Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The waves crashed gently against the yellow hull of the Polar Tang as it drifted away from the island. The Heart Pirates were in high spirits after restocking their supplies, though the energy aboard the submarine remained disciplined as they prepared to leave the surface. Bepo stood tall behind his captain, ready to report.

"The currents are too strong around the island. It'll take a few miles before we can dive safely." 

"Understood. Keep an eye on the horizon."

"Aye-aye, Captain!"

The crew moved efficiently, securing the last of the equipment and watching their surroundings. As Shachi set down a crate near the hatch, a shade in the water caught his attention.

“Oi, Penguin!” he called, waving his arm. “Look at that!”

Penguin joined him, squinting at the lone barrel bobbing in the water. Shachi’s grin widened, the possibility of unexpectedly finding good alcohol lighting up his expression:

"Rum?"

"Think so!" Penguin retorted. "Could’ve been knocked off some merchant ship."

The two of them leaned eagerly over the railing, watching the barrel drift closer. Its uneven movements made it hard to track as it wove through the choppy sea. As it spun with the motion of the swell, Penguin squinted again, and his smile faltered.

"Wait—look... what the hell?"

"What?" Shachi frowned. "I don't see— oh, shit."

For a moment, neither of them moved. Then Shachi’s voice rang out, sharp and loud.

"Uh... guys? There’s someone tied to that thing—"

The crew reacted instantly, joining them to observe the scene with their own eyes. Uni yelled below deck for someone to tell Hakugan to slow the submarine down. After a few seconds, the Polar Tang finally lurched slightly as it eased to a halt. Law didn't move from his spot, his gaze locked on the distant object. Shachi pulled his cap tighter, kicking off his boots.

"You need help?" Penguin asked.

"Nah, I got this."

With a quick dive, he cut through the water like a knife, closing the distance to the barrel in no time. The rest of the crew waited tensely as he reached it, confirming what they’d seen: a person tied to the battered wood —a woman— unconscious and bound with sodden ropes.

Shachi swam back toward the sub, securing a line to the barrel before signaling to the crew to hoist it up. The barrel creaked against the hull of the Polar Tang as it was pulled aboard. Shachi followed soon after and wringed water from his clothes as Bepo and Ikkaku busied themselves to cut the ropes, which were rough and thick as vines.

"We can’t get them off, Captain."

"Move aside."

Law stepped forward, his long coat billowing slightly in the breeze. He reached for his sword and barely unsheathed the blade—just enough for the steel to glint in the sunlight. As he sheathed it, the ropes fell to the deck in a heap, and he took a moment to study the woman his crew had just fished out of the sea.

She must have spent several days adrift, bound like that, judging by her hair, stiffened with a fine crust of salt, her bloodless lips, and her clothes, torn and bleached by the relentless assault of water and sun.

"Her body’s covered in wounds... and some of them look infected," Ikkaku murmured as she carefully turned the woman over.

"Yeah, she doesn’t look too good," Penguin added.

On that point, Law could only agree. Her skin was alarmingly pale and left no doubt about the severity of her condition: she was in desperate need of medical attention. It was already a miracle she had been found alive. He touched her forehead—burning hot—while the rest of her body felt as cold as a block of ice.

"You think you can save her?"

"As long as her internal organs aren’t mush," Law replied, straightening up. "Bepo, grab a sterile blanket and warm her up. I won’t be able to do anything if she dies of hypothermia."

The Mink complied immediately, apologizing in advance to the unconscious woman in his arms as he rushed inside toward the operating room.

"Ikkaku, tell Hakugan to dive as soon as possible. The rest of you keep an eye on the surroundings while I deal with that. I don’t want to fall into a Navy's trap."

"Understood, Captain!"

Law followed close behind his crewmate, his thoughts racing. Just what he needed. Between her, Jinbe the former Warlord, and Straw Hat Luffy, his ship was turning into a floating hospital. Even so, throwing her back into the ocean wasn’t an option. Treating the wounded was a matter of honor.

As soon as he arrived into the room, he instructed Bepo to lay the woman on the operating table. The Mink complied, then left the room, carefully closing the door behind him. 

"Scan."

The diagnosis was quick. As he suspected, there was nothing too serious internally: no fractures or damaged organs, just widespread muscle dislocations. She’d likely get away with two weeks of soreness at best. On the surface, though, it was a different story. Cuts, shifting from red to black, mingled with bruises and welts in varying shades of purple. Her salt-dried skin almost threatened to peel off along with the fabric of her mostly-shredded clothes.

In the folds of what remained of her jacket, Law found a baby Den Den Mushi along with a thick wad of 10,000-berry notes, all soaked and faded by seawater. However, the three belts she wore around her waist and slung across her chest were almost entirely undamaged, as were the pistols, knives, and empty vials tucked into them. Setting these aside, Law quietly got to work.

Thankfully, this meticulous and precision-driven task was well-suited to someone whose nickname happened to be the Surgeon of Death. 

______________________

Lilia stirred awake slowly, her body wrapped in bandages. The last thing she remembered was drifting in the open sea, clinging to a simple barrel to keep from sinking. She felt better—much better. How long had passed since then? Clearly, someone had found her and taken care of her, but who? 

All of her body ached. If she had stumbled upon slave traders, it would be best to throw herself back into the water right away. She needed to find out exactly where she had ended up.

Pushing the sheets aside with one hand, the young woman glanced around the small room she found herself in. The bed was narrow but comfortable, with a small nightstand placed to her left, on which her earrings had been carefully set. She gently hooked them back onto her earlobes before sitting up.

