It was evening.
Inside the "House of Hope" orphanage, the huge kitchen was a scene of bustling activity. Trafalgar Law sat before a mountain of potatoes, peeling them expressionlessly with a small knife. This was a daily task, one within his physical capabilities.
He surveyed his surroundings. The chattering laughter of children, the loud commands of the chefs, and the smoky aroma of cooking food that filled the air... All of it gave Law a long-lost, surreal feeling of warmth.
He looked down at his wrist, where his skin was still as pale as a corpse from the Amber Lead Poisoning. When he first arrived here, he wasn't used to it. When the children would unreservedly take his hand and invite him to play games, or when the "teachers" responsible for their care, after learning of his terminal illness, not only didn't distance themselves but became even more caring... he always felt that it was all fake1111. He suspected it was a show put on by the woman named Sora to win people over2.
But now... he had gradually grown accustomed to everyone's concern3. Even his supposedly incurable illness, with the intervention of the Golden Group's miraculous and powerful medical technology, its spread within his body had been... miraculously contained4! Although it couldn't be completely cured yet, the doctor told him that as long as he continued treatment, he would at least have several more years5.
This gave Law hope of living for the first time6.
'That guy Doflamingo didn't lie to me. It seems I might really be able to complete my treatment here.'
All in all, everything seemed to be developing in a good direction7. But... Law knew very well that he was an undercover agent8. He didn't belong to this warm "big family" from the very beginning9. He didn't know how long this leisurely and peaceful life could last10. Perhaps tomorrow? Perhaps in the next second? His undercover identity would be mercilessly exposed. And then, what would await him was... death11? He didn't want to die. He wanted... to live12.
Thinking of this, Law couldn't help but let out a bewildered sigh while peeling potatoes13.
Just then, a lively youthful voice suddenly rang out behind him. "What's wrong? Law, why are you sighing? Is something bothering you?" 14
Law's heart skipped a beat! He was startled, almost dropping the small knife in his hand! Without thinking, he immediately reverted to his cold, unapproachable expression and said, without turning his head: "I didn't sigh. You misheard." 15
'What is wrong with this guy? Does he walk without making any sound at all?!' 16
Sanji smiled at his words. "Is that so? That's good. If you have any problems you can't solve, remember you can talk to everyone. Here, everyone will help you"17. After speaking, Sanji, ignoring Law's objections, casually picked up a potato from a nearby basket, sat down next to him, and started peeling alongside him18.
Law was a bit speechless. He felt that this guy, Vinsmoke Sanji, was sometimes a bit too motherly, annoying to death19. Why was he always so concerned about him20?
However... he didn't actually dislike him21.
During his time living in this orphanage, he had also subtly gathered a lot of useful information22. For example, the kid next to him was the prince of the once infamous "Germa 66 Hell Army"23. Their father had been killed by that monster named Takero24. Now, their entire family lived with Takero25.
What surprised Law even more was that the kid's Mama, the woman who always gave him a gentle smile... actually had the exact same name as the righteous hero, "Marine Warrior Sora". When Law first learned that the woman was also named "Sora," he was surprised. 'Sora... How could such a brave hero be a woman?' However, he then thought... that was even better.
Thinking of the woman who always gently stroked his head, who worried if he had eaten enough or was dressed warmly... Law's usually taut, icy face unconsciously revealed a soft smile that even he himself hadn't noticed.
"Law! You smiled?!" Sanji suddenly exclaimed in surprise.
Upon hearing this, the smile on Law's face instantly froze! He immediately reverted to his cold expression. "No. You still misheard".
"I didn't mishear!" Sanji shouted. "You definitely smiled just now, didn't you?! And you looked very happy!"
A small vein throbbed on Law's forehead. '...This kid!' But he was too lazy to explain further, so he fell silent again.
Only Sanji remained, chattering incessantly in his ear, curiously asking: "What were you smiling about just now? Tell me!"
Just as Law was getting annoyed and about to lose his temper, a gentle female voice came from behind them. "What's wrong? You two are chatting so happily".
"Mama!" Sanji put down his work and immediately, like a happy little bird, flew into the woman's arms.
Sora wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead and asked with a smile, "What are you talking about? Let Mama hear too".
"Mama!" Sanji immediately began to "report." "I just saw Law smile! And he looked very happy! But he won't admit it, and says I misheard!"
"Is that so, Law?" Sora's smile grew even gentler after hearing this. "Did you think of something happy?"
"This... I..." Law stammered, his small face instantly turning crimson, unable to utter a single word for a long time. He couldn't possibly say... 'I just smiled unconsciously because I was thinking of you,' could he? For some reason, in front of Sora, Law always felt that he wasn't his usual self.
Seeing how nervous he was, Sora didn't press him further. Instead, with her eyes curved in a gentle smile, she lightly stroked his head.
"It's okay," she said. "If you don't want to talk, then don't. Everyone has their own little secrets".
Feeling the warm, sun-like touch from the top of his head, Law couldn't help but murmur something in a voice only he could hear. "...Mama..."
"Law! What did you just say?!" Sanji immediately shouted.
"N-None of your business!" Law immediately glared at him, somewhat flustered and angry.
Sora, meanwhile, chuckled softly. "It's okay, Law. From today on, you can also... call me 'Mama.' Everyone here at the 'House of Hope' is my child".
Upon hearing this, Law hesitantly and softly replied, "O-Okay... Sora... Mama?"
"Mm!" Sora nodded, then said with a smile, "Alright, children, hurry and prepare dinner, everyone is still hungry".
After dinner, Law leisurely walked alone in the orphanage courtyard. The night breeze was cool, dispelling the heat of the day. He thought back to Sora's gentle touch in the kitchen that afternoon, and his unconscious utterance of "Mama"... He couldn't help but stand alone under the moonlight, grinning foolishly.
Just then, the small Transponder Snail hidden in his embrace suddenly rang with a "puru puru".
Law's expression instantly changed! He cautiously surveyed his surroundings, then found a very secluded corner before answering.
Doflamingo's voice, full of wickedness and calculation, came through. "How are you, Law? Lately... how have you been doing over there?"
"Alright," Law said coldly. "Is there something you need?"
"Fufufu... nothing major," Doflamingo didn't waste words and got straight to the point. "Law, the situation is urgent. I need you to do everything you can to find out for me—what exactly is the Golden Group planning to do with such a massive amount of armaments?"
"I know your current situation might not be ideal. But I promise you! As soon as you complete this mission, I will immediately let you return to the Donquixote Family!"
Upon hearing this, Law couldn't help but hesitate. Return... to the Donquixote Family? Did he really want to go back? Life here... seemed pretty good, actually.
Seeing no sound from the other end of the phone for a long time, Doflamingo asked, "Law? Did you hear me?"
Law took a deep breath. He seemed to have made his final decision. He spoke into the Transponder Snail with an incredibly firm tone:
"Don't call me again."
"...I'm afraid Mama Sora will misunderstand."
After saying that, he ended the call with a "kachak".
Doflamingo: "...? ? ?"
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