Chapter 36: New Beginning
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Law entered his quarters, his footsteps faintly echoing on the metallic floor of the submarine. The dim lighting in the room created a serene atmosphere, contrasting with the quiet but steady activity aboard as the crew made their final preparations for the imminent landing on the island. As he quietly closed the door behind him, an unexpected detail caught his eye. On his usually neatly organized desk sat a small wooden box. He was certain it hadn't been there when he'd left.
Intrigued, he walked over and picked it up. He lifted the lid to find a carefully folded note inside, along with what appeared to be a Log Pose.
He unfolded the note first to read it.
"I'm letting you borrow it."
A faint smirk tugged at Law's lips. Emi. His gaze shifted to the Log Pose, which he pulled out of the box to examine more closely. The crystal sphere was mounted on a finely crafted wooden base, with a clear and precise engraving: "G1 Marine Base."
An Eternal Pose.
His smirk grew at the discovery. Even in leaving, Emi had made sure to leave behind a valuable tool, like a silent promise that they would meet again. She was true to her word, to her promises, and he hadn't missed that detail.
Law held the Log Pose for a few moments before carefully placing it in one of his drawers. His smile faded as he closed the drawer, his thoughts returning to reality. He had his own goals to achieve, his own revenge to fulfill. This island was just another step, both for his plans and hers, as they each pursued their own goals.
.~~~~
Emi walked through the dark alleyways, her thoughts swirling as wildly as the sea breeze blowing against her. The further she ventured into the port town, the more the emotional distance between her and the Heart Pirates crew grew. She had chosen to leave quietly, without looking back, and even though that decision haunted her, she knew she hadn't had another choice.
She paused for a moment, her gaze drifting to the wet cobblestones glistening under the dim light of the lanterns. The night was calm, disturbed only by the gentle lapping of the waves against the docks in the distance and the murmur of the few passersby.
She sighed softly, her thoughts drifting to Penguin and Sachi. They must be worried. Their friendship had been genuine, and she felt guilty for leaving without a word. She could already picture Sachi panicking, running around trying to find her, and Penguin trying to stay calm while being just as worried. That was exactly why she had left without saying anything. She feared that if she had met their gaze, she might have doubted herself, hesitated.
And then, there was Law.
She had spent enough time by his side to understand that he would never let his emotions show, but that he watched over his crew with a cold determination. Law had surely understood. He knew why she had left.
Her quest for vengeance had nothing to do with Law's crew. In time, she might have been ready to show them her loyalty, yes, but this was something she had to resolve on her own. They had their own enemies, their own challenges. Emi didn't want to be a burden to them, nor drag them into something so personal.
Her goal was clear: to finish what her father had started. He had lost his life trying to protect the Velorians, and she intended to complete his unfinished work and expose the injustices of the nobles.
The thought of her father reignited a flame within her, a pain she knew all too well but had learned to channel. It was for him that she was doing all of this. All she had left was this quest for justice—or rather, vengeance—against those who had upended her world.
Emi planned first to go to the World Economy News Paper office located at the G1 Marine Base, where her father had worked. She wanted to uncover the truth behind the circumstances of his death and take the opportunity to speak with Samuel, one of his former colleagues.
She lifted her head, her eyes reflecting the flickering light of the lanterns. There was no turning back. But she was ready. Nothing would stop her from reaching her goal. This town marked the beginning of her revenge. They would all pay, every last one of them.
The streets became livelier as Emi approached the city center. The echoes of laughter, loud voices, and animated conversations reached her ears, a stark contrast to the inner turmoil that consumed her. The lights from the shops and taverns illuminated the damp cobblestones, casting shifting shadows. She blended into the crowd like one shadow among many, seeking refuge in anonymity. Yet, every face that passed by, every glance she exchanged, reminded her that the world kept turning, that everyone here had their own battles to fight, just like she did.
