~Past Life With A Pinch Of Salt~

~Dabi~

After Law and Chopper left, Nami started saying how she wouldn't forgive the master for drugging the kids and whatever. To which Luffy preceded by saying—

—"Okay! Then let's just go kidnap the Master!"

Almost physically face palming myself, sighing at the inevitable events that were about to play out. Franky then added that they didn't want to be late, and right on queue came Luffy's smirk and my imminent demise.

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Screaming as we shot straight towards the ground at high speeds, gagging at the sick feeling tickling my throat and swirling around in my stomach. 'Forget what I said before, I'm going to end up dying from a high speed collision!' Robin flew off as we crashed through the marine ship, landing on the ground, laying in wait for the world and my stomach to stop spinning. "Guh, a-anyone got any advil?" Groveling as Eraser lifted me onto his back,

"Motion sickness huh?" He said. Wallowing into his shoulder, hating the fact he could possibly find a way to use this against me. Luffy could be heard shouting off to the side, demanding for the Master to appear, proceeding to tell him his plan to kick his butt and kidnap him.

"That idiot." Chuckling, "Law's probably wallowing in despair right now, questioning if he really wants to have an alliance with this crazy kid and his crew." Smiling at the mental image as Eraser shook his head at my amusement,

"Kids will be kids." He sighed, nodding in response while yawning.

"A nap right now would be great." Notioning as a slight smirk formed on my lips, Eraser rolled his eyes.

"I could throw you off right now if you want." he stated, nodding in agreement to his statement.

"You can, doesn't mean you will…" Drifting off as my stomach finally settled.

~Eraser~

Clicking my tongue while glancing back at Dabi who seemingly fell asleep on my back, It was tempting to just toss him off. But I figured he could at least owe me this once, I still don't trust him though...Sighing while sitting back to watch the events play out before me.

The soldiers started attacking after Luffy's exclamation of their plans, why Law ever thought he could trust this kid to listen and follow along is beyond me. Franky threw a punch, knocking down all of the running soldiers. The two marine captains had a brief conversation before their underlings ran towards us with their weapons raised, Robin used her devil fruit abilities to take a lot of them down.

The two continued the one-sided battle as Luffy looked around questioning where "the Master" was, Robin voiced that he was most likely not out here. To which Luffy asked "Then where is he?" Franky replied saying he was probably inside the lab, Luffy nodded in agreement and seemingly decided that the big door in front was the entrance. We were about to continue towards the building when Smoker suddenly ran towards us.

Luffy dodged his swing, but something seemed off...He wasn't using his normal weapon and his overall posture and normal composure was different, in fact. He didn't seem to have any composure over his actions or words, not to mention his voice sounded...Higher pitched. 'Perhaps?' The thought crossed my mind as Luffy greeted him, Smoker swung the sword in his direction but the kid dodged once again.

Smoker questioned why he was on the island but Luffy only seemed happy to see Smoker wasn't dead, continuing with a pride jabbing comment about him being beaten up last time we saw them. Smoker told him not to mess around and then proceeded to look constipated, 'I see…' glancing over towards the second in command, noticing her drastic change in posture and appearance. 'Yeah, definitely.'

Luffy had taken Smoker down and started to question the sudden drop in strength from the last time they met, "Hey Luffy! I think Law switched their bodies!" Informing him. He looked back at me in confusion before looking at Smoker then the second in command, who was currently running towards him.

Luffy dodged his attacks for a bit before finally realizing what I said,

"What?!" he exclaimed in shock as he dodged another attack.

Robin voiced her agreement with the theory as Luffy finally understood, he looked between the two as he figuratively stabbed her in the gut with his demoting words. After, seemingly falling to the ground laughing at the scene.

Sighing in thought, 'I'm just glad it's not me in that situation again.' Grimacing at the mental image as the fighting continued, Franky noted that it would take too long to take down all of these guys, and decided to just blow down the front door and charge in. He basically melted the door as he informed us, we were about to go when everyone started looking up towards something.

