In the North Blue lay Flevance, known famously as the "White Town." The inhabitants of this nation once lived in great prosperity. The ground and trees throughout the country were as pristine and white as a fairy-tale kingdom of snow and ice. It was once a land so beautiful it seemed like a paradise on earth. Tragically, it was now engulfed in the flames of war, teetering on the brink of utter destruction.
The source of Flevance's dreamlike white scenery was a unique mineral called Amber Lead, discovered deep within the country's geological strata. This Amber Lead was versatile, used not only in the production of tableware, paints, sweet seasonings, and cosmetics but also in the manufacture of "weapons." High-quality Amber Lead products found numerous buyers worldwide, and the "Amber Lead Industry" became a cornerstone of Flevance's economy. The ever-opportunistic World Government also dipped its fingers into the lucrative shipping trade of these goods. Amber Lead brought boundless wealth, and the White Town, brimming with infinite commercial prospects, became a magnet for people from all corners of the globe.
However, a century ago, the World Government had already discovered a dark secret: Amber Lead was toxic. Driven by profit, the government and the Flevance royal family concealed this truth, deceiving the populace into continuing its extraction. By the time the world at large realized the horrifying reality, it was far too late. The poison had insidiously permeated the entire nation. Neighboring countries, fearing a contagious disease and alarmed by Flevance's potent "lead bullet" weaponry (also made from Amber Lead), launched a war to prevent their own nations from suffering the same dreadful fate.
News of the war in Flevance eventually reached Doflamingo at the Donquixote Family headquarters. He let out a sigh. What was fated could not be avoided. The World Government had sown the seeds of this disaster, and as always, it was the common people who reaped the bitter harvest of suffering.
In Flevance, a young boy named Law, born into a family of esteemed doctors, had inherited his father's medical talents. He lived a blissful life with loving parents and an adorable younger sister, Lami – the perfect picture of a happy, successful family. But this idyllic existence shattered during a town festival when Lami was diagnosed with Amber Lead Syndrome. Their once joyful home was plunged into despair. Even his highly skilled father was powerless against the insidious disease. Law could only watch helplessly as his beloved sister succumbed to the torment of her illness. Tragically, for young Law, this was only the beginning of his nightmare. War erupted in Flevance. Cannons roared, and fire rained down everywhere. Powerless, young Law could do nothing as his entire country spiraled towards annihilation. Who could possibly save them now?
In a room within the White Town's main hospital, a young boy was tending to his sick sister.
"Lami, how are you feeling?" Law asked, his voice filled with concern as he looked at his sister lying pale on the hospital bed.
"Brother," Lami whimpered, tears welling in her eyes as she endured the pain, "my body hurts so much... and my skin... it's getting whiter and whiter."
"Just hold on a little longer, Lami," Law encouraged, trying to sound brave. "Father is the best doctor in the whole country! He'll definitely be able to cure you!"
"Why is it so noisy outside?" Lami frowned, a flicker of fear in her eyes.
"Oh, they're just having a big festival! Flevance is always so lively, you know!" Law said, forcing a reassuring smile. "Lami, you have to get better quickly so we can go to the festival together!" He knew it wasn't a festival. He was acutely aware of the terrible changes gripping their country. But he had to soothe his sister, to shield her from the horror. Besides, as an older brother, how could he show fear in front of her?
"Mm," Lami responded weakly.
Footsteps echoed louder and louder outside their room. Quickly, Law helped Lami hide inside a large wardrobe, then slipped out of the room himself, intending to draw away any danger.
Soldiers, under orders to eliminate anyone afflicted with Amber Lead Syndrome, stormed through the hospital. Law, just moments after leaving the room, witnessed the unspeakable: his parents, cut down, lying in pools of their own blood. A helpless, choked cry escaped him, but he could do nothing. Just then, the soldiers spotted him and moved to apprehend him.
Thinking fast, Law managed to evade them, fleeing the hospital and heading towards the convent where the kindly nun and his friends resided, clinging to a desperate sliver of hope. But what awaited him there was only more despair. Soon, the entire hospital complex, including the convent, was engulfed in a raging inferno.
This was hell. "Lami...!"
Law's anguished cry tore through the chaos. The traumatic, soul-crushing memories of that day would forever haunt the ten-year-old boy. His once happy family was shattered, leaving him the sole survivor. His parents, his sister, his friends – everyone was gone. Despair consumed him. Though he initially wished for death himself, the memory of the nun's encouraging words from before gave him the strength to grit his teeth and flee the burning ruins of the White Town. Tragically, he too had begun to show the signs of Amber Lead poisoning.