Stopping in front of an inn, she glanced up to study its lit facade. The place seemed modest but welcoming. Perhaps she could find a quiet corner to rest and take time to think through the next step of her plan. But she wanted to avoid Law's crew. There was a chance she might run into them here, or somewhere else in the city, and she needed to find a secluded spot where she wouldn't risk crossing paths with them.
Just as she was about to walk away from the inn, the door suddenly swung open with a bang, slamming against the wall, and a man stormed out in a hurry. He seemed furious, his movements betraying barely contained frustration.
The man, of medium build, had messy light brown hair, but it was the white mask painted with a grotesque smile that caught all of Emi's attention. That permanent smile stood in strange contrast to the man's scowling demeanor, creating an unsettling aura around him. He stumbled as he exited, nearly falling onto the cobblestones, but quickly regained his footing, shooting a furious glare back into the tavern. It was then that he noticed Emi, who was watching him with faint curiosity.
"I guess you had a rough night?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, trying to hide her amusement behind a calm tone.
The man turned toward her, his mask still, but the irritation was clear in his voice. "Rough night? That's an understatement! Those idiots don't know a good helmsman when they see one!" He threw his arms up in exasperation.
Emi crossed her arms, intrigued despite herself. "A masked helmsman, huh? And what's an expert navigator doing complaining outside a tavern?"
The man let out a heavy sigh before lowering his arms. "I just wanted to relax a bit, but apparently, that's too much to ask. I offered my services to a few captains, but none of them were smart enough to recognize my... talent."
"Maybe it's because of the mask," Emi suggested, studying the details of the artificial smile. "People tend to distrust faces they can't see."
The man stared at her in silence for a moment, then finally shrugged. "Maybe. But I like my mask. It keeps others at a distance. And that suits me just fine."
"If you keep it on," Emi replied with a half-smile, "you must be really good to make up for that first impression."
The masked helmsman let out a slight, cynical laugh. "Oh, I'm the best, no doubt about that. But unfortunately, most people can't see beyond their own noses."
Emi shook her head with a smile. "Well, maybe they're wrong. And maybe you just haven't crossed paths with the right captain yet."
The man sized her up for a moment, a glimmer of interest behind his mask. "Maybe. And you? What's a young woman doing alone, in the middle of the night, in a port town?"
Emi shrugged, her gaze lost in the mist of her thoughts. "I'm a journalist... on a mission."
The masked helmsman seemed to ponder her words for a moment before replying, "If you ever need a helmsman for that mission, you know where to find me. As for me, I could use another drink."
With that, he turned and crossed the street, entering another tavern, his white mask blending into the shadows. Emi watched him walk away, shaking her head slightly, a barely noticeable smile tugging at the corner of her lips. This strange character, with his grotesque mask and bold attitude, had just lightened the burden of her night a little.
Emi took a deep breath, fortunately, she wasn't entirely alone. Coco, her faithful seagull, was likely fluttering somewhere above, always keeping a silent watch. Then there was Ambres, one of the people she trusted most, always there for her despite the distance. That continued to give her the strength she needed to move forward.
She resumed her walk, determined not to falter. This port town was just a stop on the long path she had carved out for herself. Even if she had to keep going alone, she would do so without hesitation. Her path was vengeance. A lonely and twisted road, but it was the one she had chosen, and she would follow it to the end, no matter the obstacles.
As she wandered through the alleys, still lost in thought, a heated conversation suddenly caught her attention. Through the slightly open window of a tavern, she overheard two marines sitting at a table, clearly in the middle of a tense debate, their words laced with barely concealed animosity. Their exchange immediately piqued Emi's curiosity, and she stopped to listen.
"I'm telling you, this is bad!" grumbled a young man, visibly on edge. "The G-5 base, seriously? We're going to get ourselves killed! That base has the worst reputation in the entire Marine force!"
His companion, a woman in her twenties, nodded with a sigh. "Yeah, but we don't have a choice. The commander requested a transfer there, and we were picked to fill the ranks."