Something came flying from the sky and landed on the marine ship, it slowly moved and covered the sail. Everyone was confused as to what the seemingly living blob was, the real Smoker questioned one of the men. But even they didn't seem to know what it was, we watched as the blob grew before being set on fire.

We heard cheers from the ship when it suddenly exploded in flames, everyone stared in shock, apart from Dabi who was surprisingly still asleep. Even after all the commotion happening, 'This guy, does he really trust me this much?' Clicking my tongue and sighing.

Another blob suddenly fell out of the sky, just as the soldiers started to relax from thinking it was gone. Everyone looked up, noticing a large number of the same blobs raining down from the sky, panic was quickly spreading as the marines prepared to retreat.

"So no krakens, but a giant red slime? Of course, my bad for thinking the obvious. Should've gone with the idea of a giant fucking, deadly unicorn instead, because that's way more realistic." Dabi remarked behind me, seeming to have woken up at some point. Or maybe he was just faking, who knows.

Sudden laughter erupted from some place, everyone looked towards the fallen ship Law had turned into modern art. A person covered in some sort of smoke or...gas, that stood on top of the crow of the ship.

"Good boy! I'm sorry that I locked you up for three years!"! The man seemingly said to the blob, he removed his hands from blocking his face as he struck a pose.

The soldiers called him master as they questioned why he was out here, to which "the Master" laughed. Smoker spoke, revealing the identity of the strange man as "Caesar Clown." Luffy shouted at the man, questioning if he was actually the master. The man chuckled,

"Yes, indeed! Everyone from the Straw Hat Pirates and the Navy G-5! Behold! The greatest scientist in the world! Master Caesar Clown!" He laughed after his egotistical speech,

"Just wait a few moments. Since he's weak to water, he's flinging pieces of himself over little by little...In order to cross the lake! From the burning lands...to the ice lands! When all of his pieces reach this side, you will all experience it! The chemical weapon explosion that happened four years ago on Punk Hazard! A world of death in which no one can survive! And you will learn! Just how powerful my weapon is, that it can destroy an island! And the greatness of the world's best scientist who created the weapon! Its Master Caesar Clown!"

After his long egotistical paragraph speech, he laughed again. Closing his eyes as Dabi and Luffy seemingly decided to attack, or well. Dabi hopped off of my back, grabbed onto Luffy as he flung himself up to Caesar. Luffy wrapped his arms around the man and Dabi grabbed onto his face, setting his hand ablaze.

"Ack!" Caesar exclaimed in surprise as he lost balance and fell off the ship,

"I got you!" Luffy stated as they plummeted, Caesar quickly took action and enveloped the two in his "gas robe." They stopped plummeting as Franky shouted for them to hold their breaths.

"Fool! It's no use doing that!" He spoke to Luffy who was continuously spinning his head around in order to expel the gas. "Once you get wrapped up in the Gas Robe, you can't get away from it no matter what you do!" He said

'Damn, Dabi's in trouble. His flames won't work without oxygen.' Noting to myself while watching with sweat on my temple.

~Dabi~

My lungs were quickly running out of oxygen, uselessly struggling against the gas. 'Damnit, stupid...Devil Fruit...powers…Not here...Not yet...I still...I still have...a promise…!' Raising my fist and slugging Caesar in the face, he was seemingly surprised and slightly lost control of the gas around us.

Hurriedly punching him again, this time adding my fire as well. Or- at least the small sparks from the slowly returning oxygen. Punching him again as my vision slightly blurred, hoping it was enough.

Gasping for air like a fish out of water, 'Oh thank god, I almost passed out.' Sighing in relief as my attention returned to Caesar,

"You-!"

Continuously punching him over and over, adding more and more fire to the blows. Seemingly getting too caught up in punching the annoying bastard, unable to take a moment and remark everyone's shocked expressions, or the fact that my fist was covered in that black steel and raging blue flames.

Freezing in shock, staring dumbfoundingly at it, the power quickly dissipated soon after though.

""What the hell?""

Me, Smoker, Eraser, and Caesar all said at the same time.

