#I LOVE KINEMON

[windsfish]

My new OC that I made up entirely from nothing, his name is Invisalign ambassador zoro

Snookems

[l-in-the-light]

Trafalgar Law: fear of closeness and touch part 2, the extended edition

Writing another post about it, because I have a lot of thoughts I need to organize for myself. This time it will be more like my interpretation about Law and his relationships with people than about the touch itself. And also I forgot one of the most crucial scenes about the topic (because ofc I would forget something so important), so I will start with it:

The last touch he remembers from Flevance is hiding under the pile of corpses, cold dehumanized bodies, treated like trash. No one wanted to touch them, just like no one wanted to be touched by Law. How poetic that Law escaped Flevance with a death sentence while hiding among the dead, because he will be treated like he's dead to the world from now on.

This reminds me of a manga I once read, Shigeshoushi (The Embalmer). It's about a guy whose job is embalming the dead, and he is ostracized, feared and refused by people as a result. Contact with death and dead bodies is taboo in Shinto and folk culture of Japan in general. If you think it's a thing of the past, I reccommend to watch Okuribito (Departures), it's really good and this topic is at the heart of the movie.

Anyway, back to the manga, warning for spoilers. Situation escalates to the point when the only human touch the guy can get is that of him handling the corpses for his job and that really messes up with his mental health. His despair leads him to engage himself in risky situations just to get by, casual sexual encounters with strangers become the only form of intimacy he can get and he soon gets addicted to it, but it still lacks the emotional warmth and love he desperately craves, so it's never enough for him. Of course to even get those encounters he has to lie about his job and whenever his lie gets exposed and he is confronted about it, forced to listen to all those women blaming him, feeling disgusted by what he forced on them (it was never forced, but suddenly it's unwanted after they learn he embalms dead bodies every day), and it just triggers and deepens his trauma.

I wonder if you can tell where I'm going with this comparison. Law is definitely as starved for touch and love as the main protagonist is. Still, I don't believe Law would become hypersexual (tho that's just my personal impression, especially after he so blatantly refused Monett), but most importantly unlike the main character Law would definitely not desperately beg for the touch. It's just not how Law is, he doesn't like to impose himself on others if he absolutely doesn't have to. Not to mention he can't bear asking openly for help or for anything really, not after the Vergo incident. It was the last time he ever begged for something.

Law seems to be the type to neglect his own needs to the point that he makes stupid and reckless decisions based on his fear of losing people (callback to Wano and imprisoned Hearts). When people dear to him are in danger, his first instinct is to rush and help them unless he's completely immobilized. That's the level of "prioritizing other people's safety and needs" he believes in, he would do it every time, but he hates when people do it for him. Mostly because he deeply believes Corazon got hurt because of him, and Corazon gave him all that love Law was starving for. And Law believes Cora-san finally died for it.

Add his trauma of expecting people to not want to be touched by him into the equation. That's why he has problems expressing his own need for love (and touch) from that point onward. He acts so tough, doesn't allow himself to show weakness and will definitely never ask for love, he learned his lesson on that.

But what about Heart Pirates? They love him! He clearly protects and deeply cares for them, but in each scene he is with them, not counting Bepo, he keeps them at a distance. I do believe Law treats his crew more or less on equal terms, he favours freedom after all, but their relationship is restricted by his fear and makes it significantly more asymmetrical than the one Luffy has with his crew. I do think Penguin and Shachi are more important to Law than the rest of his crew, they're best friends, they've formed the Heart Pirates together, but he doesn't allow them to be on touchy feely basis with him. That's reserved for Bepo. Bepo is basically the last safe haven Law allowed himself to have up until Strawhats happened.

Law at Sabaody creates three new bonds with people: with two supernovas and Jean Bart. The latter he takes into his crew and I believe it's because Jean Bart has no other place to go, especially with Marines and Pacifistas running around the island. It's possible Law does it all the time and his crew (beyond the original four) got expanded because of that.

