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Lunchtime for Trafalgar D. Water Law was a recurring, small-scale form of "torture" — inflicted by his friends, who possessed an astonishingly persistent and imaginative obsession with food.
As Chopper shyly shared his hand-baked (and occasionally slightly charred) animal crackers, Nami meticulously compared the cost-effectiveness of every cafeteria window, Usopp sighed over his plate of boiled greens, and Luffy, having already devoured his own portion, scanned others' meals with radar-like eyes, Law would expressionlessly produce that iconic item — a pristine, top-tier thermal bag with minimalist geometric patterns. The soft hiss of the zipper opening, in the hunger-filled afternoon, was like the sound of unlocking a treasure chest.
Its contents never disappointed, a veritable rotating micro-map of gourmet delights: Monday might feature duck confit arranged like a still-life painting, with golden roasted potatoes and arugula salad; Tuesday could be perfectly glazed, impeccably cooked teriyaki eel over rice; Wednesday might bring Thai green curry chicken rich with layered spices and coconut cream; Thursday might even yield a handmade steak pie that miraculously retained its flaky, crisp texture despite travel. The aroma wasn't aggressively invasive, yet it always managed to precisely tantalize every hungry palate, blending the warmth of "home" with the refinement of a "fine dining" experience, creating a lethally tempting, almost showy allure.
"Law!!! That piece of meat is glowing! It's definitely glowing! Let me have a bite! Just one bite!" Luffy made his umpteenth attempt to breach the invisible barrier Law erected with his cool gaze, his rubber arm stretching through the air.
"Luffy! That's so rude!" Nami chided while trying to block him, her own eyes irresistibly drawn to the perfect caramelized color in the bento box. "Law, honestly, which restaurant is this from? This level of quality… the price must be terrifying." The savvy navigator's mind whirred, trying to link this lunch to Law's possible "gray income."
Usopp clutched his heart, striking an exaggerated swooning pose. "This aroma… is legendary! Law, have you perhaps met a reclusive culinary sage deep in the mountains and exchanged a life-saving favor for a lifetime meal ticket?"
Chopper leaned in close, analyzing with his dual talents as a doctor: "The nutritional balance is textbook perfect! Protein, fiber, quality carbs… and it looks super delicious!" Realizing his slip, he immediately grew flustered. "I-I'm just conducting an academic observation!"
Zoro usually just snorted and continued with his midday drink, but his sharp eyes occasionally scanned the overly elaborate meal. Sanji lit a cigarette, scrutinizing the color of the dishes and the cling of the sauces with a professional chef's critical eye, inwardly judging, "The plating shows some taste, the cooking temperature control is decent… but still far from my level!" Yet, the sheer, almost tangible dedication evident in that bento stirred a ripple in the heart of the East Blue's most talented chef.
Law's responses were always terse and detached, as if stating facts unrelated to himself. "Private custom. Not for sale." Or, "No, Luffy. Your 'one bite' last time took half the main course." Occasionally, worn down by the pestering, he might reveal a sliver of information. "Stop thinking about it. It's… prepared by family." Whenever he uttered the word "family," the hard edge in his voice softened almost imperceptibly, and his gaze would briefly lose focus, as if touching a soft, secret hidden deep in his heart.
This only fueled Luffy's, Usopp's, and Nami's boundless curiosity. The "Mystery of Law's Lunch Symposium" convened irregularly, spawning wild theories: Law was the secret heir of a multinational culinary empire (dismissed by Law with a single "I have zero interest in running a restaurant"); he saved a retired, nationally treasured head chef who repaid him with lifetime custom meals (Usopp's romantic epic version); or, the guess closest to truth but dismissed by them as "too surreal to be possible" — that he had a partner whose culinary skills were peerless and who cherished him like a precious treasure.
"It's definitely an older partner, the type with strong control but meticulous to the bone," Nami analyzed with feminine intuition. "Look at this never-repeating weekly menu and precise nutritional pairing. It's practically at the level of feeding a 'national treasure-level specimen.'"
"And with unfathomable economic power and social standing," Sanji exhaled a smoke ring, pinpointing accurately. "Some of these ingredients are top-tier, available only in specific seasons or through exclusive channels. That thermal bag's brand is a limited-edition collaboration between professional kitchenware and a top outdoor brand."