"What did you do? What was that Haki?!" Caesar questioned, almost demanded as if he needed to know the answer. Gripping and released my fist,

"I have no clue...was that…"Haki" or whatever?" My brows furrowed 'so I can get powers from this universe? Does that mean eating a devil fruit will give me another power?' My thoughts were getting ahead of me and I had forgotten about the fight.

Unfortunately giving Caesar the upper hand again, the gas robe surrounded me again

"Well no matter, I'll just have to question you later on."

He smirked, laughing as he watched me grab at my throat, as if to release the non-existent hands gripping it. My vision blurred as I passed out…

…

…

…

"Touya...Touya, wake up."

Natsuo's voice rang out in my ears as he shook me awake, blinking a few times before looking up at the smiling doofus. "What?" Questioning why he was waking me up, wiping the sleep from my eyes, remarking his pouting expression.

"You promised we'd go to the arcade while dad is gone at his meeting!"

He reminded, glancing back at Shouto and Fuyumi who stood near the door with hopeful looks. Sighing and chuckling before climbing out of bed.

"Alright, a promise is a promise." Nodding with a smile

Keeping a mental image of their happy and excited expressions...The scene vanished before me, now standing a tree which my body was leaning against, looking at the painfully familiar scene playing out in front of the familiar grave.

"You promised! You promised we'd stay together! You promised...you jerk…" Natsuo shouted at the grave as tears flowed like a river from his eyes.

"You said we'd go to the arcade again...we're supposed to go...I still…need to beat you…" he sobbed as Fuyumi and Shouto hugged him and cried together. All the pain flooded me once again, the sadness, regret, hate. I was still surprised he even showed up to my funeral.

Staring at the very man who "killed" me, every time...seeing him on tv, made into plushies and dolls...titled a "hero", what was the meaning of a hero? Were heroes, people who simply used others for their own selfish goals?

This thought constantly festered, if people like him are allowed to be heroes, why do we have them in the first place? We should just get rid of them…

It was so...infuriating...Angry at the man whom I was supposed to call "father", and at the supposed "heroes" that were supposed to save people. Even at society itself for allowing those so-called "heroes" to hold power and earn praise,

Drowning in an empty abyss...overflowing with emotions yet empty at the same time. Flashes of images of me looking up at my father while pulling at my hair in frustration and pain, having asked him why I wasn't good enough.

Why he tossed me away and started with another, why, why, why…

"Why!!" Shouting into the void as tears flowed from my eyes, gripping my hair and staring at the ground "I did...I did...So why?" Pain leaked into my voice as I drowned in the empty hurt.

"Dabi...Dabi...Dabi!!"

My eyes shot open as I stared up at the barred roof above me. Tears stained my face, taking a slow deep breath, slightly turning my head to remark the concerned expressions of the others who were chained up.

"Damn, I don't suppose I shouted...did I…" Asking as Eraser slightly nodded, sighing and relaxing a bit. "We all have our own nightmares once in a while...Don't look so surprised." Stating as Eraser continued to stare at me.

"You said, "Shoto"..." He said. Flinching at his words, 'Of course, go me and my self-loathing nightmares.' Sighing and closing my eyes,

"Nightmares can be quite strange, huh?" Trying to somewhat convince with a slight smirk, there wasn't really a point though, it was obvious that I was screwed.

He's bound to ask me once we aren't in danger anymore,

"Now that you two are done, that was quite a pitiful display. I feel kind of bad for you." Caesar said, glaring at him while responding.

"Yeah, yeah. I don't need your sympathy, you damn psycho." His temple twitched in anger,

"Ah, is that so...Then I'm kind of disappointed I won't get to see you suffer more." He said with venom on his tongue.

Smiling "Quite the shame, I'll have to wait to see you on your knees begging. Oh well, at least I'll have more time to think up more exciting tortures for you." Provoking,

He covered me with his "gas robe" again, 'This bastard, he's asking for his face to be extra crispy.' He soon released me, gasped graciously for air, he smirked before wandering off somewhere. Glancing around the room with a sigh 'Trouble follows me everywhere it seems…'

"So, did I miss anything exciting?" Questioning while glancing between Eraser, Luffy, and Law.

