A Hyūga's Gate Between Worlds

"What?"

Tanaka faced forward, not turning to look at Rosinante. However, with the Byakugan's 359-degree perspective, he could clearly see Rosinante's gaze and expression directed at him.

"Nothing. You seem different."

Rosinante shook his head.

"Is that so?"

Seeing that Tanaka had no intention of continuing the conversation, Rosinante also remained silent. His thoughts had already drifted to Law ahead of his body.

From Barrels' stronghold to the small hut where Law was staying, the straight-line distance was less than three kilometers.

With their speed, it took less than ten minutes to reach the house.

Afraid of waking the sleeping Law, Rosinante activated the power of the Calm-Calm Fruit before pushing the door open, ensuring that all sounds were blocked.

However, just as his hand touched the door, the tightly shut entrance was opened from the inside.

And then—

A pale-faced Law, with a runny nose and heavy breathing, appeared before them.

"Corazon… You're back."

Seeing Rosinante in front of him, Law paid no attention to the issue of the Op-Op Fruit. His focus was entirely on the man before him—the only one who truly cared about him. Seeing him return safely, a relieved expression crossed his face before he began coughing.

"Law, sorry for making you worry. Look, I brought something back for you."

Rosinante's face was filled with pain as he quickly stepped aside.

"Who is he?"

Law glanced over and saw Tanaka, someone around his own age. His eyes revealed coldness, wariness, and doubt.

"I may not have brought back the Op-Op Fruit for you, but I did bring back its user."

Rosinante's words were shocking.

"Is that so?"

Upon hearing that he had missed out on the Op-Op Fruit, Law didn't feel disappointed, only grateful.

Grateful for everything Rosinante had done for him.

"Yes. Don't be fooled by his age. He may look like he's around your age, but he's incredibly strong."

"That pirate crew? He took care of all of them by himself."

"And when he found out about your illness, he stayed there specifically to wait for me, just so he could treat you."

Rosinante had been about to introduce Tanaka, but then he realized—he didn't even know the other's name.

"Hello, I'm Law."

Upon hearing this, Law felt a hint of joy in his heart, though outwardly, he still maintained a cool and aloof demeanor.

"Hyūga Tanaka."

Tanaka stated his name.

"Why?" Law asked in a low voice.

"Why what?"

Tanaka met his gaze.

"In the past, every doctor who saw me looked at me as if I were a monster. Except for Corazon, I never believed that there was such a thing as unconditional kindness in this world. If possible, please tell me—what did he promise you?"

"No matter what he agreed to give you, if you cure me, I will fulfill those promises in his place."

Having survived the massacre of Flevance, and despite being saved by Rosinante, he remained deeply distrustful and wary of anyone besides him.

He didn't want Rosinante to pay too heavy a price for his sake, but at the same time, he didn't want his kindness and efforts to be wasted.

So, he wanted to repay Tanaka himself for saving his life.

"Law, you've misunderstood. When it comes to curing you, he didn't ask me for anything in return." Seeing Law's reaction, Rosinante quickly spoke up, worried that his response might offend Tanaka.

"Is that really true?"

Law stared blankly at Tanaka, finding it hard to believe that, in the pirate world, there could be anyone besides Rosinante who was genuinely kind.

"..."

Tanaka didn't respond right away. Instead, he reached up and brushed aside his bangs, revealing the ugly Caged Bird imprinted on his forehead.

"Do you know what this is? The Caged Bird. Once this curse mark is placed, the person who cast it can, with a single thought, make my life a living hell—unable to live, unable to die."

"The so-called Celestial Dragon's Hoofprint... is nothing more than that."

His voice was quiet and calm, as if he were speaking about something that had nothing to do with him.

"What?" Both Law and Rosinante were stunned, especially Law. As someone suffering from Amber Lead Syndrome, he understood all too well what it meant to be marked by an unavoidable fate.

Tanaka was simply talking about himself, but at that moment, Law suddenly understood why this boy had taken the Op-Op Fruit—and why, even after obtaining it, he was still willing to save his life without asking for anything in return.

"Someone once said... Everything is predestined, and we have no control over our fate."

"But I refuse to accept that."

Tanaka let go of his hair, letting his bangs fall back into place, once again concealing the curse mark.

"And neither do you, right?"

His words struck something deep inside Law.

"Who would want to accept that fate?!"

Law muttered under his breath, clenching his fists tightly.

If Caged Bird was the thing that shackled Tanaka, then Amber Lead Syndrome was the thing that shackled him.

They were the same.

"Think of it this way—I just really want to see what kind of life you'll live once you escape the fate of Amber Lead Syndrome."

As Tanaka finished speaking, he raised his right hand, palm facing downward.

"ROOM."

A surge of energy pulsed outward, expanding in all directions, though only he could see the spherical space that enveloped Law.

With the Operating Room open, even without using the Byakugan to see through everything, Tanaka could perceive every single detail within the space.

Law was standing in front of him—yet, at the same time, his entire body had already been dissected before his eyes.

His organs.

His muscles and bones.

His blood vessels and nerves.

Even down to the cellular level.

If Tanaka so desired, he could perceive everything with absolute clarity.

Including the lead deposits embedded in Law's liver.

This power, this absolute control over everything within his domain, made a new thought rise within him once again.