother but his legs gave out from underneath him. He fell down, heaving to try and breath properly.

“Luffy! Stay out of harm’s way! You are in no condition to be in this battle!” Jinbei warned from behind him.

Luffy’s gaze was on the ground as he continued to breathe heavily. Ace’s vivre card was on the ground. Fluttering in front of his gaze as it pulled towards where Ace had managed to push himself up enough to cradle his arm. There was a giant burn across his forearm. Akainu was stronger than Ace was. Luffy could see that completely. This was Ace’s vivre card right before him. The same little slip of paper that would guide him to his brother no matter where he was in the world. Told him if he was okay. Ever since he had gotten off of the scaffold, it had stopped its slow burn. It was back to being the full piece he had received in Arabasta.

He reached out with a shaky hand, barely having the strength to do that as he went to grab the vivre card. He couldn’t lose it. This was his connection to his brother. It kept fluttering away from him, pulling towards the owner of the lifeforce laced within the special paper.

Just as he felt his fingers graze over it, he heard the scared shout of, “Luffy!”

Luffy managed to lift his head up just in time to see Akainu lunging for him. Akainu was going to kill him. He didn’t have the strength to get himself out of the way. He blinked and he saw Ace’s determined face.

Before within a flash, that completely disappeared.

Law had seen what was about to happen. It didn’t take a genius to know what Akainu was doing. He was playing on Ace’s weak point. His major flaw. He had heard that Ace had a tendency to fight anyone who dared to speak badly about Whitebeard. It was like it would strike something within the Second Division Commander and nothing else mattered. At least, that’s what he heard, and it was being proven right before his eyes.

Each jab at Whitebeard that Akainu took, Ace’s anger only intensified.

This was bad. Really bad. Magma burned hotter than fire. Ace was going to lose. That’s what Akainu wanted. He wanted Ace to react to him. He wanted him to stop. Which he had.

Sure enough, his thought process was right as Ace’s attack had failed and Akainu broke through, sending the pirate flying backwards. Landing directly on his face. Law cringed at seeing the burn that took up Ace’s forearm. That looked seriously painful. Even for a Logia type who were known for not easily being able to be hurt by others.

It was like a shock of electricity through his body as all he could actually think was Ace. It wasn’t his voice either. It wasn’t his thought. Ace is in danger. I need to get to him.

His gaze fell on Luffy. Luffy looked terrible. He wasn’t even sure how Straw Hat was actually even still conscious from the condition that he looked like he was in. He surveyed the scene, looking back and forth as he noticed Akainu’s attention move. Moving from Ace to Luffy.

That’s his plan.

He couldn’t hear what he was saying to Ace, but the murderous intent was in his eye. It felt like time slowed for a second as Akainu jumped, holding his magma fist in the direction of Luffy. Ace’s pleas for him to stop. Then Ace moved. Somehow within a blink of an eye, he appeared directly in between Akainu and Luffy.

Law had to act now.

“Room.” The blue sphere appeared around his hand, and he sent it out, covering the area and getting it around Ace and Luffy. He moved his hand, his heart pounding against his chest. He had just merely seconds to act. If he didn’t, he knew what was about to happen. “Shambles.”

Akainu blinked in shock as he watched the two slabs of concrete fall and hit the ground. Right where Monkey D. Luffy had been. His eyes widened for a second as he looked up. He could see all the shocked faces looking at him. What just happened? That wasn’t normal.

The Admiral peered around, stopping as he caught sight of Ace’s Whitebeard tattoo. How did they get over there? There was no possible way that Fire Fist Ace did that. Straw Hat Luffy wasn’t moving either. The young pirate could barely move at all. It’s why he had taken the chance. He just hadn’t expected Ace to react or that they would suddenly disappear within a blink of an eye.

Then he saw him.

The person who could do something like that. Held the power to make anything within his room his surgical field.

Trafalgar Law.

Law was standing right in front of the two surprised brothers, a smirk on his face as he held one of their Den Den Mushis in his hand. “Sorry about that, but I like to come in with a bit of flair.”

“You little bastard.” Akainu growled.

Law smirked again, tilting his hand as he placed down the snail, “These come in handy, don’t you think? The entire world saw everything you thought was cut out. Including what Commander Ace just did for his brother, and what you just did.”

Akainu gritted his teeth. Grounding them down. “Anyone in my way will die. I only want those two. Everyone else can leave.”

“I can’t do that.” Law stated.

“I don’t know what you are doing here, but you have my thanks, brat.” Akainu froze as he heard the voice, turning his head to see a very angry Whitebeard glaring down at him. “You just tried to kill my son, you magma punk.”

