One of a Kind (Trafalgar Law)

1 - I'm Just Looking For Someone

Punk Hazard

'Where is everybody? This is bad, I have to find them as soon as possible. We've been separated for far too long.'

Alone and without any back-up to count on, I made my way further inside the mysterious laboratory of Caesar Clown. When I found an open room, the dim light of the hallway illuminated the area enough for me to find a huge oversized coat on the floor.

Taking it to disguise myself, I gathered all of my hair inside of it and pulled up the hoodie to conceal my face and hide my identity.  The more I walked onwards, I felt even more lost and confused in the labyrinth of the endless hallways.

A sudden noise caught my attention nearby. Without a doubt, I knew there were people nearby. Holding my breath to further hide my presence, I focused on the voices to hear if it was someone I recognized. As they came in closer, it became clear to me that they weren't part of my crew and were the men loyal to the mad scientist. Waiting until I was sure they had passed by me at a decent enough distance, I took the other hallway opposite of them to avoid any unnecessary confrontation.

'Now all that's left is to find a way out of here. I have to find my way upwards, it'll give me a better view of the place and I'll probably find the captain faster that way.'

As I walked, there were a few close calls with the enemy but I managed to get around all of them safely. Years of training kept me focused and sharp.

Before turning to the next hallway, I pressed my back against the wall as close as I could and turned my head to the side ever so slightly to catch a glimpse of what was ahead of me before I continued onwards.

With my infiltration successful so far, I let my guard down a little. That was a mistake.

"What are you doing here?" A male voice spoke up, startling me.

'Oh, no! I didn't even hear him approach. I've been caught...'  I cursed myself for not being more careful.

Not turning around right away, I made no sudden movements. Staying quiet, my mind was running wild with how I can get out of this without raising the alarm and alert even more of the enemy. I raised both of my hands up in surrender when I saw a sharp blade held over my left shoulder for me to see they were armed.

"I asked you a question. Get in the mood to talk before or else. You don't belong here." The man's voice said in a dark tone, warning me to be cautious with them. "What are you doing here? I won't just ask again." He threatened with the blade lowering to touch my shoulder.

"Heh, isn't it rather rude to not introduce yourself first?" I asked in a low voice, hoping to buy myself some time.

The person behind me didn't speak, still waiting impatiently for what he asked of me.

"Hey, I'm just looking for someone. No harm in that, right?" I said as I slowly lowered the cap of the coat, my hair falling loose and my hands relaxing to my sides.

"You're a girl?" He said, not hiding his curiosity in his words.

"There's no point in hiding it since I was caught... I've been separated from my captain and locating him is the only reason I'm here. Nothing else."

The man behind me was silent for a moment, his sword was removed and I let out a breath that I didn't realize I was holding in the suspense.

"If you could just let me go so I could be on my merry way, I'd very much appreciate it." I said, hoping I wasn't pushing my luck when I said that.

"You must be looking for Straw Hat. He's the only other captain on this island that I could think of." He said, without raising his weapon to me again so I took it as a sign that he wasn't here to fight me when learning I was associated with Luffy. "He mentioned something about trying to find a missing crewmember earlier."

"You mean you know where he is?!" I turned around instantly when I heard this but froze when I finally saw the face of the man I had been speaking to and took a step back in shock. My hands covered my face and an audible gasp escaped my lips.

'There's no way! Especially here? Of all places?'

My initial reaction had confused him but I couldn't speak up right away. He broke the silence.

"Do you... Know me from somewhere?" He wondered out loud but I could only nod before clearing my throat.

"S- Sorry. I just... Um, I've seen you from the wanted posters and-" I tried to explain but he cut me off.

"Of course." He said before he began to walk away.

'I can't let him go like this, not before I get to tell him!'

"WAIT!" I called out to him louder than I meant to, yet he still stopped and turned back around to face me once more.

When I walked up to him again, I looked up to his face again to confirm I wasn't just seeing things. The annoyance on his expression because of this was clear.

"I have to know..." I started to say and took in a deep breath before I went on. "Are you really the warlord, Trafalgar Law?"

"Yes, but what are you..." He wanted to ask but I already reached for the golden chain around my neck and undid the necklace that I wore then handed it to him. "What am I supposed to do with this?" He asked in confusion.

He reached out to grab it and held the small item at eye level, it was a charm in the shape of a small black vial.

"You have no reason to trust me, I know that... But, what you hold in your hand is a key. It's something that will take you to a place that holds a treasure more valuable than the One Piece itself." I revealed to him.

September 17th, 2022