"Not really, just some dramatic reveals of secret powers." Eraser replied, humming

"Fair enough, at least I didn't have to sit through the boring explanation of things." Stating in relief, everyone besides Robin, Luffy, and Franky were looking at us like we were crazy. 'Perhaps normal conversations aren't quite, well..."normal" in a situation like this.' Caesar coughed, drawing everyone's attention. He leaned down with a smirk,

"Look at yourself! Law!" He laughed "I bet you were quite helpless against Vergo! Hmm? The deal I had with you worked in my favor!" He was clearly trying to provoke the man, he then went on to explain the events in which "gave Caesar the upper hand" basically all boring. Sure it's a set-back for Law, but it doesn't affect the rest of us. Besides, Law isn't that stupid. He must have something hidden up his sleeve, at least I would. Though I wouldn't give my heart to someone in the first place even if I could without dying, 'specially a mad scientist.

After a few more words, the guy who I assumed was "Vergo" walked up next to Caesar with a heart in hand, presumably Law's. He squeezed it and we watched as Law shouted and tossed around in pain, Caesar continued his annoying ranting as I enjoyed the show. 'Man, now I can't help but wish Endeavor was in his place. Now that'd be thrilling.' I must've had a strange look on my face because the others were looking at me with uncomfortable and unsure expressions, shrugging in reply "What? Can't a man enjoy someone else's pain? Too bad it's not someone else." Sighing as Law glared at me "No offense, you're doing great." Smiling as he rolled his eyes.

Caesar laughed in amusement,

"You're quite amusing aren't you, why are you with these people anyways? You don't seem to be friends, and you're more suited for our work than theirs." He said as he crouched down to look at me, humming and shrugging.

"You know, I'm really just being dragged along. Lost home and don't know a way back, so I've just been following along. Though, I'm sorry. But I don't think I'll fit in whatever job you have for me, truly I'm already stuck in another gig and can't quit 'till I finish my goal. So thanks, but no thanks." Informing, though saying "I don't care to work for another madman, especially one who is a scientist. So will you kindly sit there and turn to ash for me?" would've been my first choice, I'd much rather still have oxygen to inhale.

"Such a shame, I'd let you go since you don't know anything. But I can't exactly trust you all too much, besides. At least you won't waste time on a long journey to find your home." He smiled, grittingly smiling back. 'You gassy bastard- If I wasn't worried I'd burn myself again, I'd have already burned out of these chains and punched you.' He moved on and continued to talk with Law.

I really enjoyed Law's line of "You've been saved by your diligent secretary, huh? I should've been more careful about Monet. Seeing as how the "Master" was so dumb, I didn't care much." Oh boy, I couldn't help but snicker and take a mental image of Caesar's face. It was decent amusement for my boredom from all of Caesar's long speeches. Luffy was surprised at the fact that Law was still alive after not having a heart in his chest, while Smoker berated him for being so stupid as to let Caesar take advantage of his power like that.

Smoker then asked where his heart was, to which Caesar eagerly replied by pulling it out from somewhere. He teased him but was stopped by his secretary, who informed him of a video of some sorts being ready. To which he told Smoker how lucky he was before turning off the lights and telling his secretary to turn the video on, the screen showed a giant...candy? Whatever it was, it didn't look good.

He went on another boring rant, explaining what the "candy" was and whatever else, then the giant red blob thing ate the candy. And what I could only assume was chaos was about to begin, 'Great, why can't there simply be one madman in one universe. Our's has plenty already, throwing a third on top of it, that and this different universe. It was exhausting enough having to deal with Shigaraki, I'm taking a looooong nap once we get back to the ship. And never again, if I see another madman I'm turning the other way. No questions, no answers, I'm just gone.'

Groaning out a sigh and sharing an exasperated look with Eraser, we watched a bit more as the slime slowly melted and turned into some kind of gas. Simply put, nothing good, nothing good at all. The soldiers ran as some got turned to what looked like plaster or clay, basically they became statues. The video feed then turned to Zoro and the others who were running for their lives, it was amusing to say the least.

