#bepo you national treasure

[mih4nn]

i legit just wanted to draw kid being freaky in front of the alliance (makes out w killer to assert dominance) but ofc they'd make it into a weird competition, so i had to draw it :))

[lovelawactually]

You And Your Heart

Tori had not gone to Law looking to be consoled or reassured - she simply needed to clear her conscience and ease her mind.  She had not grown up with a nurturing hand - the old man had not shown her affection, at least not in the typical way - he raised her with a heavy hand and an emotionally detached air.  She knew that the old man cared for her - she had realized how much after he was gone.  She did not balk as Law embraced her.  She did not have an aversion to being touched in certain circumstances - the uncharacteristic tenderness in his action was the thing that absorbed her.  The turmoil within her faded away - the sound of his heartbeat and the touch of his hand was a tonic .  She inhaled contentedly - his scent was pleasant, reminiscent of amber or sandalwood.  She savored the feeling and the peace that came with it.  

Law was pulled from his sleep by a loud knock at the door - he opened his eyes and sat up with a groan, his back stiff from the position he had slept in.  “What is it?”  Bepo’s smiling face peered around the door, “Good morning, Captain.  Don’t kill me.  I have coffee.”  Law yawned and stretched, “Don’t be ridiculous, Bepo.”  He waved lazily for Bepo to come inside. Bepo walked over the couch and handed the cup to Law, “Zoro just arrived, Captain.  He’s up in the galley.”  Law stood up walked toward the door that led to his quarters, “Alright - Tell Zoro-ya I will be right there.”  He stopped Bepo before he bounced out of the room, “Oi - have you seen Tori-ya this morning?”  Bepo nodded his head animatedly at his Captain, “She is with Zoro and Kin’emon.”

Zoro’s team had seen much success in their first foray - Kin’emon had run into an old childhood friend who offered them a warm meal and a comfortable bed.  They were introduced to the leader of a small band of rebels - Samurai holdouts who were loyal to the Kozuki Family.  They were overjoyed to hear the news that Momonusuke had survived, and was safe.  The introduction of Zoro was a complication that Kin’emon expected - the sword bequeathed to him by the zombified Samurai warrior, Ryuma a source of contention.  The sword had been buried with Ryuma when he died, and it was thought that it would obey no other master.  Zoro explained how he came to wield Shusui, but the Samurai rebel leader or his contingent was not easily convinced - he challenged Zoro to a duel, to reclaim the national treasure and return it to it’s rightful place.  Through his fighting prowess, and his mastery of the sword - Zoro earned the Samurai rebel leader’s respect and a pledge to follow them in the fight against Kaido.  

The alliance of Pirates, Samurai, Ninja and Mink added around fifty Samurai warriors to their cause, and gained access to two proper strongholds.  Kin’emon had returned with Zoro, but Kanjuro and Raizo stayed behind with the Samurai rebels - to train and help them gather more allies - Raizo was determined to find any remaining Ninja.   Zoro was also able to report that the supply ships they were tasked with destroying had been re-routed - sent to their new comrades.  The exception was the ship carrying the SMILEs that Law had been worried about - Zoro ensured the ship, and all of it’s cargo was destroyed.  

In spite of the issues that occurred, Law felt much better about things.  The news was good, better than he could have anticipated - there was still the matter of informing Zoro of the situation with Franky.  He addressed Zoro and Kin’emon, “You’ve both done well.  We should do our best to maintain this momentum until Straw Hat-ya returns.”  Law stood and placed a hand on Zoro’s shoulder.  “Robo-ya is in the infirmary - we should go see him.”  Zoro raised an eyebrow, his confusion over how Franky could have been injured was written on his face.  He scanned the room, realizing that Robin had not been there - his heart dropped.  “Oi.  What happened?”  Law sighed, sensing the alarm in the moss-haired swordsman. “Everyone is fine - Franky just needs to talk to you.”  Zoro stood, his hand rested on his swords, “Okay.  Let’s go.”

Tori’s eyes followed the men as they walked out the door of the Galley - she was surprised that neither had insisted she go with them - she was under the impression that Law still required her to be chaperoned.  Kin’emon pushed his chair away from the table, “If you will excuse me, Tori-san.  I need to train if I want to keep my skills sharp.”  Tori smiled and nodded - she would take advantage of the freedom she had to choose her own activities. “That is a great idea.  My grandfather used to say - the weak are meat; the strong eat. I will go with you.”

Robin was still with Franky when Law and Zoro arrived - the two had set up a game of chess that Law had come to learn was prompted by a verbal gauntlet thrown down by Robin.  She used the challenge as a way to take Franky’s mind off of being cooped up, and to pass the time for them both.  Franky had not been happy with Law’s demand that he stay attached to the monitors in the Infirmary, or the fresh water bottles placed into the compartment in his stomach.  Law insisted that Franky’s body be completely flushed - he did not want there to be any residual effects.    

Law and Zoro returned to the Galley after speaking with Franky - the room was relatively empty, save for the few crew members that were assigned duty there.  Zoro grabbed a few bottles of sake from the kitchen - he head to the deck to relax.  Law sat down at one of the tables and savored the moment of solitude, giving him time to relax a bit, and process everything.  Law had not been surprised by Zoro’s reaction - it consisted of Zoro calling Franky an idiot for going out alone, forbidding him from touching his stash of alcohol ever again, and slapping him in head for making Robin cry.  Zoro and Robin were the more rational of the Straw Hats - especially when it mattered most.  

“Oi!  Captain!”  Penguin and Shachi called out to him in unison.  “You gotta come see this!”

Law followed the pair out onto the main deck of the Polar Tang - every single member of the crew was standing against the railing, hooting and hollering - their attention focused on what was happening in the open space of the cave.  Law moved his way through the crowd to see what all the fuss was about.  He found Bepo, squared off Tori - paws at the ready - it was clear that they had been sparring.  He smirked and crossed his arms, feigning disinterest. Law was actually very interested - he watched closely out of the corner of his eye.  He had been looking forward to seeing Tori’s Ninjutsu skills, specifically clone jutsu - he was curious to see how things would play out.  Bepo’s specialty was martial arts.  

Tori launched herself toward Bepo with a flurry of punches and kicks, all of which Bepo blocked easily.  Bepo countered with an attack of his own - Law could tell that neither of them were trying to win - it looked more like the two were just trying to get in a good workout, and blow off some steam.  Tori barreled toward Bepo - her body like a spear toward his midsection, in an attempt to knock him off his feet.  Bepo jumped into the air with great agility, flipping his feet over his head  - he snatched the collar of Tori’s jacket in his paw as she passed the place where his belly had been moments before.  Tori quickly shrugged her jacket off, grabbing the cuff of the sleeve as her hand slipped through it - she pulled the jacket and Bepo along with it, into a shoulder throw.  Bepo crashed onto the ground, flat on his back - an audible groan escaped him. Tori reached out a hand to help Bepo up, a huge grin on her face.  “Another?”  

Law was disappointed that Tori did not use any of the techniques he had hoped to see most, but the crowd was enjoying the show - cheers and whistles erupted as the sparring session concluded.  Penguin and Shachi crowded in next to Law, hanging off the railing.  Shachi gushed, his eyes had hearts in them, “Wow.  She’s cute.”  Penguin waggled his eyebrows at Shachi, “Bepo is so lucky.  I’d let her kick my ass any day.”  Law growled and grit his teeth, peeved by their leering.  

Penguin and Shachi shuddered at the sound of their Captain’s displeasure - they backed away from Law slowly, finding another place to continue watching the action.