Chapter 24: Dance contest -part1
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After taking care of their various business on the island, the crew gathered at the port in the late afternoon, ready to head toward the small archipelago and return to the submarine to finalize the necessary repairs. They had managed to procure all the required materials, and Sachi and Penguin returned with their arms full of fresh provisions and various supplies.
While Jean Bart, Sachi, and Penguin busied themselves around the submarine, methodically checking and installing the parts, Emi helped Bepo sort and store the supplies and food they had bought for the crew.
She then headed to her cabin to put away the items she—or rather Law—had bought earlier in the hangar. She placed the bottles of ink on the small desk and prepared her typewriter.
Emi pulled out her notebook and began jotting down a few notes. With Coco's imminent return, expected by tonight at the latest, she knew it was essential to meticulously prepare her article incriminating Madame Amadeo's sister. She also planned to provide evidence of her involvement in slave trafficking, hoping that these revelations would hasten her downfall. After all, it was unacceptable that someone so steeped in corruption could reign with impunity.
Emi was deep in thought, trying to figure out the best way to approach the Amadeo case. The illegal slave trade activities run by her sister were intrinsically linked to a noble, which made things exceedingly complicated. They were protected by layers of immunity and privileges granted by the World Government, making it nearly impossible to take them down, even with solid evidence.
She needed to sever their collaboration by stripping the sister of a powerful shield: the near-unshakable protection offered by the association with this noble. Without that cover, she would be vulnerable to public attacks, making her position of power much more precarious.
Emi began to intensely consider this possibility. The Revolutionary Army, already informed and likely already taking action against the slave trade on the island they had just left, could provide significant external pressure on Madame Amadeo's sister. If the Revolutionaries managed to disrupt or even stop the slave-related activities tied to the noble, it would create a credible threat that Emi could use to her advantage.
As she frantically scribbled her notes, a sudden realization hit her. In all the excitement and recent events, she had completely forgotten to contact her editor. She had been determined to write an article about Law to satisfy him and maintain her contract, as he was particularly fond of pirate gossip. But she quickly realized that she wouldn't get anything on Law anytime soon, given how cautious and calculating he was. Besides, she was enjoying her time with the crew and didn't want to create unnecessary conflict. Now, the Amadeo case seemed like a better option. She could use this story to provide substantial content to her editor while waiting for something juicier to offer. She was determined to kill two birds with one stone: expose the corruption while solidifying her professional relationships.
Emi reached for her Den Den Mushi and dialed her editor's number, hoping that her delay wouldn't have too many consequences. After a few rings, a familiar voice answered.
"Hey! It's Emi," she said, attempting to sound enthusiastic. "I've got a scoop."
"Ah, Emi! I almost missed you. What do you have for me? Finally something juicy about the Surgeon of Death?" he replied, a note of curiosity in his voice.
"As for him, that's still on hold. But I've uncovered something that could really make waves."
He paused. "Mmh, tell me everything," he eventually said, though not hiding his slight disappointment.
Emi briefly explained the evidence she had collected and how the story could expose wrongdoing while highlighting corruption at the highest levels. She emphasized that this article had the potential to make a significant impact and attract attention, which would be beneficial for the paper.
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line, then he burst out laughing. "So, you've decided to trade gossip about Law for a scoop that could shake the foundations of society? I love it!"
Emi smiled, relieved by his positive reaction.
He continued, "Send me the details as soon as possible. And don't forget, if you find a scoop on Trafalgar Law, I'm all ears!"
Emi laughed. "I'll keep that in mind. I'll send everything over as soon as I can."
They said their goodbyes, and Emi hung up, a wide smile on her face. She got back to work with renewed enthusiasm, ready to write an article that she hoped would not only satisfy her editor but also expose injustice.
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After a productive day of repairing the submarine for the crew and writing articles for Emi, they shared a meal of fresh vegetables and fruits bought at the local market, savoring the vibrant flavors and exceptional quality of the island's produce.
Taking advantage of this break, Law, in a tone lighter than usual, announced his decision to let the crew enjoy a night of freedom on the island.
"Enjoy the evening, but stay cautious," he announced. "We leave at dawn tomorrow."
Penguin and Sachi, never ones to miss a chance to celebrate, expressed their joy with enthusiasm, laughing and giving each other pats on the back.
The redhead turned to Emi with a big smile, "Emi, did you see the posters for the festival today? It looks incredible!"
Emi, who had already spotted the posters earlier in the day, replied with a smile, "Of course! It could be a great chance to have some fun."
Encouraged by her interest, Sachi then suggested, "It would be great to enjoy the festivities together !" he said, excitement clear in his voice.
Law, who was listening to their conversation, was initially reluctant to mingle with a large crowd, especially in a potentially unpredictable environment. However, seeing the enthusiasm of his crew and weighing the need for relaxation against the potential risks, he nodded with a slight sigh.
