Seas of Convergence (Trafalgar Law x OC)

The Heart of The Matter

After successfully finding the sedatives Chopper needed and securing the formula for the drug, we wasted no time heading toward Caesar's research room. I told Chopper that this was likely where the Straw Hats and Law were being held, aware that Caesar kept a hidden cage there for emergencies—one that could be ejected outside into the freezing snow at the push of a button. The urgency in my voice was evident, but I kept my focus sharp, determined not to let the fear creeping in behind my thoughts take control.

The tension of the situation weighed heavily on both of us, but as we made our way through the twisting corridors of the lab, we unconsciously shifted our focus from the perilous reality of our mission. We both understood, in some unspoken way, that dwelling on the dangers and "what-ifs" of the situation would only make it harder to move forward. Instead, we found comfort in trying to spark up small, meaningless conversations to keep our minds distracted. A mutual, almost telepathic agreement, it seemed, to navigate the chaos without allowing it to consume us.

Chopper, with his usual sincerity, shyly told me how much he appreciated that I recognized what he was—a reindeer. His face flushed with embarrassment, and his words were simple but genuine, his gratitude spilling over in an innocent, heartwarming way. It made me smile, and for a moment, it was as if we were just two people in a quiet moment, far away from the impending danger.

Then he confided, in his usual, open manner, that many people referred to him as a "raccoon dog," which always upset him. He explained how the insult always got under his skin, bringing out his temper, because it showed a lack of respect for who he truly was. I chuckled softly, imagining the small, defensive look that likely crossed his face when he was called that. The idea of Chopper getting so worked up about such a trivial thing seemed oddly endearing, especially given everything else going on around us.

The truth was, the only reason I hadn't dismissed him as a raccoon dog—despite his unusual figure and form—was because I was a scientist, but I chose not to tell him that; My life as a scientist had taught me to observe and understand, to study the world around me with a discerning eye, i saw the finer details in everything—creatures and people alike.   

Instead, I let him take comfort in the small things. It was important. In a world like ours, where chaos and danger lurked around every corner, finding joy in simple, fleeting moments was the only thing that kept us sane. It was the little victories, like Chopper's happiness over being seen for who he truly was, that helped remind us of who we were, despite everything. His sense of self and gratitude were a breath of fresh air in the suffocating weight of our situation.

--

When we finally reached the research room, the scene was exactly as I feared. Behind a reinforced cage were several members of the Straw Hat crew—Robin, Franky, and Luffy—along with Law and, to my shock, Vice Admiral Smoker. Or, well… Smoker in Captain Tashigi’s body. It wasn’t hard to figure out. The way “Tashigi” slouched, puffing a cigar with her chest oddly on display, was a dead giveaway. Another side effect of Law’s Ope Ope no Mi powers, no doubt. How many times had he used that ability today?

Chopper and I ducked into a corner. He trembled as he whispered, “What do we do? We’ve got to help them!”
“Stay calm,” I hissed, scanning the room. “Let’s figure out how to—”

A sinister laugh cut me off.

That laugh. Caesar.

The sound made my skin crawl. Chopper yelped and tumbled out of his hiding spot. I grabbed him and yanked him back as Caesar sauntered into view, his arrogance practically oozing off him. We crouched low, whispering furiously as the situation spiraled.

After the tense confrontation between Law and Caesar, a chilling truth was revealed: Monet's heart had been exchanged for Law's as leverage to ensure his compliance. This calculated move by Caesar underscored the dangerous power dynamics at play, leaving little doubt about the lengths he would go to maintain control.

With a sadistic grin, Caesar repetedly clenched Law's heart in his hand, eliciting agonized groans from the normally stoic surgeon, each pained sound from Law made me flinch, the sheer brutality, and the strategy behind the act twisting my stomach.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, a video broadcast sprang to life, showing a massive, slimy creature chasing everything in its path outside the lab.
“What is that?” Chopper whispered, eyes wide.
“Some creepy blob thing,” I muttered, shuddering. “Gross.”

The footage grew worse. The blob ate a candy, and in seconds, it transformed into a cloud of nerve-paralyzing gas. Panic gripped me as the gas spread, leaving chaos in its wake. To top it off, Caesar ordered the cage ejected into the snow—directly toward the approaching gas.

Chopper freaked out, tugging on my sleeve. “What do we do?! We have to stop it!”
I tried to think, tried to stay calm, but my mind was blank. My heart pounded. There had to be something—anything!

Then, as if by magic, a piece of paper appeared out of nowhere, fluttering to the ground beside us. I grabbed it and read the scrawled words: Don’t do anything.

“What the—?” I whispered. The handwriting was unfamiliar, and I couldn’t guess who it was from—not even Law. But the message was clear. Whoever sent it had a plan.

For now, we stayed put. Despite the chaos swirling around us, that tiny scrap of paper filled me with a sliver of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this wasn’t the end.