Law was sipping the matsutake mushroom broth Shanks had specifically insisted he "must finish." The warm, savory liquid slid down, bringing a comforting warmth to his stomach. Hearing Sanji's analysis, his ears grew slightly warm. "National treasure-level specimen"? The metaphor instantly gave Shanks's unquestionable, meticulous care a vivid image — as if he, Law, was the one and only, slightly troublesome yet supremely important being under Shanks's wing that needed careful nurturing. This realization was somewhat embarrassing, but a deeper corner of his heart was flooded with a full, reassuring warmth. Shanks's love was like his cooking: outwardly forceful in its "for your own good," yet harboring the deepest understanding and gentleness within. This complex feeling was something he didn't know how to explain to his wildly imaginative friends, and he subconsciously wanted to keep this sun — uniquely his and overwhelmingly bright — temporarily veiled behind clouds.
"He… is extremely busy with work, but particularly insistent about this," Law finally admitted vaguely to the existence of such a "considerate presence," barely fending off Luffy's direct attack of "Then let him cook for us too! I can help wash dishes!"
However, even the wise can slip up. One morning, drained by a night of back-to-back emergency shifts and an intense morning of surgical practicals, Law left the apartment with a heavy head and light feet, completely forgetting the thermal bag that usually sat like a beacon in the entryway.
It wasn't until the lunch bell rang, with hunger pangs accompanied by dizziness from low blood sugar, that he habitually reached for the bag's side pocket — empty! Instantly, his groggy mind jolted awake: Forgot lunch!
Almost simultaneously, his phone vibrated. Shanks's message was concise but carried undeniable force. "Lunch forgotten. Outside your building. Come down, or I deliver."
Law's eyelid twitched. Deliver? Have the CEO of Figarland Enterprises — a name synonymous with power and legend — show up at the bustling medical school building carrying a bento box? The sheer impact of that image could cause an unpredictable "earthquake" in his campus life. He immediately replied, "Coming down now."
Alas, the gears of fate had already begun turning mercilessly towards "full exposure." Just as Law grabbed his lab coat, he was "intercepted" en route by a professor urgently needing an assistant. An impromptu academic meeting required his help with equipment operation and note-taking. Unavoidable. He could only grit his teeth and text Shanks: "Sudden task. Might need 20 mins."
Outside the building, sitting in the sleek black sedan, Shanks glanced at the message, then out at the gloomy, overcast sky. The early winter wind carried a damp chill. He worried about the soup cooling, and even more about Law's bad habit of forgetting bodily needs once immersed in work. Twenty minutes? Knowing the kid, with the prefix "sudden task," he'd be lucky to get free in half an hour. Almost without hesitation, he picked up the thermal bag from the passenger seat — one that clashed charmingly with the car's luxurious interior, even sporting a slightly clumsy, hand-drawn little whale (a casual purchase by Law that Shanks had always treasured) — and stepped out of the car.
After asking for directions and heading upstairs, Shanks's presence was palpable, causing students hugging textbooks in the hallway to instinctively quieten, glance sideways, and make way. He finally stopped outside the small lab Law had mentioned his group often used. The door was slightly ajar, and from inside came the all-too-familiar clamor:
Luffy: "Starving! Law isn't here yet! Will he bring that super bento today? Will he share a tiny bit with us? Just a tiny bit!"
Usopp: "Give it up, Luffy! That's his 'sacred domain'! But wait, Law hasn't shown up either today? Has the 'divine providence' been interrupted?"
Nami: "Maybe today's the day the mystery unravels! I bet 100,000 berries it's delivered by a gentle, elegant mature woman!"
Chopper: "I, I really want to know who makes it… Just thinking about it feels so happy…"
Sanji scoffed: "No matter how meticulously prepared, it can never surpass the heartfelt meals I cook for the future Miss Nami!"
Shanks raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly, then tapped twice on the door with a knuckle.
"Come in!" Nami's voice called out.
The door was pushed open. The air inside the lab seemed to be sucked out, then solidified into a block.
The man at the door stood tall and imposing. He wore a simple black turtleneck under a finely tailored deep gray overcoat, no extraneous accessories, yet exuding the calm authority of someone long accustomed to command. His red hair, though casual, had its own distinctive style. His face was handsomely striking, almost aggressively so. And those calm, crimson eyes, sweeping with an appraising sharpness, softened subtly with a hint of warmth as they locked onto a specific target. The wildly out-of-place thermal bag in his hand now acted like a spotlight, drawing every gaze in the room.
"Pardon the intrusion," Shanks spoke, his voice low, pleasant, with a magnetic resonance. "I'm looking for Trafalgar D. Water Law."