The room had no windows, and it resembled an infirmary. She was most likely aboard a vessel, though she didn’t feel the slightest sway from the waves. The sea was probably calm. Still, the New World wasn’t known for its accomodating sailing conditions. There was also a faint humming sound, like a constant background noise that seemed to fill the space. 

As she stepped out of the small room, Lilia realized she had been right. She was indeed in an infirmary. The young woman made her way towards the door of the main room, her eyes subtly scanning every inch of her surroundings. There was nothing here she could use as a weapon, and her belts, where she kept her weapons, had been taken away—along with everything else she carried. Lilia cautiously stepped out, her pace slow, taking in the new environment around her. She had never been aboard a submarine before, but it matched the mental image she had of it: narrow corridors lined with piping, low ceilings, and somewhat cramped passages—but less so than she had anticipated.

Her Observation Haki picked up twenty-one human presences on board, all gathered in one place. She had no choice; that was where she needed to go. It had to be them who had pulled her from the water and tended to her wounds. As she joined the upper deck, the young woman stopped before the room where she heard voices chatting, and knocked before stepping inside, somewhat hesistantly. Her appearance was met with a chorus of remarks and curious stares. 

"Hey! Look who's up!" 

"She’s awake!" 

"How do you feel?"

Not slave traders, Lilia immediately thought before mentally giving herself a mental slap. She couldn’t let appearances fool her, and while her Haki didn’t indicate any outright hostility around the table, it wasn’t an absolute guarantee either—especially since she was still injured and in the middle of healing.

"Fine, thank you…" she responded cautiously. "My name is Lilia. Pleased to meet you all. You saved my life, I’m extremely grateful."

"Oh, we just pulled you out of the water," replied the man with the orca cap, whose gaze was hidden beneath it. "What were you doing tied to a barrel out there?" 

"The crew I was with ran into a Vice-Admiral. He destroyed the mast and hull before we could even make it to the deck to confront him. I had to jump into the water after tying myself to whatever I could find to keep from sinking. I think the others are all dead. It’s a shame; they were rather kind," she added with a sigh.

"You were traveling with them?" 

"Yes, I sail with whoever accepts me on their ship. I’m a writer, an anthropologist, a cook, a seamstress, a cordage maker... and plenty of other things. You’ve got to have multiple skills when you move from crew to crew. It’s rare to find people who will take on just anyone. Thanks to that, I get to follow my two great passions: sailing the seas and writing my book. Now, you know pretty much everything about me." 

"Writing a book? I didn’t think a pirate would have an eye for literature." 

The young woman turned her gaze to the opposite doorframe. The captain of the crew, who had so far been listening quietly from the side, finally joined in the conversation. Lilia recognized him immediately from his wanted poster. No doubt about it: this was Trafalgar Law, a member of the Worst Generation with a bounty of 200 million berries.

"And you, Surgeon of Death? I didn’t know you were merciful enough to tend to a stranger."

"Shachi's the one who pulled you up, not me. I didn’t ask for it." 

"That explains it. I was thinking, with a reputation like yours... You seem quicker to cut heads than sew them back on." 

A smile curled on the young woman’s lips, her azure eyes sparkling like mischievous jewels. Law didn’t flinch, remaining stoic. 

"You talk a lot for someone who just barely escaped drowning." 

"Well, I didn’t escape the bottom of the ocean just to keep quiet for the rest of my days," she said with a light tone.

The captain took a step forward, his gaze hardening.

"If you’re still alive, it’s because we’ve decided to spare you... for now. Don’t think your fate is sealed." 

A heavy silence fell over the room, each word carrying the weight of an unspoken threat. 

"I didn’t expect anything less from you, Captain," she murmured. "But I’d suggest you keep me alive rather than slit my throat. Some of my talents come in quite handy." 

"For handling ropes and cooking, we’ve got that covered. As for your book... I doubt it could serve us." 

"My work holds more than just prose. It’s a collection of knowledge. About the Marines, trade routes, sea charts, islands and their people, the secrets and alliances that govern the New World, and everyone who crosses my path. All these bits of information are worth more than gold, if you know how to use them." 

Law kept his gaze locked on the young woman, his sharp eyes searching for any flaw in her words. The atmosphere was charged with tension. Finally, he gave a faint, dark smile, almost imperceptible, before breaking the silence.

"So, you consider yourself a valuable ally. That's ambitious, for someone whose life is hanging by a thread." 

"It’s not ambition, Captain, it’s reality. There aren’t many big players roaming these seas without having already made use of my information at least once. Why not make use of my presence, now that you’ve found me and decided not to let me die?" 

Lilia paused for a moment before continuing. It was definitely embarrassing, but she spoke with determination: 

"Besides, I owe you a great debt, and I wish to repay it in full." 

Law kept his gaze locked on her. Give and take. That made sense, but a part of him screamed that it was out of the question to keep someone as unpredictable as her aboard. Drifters like her had no loyalty, no other goal than to serve their own purposes. And part of him wondered whether her intelligence was that valuable... or not.

On the other hand, a part of him wondered if her information was truly that valuable. In any case, he would find out soon enough. It would just be a matter of keeping a close eye on her at all times. 

"Let’s say you’re useful to us. This isn’t just about sharing secrets and information. We fight, we kill, we survive. Every one of my men plays a key role in that. So tell me, where would you fit in?" 

Lilia considered his words for a moment.

"My place? Wherever you need me, Captain. I’m quick to learn and versatile." 

