Chapter 7: Handle, Master
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Emi felt panic rising within her, realizing she was at the mercy of this ruthless pirate. She could feel the pressure of his blade against her neck.
"Law, wait, it's not what you think!"
Law stared at Emi with an icy gaze, his impassive face betraying none of his thoughts.
"Give me one good reason to spare you."
He had no trust in her, and her actions had only reinforced his suspicions. In his mind, he seriously considered getting rid of her, even if it risked compromising his efforts to obtain information about Caesar.
A heavy silence hung in the air as he watched Emi's reaction, who suddenly seemed as irritated as she was frightened.
"If you had been a bit more open with me from the start, I would never have needed to search through your things!"
Law frowned. "I owe you nothing."
Emi stood before him, her hands clenched into fists, a visible expression of frustration and anger on her face. "I owe you nothing either, pirate."
Law was irritated by such defiance from someone who clearly had no upper hand in this situation.
"Before I kill you, I want answers, now," he declared firmly, the coldness in his tone unmistakable.
Was she really just a freelance journalist as she claimed, or was she a mole on behalf of Doflamingo? Were there others? These questions looped in Law's mind as he weighed the risks and consequences of each possibility. He couldn't afford to ignore this potential threat. The safety of his crew came first; there was no way he would let this journalist jeopardize all his plans and his crew.
"Who are you really working for? Why are you looking for information about me?"
Emi didn't understand why he kept asking her this question. She had already said everything, explained everything. Why was he so doubtful? Why did he absolutely need to know who she was working for?
A flash of understanding suddenly illuminated her mind as she made the connection with Doflamingo.
Emi, eyes wide, stared at Law in disbelief. "Wait... Do you think I could be... working for him?!" she exclaimed, her thoughts muddled with confusion and incredulity.
Law pressed his blade more firmly against her neck, his tone rising a notch. "Answer my question."
Emi felt trapped, caught between Law's sharp blade and her own tormented thoughts.
"There's been a huge misunderstanding! I have nothing to do with that guy! I know his reputation all too well to venture anywhere near someone as dangerous and influential as him!"
Her voice trembled slightly, blending fear with indignation. Emi felt Law's gaze weighing on her, filled with suspicion and anger. She realized he had no trust in her, especially after what she had just done. In her mind, she could almost hear the gears of his decision turning: he was seriously considering getting rid of her.
She needed Law to believe her, to understand that she was on the side of justice, not corruption and crime. But the tension in the air made every word she spoke harder to believe.
She added, "I am a journalist above all, not a spy for Doflamingo. I was simply seeking information for an article, nothing more. I have no intention of harming you or your crew with it, Law."
Law remained motionless, his gaze still fixed on Emi, scrutinizing every part of her face for the slightest sign of lying or manipulation. The tension in the room was palpable as they stood there, face to face, each trying to uncover the other's intentions. On one hand, he couldn't afford to have a potential spy on his crew. On the other hand, he couldn't completely ignore the information Emi might gather, limited as it might be.
After a long moment of silence, Law slightly eased the pressure of his blade on her neck, but his gaze remained filled with suspicion regarding her intentions. Despite this, he decided to give her a chance, even though it went against his usual instincts.
"You're lucky I'm in a merciful mood today," he declared coldly. "But this is your last chance. If I discover even a hint of betrayal from you, I won't hesitate to end this."
Emi nodded vigorously, feeling the weight of danger still looming over her. She knew she had to be extremely careful in the future if she wanted to avoid a grim fate at the hands of the Surgeon of Death.
"Promise, cross my heart," she replied firmly, her eyes reflecting her determination. "You won't regret it."
Law didn't respond, merely staring at her for a moment longer before finally looking away.
He wasn't entirely convinced, but he decided to give her the benefit of the doubt, at least for now. After all, he needed all the help he could get in his quest for revenge against Doflamingo.
Suddenly, a loudspeaker blared in the room, and Bepo's voice came through:
"Heading to the next island! If conditions stay favorable, we should avoid the storms and arrive in about five days!"
As Emi was about to leave the room, Law called out to her in a calm but authoritative tone. "We're not done," he declared firmly. "Hand over all your spy gadgets."
"What?! Buー"
Law cut her off sharply. "You're not in a position to say anything, journalist-ya."
She felt both surprised and frustrated by this demand. However, she also understood that she wasn't in a position to protest, especially given the tense situation she was in. Her mind was torn between wanting to defend her position and the need to cooperate to ensure her own safety.
With a mix of frustration and resigned understanding, she emptied the pockets of her satchel and placed the gadgets on Law's desk. As he inspected the devices, she noticed him lingering on her satchel.
Before he could say a word, she hastened to speak. "I'm keeping my Den Den Mushi with me. It's my only way to gather information."