Luffy's eyes widened into perfect circles, his mouth forming a giant "O" — as if he'd just witnessed a new continent and a dinosaur appearing simultaneously. It was Shanks! The Shanks he'd admired since childhood, who always brought him meat with a hearty laugh, so strong and kind! But… why was Shanks here? Holding a bento box? Looking for Law?
Usopp's jaw practically hit the floor. Nami's eyes instantly morphed into berry symbols. She not only recognized that face from occasional covers of financial magazines but also swiftly assessed the man's seemingly casual yet undoubtedly expensive attire. Chopper whooshed behind Zoro's leg, only his trembling antlers visible. Zoro paused, his bottle of sake halfway to his mouth, his gaze sharpening. Sanji's cigarette tilted in his mouth — this man carried the aura of a predator of the same kind, and of the highest order.
"L-Law… he's inside helping the professor with something…" Chopper mustered the courage to whisper.
"Thank you." Shanks gave a slight nod. His gaze had already moved past them, landing precisely on Law, who had hurried out from the inner room upon hearing the commotion. Seeing Law in a slightly wrinkled lab coat, with faint shadows under his eyes, a clear pang of heartache flashed in Shanks's eyes. He took two steps forward, handing over the thermal bag with utterly natural ease. His tone was that uniquely gentle yet firm kind. "Your lunch. Eat this first."
The moment Law saw Shanks, his mind went blank. He really came up! And found this place directly! Under the intense focus of his friends' stares, he walked over almost stiffly, took the bag, and lowered his voice, a rare hint of panic in it. "…Thanks. I told you to wait downstairs."
"Too long a wait, the soup gets cold." Shanks's reason was simple, direct, and irrefutable. He reached up, perfectly naturally using his fingertips to gently tuck back a stray lock of Law's black hair that had fallen over his forehead in his haste — a familiar, intimate gesture as if performed a thousand times. "Such dark circles. Didn't sleep enough last night? Drink the soup while it's hot."
This natural, possessive, and doting little action was like a depth charge dropped into a calm lake, exploding spectacularly in the mind of everyone present.
Luffy completely petrified, his brain processor overloaded. Shanks… that Shanks who was like a big brother and an idol… bringing Law food? And… and touching his hair with that expression he'd never seen before? Shanks and Law??? Them???
Usopp's inner voice screamed: "Intimate contact! Supernatural phenomenon!" Nami covered her mouth to prevent a gasp, but her eyes were shining brighter than searchlights. Chopper murmured softly, "They… get along really well…" Zoro's gaze deepened, as if reassessing Law's threat level. Sanji stubbed out his cigarette, his expression complex as he watched the scene — a mix of a fellow chef's critical eye and an indescribable stir from witnessing such open, blatant.
Only then did Shanks formally turn his gaze to the petrified group. The corner of his mouth lifted in a faint but impeccably polite smile. "I'm Shanks. Law's family. Thank you all for looking out for him lately." The word "family" was spoken in a deep, unwavering tone, as if stating an indisputable fact.
"Y-You're welcome! Mr. Shanks!" Nami was the first to react, displaying excellent social skills. The others also snapped out of their daze, offering greetings, though their tones held varying degrees of shock and curiosity.
Shanks's gaze lingered for a moment on Luffy's face, which was a canvas of huge question marks, shock, and confusion. He seemed slightly surprised to see him here but didn't comment further, merely giving an almost imperceptible nod of acknowledgment — a simple gesture that only added another layer to Luffy's bewilderment. Then, Shanks's attention returned to Law. "Roughly what time do you finish tonight? I can pick you up on my way."
"No…really, it's not necessary, too much trouble…" Law was still trying to hold the last line of "low-key" defense.
"No trouble." Shanks gently but firmly cut him off, his tone carrying a parental kind of certainty. "Let me know when you're done." With that, he gave another polite nod to everyone and turned to leave, his steps steady and composed, as if he'd just completed the most ordinary of errands.
The moment the door closed, the lab exploded.
"LAW!!!" Luffy was the first to pounce, grabbing Law's shoulders and shaking them maniacally, his voice distorted by utter disbelief. "That was Shanks?! Really Shanks?! That Shanks?! Why is he bringing you food?! And… and touching your hair?! What exactly is your relationship?!" His limited vocabulary forced him to express the tidal wave in his heart with frantic physical gestures.
"Shanks? Which Shanks?" Usopp hadn't fully connected the name to the person yet.
Nami had already speed-searched on her phone and held up the screen, her voice trembling slightly with excitement. "Figarland Shanks, CEO of the world-renowned multinational Figarland Group! Consistently tops the rich list! Holdings span multiple sectors! Law!! Your boyfriend is a superplutocrat?! A genuine superplutocrat?!"
