One Piece: Law and Disorder-Blood is Thick

Deranged

 “The manufacturing of SMILES has been in production for longer than I’ve been alive. Many theories were practiced and gradually developed into what's being created today. Usui was a test subject for the past prototype of SMILES and what was basically being tested on him was to create a devil fruit that’s similar to mine. That’s how he can use Room. But it all fell apart because the original devil fruit he possessed gained a handicap, he can only use certain techniques if they’re inside his operation table. It was practically a failed experiment. But they still kept him because his devil fruit in itself is rare and he’s being utilized as a soldier for the Don Quixote family.

"Now, his quote on quote doctor is another test subject, but this time they were focusing on a devil fruit user who can erase the memories of those who once knew the person. This member of the family has more abilities but nobody has ever mentioned them. But, anyways, it was another failure but not as much as Usui. This doctor can still erase memories so they were halfway there. This test subject’s original ability was Equ Equ no mi, or the balance devil fruit. It has to do with yin and yang. Good and evil, love and hatred. So that ability was mixed in with the other devil fruit and allowed him to mess with Usui’s memories of me.”

A log broke in half and sparks flew out of the fire. The flames cracked and danced, throwing shadows over everyone’s faces. All eyes were on Law.

“Usui has been sent to fight me numerous times. Each time, his mind has been rewired into different scenarios. There are three main ones. Usui either thinks I’m a mortal enemy of his, which is the usual, but the other two are just as elaborate. Sometimes his mind is emptied, to the point the only thoughts he has are “target” and “kill”. He’s barely a human in that state.”

The gentle breeze blew through Usui and he closed his eyes to enjoy the caressing wind. He was sitting on the railing of the boat, looking over at the light that indicated that his new friends were still awake.

“Then the last one is immense sorrow and grief,” Law looked at Luffy. “Just like when he cried out when we were fighting.”

Luffy’s eyebrows creased.

“’Why did you leave me?’, ‘Where have you been?’” Law repeated. “Of these three. I don’t know which is worse.”

“How long has this been happening?” Usopp asked.

“I left thirteen years ago,” Law answered.

Usopp crossed his arms.

“Thirteen years…” Robin said in all seriousness. “That’s quite a time span.”

“You haven’t had a proper conversation with him for thirteen years,” Sanji said.

“You remained idle for thirteen years,” Brook said.

“You haven’t done anything to help him for thirteen years,” Nami added.

“Thirteen years,” Franky repeated.

“Thirteen years,” they all said.

“I got it!” Law thundered, tick marks throbbing on his forehead. “Whenever I’d try to do anything at all, he would reset. I told you right? I’d see my little brother for barely two seconds and it’s ripped away from me in a spout of blood. I couldn’t stand it anymore.”

“You said he’s fighting it,” Zoro brought up. “That’s why he has those mood swings.”

Law nodded. “Although, it hasn’t been successful. It also takes a toll on his body, it’s against the Equ Equ fruit’s power to resist.”

“That must be why I felt that pain while in his body!” Chopper said.

Law shook his head. “No. It’s only half the reason. Usui is missing his heart.”