Chapter 35: Crisis?
Daz Bones POV:
"Is this how it ends?" He couldn't help but lament. It has been many days, his daughter must be worried. All he wanted this time was to earn more money for her medical fees.
"Prisoner get ready, someone is here to meet you." The burly guard opened his cell, the curly blue-haired girl entered the cell. "Follow me, no rash movements or else you'll regret it dearly."
Daz Bones slowly rose from the small cot, his limbs sore from days of confinement. The girl led him through dimly lit corridors, and the atmosphere reeked of dampness and despair. Despite his legendary toughness, the uncertainty of his situation left an unsettling feeling in his gut.
Zala escorted him to the newly built inconspicuous Elite Team HQ on the outskirts of the town on the carriage. The building was at the edge of a cliff, heavily guarded by many masked men. As they navigated through the maze-like corridors, he noticed the surroundings changing as they went deeper with a lift. The transition was disorienting, and Daz Bones couldn't help but wonder where he was being taken.
"Where are we going?" He asked in his usual cold tone.
Zala glanced at him briefly, her eyes betraying a hint of sympathy. "You'll find out soon enough. The boss wants to meet you."
Daz Bones remained silent, his mind calculating possibilities. As they reached the heart of the Elite Team HQ, they entered a spacious dojo adorned with various weapons. At the center of the room sat Victor Moriarty sitting in a lotus position and training clothes.
"Leave us," Victor instructed Zala, who nodded and exited the room, leaving Daz Bones alone with Victor.
The door closed behind her, enveloping the room in an air of tension. Victor gestured for Daz Bones to take a seat, and the former Bounty hunter obliged, his gaze never leaving Victor's piercing eyes.
"Mr. Bones, or should I say, Daz," Victor began, his voice calm and measured. "I trust the accommodations were to your liking?"
Daz Bones remained stoic. "I'm still alive even after my defeat. What do you want from me?"
"I know you don't have any connections with Bege so you must have gotten involved for money. So, I'll give you a chance, have a fair duel with me and if you win I might let you go."
Daz Bones, though taken aback by the unexpected offer, didn't let it show. He raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "A duel, huh? And what's in it for you?"
Victor Moriarty leaned back, his expression unreadable. "Let's call it a test of skills. If you win, you're free to go, and I might even throw in a little bonus. But if you lose, you become an asset to the Moriarty Family. A skilled fighter like yourself could be quite valuable."
Daz Bones considered the proposition, his mind ticking away. He wasn't one to back down from a challenge, and the allure of freedom was tempting. However, he wasn't blind to the fact that the Moriarty Family was no ordinary organization. Their influence, wealth, and power could potentially open doors for him that he hadn't considered before. He would only serve someone stronger than him, as for losing he didn't think much about it.
"Alright," Daz Bones finally responded, a glint of determination in his eyes. "But let's get one thing straight. I fight on my terms, no tricks or surprise attacks."
Victor Moriarty smirked, appreciating the man's spirit. "Agreed. The duel will take place in three days. You'll have that time to prepare. In the meantime, consider yourself a guest in the BlackRock Islands. You'll be treated with respect as long as you don't cause trouble."
Daz Bones nodded, acknowledging the terms. The door opened, and Zala re-entered the room. Victor gestured to her. "Zala will show you to your quarters. Make yourself comfortable, Mr. Bones."
***
In the meantime in Victor's office:
After Law and Bepo left, only Victor and Robin were inside the office.
"Do you think they will accept your proposal? From what I saw, that kid Trafalgar Law is very cautious and distant." Robin asked worriedly as she sat beside Victor.
"Reminds me of someone", Victor said as he gently stroked Robin's hair, a warm smile playing on his lips. "But caution is not a weakness. In fact, it's a strength. He's a child who's been through a lot, and I respect that. I believe in giving people a chance, Robin."
Robin leaned into Victor's touch, a soft smile gracing her beautiful face. "You've always had a knack for understanding people. It's one of the things I admire about you."
*Knock* *Knock* A sudden knock on the door brought them out of their thoughts as Mr Hugh entered the room worriedly.
"Master Victor, there's a problem."
"Why? What happened Uncle Hugh?" He asked as he became serious.
"The Marines had sent a message via den den mushi, VA Tsuru is on her way to BlackRock and requesting a personal meeting with you. What should I reply?"