"B-Boyfriend?!" Chopper's exclamation shot up an octave.
Zoro crossed his arms, thoughtful. "'Red-Haired' Shanks… I recall Teacher Mihawk mentioning he's a significant patron and honorary advisor in the swordsmanship world, and apparently a formidable practitioner himself…"
Sanji relit a cigarette, exhaling a long plume of smoke. "Hmph, no wonder…that attention to ingredients and the cooking temperature control…but still far from my level!."
Bombarded by his friends' rapid-fire questions, Law felt dizzy. He knew the months-long "Lunch Secret Defense War" had now utterly, irrevocably been lost. He sighed, a weary resignation in his tone. "…Yeah, it's him. He prepares all the lunches." At this point, hiding was pointless.
"So those gourmet lunches are really made by the legendary Shanks himself?!" Usopp felt his frame of reference collapsing and rebuilding. "This is even morelegendary than 'Sniper King Saves the Princess'!"
Luffy was still caught in a massive whirlpool of confusion, tugging at his already messy hair, trying to process this explosive information. "But… Shanks is… is Ace's brother! Ace! My brother! So Shanks is kinda like my brother too! But how can he be Law's… Law's…" The word "boyfriend" carried an impact too great for the Innocent (especially in this regard) Luffy to easily voice at the moment.
"Eh?! Mr. Shanks is Ace's brother?!" Chopper's eyes widened again in surprise.
"Ace? 'Fire Fist' Ace from the neighboring college?" Nami's eyes gleamed even brighter. This meant the complexity and value of the social network were multiplying exponentially. "So, Law's partner is the brother of Luffy's sworn brother? This connection…"
Just then, the lab door was knocked on again, then pushed open with characteristic boldness. Portgas D. Ace stuck his head in, holding a steaming extra-large pizza box, a bright grin on his face. "Yo! Heard there's quite a commotion here? Brought pizza for a snack… Huh? What's with you guys?" He sensed the odd atmosphere immediately atmosphere — Luffy looking like his know had shattered, Law radiating an "I wish I were dead" vibe, and everyone else's faces etched with shock and curiosity.
Usopp grabbed Ace's arm as if seeing a lifeline. "Ace! You're just in time! Your brother! Your brother Shanks! He, he was just here! He brought Law lunch! They… they…" He pointed a trembling finger at Law, then at the door, incoherent.
Ace paused, his gaze sweeping over Luffy's petrified expression before landing on the thermal bag with the little whale pattern in Law's hand — a bag he'd seen countless times in his brother's car and kitchen. Understanding dawned instantly. A wide, utterly unsurprised, even slightly mischievous grin spread across his face. "Oh—! So you guys only found out now?" He walked over and gave Luffy's back a hearty slap, strong enough to make him stagger. "Snap out of it, Luffy! Yep, my big bro, Shanks, is Law's boyfriend. One hundred percent true. And the kind who treats him like a treasure, afraid he'll break if held too tight, melt if held in the mouth." His tone was breezy, as if commenting on the nice weather.
"B-Boyfriend?!" Luffy, Usopp, Chopper, and others exclaimed almost in unison. Though Nami had used "boyfriend" earlier, getting such a direct, unabashed confirmation from Ace was on another level of impact.
Seeing Luffy's completely glitched expression, Ace smiled even more delightedly, gleefully adding more fuel to the fire. "Yeah, my bro's skills, pretty amazing, right? But his favoritism is absolutely outrageous—he only makes love bentos for Law! If I want a bite, I have to check Law's mood and usually end up running errands or helping out, hahaha!" He completely ignored the icy, murderous glare Law shot his way.
Luffy's brain finally managed the difficult task of integrating and reconstructing the information, only to explode again at the conclusion :
1. Shanks = Ace's brother = a "big brother" figure he'd known since childhood, respected and liked immensely.
2. Law = His classmate, friend, occasional verbal sparring partner = The "stingy guy" who never shares his gourmet lunch (seriously misplaced emphasis).
3. Shanks + Law = Partner relationship = The ultimate source and ownership declaration of the gourmet lunch.
4. Therefore, the lunch he'd been coveting for so long, glowing with heavenly aura, actually came from Shanks, whom he knew! And he had no idea they were in this kind of relationship! Shanks and Law are dating!
"So…Shanks and Law…are dating?" Luffy finally processed the logic, his eyes wider than ever, like two giant marbles, darting between Ace and Law. "And you all knew?! Ace, you knew all along?! Why didn't you tell me?! And you guys!" He pointed an accusing finger at Nami, Usopp, and the others, though they too had just found out.
