Chapter 33: Tapped
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Emi stood frozen, unable to utter a word in response to Law. Her freedom? As if she were truly a prisoner here... It was true that their partnership had started under duress. Law had forced her aboard his ship, using her skills for his own gain without so much as a word of gratitude. He had made her do things against her will multiple times, and his attitude remained cold and distant. For a long time, she had entertained the thought of escaping at the first opportunity.
But... things had changed.
Their relationship wasn't as distant as it had been at the beginning. Emi had eventually come to accept, perhaps even appreciate, this side of him — the mysterious, calculating man who was also incredibly strategic and efficient. Silence fell between them, thick with everything left unsaid. She could feel her heart pounding, the surprise slowly giving way to a strange mixture of nostalgia and confusion. He had opened up, not completely, but enough for her to notice. Their investigation was slow, but moving forward nonetheless — or so she thought.
And now? Did Law still need her? Perhaps he had already gotten all he needed from her information on Caesar or Joker, and that thought hit her hard, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.
Despite all her efforts to remain detached, she had grown attached to this crew. Against her will, they had become something like a family. The shared laughs with Sachi and Penguin, the protective warmth of Bepo, the reassuring presence of Jean Bart… They were much more than a temporary alliance in her eyes. Damn.
Those words, coming from Law, should have filled her with joy. Wasn't that what she had wanted from the start? To regain her freedom, to leave behind the dangerous world of pirates and return to her life as a journalist, without constantly having to watch her back. And yet, at that precise moment, instead of joy, those words stirred an unexpected pain. A pang in her heart that she couldn't ignore.
There was a part of her that didn't want to leave. She didn't want to walk away from this crew that, against all odds, had accepted her. Why was this feeling surfacing now? Why wasn't she simply relieved at the thought of regaining her independence?
She clenched her fists, struggling to dispel these conflicting thoughts. Her mind was racing, torn between the desire to reclaim her autonomy and an inexplicable reluctance to leave behind this dangerous yet strangely comforting environment. She glanced at Law, wondering if he shared this dilemma. But, as usual, his gaze remained unreadable, an enigma she still couldn't unravel.
Taking a deep breath, she nodded, finally making her decision.
"Alright," she said firmly. "Coco will take us to the Headquarter."
She turned on her heel, leaving Law's quarters with one last resolute look, even as her thoughts continued to swirl. As she made her way to her cabin, the prospect of regaining her freedom no longer seemed as straightforward as she had once imagined.
Law stared at the door for a moment, thinking back on the expression Emi had worn when he mentioned her freedom. Over time, he had come to acknowledge the value of her skills, which had proven crucial at times. Still, he wanted her to pursue her own missions and goals. Not because he particularly cared for her well-being — he refused to entertain such an idea — but because he wanted to rebuild their relationship on new, honest terms, free of constraint or resentment, while still preserving their alliance.
He had sensed that the feeling of being used at times made her less cooperative, and he wanted to erase that impression of forced servitude. For him, Emi's presence was no longer about usefulness, but about choice and partnership. She had proven herself to be a brave fighter, loyal to the crew, with a sharp intellect that Law couldn't help but appreciate.
He sighed. Law was convinced that Emi had interpreted his offer of freedom as the end of their collaboration. Had he been too vague? Should he have explained himself more clearly? No, he wasn't one to ask for favors. Perhaps, in time, she would come to understand that there was more to his decision than simply releasing her.
Law frowned. He couldn't ignore the complex mix of emotions he felt toward her, a feeling he refused to name or explore further. He was supposed to keep his mind logical and rational. But this woman had managed to plant doubt in his thoughts, making him question his choices and actions. He sighed again, rising from his seat. He needed to clear his head, to regain the mental clarity that had been eluding him.
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purururu. purururu.
Emi was jolted from her sleep by the insistent ringing of a Den Den Mushi echoing through the room. She groaned softly, rubbing her eyes. Damn it, she couldn't even take a full nap without being disturbed. She would have loved to ignore the noise and drift back into sleep, but the persistence of the device left her no choice.
purururu. purururu.
She sat up, feeling her muscles still heavy from the nap, and stretched lazily. Sleep still weighed on her eyelids, and a yawn escaped her as she reached out to grab the receiver of the Den Den Mushi, which she recognized as the one connecting her to Samuel.
"Was a strawberry cake..." Emi mumbled drowsily, her voice still thick with fatigue.
"Emi! I'm really glad you're finally picking up." He said, his voice filled with concern.
"What's going on? You sound worried," she replied, a bit surprised by her friend's tone.
Samuel sighed, "It's your father. He's... involved in something riskier than usual."
Emi furrowed her brow, a shadow of frustration crossing her face. "What kind of affair?"
"Something the government is trying to cover up, and he's already learned too much," Samuel said, taking a deep breath before continuing. "He's adamant about not involving you, but it worries me. Things are getting tense at the office. And this time, he's determined. Too determined, if you ask me."