Well, this wasn’t good.

With Akainu’s attention on Whitebeard, Law exhaled sharply, turning towards Luffy and Ace. Both looked to be in a state of shock as he balanced Kikoku on his shoulder. “We have to go now. We don’t have much time before Akainu starts coming after the two of you again.”

Ace blinked up at him, “Trafalgar Law?” Law smirked and nodded, “What are you doing here?”

“No idea.” Law hummed, reaching down, and pulling Luffy’s arm over his shoulders, “But we have to go if you two want to live so best bet is to get back to my ship. I can take it underwater. It’s safer there.”

Now that he got a closer look at Luffy, he could see that he was really in much worse shape that he had seen before. How was he even still alive at this point?

Either sheer dumb luck or determination.

Maybe, a bit of both.

“I… can’t leave him.” Ace whispered.

“You’re under orders to leave. Besides, the entire point is that you get your ass out of here. Your brother didn’t just do all of this for you to die now.” Law hissed, smacking Ace in the back with Kikoku. “I also didn’t just save the two of you for nothing. You turn back now, you’re on your own.”

There was still conflict written all over Ace’s face. In his eyes as he looked back at his Captain. “Ace! Go!” Law’s gaze moved away, seeing that it was First Division Commander Marco who had screamed it. “Get out of here! Take the chance! We’ve got this!”

“I really owe you one for this, Law.” Ace muttered, going to Luffy’s other side to help take some of his practically dead weight off of Law.

Still lingering in the back of his mind was a mutter of Ace’s name. Still screaming that Ace needed to be saved. He peeked down at Luffy, his eyebrow shooting up. He could hear Straw Hat muttering under his breath. Saying the same thing.

Now, this was getting freakier by the second. He shook his head, the intent to get back to his ship that much more greater. He wasn’t about to stop now. He already went this far. Luffy and Ace were with him. He could get them out of here. He just had to get there first.

And hopefully, not have a crazed, magma covered lunatic following after them.

He was dreaming he knew it. It didn’t take long before Akainu had gave the slip to Whitebeard and gotten to them as they crossed into the bay. They weren’t far from Law’s ship. It wasn’t that far. But apparently the world had other plans when Akainu practically popped out of no where to unleash an attack. Neither Ace or Law had managed to move in time but Straw Hat did. Managing to divert the attack enough but gaining a massive burn to the chest in the process. The force of the hit had sent all three of them into the ground.

Jinbei and Crocodile had moved in, stopping Akainu from attacking them again. The attack had been enough to render Luffy completely unconscious. Law growled as he looked up to Akainu. Who had gotten Jinbei down too and Crocodile was somewhere out of sight.

Akainu turned to them, the dark scowl on his face. “Looks like, I have to kill you too, Trafalgar.”

“Fuck you.” Law snapped, lifting up a hand to flip him off. He moved his hand again, going to cast a room as Akainu’s magma hand was coming down. Ace had stumbled back to his feet, lighting himself on fire and preparing to fight again. It was a losing battle. Law’s room moved around them as Law went to put the pieces into place to activate Shambles. He’ll just give him the slip again. His eyes widened as he realized, there was no debris in his room to use.

He froze as the magma hand moved a bit faster than he could get Shambles going as it was barreling towards Ace. “Ace!” Law shouted.

The air caught in his throat as he heard the clash, fully expecting to blink and Ace have Akainu’s fist through him, only for it to be a sword and a flash of red hair.

“Well, shit.” Law whispered, “That’s… unexpected.”

Red-Haired Shanks.

“Shanks!” Ace exclaimed, falling back by Luffy again from the power of the haki that Shanks had let off. Akainu’s fist was stopped completely by Shanks’ Gryphon. His blade and hand not even shaking from the force.

The Yonko stood there with a sharp glance, using his own body to block Akainu from getting to the three of them. “Get out of here.” Shanks immediately said. Law nodded. There was something telling him to just listen. That he could trust Shanks. He wanted to think it was because that Shanks just technically saved the three of them, but it was like something else entirely. “Go on. My nakama aren’t far behind me. We’re putting a stop to this war.”

“Red-Hair.” Akainu growled.

“You want them?” Shanks questioned, “Try and kill me then. We’ll see who fairs better.”

Just the glance through the corner of Shanks’ eye, seeing the practical order to leave there had Law back to his feet and moving. He hauled up Luffy, peeking over at Jinbei. “Ace, grab him too. I can help the both of them.”