The young man slumped over the table, sighing in despair, while the woman continued, "Don't be so pessimistic. And before we even head to G-5, we need to stop by G-1 for our briefing. With a bit of luck, we might get reassigned to someone else there!"
Emi, who had leaned against the tavern's outer wall to listen, widened her eyes at the mention of G-1. These marines were passing through that base? And they were heading to the New World? A rare opportunity had just presented itself. Infiltrating their ranks would be safer and, more importantly, faster than searching for another way to travel. She needed to return to the Grand Line, and Marine ships were specially equipped to cross the Calm Belt without attracting the sea monsters that roamed there, thanks to their seastone-coated hulls. Though her hatred for the government still burned fiercely within her, temporarily aligning herself with them would offer her significant advantages.
Within seconds, an idea took root in her mind, developing almost instinctively. An excuse, credible enough to convince these soldiers. She knew she could be persuasive when necessary. Determined to seize this opportunity, Emi straightened up and entered the tavern, her plan already formed in her head.
She approached the two marines, carefully masking her aversion behind a friendly smile, a mask she wore almost as well as the helmsman's she had met earlier.
"Hello," she said calmly, flashing her most engaging smile. "Sorry to interrupt, but I overheard you're heading to G-5?"
The two soldiers stared at her, surprised, but before they could say anything, Emi continued without giving them time to think. "I'm a journalist, and I actually need to go there for an article. Maybe I could join you? I could even write a piece on your journey and assignment to G-5. You know, highlight the bravery of soldiers sent to the most dangerous bases..."
The marines exchanged glances, hesitant. After a few seconds of silence, the woman finally shrugged. "Why not? But first, our commanding officer would have to approve."
Emi nodded, trying not to show her tension. "Who's your commanding officer?"
"We're under Vice Admiral Smoker," replied the marine with a faint, unenthusiastic smile.
"Smoker, huh?" Emi concealed her unease behind a neutral expression. "Thanks. I'll wait to hear what he says."
As she left the tavern, her mind raced. Smoker… She had heard of him—Vice Admiral of the Marines, formidable, methodical, and relentless. The only man capable of tracking a pirate to the ends of the New World without ever giving up. She hoped she could convince him, that he'd be reasonable, and that she could also access some of the information she needed without arousing suspicion.
Emi wasted no time and headed to the port, scanning every ship. She quickly spotted the one with the enormous World Government emblem, impossible to miss, anchored in the center of the harbor. Given its impressive size, it was likely Smoker's ship. Taking a deep breath, she made her way toward it, hoping to find him quickly and without any complications.
At the dock, two marines stood guard at the entrance of the bridge leading to the ship. Emi walked toward them with a determined stride, her face set in a perfectly calculated professional expression. The two guards, engaged in quiet conversation, quickly noticed her and straightened their posture. One of them frowned slightly, while his colleague, an older and more robust man, crossed his arms, adopting a cautious stance.
Before they could say anything, Emi approached with a friendly smile and pulled out her notebook, opening it as if to prove her credentials.
"Gentlemen," she said firmly. "I'm here on behalf of the Marine Information Department to write an article on special assignments for soldiers in the New World. If I'm not mistaken, you're about to head to the infamous G-5 base, correct?"
The two guards exchanged confused glances. The younger one looked surprised that she knew about their mission. "How... do you know that?" he asked, suddenly defensive.
Emi smiled softly, as if it were the most natural question. "Oh, don't worry. As an accredited journalist, I have access to certain troop movements, especially for important assignments. You can imagine G-5 attracts attention. It has quite the… dangerous reputation, doesn't it?"
The young guard nodded slowly, clearly thrown off. He glanced at his superior, who looked equally surprised but was better at hiding it.
"We're not supposed to discuss our orders…" the older man said cautiously, though the hesitation in his voice betrayed him.
