Chapter 1: Writting under pressure
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**Marineford Headquarters: The War That Shook the World's Foundations**
Marineford, the Marine's headquarters, became the battleground for a colossal clash between the Marine forces and Whitebeard's crew, backed by a coalition of pirates. This battle, sparked by the mission to save Portgas D. Ace—the son of Gol D. Roger and the brother of Monkey D. Luffy—marked a turning point in the world's history. Lives were lost, heroes emerged, and the pirate era now seems more uncertain than ever. A look back at one of the most memorable battles in history.
With a bitter taste in her mouth, Emi read the articles one after another, examining every detail with a mix of envy and frustration. All those reporters had succeeded where she had failed. They had written powerful, captivating stories, their names printed on the front page. Meanwhile, she was stuck with secondary rumors, far from the glory of the major headlines.
She slammed the newspaper down onto the wooden counter, her fingers drumming nervously on the glass in front of her. Emi watched the rain splatter against the tavern window, her gaze distant and her nerves on edge. Even her favorite drink offered no comfort. The angry words of her editor echoed in her ears, reminding her of the precarious position she was in.
Since the Marineford War, her lack of solid articles had become apparent, leaving her most loyal client struggling due to other competitors who had obtained exclusive reports on the war. She had been bitterly outdone by other journalists who had written much better articles, amplifying her immense frustration.
Emi was a freelance journalist who mainly relied on selling her reports and gossip to the Marines and editors-in-chief to make a living, but lately, it had become increasingly difficult to convince them to buy her work. The competitive world of journalism was ruthless, and Emi knew she had to find a compelling story to stay afloat.
Emi wasn't interested in bounty hunting or being a mercenary; for her, writing articles was far more captivating than chasing pirates and doing the Marines' dirty work. She was more of an intellectual than a fighter. Despite having a few years of experience under her belt, Emi harbored a deep disdain for both sides: the cruelty of the pirates and the corruption within the Marines and the government, of which she was well aware.
She swept the dimly lit tavern with her gaze, her hazel eyes settling on a small group seated in a corner. Her eyes fell on a white bear that looked like it had very soft fur, wearing an orange jumpsuit. Next to him were two other men, one wearing a beige jumpsuit and a black cap with a red pompom on top, and the word "Penguin" displayed on the front. The other man wore a blue hat with sunglasses on his face.
Emi didn't need another moment to recognize the Heart Pirates' symbol embroidered on the back and pocket of their jumpsuits. Her gaze rested on the man sitting across from them: dark hair, wearing a fur hat with black patterns in a Nordic style.
Yes, there was no doubt about it: this was Trafalgar Law, one of the pirates belonging to the Worst Generation.
Trafalgar Law... Worst Generation... increasingly known by the Marines... equates to juicy information? Emi's mind buzzed with possibilities as she observed the famous pirate and his crew, knowing they were the perfect target for her desperate situation. A chance to gather information from such a renowned figure could potentially lead to an interesting article, one that might not only save her reputation as a journalist but also ensure her financial stability.
Fueled by desperation and determination, Emi stepped forward towards the group. She ignored the stares and whispers that followed her, focusing solely on the opportunity before her.
She approached the table cautiously, trying to appear confident despite the nervous pounding in her chest, her gaze unwavering as she faced Trafalgar Law's cold stare. Emi observed him for a few moments, noting his cautious posture and the readiness of his crew to act at the slightest sign of threat. She cleared her throat, trying to stay calm despite the palpable tension in the air.
"Trafalgar Law," Emi began, her voice steady despite the electric tension in the air.
Law remained silent, his expression unreadable. Unsurprisingly; she was probably not the first person to utter his name, especially in places like this tavern.
"My name is Emi," she continued, holding Law's gaze with unwavering determination. "I'm a journalist."
As Emi introduced herself, Law couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance. He had dealt with enough journalists to know that their motivations were often driven by self-interest rather than a genuine quest for truth.
"Independent, to be precise," she added.
