The twins' room was illuminated by a single candle burning on the nightstand. Killer was using its feeble light to read, lying on the sofa.

As for Law and Doruya, they were both deeply asleep on the big bed, with little Kuzan snoring between them.

Killer shifted seated when you quietly entered the room.

«Y/n. How do you feel?» he whispered, closing his book.

«I'm better.» you admitted «I came to take Kuzan.»

He nodded.

«I'll stay with the twins, then. Unless you prefer me to sleep with you and the baby.»

You leaned over the bed and carefully picked Kuzan up. He stirred, but didn't seem to wake up, and neither did the twins.

«Oh, thank you, but Kid is back.» you replied, gently lulling your son in your arms.

«Already?» the Massacre Soldier tilted his head «He must have been worried sick for this kid.»

You swallowed down a chuckle.

«Goodnight, Killer.»

«Night, Y/n.»

When you came back to Kid's room, he had just got out of the shower.

He only had some comfortable pants on, his muscles and scars in full display, and he was rubbing his wet locks with a towel.

His amber eyes darted from you to the child, and he fast approached to check his face.

«Is he okay now?» he quickly asked with a grimace.

«Yes, I told you. Marco says it won't even scar.»

Kid's callous fingers brushed Kuzan's forehead, and the baby's expression wrinkled. Soon, he fluttered his eyelids and yawned drowsily.

«Daddy...?»

«Oi, Monster. Sorry I woke you up.» Kid whispered, moving a lock of red hair from his eyes.

Much to your dismay, a contrite pout started to form on the baby's face. Kuzan's lip trembled for a second, and Kid tensed up.

«What's wrong, Monster?» you asked, trying to make your voice sweet.

He sniffed.

«Daddy, I'm sovvy.» he blurted with a sob «I'm sovvy I'm not ttrong!»

Oh dear lord.

A deep frown settled between Kid's hairless eyebrows.

«Not strong? What are you talking about? That piece of trash was a grownup man and...»

His words trailed off when you leaned your free hand on his arm to stop him, since Kuzan had only stiffened at his father's anger.

Kid's lips twitched, but he took the hint.

You turned to the baby with a gentle smile and rolled your thumb on his cheek.

«That's not true, Monster... why don't you tell dad how brave you were?»

Kuzan looked up at you confused.

«Come on... what did Barto-ojisan say?»

«Mmm... I did not cry.» he muttered.

«And?»

«Ad...» his nervous eyes flicked on Kid's before quickly going back to you «...ad I yell DIE YOU CCUM!»

His sudden outburst made you jump, since you weren't expecting it at all, but you noticed how his gaze caught fire for a second, as he recalled the events.

Kid's mouth fell open in disbelief.

«Holy... – you really were a mini-Kid for a second there, Monster.» you chuckled after catching your breath.

«You really said that?»

The Emperor's face was now filled with pure joy, his signature cruel grin spreading on his lips.

«Hum... yes...»

Kid burst in laughter and snatch the child from your hands with his flesh arm.

«Well, aren't you my son!» he uttered, lifting him up his head.

Kuzan squealed before pouting again a second after.

«But daddy, I... I lost...»

«Bull– nonsense!» Kid spat, bringing him to his chest «You were beyond strong! I give you a couple of years, and you'll be able to eat weakilings like that for breakfast.»

Finally, the child relaxed against his father's bare chest. It seemed that Kid's reaction gave him extreme relief, because he doze off almost immediately.

You felt much better yourself.

«Let's go to bed.» you whispered, a hand caressing the Emperor's muscular arm.

He hummed, eyes still locked to his son.

There was a time, when the twins were babies, that kind of contact had him tensed up, but you had come a long way. Sure, it saddened you to think that Law couldn't experience that side of his father in his young days as much as Kuzan, but there wasn't much you could do about it. Moreover, Kid was really doing his best to make amend with him as well.

«I'll have a quick shower before joining you.» you announced, heading for the joint bathroom.

When you came back in your bathrobe, Kuzan was still sleeping on his father's wide torso, while Kid laid on the mattress with his eyes closed. However, he opened them when you climbed on the bed.

«What are you doing?» he asked in a whisper when you leaned your head on the pillow.

«What?»