Emi's heart sank. Her father had always been persistent, especially when it came to his investigations, but this sounded more dangerous than ever.
"Put him on," Emi cut in sharply, her voice firm and resolute. "I want to talk to him."
Samuel hesitated. "Emi, I'm not sure that's a good idea. He made it very clear he doesn't want you involved. He thinks it's too dangerous for you."
She tightened her grip on the Den Den Mushi, her eyes shining with determination. "Sam, I'm not at the paper anymore. I've left all that behind; I'm not a target. He, on the other hand, is right in the thick of it. I'm not going to let him take unnecessary risks."
"I understand, but your dad—"
"Put him on, Sam. Please."
There was a long silence on the other end of the line, followed by a resigned sigh. "Alright, hold on a second..."
A few moments later, her father's voice, slightly hoarse compared to usual, came through the receiver.
"Emi?"
Without wasting any time, she shot back, "Sam told me what's going on. Dad, what kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into?"
"Emi, I'm doing my job. You don't have to worry about me."
"Your job? Dad, this is much more dangerous than usual. You know I can help you; let me handle it. Why don't you trust me?"
"It's not a matter of trust," he replied, his voice betraying a hint of hesitation. "It's about your safety. You're far removed from all of this now; I want you to stay out of it."
Emi felt a surge of anger rise within her, but she took a deep breath. "You know very well I can handle this. I've left the paper; I'm not in danger anymore. You, on the other hand... I don't want you putting yourself at risk for something I can take care of."
"Emi..."
"No, listen to me. I'm not a kid anymore. Let me help you; trust me. You know I'm capable."
There was a long silence. Emi could almost hear her father's mind working, weighing the pros and cons. Finally, he let out a sigh.
"You're as stubborn as I am, you know that?"
"I get it from you," she replied with a smile despite the tension. "Now, tell me everything I need to know."
Hiro's voice darkened, revealing a mix of frustration and anger. He laid out the entire situation regarding the island of Veloria. The World Government had abandoned the inhabitants, refusing to intervene on the grounds that the Velorians hadn't paid a tax imposed by a noble. This noble owned much of the farmland surrounding Veloria and demanded that the residents pay a tax for the use of water from his lands, essential for their crops. To make matters worse, he had raised this tax exorbitantly.
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In a room shrouded in darkness, a figure stood still, attentive, his face partially concealed in shadow. Before him rested a black Den Den Mushi, used to intercept transmissions, sitting on a weathered wooden table. The murmured words resonated faintly in the air:
"... This noble... has taken control... of the water source..."
The figure straightened slightly, irritated by the interference. The black Den Den Mushi, while effective, struggled to capture all the details of the conversation. A distorted voice, laced with static, continued to cut through the noise.
"... impunity ... rebellion ... Veloria."
The man, still focused, clenched his teeth. "Tsk, those damned disruptors... They know how to protect themselves."
The disruptor, likely a white Den Den Mushi, must have been installed in the newspaper's office to prevent them from being tracked. He leaned forward, adjusting the Den Den Mushi in an attempt to clarify the signal. His nimble fingers brushed over the device, trying to strengthen the connection, but to no avail.
"... tax ... exorbitant..."
Fragments of conversation floated up, but he couldn't pinpoint precisely who Hiro was speaking with. The interference bred growing frustration, yet certain phrases emerged, enough to awaken his suspicions.
"Who is that woman with him?" he murmured, his voice rough and laden with distrust. "She shouldn't be aware of all this."
A cruel smile spread across his lips, illuminating his face in a sinister manner.
"He's really going to regret this," he added with a chuckle.
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Emi clenched her fists, feeling a surge of anger within her, but also exasperation. "I'm really starting to get fed up with these damn nobles! The residents need this water to survive! Why isn't the government doing anything?"
Hiro took a moment before responding, weighing his words. "Because he's a noble, Emi. He has connections within the World Government. Officially, the government is turning a blind eye, claiming it's a 'local issue' and that it doesn't directly concern them."
"So what? They let the residents suffer just because a greedy noble wants to get even richer?" Emi exclaimed, her voice betraying her growing frustration.
"It's not just that," Hiro added, his voice growing darker. "When the mayor of Veloria refused to give in to these unfair taxes, the noble sent mercenaries to pressure him. They terrorized the residents, destroyed crops, and attacked families who refused to cooperate. They thought it would make the mayor bend... but he still refuses to give in."
Emi gritted her teeth. "And the residents are paying the price."
"The mercenaries are going after them directly, burning homes, stealing the meager crops they manage to produce. The mayor remains brave, but he can't protect everyone. Every day, the situation becomes more and more desperate."
"We can't let this happen," Emi murmured, her heart racing. "Dad, I'm going to fix this."
"Emi, it's dangerous," her father warned her. "These mercenaries are ruthless men, and that noble is far more influential than he seems."
