Chapter 29: Confidence
Notes:
Just before you read this chapter, I wanted to let you know that I made some small modifications in the previous chapters regarding the Amadeo family. I realized it might have been a bit confusing without the names, making it hard to refer to who is who. So, here's the clarification: Emi is aiming to expose the actions of her client's sister. Her client is named Erika Amadeo. She is a princess, but her sister, Riko Amadeo, who became queen, has deposed her from power. Erika is seeking to reclaim the throne because her sister is corrupt. Hope this clarified things!
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Emi sat quietly on the deck of the submarine, her Den Den Mushi in hand. She was thinking about the morning's newspaper. She had expected to read an article on the slave trade financed by the Amadeo royal family but quickly realized the government had covered it up, focusing instead on propaganda against the Revolutionary Army.
However, toppling the new Queen Amadeo from power was a priority for her and Erika. And now that Emi knew the arms trade was being handled by the Revolutionary Army, there was a chance this issue could be brought to light. The nobleman was probably already biting his nails, forced to halt his trafficking and collaboration with the Amadeo family. With the article she had just sent to her editor and the file for Erika, she knew the timing was perfect to expose the sister. But there was still one last thing she had to do, and for that, she needed her father's support.
Emi dialed her father's number on the Den Den Mushi. Each ring seemed to last forever until finally, her father's familiar voice answered from the other end. "Hello?"
"Dad, it's me," Emi replied in a serious tone.
"Emi, sweetheart, how are you?" he asked, relieved to hear her voice.
"I'm fine. But there's something I need to talk to you about. I read this morning's article about the Revolutionary Army. Who wrote it?"
"It was James, a new hire. Why are you asking?" her father questioned, intrigued by the sudden question.
Emi sighed deeply before responding, "Your new recruits really need to stop writing nonsense," she said, irritated.
Her father seemed surprised by her reaction. "James is a competent journalist, even if he's new. Why are you saying that?"
"He painted the Revolutionary Army as ruthless criminals. They fight for justice, for the oppressed. They're not some 'growing threat' to the government," Emi retorted, a hint of exasperation in her voice.
There was silence on the other end of the line as her father took in her words.
"Emi, the Revolutionary Army is a real danger to the security of the government."
Emi gripped the Den Den Mushi tightly, frustrated that her father couldn't see how naïve he was being about the government.
"Dad," Emi replied firmly. "They fight for justice, and I know what I'm talking about. Don't you see it's the government itself that's corrupt? It's not the revolutionaries oppressing people; it's the nobles who control them. They hide the truth in their newspapers, and people like James are just pawns in their manipulation."
Her father sighed on the other end, seeming to weigh the implications of her words.
Emi continued, "I know what I'm doing, Dad. I'm out here on the ground, seeing what's really happening. The stories you publish are so far from reality." Emi pressed on, eager to reveal the real story behind the article. "Here's an example: Noble Vemrick was using innocent slaves to build his castle."
Emi told him everything from the beginning, about her adventure on the island and how she had personally witnessed the slaves. She also told him about the connection to the Amadeo family and the Queen's involvement in the story, as well as her central role in the arms and slave trade.
There was a stunned silence from her father before he spoke again. "Emi, these are serious accusations. Do you have proof?"
"Yes, I have proof. And I want you to push for an article that exposes Queen Amadeo's involvement in the slave trade. And I want you to mention Erika, her sister, who was cast out and stripped of power. Erika deserves the throne, not her. I've already sent the file through Coco."
Her father seemed taken aback by his daughter's revelations. "I'll see what I can do, Emi. But you have to understand, this could have consequences."
"I understand, Dad. But this is something we have to do. We can't stay silent in the face of such injustice," Emi replied, her resolve unwavering.
"I'll do my best. But promise me you'll be careful," her father insisted.
"I promise, Dad. You too."
Emi hung up the Den Den Mushi with a resolute sigh. She dearly hoped her plan would work. Always ready to act, she had more cards up her sleeve. If her father stayed silent for too long, she still had other allies—like her editor—or other channels to bring the truth to light.
Emi gazed out at the sea, lost in thought. Once this mission was over, she'd have to find new clients, but stuck in this submarine, she couldn't make any progress on expanding her network. She needed to know their trajectory to better plan her next steps. Without that information, everything seemed hazy, preventing her from moving forward.
Sure, she had chosen to stay with them, pushing aside the idea of fleeing to focus on her mission involving Caesar and seeking other opportunities. But those opportunities were slow to present themselves. Maybe if she knew more about their movements, things would become clearer, and she could finally organize everything her way.
She decided to head to the navigation room to check the charts with Bepo. She hadn't yet asked about their course toward the North Blue. What was Law planning? Why were they headed there?
Standing at the door of the navigation room, Emi hesitated for a moment before knocking softly. She heard the rustling of paper inside, followed by a familiar murmur. She turned the handle and stepped in. Sure enough, Bepo was there, hunched over a large map spread out in front of him. When he noticed her, he lifted his head, surprised but visibly happy to see her.