He snorted.

«Aren't you a bit too far, birdie?»

You swallowed and moved closer, resting your cheek on his scarred shoulder.

Your focus was captured by Kuzan's calm face, your fingers ghosting over his features.

Kid's mechanical hand ran up in your hair, fiddling with your locks.

You shut your eyes and buried your expression in his chest.

The Emperor wasn't good with words, so he didn't say anything. But he held you close until you finally fell asleep.

During the following couple of days, Kuzan was never left with strangers again.

When he wasn't with you, you made sure he was with Killer, Heat, Bartolomeo or someone else from your crew.

Being the hothead he was, Kid spent most of his time going around terrorizing minor crews and threatening other pirates, so you preferred to leave your son with someone else.

Meanwhile, the twins made a name for themselves.

During the second day, Doruya had already caused (and nailed) three fights against other youngsters – all males.

You came to know later that a group of teen sky warriors she had beaten up planned to ambush her shortly after. Except she never even realized that, because Law sneaked up to them before they could execute their little plan, trapped them all and threatened to mess up their internal organs with his knives until they begged for mercy.

Perona transitioned from an apologetic maid to a hysteric bride-to-be as the wedding got closer, so you had your hands full with that.

«We have barely two days!!» she yelled that late afternoon, while her ghosts were arranging black roses all around the bridal room «Were the hell is that fucking mosshead?! I knew I shouldn't have trusted him to come on his own all the way from Wano!»

«Well, he must be on a ship, and someone must be sailing it. It seems pretty unlikely for him to get lost on a–»

«You don't know him, Y/n!» she shouted «He can get lost EVERYWHERE! That idiot... he's supposed to give me away!»

«He will.»

«Will he?! Everyone arrived already, even the Vinsmokes! The Charlottes! He's the only one...»

You sighed.

«You're just getting extra nervous because of the wedding. And because you chose not to get laid all the way to it. Seriously, what were you thinking?»

She growled something incomprehensible, dropping on the bed.

«I don't know!»

You snickered, earning a side glare from the pinkette.

«Hey, I feel you, really.» you offered her a smile «Kuzan is always sleeping with us lately, so I haven't gotten laid either.»

«Ugh.» she leaned her forehead on her open palms «The last thing I need right now is the image of you and Eustass doing it.»

«Weird, because it's pretty much all I need right now...»

«Y/N, YOU'RE NOT HELPING!»

Eustass Law had to admit it was a rather interesting vacation.

He had the chance to talk with a lot of experienced pirates, heard a lot of stories, and Dracule Mihawk let most of his castle free to visit.

There were many mysterious chambers and relics from the whole Grand Line around there.

In that moment, for example, he had just found a room filled with ancient blades, all aligned in precious showcases along the walls. There were katanas, sabers, knives...

A sword in particular caught his attention.

It looked old and worn, but unlike the others it was in the middle of the room, on a plain stand, not protected by any glass.

Law approached, observing it carefully.

It had something special, he could feel it.

He stretched a hand to brush the handle with his fingers.

«That one is Gryphon. Someone says it's cursed.»

Law nearly jumped at the sudden voice and turned around.

There was a middle-age man in a kimono leaning against the jamb, with three katanas hanging from his belt and a scar on his left eye.

The teen frowned, sensing he was a big deal. He didn't hear him coming at all.

«Cursed, uh? I better not touch it, then.»

The man didn't comment, his focus drifting on the knives on his waist.

«I see you wield blades as well.»

Law's hand instinctively ran to the daggers.

«I do. Well, I'm learning.»

«By yourself?»

«No.» Law scoffed «My ojisan is training me.»

«Is he a swordsman as well?»

Law quirked an eyebrow, confused by the stranger that apparently didn't recognize him.

Not that he had travelled that much yet, but he kinda accepted at a young age that his hair colour was pretty much giving him away everywhere already.

«Killer. The Massacre Soldier.» he clarified.

«Mmh, Killer...»

The stranger seemed thoughtful for a second before his only eye sparkled in realization.

«Of course, the masked man! I fought him in the past.» a distant smile bent his lips «He was quite strong.»

«He is quite strong.» Law clarified.

«Yeah, sure. For you.»

The teen's eyes sharpened.