Law's bond with Kid started on a wrong foot, not only Kid judges Law based on prejudice and "bad rep" flying around about him, he also accussed him of lack of manners (triggering a flashback to Vergo), all in Law's hearing range. It's not really surprising later on Law doesn't want to owe Kid a favour by letting Kid take care of the Marines. Law clearly doesn't want to be indebted to someone who feels disgust towards him (I don't think Kid is disgusted by him, but that's what Law thinks at this point). And even after Wano it seems Law made sure that they're even, none is indebted to the other. For Law it was just a temporary alliance, he kept his distance, they didn't end up becoming friends.

Last new bond Law created was with Luffy. It started indirectly at first, Luffy was defending his fishman friend. Things said about Hatchan triggered a trauma response in Law ("Don't come closer! Disgusting! He will spread diseases!"), in my headcanon freezing him in the spot. But Luffy defended his friend and indirectly also Law by punching the Celestial Dragon, in similar fashion to Corazon defending Law by punching the doctors spouting similar prejudice about amber lead syndrome.

Law thanked Luffy for that and he felt safe doing so, after all what Luffy did was never directed at Law himself, but the gratitude must have confused Luffy to no end (Why is that guy thanking me? I didn't do anything for him!). Law didn't mind this bond at this moment exactly because it was so indirect, as a result he allowed himself to interact with Luffy and even took the first step, probably thinking it will lead to nothing. But he would never do it if not for Luffy's indirect impact on Law. If that's the expected level for casual bonds Law has set up, I doubt many occassions appeared for that before. It just shows he avoids people as a general rule, period.

But things changed after they left the auction house. Law is displeased with Kid, only telling him not to order him around and refusing to even talk with him, but his dynamic with Luffy is completely different, he doesn't feel bad about it despite being treated like accomplice in the whole Celestial Dragon incident.

He even allows himself to tease him a bit. There's no bad air between them. It almost feels like Law feels more emotionally available despite them being strangers, or rather exactly because they're strangers here and Law thinks they will also leave as strangers, which gives him the freedom to be more open.

They fought together, mostly by accident, but for Luffy that's enough to already feel a bit attached to Kid and Law. He declares he's after One Piece, implying from now on they will be rivals.

That doesn't earn him any response from Law. In fact, he just smirks and retreats without a word.

There are multiple possible reasons for his reaction here, but one of them is important right now: if Law said anything, he would acknowledge that bond, that of being a rival to Luffy. He didn't want it, in fact he wanted them to remain strangers, with no lingering attachments. That's why, when he got offered Luffy's friendship (disguised as rivalship, mind you), he turns back and retreats.

That's his answer. Later in Amazon Lily he also ends up retreating without even waiting for Luffy to say his thanks.

And how ironic that the next time they see each other it's Law who ends up extending his hand, not once, but twice: first by saving Luffy's life by risking his own, and second time by proposing alliance. I can only imagine Luffy's surprise: he got rejected before, but now it's Law himself proposing it! And what a funny guy he is, he doesn't need to offer friendship, because for Luffy they're already friends, after all didn't Law save his life? Law though just needed help, but wouldn't ask for it directly, because we know he never does that anymore, so instead he offered a bait. Frankly he didn't need to, Luffy would do anything he wanted him to anyway. Luffy ofc thought the alliance is a fun idea, but in the end he accepted it because it's Law who needed it to be an alliance, he wouldn't accept help otherwise. Also alliance felt impersonal and safe, without the need to be emotionally open.

There's so many seperate frames of Law just staring and thinking upon their reunion. He's conflicted. Also at this point their relationship changed, whether Law wanted it or not. He was there when Luffy lost Ace, saw him breaking down, definitely thought they now share something in common: they both lost people who were the dearest to them. I'm also sure he could see through Luffy's smile, he knew there's no way he would be already "okay" after just two years.

Unusual whimsical frame of Luffy. He closed his eyes, not listening to the words spoken, but instead listening to his own heart. He knows he needs to kidnap Caesar, that's what Law asked him to do, but Luffy doesn't just want to do what he's told, he wants to make sure the person he is doing it for is happy. It's a callback to Luffy's deepest regret: leaving Sabo with his family, assuming things would be better this way, without making sure first if that's something that would make Sabo actually happy.