Law raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued despite himself. "And what brings a journalist like you to a place like this?" he inquired, his voice betraying a hint of curiosity.
Emi paused, choosing her words carefully. "I'm always on the lookout for interesting stories. And from what I've heard, your recent exploits are the stuff of legends."
Law's expression remained wary, but a flicker of amusement could be seen in his eyes.
"Really? And what makes you think I have a story worth telling?"
Emi met his gaze without flinching. "Because behind every legend, there's a truth waiting to be discovered. And I have a feeling yours is different from anything I've ever heard."
A moment of silence ensued as Law considered her words, weighing the pros and cons of engaging with a journalist. Flowery words surely hid some ulterior motive... But finally, he nodded, albeit reluctantly.
"Very well," Law declared, his tone reserved. "You can ask your questions. But I have little patience for idle chatter."
Emi nodded, grateful for the opportunity he was offering her. She knew that gaining his trust wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to uncover a story that could be useful, no matter the cost.
"I couldn't help but wonder... Why did you save the Straw Hat Pirate at Marineford? What compelled you to intervene in such a risky battle?"
Law's expression darkened at the mention of the Straw Hat, his grip tightening around his glass. He looked at Emi with cold detachment, his distrust evident in the firmness of his jaw.
"I have my reasons," Law replied curtly. "Reasons that don't concern you."
"But there must be a strategic motive behind those actions." She persisted, undeterred by his dismissive response.
Law's patience waned in the face of Emi's persistence, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
"I suggest you mind your own business, journalist-ya"
Emi shivered at his sharp tone. She knew it would be difficult to make him talk, but refusing to be intimidated, she pressed on.
"I'm just trying to understand the bigger picture, Trafalgar Law. As a journalist, it's my job to seek the truth."
Law gave a mocking smile, bitterness creeping into his voice.
"The truth? In your field, the truth is a commodity to be bought and sold to the highest bidder. I have no interest in being a pawn in your game of misinformation."
Okay. He had a point there. Emi felt the tension rise, and his crew seemed to tense up as well. It was a moment to back down, but her pride took a hit. Emi had a strong character and didn't hesitate to use blackmail or threats to obtain useful information. However, facing Trafalgar Law, she found herself in a delicate position, far from her usual confrontations with vulgar pirates or corrupt politicians. She had to find another way to convince him...
Emi felt a retort ready to burst from her lips, ready to defend her honor and professionalism, but before she could speak, an old pirate abruptly interrupted them. He had overheard the entire conversation and, taking advantage of the presence of a journalist, declared with a haughty air:
"Instead of meddling in the affairs of this pirate, you'd be better off paying attention to real pirates, like me, the great Baterlo, and my crew!"
Emi sized him up, an eyebrow arched. He was of average height, his stocky frame betraying a life spent at sea. His beer belly protruded from his partially open shirt, and his unkempt beard gave him a scruffy appearance.
She had never heard of him. As a journalist specializing in pirate affairs, she had extensive knowledge of the major names in piracy. The mere fact that she had never come across this pirate suggested he was rather insignificant in the world of buccaneers. He might have been an old sea dog, but in Emi's eyes, he was far from impressive.
"Never heard of you," she said with a hint of disdain, before turning back to Law to resume their conversation.
However, the pirate, furious at being ignored, violently grabbed Emi's arm to get her attention.
"Listen to me when I'm talking to you, you little bitch!" he roared, his grip tightening around Emi's arm.
Emi felt a surge of anger as the pirate roughly grabbed her arm. Without thinking, she delivered a powerful kick, striking him squarely in the face. The pirate staggered, surprised by the sudden retaliation from the young woman. Law, usually impassive, briefly showed a hint of surprise at the impulsive behavior of the journalist.
The other members of Baterlo's crew reacted instantly, rushing to defend their captain with swords drawn.
Law watched the scene with exasperated patience, annoyed by the chaos she had unleashed, ruining their moment of tranquility in the tavern. He remained seated, arms crossed, his usual calm apparent despite the commotion around him. Penguin, however, couldn't help but comment with an ironic smile, "Well, she's got guts! The little one can hold her own!"
