Chapter 37: Returning Home
After that, everyone went back to their respective duties, while Law returned to the medical room and began cleaning up.
Putting on a pair of gloves, he started collecting the remains of the pirate captain's body, placing each part into a separate bag. First came the arms, then the legs, and finally the head.
Once he had finished collecting everything, he found a mop and began cleaning the floor, where bloodstains still remained.
However, while he was cleaning, his thoughts were occupied by something else entirely.
Law's Thoughts:
'I managed to obtain a Devil Fruit after killing its previous user. But does this mean I can actually reproduce this process, or was it simply a stroke of luck? I think I need to conduct a few more experiments to confirm it with one hundred percent certainty. I should also buy a Devil Fruit encyclopedia so I can learn what the different fruits look like and what their names are.
But the most important question right now is what I should do with this Zoan Devil Fruit. Should I sell it through the black market, as Lin suggested, or keep it for myself so I can give it to one of my future crewmates?'
While thinking about these things, Law continued cleaning.
After finally finishing his work, he returned to his cabin to get some sleep.
The Next Day. Polar Tang.
"Law, please come to the engine room!"
Shachi's voice echoed through the submarine, waking the captain from his sleep.
Hearing him, Law got out of bed, washed his face, and headed towards the engine room. When he entered, he saw that everyone else had already gathered there.
Shachi was the first to speak.
"Everyone, take a look at the map. According to it, we've already reached Flevance."
"Then what's the problem?" Bellamy asked.
"The problem is that you need to take a look at the radar," Shachi replied.
Instead of Shachi, Penguin continued speaking, pointing towards the control panel.
"While we were making our way here, numerous ships passed over the island several times. And as Bellamy mentioned earlier, this place is under extremely heavy protection."
"Does that mean they might have noticed us?" Bepo asked.
Shachi shook his head.
"I can't be one hundred percent certain that their ships have radars like ours. But even if they did notice us, they would probably assume we're just some kind of underwater animal."
"I see what you're getting at, Shachi. If the Polar Tang surfaces, they'll be able to spot us. Am I right?" Law asked.
Shachi and Penguin nodded.
That wasn't surprising, considering the Polar Tang was bright yellow. Only a blind person could fail to notice a submarine like that!
"There's no need for you to worry. I'll be the only one going to the island. The rest of you will stay here. We'll establish contact every hour. Is that understood?" Law said.
"Captain, I wanted to go there too and find out what happened. Please take me with you!" Bellamy requested.
Law shook his head.
"Sorry, Bellamy, but in this situation, the fewer people who go there, the better. That's why I'll be going alone. You and the others will stay here and guard the Polar Tang. If anything happens, I'll contact you immediately. Understood?"
"All right, all right. I'll wait for you. But make sure you call us if you discover anything interesting!"
Hearing that, Law simply gave him a faint smile.
And so, the plan was finalized, and the Heart Pirates began putting it into action.
When the Polar Tang surfaced in the sea near Flevance, Law quickly climbed onto the shore. The others wished him good luck.
Law nodded to them before heading towards the ruined city. Meanwhile, the others returned inside the submarine and began their descent beneath the water.
When Law finally reached the city, the first things he saw were destroyed buildings, ruined streets, and a black sky hanging above everything.
He began using the power of his Devil Fruit.
"ROOM!"
A blue sphere appeared around him. But Law didn't stop there. Holding his sword, Kikoku, in his hands, he channeled the energy of his Devil Fruit into it.
"Scan!"
Law began scanning the surrounding area.
Once he had finished, he deactivated his ability and quietly muttered:
"There's an enormous amount of ash in the air... And there are diseases everywhere."
After saying that, Law put on a mask to protect himself.
Although the power of his Devil Fruit allowed him to recover quickly, even from various illnesses, he still didn't want to take any unnecessary risks.
Continuing along the ruined street, Law carefully examined both sides. Eventually, he reached the place where, according to his memories, a marketplace had once stood.
However, all that remained now was destruction.
And then, suddenly, everything before his eyes changed.
The black ruins and destroyed streets disappeared. In their place stood beautiful white buildings that resembled porcelain.
Shops were once again open on both sides of the street. Merchants were selling all kinds of goods, while people casually walked back and forth.
Children ran around, laughing and smiling happily, completely unaware of what awaited them in the future.
At that moment, Law noticed a family of four emerging from around the corner.
There was a man, a woman, a boy, and a little girl.
The man was holding his son's hand, while the woman carried their daughter in her arms. They looked like an ordinary, happy family.
As they walked together, the parents smiled and chatted with each other.
When the passersby noticed the family, they began greeting them.
"Oh, look! It's Doctor Trafalgar! How have you been?"
"Good afternoon, Doctor Trafalgar! Have you decided to take a walk with your family?"
"Thank you for treating my back! I don't feel any pain anymore. Thank you so much, Doctor!"
"And I'm grateful to you for curing my child's illness!"
One after another, people approached the family and expressed their gratitude.
Seeing all this, the little boy looked at his father with admiration.
"Father, I want to become a famous doctor just like you! I want to treat people too!"
The man smiled and gently patted his son's head.
At that moment, the little girl in the woman's arms spoke up.
"Big Brother, I'll become a doctor too, and I'll help you!"
The boy shook his head.
"No, little sister. You're still too young!"
In response, the little girl puffed out her cheeks and stuck her tongue out at her brother.
Seeing this, both the man and the woman burst into laughter.
After walking for a little while longer, the man stopped and said:
"We're here. This is our home."
The entire family looked at the two-story house before walking inside.
And with that, the memory came to an end.
Law was once again standing in front of the ruined building — the very same house that had once belonged to his family.
He looked at the broken entrance door before cautiously stepping inside.
His gaze first fell upon the ground floor, where a small clinic had once operated. This was the place where his parents had worked.
Dust and dirt covered everything. Time had certainly not been kind to this place.
Carefully making his way towards the staircase, Law began climbing to the second floor.
But with every step he took, the sadness and pain inside him grew stronger.
When he finally reached the top, he entered one of the rooms.
Inside, there was a broken bed and a large wardrobe.
Law stared at the closed wardrobe doors, remembering that this was exactly where he had once hidden his little sister.
Back then, he had promised her that he would return with their parents.
But when he finally came back, his little sister was already dead.
Just like their parents.
Law carefully opened the wardrobe.
It was empty inside.
There was nothing left except for a dirty toy lying on the floor — the very toy his little sister had been holding in her hands until the moment she died.
Law picked it up and quietly spoke.
"My little sister... Your brother has finally returned. Even though I'm now occupying your brother's body, his memories have still remained with me."
After saying those words, Law felt his heart tighten with unbearable pain.
And then, suddenly...
Knock! Knock! Knock!