The First Battle
Law was the first to step onto the surface of the Polar Tang. A cold sea wind struck his face, his coat fluttering behind him. Several hundred meters away, a pirate ship drifted slowly across the waves. A skull-and-crossbones flag flew from its mast—crude, tasteless, soaked in cruelty.
"So it's the Circle Pirates…" Law said calmly. "Only a fifteen-million bounty, yet more blood on their hands than many with higher rewards."
Shachi tightened his grip on his sword. "Should we attack immediately?"
Law slowly shook his head. "No. This is our first battle. I want them to make the first move."
Chaos broke out aboard the pirate ship. The captain narrowed his eyes at the strange yellow-and-black vessel. "I've never seen a ship like that…" he muttered. "Raise the cannons! If they came this close, they're looking for a fight!"
"But captain, they don't have cannons!" one pirate shouted through a spyglass.
The captain smirked. "Then fire anyway! We'll crush them with numbers! Prepare for boarding! We'll show them what happens when you cross us!"
The pirates opened fire. Cannonballs screamed through the air toward the Polar Tang.
Shachi, Penguin, and Bepo stood calmly behind Law, showing no fear.
Law raised his hand. "ROOM."
A translucent blue sphere instantly expanded around the ship. The cannonballs froze midair the moment they entered it, as if time itself had stopped.
Panic spread across the pirate ship. Some screamed, others stepped back in terror. The captain frowned. "A Devil Fruit user…"
Law clenched his hand, and the frozen cannonballs shot back. They smashed into the pirate ship, throwing the deck into chaos.
"Shachi. Penguin. Bepo," Law's voice was cold and precise. "Move as we trained."
"Shambles."
In an instant, they swapped places with several pirates and appeared right in the middle of the enemy.
Law's gaze shifted to the pirate captain. He looked older than the rest, dressed elegantly, almost like an aristocrat. His right arm was missing, replaced with a metal hook. A short sword hung at his waist.
"WHAT IS GOING ON?!" the captain shouted.
Shachi leapt onto the enemy deck first, disarming a pirate with a precise strike. "Hold formation!" he yelled to Penguin.
Penguin followed, spinning his spear with controlled, confident movements—no wasted steps.
On the other side of the deck, laughter erupted. "HAHAHA! Look at that bear!" "What, he thinks he can fight us?"
Bepo bowed awkwardly. "I'm sorry…"
The pirates laughed even louder. "Bepo!" Law shouted. "Fight!"
Bepo froze for a moment—then charged. One powerful strike sent two pirates flying.
Law watched silently, analyzing every movement. "Good…" he murmured. "They've grown stronger."
The pirate captain clenched his teeth and charged at Law. "You! You're the captain, aren't you?!"
Law didn't move. "Amputate."
A flash of light—his sword fell to the deck. The captain's arms separated cleanly and hovered in the air. No blood spilled.
The captain collapsed to his knees. "W-what did you do to me…?"
Law stepped closer and looked him straight in the eyes.