Desires of Men ~SEQUEL TO THE LIFE I LIVE~

The Game Has Changed

"Hey, guys! Look at this!" Blake held up that's morning's newspaper, displaying the front page for all to see. "We're headline news!"

Indeed they were. There, slapped across the top page of the paper were the bolded words:

"ROCKY PORT'S NIGHT OF TREACHERY: HEART PIRATES TO BLAME?"

"What did they say?"

"Let me see it!" Several men tried reaching for the paper, but Blake slapped away the outstretched hands.

"Shut up and let me read!" He yelled, waiting for the others to quiet down before clearing his throat theatrically. Glancing down at the article, he read aloud the journalist's report.

"Though Rocky Port is known for it's less-than-upstanding criminals, pirates, and thieves washing upon their shores, never before has such blatant acts of sadism and cruelty been witnessed before..."

"Get to the part about us!" Penguin yelled, accidentally elbowing Shachi in the face. His friend glared and punch him back, robbing the mechanic of his breath.

"What the hell, man?"

"What...was that...for?" He said between breaths. Blake glared at both of them for the interruption.

"If you don't stop the damn noise, no one will get to hear it!" The two looked around at their crewmates, noticing the blatant expressions of 'if you ruin this for us, you're doing chores for a month.' They promptly quieted down.

Nodding satisfactorily, Blake went back to the paper.

"The next morning, dozens of wanted men stumbled out of their ships screaming in pain and agony. Local authorities were wary of the cause, but soon realized that each man was missing their heart. This discovery baffled Rocky Port's medical staff, even world renowned neurologist Kazime Hajim. "I've never seen anything like it." He said on the issue, "It must be the effects of a powerful devil fruit, but which one is left to be determined." In place of each heart, a cuboidal hole was left on the victim's body.

"Each man said a small group of men had attacked them the night before, but none of them had any recollection of their organs being taken. Researchers quickly launched an investigation into the possible perpetrators of the crime."

"You hear that, Captain? Apparently your powers baffle world famous doctors!" Parker called, directing his gaze towards the outwardly dozing captain. At his words, Law only smirked. In all honesty, he was quite enjoying the dramatic words of the reporter, making the people responsible for the crime sound almost ungodly powerful. Blake continued to read.

"Marine databases quickly identified several sets of fingerprints as those of crew members of the Heart Pirates. Locals did not report seeing or hearing anything unusual the night of the attacks, but with the positive identification of the evidence left behind, the Marines have determined that the party involved is none other than the Heart Pirates.

"If you see Trafalgar Law, Captain of the Heart Pirates, or any of the Heart Pirates' crew, please contact Marine authorities immediately. They are considered to be armed and extremely dangerous."

Blake closed the article in satisfaction, gazing around at the men. They all seemed pretty well flustered.

"I guess we're famous now."

"I just can't wait to give my interview." The men were mocking the journalist who wrote the story, joking around. Blake stood up from his seat and wandered over to the captain.

"Here, I know you like to archive the papers." Looking up, the captain took the paper from his hands. Blake returned to the group of men and joined in the playful banter. Out of boredom, Law flipped through the rest of the pages, eyes scanning the headlines for anything remotely interesting.