Turning the Tides

Understanding

A/N This story was started 3 years ago (O.O I can't believe it's been that long!) at the end of Punk Hazard, so there is some obvious divergence from the canon plot line. The most important of them being that Sabo hasn't ate the Mera Mera, Doflamingo is still around, and at this point in the canon plot, we didn't know that Sabo was alive. Because this story has very little to do with the canon plot, I've decided to just tweak a few things instead of completely rewriting these early chapters. - A/N 9/25/16 Revision

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After the events of Punk Hazard, off the coast of an unnamed island

Trafalgar Law stood on the low-floating deck of his submarine. He was relieved to stand on his own deck again, surrounded by his crew, who now- talking bear and all- seemed remarkably normal. The submarine sailed in Sunny's shadow as the two vessels departed.

Law spared a glance at Luffy, who sat cross-legged on the rail of his own ship, waving farewell to Law's crew. The boy's grin lit up his bright face and Law frowned.

Something felt wrong about parting ways here, even if it was necessary. The Straw Hat crew made most decisions based on instinct, not fact. They were led by their emotions, rash, and too sympathetic for their own good. The New World wasn't forgiving of weakness, or mistakes. Not that it was his responsibility to watch their backs. They weren't his crew, and they weren't his friends.

Friendship was something that just didn't exist between pirate crews. Alliances, yes, but beyond relationships of convenience, pirate crews had only one loyalty. This was a relationship of convenience, of a common goal. He refused to admit any sentiment past that. Still, he would take no pleasure in seeing the other crew's downfall.

"We're ready, Captain!" Bepo called, coming out from the control room with Shachi and Penguin in tow.

It was time to go. Law looked up to the pirates on Sunny's high deck, meeting her captain's gaze.

"Three weeks," Law said, his eyes bearing into the Straw Hat captain's, 'if you don't show up, everything up to this point will have been for nothing."

Luffy laughed, understanding the real meaning behind the doctor's cold words.

(See you later)

"Mm, we'll be there," the raven haired teen nodded with a determined grin.

(Until then)

The doctor smirked, raising his empty hand up in an still wave as he turned to enter his submarine. The Heart Pirates were now on deck; calling their good-byes to the crew they'd bonded with during the three days they shared at the rendezvous point.

Law hesitated.

"Mugiwara-ya," he called, looking over his shoulder. His contemplative voice cut through the cries of farewell from both crews, and everyone quieted down to listen.

"Hmm?" Luffy replied, tilting his head in curiosity at Law's sudden change in demeanor.

"Be careful out there. Don't piss anyone off. We still have work to do."

Law, who was worried that his warning would be laughed off, was pleased when Luffy looked thoughtful and then answered seriously.