Ever since Luffy does this double-check-for-no-regrets for all of his friends and crewmates. He follows Nami to Arlong Park and waits patiently in case she actually needs help. She questions Kyros' choice and goes to all the way to Rebecca to the castle just to ask her if she's really fine with staying seperated from her dad. And he does it here as well. Would kidnapping Caesar make Law actually happy, Luffy wonders. And probably thinks back to their previous encounter, in Sabaody, and Law's mysterious line after Luffy punched the Celestial Dragon: "Thanks Strawhat, you showed me something interesting". And Luffy found his answer and it's this:

Punching Caesar. Apparently Luffy did something right in Sabaody and he thinks it was about the punching, so he does it again now as well. Ofc he wants to punch Caesar anyway, but he does pause before doing that, he actually doesn't jump for it straightaway, it's AFTER he thinks about it. Luffy decided this is what would make Law actually happy, despite going against the plan. Luffy didn't believe following Law's plan will actually make Law happy, but punching his enemies will.

And yet Law doesn't look happy, but let's look more closely to his body languague. He turns around, doesn't declare his unhappiness directly to Luffy's face, he's making an emotional retreat again despite shouting. He's giving mixed signals. So was Luffy wrong?

Law is trying to hide his smile. Making sure no one notices. He's trying to maintain the distance and remain cold, but seems it's working less and less efficiently.

I will let you decide it for yourselves whether Luffy was right or wrong in the end.

There is more nuance about this I didn't even touch yet, for example the drastic gap between Marines fearing Law and calling him a monster, and Stawhats (minus Luffy), at first fearful and suspicious of Law, but it took them like 5 minutes to change their mind and trust him just like Luffy did.

In Dressrosa Law declares that, deep in his heart, he actually also wants to kick Doflamingo's butt. Luffy doesn't even act surprised upon hearing that. Of course, he knew already, Law didn't even have to say it.

While in Dressrosa Law attempts to break the alliance, send off half the Strawhats to safety and despite barely being able to move himself he takes care of Luffy in the final countdown. Almost like he already treats them like his own crew, keeping them safe. If you ask me, someone got attached. And the pinnacle of it is when Law shares with us that he aims to either live or die with Luffy (not die for him, unlike Luffy's own crew declaring in this arc). That's the best he could offer and he knows how much it's painful when someone dies *for you*, he wouldn't inflict that pain on Luffy again, not when he knows Luffy thinks of him as a friend.

And finally in Wano Law finally opens up more and lashes out at Strawhats, just like he did at Corazon. He no longer feels the need to emotionally distance himself all the time, or keeping it all bottled up behind a stoic cold facade and impersonal "alliance". That's how he shows his worry and affection, he considers them his responsibility in Wano.

He also admits for the very first time his fear of losing people. "The plan isn't worth anyone dying" (in this case - Zoro dying). He allows himself to trust and to be vulnerable.

If you think Law is torn about his growing connection with Strawhats, then you're thinking the same as me. He allowed himself to get attached and he didn't want to initially.

Is it really alright if I touch you too…? (ready to retreat his hand at any moment he senses it's unwanted after all)

His words are often rough and cold, but his actions speak for themselves. He trusts the Strawhats by this point, they're his second crew, and he would do the same for them he would do for his Hearts.

And now he has a problem, he gained more people he is afraid of losing. New friends.

[commander-spaceboy]

kin'emon in a bikini for twit based off a boa figure that a TON of people were redrawing earlier this year

ref under the cut

[awkwardp0tat083]

There are so many things I love on this page:

1. Luffy saying "Dress-Olga" instead of Dressrosa and the corresponding mental picture of the misnomer

2. Luffy's infectious smile and sense of adventure

3. Luffy mentioning wanting to go to Wano (because I just love that whole saga)

4. Law trying to be his plan-happy self and the Straw Hats paying him no mind

5. Chopper asking for a cotton candy-wich like the pure soul he is

6. Law trying to interject that he hates bread

And last but not least

7. Law's astounded face when he realizes the Straw Hats are pure chaotic-good goblins

[tekitothemagpie]

Love it when Zoro looks short, even by little.