"Emi! Come to check out the maps?" he asked with a smile.
"Well, I was just wondering how much longer until we reach our destination," she replied, moving closer and glancing curiously at the map on the table.
"We're about to leave the Calm Belt, which means we'll be able to move faster soon. I think we should reach our next destination in less than three days."
A wave of relief washed over Emi at his words. Three days felt manageable. She gave Bepo a thankful smile before continuing,
"And... why are we heading to the North Blue?" she asked calmly, trying to mask her curiosity.
Bepo, slightly caught off guard by the question, hesitated for a moment. After a brief pause, he answered, "I'm not sure how much I can tell you..." he began, his voice filled with reluctance.
Emi stared at him intently, one eyebrow raised, silently encouraging him to continue despite his hesitation.
Torn between his duty as the captain's loyal second and the desire for transparency with Emi, Bepo sighed and finally responded,
"Well, Law wants to expand the crew." Then, with a hint of pride, he added, "After all, the best mechanics and engineers are in the North Blue."
Emi stifled a slight smile at Bepo's reasoning, thinking of Sachi and Penguin, who were already experts in the field. Of course, she was familiar with the North Blue — she had grown up there. For her, the location wasn't as significant as it was for those who had never set foot in those waters.
"I see..." she replied, a trace of amusement in her voice. "So, according to Law, the North Blue is full of untapped talent, huh?"
Bepo nodded proudly. But Emi could tell he wasn't sharing the whole story. She'd already learned that Law wasn't always forthcoming about his intentions. Still, she decided not to press further for now, thinking she might find the answers on her own later.
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The day had passed in an almost unreal calm as the ship left the Calm Belt without encountering any Sea Kings or sea monsters, much to the crew's relief. Around the kitchen table, laughter and voices filled the air, accompanied by the clinking of cutlery and the gentle sound of waves against the submarine's hull. After the meal, Sachi and Penguin brought up the idea of another card game.
"So, another round of cards, Emi?" Sachi suggested, holding the deck in his hand.
Penguin looked at Emi with a teasing smile, while Sachi tilted his head with a friendly, challenging look.
Emi glanced briefly at the cards in Sachi's hand, wondering if she should try her luck again. But the memory of the last game made her hesitate, and she felt a flush of warmth rise to her cheeks as she recalled how it had nearly ended. She cast a quick glance at Law, who had turned toward them, frowning. Her cheeks turned pink despite herself, and she quickly looked away to avoid meeting Law's gaze.
"Thanks, guys, but I'll pass this time," she said finally, before Law could make a comment.
She stood up from the table, seizing the chance to retreat to the deck and enjoy a moment of peace.
On the deck, the endless horizon stretched out before her, a canvas of blue and golden light as far as the eye could see. The rays of the setting sun danced on the waves, and Emi let herself be swept away by the serene beauty of the ocean, letting her thoughts drift with the wind.
But her moment of meditation was interrupted by the silent appearance of Law by her side, his resolute presence filling the air around them. Emi didn't turn to face him, keeping her gaze fixed on the horizon. She wondered what Law wanted from her. He wasn't going to bring up that night… was he? The thought made her tense slightly, but she tried to regain her composure so he wouldn't notice her sudden stiffness. He probably just wanted some fresh air, like she did. Nothing more. Right?
They stood in silence on the deck for a while, until Law's voice broke the quiet, shattering the calm with an unexpected question.
"You seemed quite interested in that article on the Revolutionary Army. Any connections with them, maybe?"
Emi turned to him, noting the serious expression on his face. A quiet sigh of relief escaped her internally. She'd been overthinking; he wasn't talking about that night when she'd had too much to drink. Emi relaxed a little, relieved she had dodged an awkward moment.
A faint, amused smile tugged at her lips. "Always here to ruin the peaceful moments, aren't you, Trafalgar?"
A smirk appeared on Law's face, clearly appreciating Emi's boldness.
She raised an eyebrow, considering his question. She was impressed by Law's attention to detail. He really was an excellent observer, but she wasn't about to give him an answer so easily. "What's got you so interested in my reading habits?"
"Just curious, I suppose," he replied in a calm voice.
Emi studied him for a moment, weighing his response, unable to shake the feeling that it was more out of interest than curiosity. She sighed, acknowledging that Law was a sharp observer, but this time, he seemed to have hit a nerve.
"And what if I did have a connection with them?" she countered, silently challenging Law to see through her.
Law stepped closer, his dark eyes filled with seriousness. "I'd like a clear answer, Journalist-ya."
Emi held his gaze, not intimidated but rather irritated that it always seemed to fall on her to reveal information, while Law remained elusive. She finally decided not to let the imbalance continue.
"Then give me something in return," she shot back.
Law sighed lightly, acknowledging defeat in this game of questions and answers.
"Fine. But you go first."
Emi rolled her eyes in exasperation at Law's stubbornness, but she nodded slowly, confirming his suspicions.
"Yes, I have contacts with them," she finally admitted.
Law fixed Emi with an intense stare, silently urging her to continue.