“Right.” Ace stated, rushing over to Jinbei, and hauling the fishman onto his back before coming back to Law’s side. “Tell me where to go.”

Law nodded towards the sea. “My ship is currently underwater with my crew.” He replied as they started to dash forward. Apparently, I now owe Red-Hair for this.

It didn’t take much longer to arrive back at the Polar Tang and the ship was surfacing as he got closer. Bepo leaned over the rail, giving out a cry of, “Captain!”

“Hurry! I need some help down here!” Law ordered. “Jean Bart!” Jean Bart flung himself over the rail, getting right by Ace and taking ahold of Jinbei and Luffy. “Take them to my operating room immediately!” Jean Bart listened to his order, getting himself up onto the ship as Law looked at Ace, “Let’s go. I’ll get you out of here and I’ll take you back to your crew. Once you’re gone, and now that Red-Haired Shanks is here, this war is basically over.”

Before they could move, they were stopped by another Warlord. A very concerned looking Boa Hancock. Law listened to what she had to say before he was looking back at Ace.

Ace looked over his shoulder and nodded as both men got onto the ship and Law disappeared into the inner parts of the cabins, heading straight for where he instructed Jean Bart to go.

He had a lot of work ahead of him.

“They are pointing their cannons at us!” Penguin shouted.

“Right.” Law muttered, he exhaled sharply, “Alright, get back underneath the surface and full speed out of here!”

“Roger!”

Law was exhausted by the time he was doing doing surgery on both Luffy and Jinbei. Akainu had done a number on them, but Luffy was by far the worst. It was a miracle that Straw Hat had managed to live at all. It was a miracle he was he even able to do what he did at Marineford from the extensive damage that Law found.

He even found signs of heavy poisoning. Luffy should not have been able to move around the way he did.

Luffy and Jinbei were his patients now. He would ensure that they survived before sending them on their way. He walked out of the operating room, both of the two hooked up to the oxygen tanks to help them breath since they were currently under and waiting for it to wear off.

Law cleaned himself up of the blood on his arms. He didn’t put on any protective gear except for sterile gloves. He didn’t have the time. Between the cannon fire they were receiving during their escape and the severity of the injuries he had to work with, time was of the essence for him.

With himself cleaned up, he made his way out of the washroom, running right into Ace, who had been sitting outside of the operating room the entire time. Law sighed as he walked over, letting his back hit the wall and he slid down next to the Commander.

“Thank you.” Ace whispered. “For saving them. Both of them.”

Law made a noise, leaning his head back against the wall. He wanted to sleep for a week and not get disturbed at this point. “They aren’t completely out of the woods yet, but they should make a full recovery.” Ace made a noise, nodding as he pulled his legs up a bit more to him. Law only looked up as he noticed that Ace was eyeing him. “What?”

“You had absolutely no reason to help any of us. You aren’t an ally of any of us, but you saved my life back there. Luffy’s… and now Jinbei. Why?” Ace stated, the curiosity written all over his face.

Law sighed, “I can’t even explain it. I just couldn’t get it out of my head. I was there. You guys are alive, and that’s what matters.” He had a feeling that he knew what it was, but it wasn’t something he was going to admit too. Not when he still had a vendetta to fulfil. He couldn’t spend any time thinking about it now. Hell, Doflamingo was there at Marineford, and his thoughts were only on helping Straw Hat save his brother.

Even knowing that Luffy was going to be okay, he could see that Ace still had tension in his shoulders. He knew what it was. It was something that even he felt. It was concern for his nakama. Ace had to leave them behind when he came onto his ship.

Law reached over, clapping Ace on the back for a second. “They’ll be fine.”

“I left them there.” Ace hissed, his fingers curling over the burn on his arm. Law sighed, activating a room before taking care of it. Reaching up to the shelf that they were sitting by that held more medical supplies to get some bandages and burn cream. He dressed the wound, and it shouldn’t scar but he still preferred to make sure that it still didn’t get infected. “I was so happy when they were fighting for me, and I just left them there.” Ace sounded angry at himself.

“I think they’ll just be happy that you actually got out of there.” Law replied, securing the bandages. “Now, you’re my patient so I have every reason to say that’s why you are on my ship.” Ace snorted, shaking his head, “They are your nakama. You’ll see them again.”

“I owe you my life, Trafalgar Law.” Ace replied.

“Don’t mention it.” Law muttered, leaning back on the wall. “I’m taking them to Amazon Lily. He can recover there.”

“Alright.” Ace whispered.

This has been a really long day.

