"What's going on!!!"
After being teleported back to the same spot for the thirteenth time, Law finally stopped in his tracks, panting heavily as he leaned on his knees.
Staring at that relaxed figure lounging lazily ahead, the rage burning inside him had nowhere to vent.
What the hell is happening!!!?
Even when he stood still and threw his dagger straight at the man, right before it hit, it would simply return to his hand again.
It was like facing a ghost!
"If you answer my question properly, maybe I won't have to use this move on you~"
Leaning half-reclined on the lounge chair, Orin watched the panting brat with mild amusement, clearly intending to grind down this rebellious kid's temper a bit.
Hearing those words, Law uncharacteristically fell silent, slowly stepping closer to Orin.
"My name is Law… Trafalgar Law."
"Oh? That can't be your full name, can it?"
Orin gazed at Law, who was drawing nearer step by step, his expression casual as though he hadn't noticed any hostility at all.
Law's gloomy face stiffened for a moment before he finally continued, speaking slowly:
"Ah… my full name is Trafalgar D. Watier…"
"Law!!!"
With the final syllable falling, Law suddenly exploded into motion! Believing he was finally within striking range, he swung his dagger fiercely, aiming straight for Orin's seemingly defenseless body!
"Got you!!!"
Seeing the dagger closing in on Orin's face, a triumphant glint flashed across Law's eyes—only for his expression to freeze an instant later.
"Should I call you reckless… or just brave?"
Crack crack crack—
Barely millimeters from Orin's skin, the blade stopped dead, as though striking an invisible, impenetrable wall. It couldn't pierce even a fraction of an inch further.
Law's face changed instantly. He swung his dagger again and again with all his strength—yet he couldn't even scratch the man!?
Before he could retreat, a large hand grabbed him firmly by the back of his collar and effortlessly lifted him into the air.
Flailing helplessly, Law panicked, yet still shouted at the top of his lungs:
"Let me go!!! You bastard!!!"
Annoyed by the yelling, Orin casually flicked Law on the forehead.
A second later, a huge swollen bump rose instantly, making Law's eyes water from the sheer pain.
"Owwwww… ow ow ow…!"
Why…?
Law had been injured before, but nothing had ever hurt like this. That flick somehow hurt far worse than any wound he'd ever suffered—and he couldn't understand why.
The black energy around Orin's fingertip slowly faded as he watched Law clutching his forehead, finally quieting down. Stroking his chin, Orin muttered irritably:
"Are you really not afraid of dying, brat?"
He clearly knew he couldn't win, yet he still fought without hesitation.
This kid… didn't value his own life at all.
"What does it matter!? I won't live long anyway…"
Law bit his lip, tears glimmering in his eyes as he glared at Orin, his voice filled with despair and bitterness.
For a moment, Orin fell silent, seemingly stunned by Law's words.
But… did you think Orin would comfort him?
No. Orin wasn't the type to show his gentle side so easily.
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Orin yawned lazily.
"Is that so~? Then go die."
"Please, wait!!!"
Just then, a loud shout echoed from the palace gates.
A man with golden hair, his face painted with clown-like makeup, wearing a black feathered cloak, came rushing in. His eyes were bloodshot, and he screamed hoarsely:
"Orin-sama! Please spare this kid's life!!!"
Both Orin and Law turned toward the voice.
Law's face showed surprise, but Orin's expression was thoughtful.
With his Observation Haki, Orin had already sensed Rosinante hiding behind the gate earlier—he just hadn't bothered to call him out.
"And you are?"
Orin's tone was teasing as he decided to play the villain's role thoroughly.
"I'm Corazon!! Donquixote Doflamingo's younger brother!!!"
Rosinante deliberately invoked Doflamingo's name, hoping Orin would give some respect, since Doffy was one of Orin's trusted subordinates.
But clearly, Orin had no intention of playing along.
"Doffy's brother, huh…? So, you're protecting this little brat who dared offend me?"
Orin's presence weighed heavily, like a storm pressing down—a pressure so intense it rivaled a mild Conqueror's Haki burst.
Sweat began to bead on Rosinante's forehead.
Yet, deep down, he was too gentle to back down. He couldn't give up on saving Law—especially since the boy carried the Will of D, and was just a sick, pitiful child.
Doflamingo and Rosinante… though destined to hurt each other later, still shared a brotherly bond deep within.
For Rosinante, saving Law might even represent trying to save the young Doffy he'd failed to protect back then.
After a brief silence, Rosinante suddenly dropped to his knees before Orin.
"If… if this child has offended you in any way… please, let me pay for it with my life! Just spare him…!"
Plop…
Plop…
Tears and snot fell heavily onto the ground. Rosinante's vision blurred, his face filled with anguish.
"He's still just a little kid, and yet he says things like[I won't live long anyway]so casually…"
...
Rosinante's voice cracked as he choked on his words.
"It's too cruel…! Even though earlier he stabbed me with a knife, I didn't feel any pain at all…"
Biting his lip hard, tears streamed down Rosinante's clown-painted face.
"The one truly suffering here… is you."
"You poor, poor kid… Law!"
The raw sorrow and gentle care in Rosinante's voice stunned Law completely.
For a moment, Law couldn't move. His chest felt tight, his eyes burning as tears welled up and spilled silently down his cheeks.
This sudden emotional scene… completely put Orin on the spot.
Watching the two crying their hearts out, Orin fell silent for a long moment.
Finally, he sighed.
"Tch… damn it, I give up."
He casually tossed the snot-and-tear-covered Law aside, wrinkling his nose in disgust as he grabbed a cigarette.
Rosinante hurriedly caught Law in his arms, holding him tightly.
Orin exhaled a stream of smoke, his tone languid.
"Ugh… I really hate these heavy, sentimental scenes."
Flicking the ash from his cigarette, Orin sank back into his chair, ignoring the two still clutching each other and crying.
A long silence passed.
"Enough with the crying already… you've ruined my good mood. Listen up. From today onward… you two owe me a life."
With that, Orin stopped paying them any attention and poured himself a drink.
Rosinante, his face still wet with tears, finally managed a shaky smile.
"Orin-sama… he really is… a gentle person."