"Better for you that your information is as versatile."

A smile spread across the young woman’s lips.

"It’s even more so. Just tell me what you want to know, and I’ll give you answers. Are you planning to strike the Marines? I can give you the routes of the most vulnerable ships in the area. You want to eliminate rival crews? Same. Take down an Emperor? I’ll give you the names of traitors willing to sell themselves to the highest bidder. The trade of information is my primary means of livelihood, my currency, and the guarantee for my life." 

The other members of the Heart exchanged thoughtful glances. They were used to direct threats, swordplay, and gunfire. But information as a weapon? That was unexpected, insidious, and undoubtedly dangerous.

Law stepped closer, coming to stand directly in front of her, his hands on the table. His voice lowered, cutting through the heavy atmosphere of tension.

"Do you really think we can trust you?"

Lilia knew he was only testing her. Trust was a luxury few could afford on those seas. She could tell he had no intention of granting her his, and she wasn't willing to offer hers either.

"Of course, but I doubt my answer will change your opinion. Interests, however... they never lie." 

"That’s our problem. I highly doubt our goals align." 

Fair enough, Lilia thought. After all, he knew nothing about her or her motivations, and she wasn’t about to reveal them so easily. But she had made her choice, and nothing would make her turn back. Perhaps it wasn't a wise one. Perhaps she was making a mistake. But people like her couldn’t afford to carry this kind of debt.

"No matter your goal, I’ll help you achieve it to the best of my abilities, for as long as I can. It’s the least I can do. So, tell me what you want, Captain. What you desire the most in the world." 

Lilia already knew what his answer would be, and had mentally prepared herself to set out on a long journey aboard this submarine. As with any pirate who sailed at the helm of a crew, Trafalgar Law’s goal was to find the One Piece. That, at least, was rather obv— 

"I want to bring down Donquixote Doflamingo." 

Lilia remained silent for a moment, her gaze fixed by surprise. The unwavering, absolute determination she sensed from him left no room for doubt: not only was he serious, but he was honest too. She felt no hint of lies or deception. Why had he revealed this to her, knowing she could easily spread the information or leak it? Then, her gaze landed on the black scabbard marked with white crosses at his side. One wrong word, and her head would join his collection.

Lilia thought quickly. Taking down Doflamingo, the patron saint of the underworld? Given what that would entail, it was pure madness, but it wasn’t really her concern. Besides, she would benefit immensely if it succeeded. 

"Fine by me," she finally nodded. "But let me at least say it for form’s sake: that’s a seriously risky gamble." 

"That’s why we’ll see if you’re as useful as you claim to be. If you ever lie to me or become dead weight..." 

He didn’t need to finish his sentence. The threat was as clear as the steel of the blade resting on his shoulder.

"Should I take it you won’t slit my throat today?" 

"Welcome aboard", Law simply replied. 

Chapter Text

As soon as the discussion ended, the cook, affectionately called 'Chef' by his companions, immediately served her a hot meal, consisting of tomato soup, fresh bread, and a plate of meat and vegetables. It was a delight, Lilia noted after taking a bite. Some crew members stayed in the room, observing her with curiosity, while others went about their business. 

"There's something I don't get", Shachi eventually said, leaning pensively on the table. "You said you knew the positions of the Navy's patrol ships, right? So how did you run into a Vice-Admiral?" 

Lilia nodded, taking another sip of her soup. She did, and that was an excellent question.

"Because he wasn't supposed to be there at all", she replied. "That ship was supposed to head southeast to reach the G-3 in a few days for resupply. I don’t know what made them change course. A merchant ship must have reported our presence."

"What happened, exactly?" Kurage asked. 

Lilia broke a piece of bread between her fingers, dipping part of it into the soup.

"I was asleep, but woke up in the middle of the night with the feeling that something was wrong. I got up and asked the captain and first mate if everything was alright. The lookout didn't see anything. It was pitch-black, no moon, no stars— probably helped the Marine ship sneak in closer."

She took another bite of bread, not having realized until now how hungry she actually was, before she continued. 

"Everything was quiet, but I still felt uneasy. The crew told me to go back to sleep, that I must have had a nightmare. The moment I sat back on my bed, I felt the cannonballs coming, not even seconds before they hit. Many crew members died instantly. After that, the ship sank like a stone." 

I've got to admit I don't have much luck with high-ranking officers, she thought with irony. The young woman continued her meal but suddenly freezed and turned toward the cook.

"Sorry, I had two Den Den Mushi with me and they must be starving. Do you have anything to feed them? They love mushrooms, berries, lettuce... Any kind of salad will do, really." 

"Sure, I'll bring that to them." 

"Thank you so much..." 

Lilia sighed inwardly. So they had found her two traveling companions on her, along with the rest of her belongings, logically speaking. That took a weight off her shoulders. 

"I still can’t believe we found you tied to a barrel of rum", Penguin finally said.

His face was serious, but Lilia could see the corners of his mouth twitching, as though he was holding back a smile. She pictured the scene in her mind — it was admittedly a little comical — and relaxed.

"Yes, fortunately my knots held tight. I ate a Devil Fruit, so it was that or sink with the ship." 

"A Devil Fruit?" 

"Like the captain?"

"You sink like an anchor, then?" 

The enthusiasm sparked by her revelation made Lilia stop mid-movement, her spoon in the air. Maybe she should have mentioned that first. 

"Which one have you eaten?" Kani asked. 

"The Murmur Fruit. A Paramecia." 

"Never heard about it", Shachi replied, rubbing a hand on his chin. 

