“The manufacturing of SMILES has been in production for longer than I’ve been alive. Many theories were practiced and gradually developed into what's being created today. Usui was a test subject for the past prototype of SMILES and what was basically being tested on him was to create a devil fruit that’s similar to mine. That’s how he can use Room. But it all fell apart because the original devil fruit he possessed gained a handicap, he can only use certain techniques if they’re inside his operation table. It was practically a failed experiment. But they still kept him because his devil fruit in itself is rare and he’s being utilized as a soldier for the Don Quixote family.

"Now, his quote on quote doctor is another test subject, but this time they were focusing on a devil fruit user who can erase the memories of those who once knew the person. This member of the family has more abilities but nobody has ever mentioned them. But, anyways, it was another failure but not as much as Usui. This doctor can still erase memories so they were halfway there. This test subject’s original ability was Equ Equ no mi, or the balance devil fruit. It has to do with yin and yang. Good and evil, love and hatred. So that ability was mixed in with the other devil fruit and allowed him to mess with Usui’s memories of me.”

A log broke in half and sparks flew out of the fire. The flames cracked and danced, throwing shadows over everyone’s faces. All eyes were on Law.

“Usui has been sent to fight me numerous times. Each time, his mind has been rewired into different scenarios. There are three main ones. Usui either thinks I’m a mortal enemy of his, which is the usual, but the other two are just as elaborate. Sometimes his mind is emptied, to the point the only thoughts he has are “target” and “kill”. He’s barely a human in that state.”

The gentle breeze blew through Usui and he closed his eyes to enjoy the caressing wind. He was sitting on the railing of the boat, looking over at the light that indicated that his new friends were still awake.

“Then the last one is immense sorrow and grief,” Law looked at Luffy. “Just like when he cried out when we were fighting.”

Luffy’s eyebrows creased.

“’Why did you leave me?’, ‘Where have you been?’” Law repeated. “Of these three. I don’t know which is worse.”

“How long has this been happening?” Usopp asked.

“I left thirteen years ago,” Law answered.

Usopp crossed his arms.

“Thirteen years…” Robin said in all seriousness. “That’s quite a time span.”

“You haven’t had a proper conversation with him for thirteen years,” Sanji said.

“You remained idle for thirteen years,” Brook said.

“You haven’t done anything to help him for thirteen years,” Nami added.

“Thirteen years,” Franky repeated.

“Thirteen years,” they all said.

“I got it!” Law thundered, tick marks throbbing on his forehead. “Whenever I’d try to do anything at all, he would reset. I told you right? I’d see my little brother for barely two seconds and it’s ripped away from me in a spout of blood. I couldn’t stand it anymore.”

“You said he’s fighting it,” Zoro brought up. “That’s why he has those mood swings.”

Law nodded. “Although, it hasn’t been successful. It also takes a toll on his body, it’s against the Equ Equ fruit’s power to resist.”

“That must be why I felt that pain while in his body!” Chopper said.

Law shook his head. “No. It’s only half the reason. Usui is missing his heart.”

“Missing his heart?” Sanji repeated. “Like when you cut out a person’s heart with that fruit of yours?”

“Yes, but I wasn’t the one who did it. It was the previous owner’s actions.”

“So,” Usopp said hesitantly. “Where is it now?”

“Where else?” Law said in bland humor, smirking darkly.

Doflamingo threw the compacted heart into the air and caught it again. He sneered, drenched in the pale moonlight.

“Keeeeeeeeh….” Usopp said. “Why is it always him?”

“That brat’s life sucks,” Sanji said bluntly.

“Wait,” Nami spoke up. “How come you didn’t bargain Fruit Punches’ heart for Caesar? That would’ve been the perfect chance!”

Law’s dull eyes landed on her. “The fact of the matter is. Usui is worth more than Caesar.”

“Nani?!” Sanji exclaimed.

“Usui can be programmed to target any enemy on command. If Doflamingo were to choose, Usui can even kill an entire nation…”

Usui’s eyes glowed scarlet and he crossed his arms roughly across his chest, jumping back. Doflamingo towered behind him, puppet strings attached and ready. The image froze and loomed over them like a storm cloud.

Usopp gulped.

“Kowai…” Brook shivered.

“It’s hard to give up that power, isn’t it? I even suspect that Kaido might have asked for Usui, and Doflamingo might even agree to that if he were to lose the SMILES. Usui’s a backup in this case.”

“That makes sense,” Zoro grunted.

“What does his heart have anything to do with it?” Franky asked. “Other than the fact that it’s his life force.”

“Usui ate the Shuiro Shuiro no mi,” Law said simply.

Chopper was the first to come to realization, followed closely by Nami and Sanji. “Blood… cells… all linked to the heart… all of his powers…”

“Exactly. The ‘doctor’ connected Usui’s heart and mind as one. The heart is the steering wheel.”  

“So, his heart is basically a sign of ownership. All the buttons and dials to control him have been attached and upgraded into that major organ. But wouldn’t Doflamingo need to hand over that ‘doctor’ too?” Robin asked.

“No. Usui’s already programmed so whoever has possession can do whatever he wants.”

“What happens when his heart is returned to his body?” Robin asked with sudden urgency.

Law stared at the campfire before answering. “Theoretically, his heart would be in tenure to himself. It should return everything back to normal.”

“So.”

All eyes went to Luffy.

“We just need to get his heart back,” Luffy’s face was hooded by his hat.

“That’s not so easy, Luffy!” Usopp cried out. “It’s Doflamingo we’re talking about!”

“So what?” Zoro barked. “He’s already our enemy, might as well go all out.”

“Green Tea is right,” Sanji said.

“What did you call me, target practice?!”

“What’s the harm in pushing everything to the limit when we’re already out of the pan and into the flames of hell?” Sanji ignored Zoro.

“But—“

“Unless you want to try and convince our Captain out of this, Usopp,” Sanji smiled.

Usopp sagged in defeat and cracked a smile. “That’s even more impossible than taking down one of the Four Emperors…”

“Heeheeheehee,” Luffy laughed.

“Wait a minute!” Law got to his feet. “I didn’t inform you people of this because I’m asking for help!”

“We know that,” Luffy said.

“…Huh?”

“We’re not doing this for you, Tra-guy,” Luffy said smugly. “We’re doing this to help out Fruit Punch! You have nothing to do with this.”

Law stammered, his mouth hanging open. After a few minutes of gawking, Robin made a hand sprout out of Law’s shoulder and close his mouth. Law waved it away.

“Do what you want,” he grumbled. “But I’m going to be the one to get Usui’s heart back, Mugiwara-ya.”

“It’s a competition then!” Luffy cheered. “Sounds fun!”

“Should I call Usui-san back?” Robin asked as Law put his mask back on.

“Yeah! He promised that he’ll make the trees dance!”

“It’s almost time to sleep, Luffy,” Nami told him. “Get ready to go to bed.”

“Aaaww,” Luffy pouted. “That’s no fun…”

“Who has first watch?” Sanji asked, unrolling his sleeping bag.

“That’s me,” Franky responded.

“Oh,” Usopp said. “Keep Usui company. He doesn’t sleep.”

“What?”

“Didn’t I tell you guys?” Usopp looked at each of their confused faces. “Usui hasn’t slept for thirteen years.”

Sanji’s cigarette fell out of his mouth.

“Hey, guys,” Usui walked ashore. “Done with your private Straw Hat crew talk?”

They turned to him and openly stared. Usui blinked.

“What’s the matter?”

Their arms all raised up slowly to point at him. “Bakemono…”

Usui was wholeheartedly befuddled. “Eh?”