in another world ; one piece : bnha

072

chapter seventy-two
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xiii. punk hazard arc

Shoto, at this point, didn't know what he was doing.

He agreed to Law's request of bringing him with him to the facility. But on one condition-- they had to make the scene believable.

And so, they stood outside, pondering on what they should do to make Caesar believe that Law has captured Shoto.

They had to do something that will allow Shoto to go in without raising suspicion. Once Shoto is in, the action would start from there. And Law preferred bringing Shoto along instead of the reindeer who was once tied on top of his hat. While they do need the presence of another doctor to identify the cure-- Shoto was the safe choice for now since he's easier to bring in.

And Law wouldn't have to worry so much since Shoto was already capable on his own.

"You can punch me." The heterochromatic suddenly said.

Law stared at him in disbelief. Punch. . . Him? Seeing Shoto look at him with certainty and anticipation, he wouldn't feel comfortable to do so. Not with Shoto's mismatched eyes looking at to him in such a gaze.

It wouldn't sit well with his conscience.

"No." He refused.

"Kick me?"

"No."

Shoto melted a block of ice, making it totally sharp as he held it out to Law who stared at in question.

"What's that for?" The surgeon asked.

"Stab me."

What was with his suggestions?!

"No." Law said firmly. "I'm not gonna hurt you, Icey-ya." He said with utter certainty. He has to think of another way, but hurting Shoto intentionally isn't it. Not only will it endlessly make him feel guilty, but Shoto's crew will surely murder him too.

They trusted him with their beloved crewmate, Law wouldn't want to disappoint them.

"How about. . . You take my heart." The heterochromatic suggested, looking up at the surgeon who pondered it.

Take Shoto's heart? Law's not sure about that. Although he has no problem taking other people's hearts, it seems more serious when it comes to Shoto. He'll have to be more careful and he's not sure if he trusts himself enough to keep it safe.

Seeing the serious look on Shoto's face, Law could start to feel the pressure. He had to lighten the atmosphere somehow.

"Don't I already have it?" He light-heartedly said. Which was unusual of him.

Shoto, being as dense as a rock, blinked blankly at him. "No, it's right here." He pointed at his chest.

Law could only sigh.

"I don't think I can do that, Icey-ya. What if I misplace your heart? That'll be dangerous."

"I trust you enough." Shoto insisted as he took a step forward, reaching wordlessly for Law's dominant hand before manipulating his fingers into a gesture that Law usually does when he summons his blue orb room. "Come on, say the word." He urged.

Law was in disbelief.

Was he serious? Why would he want to? Does he really trust him that much?

Swallowing thickly, Law carefully looked at Shoto's face that was too focused trying to get him to summon his infamous room.

"Are you sure?" He asked to clarify.

Shoto nodded firmly. "Yes, I'm sure. You'll take good care of my heart, won't you?"

Law breathed heavily. "Yeah. . ." He said shakily, looking away.

Does Shoto not mind his words at all?!

"Then do it." The heterochromatic decided. He was really up to doing it.

Thinking about it, it certainly was better than having to physically hurt the boy. And regarding his heart, he'll just have to show it to Caesar as proof but keep it to himself. He can't give him Shoto's heart the same way he casually gave Smoker's.

"Do I do a certain position? Like should I sit or--?"

"No, you can just stand there." Law took a deep breath before summoning his room. He then placed his hand over Shoto's chest, and might he mention again that he was wearing a Hawaiian button up shirt that was opened. And maybe it was just him thinking too much about it since Shoto remained unfazed.

His skin was smooth, toned, and. . . Warm. Law had to commend Shoto's devil fruit, it was very useful. He was wrapped in numerous layers of clothing but he can't seem to maintain the same warmth Shoto effortlessly kept himself at.

He then swiftly pushed his heart out of his chest, letting the heart fall into his hand. It was now inside a transparent box, and it was. . . On fire?!

"Ah, sorry, reflexes." Shoto said sheepishly as the fire slowly died down.

Was that even normal?

Law shook his head. "I'll keep it safe." He promised. "Now, I'll tie your hands to your back, all right? It'll be quick."

"Go ahead."

It took a few minutes for Law to successfully tie his hands behind his back. He's not too worried since Shoto can easily burn the knot when the time comes.

"Nice work." Shoto praised.

Should he really praise him in this situation? Law can never really understand.

"One more thing to make it convincable." The heterochromatic brought up. "Come and dig your hand into my pockets, I have a perfume."

Law deadpanned at this. "Couldn't you have taken it out before I tied you?"

"Forgot about it." Shoto pursed his lips into a thin line sheepishly. "Come on, it's a special perfume that will be really useful."

Law hesitantly reached his hand inside Shoto's pockets. The boy was wearing beach shorts that reached a little above his knees. A typical swimming shorts that matches his hawaiian shirt.

This oddly felt intimate.

Again, it seems like Law was the only thinking too much into it.

"I think I found it." Law said as he pulled out a bottle. As soon as his hand left Shoto's pockets, it was graced again with the cold weather. The momentary warmth he felt was nice and he can't wait to go to a scorching island soon.

"Okay. So, since we both don't have vivre cards yet, you can simply spray that soba perfume onto yourself and then I'll be able to find you." Shoto informed.

"Hold on, did you say soba perfume?" Law's brows knitted together.

"Usopp made it for me for this reason. I can identify and smell the scent of soba quite well." Why does he seem so proud?

"Uh, alright."

"Let's proceed." Shoto said seriously as he nudged his head towards the direction of the facility.

"Icey-ya, remember-- Caesar is a gas man, he can slip away easily and emit toxic gas. I want you to be careful and defend yourself if needed, okay? If you feel like you're going to be in big trouble, I want you to escape and abandon the plan right away."

Shoto nodded intently.

"I'll hand you to Caesar as a hostage, I'll look around while you keep him occupied and then I will find you."

Law was really serious with his plans. And it seems like Shoto was the only strawhat who would willingly follow his plans. Hopefully.

"Got it." The heterochromatic was oddly enthusiastic for someone about to be held captive.