Victor suddenly felt that Robin tensed up when she heard about the 'marines'. He gently looked at her and smiled assuringly.
"When will she arrive?"
"Sir, in three days time. There's only one marine ship from the marine headquarters. Should I refuse?"
"No! We have not committed any crime, tell her to come and prepare to treat the guests well." Victor said after he calculated multiple possibilities.
"Okay, I'll prepare for their arrival. I guess you don't want them near the mansion?"
"Hmm! Prepare a safe house and means to escape for Robin in case something goes wrong. I'll leave it to you uncle."
"Don't worry about Mrs Robin's safety Victor! I'll send Zala with her for security" Hugh nodded assuringly at both of them before leaving. As Mr. Hugh left the room to attend to the preparations, Victor turned his attention back to Robin, who wore a thoughtful expression. He gently cupped her face, his thumb tracing gently on her cheek.
"Robin, my dear, everything will be fine. " Victor said, his voice calm and soothing.
"I never thought I'd see the day when marines would come knocking on our door so soon," Robin commented, her eyes betraying a hint of concern.
Victor placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. " It's not because of you Robin, don't blame yourself needlessly. If my guess is right, she might be coming here for me and the possibility of conflict is minimal."
Robin sighed, her tension easing slightly at Victor's comforting words. "I hope you're right, Victor. Promise me you won't get hurt."
Victor smiled, his gaze sincere. "I promise, Robin. I won't let anything happen to me. We've built a peaceful life here, and I won't let anyone disrupt that. Trust me."
"I know you will, Victor. But if things take an unexpected turn, I want you to prioritize your safety. We can face any challenge together as long as you're unharmed."
Victor's gaze softened. "Your concern means the world to me, Robin."
Robin nodded, finding solace in his words. She knew Victor was not one to take threats lightly, and he had his ways of handling situations. Still, the arrival of Vice Admiral Tsuru had injected an air of uncertainty into the tranquil atmosphere of BlackRock Islands.
Meanwhile in Law's quarters:
Law looked at Bepo who was busy eating more fruits which was present in the room. While they were at Swallow Islands they both developed deep friendship and brotherhood. Law saw Bepo as a younger brother and someone whom he could trust.
"What do you think Bepo, should we accept his offer?"
"Yes!" Bepo nodded like a child.
"Do you like it here?"
"They said they'll be our family" He answered innocently.
Law smiled at Bepo's innocence. The notion of having a family was a concept foreign to him for a long time. He pondered over the idea of accepting Victor Moriarty's offer. The Moriarty Family seemed to offer not just protection but also a chance for Law to pursue his goals with substantial resources and support. However, the thought of being tied to another powerful organization made him wary.
As Law contemplated his decision, he couldn't shake off the memories of Corazon and the tragedy in Flevance. Revenge against Doflamingo as well as nobles who abandoned Flevance was a burning desire within him, and he wondered if aligning with the Moriarty Family was the right path to achieve it. 'Since you want to use my powers, don't blame me for doing the same Victor Moriarty.'
At the dinner table:
The dinner table was set in the grand hall of the Moriarty mansion. Law, Bepo, Victor, and Robin gathered, along with various members of the Moriarty family. The atmosphere was cordial, yet an underlying tension lingered, especially with the impending arrival of Vice Admiral Tsuru.
Victor Moriarty, ever the gracious host, tried to lighten the mood. "Tonight, let's put aside our worries and enjoy a good meal together. We have two new members in our family, after all. Let's welcome Trafalgar Law and Bepo, the former will be a key figure in the medical department for now and Bepo will become the new face of our brand." Everyone raised their glasses and cheered happily.
Law glanced around the table, taking note of the eclectic mix of individuals. Some, like Zala, Tesoro and Hugh, were clearly loyal to Victor, while others had an air of mystery about them. Each had their own unique skill set and story.
During the meal, conversations flowed, and Law found himself exchanging glances with Victor who nodded at him assuringly. Bepo, meanwhile, was engaged in an animated discussion with Nico Robin who seemed to have a fondness for the cute gang member.
As the dinner progressed, Law couldn't ignore the camaraderie that seemed to exist within the Moriarty family. Despite their varying backgrounds, they shared a sense of unity and purpose. The question lingered in Law's mind – was will they fit in and become a part of this unconventional family? He has to confess that the environment was a little different from his previous experience in Noth Blue.
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