The Feeling of Family

Marine Headquarters · Roy's residence

Morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting mottled patterns of light and shadow across the stone tiles in the corridor.

Roy had just led Law to the door when he paused, the faintest hint of a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Hm?" Law looked up in confusion, about to speak, but Roy pushed the door open—

"Sneak attack!!"

Almost the instant the door opened, two dark figures sprang out from behind it!

Ace's hands were coated in a faint layer of Armament Haki, and an eager grin spread across his face;

Luffy, meanwhile, launched a flying kick through the air, shouting "Rocket Kick!" The two lunged at Roy from either side!

Law's pupils contracted, and he reflexively stepped half a pace back. But then—

"Bang! Bang!"

Two sharp knocks rang out in the air, crisp and loud as drumbeats.

The next second, a large bump rose on each of Ace and Luffy's heads. Both immediately crouched on the floor, clutching their heads and grimacing in pain.

"Sneak attack?"

Roy withdrew his fists and smiled at the pair, a teasing look in his eyes. "With skills like those, you dared to sneak up on me?"

"Damn it! He caught us again!"

Ace pouted and held his head, his face full of defiance. "Next time, we'll definitely get you!"

"That hurt! Roy's fists hurt even more than Grandpa's!" Luffy wailed, tears welling in his eyes and his mouth flattened into a line.

Just then, the kitchen door opened, and the aroma of a stew wafted out.

Bellemere was carrying a steaming pot of food, a gentle smile on her face. "Oh, Roy, you're back?"

"Roy!" Nami and Nojiko poked their heads out from behind her, their eyes shining as they called out together, their faces full of anticipation.

Roy smiled and nodded at them. "I'm back."

Ace pouted, a note of complaint in his voice. "You were gone for days without a word! I thought you'd been sent on some dangerous mission again!"

Luffy held the bump on his head with both hands and nodded repeatedly. "Yeah! Yeah!"

Roy smiled helplessly and reached out to ruffle Ace's hair. "All right, since you've got so much free time, I'll have Teacher Zephyr give you extra training this afternoon. You can keep at it until he's satisfied."

"Extra training? Bring it on! I'm not scared!" Ace shouted defiantly, though his eyes were clearly starting to wander.

Luffy nodded repeatedly. "Yay! Yay!"

At that moment, Ace finally noticed the white-haired boy standing behind Roy, watching them impassively. He frowned. "Hey, why's there another brat?!"

Law's expression remained impassive. He merely glanced at Ace without saying a word.

Roy chuckled and placed a hand on Law's head. "He's no brat. He's four years older than you."

Ace stared. "Four years older than me? Seriously?"

Roy smiled slightly and calmly added, "Let me introduce him. This is Admiral Sengoku's grandson, Trafalgar Law. From now on, he'll live and train with us."

"Nani?!!!"

Ace and Luffy's eyes widened at the same time, their jaws nearly hitting the floor.

"A-Admiral Sengoku's grandson?!" Ace pointed at Law, stammering in astonishment. "You mean that old man with the goatee?!"

The corner of Law's mouth twitched, and he spoke coldly. "...Do you have any manners?"

Luffy, meanwhile, eagerly crowded closer, his eyes shining. "Whoa! Does that mean you're really strong too?!"

Law raised an eyebrow and replied calmly, "Stronger than you."

"Hey! You!!" Ace bristled at once and was about to pounce, but Roy caught him by the head.

"All right, all right, knock it off."

Just then, Bellemere couldn't help shaking her head with a laugh. "Let's eat first. If you keep arguing, the food will get cold!"

"Okay, time to eat!"

Nami and Nojiko hurried to help set the table, cheerful smiles on their faces.

Roy watched the lively bunch of kids, a warm smile appearing in his eyes. He casually ruffled Ace's hair again. "All right, that's enough. From now on, Law's our new family member."

Ace pursed his lips. Though he looked reluctant, he finally muttered, "...Hmph. I'll get stronger than him anyway!"

Law gave Ace an impassive glance, the corners of his mouth curving up slightly in a smile of confidence in the future.

