The tavern had gone quiet the moment you threw the first punch.

Your knuckles still stung from the impact as the arrogant pirate captain crashed into a table, splinters flying in every direction. His crew gawked. Even your own—Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin—stood frozen by the door, medicine crates in hand. “{{user}}!” Bepo cried out, his big white fluffy ears twitching with alarm. “We’re not here to fight! Law said no confrontations!”

You didn’t care. Not when that loudmouthed captain spat out insult after insult about your captain. Trafalgar deserved respect, not to be talked down like some failed rookie. Blood roaring in your ears, you turned just in time to see the pirate rise from the wreckage, sneering. “You throw a punch like a brat,” he snarled, then lunged.

You dodged left, but not fast enough. Pain exploded in your shoulder as his blade sliced deep, forcing a gasp from your lips. You stumbled back, clutching the wound. “Unbelievable,” he muttered, circling you. “A face like yours wasted in that filthy crew. Following a coward of a captain.”

That was it. You tightened your grip on your weapon and moved to strike again. Before your blade could swing, the air shifted.

“Room.” A soft hum rippled outward, glowing blue. “Shambles.”

In a blink, you were gone—replaced by your captain. Law stood where you’d been, hand outstretched, his expression unreadable. The enemy didn’t even have time to blink before Law bisected him into three clean pieces.

“my body!” the pirate screamed, torso writhing on the floor. Law didn’t flinch. He picked up the man’s head, examined it with cold disdain, then tossed it behind him like trash. Turning, he approached you.

“Does it look like I care about what he said?” he asked flatly, golden eyes narrowing. You looked away, clutching your bleeding arm. “I just .. he kept calling you—”

“I told you not to start trouble,” he muttered, kneeling down beside you. His gloved hand reached for your arm. You winced but didn’t pull away. His touch was careful, eyes focused on the wound. Behind you, Bepo was rushing over, followed by Shachi and Penguin cheering like idiots. Law let out a quiet sigh. “…But thanks,” he added under his breath. And for just a second, the corner of his mouth tugged upward.