On the Leviathan.
The only bed, after being cleaned, was given to the juice-loving kid to rest.
Meanwhile, Sakura and Corazon sat on the deck in beach chairs, admiring the full moon in the sky.
There was no more precious beer, but each of them now held a bottle of rum.
Sailing on the sea made storing fresh water difficult, so experienced navigators always kept a large supply of low-alcohol rum for long voyages.
With rum to wet his throat, Corazon wasn't as tense as when he was caught contacting Sengoku earlier.
He glanced sideways at the beautiful girl beside him, watching her squinted her eyes comfortably in the cool sea breeze.
"You're really a strange person!"
'She's clearly doing good things, but she insists on ruining her reputation. Does she have a penchant for being a villain? Really... she doesn't act like a girl at all!'
"What's so strange about that? Pirates are all scumbags who do whatever they want, including me. I have self-awareness about that!"
Tasting the bland rum in her mouth, Sakura grunted unhappily.
"But you could clearly be a good person!"
Sensing that her nature wasn't bad, Corazon tried to save this 'wayward girl'.
Unfortunately, he didn't consider that, given the current life-and-death struggle with the World Government, so-called 'returning to the right path' was literally asking Sakura to commit suicide.
"Forget it, being a good person in this shitty world is a dangerous thing!"
Disinterested, Sakura waved her hand, pulled a black coat over herself, and turned away.
"Get some rest quickly. We have to continue treating that kid Law tomorrow."
Hearing Sakura's words, Corazon's expression grew even more complex.
Long-absent fatigue gradually surfaced, like gentle clouds, dragging him into sleep with drowsiness.
The wind carried the salty tang of the sea, making him dream.
The dream was filled with darkness and flames.
His mother's loving expression before her death, the scenes of him and his brother scavenging for food in garbage dumps, the pain of his family being hanged from a mansion for the villagers to vent their anger, and the image of his father's chest pierced by bullets...
"Gah-!"
His eyes snapped open. Bright sunlight, waves gently lapping against the boat, seagulls singing high in the sky.
"So, it was a dream..."
Corazon raised a hand to his forehead, only to find his face covered in cold sweat.
Purururu purururu...
Looking down, Corazon found the Den Den Mushi in his lap was ringing.
Gacha.
After answering the call, a familiar voice came from the receiver.
"It's me, Corazon!"
Because of this voice, the atmosphere on the entire ship froze.
Seawater washed over the speedboat, splashing white foam onto Corazon's face, snapping him back to reality.
Corazon immediately laid down soundproof layers around him, and the world fell silent.
He placed his fingers on the Den Den Mushi's receiver and tapped lightly a few times, which is a code he had agreed upon with Doflamingo.
"You two left without a word half a year ago. How is Law? Found a famous doctor yet?"
Corazon glanced at Law in the distance, who had just been treated by Sakura and still looked weak.
Before he could speak, he raised his index finger to his lips.
Seeing Law improving day by day, Corazon made a decision.
He wanted to accompany this child who shared a similar fate, watch him grow, see his life get on the right track, and not repeat the tragedy of him and his brother.
So, it was time to put an end to everything in his past!
Tap tap…
Two taps, meaning negative.
"Fufufu, I knew it. Bring Law back to the ship quickly. This time, we might be able to cure his illness!"
On the other end of the line, Doflamingo, with his legs crossed, grinned, showing a fierce expression.
"I got information on the Ope Ope no Mi!"
These words made Corazon, who is once a Celestial Dragon himself, open his mouth wide, cold sweat streaming down his temples.
At this moment, he thought of the legend circulating in the Holy Land, a wonderful fairy tale about eternal life!
"A group of pirates who don't understand its value are trying to trade it with the Marines. The mastermind behind it must be the World Government anyway."
Doflamingo leaned back, resting his head on the backrest, looking at the ceiling.
"In two weeks, we'll seize it. I'll have you, the one I trust most, eat it. Then you'll be able to cure Law. Aren't you happy, Corazon?"
Before Corazon could react, amidst Doflamingo's laughter, the Den Den Mushi made a 'gacha' sound as the call ended.
Both Corazon and Doflamingo were now aware of each other's suspicions. Miles apart, they both snorted coldly at the same time.
On the Leviathan, Corazon hid the Den Den Mushi in his chest.
He pretended nothing was wrong, walked up, and ruffled Law's hair.
"Great! We're one step closer to a cure, Law!"
"Yeah! Once I'm better, I can travel with you, Cora-san!"
Law happily grabbed the other party's hand, his small face, where the white spots were fading, blooming with brilliant colors.
Then, Corazon touched Sakura, and a soundproof layer expanded between the two.
"Sakura-san, could I ask you to do me a favor?"
Sakura frowned, sensing the man had become strange ever since hanging up the Den Den Mushi.
'Did that old fart Sengoku say something to him? Planning to ambush me somewhere?'
"I want to get off the ship early. Please take Law and this item to Algiers Island. Someone will pay the medical fees for me then!"
Corazon took out a small canister that looked like a film reel from his chest and handed it to Sakura.
Sakura's gaze was deep, but the determination on the man before her left no room for rejection.
She knew he wanted to go and settle things with his brother.
Understanding that nothing could stop a man from heading to his battlefield, Sakura did not stop him.
"Understood. I'll take good care of Law!"
And so, the Leviathan dropped off Corazon at a small island called Rhine Aachen in the eastern North Blue.
The speedboat raised its sails. Law stood at the stern, waving goodbye to Corazon.
"Cora-san, it's a promise! Once I'm cured, we'll meet on Algiers Island!"
The sea breeze blew. The man on the shore turned back to look at the boy who had escaped the shadow of Amber Lead Syndrome, forcing out a strange smile with effort.
"It's a promise! And, Law, I love you!"
"Pfft hahaha, what kind of stupid smile is that, Cora-san!"
Laughter diluted the sadness of parting. Law, clutching his stomach, rolled on the deck, his little legs kicking constantly.
Corazon watched as Sakura sailed out of the coast and disappeared from his sight. He took out the Den Den Mushi and dialed a familiar number.
"Little Cakes, it's me, Sengoku-san. Do you know about the Ope Ope no Mi trade?"
Meanwhile, in the southeastern seas of the North Blue.
A battleship with a sharp prow tore through the giant waves, speeding forward.
At the bow, a Marine with two cigars in his mouth and a pink-haired female Marine stepped onto the ladder.
"Old man, you've been guarding the ship for two days. Don't work yourself to death."
Hearing his words, the female Marine beside him bared shark-like teeth and punched the man on the head, "How are you talking to Zephyr-sensei, Smoker? Hina is very angry!"
"Tch!"
Smoker didn't argue with the woman, biting down on the cigar butt to make the ember glow brighter.
"Brat, don't mind him, Hina. That's just his personality."
The purple-haired middle-aged man turned around. Watching his students bicker, a trace of pride flashed in his eyes.
But as their teacher, he was strict with his students. Even if he felt proud, he would only bury it in his heart.
"But I've reminded you many times, haven't I? Being too arrogant will make the military department dislike you!"
"Tch, I know. Also, we're very close to the target sea area!"
"One day ago, someone spotted their speedboat in Rhine Aachen."
Smoker switched into work mode, handing a military intelligence report to Zephyr.
"Right before our eyes, then? Order the entire ship, full speed ahead!!!"