Law smirked. "Oh, I already know that. However..." He pointed to a particular Den Den Mushi. "The one your dear seagull brought you earlier, is that for your supposed journalism work?"
Emi, surprised that he had noticed this Den Den Mushi, bit her lip. When had he ..?
"I was planning to tell you about it later," she admitted, adding with a forced smile, "But it seems you already know."
Law kept his usual smirk. "You shouldn't underestimate the members of my crew."
Emi frowned at his remark. Penguin… It was him, for sure. From now on, she would need to be extra vigilant.
Pushing her thoughts aside, she finally responded, "It's about Caesar," she began cautiously. "I might have new information that could interest you tonight. I'm expecting a call."
Law remained perplexed but intrigued by the extent of her information network. She seemed to have access to varied and reliable sources. He could certainly use her for other interests, not just those concerning Caesar. But that would be something to explore later. For now, he had other concerns on his mind.
"You may go," he said calmly. He added in a threatening tone, "Not a word of this conversation to any members of my crew. You know the consequences if you do."
Emi nodded, wondering why Law insisted on keeping this conversation secret. Why did he not want to involve his crew? She knew Doflamingo was one of the most dangerous men in the world, but there had to be other reasons. She didn't dwell further on her thoughts and left Law's office. Closing the door behind her, she made her way through the corridors to the submarine's deck. She badly needed some fresh air.
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Emi walked onto the submarine's deck, greeted by the sea breeze caressing her face and the salty spray tickling her nostrils. The vast ocean stretched endlessly before her, shimmering under the fading sunlight. Waves moved gracefully, offering a mesmerizing sight. The wind blew gently, causing the ship's sails to ripple. Emi loved this feeling of freedom, of being in harmony with nature and the vastness of the ocean; it was a place where she felt alive.
As she was swept away by the gentle sea breeze on the submarine's deck, Emi was surprised by the sudden arrival of Penguin and Sachi. The two pirates seemed in good spirits, ready to tease the journalist.
"Hey, Emi, what are you up to up here? Admiring the view or looking for trouble?" Penguin asked cheerfully.
Emi replied with a smirk, "Oh, just getting lost in the vastness of the ocean. Nothing more."
"Do you need a companion for this solitary adventure?" Sachi added teasingly.
Emi rolled her eyes playfully. "Hmm, why not..." She then turned her gaze to Penguin. "I wouldn't risk getting lost with such observers like you around. Would I, Penguin?"
Penguin, usually playful, seemed taken aback by her remark. "What are you... talking about?"
Emi raised an eyebrow innocently. "Oh, I don't know... Maybe about the mysterious report you made to Law regarding a certain Den Den Mushi?" She gave him an accusing look.
Penguin scratched the back of his head, visibly embarrassed. "Well, uh... it was just a precaution, you know..."
Emi smiled, knowing she had elicited a reaction. "Of course, of course. Maybe I should keep an eye on you, Penguin. Who knows what you might reveal next time?"
Sachi, seeing the atmosphere becoming a bit tense, decided to change the subject.
"How about we go to the training room? Emi, I'm curious to see what you're capable of in combat!" he proposed with an enthusiastic smile.
Emi smiled, appreciating the change of topic, but she was reluctant to reveal her true combat skills. She knew that every piece of information could be used against her, and she didn't want the two pirates to discover her weaknesses. However, it had been a while since she had done any exercise. She would just have to be careful not to reveal too much.
She sighed and resigned herself to accept. "Why not?"
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The two combatants faced each other in the training room. Penguin, determined to make amends, had suggested to Emi that they spar to mend their bond after their earlier teasing exchange.
"Ready?" Penguin asked, his gaze filled with determination.
Emi nodded with a smirk. "Always."
The fight began, and at first, Emi simply dodged Penguin's attacks, studying his movements and weaknesses. But soon, she noticed that he was holding back, probably to avoid hurting her.
Her eyes hardened at this realization. She didn't want to be underestimated. So, setting aside her reservations, she launched into a series of rapid and expansive movements, using her combat technique that she had developed over the years.
Her attacks were fluid and precise, her movements graceful like those of a dancer. Each strike was calculated to hit its mark accurately.
Penguin, surprised by the sudden intensity of Emi's attacks, was momentarily caught off guard. He attempted to retaliate, but his movements seemed slow and clumsy compared to Emi's deadly finesse.
Law entered the training room, noticing with surprise Penguin and Emi engaged in a serious sparring session. Intrigued by Emi's abilities, which he hadn't anticipated, he closely observed her movements and agility. She exhibited an unexpected strength in each of her actions. Moving around Penguin with almost dance-like fluidity, she launched rapid and precise attacks that seemed almost airborne.