"On one condition: no trouble. We avoid causing any unnecessary incidents," he stipulated, his gaze sweeping across each crew member, finally resting on Emi, ensuring she understood.
Emi found herself torn between staying low-key and her desire to participate in the dance competition announced for the festival. She didn't want to be associated with the Heart Pirates or let people think they were allies. She couldn't afford to let any ambiguity tarnish her reputation. But the lure of the competition prize was too strong—she needed the money. If she could distance herself from the crew before the contest started, she could participate without risking being seen as an ally of the pirates. After all, it was a big crowd, a festival full of unfamiliar faces.
As the group discussed plans for the evening, she gathered her courage and started to bring up the subject.
"Law, I saw something today that might be... interesting," Emi began hesitantly, trying to catch his attention. "There's a dance contest at the festival tonight."
Law, listening but remaining skeptical, frowned. "You know what I said about avoiding trouble? Participating in a contest doesn't really align with that."
Anticipating his reluctance, Emi quickly pulled out the flyer she had discreetly taken from the notice board earlier that morning.
"I know, I know... but look," she said, unfolding the flyer in front of him. "The prize is 50 million Berries. That's a significant amount, and it could allow me to pay you back for the supplies you bought for me."
Law examined the flyer, his expression unreadable. He understood Emi's need to secure some income, but he remained hesitant about the idea of participating in such a public event.
Seeing his hesitation, Emi pressed her point. "I'm not directly affiliated with you. No one will make the connection. Just a simple contestant... it shouldn't draw too much attention to you."
Law stared at the flyer for a moment, still serious. He finally looked up at Emi, his gaze sharp. "If you draw attention, you'll be on your own to deal with the consequences."
Emi furrowed her brows, taking a moment to consider how things were unfolding. She realized she was acting almost like she was a full-fledged member of Law's crew, following his directives and considering their security strategies. But she wasn't a member of his crew, and Law had clearly just reminded her of that. She couldn't help but wonder why she felt compelled to seek his opinion.
"Wait a minute," she said, her eyes narrowing in thought. "Since when do I need your permission to do anything?"
"Journalist-ya, as long as you're with us, your actions can have consequences for the crew. It's my responsibility to ensure their safety," Law replied in a serious tone.
Emi felt a hint of doubt arise within her. Was she included in that safety? This thought made her frown, a shadow of uncertainty briefly crossing her mind. She knew she was merely a temporary ally, valuable to Law mainly for her journalistic skills and her ability to obtain crucial information. It wasn't a sense of belonging that connected them, but mutual usefulness.
This realization tugged at her heart despite herself, revealing a somewhat bitter truth about the nature of their collaboration. However, Emi didn't dwell on this thought. She reminded herself that she was also using Law for access to information and situations otherwise out of reach, justifying this temporary alliance.
As Emi and Law finished their tense conversation, Penguin intervened with curiosity that broke the serious atmosphere.
"Emi! You know how to dance?!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement.
Emi, surprised but amused by his sudden interruption, replied with a smile, "You could say that. I'm going to participate in the dance contest tonight at the festival." She glanced at Law, a hint of defiance in her eyes.
Emi's announcement was like a starting signal for Penguin and Sachi, who immediately showed their overflowing enthusiasm.
"Really?! We absolutely have to come and watch you, we'll cheer you on!" Sachi exclaimed, nodding vigorously, already carried away by the idea of supporting Emi in a competition.
Emi forced a smile, though her face betrayed a mix of amusement and nervousness. "Thanks, but please try not to make too much noise. I'd prefer not to attract attention, especially with a captain like yours who's so sensitive about discretion."
Law replied, "It's just a matter of priorities. I prefer to avoid unnecessary complications."
Penguin, with a solemn expression, nodded. "Promise! We'll be as discreet as shadows."
Law couldn't help but sigh. While he appreciated the positive energy of his companions, he was also aware of the need for discretion. Penguin and Sachi's visible attachment to Emi was another variable to manage in the complex dynamics between the crew's safety and everyone's desire to have fun.
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As the sun began to set, casting warm twilight hues across the sky, Emi made her way to the island's town hall, where sign-ups for the dance competition at the festival were being held. Law had surprisingly given her permission to go alone, understanding her desire to be as discreet as possible. The air was filled with anticipation, and the streets buzzed with activity as locals and visitors alike prepared for an evening of festivities.
Upon arriving at the town hall, Emi discovered that the theme of the competition was "Rhythms of the Sun," a tribute to this year's harvest. She weighed her options: should she prepare a precise choreography or opt for improvisation, a method that would allow her to adapt to the energy of the moment and the audience's reaction?
Determined, she chose improvisation, confident in her ability to blend her dance training with the spontaneous spirit of the theme. After registering and receiving the practical details, Emi sought out a quiet spot to warm up and focus. She found a small park not far from the town hall, a peaceful place that contrasted with the hustle and bustle of the festival preparations.