[beanghostprincess]

making picrews of fem cross guild in my free time instead of doing productive things:

these two are a bonus and are not invited to the throuple:

another bonus because i love women and these are just very self-indulgent fem versions of op men that i love:

Picrew

[chenziee]

Consequences (of words spoken thoughtlessly)

Witten for the Surgeon of Death - A Trafalgar Law Zine!

I've had this idea in my head for like 5 years or something before I finally got the incentive to finally write it xD I hope you enjoy reading~ 🤍

After sales are live so you can still get your zine rigth here!

[ READ ON AO3 | KO-FI ]

—————

Law didn’t expect to come out of Dressrosa alive. No matter how many miracles the Straw Hat Pirates had worked over the years, Law knew that going against Doflamingo was nothing short of a suicide mission.

Don’t get him wrong, it wasn’t that he wanted to die. But there honestly aren’t many roads to take when your arm gets cut off and your whole vision is filled with pink feathers and the gold-plated barrel of a gun aimed straight at your face.

In that moment, Law had accepted death.

He wasn’t going to go without a fight but he didn’t particularly mind getting killed if he could piss Doflamingo off while at it. If his plan didn’t work, so be it. He was sure Straw Hat would finish the job even without Law’s help—and if he didn’t, well…

Then they would both be dead regardless.

And so, when he told Cavendish and Nico Robin to leave him behind on the Flower Hill below the Royal Palace to await their victory—or demise—, he thought nothing of it.

In retrospect, however, his half-delirious words may have been the gravest mistake of his entire life.

“Here you go, Torao.”

Law blinked, looking away from where he was changing the bandages on his thigh to instead stare blankly at the steaming cup of tea that was now sitting on the table next to him—placed there by a hand that immediately scattered into flower petals and disappeared.

"I didn't ask for tea," Law said slowly, a frown on his face that only deepened when he raised his eyes to look at Nico Robin. 

The woman was gazing back at him with an expression so soft and understanding that Law felt like he was five again, crying to his mother about his Stealth Black figure's broken arm. But Law wasn't five anymore. He didn't hurt any of his toys after performing clumsy surgeries on them. And Nico Robin certainly wasn't his mother.

"It's herbal. Improves mood and helps with recovery," she said with a gentle smile.

Law only stared back at her.

—————

Unfortunately, despite Law's hopes and wishes, the tea incident was only the start of it. Over the course of the next few days, Law was subjected to countless events of "here you go" and "wait, let me get that for you". Law would be lying if he said it wasn't driving him just a little insane.

No, Robo-ya, he was perfectly capable of carrying Kikoku himself.

No, Nose-ya, he didn't need or want his wanted poster framed. (The photo wasn't all that great, not to mention without his Warlord status and after overthrowing Doflamingo, they were all bound to get new bounties any day now.)

And no, Kyros-ya, he didn't want to 'talk about it'. Whatever 'it' meant.

At least Roronoa had the basic human decency to ask if he wanted any sake. Which was the one offer Law did accept without question because after everything, he honestly needed a damn drink of five.

It was only when Straw Hat woke up that it seemed like this… issue was over. While everyone scrambled to get away from Fujitora and his marines, no one even paused at Law’s presence, no one had the time to worry about his wellbeing—aside from his very awkward talk with Sengoku—and that was how he liked it.

But, unfortunately… it didn’t last very long.

“Law-dono!” Kin’emon called as he approached Law in his quiet corner aboard the Yontamaria.

"Kin." Law nodded in greeting. "What is it?"

"Are you enjoying the party?" Kin'emon asked… before casually placing a plate of food in front of Law.

Law took a deep breath and closed his eyes, counting to five in his mind. As if he was physically incapable of going to get his own food.

Not to mention there were umeboshi on the plate. Disgusting things.

Deciding not to comment on the unsolicited food delivery, Law sighed. "No," he said simply. "Parties aren't really my thing."

"I see." Kin'emon hummed. "Might this cheer you up?" Kin'emon reached inside his kimono, pulling out something small and bright red before handing it to Law.

For a moment, Law only stared at the thing sitting on his palm blankly, trying to wrap his head around it. Was this for real?