It would have been nicer if Eraser was with them, but oh well. Things can't always happen the way you want. Franky and Robin said some things before Luffy spoke, getting up to try and warn his crew. Though he soon collapsed onto my stomach and grumbled about sea prism stone or something, I guessed it had something to do with the ocean or water in general since devil fruit eaters are weak to it.

Caesar laughed and spoke egotistically as if he already won something, I have no idea what he thinks he won. Since the battle hasn't even started, but whatever. Who doesn't like a plot twist?

(The villains, that's who.)

Because it's always the heroes ending up on top, ain't it. Though in this situation I can't complain much, since we all aren't exactly heroes. Besides Eraser, it's more like "better villains" (and hero) winning against "worse villains". I don't think there is such a thing as "better" villains, and even if there was. I definitely don't belong in it.

Caesar finished by saying none of us will survive, there was some shaking as the metal panel wall behind us slowly lifted. To which the cage lifted and we all went flying to the back of the cage, groaning while crashing into Eraser and Luffy. "Fantastic, 'sactly what I wanted." Remarking sarcastically as Caesar kept talking on and on about proving the power of his little weapon.

Once the cage finally stopped in the air, managing to worm my way onto my knees before standing up with a sigh and slight stretch. "How annoying, not only are we all the way in the air. We're stuck in a cage, I hate this." Groaning before sitting down, the shouting of the G-5 soldiers could be heard below as Franky noted how well-built the lab was. Robin agreed of course, noting the fact that one could easily carry big equipment with this cage.

Awkwardly chuckling "Is that really what you guys should be thinking about? To be fair, I'm surprised Robin didn't say anything about books or something. Though all I can think of is eating and relaxing, I haven't tried sun-bathing in ages, not to mention showering without those burns. Oh- a hotsprings would feel amazing!~" going off on a tangent of a daydream as the second in command questioned us,

"H-How can you three be so relaxed?!" Shrugging

"No point in worrying if we know we're going to be fine, besides. Death is always an inevitable thing, most of us probably deserve it anyways." Smiling as Luffy spoke.

"Hmmm...Okay, what should we do?" He questioned in thought.

"It was unexpected to see Vergo here but Straw Hat-ya...We can't miss a beat here. The plan is still on. Don't mess it up this time. Let's fight back." Law said as Luffy smiled widely,

"Okay!" He said with full resolve and trust. Sighing 'He's going to mess this up again...Well, at least not totally...Hopefully...Yeah, I'm going with him.' Chuckling and relaxing, 'Might as well rest a bit more while I can, nightmares begone.' Laying down and closing my eyes, waiting and listening.

"Fight back?" Luffy questioned,

"Yeah, it's no use wasting our time here. Let's get this over with." Law replied, humming and nodding in agreement to his words. "Can anybody here burn things? He continued "If nobody can, that's fine, too." He finished

"Dabi has fire! And Franky can also set fires. He can even shoot a laser beam! Oh yeah! Why don't you burn this chain with the beam?" Luffy questioned his Cyborg companion.

"I need to use both hands to shoot the Radical Beam. The only thing I can shoot is…" He proceeded to fart, "...Coup de Boo from my ass!" He laughed.

"Whatever. Can either of you set fire to the Navy ship down there on the right?" Law questioned, shrugging and replying.

"Hands are tied, so Cyborg's got this one, besides. I don't think my flames would reach it anyways." Franky nodded at my words,

"That's as easy as pie, young man! You can count on me!" He said while standing up and preparing his attack. My eyes widened, quickly ducking out of the way as the fireball soared towards the wreckage of the ship, the pile quickly went ablaze as the G-5 soldiers below ran and shouted in panic. The smoke drifted up to the cage and everyone was quickly getting smoked out. Well, mostly everyone. Smoker had no problem since he was already made of smoke and constantly puffed three cigars at a time, even the Cyborg was coughing.

