When the atmosphere in the room grew tense, Wolf was the first to break the silence.
"Alright, Law," he said calmly. "Get some rest. We'll decide what to do next later."
With that, he left the room, closing the door behind him.
Law was alone.
He lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
— So… this is how it is.
Everything was clear now.
He would become a pirate.
Not for glory.
Not for freedom.
But because there was no other path left for him.
He had eaten one of the most powerful Paramecia-type Devil Fruits—
The Ope Ope no Mi.
Doflamingo wanted it.
The World Government wanted it.
Even the Marines wanted it.
There was no place to hide forever.
— Then there's only one choice left… — his eyes turned cold. — I'll rebuild the Heart Pirates.
But this time, things would be different.
In the anime and manga, Law was weaker.
His crew was weak.
He couldn't avenge Corazon with his own hands.
He couldn't kill Doflamingo himself.
And in the future—
He lost to Blackbeard.
And lost his entire crew.
Law slowly clenched his fist.
— I won't let that happen again.
He would become strong.
Strong enough to kill Doflamingo himself.
Strong enough to defeat Kaido.
He would build a pirate crew feared by:
other pirates,
the Marines,
and even the World Government.
He didn't remember every member of Law's crew.
But he remembered the core.
That was enough.
— Right now… — he exhaled. — I'm thirteen years old.
A plan formed in his mind.
This island would be his base.
Here, he would train.
Master the Ope Ope no Mi.
Strengthen both body and mind.
— When I turn eighteen… — he whispered. — I'll set sail.
The decision was made.
Law got out of bed and began exploring Wolf's house.
It was modest, but tidy. Simple and practical.
Then—
CLANG!
The sound of metal striking metal echoed from below.
From the basement.
— …What's down there?
Curiosity won.
He opened the basement door.
And froze.
A submarine.
Large.
Metallic.
Painted in bright colors.
Law's heart skipped a beat.
— …Polar Tang?
He recognized it instantly.
It was the Polar Tang—the submarine of the Heart Pirates.
And it was here.
Which meant only one thing.
— So this is where Law got his ship…
Footsteps echoed behind him.
"Oh, you've already seen it," Wolf said.
He stood at the entrance, watching Law's reaction with interest.
"Do you like it?"
"This ship is called Polar Tang."
"I built it myself. I planned to travel the sea someday."
Law slowly turned toward him.
— You… built this?
Wolf smirked.
"Yeah. But it's not finished yet.
I'm waiting for a few more parts.
Once it's complete, this little girl will be able to sail anywhere."
Law couldn't take his eyes off the submarine.
He was staring at his future.
— Wolf-san… — he said quietly. — This is amazing.
He took a deep breath.
— I've decided.
— I'll stay here.
— And I'll help you with your work.
Wolf raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"So you've decided to stay?"
— Yes.
A brief silence followed.
Then—
"Alright," Wolf smiled. "If you're willing to help, I don't mind."
He extended his hand.
"Welcome to my home, Law."
Law smiled back.
The journey had only just begun.