"A paper crane," he said, voice void of any emotion.

"Indeed. My wife often makes them for people; they carry good fortune, honour, and longevity. You may even make a wish upon them," Kin'emon explained proudly.

Luck and longevity, huh? Law thought to himself—and suddenly, he understood why everyone was acting this way around him.

He was too tired to deal with this shit.

“Oh! Kin’emon! Law-dono!”

Briefly, Law wondered whether he shouldn’t have just let Joker kill him.

Sadly, he couldn’t go back in time so he only sighed deeply, throwing an impatient, long-suffering look at the second samurai approaching them. What was his name? Kanjuro?

“This is perfect, I was just thinking I may have something for you, Law-dono,” Kanjuro announced, gulping down the cabbage roll in his hand before he pulled out his katana-like brush and started scribbling on the floor.

“Of course you do. Fucking everyone has something for me lately,” Law grumbled, but went largely ignored. Not that he expected any less.

It only took a moment for Kanjuro to finish with a satisfied huff. Raising one hand in front of his face in a mock-ninjutsu move, he called out, “Come forth, Kumamaru!”

Law’s eyebrows shot up to the top of his head while he watched this white… pathetic blob peel itself off the ground and stand on two shaky legs. It was barely the size of Law’s hand and so poorly drawn that Law honestly couldn’t tell what it was even supposed to be.

“Kumamaru?” Kin’emon repeated slowly. “Is this creature a bear?”

“Ku… kuma…” the thing said weakly in response, already out of breath.

“Indeed it is!” Kanjuro said proudly. “Luffy-dono told me you love cute white bears, so I thought Kumamaru would help you feel comfortable!”

Law took a sharp intake of breath, rubbing at the bridge of his nose. “Straw Hat-ya,” he groaned, full of annoyance. Just because the idiot got so fixated on Bepo’s very existence as if he didn’t have a talking tanuki on his own crew…

“Law-dono, are you alright?” Kanjuro asked, sounding so worried that Law had to bite his cheek to not snap at him.

“Just awesome,” he hissed instead.

He couldn’t wait to get the hell off this goddamned ship and back to his crew.

And he hated to admit that the longer he looked at the terribly drawn aberration… the cuter it became.

He really hated his life.

—————

Law didn’t think it possible but somehow, the situation got even worse the first night they spent on Zou, the night when Nekomamushi declared yet another party in celebration of the country’s saviours.

There Law was, minding his own damn business and chatting with Bepo and Jean Bart, when Straw Hat Luffy himself barrelled his way to them, carrying an armful of meat so large he couldn’t possibly see where he was going. Even before he stopped right over Law, the surgeon was already praying for patience.

“Torao! Hi!” Straw Hat greeted, and Law could just hear the wide grin on his face.

Before he could so much as open his mouth to reply, however, the mountain of meat was dropped in his lap. “What the—” 

“For you. You need some meat, that will help you get better,” Straw Hat announced, nodding in agreement with his own statement.

Law groaned. “I don’t need meat and I’m perfectly fine, Straw Hat-ya. Can you people stop this already?”

Straw Hat tilted his head to the side, regarding Law for a moment. “Of course you need meat, everyone needs meat,” he said slowly, as if he was explaining a simple problem to a child.

“That’s not true and also not the point—”

“Also, you’ve been really out of it since we kicked Mingo’s ass.” Straw Hat interrupted him. “If we leave you alone, you’re just gonna sulk by yourself.” He crossed his arms over his chest when he finished, a small pout on his lips as he stared Law down.

And Law…

Law couldn’t fucking belive it.

He really just got scolded by Straw Hat.

Unbelievable.

Before Law managed to gather his wits enough to at least close his mouth—he wasn’t sure at what point it fell open—Straw Hat was gone and the goddamned pile of meat in Law’s lap became several pieces smaller.

Seriously, what did Straw Hat even come to do and why?

“Captain? Are you… okay?” Bepo tried carefully.

“Bepo, can you do me a favour?” Law asked instead of replying.

Bepo frowned a little but nodded regardless. “What is it?”

“Kill me. Just fucking kill me right now.”