Truthfully, I'm surprised his lungs aren't made out of metal at this point. "Hey, Trafalgar! It's getting so smokey here!" Franky complained,

"You're the one who did it." Law replied as both me and Luffy chuckled in between coughs.

"You made me do it!!" He rebutled,

"What are you doing?" Luffy laughed,

"Idiot, you just chose to blindly listen." Sighing out in annoyance,

"Well then…" Law said as he dropped his chains. Everyone looked in shock as Luffy and Franky simultaneously shouted ""What?!""

"...Now that we are not being picked up on by Caesar's Video Transponder snail. They're not gonna find out for a while." Law continued.

"You're unbelievable! How did you free yourself from the Sea Prism stone chains?" Luffy questioned in amazement

"Well, mine was just an ordinary chain from the beginning." Law said as Luffy made a surprised sound of "What?" "So I untied myself easily with my power." He finished before raising his hand and muttering something.

His katana appeared in his hand the next moment as he continued speaking, "Do you know how many months I've been here? Just in case of an emergency, I put a number of regular chains everywhere in the laboratory, so I could avoid Sea prism stone. Even if I got caught by accident." he informed as he unsheathed his blade and freed the others from their chains.

He stared at me for a few moments before removing mine as well. Luffy shouted as he stood up and cheered "I'm free!" before hopping around. Law told him off before turning to the marines as Luffy continued to celebrate the enjoyed freedom of chainlessness.

Watching Law threaten the marines with an approving smirk and nod, Smoker told him to just do it already. Law seemingly switched them back into their own bodies causing slight surprise and confusion. Humming in slight disappointment, though it was nice to see the voice match the body.

The Vice Captain quickly agreed to whatever conditions Law had, though Smoker wasn't as smart. He shouted at her, basically questioning her pride. She shouted back and surprisingly he almost looked convinced, Law noted that the girl was smarter than Smoker. Before reminding him that he has no obligation to save him, only that if letting him go back to the marine base safely makes Vergo lose his footing. Then it works well for him, but he didn't stop before adding the kicker of the deal.

Basically, Smoker and his Vice had to forget about everything they heard about Law and this Joker person.

'Private love life of sorts? I think I missed the last chapter of this romance novel.' The thought crossed my mind as Law finally released them after making a deal.

"I can't see anything!" Luffy complained as he grabbed onto the cage bars "What's going on out there?" He questioned before stretching the bars to create an exit, He stretched out "Yeah, I finally got out!" He cheered before preparing to jump. Law started questioning his actions but he was already gone.

"Hey, wait!" Law called as Luffy chuckled while plummeted "How dare he do whatever he pleases!" he cursed, sighing and shaking my head before placing a hand on his shoulder,

"I get that it takes a few times, but do try to remember who you made an alliance with...Because right now we clearly have different mental images of that kid, and yours are quite sadly optimistic…" Remarking as Franky replied.

"It's not like the cage is made of sea prism stone." He chuckled as Robin pitched into the conversation as well,

"Our captain does that sort of thing as soon as your back is turned." She chuckled in amusement,

"That fool!" Law clicked his tongue as he watched Luffy almost fall off of the railing he landed on,

"Hey, Tra-guy! How should I get in?!"

He shouted as Law became increasingly annoyed. Franky asked to take off and look after the Sunny, to which Law could care less at this point. The cyborg took off in a wave of gas as Luffy waved at us.

"Hey! What are you two waiting for, Dabi, Tra-guy?!"

He shouted as Law huffed out an annoyed sigh as we made our way down.

Eraser had been strangely quiet the entire time, seemingly staring at me. It felt decently awkward but I was too worried about what he'd bring up if I asked, since he was more than likely thinking about what happened and why I'd shout Shoto's name in my sleep.

"Hey Dabi, how old are you?" Robin suddenly questioned, staring at her with a confused expression.

"Huh? 24, why?" S

She hummed.

"Is graying hair in your 20's normal for you guys?" She questioned, freezing in place while staring at her in confusion for a few moments before my eyes slowly widened.

'Shit.'