Law's pupils constricted sharply as he shot to his feet.
"What do you know?"
Across the table, Arthur smiled faintly, calm as ever.
"Relax. What I know doesn't matter," he said, eyes steady.
"What matters is that we can make a fair trade."
Law's hand tightened around the hilt of his sword, his posture wary.
"Trade? What kind of trade?"
"Simple." Arthur leaned back casually.
"I'll take care of Doflamingo—and soon.
In return, someday, you'll use your medical skills to help me with one thing.
Fair deal, isn't it?"
Law's expression grew even darker.
"Help you with what, exactly?"
He wasn't naïve.
He knew too well that his Ope Ope no Mi carried a secret—an ability so great it could reshape life and death itself.
He didn't believe for a second that this stranger would only ask him to treat a common illness.
Arthur could almost see the anxiety in the way sweat beaded on Law's forehead.
He chuckled softly.
"Relax. I'm not interested in that hidden ability of yours."
The words were light—but to Law, they hit like a thunderclap.
His mind roared.
He knows…!
His eyes flashed with killing intent as he drew his nodachi in a single fluid motion, the blade gleaming in the dim tavern light.
The nearby patrons immediately grabbed their drinks and bolted.
Arthur didn't even blink.
"Like I said," he murmured, voice calm, "who I am doesn't matter.
I'm offering a deal. You can walk away anytime."
Law stared at him, trying to find something—anything—behind that relaxed façade.
But Arthur's eyes were clear.
No deceit, no hesitation.
It was unnerving.
Slowly, Law's breathing evened out.
"How can I trust you?" he asked.
"Simple," Arthur said. "I'll make the first move.
When you see the headlines, you'll know I kept my word.
Once it's done, I'll come find you."
"You mean that?"
"I do."
"And… what you'll need from me?"
"Something completely within your power," Arthur replied smoothly.
Law thought hard, his mind racing through possibilities.
He weighed the risks—his instincts, his doubts, and that inexplicable feeling that this man could actually do it.
Finally, he exhaled, tightening his grip on his sword before lowering it.
"Fine. I'll agree."
Arthur smiled and extended his hand.
"Pleasure doing business with you."
Law hesitated for a long moment before clasping it firmly.
"Then, Captain Arthur… I wish you success."
And just like that—
the most outrageous, world-shaking deal imaginable was struck.
Because make no mistake—what they were planning wasn't trivial.
They were talking about killing Doflamingo.
A man protected by both the World Government and the title of Warlord of the Sea, with a Yonko, Kaido, as his ally.
Someone who ruled both the underworld and the New World.
To "take him out," said so casually by a purple-haired young man over drinks—
it was nothing short of insane.
If anyone else had heard it, they'd have laughed themselves sick.
But somehow… Law couldn't.
Because something deep down told him—this man might actually be able to pull it off.
He was too mysterious, too composed.
And the fact that he'd known about the Ope Ope no Mi's secret—something not even the Government dared to whisper—
proved it.
Add to that the reports of Arthur's recent exploits and that monstrous 510,000,000 Berry bounty…
No, this was no ordinary pirate.
For Law, there was no downside to this deal.
And if it truly led to Doflamingo's downfall—
then it was worth any risk.
Meanwhile, Arthur wasn't thinking that hard about it.
For him, this was just convenient timing.
First, he was planning to "check in" at Dressrosa anyway—it was on his route.
Second, rumor had it that the Vampire Fruit was in Doflamingo's possession.
He'd likely end up clashing with the man regardless.
So if he killed him along the way, that was just good multitasking.
But there was also a third reason—one he'd been mulling over for a while.
Golden Lion Shiki.
He wanted that man on his crew.
Not for fame—but for Shiki's Float-Float Fruit.
If his own Golden Scale ship could soar through the sky, enhanced by Waldo's acceleration and the All-Knowing Log,
it would be unstoppable.
The mere thought sent a thrill down his spine.
But taming someone like Shiki wouldn't be easy.
Defeating him was one thing.
Earning his loyalty was another.
That's where Law came in.
If he could restore Shiki's severed legs—a feat only the Ope Ope no Mi could accomplish—
then Arthur could approach the old lion with both dominance and generosity.
"Beat him first, then save him," Arthur thought. "Stick and carrot."
With that, even Shiki would bend the knee.
So yes—the deal with Law wasn't just random.
It was all part of the plan.
And besides, for someone like Arthur, helping others wasn't about morality.
If he could fix a problem with a flick of the wrist and build his legend in the process—why not?
A good deed with good PR attached was just efficient business.
After finishing his drink, he chatted briefly with Law, then rose to leave.
Redfield followed him out, silent but faintly amused.
Today had gone well—
money problems solved, an unexpected alliance formed, and the future looking brighter than ever.
Arthur couldn't help but grin.
Ever since he'd gotten his mysterious system, his life had flipped completely.
The bad luck that had haunted him before was gone.
Ahead of him lay a road paved with glory.
"Yeah," he murmured to himself.
"My luck's finally changed."
But in a shadowed alley across the street…
A few figures crouched low, watching as Arthur and Redfield disappeared down the road.
"Captain, the two men in gray just left," one whispered. "I'd say there's a ninety-percent chance that's the guy—Arthur himself."
A burly, bearded man grinned, teeth glinting.
"Excellent. Keep eyes on them. The first chance we get, we move in.
Bag him alive, and we're rich."
His crew looked uneasy.
"But Captain, are you sure? That's a five-hundred-million-Berry pirate!"
"Relax," the bearded man said confidently, patting the pair of pistols at his waist.
"My info's solid. Got it straight from a Marine buddy of mine.
Word is, this Arthur guy's all hype—weak as hell in reality."
He smirked, spinning one of his guns.
"Besides, these babies here? Handcrafted by my old man himself—a Marine sharpshooter.
One good shot, and even a monster will drop."
The others still looked unsure.
He waved them off.
"You boys don't get it. My dad's old subordinate's a Vice Admiral now.
I get intel before half the Marines do.
Trust me—this one's an easy bounty. And when we cash it in, we'll be set for life."
The men exchanged uneasy glances—but greed gleamed in their eyes.
They didn't know it yet…
…but they were about to make the worst mistake of their lives.
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