"Family..."

He quietly repeated the word in his heart, his gaze softening.

Suddenly, Roy tilted his head toward the sky, a touch of tenderness flashing through his eyes.

"Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I went back to see Mom and Dad... I should find some time to take these kids back for a visit."

Bellemere's carefully prepared feast covered almost the entire dining table.

A whole roast suckling pig, golden and crisp, gave off a rich, meaty aroma. A mountain of stewed beef glistened with oil, sizzling pan-fried fish fillets were arranged in neat rows, and meatballs covered in sauce shone enticingly. There were also all kinds of side dishes and bread, their mingled aromas enough to make anyone's mouth water.

Law stood beside the table, his eyes widening slightly. Clearly, he hadn't expected the "battlefield" before him.

"...Do seven people need this much food?"

He instinctively looked at Roy, a hint of hesitation and unease in his eyes.

Roy seemed to see what he was thinking. He smiled and ruffled Law's hair. "Don't worry, eat up. There aren't that many rules here. Eat as much as you can; nobody will laugh at you."

Nojiko and Nami were deftly setting out the tableware. Nami also gave Law a sly wink. "Don't get scared in a minute, okay?"

Law: "...?"

As soon as she spoke, the answer became plain.

"Let's eat!!!"

At Roy's command, Ace and Luffy pounced on the table like tigers charging down a mountain, leaving two afterimages in their wake!

"This piece of meat is mine!"

Ace reached out with both hands, stuffing an entire chicken leg into his mouth almost instantly, while using his other hand to scoop meat from a plate into his own bowl.

"Meat, meat, meat, meat, meat!!!"

Luffy simply pulled the entire plate of roast pork in front of himself and took a huge bite. His cheeks bulged like a hamster's, and his mouth was covered in grease.

"You two, don't clear the whole table in one go!"

Roy's movements were much more elegant, but as his knife and fork flew, the food on his plate vanished at a visible rate, almost like a blur.

Law: "..."

The cold boy's expression completely fell apart, his jaw nearly hitting the table.

W-was that even a human eating speed?!

Seeing this, Bellemere couldn't help letting out a giggle. She reached out and patted Law's shoulder. "Shocking, isn't it? I was much the same when I first saw it."

She picked up a large piece of roast beef and put it on Law's plate, smiling gently. "Eat it while it's hot, or those two will have it all in their stomachs before long."

Law stared down at the steaming piece of roast beef on his plate, then looked up at the dishes on the table, which were already nearly empty. Finally, he stiffly picked up his fork and carefully took a bite.

"...It's good."

At that moment, his eyes brightened slightly, as though a layer of frost had quietly melted away.

Nami came over with a grin, her eyes curving as she said, "Well? Even the chefs at the Marine Cafeteria can't match Bellemere's cooking!"

Nojiko smiled too and handed him a glass of juice. "Don't just eat meat. Have some juice to wash it down."

Law nodded, his movements a little stiff, but the corners of his mouth lifted almost imperceptibly.

Across the table, Ace and Luffy were fighting over the last meatball. One held a fork, while the other shouted, "That's mine!" Both had several fist marks on their heads.

Roy calmly drank his soup, occasionally reaching out to knock them on the head. "Don't fight while you're eating."

"Oh my, it's lively in here..."

Bellemere watched the scene, her eyes full of gentle amusement, as though she could see the warmth of a home.

Law kept his head down, quietly eating the food on his plate.

He could hear Ace and Luffy's bickering, Nami's teasing, Bellemere's gentle laughter, and Roy's helpless but tolerant scolding.

Was this what family felt like?

He slowly lifted his head, his gaze passing over everyone at the table. A warmth he had never felt before flickered in his eyes.

At last, his eyes rested on Roy.

"...It's not bad."

He murmured the words, then quickly lowered his head and stuffed the beef he had just picked up into his mouth, as though he didn't want anyone to see the slight softening of his smile.

The sea breeze drifted gently past the window, blowing over the heartwarming scene and dispersing the gloom in his heart.

This meal seemed to taste sweeter than any he had ever eaten.