Inside the submarine, except for Law, everyone else passed under the power of Conqueror Haki.
Before Law could do anything, Liam's voice rang in his ears. It was scary.
Because he knew just how far away he was from Liam and Luffy. But even so, he was able to hear Liam so clearly.
He wouldn't know what Haki is if he hadn't been with Doflamingo. But knowing the power of Conqueror Haki, this was the first time he had seen someone use Conqueror Haki like this.
Gulp!
Law swallowed heavily, but listening to Liam's message, he didn't run away immediately.
He decided to take a gamble. Because he knew what kind of people the Straw Hat Pirates were.
So, he could take this gamble and come out alive. Although his crew was unconscious, he turned the submarine around and moved toward the island.
Unlike Law, Nami, and Robin were quite far away from that island. So, even though they moved first, Law was the one to arrive first.
His Polar Tank was parked near the shore of the island. By this time, his people had already woken, but he didn't tell them much.
As soon as they came out, the first thing they saw was a broken and tattered island covered with ashes and cooled-down lava.
On the shore, Luffy and Liam were sitting cross-legged while waiting for them.
"Cc-c-captain! They are the Straw Hat Pirates. Why are we here? Shouldn't we run away?"
Penguin shuddered as he spoke.
"Liam-ya wants to meet us," Law spoke and jumped down from his ship. Others quickly followed him.
Although there was no battle, they still tried to cover Law as if they were capable of protecting him.
"Trafalgar D. Water Law, as a Vice-Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, I invite you to join the Straw Hat Pirates."
Liam didn't bother to waste a single second before revealing his true intention.
"What?"
Law's crew was stunned. But they knew how stubborn their Captain was. So, they immediately rushed in front of their Captain to protect him.
"Stop, Bepo, Penguin, Shachi, Ikkaku!"
Law spoke in a gloomy tone and walked in front of them. He knew if he wanted to leave here, unless Straw Hat agreed, it was impossible.
So instead of fighting them, he was more curious about something else.
"How do you know? Nobody knows about this."
Law looked straight into Liam's eyes and spoke.
"Hahaha! Tra-guy, Liam knows everything about this world. So, don't be surprised. But he is right. Why don't you join our crew? That polar bear looks so fun to play with."
Luffy chuckled and replied. He didn't reject Liam's intention because he could see what kind of person Law was from his crew's reaction.
More importantly, Bepo's presence made the child inside of him go wild. If not for his weakness, he would've run to pet Bepo.
Law digested Luffy's words and remained thoughtful for a while. He wasn't sure how Liam would react if he rejected him outright.
He didn't want his crew to die here. He hadn't even gotten his revenge yet.
"Why do you think I will join your crew?" Law asked.
"Because I can help you with your revenge," Liam replied. Before Law could say anything, he continued.
"With your willpower and Devil Fruit, I believe one day you can awaken your fruit and defeat Doflamingo on your own."
"I have no doubts about your potential. But once you attack him, Kaido will destroy you. Let's just say we defeated Kaido so he can't threaten you."
"Even then, CP0 and the world government will do anything to get their hands on you. Because news of your awakening would reach their ears if you fight Doflamingo."
"As a victim of the World Government's nefarious action in Flevance should they would stop at nothing to get the immortality from your hands."
"During the process, everyone you know will become a victim of their actions. Only the Straw Hat Pirates have the power to keep you and your crew safe."
After saying that, Liam waited for Law's reply.
On the other hand, Law's crew was stunned by the reveal of this information. Although they knew their Captain had some kind of past with Doflamingo, they didn't know much about his Devil Fruit and his hometown.
Hearing everything he said, Law didn't react much. Maybe it was a habit that he made, he started to think about the benefits that Liam would get.
"Why do you want me to join your crew?"
"Because you are a strong assistant," Liam replied casually, then caught Luffy's cheeks.
"This guy doesn't follow any plan. I can barely contain him. After two weeks, there will be a major shift in the balance between pirates and marines."
"We will also head to the New World for the throne of Four Emperors. Of course, we don't need the throne, but our enemy is waiting there."
"Having you on the team will keep everyone safe and alive. Now that we have announced the Straw Hats Railway project to the world, the government won't spare a second to destroy us."
"But they can't enter the New World so easily. Unless they can defeat us, they can't even attack those railways; otherwise, we can attack them at any moment."
"So, we will bear the full force of the Marines and World Government after the next war. Having someone like you on the team will keep us safe."
Having heard his intention, Law was surprised.
Since Liam knew about his hometown and his name, he was no longer surprised that he knew about his Devil Fruit powers.
But he never expected Liam to invite him just for that. Deep down, he still believed Liam had a deeper goal.
And, he did. Liam saw his eyes and stood up.
"Luffy, you can chat with them. I have something important to talk to Law."
Saying so, he went to the Polar Tank. Law's crew didn't stop him while Law followed him.
After they reached inside, Law put down his sword and said.
"So, what is your real intention? Why pull me into your crew? Although your conditions are good, they are not enough for me to disband my crew and join yours."
Hearing that, Liam smiled and said.
"Just as I said before, you will be a strong assist for the crew, or rather, the Strongest Assist."
Hearing that, Law narrowed his eyes and said.
"That doesn't make sense. You should be his strongest assistant. You don't look weak or dying either."
"Because I am about to disappear. After two weeks, the Marines and Whitebeard pirates will be at war. We have no relationship with Whitebeard, but they have captured Ace."
Ace is Luffy's brother. This means the Straw Hat Pirates must participate in this war. And once we save Ace, I will disappear from this world."
"Because we have confronted the World Government and Marines too soon, my disappearance will cause a lot of trouble for the crew. That's why I need you."
"You are smart, calm, and strong. Since you won't have the position of Vice Captain, they won't treat you as my substitute or anything."
"But I don't understand. Why disappear? Why are you leaving? Where are you going?" Law asked. He truly didn't understand what Liam meant by disappearing from the world.
Normally, it would mean his death, but it was clear that he wasn't going to die.
"Just as I said before, I am going to disappear. I can not tell you everything because the truth will blow your mind, making you unable to think of anything."
"If you were as dumb as Luffy, the truth wouldn't matter much to you. But you are not. For Luffy, if I leave this world, he will do anything to find me."
"But you should know that if I leave this world, you can't find me. Because you can't leave this world like me. You understand this, but Luffy doesn't."
"So, knowing the truth will only hurt you. I won't disappear until we save Ace."
"And, there is another reason I want you to join us."
Law's breath wasn't calm anymore. Although he didn't mention it explicitly, he could make some guesses.
But these were so far-fetched that he didn't think it was possible.
'No wonder he won't tell me the truth. Just the possibilities in my head are already hurting my brain.'
He took a deep breath and asked.
"What is it?"
"Your enemy isn't just World Government. Your main enemy will be Marshal D Teach. He is the one who handed over Ace to the Marines after capturing him and became the warlord of the Sea."
"This whole war is a part of his plan. Because he knows the true identity of Ace and how they will deal with him. He knows the Whitebeard Pirates will attack Marineford to save Ace from execution."
"He knows Marines will put all of their forces in this war, so Impel Down will be much easier to invade. He knows Whitebeard will die in this world."
"So that he can take Whitebeard's ability for himself."