A/N: Please everyone. Comment and drop powerstones so my fic does not get shadowbanned by Webnovel šš
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"It really has been a while, hasn't it, Tenjin."
Hakugan's voice was calm, steady, yet beneath it lay years of buried emotion. The wind brushed past him, tugging gently at the fabric as he stood facing the green-haired Marine Captain. The strange mask covering his face hid his expression, but his posture alone spoke volumes. This was not a reunion born of joy, but of inevitability.
Ikkaku watched the exchange closely, eyes flicking between the two men. So they really do know each other, she thought, her earlier disbelief now replaced by a quiet tension. This wasn't just a Marine confronting pirates. This was personal.
Tenjin stared at Hakugan for a long time.
Too long.
The world around them seemed to pause, the rustling leaves, the faint ocean breeze, even the restless shifting of the Heart Pirates behind their captain. His gaze was sharp, searching, as if he were trying to reconcile the man standing before him with a memory that refused to fade.
"So," Tenjin finally said, his voice low, "you really did become a pirate."
Hakugan straightened slightly, resolve firming in his chest. "Yes," he replied without hesitation. "I have."
Tenjin's eyes narrowed. "Hakuganā¦ why would you willingly choose to become one of those fiends?" His tone hardened. "The very same kind that terrorized our island for so long."
Hakugan clenched his fists at his sides. "Not all pirates are bad."
A short chuckle escaped Tenjin. It wasn't amused, it was almost disappointed. "I know you don't truly believe that, Hakugan."
For a moment, Sachi stepped forward, ready to defend his crewmate. "Captain, that'sā"
Law raised a single hand.
It was a simple gesture, but one that carried absolute authority. Don't, it said. This isn't our place.
Sachi noticed immediately and stopped himself, biting his tongue as he stepped back into place. Whatever this was, it went deeper than any of them realized.
Hakugan took a slow breath. "Believe whatever you want," he said quietly.
Tenjin's gaze shifted upward, locking onto the mask covering Hakugan's face. "That mask," he said. "Since when do you wear masks?"
Hakugan's fingers twitched. "Since my face got burned."
"I see."
Tenjin exhaled, the sound heavy. For just a moment, the sharp edge to his presence dulled. "Hakugan," he said, "is there really no convincing you?" He paused, then spoke words that made several of the Heart Pirates stiffen. "I could get you a place in the Marines. We could fight side by side."
The offer hung in the air.
Hakugan's breath caught.
For a fleeting moment, memories surged, training under the sun, laughter echoing across the island, promises made without understanding the weight they would one day carry. He closed his eyes, pain flickering across his posture.
"ā¦I would have jumped at that offer," Hakugan admitted, his voice strained, "twoā¦ maybe three years ago."
He opened his eyes again. "But you're too late. I have new comrades now."
Tenjin studied him carefully, as if searching for doubt. Finding none, he nodded once. "I see."
Then his voice grew serious. "Hakugan, are you truly prepared for the path ahead? Being a pirate is no easy road."
Hakugan nodded firmly. "I know. I've resolved myself to seeing it through."
From the sidelines, Tashigi watched everything unfold, heart pounding. This Tenjinā¦ she thought. He's nothing like the man I know.
The lazy, careless captain she argued with felt like a mask now, one far thinner than Hakugan's. This Tenjin was earnest. Heavy and burdened.
Her grip tightened around her sword hilt.
I can't let him do this, she resolved. I have to be the one to capture Hakugan. I won't allow Tenjin to bear that weight.
Tenjin turned.
His attention shifted from Hakugan to the man standing at the center of the Heart Pirates.
Law stiffened immediately.
His hand tightened around Kikoku's hilt as he shifted his footing, adopting a stance that allowed for immediate movement. Every instinct screamed at him to be ready.
Tenjin met his gaze. "Captain Trafalgar Law," he said calmly. "Am I right?"
Law's eyes narrowed. "Yes. That's me alright."
"Twenty-seven million berry bounty," Tenjin continued. "That's no small number in these seas. Quite impressive."
Law smirked faintly. "Wellā¦ thank you for the compliment."
Now, Law thought grimly, how do we get out of this?
Then Tenjin suddenly smiled wide.
"Tell me, Law," he said casually, "what kind of women do you like?"
Silence.
Absolute, crushing silence.
"Huh!?"
Every single person present reacted at once, eyes widening, jaws dropping, disbelief written across their faces at the random question.
Everyone except Tashigi and Hakugan.
Hakugan let out a small chuckle, already familiar with this side of Tenjin. Tashigi, on the other hand, snapped.
A vein popped on her forehead. "WHY do you have to ruin such a beautiful moment!?" she shouted. Internally, despair washed over her. I was naive. This man will forever be useless.
Tenjin raised a hand without even looking at her. "Tashigi," he said calmly. "Don't disturb. This is very important."
He turned back to Law expectantly. "And?"
Law stared at him, searching desperately for something. Whether mockery, deception, strategy. Anything.
There was nothing.
"ā¦What's the point of this question?" Law asked cautiously.
Tenjin cracked his knuckles with one hand, smile unwavering. "Just answer."
Hakugan added, "Just answer, Captain. He won't back down."
Ikkaku groaned. "Captain, it better not be something stupid like 'big boobs' or something."
Sweat beaded down Law's forehead as he turned to Ikkaku. He then glanced around, deep in thought. He thought for quite a while then sighed heavily.
"ā¦I don't think I have a type," he said after a moment. "As long as she's a good womanā¦ someone meant for me. That's enough for me."
But when Law looked back up at Tenjin. He was shocked to see he's expression.
Tears were falling from Tenjin's eyes.
Unconsciously.
"I knew it," he whispered sadly.
Law blinked. "Huh?"
Tenjin's gaze sharpened. "I knew from first glance that you were boring." His smile twisted. "I still asked out of consideration for Hakuganā¦ and you still let me down."
His aura flared.
The ground trembled.
"Everyone!" Hakugan shouted instantly, voice carrying authority as he jumped up. "Everyone scatter!"
The Heart Pirates reacted on instinct, everyone scattering but Law, who was still trying to process what he had done wrong.
Roots exploded from the ground.
Massive, jagged tendrils shot outward, shattering trees and tearing through earth as they targeted the crew's positions.
At the same timeā
Tenjin vanished.
He reappeared directly in front of Law and drove his forearm straight into Law's chest in a devastating clothesline, smashing the air from his lungs. Law's eyes bulged as his body was launched backward.
As Law flew through the air, Tenjin's voice followed him, cold and menacing.
"I will destroy your entire crew," he said, "just because you bore me."