Her graceful movements masked the strength and accuracy of her strikes, creating an illusion of deadly grace. Law had glimpsed snippets of Emi's combat skills in the tavern during their first encounter, but now he had a full view of her capabilities. Despite her lack of physical strength, she had found a harmonious balance in her fighting technique, demonstrating that she didn't need brute force to match her opponent.
Emi watched Penguin with cautious reserve as he demonstrated his combat skill. His fluid and precise movements allowed him to defend against her rapid strikes, indicating he was quite skilled in this art. While she didn't necessarily share his approach or combat style, she acknowledged him as a competent opponent to be reckoned with.
Emi had noticed Law's arrival in the room, and she immediately slowed down the pace of her attacks and movements, mindful not to reveal too much about her combat techniques. Her concentration wavered slightly as she kept an eye on him. Penguin, attentive to this lapse in attention, seized the opportunity. Taking advantage of her momentary distraction, he delivered a swift and precise kick to Emi's stomach. She couldn't react in time, and the blow sent her sprawling to the floor.
Penguin, panicked, rushed to her side. "Oh, Emi, I'm so sorry!"
"It's okay, don't worry," she replied with a slight smile. "You're pretty fast."
Penguin seemed relieved but somewhat puzzled. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, offering his hand to help her up.
Emi nodded, then, seizing the moment of his guard being down, she continued, "No worries, but maybe you should watch your back."
With a quick movement, Emi grabbed the arm Penguin had extended and executed a judo move that sent him rolling across the floor.
Penguin got up, amidst Sachi's laughter, feeling a bit disconcerted but impressed.
"Bahaha, she got you good!" chuckled Sachi.
Emi offered him a teasing smile and a wink. "When the opportunity presents itself, you shouldn't hesitate."
Penguin felt embarrassed realizing that his captain had observed the entire scene.
Curious, Law then asked Sachi to spar with Emi, eager to learn more about her combat techniques. He had noticed she hadn't given her all, and he also knew she possessed weapons and gadgets for fighting. While curious to see how she handled those, he understood she wouldn't reveal all her cards today. He decided to save that for another occasion, focusing on the hand-to-hand combat for now.
Emi glared at Law with annoyance, feeling slightly irritated at having to fight again to prove herself, knowing full well he would be watching closely and judging her combat abilities. Nevertheless, she positioned herself, ready to defend against Sachi, who had stepped forward.
He looked at Emi challengingly, a teasing smile on his lips. "I won't fall for it like Penguin did, Emi."
Penguin blushed slightly as he joined his captain, feeling caught off guard. "Sorry, Captain. I was a bit distracted."
Law nodded, somewhat skeptical. "Don't forget to stay focused, even during informal training."
Penguin nodded solemnly, resolving to make up for it next time.
As Law observed Sachi and Emi training, he couldn't shake the growing need to seriously prepare his crew for their entry into the New World. This ruthless territory would test their strength and determination like never before. He knew they weren't yet ready to face the dangers that awaited them, himself included, especially in his quest for vengeance against Doflamingo. The necessity of becoming stronger was more evident than ever before.
Law was seriously considering increasing the crew's numbers. Their current team, though close-knit, wouldn't suffice to ensure the submarine's safety in the hostile waters of the New World, where unpredictable monsters and phenomena roamed. They needed more hands and more strength to confront future enemies and defend against the dangers of their new environment.
The battle between Sachi and Emi was intense and evenly matched. Their movements were fluid, each using their expertise in close combat to fend off the other's attacks.
However, as the fight progressed, Sachi noticed their captain's attentive gaze. Determined to show his best, he increased the speed and intensity of his strikes. His attacks became faster and more powerful, putting pressure on Emi.
Exhausted from her earlier bout with Penguin, she struggled to keep up. Despite her resilience, she eventually succumbed to Sachi's relentless assault. In a moment of imbalance, Sachi seized the opportunity to trip her, causing her to stagger and fall to the ground.
As Emi got back up, she realized with frustration that she needed to seriously improve her cardio and endurance. She knew it was one of her weaknesses and was annoyed at the thought that Law had surely noticed.
Sachi looked at Emi with a proud grin and said, "No hard feelings, I hope!"
Emi smiled amusedly at Sachi's teasing remark, and with a slight shrug, she replied, "Just a reminder that I need to work even harder in the future."
Sachi gave her a knowing smile. "That's right, always striving to improve!"
As the two joined Law and Penguin, Emi's stomach suddenly growled, breaking the silence of their training. She felt slightly embarrassed by the involuntary noise, but Penguin took the opportunity to joke.
"I think that's the signal to move on to the next activity: eating!" he suggested with a broad smile.
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Thank you for reading this chapter, which was a bit longer than the previous ones! I hope you enjoyed it!