Seas of Convergence (Trafalgar Law x OC)

Chains of Opportunity

After storming back into the main lab room, frustration bubbling inside me from my run-in with Law and his painfully true words, I noticed a commotion. There was chaos spilling out all over the lab—The group of escapees had managed to reach the lab door, where Law was fending off the Navy. But instead of fleeing, they quickly doubled back, dashing through the corridors like their lives depended on it. And they didn't leave empty-handed. They took something—or rather, someone—with them: Caesar's colossal test-subject children. Were they pirates or babysitters? Heroes in disguise? Or did they intend to use those poor kids as leverage? I'd never seen a pirate crew act like this, and I watched the security feed, utterly transfixed, as Caesar's eyes narrowed beside me.

"Are you sure this is their whole crew?" I asked, doubt lacing my words. "There's only four of them. Most pirate crews range from ten to a hundred strong." I paused, eyeing the screen. "They even took your test subjects. They're probably heading for the back door. Aren't you going to stop them?"

"Shurororo... there's no need. The kids will come back on their own," Caesar said dismissively, a sinister smile creeping onto his face. His confidence intrigued me. Why would they return willingly after going through all the trouble to escape?

I leaned closer, scrutinizing the security feed. Then, I caught sight of a familiar blond figure. My eyes widened in recognition, and I felt the thrill of realization spread through me like wildfire.

"You're not dealing with rookies here, Caesar. Look at that blond guy—that's Black Leg Sanji of the Straw Hat Pirates. The mess they caused before disappearing two years ago was infamous. Everyone knows who they are. Their captain, Monkey D. Luffy, was the one who stormed Marineford during the War of the Best, desperately trying to save his brother from execution."

The thought nagged at me, pressing down like a weight on my chest. Why would they show up here, of all places? What were they after?

Caesar waved off my warning with an air of smug indifference, declaring that he'd let them escape for now because he had an ultimate weapon he planned to unleash later. He boasted about being the most brilliant mind on Earth, sneering that even Vegapunk could only dream of reaching his level.

A flare of frustration ignited in my chest, but I swallowed it down and returned to my tasks. At least he hadn't ordered me to go after the pirates myself. I was still shackled, with barely any combat skills to speak of—facing them would be a death sentence.

Even so, I couldn't shake the thought: they're bound to try escaping this island. Maybe, just maybe, this is the opportunity—the chaos, the potential allies—I've been waiting for.

Monkey D. Luffy—the son of the infamous Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army. The whole world learned of his lineage during the chaos at Marineford. Could this be fate? As if some force beyond my understanding was urging me not to give up, whispering that hope was still within reach, if only I was brave enough to seize it.

After some time, Monet came back to us, her voice steady as she reported that Vegapunk's dragon in the lava fields had been defeated. The other crew members were making their way here, and she assured us they'd be arriving soon. She mentioned to Caesar that the Navy had seen the children on the island, and even if Smoker had been subdued, they'd surely suspect something was amiss. It was the first time I saw how perceptive Monet really was—her gaze was sharp, calculating, and her expression betrayed a calm intelligence as she assessed the entire situation without a hint of panic.

Then, Caesar instructed her to call... Joker? The name was foreign to me, but I had a growing suspicion that there was more to these people than a mere scientist and his assistant. Monet obeyed without question, and I tried to look indifferent, my hands busy with meaningless tasks, masking the anxiety pulsing under my skin. I listened as best as I could, my heart pounding as each detail hinted at something larger, darker, lurking beneath the surface.

Moments later, Law appeared, striding back into the lab with an unsettling calm. In his hand, he held a heart—Smoker's heart, or so Caesar assumed.

"What the hell have you done, Law?!" Caesar spluttered, his face a mix of shock and anger.

Law didn't even flinch. His eyes were cold, unyielding as he replied, "I'm the one who should be complaining here, Caesar!" His voice held a dangerous edge, making it clear he was in no mood to be questioned. It was clear now—to me: the Straw Hats and Law had crossed paths, likely converging on the lab while he was clashing with the commander of the G-5.

Then, in one fluid motion, Law tossed the heart over to Caesar, his movements calculated, exuding a chilling calm that sent an icy jolt through me. My heart raced, but I held my breath, fighting to keep my face composed, as if I hadn't just witnessed something that defied reason and tested my nerves to the breaking point.

Ignoring the palpable tension crackling in the air, I strode toward the door, blissfully unaware that Caesar and Monet's eyes were locked onto me, scrutinizing my every move.

"You! Where do you think you're going? I don't need any more trouble here!" Caesar bellowed, his voice sharp and filled with irritation.

I didn't flinch; I didn't let a hint of fear seep into my demeanor as I turned to face him. After weeks of navigating his unpredictable temperament, I had learned he was more bark than bite—lots of bluster, but little real danger behind those words.

With an exaggerated air of innocence, I raised my cuffed hands, as if to remind him of my supposed helplessness.

"Come now, Caesar. You requested me this morning to check on the mechanics of your experiments and ensure they're running smoothly. I'm just going to do my job. Even if I happened to stir up trouble, I'm still cuffed, aren't I? So why the tension, especially if everything is—" I glanced at him, feigning concern, "—as you claimed, doing just fine?"

Caesar's jaw tightened, frustration etching deeper lines across his face, but before he could fire back, I continued, "If you're so insistent that I need a chaperone and constant surveillance, and since Monet seems a bit busy with her reports, how about having Law take her place? He's more than capable, wouldn't you agree?" A smirk tugged at the corners of my lips, and a glimmer of mischief danced in my eyes as I hoped my bold suggestion would smooth over the situation.