Law refused to allow his ship to surface again until they were out of the Gates of Justice and away from Marineford. Luffy and Jinbei were still completely out to the world, which was to be expected. It didn’t take much longer after surfacing for the Red Force and more ships to come up on them.

Shanks leaned over the rail of his ship, giving a smile to them as they walked out, “It’s over.”

“Oyaji?” Ace asked, the worry in his voice.

Judging by the look on Shanks’ face, Whitebeard didn’t make it. Law sighed. “Go on, go see your crew.” Ace eyed Law for a second, looking back towards the cabins of the Polar Tang. “Like I said, I’m taking him to Amazon Lily. Go spend some time with your nakama and grieve. He’s fine. He’ll wake up soon and then you two can see each other.”

Ace released a breath and nodded. He launched himself off of the deck of Law’s ship, landing on the railing as he looked back to Law, “Take care of them.”

“I will.” Law confirmed. “They are my patients after all.”

Ace gave him a soft smile before turning and pulling himself onto the deck of the other ship. Law gave Shanks a nod as the red head gave him a knowing look. He didn’t have to say a word to the yonko, and he just knew.

Law turned around heading back inside of his ship. He had gone straight for the recovery room where the two were set up in. Stopping at the door as he leaned against the frame to look over at Luffy.

It was believed to deprive from the Void Century. That there was one person within the world that someone could connect too in a way that others couldn’t. Could hear their thoughts. Feel their emotions. Even act in irrational ways because it’s the conviction of the other person.

It had a term. Soulmates. That two souls were intertwined tightly with one another. Law had gone so long believing it was just a myth. A love story that mothers told their children as a bedtime story. His mother used to do it to him. Corazon had done the same thing too. It felt silly to believe in something like that, until he had experienced it first-hand.

His gaze lingered on Luffy a bit longer before he forced himself to look away. That feeling he had while he was in Marineford. The thoughts of having to save Portgas D. Ace. They were all influenced. Influenced by Luffy.

He could hear what Luffy was thinking. Feel what he had.

“You really are crazy, Straw Hat-ya.” He whispered.

Who would have guessed that the same Monkey D. Luffy that he met in Sabaody Archipelago would be the same person who was apparently that one person he had a deeper connection too.

He had taken Luffy to Amazon Lily. Luffy was wrapped head to toe in bandages, but it was needed from all the work that Law had to do to stabilize him. Luffy had gone into nothing sort of a blind rage when he had came out of Law’s ship. The older pirate held onto his straw hat, waiting to give it back to the other but any attempts to talk to him had been in vain.

He could feel just how angry Luffy was.

Ace is dead. Ace. Ace. Ace.

He blinked as he watched Luffy. Luffy must have blanked out a lot of the end of the fight. Not realizing that Ace was safe and sound. Luffy wasn’t listening to anyone as he made his way into the forest of Amazon Lily.

“He’s going to ruin all of my work.” Law huffed, sitting down while clutching onto the hat. He didn’t know what he could say or do to stop him. He tried. He really had. Tried telling him that Ace was in fact alive and that he was safe. That Luffy had done what he was there to do.

Still, it was like Luffy couldn’t hear a word anyone told him.

Thankfully, back up came in the form of Ace himself who had immediately been filled in on the situation and he had taken off in the direction of the rampaging Pirate Captain.

Law was sure it was just the medication that he had used that was making Luffy not realize what actually happened back at Marine Headquarters, but with Ace here, he would calm him down.

It had taken a while, but Straw Hat did manage to calm down and Ace brought his brother back towards the shore. Law watched as Luffy practically clung to his brother no better than a koala in a tree. He clutched the straw hat a bit tighter as he made his way over, doing a quick up and down gaze of Luffy’s body just to make sure he didn’t see any blood. He was going to be very upset if Luffy ruined all of his hard work during his rampage.

“Ace told me what you did, Traffy.” Luffy stated.

Law blinked. Traffy? Did he just call him… Traffy?

“That’s not—”

“Thank you!” Luffy stated, beaming a large grin as he chuckled. “I’m hungry. Do you got any meat?”

Law’s jaw dropped for a second. Luffy couldn’t be serious. He stood there for a second before he sighed. He was completely serious. “That is seriously—”

Luffy sniffled. “I smell meat.”

“For fucks sake.” Law grumbled, rubbing a hand over his face for a second before he was saying, “Straw Hat-ya!” Luffy’s rambling stopped as he blinked at Law, his grin coming back. Law could have sworn he still heard the chanting of meat in the back of his mind. Luffy still held the title of the craziest person Law has ever met. “Here’s this…” He muttered, holding out the straw hat.

