So, about that 'alliance' with my little brother. :\
Yes, what about it? This was not the candid query of a worried brother going straight to his point of interest; it was a vague half-interrogation piqued by a man’s unavoidable curiosity to meddle in other people’s business, regardless of what he might argue in defence of his noble values. If this interest stemmed from familial worrying, fact remained Sabo was probing all the same in foreign matters, poking at the air.
A smart technique, Law knew. By instigating a reply rather than prompting it through more direct means, everything gotten in response could be seen as a bonus, thus given of the answerer’s own accord. A clean confession. This was a skill a man of his cunning was especially acquainted with, for it figured in his bastard’s manual to survival, chapter one. Verbal manoeuvres were more often than not of greater effectiveness than practical ones.
Learn the lesson, play smart too and make no mistake — the Captain was no fool. He did not owe Sabo any truths or lies. He would not confide his plans to someone completely apart of them, and God knew Law revealed only so much of his mind to those who were, indeed, involved in his schemes as it was. An attitude as secretive as it was bothersome in the opinion of his pawns. Excuse his manners — his jolly friends. Anyone could see their frustration was justified. No wonder Law should be painted as a shady fellow with a nefarious reputation preceding him wherever he roamed.
He sounded more hostile than intended when he spoke, a sorry habit formed throughout wretched years of existence. Hoarse, too, as though his voice had not been employed in ages. Law did not truly feel aggressive at this point, it was just something that kept on happening, alas. Insults and curses would flow out of his mouth with no apparent control over them.
❝ That is not a question. ❞ Nor was this. ❝ Don’t beat about the bush. What do you care about my alliance with Straw Hat? ❞ Being a sibling was neither excuse nor entitlement to knowledge.