"I don't care! I refuse to sit back and do nothing while people suffer because of a tyrant. I left the newspaper precisely to avoid this kind of restriction. I can act without the government watching me. You, on the other hand, are taking too many risks."
Hiro sighed, feeling his daughter's stubbornness. He knew she had inherited his fighting spirit. "I knew you'd say that. But promise me you'll be careful."
"I will be careful," Emi replied, determined. "But I won't let them be massacred without doing anything. I'll find a way to help them."
She cut off the communication, her heart racing with a new resolve. Now, she needed to devise a plan to resolve this issue. Emi began to think about who else she could contact that might assist her in this mission. Surely the Revolutionary Army? With their strength, they could make a difference.
She was determined to reach out to them, but first, she wanted to ensure she had all the information she could gather to facilitate their operations. She focused intently on what she could do, but as she was planning, a pain shot through her lower abdomen. Initially subtle, it quickly intensified, forcing her to squint. The cramps became too intense for her to continue concentrating.
Oh no. Not now... Emi groaned, frustrated by the untimely moment. She knew what it was and hated the feeling. The pain was definitely there, throbbing, and despite all her efforts to ignore it, it was making its way into her mind. How she hated this time of the month. Nausea rose in waves, and finally, feeling she had no strength left to fight it, she ran to a corner of the submarine to vomit.
Wiping her lips with the back of her sleeve, she leaned against the wall and cursed.
"I hate this..." she murmured through gritted teeth. She had always despised the feeling of helplessness that her period imposed on her. She wasn't weak; she could endure pain if necessary, but she preferred to be in top form, especially on a pirate ship, where every day was unpredictable.
After a few minutes of contemplation, Emi made a reluctant decision. She didn't like asking for help, especially not drawing attention to such problems. But she saw no other option: she needed to go to the infirmary to find something to relieve her stomach. Hopefully, she wouldn't have to run into anyone.
She slipped out of her cabin and discreetly made her way to the infirmary. Most of the crew members were busy elsewhere, engrossed in their daily tasks. Perfect. She paused in front of the door, quickly glanced both ways down the corridor to make sure no one was watching, then entered.
The infirmary was impeccably tidy, as always. The shelves were stocked with vials, bandages, and neatly organized medical instruments. Emi began to search carefully, trying not to make too much noise. Her fingers brushed over the labels of the medications, but none seemed to match what she needed.
"Damn it... There must be something here..." she murmured, continuing to search frantically. But she was frustrated by the lack of results. The medical products didn't have the names she was familiar with, and she wasn't keen on diving into a detailed analysis.
She was suddenly interrupted by a cold, familiar voice behind her.
"What are you doing here?"
Emi jumped, turning around quickly. Law was standing in the shadows, leaning against the edge of the infirmary door with his arms crossed, his piercing gaze fixed on her. He had appeared so silently that she hadn't noticed his presence.
She struggled to find her words, but the pain in her stomach and her fatigue made her less sharp than usual.
"I... uh... I just needed... something for..." She didn't want to admit what was happening, especially not to him. Embarrassment rose within her, and she hated feeling this way, vulnerable in front of him.
Law stepped forward a few paces, his gaze never leaving her movements. He remained silent for a moment, assessing the situation, before asking the unavoidable question.
"Are you sick?"
Emi bit the inside of her cheek, hesitating to respond. She would have preferred to manage on her own, but she knew he wouldn't let her leave until he got a clear answer.
"No... it's just..." She clenched her fists, feeling the pain in her stomach intensify. "I have my period, OK? And I was looking for something to ease the pain."
A silence hung in the room. My God, she felt so embarrassed. But Law didn't seem at all disturbed by this revelation. He simply nodded, as if processing basic information. Well, he was a doctor after all... he probably understood better than anyone.
"And you thought you'd find something by rummaging around?"
"I... I didn't want to bother you." She crossed her arms, trying to mask her embarrassment with a firmer posture. "But I couldn't find anything."
Law let out a slight sigh and moved closer to one of the shelves. He immediately spotted what he was looking for, grabbed a small box, and handed it to Emi.
"Here. It's for relieving cramps. Take one now and another in six hours."
Emi stared at the box for a moment before taking it. She felt ridiculous. All that time searching, and he had found exactly what she needed in a second. And he remained professional on top of that. She should have expected it.
"Thank you," she said, avoiding his gaze, trying to maintain a semblance of dignity.
Law stared at her for a moment, without a word, before turning to leave the infirmary. As he crossed the door, he paused for a moment, his head slightly tilted toward her.
"Next time, just ask. You'll waste less time." Then he disappeared into the hallway, leaving her alone with her thoughts and the box in her hand.
Still a bit shaken, Emi opened the box, took one of the tablets, and leaned against the infirmary table. She hated having to rely on him, but deep down, she knew he was right.
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Thank you for reading this chapter! See you next week ~
