Lost in Time

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At the central of Rinascita Island...

In a grand chamber within the opulent confines of the capital city's castle, adorned with intricate tapestries and glistening chandeliers, two figures engaged in a hushed conversation, their words dripping with subtle urgency and secrecy.

"The marine support units have been set in motion, dispatched from the CP5 ships that have remained on standby for nearly two weeks by now. Time is of the essence, and our military strength is severely limited, especially when it comes to dealing with the Red Hair Pirates," the suited individual disclosed, his voice calculated.

A pause hung in the air, before he continued, "However, our objective here is not to engage in combats, but rather to secure those things. It now falls upon you, My Lord, to clear up any obstacles that may hinder our progress. If all goes according to plan, both parties shall reap the rewards of our mutual cooperations, without a drop of blood spilled."

"That, My Lord...is our most desirable outcome," he concluded, a sly smirk curling at the corners of his mouth.

The other figure, stationed by the colossal castle window, gazed out into the distance with an inscrutable expression, before raising a question...

"What about the boys, though?"

"Ah...regrettably, my Lord, their fate is beyond our control..." the suited individual responded, a tinge of detachment evident in his voice...

"When you suddenly provided us with information about 'The Guardian Seeds', Vice Admiral Akagi needed to ensure their existence within that forest before making any decisive moves. Hence, the boys were sent to Punk Hazard Lab as necessary test subjects. The recent results have confirmed the presence of the legendary seeds' effects within their bodies! Although their survivals after all the experimental process are doubtful, those sacrifices were deemed necessary for the greater good, my Lord..."

Upon hearing this, a sigh escaped the lips of the figure by the window... "Indeed, I must keep this information from Fugar. Spreading rumours of the Basilisk Pirates' involvement in their kidnapping is believable enough, considering their past clashes."

"Yes, my Lord! And with them out of the picture at this impeccable timing now that we have confirmation of the Guardian Seeds' presence, we must swiftly retrieve them before the Red Hair Pirates ever catch wind of their true values!" The suited individual affirmed, his voice tinged with cunning.

"However, before we take any further action, I demand confirmation of the one-billion beli payment! Let us not forget that this is a business transaction, not an act of charity. Show me your commitment before we proceed," the figure by the window stated.

With calculating air, he continued, "Furthermore, prepare an additional 870 million beli for the head of Metal Fang Snake, the captain of the Basilisk Pirates! You will get half of this additional sum for the smooth procedure. They already served our purpose anyway by preventing the Red Hair Pirates from venturing into that Forest while we awaited the lab results. It seems even malicious pirates like them can be easily manipulated," chuckled the older man...

"And as they were vanquished within my territory, it is only fitting that I retain custody of their captures."

Pausing for a moment, his gaze fixed upon the breathtaking city below, the figure muttered softly to himself, "It has been such a long time... I am drawing closer and closer to achieving my dreams of recovering what I have lost..."

The suited figure's smile bore the marks of scheming reassurance as he responded, "You're absolutely right! And rest assured, my Lord... The necessary arrangements are already underway, and I shall establish further contact with Vice Admiral Akagi regarding the captives!"

A glint of ambition flickered in his eyes as he continued, "But do keep in mind, my Lord, that our side of this deal hinges upon obtaining the Guardian Seeds in pristine condition before 'Red Hair Shanks' can lay his hand on a single one of them. Only when this condition is met shall we release the full payment!"

He finished with his signature crafty grin, "As marines, we have always upheld our end of the bargain in this long-standing business partnership, have we not?"

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Along the vibrant streets of Rinascita Capital, the lost brunet found himself wandering aimlessly...a maelstrom of confusion and chaos swirling within his heart and mind. Each step he took only deepened the enigma surrounding his current predicament...

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Had he truly been transported back in time...stranded on an unfamiliar island somewhere in the unruly New World..?

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His logical mind grappled with the weight of this revelation. He had attempted to gather more information about the island, scouring the news articles in the local shops, all of which pointed to the same conclusion— he had indeed traveled seven years into the past...

The shopkeeper had shared a brief history of Rinascita Island, but its location in the vast expanse of the New World remained a mystery to the lost young doctor...

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Even if he knew its exact whereabouts, what could he possibly hope to achieve in a time where he did not belong? And what of his crew, left behind to face the Blackbeard Pirates on Winner Island? Had he vanished from their side, leaving them to their own devices as they faced their impending doom..?

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The unanswered questions piled up in his mind, threatening to overwhelm him in a torrent of panic. Seeking solace and clarity... Law forced himself to pause, closing his eyes briefly, attempting to meditate and regain his composure...

His logical instincts kicked in once more, reminding him that now was not the time to succumb to despair. If he wished to navigate through this intricate situation, he needed a clear mind...

First and foremost, he must return to Raduno Town. The resourcefulness of the Red Hair Pirates might prove invaluable in unraveling the complexities of this unfamiliar timeline. Moreover, his duty as a doctor compelled him to tend to their injured comrade until his recovery was assured...

However, the danger of revealing his true identity loomed ominously in his thoughts... Even if he were to disclose the truth, he doubted anyone would believe his fantastical tale. Could he masquerade as a traveling doctor who had lost his way on this island, coincidentally saving their crew-mate in the process? Would this flimsy façade be enough to earn him the trust of the Emperor's crew? Law pondered these possibilities, wrestling with the implications they held...

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Then a realisation struck him like a thunderbolt... In this particular timeline, Red Hair Shanks had yet to ascend to the rank of Emperor, as far as he knew...

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"It also explained why none of them ever recognised me," he murmured to himself, a mixture of relief and dismay coursing through his veins. Even though his newest bounty posters had recently been disseminated worldwide, they held no significance here...

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Trafalgar Law, in this period... was a mere nineteen-year-old, a fresh-faced captain who had recently formed the Heart Pirates and embarked on his journey piloting the submarine far away under the North Blue Seas...

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Law came to a halt... his footsteps ceasing as he was suddenly engulfed by an unexplainable, profound sadness... It washed over him then, a poignant reminder of the countless times he had been torn away from everything he held dear, thrust into a harsh and unforgiving reality...

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How many times must he endure this cruel cycle of separation and find himself adrift, lost and alone...all over again..?

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