"That's normal, there is little information about it in the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, and most of it is false anyway", she said. "It doesn't even have an illustration. Definitely not a well-known one." 

Lilia had just finished her meal when she asked the question that had been gnawing at her. Bepo's fluffy ears twitched as she spoke. 

"Did you find some of my stuff on me when you fished me out, by any chance? Or at least what I managed to save from the wreck..." 

The Mink nodded, his face brightening with a reassuring smile. 

"Yeah. Come with me." 

He stood up and made his way to the lounge. Once inside, he walked to a dresser, where her two Den Den Mushi were feasting on salad and berries, next to her belongings. Lilia prevented herself from checking the bag the polar bear had just handed her— too many crew members were sitted nearby and such a rude attitude would not bring anything good. She would quickly find out if anything was missing or not anyway. 

Lilia could feel a few pairs of eyes watching her more warily, but she forced herself to ignore them. After all, she still didn’t sense outright hostility, or at least nothing too alarming given the circumstances. Everyone present had even introduced themselves to her, though with varying levels of good will. In that regard, Bepo had certainly been among those who had shown the most effort. 

"Your clothes were too damaged to save, though. Sorry...", the bear added apologetically. 

"Oh, it's fine! I'll just have to get new ones. I mean, what you gave me fits really well, but I wouldn't want to take advantage of your generosity." 

Lilia glanced down at her attire. The t-shirt and pants she was wearing over her bandages were not hers, and probably belonged to Ikkaku, the only other girl aboard. 

"I’m telling you, she could wear a sack and still look stunning...", Shachi murmured to Penguin at the other end of the room, not exactly making an effort to keep his voice down. 

"For real", he answered on the same tone. 

Lilia turned her head to them, blinking in confusion.

"Uh. Thanks... I guess?" 

Law was one of the few still standing, leaned back against the wall, his sword not leaving his shoulder for a second. His eyes flicked over the scene before landing on her.

"Hakugan, show her around", he finally said.

Lilia glanced at the man with the white smiling mask and brown hair, who moved from his spot at Law’s command. 

"Sure", he said, stepping toward the door.

He was among the very few she hadn't seen in the dining area minutes ago. His expression radiated with an energy that immediately put her at ease. 

Lilia followed him, as they started with the main deck they were on, which was composed of the lounge, kitchen, training room and common dining area. There was also a much smaller room with two long tables surrounded by chairs, several dressers, storage units, and coffee-making essentials. Her guide presented the room as the 'morning lounge', where most of the crew gathered to take breakfast. 

As they moved down to the second deck, Hakugan explained that it housed the infirmary, medbay, medical storage, operating room and library, as well as a few storage rooms. 

"Now, the lowest deck", Hakugan continued, "where you'll find the maintenance room, engines, vault, storage, and the navigation room. It’s not glamorous, but it’s the heartbeat of the sub." 

"No need for it to be", she smiled. "Though engine grease has its own charm, I suppose." 

"I know some who would agree with that." 

After taking a quick tour, Hakugan led Lilia into the control center, inside the huge glass bubble which offered a peripheral view of the ocean. The young woman gazed at the waters for a moment, impressed by the beauty of their surroundings. She hadn't seen such a thing since her last trip to Fishman Island. 

Lilia turned her attention back to her guide, who went over the operation of the control pannel and switches that lined the room. The place was like a command center, filled with an array of screens, dials, and levers that made it clear this sub was more than just a tin can vessel. 

Lilia watched and listened to Hakugan closely, noting how naturally he moved within the space, how his confidence radiated. She could tell he was in his element here. His energy was focused and controlled, and there was no hesitation in his actions. Everything he did was deliberate and purposeful.

"You really seem to know this place by heart", she said softly. "Are you the helmsman?"

"I am", he confirmed with a slight edge of pride. "I make sure we stay on course, and I handle anything that comes up. For now, the submarine is on autopilot since visibility is excellent and the area is clear", he explained. "The system allows me to not always be at the helm, much like a ship on the surface that lets itself be carried by the currents. If anything enters the perimeter, the system immediately alerts us, and we switch back to manual control."

"That's smart... So part of your job is making sure we don’t get eaten by seakings, right?"

"Yeah, something like that", he chuckled. "Though seakings are one of the lesser threats in the New World. We've got a pretty good defence system to keep them at bay." 

Lilia thought about the control launchers Hakugan had mentioned while explaining the room's setup.

"Are you an artillery expert on top of that?" she asked curiously. 

"It's Kani who's the real deal on this. He could fire a missile with his eyes closed and still hit the mark. I assist him if any issues arise but my primary role is at the helm." 

"I see. Good to know you both sound competent in what you do." 

Hakugan's smile seemed to widen in return but he didn't linger on the compliment. 

"Shall we head up? I'll show you the crew's quarters, so you can get your things settled."

"Sure thing."

As they left the room and made their way to the upper decks, Lilia kept taking in everything she could about her guide and the sub. She had a lot to learn about this place and its people, and Hakugan was part of that puzzle. 

Her Observation Haki, which she hadn’t lowered since waking up in the infirmary, gave her an excellent impression of him: this man was undoubtedly loyal, capable, and profoundly altruist, and his nice demeanor made him someone easy to get along with. That was a good thing. She could use that to her advantage and rely on him to gain the trust of more guarded or suspicious crew members, if need be. But for now, she kept her thoughts to herself, just as she had always been doing in unfamiliar settings. 

They finally reached a shortcut ladder leading to the upper deck. The young man extended a hand to help her climb out of the metal hatch. 