"I understand, you're following strict orders," Emi replied, inclining her head slightly to show respect. Politeness was going to be her best weapon, even though the idea of pretending to be courteous to World Government representatives made her stomach turn. "But that's exactly why I'm here—to highlight the bravery of marines like you, who accept such perilous missions. I absolutely need to get on board to reach HQ and continue my interviews. Your captain, Smoker, in particular, is highly respected. An article on his leadership in these troubled times would make for an excellent subject."
The young guard perked up a bit at the mention of Smoker and stepped forward slightly. "You're really going to write an article about us and G-5?"
Emi nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely. I want to show how much the Marines rely on men and women willing to face the worst dangers. The entire crew deserves recognition, and that includes you. But I need to be on board to closely follow this mission."
The older man remained silent, visibly deep in thought. He seemed to be weighing the pros and cons, unsure of how to handle the situation.
Emi took a deep breath to steady herself. "You understand, I don't want to interfere with your mission, but time is crucial for me as well," she added, glancing toward the ship, feigning a sense of urgency. "I won't be any trouble, and I'll make sure not to delay you."
Finally, the older guard let out a resigned sigh. "I suppose we can make an exception... But you'll have to speak with Captain Smoker once on board. If it were up to us..."
Emi smiled, hiding her relief behind her professional demeanor.
They stepped aside, allowing Emi to board the ship. She gave them a final nod before disappearing into the shadows of the deck, aware that she had just passed the first delicate step of her plan.
On deck, Smoker watched the crew go about their tasks, a cigarette ever-present between his lips. Emi approached him with a confident stride, though her mind was alert.
She stopped at a respectful distance, taking a deep breath before addressing the imposing figure before her.
"Vice-Admiral," she began politely. "I'm a journalist, and I'd like to request a few minutes of your time to talk."
Smoker, without even removing his cigarette, looked her over, raising one eyebrow slightly, clearly not used to such requests. His sharp eyes scanned Emi, perhaps searching for a reason to dismiss her. Finally, after a few tense moments of silence, he gave a brief nod.
"Make it quick," he grumbled, his gravelly voice betraying his barely concealed irritation.
Emi stepped closer, trying to maintain a calm posture despite the tension. She forced herself to keep a respectful expression, though every word was difficult to get out. The thought of supporting a system she secretly despised for its injustices against the people didn't sit well with her. But she had no choice if she wanted to move forward.
"I'm working on an article about assignments in the New World, and I think following your crew could provide a fresh perspective. After all, you're one of the most respected officers in these waters."
Her words were carefully chosen, playing on Smoker's reputation, but he didn't seem easily swayed. His eyes narrowed, and he shook his head, exhaling a cloud of smoke that thickened around his face.
"Sorry, kid," he replied in a firm voice. "This ship isn't a tourist boat. We don't usually take civilians on board, especially not for publicity."
Emi raised an eyebrow at Smoker's response. A "tourist" and a "kid"? She'd heard he had a bad temper, but not quite like this. She took a deep breath, straightening up with a carefully composed neutral expression—her poker face. Her fingers tightened slightly around her notebook, resisting the urge to snap back at him.
"I'm not a tourist. I'm a journalist," she replied calmly, but with a firm tone. "And I know exactly where you're going and why. G-5 isn't a place for just anyone. Your men take risks every day, and the public deserves to know what that involves."
Smoker frowned, clearly unsettled by how much she knew. He hadn't mentioned G-5 to anyone outside of his superiors. "You got your press credentials, journalist?" he finally asked, crossing his arms, his gaze growing even more suspicious as he exhaled a thick cloud of smoke.
Emi had anticipated this question, but that didn't make it any less risky. She rummaged through her bag, her fingers brushing past various items before finding what she was looking for: an old press card. It had expired years ago, a detail she could only hope he wouldn't notice.
As she handed the card over, a slight shiver ran down her spine. From the start, she'd been playing a part, lying without hesitation. There was never an article to write about the Marines, let alone about their G-5 assignments. It was all just a well-rehearsed excuse to get accepted on board. Her true goal was simply to stay close to their movements, using their ship to reach her own objectives.