The White Town of Flevance was no more. The earthly paradise had vanished, leaving only ashes and sorrow. Apart from the royal family, who had escaped under the World Government's protection, only one survivor remained from the entire nation: Trafalgar Law. He had managed to cross the border by hiding amongst the corpses of his slaughtered countrymen, narrowly escaping death.
Alone and adrift, Law wandered the streets of a foreign town, white patches already beginning to mar his skin. He looked at the tell-tale signs of the disease on his body and let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh. So, I couldn't escape it after all. Perhaps... perhaps this is the best outcome.
"Father, Mother... Lami... Sister... everyone..." he thought, his small, thin figure lost in the bustling crowd, a profound despair settling in his young heart. "I'll probably be joining you all very soon."
"But," a flicker of hatred ignited in his eyes, his small frame radiating an aura so intense it made nearby pedestrians instinctively recoil and give him a wide berth, "even if I don't have long to live... I won't let them get away with this!"
"Hey, have you heard? The Donquixote Family is recruiting lately!" "Really? If we join the Donquixote Family, we can walk sideways in the North Blue!" "Isn't that the truth? Everyone knows the Donquixote Family rules the entire North Blue!"
A group of street punks loitering in an alley corner were discussing the Donquixote Family. Their words happened to reach Law's ears as he passed by.
"Hey," Law demanded, his voice surprisingly rough for a child, his tone utterly devoid of politeness. "Where is this Donquixote Family?"
That sudden, unmistakably boyish voice further cut off the thugs' conversation, making them all turn to stare at the small, grim-faced boy.
"Heh, kid, you've got guts! You want to join the Donquixote Family?" "Yeah! The Donquixote Family is real strict about who they take. Ordinary folk don't stand a chance!" The punks jeered at him, finding his audacity amusing.
But Law paid their mockery no mind. Having already walked through hell, there was nothing left for him to fear.
"Tell me," he repeated, his gaze fierce and unyielding as he stared down the street thugs, "where is the Donquixote Family?"
"You little brat! I don't like the look in your eyes!" The street punks were not easily intimidated, certainly not by a mere child. They promptly set upon Law, giving him a brutal beating.
After venting their frustration on him, the thugs swaggered off, feeling pleased with themselves. As a parting shot, one of them called back, "Kid, the Donquixote Family is in the port town – Spider Miles! If you've got the balls, go try your luck! But a little runt like you? You might as well give up! Hahaha!"
Their laughter faded into the distance. Law, battered and bruised, struggled to his feet. He ignored their taunts. Dragging his injured body, he began the arduous journey towards the port town the thugs had mentioned – Spider Miles. That place would be his new beginning.
Several days prior, Doflamingo had been sitting at his desk, casually reading the day's newspaper. His expression remained impassive until his eyes fell upon the headlines detailing the destruction of Flevance. A slow, knowing smile spread across his lips.
Law, are you finally coming?
At the Donquixote Family headquarters, Doflamingo's life proceeded with its usual veneer of calm control. Then, one day, a small, thinly clad boy appeared at the Family's main gate.
"I want to join your family," Law stated directly to the guards posted at the entrance.
"What? What did you say?" one of the guards asked, digging a finger in his ear, his tone impatient.
"I said, I want to join your family! I want to see your leader!" Law repeated, his teeth clenched, his eyes blazing with a ferocious intensity that momentarily startled the two guards.
"The Young Master isn't someone you can just see whenever you please! What's your name?" The guards had received prior instructions from Doflamingo: if anyone named 'Law' came seeking to join the Family, they were to be brought to him immediately.
"Trafalgar Law," he bit out, his voice full of resentment.
"Law?" The guards exchanged surprised glances. They hadn't expected the person the Young Master was waiting for to be a mere boy. But that wasn't their concern; their duty was simply to follow orders.
"Come on! I'll take you to see our Young Master!"
Law followed the guards in silence. Soon, they led him into a large room and stood before Doflamingo.
"Young Master," one of the guards reported respectfully to the figure seated in a large chair, his back turned to them, "this boy is Law. He's the one who wishes to see you."
"I understand. You may leave. You've done well," Doflamingo's voice replied, smooth and unhurried. Law stood by the doorway, curiously observing the imposing figure in the chair, wondering what kind of person this 'Young Master' truly was.
The guards bowed and departed, leaving Doflamingo and Law alone in the room. The silence that followed was heavy, almost suffocating.
After a long moment, Doflamingo's voice finally broke the quiet.
"So, you are Law?"
"I am."