"Captain's quarters and office", Hakugan mentioned as they walked past two closed doors, the only ones in the hallway. 

"Can we visit?" Lilia asked, trying to keep a serious tone. 

Hakugan gave her a side glance. 

"No. Unless you want us to die." 

"What a shame", she replied as a smile bloomed on her lips. 

As they turned at the corner, he stopped and pointed at the corridor. 

"Here are the crew's quarters. The showers and restrooms are right at that end, behind these doors. We're two per room so Ikkaku'll share hers with yours, since you're the only girls aboard." 

"Her clothes, now her room... She's really going to hate me. We're off to a bad start here." 

"That's not like her", he said kindly. "She's great, you'll see." 

Lilia stopped before the door Hakugan was showing and knocked twice. Sleeping in the same room as a guy wouldn't have bothered her anyway. Men and women, both represented the same level of threat in terms of treason, so that hardly mattered. 

"Come in", a voice said through the door. 

Lilia thanked Hakugan for the visit and entered, carefully closing the steel hatch behind her. The young woman took in the sight of Ikkaku hunched over her desk, examining what appeared to be bolts and screws of various sizes. Judging by the arrangement of the bedding, she seemed to occupy the top bunk.

"Hi. Sorry for invading your place. I promise I don't snore." 

Ikkaku looked up at her and shrugged before resuming her work. 

"Doesn't matter if you do. This place lacks femininity either way." 

Lilia smiled and set her satchel on the lower bunk before opening it. 

"Just so you know, I do wake up screaming sometimes, but it's quite rare."

"Uh... ok. Good to know. I'll sleep with earplugs", Ikkaku replied. 

"Sorry about that." 

"It's fine." 

Lilia made a mental note to activate the silent mode on both her Den Den Mushi before the evening. As she finally looked into her bag, she couldn’t help but admit that everything seemed to be there — her notebook, her pens, her flasks, even her underwear. Nothing appeared to have been moved. A deep wave of satisfaction and relief washed over her. Not only had no one touched her things, but the bag had perfectly shielded them from the harsh days spent at sea. 

At the very bottom, Lilia found three pieces of her own clothes, two tops and a pair of shorts, wrinkled beyond recognition but intact nonetheless. 

“Oh, I did pack those", she said, smoothing them with the palm of her hand. "I’ll be able to return your clothes. Thanks, by the way.” 

“No problem. It was handy, we're built the same.”

After rapidly changing and folding Ikkaku's clothes on the end of the bed, Lilia pulled out her large notebook and placed it on the small bedside table, leaving enough space to accomodate her transponder snails later on. The young woman took her belts, put them on the chair next to the nightstand, and, after a quick glance to ensure Ikkaku wasn't watching, pulled one pistol and knife which she both hid under the mattress. Just in case. 

As she placed her bag on the floor, now nearly empty of all its belongings, Lilia sat to test the bedding. It was quite comfortable, and the pillow was as soft as could be, though she usually didn't use one. The young woman lay down fully, putting it aside, and turned her gaze back to her new roommate. 

"So... you're the mechanic around here?"

"Yep. I take care of this little gem with Clione and Uni."

"I have to admit it looks pretty functional. Never thought I'd be cruising through the New World in a submarine one day..." 

Ikkaku finally met her gaze, her lips quirking into a small smile. 

"Me neither." 

"Are there vital things for me to know about how things work in here?" Lilia asked after a moment, crossing her arms behind her heard. "Times of meals maybe? Or crewmates allergic to friendly teasing?" 

"Meals are served at the same time every day. Breakfast is from 7 to 10 AM, lunch is at 1 PM, and dinner is at 8. As for teasing..." 

Ikkaku glanced up at her. 

"Don't test the Captain, but I’d also be careful around Shachi. He’s got a sharp tongue. And Penguin... well, he’s pretty laid back, but he’s definitely got a weird sense of humor sometimes."

"I can handle sharp tongues", Lilia said with a half-smile. "Anything else I should know? Some unspoken rules?"

"Don't ever mess with the sub's systems. That’s my territory", Ikkaku said with narrowed eyes. 

"Yeah, no, I think I'll stick to my own specialties. But I'm pleased to know you’re the one keeping things from falling apart." 

"Trying to, at least... Also, there's a task schedule designed by Manbo and not following it can cause him to throw a fit or to have a severe mental breakdown, depending on the day. He really puts his heart into those, says it ensures a balanced division of labour. It's for task rotation", she explained. "Just check on the schedule daily and it should be fine. It's pinned in the morning lounge." 

"That's good to know." 

Lilia settled back into the bed with a smile, the soft sound of Ikkaku’s tinkering and the hum of the submarine lulling her. She didn’t know how long she'd stay here, but it was comforting enough not to be drifting in the middle of the ocean. So comforting, in fact, that the young woman slipped into a deep sleep without even remarking it. 

When she woke, it was to the soft but insistent call of hunger and the tingling of her skin beneath the bandages. Lilia glanced at the clock, only to realize she’d slept for several hours in a row. Given the time and according to what Ikkaku had told her, she'd just be on time for dinner. As she joined the common dining area, the young woman rubbed her head, still dizzy from the nap. 

"Damn, I usually never fall asleep like that... I hope I’m not late." 

"We were wondering whether to wake you up or not", Shachi said, grabbing a piece of bread from the table.

"But you kind of spent days at sea, tossed around by the waves and tied to a barrel of rum", Penguin added with a teasing smile, "so we unanimously decided not to. Captain said you needed rest to heal."