Despite their numerical superiority, Emi displayed great agility, skillfully dodging the pirates' attacks. Her nimbleness allowed her to weave between them, delivering simple but precise blows. However, faced with their ever-increasing numbers, she quickly realized the fight was uneven. Choosing to avoid a futile and potentially dangerous confrontation, she made the wise decision to retreat, leaving the tavern to ensure her own safety.
Emi skillfully slipped out of the tavern, casting one last glance at Law as he began to draw his Nodachi from its sheath. Those filthy pirates had ruined her only chance to write an article worthy of her name. But Emi wasn't one to give up easily. She was determined to find a solution, to come back to him one way or another.
On this particular island, the Log Pose took three days to reset and point to the next fervently hoped that the Heart Pirates had arrived recently and didn't have an Eternal Pose in their possession, which would mean they still had to wait before setting sail. This situation offered her a valuable window of opportunity to attempt a new approach.
Lost in her thoughts, she was abruptly pulled from her reverie by the sound of the tavern doors flying open. Baterlo's pirates, still furious over the affront, stormed out, their eyes blazing with anger as they immediately zeroed in on her. Their intention was clear: to settle the score for the humiliation she had inflicted on them.
Emi quickly rummaged through her satchel and pulled out her precious little bombs. A confident smile spread across her face.
Taking a deep breath, she hurled her first bomb and shouted, "Remember this, you dumbass!"
She expected a resounding explosion, but due to the rain, the bomb produced only a small "puf," emitting a slight puff of smoke and a few sparks before fizzling out. A long silence followed, as the journalist's face fell in dismay. "Is this a joke?!"
Undeterred, she threw another bomb, but the result was the same: a tiny "puf" followed by a few damp sparks and another long silence.
"No, no, no, this can't be happening!" she muttered, cursing the weather.
The pirates, seeing their prey disarmed and desperate, wore cruel smiles as they advanced slowly, savoring their imminent victory.
"Catch her!" ordered Baterlo, his eyes gleaming with triumph.
Emi felt a surge of adrenaline as her survival instincts kicked in. Without wasting a second, she turned on her heels and dashed off into the pouring rain. Cold drops lashed her face, but she couldn't afford to worry about that. Behind her, the enraged pirates' shouts echoed, mingling with the storm's din.
She ran at full speed, her steps splashing through the puddles dotting the cobblestone streets. The town, with its narrow, winding alleys, provided a perfect labyrinth for evading her pursuers. Emi knew these paths well, and she used every nook and cranny to outmaneuver her assailants.
The pirates, less agile and unfamiliar with the town's layout, struggled to keep up. They slipped on the wet cobblestones, growing increasingly frustrated as they lost ground. Emi, on the other hand, leveraged her knowledge of the area to her advantage, slipping through passages barely wide enough for a person.
She rounded a corner sharply, pressing herself against a wall to catch her breath. She could hear the pirates running, their hurried footsteps echoing off the buildings' walls. Emi closed her eyes for a moment, listening intently. When she opened them, she spotted a small gap between two buildings, just large enough for her to squeeze through.
Carefully, she wriggled into the narrow opening. The rain continued to pour, creating a symphony of droplets hitting roofs and cobblestones. Emi waited for a few moments, holding her breath, hoping the pirates wouldn't find her.
The sounds of footsteps and shouts began to fade, moving off in another direction. Emi let out a sigh of relief. She had managed to lose them, for now. Straightening up, she cautiously peeked out from her hiding spot. The alley was deserted, the pirates nowhere in sight.
She slowly emerged from her hideout, making sure the coast was clear before resuming her path. Soaked but unharmed, Emi continued to navigate the narrow streets, heading for a safer place. Her mind was already formulating a new plan. She would not let this setback deter her. Law was still her best lead, and she was determined to find a way to get the story she needed.
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I hope you enjoyed this first chapter! I apologize in advance if some sentences seem odd, but English is not my first language and I am doing my best 🙏 Thank you for your understanding~