“I—I don’t think I can do that,” Bepo said before his head dropped. “Sorry.”

Law sighed. It was worth a shot.

[nightmar33y3s]

Every time i draw them i scream (in a good way)

[goodonepiecescreenshots]

[hauntingblue]

Them doing a photo lineup of the mugis for the battle and when it's Robin's turn she just turns and does a blue eyed stare at the camera 😭😭

Look at her 😭😭

[ringdabel]

“Oh you watch One Piece? Who are your crushes!? Let me guess…Luffy, Zoro, Law, Sanji, Mihawk, Shanks, Ace, Smoker, Usopp, Sabo, Kid, Corazon, at least one of them is on your crush list right?”

Me : yeah ur right! (All of them are)

Also me : *hiding some character crushes that-people-might-be-concerned-that-I’m-crushing-on behind my back because it happened before*

[she-anemone]

oda just loves to fill all these amazing story arcs with a shit ton of characters i don't care about at all even a little bit. these samurai suck. except for you kiku ily

[ashedddaisy]

ONE PIECE 622

it just never misses with the reunion trope

LAW IS HILARIOUS and the cut to chopper crying!!!!!!! hahahahahahh

nami is so saphic coded dang BUT ALSO NAMI AND USOPPS FRIENDSHIP I MIGHT NEVER LET THEM GO

NOT THE NEW KAMA KEMPO TECHNIQUESSSSSS, SANJI ILY

CHOPPER IS THE FUCKING CUTEST

them remaining on their respective side!!! ;---; tears

[mugiwara-lucy]

This mother fucker should be six feet under.

[chenziee]

OPKisstober: Meet the Family

Day 15 for OPKisstober: Kin'emon/Tsuru

“I’m so nervous, Kin-chan…” Tsuru muttered as they walked through the hallways of Oden Caste together for the first time.

Kin’emon chuckled, glancing over at his girlfriend and childhood friend. She was gripping at her kimono sleeves, her eyes jumping all over; she looked so small in that moment. “Don’t be. Honestly, I should be the one who’s scared. These guys are absolutely going to be embarrassing.” Kin’emon made a face; he could just imagine the dumb comments…

“That’s Kin-san’s girl? How the hell did he strike that?”

“I know, right? She’s way too pretty for him.”

“Guys, I think they can hear us…”

“Let Kin’emon hear, Kiku. He needs to know how damn lucky he is. I can’t even get a single date with a kunoichi!”

See? He could already hear them in his head, those assholes.

Suddenly, Tsuru stopped walking, bowing deeply. “Hello. My name is O-Tsuru. I’m Kin-chan’s girlfriend, thank you for taking care of him all this time.”

Kin’emon blinked, looking up… only then realising he wasn’t actually imagining his companions’ voices. They were, actually, already being annoying and spying on them from inside one of the rooms.

Taking a deep breath, Kin’emon glared at his friends—at the people he had come to call family. People he now felt like murdering. Maybe not Kiku, she was just a kid still, but the guys? He would enjoy slicing them.

But, before he could snap at them to get lost, Denjiro took the lead and stepped out of the room, bowing to Tsuru deeply in return. “Not at all! It’s a pleasure to meet you. I can’t imagine the troubles Kin-san had put you through.”

“We’re sorry for your struggles,” Kanjuro joined in bowing as well.

“Stop bullying, Kin-sama,” Kiku said, a small pout on her lips before she quickly bowed as well.

“Oi,” Kin’emon growled, his eyes narrowing, but he stopped when a quiet, soft giggle reached his ears.

As he glanced at Tsuru… his breath hitched in his throat. She was covering her mouth with a kimono sleeve as she laughed, the corners of her eyes crinkling with joy. She looked much more relaxed now, as oh-so beautiful… And despite himself, Kin’emon had to admit Raizo was right.

He really was so damn lucky.

[ Masterpost | Series on AO3 | Ko-Fi ]

[empress-hancock]

I’m sure they’ll going to make changes in the live action but I do hope Sanji still gets to beat that dude almost to death for spilling soup, like that’s hilarious. He almost kills a guy over soup. Me too, man, me too