"Thanks, that's very considerate", Lilia answered as she slid onto the bench between Ikkaku and Shachi, who had just made space for her. 

As Chef brought the plates from the kitchen, the crew begun eating. Everyone chatted around her, their lively conversations filling the air, but Lilia mostly remained quiet. The young woman focused on her manners, paying attention to everything and everyone around, analyzing and retaining details and facts about each crew member. Every bit of information could prove useful for her to craft relationships with them later on.

Some were on the lively side, such as Shachi, Ikkaku or Penguin, others were moderately quiet, like Bepo, Jean Bart or Ebi, and then there were those who didn't utter a word, like Moray or Law. 

Lilia could occasionally feel the Captain's gaze on her, but it didn’t bother her. She knew he was keeping an eye on her, evaluating her, and she would’ve done the same in his position. That didn't stop her from savoring each bite of the delicious fish croquettes with salad, nor the rice and sesame pudding for dessert. That was the most delicious food she’d tasted in months. 

"So? How was dinner?" Chef asked her from across the table, wiping his mouth with his napkin. 

Lilia glanced up from her almost-empty plate and gave him a genuine smile. 

"Amazing", she said. "Definitely the best one I’ve had in a long time."

"Don't say stuff like that or he’s gonna start charging us for meals", Ebi chimed in with a grin. 

"I should", the cook answered. 

Lilia laughed along with the crew, and helped gather up the plates, carrying them toward the kitchen with the others. There, she waited politely for the chef to wash the first round of dishes, which she silently dried with a clean towel. 

"The croquettes could have used a bit more salt...", he finally muttered as he wiped his hands on his apron, proudly embroidered with the words 'Love & Nutrition'. 

"No, I think the balance of saffron and pepper made up for it. The fine herbs inside were a nice touch too—very refreshing", Lilia said. 

The chef’s eyes brightened. 

"You have a refined palate. You did mention earlier that you could cook. Is that a hobby of yours or something you’ve done aboard a ship?"

"Both", Lilia answered, setting down the last of the plates. "My parents owned a pub, so I spent my childhood between the kitchen and the bar counter. I’ve prepared food occasionally on some ships I've sailed on, but most of them already had their own cook." 

"Well, it’s always nice to meet someone who appreciates a good meal." 

"I'm not an expert, but I'd be happy to contribute if you need help to prepare anything!" 

"A kitchen can always use one more pair of hands", he smiled. "Come tomorrow around ten, if you'd like. We'll find work for you." 

Lilia nodded with a smile, thinking she wouldn't be up any sooner. 

"Sure. I'll see you in the morning, then." 

The young woman left with a small wave of her hand, heading to her room with the intention to get her notebook. After that, she'd visit the library more in-depth and set up a session of whispers listening in there. The calm atmosphere would be perfect for her to focus. 

Lilia had barely reached the crew's quarters when she recognised a tall figure on her path. She could feel his coldness from over here. 

"Captain", she murmured, slowing down cautiously as she approached him. 

"I need to have a word with you." 

Chapter Text

Lilia stood motionless for a moment, thinking she wasn't in a position to refuse anyway, and didn't answer as she followed him. 

She recognized the corridor she had walked through earlier with Hakugan and stepped inside the office with far less hesitation than she let on. The room was rather minimalistic - just a desk with a chair on both sides, a sofa with a small table, several maps pinned on a wall and shelves filled with tons of books and papers. 

"Sit down", he finally said. 

Lilia executed herself and crossed her arms on her chest. 

"So, what is it about?" she asked.

"Your Devil Fruit." 

A flicker of surprise passed in Lilia's eyes. Someone must have told him about it during her visit. It was the only plausible explanation. He hadn't been in the room when she mentioned it earlier. 

"You want to know more about its properties, I assume."

"Properties, applications, strengths and weaknesses. I advise you to not leave anything behind", Law clarified coldly. 

Lilia straightened in her chair. She didn’t like revealing much about her power unless she had to... but there was no getting out of it now. It wasn't something she could have kept secret for very long anyway. That would at least allow her to prove her good faith. This interrogation wasn't about personal curiosity, but suspicion, which meant the sooner she could clear his doubts, the better. 

"My Fruit is a Paramecia that allows me to produce murmurs. We also call them 'whispers' or 'fragments'. They attach themselves to any surface of my choice and allow me to hear all conversations in their vicinity. If the surface they're on gets damaged or destroyed, them too." 

"What’s the maximum distance you can hear conversations from? And how many people at once?"

Lilia looked up at him, her arms still crossed. 

"I can hear an infinite number of people, anywhere, even at the other side of the world, as long as they’re within the listening range. That's about one to ten meters, depending on the sound volume. These murmurs are invisible, except for Observation Haki users and people who are particularly sensitive to auras or vibrations, who can spot and destroy them easily."

The young woman shifted on her chair before she continued in the dullest tone possible: 

"I can't communicate through them and they're intangible, meaning they can't interact with their environment. They also can't function in places that block sounds and liquids tend to disrupt them. They eventually dissipate, taking anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on how often I listen to them. That's hard to predict." 

"Do inactive murmurs dissipate similarly?"

"Yes. From my experience, the maximum a fragment can remain attached before it fades away is about six months, if I listen to it barely once a week. It's impossible to go past that limit." 

"What about the number of fragments you can produce?"

"The limit is what the mind can handle. The more whispers we leave behind, the more complex it becomes. According to records from two hundred years ago, one user of this Fruit managed to maintain nearly five hundred before committing suicide. I don't know how true that is." 