Smoker took the card between his rough fingers, glancing at it briefly. Emi watched him closely, searching for any sign of doubt or deeper scrutiny. She couldn't help but glance at his cigar, which seemed never to burn out… seriously, was it his power that made it last forever?
"You're lucky I don't waste time on trivial details," he said, handing back the card. "But let me be very clear: you're not part of this crew, and I won't tolerate any distractions. If you come aboard, you follow my rules."
Emi quickly nodded, too relieved to respond right away. "I understand perfectly. I won't cause any trouble, and I'll stay out of the way. I just want to observe and give your men the recognition they deserve in my article."
Smoker half-turned, vaguely gesturing toward the ship's deck, signaling he had no more time for her. "If you interfere with my mission, I'll dump you on the next island, no matter where it is. Got it?"
"Crystal clear, Vice Admiral," she replied, trying hard not to let her irritation show.
"We leave at dawn tomorrow," he said firmly, the cigar still barely consumed between his lips. "Be on time, or you'll be left behind."
As he walked away, Emi let out a small sigh of relief, carefully placing her fake press card back into her bag. She had managed to fool Smoker this time, but the tension between her polite façade and her growing resentment for what the World Government stood for was only intensifying. Emi stood there for a moment, contemplating how she was going to endure that temper for the entire journey.
~~~~o~~~O~~~o~~~~
The next morning, at precisely 5 a.m., Emi arrived in front of the Marine ship, Coco perched on her shoulder. The air was still cool, and the first rays of sunlight were just starting to break the horizon. She crossed paths with one of the marines she had met the night before at the tavern, who looked like he was barely awake.
The man, his eyes half-closed, lazily waved at her in greeting. Emi held back a sigh of relief, realizing that Smoker had informed his men and kept his word. The Marine gave Coco a curious look as she sat on Emi's shoulder.
Emi didn't give him a chance to ask any questions. "She stays with me," she said firmly, her eyes delivering a clear warning.
The marine, too tired to argue, nodded in agreement. "Alright. We didn't introduce ourselves last time, did we? I'm Max. Kelly and I are assigned to your safety during the trip."
Emi raised an eyebrow, slightly amused by his statement. Safety, huh? She couldn't help but think it was more about keeping an eye on her, especially after experiencing their Commander's temperament. In reality, Max explained while walking that he and Kelly had been assigned to show her around the ship, help her get familiar with the place, and integrate her into life aboard.
Now a bit more awake, Max showed her the cabin where she'd spend the nights. "Here's your cabin," he said, opening the door. "It's not big, but it's comfortable."
Emi glanced inside, noticing the narrow bed and the small table. She nodded in thanks.
"Right next door is Tashigi's room, our officer," he added, pointing his thumb toward the cabin's door.
Emi raised an intrigued eyebrow, nodding silently despite her growing frustration. It wasn't going to be easy to sneak around the ship and gather information. She'd have to figure out how to proceed, as she definitely didn't plan on staying locked in her cabin until they arrived at G1. She had a clear goal.
Max continued the tour, showing her the showers and the common kitchen. "The showers are down here," he said, pointing to a door at the end of the hallway. "And here's the kitchen. We share meals here. Every morning, we take turns cleaning up."
Emi nodded. "Thanks for the tour."
Max responded with a tired but genuine smile. "No problem. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
Emi nodded, recognizing Max's kindness. Even though she now felt a deep distrust toward the Marines, she couldn't deny that some of them seemed genuinely kind. Probably because they were ordered to be. She turned to Coco, gently stroking her feathers, then made her way to her temporary cabin to slip away.
~~~~o~~~O~~~o~~~~
I'm back for this new season! More action, more battles, more tension, I hope you'll enjoy it! The first chapters will dive deep into Emi's journey for revenge, but don't worry, that focus won't last long—we'll quickly shift back to the Law x OC plot !
Thank you for being loyal to this fanfiction, it means a lot to me!