"My brother's private life, why would I go around announcing it?" Ace shrugged, entirely nonchalant, taking a huge bite of pizza. "Besides, isn't it way more fun seeing you all so shocked now? Law here kept his mouth pretty tight too."
Nami had swiftly switched from shock mode to shrewd calculation mode, her mind racing. "So, Law's partner is not only a superplutocrat, a public figure, but also Ace's biological brother, which makes him Luffy's… sworn brother-in-law? This network…" She was already contemplating how to utilize (ahem) nurture this precious connection.
Usopp muttered, gaze distant. "This plot… is a hundred times more bizarre than my most thrilling adventure story… 'Sniper King and the Mystery of theplutocrat Lover'…"
Chopper sidled up to Law, looking up with eyes shimmering with a mix of envy and blessings. "Law, Mr. Shanks really cares about you… That look in his eyes is a lot like the way Doctorine sometimes looks at me, full of concern…"
Zoro took a swig of sake, summarizing, "Troublesome relationship." But was there the slightest upward twitch at the corner of his mouth? Maybe just an illusion. Sanji turned to Ace, a hint of rivalry from one cook to another in his tone. "Hey, Ace, your brother's cooking… is it really that good? Good enough to satisfy this picky, tattooed guy?"
Ace finished his pizza slice in a couple of bites, grinning, teeth flashing. "Definitely way better than mine, light-years ahead of the cafeteria. This guy's stomach has been utterly spoiled by my brother. Ordinary cooking doesn't stand a chance anymore."
Law, engulfed in a new wave of his friends' exclamations—a mix of shock, teasing, envy, and curiosity (especially Luffy's persistent soul-searching questions of "Why didn't I know!" "Shanks can really cook?!" "When did you start?! How did it start!")—raised a hand to his forehead in exasperation. He could almost foresee that for a considerable time to come, he'd be living in this state of being the "Center of Attention" and "Epicenter of Gossip." And with the duo of Luffy and Ace — one still reeling from the aftershocks of confusion, the other gleefully fanning the flames — the situation was nothing short of disastrous.
However, when he looked down and opened the thermal bag, still carrying the warmth from Shanks's palm, the familiar, reassuring aroma of food, along with a wisp of steam, wafted up. Inside, besides the still artfully arranged dishes, a familiar sticky note was attached to the inside of the lid. On it was Shanks's sharp, forceful handwriting: "Eat it all. Inspection tonight. PS: Not a drop of soup left."
At that moment, the warmth at his fingertips, the Forceful yet deeply caring admonition between the lines, and Shanks’s earlier act of proclaiming his“family”status so openly and even with a hint of declaration in front of everyone…all these details converged into a surging, warm torrent, washing away the awkwardness and embarrassment from the exposure. That bit of discomfort still lingered, but it was firmly cradled by a much more solid, deeper sense of security.
He thought, perhaps Shanks did it on purpose. Using this direct, efficient method to gently yet irresistibly step into the world of his friends, clearly marking his territory, while also nipping some potential "troubles" in the bud (like Luffy's never-ending attempts to mooch food?). That man always operated in his own unique way—outwardly casual, yet every move was calculated — handling everything he deemed necessary, down to every detail of enfolding Law under his wing.
As for Luffy and Ace… Law glanced at Luffy, still scratching his head and muttering as he digested the information, and then at Ace, wearing an expression of pure entertainment, even starting to discuss details with Usopp. Ah, well, he thought wearily, with a touch of resignation. It'll work out somehow. After all, Shanks was the most certain anchor in his chaotic world, the harbor he could unconditionally depend on and return to.
But tonight… Law's eyes darkened slightly. He absolutely must have a thorough, serious, and necessary "discussion" with the one who single-handedly ignited this "campus storm." Topics would include "The Meaning of Low-Key," "The Fine Line Between Surprise and Shock," and most importantly — formulating an effective strategy to deal with the endless stream of "Let's eat at your place!/Let's have a party!" requests Luffy was almost guaranteed to make in the future.
And as for the rooftop of the rest area, under Luffy's renewed barrage of "Eh—?! So I can ask Shanks for meat directly now?! Wait! The point is you're actually a couple?! Since when?! Ace, tell me everything!" and Ace's boisterous laughter and supplementary spill the tea, while its physical structure remained intact, the know above all those in the know had long been shaken to its foundations, with by these layered, unexpected, and tightly interconnected truths, sending shards rained down.