«Watch your tongue, samurai. You might be from Wano Kuni, but you disrespect my family, I will gut you nevertheless.»

«Oho, I think I know who you are.» the stranger's smirk widened «You have something of your mother's demeanour, but you gave in in threats you cannot maintain, just like your father.»

«Oh, do I?» a pissed smile deformed Law's face «Let me just show you how much an Eustass' threat is worth.»

Without any further warning, he threw one of his knifes at the man.

He used his maximum speed, which normally he was pretty proud of, and yet the samurai just tilted his neck last second, and the blade pierced the jamb beside him.

«...slow.» he commented, bored.

Law bared his second dagger and charged at him with a growl.

The samurai just turned on his feet to avoid the first swing, then proceeded nonchalantly to avoid all the other blows with minimum effort.

«You're not as big as your words, aren't you?»

«Fuck...! You...!» Law snarled in frustration, trying to hit him once again.

This time, without him even realizing, his blade met a black katana and was literally torn off his hand, flying across the room.

Law tried to jump back, but the blade was immediately an inch from his neck, and he was forced to freeze.

«Is that it?» the man asked with an amused sneer.

The redhead snorted.

«Okay, samurai of Wano, so you disarmed a thirteen-year old boy. Many congrats, that's very impressive.»

This only caused the stranger to snicker again.

«Yes, I remember. That sniper girl used to talk this way.»

«Law!»

A loud gasp made him raise his eye to the door.

Penguin, Shachi and Bepo stormed in the room with worried grimaces.

«What the hell are you doing, Roronoa?! That's Law, Eustass' son!»

«Law?» the samurai withdrew his katana, placing it back in its sheath «...I see.»

«Wait, Roronoa?» the teen's eyebrows knitted together «As the strongest swordsman in the world? That Roronoa?»

Zoro shrugged.

«That's true. You two never met before.» Shachi swallowed.

«Well, I still have to find that annoying ghost-girl, so... later.» the samurai said, heading to the exit.

Law stayed frozen for a couple of seconds more before reacting.

«O-Oi, Roronoa!»

Zoro stopped, glancing back at him.

«What?»

«You won, so... you sure you want to spare me?» the redhead smirked, letting himself go against the wall «I promised you already. I will gut you.»

«Law!» Bepo choked, hitting him on his head with his paw «He's the number one swordsman in the world!»

«I know.» Law's [e/c] eyes trailed to Zoro and, for a second, the samurai saw the fire burning in them «...but number one swordsmen don't stay number one forever, do they?»

«Oho. Are you challenging me, boy?»

«You can bet your ass I am, greenhead.»

The three Heart Pirates were sure they were about to have a heart attack any moment now.

Zoro let an intrigued smirk play around the corner of his lips.

«Very well. I'll be in Wano, waiting for you then.»

And with that, he turned and walked away.

«Are you fucking nuts?!» Shachi yelled when he disappeared.

«Do you even want to be a swordsman?» Penguin asked.

«Looks like I pretty much have to, now. Just don't tell my folks about all this, will ya? They would freak out.»

Silence fell in the room, while the three older pirates exchanged some looks.

Law's attention was still fixed where Zoro stood, so it took him a little longer to realize it.

«What?»

After a last glance to his mates, Penguin took a deep breath.

«Well, before coming here we... had a quick stop.»

The teen watched him nodding at Bepo, and the bear let a bag down from his shoulder.

«We intended to wait until the wedding was over, but... looks like this is the right moment.»

Shachi opened the bag and pulled out a long object wrapped in fabric.

Law's eyes widened when the swords was revealed before him.

He had seen that blade before.

«This is Kikoku.» Bepo slowly said «Captain's nodachi. And it is yours. If you want it.»

Law was at loss of words.

He stretched his hand to touch it, but he couldn't bring himself to.

«I...» he swallowed «It would be my honour. But I don't know if I deserve it.»

A genuine smile opened on Penguin's mouth.

«We do. We've seen you growing up. You're going to be a great pirate, Law. You will make our captain proud.»

The redhead held his breath as his fingers finally closed around the sword's handle.

«Then I promise.» he raised his eyes «One day, I will defeat Roronoa Zoro with this blade.»