Luffy grinned, reaching out for it, “Thanks, Traffy!” He placed the straw hat back on his head and Law tilted his head a slight smile on his face. Luffy looked at him for a second, that grin staying there. “I heard that same thing at Marineford.”

“Heard what?”

“Straw Hat-ya.”

Law saw the look of understanding come to Ace’s face as he muttered, “Yeah, that would explain it.” Ace muttered. Luffy gave him a confused look for a second before he was looking back at Law.

Just seeing that smile on Luffy’s face, Law knew that he was a goner.

Law had stayed with Luffy on Amazon Lily until he had deemed him recovered enough. Silvers Rayleigh had eventually joined them. Swimming the Grand Line to get there.

Fucking beast.

Ace had stayed for a few days following his arrival before he had also taken off. Telling them that he would be with the Red Hair Pirates for a bit as the remainder of the Whitebeard Pirates had worked out what they planned on doing now that Whitebeard had passed, and they recovered from the war.

With each passing day, Law got to know Luffy a bit better, and he had a full understanding of just the craziness that ran through the younger pirate. There was definitely a lot of fearlessness and a lot of stubbornness. Constantly telling Law he was fine when he would check his surgical wounds and change his bandages.

Luffy was his patient until he deemed him ready.

It had taken a bit, but Rayleigh had convinced Luffy that he needed to train more. Law already planned for himself to rest a bit before heading into the New World, but after Marineford, he had another plan in mind.

As they were preparing for their departure, Law took a moment to speak to Luffy again. He never did tell Luffy about his discovery. He would leave Straw Hat to learn for himself. He already had a lot on his plate with the near death of his brother, an entire war, his own near-death experiences, and the loss of his entire crew. Law wasn’t going to add on to that.

With Rayleigh here, Luffy would be in good hands.

Law balanced Kikoku on his shoulder as the others packed up the ship. Luffy was standing by him, that same grin on his face. “You really are a cool guy, Traffy.” Luffy stated.

Law shrugged, “I suppose.”

“I’ll meet you in the New World. Once I’m stronger and I have my nakama back, we’ll meet again.” Luffy stated.

Law turned his head to face him for a second. “I don’t doubt that I will somehow run into you again.” Not with this almost instinctual pull that he felt towards the other. They would meet again. That was a certainty. Law smirked, “Just don’t die before you get there.”

“I’m not going to die until I become Pirate King, you can count on that.” Luffy replied, a sharp glance in his eye as he placed a hand on the top of his head.

“You better keep your word. I didn’t save your life for you to give up on it.” The older pirate stated.

As Law went to walk away, he was stopped as he felt a hand wrap around his wrist. He turned, his eyes widening for a second as he looked to see Luffy’s long fingers wrapping around his small wrist. His heart skipped a beat for a moment as he realized just how close Straw Hat was standing to him.

“You have to promise you won’t die either before I see you again.” Luffy stated.

Law snorted. He wasn’t going to die until he ended Doflamingo and avenged Corazon. That was his currently conviction. “As if.” Law stated, the smirk playing on his lips. “I have my own dream to follow.”

Luffy laughed for a moment as his fingers moved from Law’s wrist to his fingers. Luffy bowed slightly, placing his lips against the back of Law’s hand and by his knuckles that had Law’s face flaring over in a deep red.

“What are you doing?!” Law exclaimed.

Luffy placed the chaste kiss against the back of his hand, leaning back up and dropping his hand, “I saw Sanji do that a couple of times. It’s a thanks for being so nice to me.”

Law opened his mouth to speak, finding that he didn’t have any words before he was shaking his head. “You’re crazy, Straw Hat-ya.”

“I get told that a lot. I don’t know why.” Luffy replied, humming as he tapped his chin. The seriousness came to Luffy’s face for a moment, “I owe you a lot, Traffy. If you ever need something, just let me know.”

“I don’t think I will need to.” Law grumbled, placing the same hand that Luffy had just kissed over his mouth as he looked away. He couldn’t get a proper read on this guy to understand the complex series of events that were unfolding before his eyes.

As Law turned and started to walk away, dropping his hand, he heard Luffy shout, “I’ll find you again someday!”

“I don’t doubt it.” Law whispered, a small smile coming to his face. He didn’t tell Luffy about their connection. A connection that would keep them intertwined for the rest of their lives. If Luffy knew what to look for, he didn’t need anything else to be able to track him down. It wouldn’t matter where he went, Luffy would be able to find him.

“I mean it, Traffy!”

And it was the same for him.

“I’ll see you in the New World, Straw Hat-ya.”