As she stretched and mentally rehearsed her movements, another competitor approached the same space to warm up. This woman, visibly very confident, quickly drew attention to herself, performing ostentatious stretches and loudly boasting about her previous victories in similar competitions.
"I'm sure the judges will want something spectacular tonight, something only someone with my experience could offer," she declared smugly, casting a dismissive glance at Emi.
Unimpressed by the competitor's arrogant attitude, Emi chose to stay focused on her own preparation, avoiding getting drawn into unnecessary confrontation.
After observing Emi for a moment, the competitor approached her with undisguised curiosity.
"Tell me, where exactly are you from?" she asked, her tone wavering between curiosity and disdain. "It's rare to see new faces in the competition, especially people who aren't from the island. It's pretty obvious you're not from around here."
Emi, continuing her stretches, met her gaze with a calm and measured look.
"I travel a lot for work," she replied simply, not wanting to divulge more details to a stranger, especially one who made no effort to hide her sense of superiority.
The dancer raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but still just as confident.
"Well, we have a dance school here that's known as the best in the region. Most of the previous winners of this competition come from that school. Naturally, I've been at the top of the podium for quite some time now." She paused, looking Emi up and down.
Emi felt a twinge of irritation as the competitor continued to boast. Despite this, she did her best to remain calm. The woman before her seemed to thrive on her own ego, and Emi had no intention of giving her the satisfaction of a reaction. She finished one last stretch, taking a deep breath to ease her annoyance.
"I see," Emi responded in a neutral voice, "It's always enriching to see how others express their art."
The competitor seemed slightly thrown off by Emi's calm demeanor, failing to achieve the intimidating effect she had likely hoped for. "Well, good luck then," she said finally, with a tone that betrayed her reluctance to admit that someone from outside might pose a real challenge.
"You too," Emi replied.
She watched the dancer walk away, then refocused on her warm-up, more determined than ever to prove on stage that passion and personal expression could compete with any formal training, even from the so-called best dance school.
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The festival was in full swing, and the colorful lanterns lit up the bustling square where food and game stalls drew in a lively crowd. Bepo, his ears perked up and his eyes sparkling with excitement, was practically bouncing in place with each new discovery.
"Captain! Look at this!" Bepo exclaimed, gently tugging on Law's sleeve to get his attention. In front of them was a large, extravagantly decorated stall where several participants were competing in a ring toss game. The prize for the winner? A giant plush fish, almost as big as Bepo himself, with glowing scales.
Law glanced disinterestedly at the stall. "It's a waste of time. We don't need that," he replied, his voice as neutral as ever.
Bepo's ears drooped slightly, but a spark of determination lit up in his eyes. "But, Captain! It's a giant fish! That glows!"
Law inwardly sighed. He knew that resisting Bepo's enthusiasm was a battle he was bound to lose. Besides, it was rare for his second-in-command to ask for something with such insistence. He glanced at the crowd around the stall, his face still impassive.
"Just this once," he finally conceded.
Bepo's eyes lit up, and he dashed over to the stall, already holding the rings the stallkeeper handed him. "Thank you, Captain!"
Law stood by his side, gripping his Nodachi with one hand, the other casually stuffed into his jeans pocket, watching skeptically as Bepo prepared. The stallkeeper smiled at them, clearly amused by the unlikely pair of a talking polar bear and a pirate captain.
Bepo, more focused than ever, took a deep breath and tossed his first ring. It missed by a narrow margin. His enthusiasm didn't waver, and he turned to Law for silent encouragement. Law, despite himself, sighed again.
"You're rushing," he said calmly. "Take your time, adjust your aim."
Bepo nodded vigorously, taking his captain's advice to heart. With a bit more focus, he threw the second ring. This time, it landed squarely around a bottle, and a victorious smile spread across his face.
"I did it, Captain!" Bepo exclaimed, filled with joy.
Law, unable to turn back now, began to feel a hint of pride as he watched his second-in-command so determined. "Repeat what you just did," he said simply. "Stay focused."
With a newfound wave of confidence, Bepo tossed the final ring. It made a perfect arc and landed directly around the farthest bottle. A moment of silence followed, then Bepo leaped for joy.
"Captain! We won!" he shouted, waving his arms. The stallkeeper, smiling, handed him the giant plush fish. Bepo hugged it tightly, nearly squashing it in his embrace.
Law, still with his impassive expression, observed the scene. But inside, he couldn't deny a slight sense of satisfaction. He would never admit it, but seeing Bepo so happy was somewhat contagious.
"Well done," he said in a dry tone, but Bepo could sense the sincerity behind the words. "Now, let's get back to business."
Bepo, proudly carrying the plush that was almost his size, followed Law with a beaming smile. "Yes, Captain!"
Law gave a slight nod, hoping no one had noticed this lapse in his usual strict demeanor.
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Thank you for reading this chapter! The continuation of the dance competition and the festival will be out this Sunday