Lilia made sure to keep to herself that she had started to lose her mind when she'd gone over three hundred. Sowing a bit of doubt about her abilities didn’t seem like such a bad idea, given the uncertainty of her current situation. 

"How is it even possible to receive such a flow of information?"

"I hear voices in my head", she simply said. 

Law considered her silently for a moment.

"I mean, literally. The information is transmitted in the form of whispers that I hear in my mind", Lilia added. "I can choose which ones to listen to at any given moment and activate only some of them when needed, a bit like tuning a radio to a specific frequency, though it's not that simple and takes tremendous brain power." 

"Can you go over a conversation several times? Rewind it?" 

"No. I hear what I hear once, then it's gone forever. Which is where my notebook comes in handy, by the way." 

"Does this Fruit have any other weaknesses, apart from the dissipation of the fragments?" 

Lilia was about to crack a joke and mention the word 'drowning', but stopped before it could escape her lips. He looked so dead serious he might have just cut one of her arms off and she wasn't willing to bet on that. 

"The mental strain of simply using it can easily destroy the mind, so I would say confusion and madness", she finally said. "It's a dangerous Fruit to use and a even harder one to control. The voices can drive you crazy if you ever lose your grip on them, and suicide is the most common cause of death for its users. I must admit it takes a certain skill not to go insane." 

Law kept silent a few seconds. She could see how he analyzed each of her answers, most likely searching for the slightest lie or omission. Maybe the fact that she was so open to discuss her Fruit's flaws felt a little too easy for him. 

"Are there any offensive applications to this power?" he inquired. 

If she had hoped to keep this part under silence, she was in for a disappointment. This man truly didn't let anything slip by... 

"When my murmurs have accumulated enough sound energy, I can make them explode if I'm close enough, about fifteen meters away at most. It’s energy-draining and I’m not immune to the blasts, but it's often worth it." 

"Is that all?" 

"Yes."

Lilia looked at him straight into the eyes, with all the confidence she could muster. She would not mention its second application. She almost never used it anyway, and certainly didn't intend to show it to anyone on this sub, nor to use it on any of them. 

"That may seem obvious, but I won’t tolerate you using this power against me or my crew", Law finally declared. 

"I’m not here for that", she retorted. "If I wanted to manipulate you, I would have slipped whispers aboard and arranged for you to throw me off as soon as possible. You’ll notice I haven’t done that."

"Very well. But remember that if you cross any line, I won’t hesitate."

"Noted, Captain."

Lilia refrained a smile as she stood up. She was used to walking on eggshells, and fully aware of the fact he would slice her in more pieces than anyone could count if she made the slightest mistake. This would be very interesting. As she was about to step out of the room, she cast one last glance at him.

"I suppose you’ll let me know when you need my talents."

He didn’t respond, simply watching her leave, his mind busy analyzing the implications of everything she had just told him. He would make sure to share the details of this conversation with the crew later on.

Law finally leaned back in his chair, rubbing a hand on his face. Her being an informant now took on a whole new meaning, and made perfect sense. Such a Fruit couldn't have fallen into better—or worse—hands. This woman was smart, dangerous, probably unpredictable, and both felt like an invaluable asset and a ticking time bomb. He could only imagine how much knowledge and secrets she was hiding beneath the surface— and that, he realized, was only just the beginning. 

Chapter Text

Three days later... 

Everything was quiet at this hour of the evening. All crew members had gone to their rooms or were getting ready for the night one deck above. The low hum of the submarine’s engines was the only sound, reverberating faintly through the steel walls. Lilia sat at the table, alone in the small basement, her back against the cold chair. Debi was right in front of her, its eyelids closed as if it was taking a nap. 

Lilia had been staring at it for what felt like forever, letting her thoughts churn beneath her skull. She didn’t want to do it. But what she wanted didn’t matter, because today was one of those days. One of those days when some thoughts clawed their way into her head and wouldn’t fucking let go. 

Her thoughts wandered, her eyes lost into the void. She could almost feel them on the other end of the line, ready to note down and dissect her every word. They always did. And she’d always managed to play her part with flawless precision. She was the best informant they had, and they knew it. No one infiltrated places or gleaned intel better than her. 

She was walking a fine line, though. She had been doing that for years now—redirecting attention, covering up operations, giving false information and keeping things secret as much as she could—but it never got easier. Quite the contrary, in fact. Maybe the day would come when her carefully crafted manipulations would turn against her and bring everything to an abrupt end. 

Lilia's gaze drifted back to the transponder snail, and for a moment, she let herself wonder what had become of her life. She didn’t even know why she clung to it sometimes, but, somehow, she always did.

Her life sometimes felt this way, like it had been stripped of meaning long ago. Yet she knew it wasn't, because in spite of everything, she was still here, still fighting for what she believed in. But tonight, it didn’t really matter. She simply couldn't get rid of the weight pressing down on her shoulders. She couldn’t avoid it, no matter how much she wanted to, but even that didn't quite eclipse the guilt and self-loathing. 

This was the part she hated most: the weight of what she said. Every transmission she gave led the Navy to act—sometimes to intervene on islands, other times to track down pirates and lock entire crews away in the depths of Impel Down. She felt a grin creep to her lips. Impel Down... Her biggest terror. If she ever ended up there, she'd be surrounded by people she sent there herself.