Emi let out a sigh, feeling the weight of her past as she prepared to share a part of her story with him.
"I spent a few months with them after I left the World Economic Newspapers. They taught me a few things… but I didn't stay," she confessed, her gaze drifting off into the distance.
She noticed Law remained silent, waiting for more of her story.
"For personal reasons," she added with a resigned sigh, signaling to Law that she wasn't going to elaborate further.
Law looked at her intently, a sense of satisfaction gleaming in his dark eyes, acknowledging that his instincts about her ties to the Revolutionary Army had been right. He decided to keep his promise, offering her the chance to ask her question.
"You can ask your question."
Emi was initially surprised that Law had kept his word, but she quickly gathered her thoughts to come up with a question. Since she could only ask one, it had to be well thought out... After a brief moment of reflection, she ended up asking a more personal than professional question, hoping it wouldn't put him off.
"Which island are you from?"
Law looked at her, his expression remaining unreadable. After a brief silence, he answered in a calm yet firm voice,
"Flevance."
At the mention of that name, a shiver ran through Emi. Flevance... It conjured images of desolation and suffering. She remembered the heartbreaking stories of the once-thriving island, destroyed by the Amber Lead Syndrome. Anyone from the North Blue, and any decent journalist, knew about that tragedy, but meeting someone who claimed to be from there was another thing entirely.
Her thoughts raced. How had Law survived such a catastrophe? No survivors had ever been reported from that disaster, so how? Emi couldn't help but feel a mix of shock and curiosity. How had he escaped the illness that had wiped out an entire population? Were there others like him?
Despite her surprise, she held back from asking more questions. She knew some things were too painful to revisit, too personal to share with strangers. So she kept her thoughts to herself, waiting to see if Law would be willing to share more about his troubled past.
Emi remained silent. She felt both sympathy for Law, for what he must have gone through, and curiosity about his story. But she understood there were limits to what she could ask. She could have apologized or offered her condolences, but she knew that wasn't what Law was looking for.
"I... I can only imagine what you've been through," she murmured, the words hesitant as they left her lips.
Law watched her silently, his expression unreadable. Yet in the silence, Emi sensed a quiet appreciation for her restraint and unspoken understanding. Emi had quickly shifted from her more intrusive approach, now respecting the boundaries of others, knowing when to ask questions and when to hold back. And it was precisely that quality in Emi that Law had begun to appreciate, even if he wouldn't admit it. She seemed to understand him, even without words.
Emi had expected Law to end the conversation after his response, as he often did with the heavy silence that usually followed their rare, more personal exchanges. But to her surprise, he didn't turn away immediately. Instead, Law remained silent for a few moments, as if weighing his words, his gaze drifting into the distance. Then, without warning, he changed the subject, his voice more relaxed than usual.
"You mentioned an article on the revolutions in the North Blue the other day," he said, his eyes returning to rest on her. "How exactly are you planning to write it?"
Caught off guard, Emi blinked. It wasn't so much the question that surprised her, but the fact that Law had asked it. He wasn't one to show interest in others' business, especially not matters that didn't directly align with his own goals. She tried to compose herself, searching for the right words.
"Uh... Yeah, I was thinking of relying on testimonies from locals and stories from former revolutionaries," she answered, a bit hesitant, unsure where he was going with this. "I want the article to highlight the positive side of the Revolutionary Army."
Law gave a small nod. "I doubt the World Government will let a piece glorifying the Revolutionary Army slide by."
Emi furrowed her brow, taking a small breath. "Well, believe it or not, the government doesn't control all the newspapers. There are other networks, other ways to get the information out. If my editor refuses to publish it, I'll find another channel."
Law smirked slightly. He expected nothing less from her. Emi had always shown a determination and resourcefulness that few possessed, and he was well aware of the vast network of contacts she had. That was one of the reasons he had let her stay aboard. He planned to make use of her skills and her connections, but not yet. Law had a very specific plan in mind. The time would come when he would truly need her resources. Only then would he ask her to act.
The evening continued in quietness, punctuated by exchanges on various topics. Emi found herself surprised to enjoy Law's company, discovering a side of his personality she had never seen before. It was surprising how pleasant he could be when he lowered his usual defenses, engaging in conversation without pretense or caution.
Then came the moment when Law stood up, announcing that he was retiring for the night. Emi watched him walk away, feeling a slight emptiness settle in her at his departure.
It was the first time she had a real conversation with him, about everything and nothing. It was... strange for her, but in a good way. She had learned a new facet of Law, someone who was always reserved and spoke little. He had finally shown he was capable of conversing, of sharing thoughts and opinions.
Trafalgar Law... He was as elusive as the ocean itself, his secrets hidden in the unfathomable depths of his soul. Emi knew she had a long way to go before she could unlock the mystery of this enigmatic man, but for now, she was simply grateful to have shared a moment of peace with him, far from the turmoil and dangers of their life at sea.
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Thank you for your continued support! I mostly write for myself, but it's always nice to know that others enjoy this story too! See you next week :)