Truth and departure..

"Ugh..." Trafalgar Law groaned as he opened his eyes, finding himself back in his room at Wolf's house, his body aching from mild pain.

"W-what happened?" he recalled his fight with Edward Vance. His eyes widened as he remembered...

One punch. That single punch sent a shockwave through his body, knocking him unconscious.

With this guy, he might finally be able to get his revenge on Doflamingo after all. 'Just wait for the consequences of your actions, Doflamingo,' he thought, vengeance burning in his eyes.

The door opened, and Bepo entered first, followed by Vance. Behind them were Shachi and Penguin.

"So, ready to go?" Vance asked as he sat in one of the chairs next to the bed, looking at him.

Law looked at Vance, realizing that if he couldn't fulfill his purpose of destroying Doflamingo, his life might as well be forfeit.

"I have a purpose—to destroy Doflamingo," he said, meeting Vance's gaze. "If you stand in the way of my purpose, I'll defect."

Vance held his gaze for a moment, then shook his head with a smile. "Very well, I'll help you destroy Doflamingo. You're my friend, after all."

Law was shocked, but he knew that with that power, Vance could destroy Doflamingo if he wanted to.

"Also, I've heard that the Gura Gura no Mi was eaten by the Emperor Whitebeard," Law said, his voice tinged with curiosity. He had noticed that move Vance used—the same white bubble described in the encyclopedia as the power that causes earthquakes, the Gura Gura no Mi.

"Hm, good question. But listen, you guys, don't ever tell this to anyone else, you hear me?"

A sudden, invisible pressure gripped their throats, and their eyes went wide. It was nothing more than the simple act of him squinting at them that caused such intense pressure.

With some difficulty, they all nodded. The pressure vanished as suddenly as it had appeared, and he gave a satisfied nod.

"Vegapunk, you know, the scientist who was said to be the greatest mind in the world?" he asked with a smile. They nodded in response.

"I'm a clone of Edward Newgate, otherwise known as Emperor Whitebeard. And somehow, his Devil Fruit powers were also cloned. I suppose I was discarded because Vegapunk deemed me a failed experiment. He must have never known that I'm the most successful of his experiments," he said, shaking his head as he continued. "He will definitely come for me with the Navy and the World Government once I become known in this world."

"That's why I need strong friends. Not just crewmates, but real friends."

Law could understand that feeling. The World Government would do anything to capture him for their experiments or to eliminate him.

"Yeah, I guess I can relate. You help me destroy Doflamingo, I'll stay in your crew until the moment I die." Law's words were sincere. He knew he might have to do some heinous things, but he would do them if it meant destroying Doflamingo.

"Can we join you too? If Law is gone, we don't have anyone," Shachi and Penguin asked. Vance noticed that Bepo was also nodding along.

"Very well. You guys have heard my secret anyway. If fighting against the world doesn't frighten you, I guess you'll do great." Turning around and meeting Law's eyes with full confidence and sincerity, he promised, "I'll help you destroy Doflamingo, no matter what."

"Then, when are we leaving this island, Captain?" Law said with a smirk, extending his hand for a handshake.

"We'll leave in a while. Also, I don't have a ship, though." Vance grasped and shook his hand as he replied.

"If all you need is a ship, then I hope you'll take this from me." A voice said as the door opened once again. It was Wolf, who had overheard their conversation.

Instantly, alarm bells rang in Vance's head as he scrutinized Wolf.

"I'll keep your secret safe, boy," Wolf said with sincerity, walking up to Law. "As long as you keep these boys safe."

"Also, here. This is the key to the Hanamaru Muteki—it's a submarine I built. I hope it will be enough for your journeys." Wolf said, handing the key to Vance, who examined it for a moment before taking it.

"Here." Vance handed the key to Bepo, then looked at Law and said, "I'll be at the port. Come there in an hour." He then walked away.

"Also, thanks for the ship, old man." Before leaving, he added a final word of gratitude to Wolf.

One hour later...

The crew gathered at the port, where the Hanamaru Muteki, the submarine that Wolf had built, was now floating on the surface.

"I've taught Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin how to sail the ship, so don't worry about that," Wolf said as he walked toward Law and handed him a sword.

It had an oblong-shaped hilt trimmed with short white fur, a purple grip with two white rings around it, and a yellow pommel. The sword was sheathed in a black scabbard decorated with white crosses from the opening to the bottom, with a small piece of red rope tied near the opening.

"This is Kikou, a cursed blade. I thought it would complement your Devil Fruit well. I got it from Captain Ladoga's treasure, so be sure to use it well," Wolf said, patting Law on the shoulder before walking away without looking back.

"Thank you, junk inventor-ya!" he shouted at Wolf's retreating figure before turning and walking back to the crew, where everyone was standing.

"I'm ready," Law said, nodding toward Vance as they walked toward the ship.

The vessel was a yellow submarine with a light green underside lined with torpedo cannons. Unlike most pirate ships, it was mostly made of metal and ran on engines instead of sails.

Currently, it was using its masts, which had retractable sails for when the engines were not activated. The front mast had a rectangular dark-colored banner attached to it.

On the banner was the Jolly Roger: a skull with a pirate hat, which bore a smaller skull and crossbones symbol. Below the central skull were two crossed swords—one with a sharp blade and the other with a serrated edge. The serrated sword had a slight tilt, with a few drops of dripping red blood at its tip.

Walking inside, the ship was more advanced than typical pirate vessels, featuring sophisticated technology and an advanced medical space for Law to carry out his duties as a doctor.

"This is a good ship. Let's rename it," Vance said as he walked up the stairs to the upper deck. The deck was made of wood, providing an open space where the crew could enjoy the sea like on a traditional ship.

"Hm, I was about to suggest that as well," Law said, as Shachi, Penguin, and Bepo nodded in agreement.

"How about we name it 'The Lethal Shark'? Hm, how does that sound?" Vance suggested, looking at the crew, who stared at him in astonishment for a moment before nodding in approval.

"You're surprisingly good with naming, captain-ya," Law said, then walked back inside the ship. Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin followed him in shortly after.

Following them back inside the ship, Vance entered the control room where the crew was waiting for him.

"Alright. Let's set sail!"

With his declaration, excited shouts erupted from Shachi, Penguin, and Bepo, while Law smirked.

The sails rolled down with the flip of a switch, and the wind began to carry the ship forward.

'This is it. This is where my journey begins,' he thought with a smile as he walked back to the top deck, looking over the sea as his ship sailed forward.