The thought was ironic, but it wasn’t funny, and her smirk faded as quickly as it had come. She leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed over her chest. She hated thinking about it, but the truth was unavoidable: she was helping Marines ruin lives. She didn't know how many and couldn't afford to know. Lilia never really let herself dwell on specifics, but as much as she wanted to think it didn't affect her, it simply wasn't true. 

She had learned to live with the disgust, the cowardice, the knowledge that she’d made a deal with devils for her own survival. Yet the more she had learnt about the world and its truths, the harder it became to ignore the bile that rose in her throat after every report. She knew too much now, too much about everything. What the Marines did, the Celestial Dragons’ unchecked atrocities, the injustices that rippled through the seas, the pain and suffering and maliciousness and evil that span across all seas.

Lilia rubbed her hands on her temples to brush off the unease. There was no room for feelings that in this line of work. Never had been. If she wasn’t strong enough to accept it all, to live with the weight of it, the solution was simple. Always had been. 

Ending it.

The thought passed through, cold, clinical. She didn’t want to die, but the option was there. She wasn’t ready to quit, though. Not when she was this close to the heart of the Navy’s intelligence division. Not when her position was so invaluable. 

Technically, it wasn’t all bad, she thought. Her reports weren’t necessarily tools of destruction. Sometimes, they genuinely helped stabilize places gripped by political turmoil or assisted in ensuring peace was achieved. That part of her role had always been the hardest to reconcile with—the fact that, in some way, her work was also used to do some good, even if it seemed futile. 

Everything was always complicated. The concepts of right and wrong were constantly mingled in her head, blurring into a haze of moral ambiguity. What often felt inherently wrong—lies, manipulation, even sacrificing small groups to protect the larger whole—was in fact the right choice, saving hundreds or even thousands of lives. On other occasions, what seemed right—like small acts of mercy or a refusal to sell someone out—felt terribly wrong when weighed against the bigger picture, when necessity demanded otherwise. 

Her existence required constant balancing between logic and gut feeling, both equally unreliable and equally essential. 

Logic, the sharpest and most efficient tool she owned, still lacked the intangible component that could determine whether a choice was truly right. Instincts were as equally dangerous, often too tainted by personal perceptions, beliefs, and experiences, clouding her judgment in ways she couldn’t always control. 

In the end, it all came down to assessing situations moment by moment, sifting through whispers, analyzing intel, and deciding where to strike. There was no easy answer, only the weight of her words and the hope—fragile as glass—that she was doing enough to tip the scales toward something resembling justice, though she hated that word. 

'Justice' was the favourite word of those she’d struck a deal with years ago, and escaping that deal was an illusion. She knew very well the ruthlessness she could expect from them if she tried to cut ties. The Navy's intelligence division could be even more radical in its handling of problems than the main military branch, as unbelieveable as it seemed. 

Lilia shook her head softly, blinking herself out of the spiral of thoughts, as she pulled herself back to the present. 

Alright. Let's get this over with.

Debi shifted slightly on the table, its droopy eyes blinking slowly as she reached for the receiver. Her fingers curled around the cool metal as she brought it closer to her lips. Just a couple of seconds later, the line clicked. A faint crackle of static echoed back, but she didn't think too much about it. Not only was she tens of meters below the surface, but submarines were probably not known for pristine signal quality. 

"Report no. 43, Den Den Mushi identification number 8684B. 14th of June", she said before taking a slow breath. "Political unrest has been brewing on Mistral. The king raised tariffs on imported goods, which angered both local merchants and pirate crews that used the islands' harbors as safe points of transit. Could soon result in armed open conflict if tensions rise further. 

Alliance negotiations between the Fang Pirates and the Green Bull Gang failed two weeks ago on Driftwood. Tensions escalated into a skirmish, leaving most of the Green Bulls dead. Remaining members fled southeast, likely toward the Calm Belt. No one has heard of them since then, it's safe to assume the organization has disbanded. Survivors might look to create a new one. I suggest you remain on the lookout in the area. 

There has been an increase in piracy activities on the trade routes between Belora Island and Delahoya. Three merchant ships attacked in the past ten days. Culprits remain officially unknown, but the Silver Claw Pirates have been spotted in this area seven days ago and haven't been seen leaving.

I've also come across reports of very strange weather patterns near the Tip of the North Archipelago—possible indication of Devil Fruit activity, though unconfirmed. I will keep you updated and will investigate further if the opportunity arises. 

Finally, maritime commerce between Water Seven and the Conomi Region remains steady but there has been an uptick in shipbuilding contracts that suggests an increase in organized pirate crew formations. So again, potential signs of new players in the Grand Line..."

Lilia retained a sigh. The entire Navy was on high alert regarding that since the death of Whitebeard and his last words during the Summit War, but it was too important not to mention. Who knew what kind of incompetents she might have on the other end this time. 

"Nothing else worthy for note. Next transmission scheduled for the 14th of July. Over." 

She placed the receiver back gently, as Debi closed his eyes with a 'gacha'. Lilia stayed still for a moment. There were undoubtedly worse people out there than her. At least, she knew she wasn't doing it for nothing, even if that was easy to forget. That was one of the very last things she could cling to. 

______________________

From his station in his empty room, Iruka leaned back in his chair, his black Den Den Mushi clicking off on his wrist, as he scrawled quick notes in his logbook. His brow furrowed as he reviewed the information. He had caught every word of it. No mention of the Heart Pirates, but the level of detail and analysis she'd displayed was undeniable, which confirmed she had access to real, actionable intel.

Iruka tapped the pen against the edge of the desk, not even debating his next move as he rose to his feet. 

The Captain definitely needed to hear about that.