Chapter-6

At the age of fifteen, Law roamed the North Blue, living a life of piracy. On a typical day in the North Blue, Law found himself sitting on a public seat, his sword resting in his hand and his hat pulled low. A man approached and took a seat beside him, making himself comfortable. Law paid him no mind, lost in his own thoughts.

The man casually reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, a bounty poster. Roughly unfolding it, he called Law's attention, saying, "You might like to see this."

Law glanced at the paper briefly, revealing the bounty portrait of Trafalgar D. Water Law, a man worth 40 million berries. He turned his gaze towards the man, scanning him. They appeared to be around the same age. "Here to take a shot at me?" Law asked, his voice tinged with indifference.

The man smiled, seemingly unfazed by Law's lack of interest. "Yes, but no," he replied cryptically, extending his hand. "I am Aki." Law reluctantly shook his hand, still maintaining his guarded demeanor. "Law, as you already know," he responded curtly.

Aki continued to smile, undeterred by Law's apparent disinterest. "What do you want?" Law asked bluntly, getting straight to the point.

Aki's smile widened. "Join me," he proposed.

Law's eyes narrowed as he shook his head. "Don't wanna," he stated firmly, making his refusal clear.

Aki sighed, his smile fading slightly. "Such a shame," he remarked. "Still, I have a favor to ask."

"I don't do favors for strangers," Law said, his voice low and steady.

Aki leaned forward, his eyes gazing upon law's. "Make an exception then," Aki continued. "I have a condition, where I have too good memory."

Law arched an eyebrow, skeptical, "Are you flexing?"

Aki leaned back. "Of course not. Like I said, it's too good. I remember every single day of my life since I was born, every single second, every single event."

Law's skepticism wavered for a moment.

"You're unlucky," Law said, his voice not carrying much emotions to it.

Aki nodded, a hint of weariness in his eyes. "You don't look interested,"

Silence settled between them, the air heav. Law contemplated Aki's offer, his mind wrestling with conflicting desires. He was a doctor, a healer of physical ailments, not a mind reader or memory keeper. Yet, the allure of Aki's proposition tugged at him, awakening a curiosity he hadn't felt in years.

"You will treat me?" Aki asked, breaking the silence.

Law sighed, running a hand through his unruly hair. "The brain is not my specialty," he replied. "I can't promise anything."

Aki's gaze intensified, his eyes searching Law's face for any sign of agreement. "You can pull it off," he said, conviction lacing his words. "I will give you the knowledge you need. I have too much stored in my brain."

Law's curiosity flickered, his interest piqued and sought to expand his understanding of the human body. But the path

"Where would you even gain that knowledge from?" Law finally asked, his voice tinged with caution.

Aki's lips curled into a faint smile. "Join me, and I will tell you all the details," he said, his voice laced with a hint of mystery. "I will hear you out," Law said, his voice firm, "but I am not joining you."

Aki sighed, disappointment flickering across his face. "Yeah, yeah," he replied, his tone resigned.

***

Law lay on the bed, his mind adrift in a sea of memories. The tides of remembrance washed over him, bringing with them a sense of tranquility that settled deep within his heart. The burdens that had weighed him down for so long seemed to dissipate, if only for a fleeting moment. Closing his eyes, Law welcomed the embrace of sleep with a contented sigh.

"It's been a while," Law pondered, "Yet it feels like just yesterday."

Time passed, its passage as swift as a river's current, and soon they found themselves navigating the weak sea of East Blue. Submerged beneath the surface, they remained hidden from prying eyes, effortlessly leaving behind the shores of North Blue.

"Captain, we've reached an island in East Blue," Beppo informed Aki and Law.

Aki yawned, stretching his arms before speaking. "Let us spend a few days here before continuing our journey."

Law agreed wholeheartedly. They had been traveling tirelessly, and a respite was much needed. The confines of the submarine were hardly suitable for unwinding.

"Aye, Captain!" Bepo saluted dutifully.

"What's the name of this island?" Aki inquired.

"It's one of those small, unmarked isles," Beppo replied, "Lost in the vastness of nowhere."

"It matters not," Law responded, "It will serve our purpose for now."

The submarine made its way to the shore, and the crew disembarked. The island appeared unassuming at first glance, devoid of any remarkable features.

"You guys go ahead and rest," Aki said, swinging open his wardrobe and retrieving a mechanics cloth. "Sachi and I have some work to take care of."

Sachi stood beside him, giving a sharp salute. "Aye!" he exclaimed, his enthusiasm evident. Aki couldn't quite fathom why they felt the need to salute, but he found himself enjoying the gesture nonetheless.

"I can lend a hand as well," Bepo offered, stepping forward.

"No need for that," Aki reassured him. "Just a few minor adjustments. Although, we could use a restock of provisions."

Law nodded in agreement. "I'll go forage for some food. Our supplies are running dangerously low," he added. "Anything else we might need?"

"After a few days here, we'll make one final stop before setting sail for the Grand Line," Aki declared. "It's time to set our plans in motion."

Law tipped his hat lower, a quiet determination in his eyes. Bepo observed the two of them, his confusion evident as he scratched his head. Despite Law's previous explanations, everything still seemed rather puzzling to the polar bear.

With a swift motion, Aki opened the engine compartment and cast a glance over the mechanical parts. "Pass me the screwdriver," he requested.

Sachi handed over the screwdriver, and Aki began his repairs on the submarine.

Meanwhile, in the depths of the woods, Law found himself momentarily stunned. Before him lay a ground stained with blood, the remnants of torn flesh and broken trees scattered about, leaving a path of destruction in their wake. "It's Scary!" commented Beppo.

***

Law followed the trail, his senses sharpened as he ventured deeper into the woods. Bepo, trotted alongside him, their footsteps muffled by the thick underbrush. The air was heavy with an eerie silence, broken only by the faint rustling of leaves beneath their feet.

"What in the world could have caused such devastation?" Law wondered aloud, his voice laced with curiosity.

Bepo, ever the optimist, chimed in with a hint of excitement. "Maybe it's some kind of rare creature, Captain! Something we've never seen before!"

Law smirked, appreciating Bepo's enthusiasm. "Knowing our luck, it wouldn't be surprising. But let's proceed with caution."

As they continued their trek, the sound of buzzing filled the air. Law's eyes narrowed, scanning the surroundings for the source of the noise. And there, nestled among the vegetation, they stumbled upon a peculiar sight.

A massive grasshopper stood before them, its body a dark brown hue. Its hands, however, were crafted entirely from steel, gleaming in the dappled sunlight. It stood tall, an imposing figure in the midst of the wreckage.

Law's analytical mind kicked into gear, assessing the situation. "Bepo, stay alert. This might not be an ordinary grasshopper."

Bepo, his eyes wide with amazement, took a step closer to get a better look. "Captain, I've never seen anything like it! It's incredible!"

The grasshopper turned its attention towards them, its beady eyes locking onto Law and Bepo. With a metallic click, it flexed its steel hands, emanating an air of both power and danger.

Law's voice hardened, his tone filled with resolve. "Bepo, be ready for anything,"