From conversations to revelation
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Emi entered the inn where she had reserved a room for a few days. She greeted the receptionist who had recognized her, then headed to her room, relieved to find some tranquility after the evening's hustle and bustle. Placing her belongings down with a sigh of relief, she quickly changed into dry clothes and settled onto the bed.
Next to her was her trusted friend, Coco: a News Coo. Emi smiled at the little greeting chirp from her faithful seagull. She approached and gently stroked its head through its hat. Although some considered her simply a newspaper deliverer, to Emi, she was much more than that. This seagull was her partner in her quest for information across the seas. She was a valuable ally in her profession as a journalist, and it was also through her that Emi delivered her articles to her clients.
Tired from the evening's events, she let herself fall with a sigh of relief onto her soft bed, thinking only about the strategy to devise for her next meeting with Trafalgar Law.
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Law had left the tavern with his crew, an inevitable decision after the commotion caused by the journalist's intervention against the pirates who had dared to lay a hand on her. Everyone had dispersed throughout the town, attending to their own affairs before regrouping at the submarine. As for Law, he was heading to a local library, hoping to find interesting books on medicine.
As he walked, the image of the journalist he had met earlier came to mind. A most unusual encounter, especially ironic considering it was usually him seeking information from reporters, not the other way around. Indeed, in the context of his plan against Doflamingo, every detail mattered, even the tiniest ones, and journalists were a significant source of information that fueled his strategies.
At first, he had been irritated by Emi's questions about his motivation to save the Straw Hat. However, after thinking about it, he realized he could turn the situation to his advantage. Perhaps she possessed valuable information he could extract from her, thus reversing the roles in their exchange.
However, Law supposed he would probably not see her again. Moreover, their departure was imminent as he planned to leave the next morning, knowing the Log Pose would soon indicate the direction of the next island. As he entered the library, Law resigned himself to putting aside his thoughts about the journalist. For now, he needed to focus on the preparations for his next move against Doflamingo, setting aside any other distractions.
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As Bepo strolled along the port with his bag of fresh fish he had just caught for the crew, he suddenly noticed someone standing in front of him. It was Emi, the journalist he had briefly encountered in the tavern.
Emi had decided to get some fresh air and take a walk to enjoy the last rays of sunshine, which had appeared after the earlier downpour, before they set. By a happy coincidence, she found herself face to face with the polar bear of the Heart Pirates. Emi was surprised by the fortuitous coincidence, but she couldn't help but smile at the situation. Thanking fate for this opportunity, she gave him a friendly greeting.
"Oh, good evening! We met in the tavern earlier, didn't we? I apologize for the commotion I caused because of those infamous pirates. I hope it didn't ruin your evening!"
Bepo, bewildered, didn't quite know how to react. On one hand, his captain didn't seem to appreciate Emi's presence, but on the other hand, he didn't want to appear rude by ignoring her. A slight embarrassment appeared on his face as he searched for his words.
"You're not very talkative for a talking bear," she joked with a teasing smile.
Bepo lowered his head a bit, slightly embarrassed.
"Uh... sorry," he apologized instinctively, before realizing Emi was joking.
Emi couldn't help but laugh softly at the adorable reaction of the polar bear. "You don't have to apologize for who you are. That's precisely what makes you so special," she said with a wink.
Bepo blushed slightly, visibly touched by Emi's words. "Thank you, that's kind of you to say."
Emi gave him a warm smile. "I mean it. You're really unique, and that's a wonderful quality."
Bepo smiled shyly, not really knowing how to react to so many compliments from a stranger. He felt touched by Emi's warm words, but at the same time, he was a bit wary of her intentions. After all, he had often been the target of mockery or curious glances because of his nature as a talking bear.
"But tell me, what are you carrying in that bag?" she continued with a big smile.
Bepo hesitated for a moment, his usual meekness pushing him to avoid conflicts. She didn't seem to have bad intentions... Finally, he opened the bag to show her the fish he had caught.
"Just some fish for the crew."
Emi stepped closer to observe the fish, displaying an impressed look.
"You're really dedicated. I'm sure the crew members are grateful to have you!"
A timid smile appeared on Bepo's face, feeling a bit embarrassed by the compliments.
Emi took a breath before continuing, knowing she had found the perfect way to possibly extract some information from the polar bear.
Just as Emi was about to ask the bear his name, she was interrupted by the sudden arrival of two other members of the Heart Pirates. The two men exclaimed at the same time, calling Bepo by his name.
"Hey Bepo! What are you doing with a pretty lady? You're usually only interested in female bears!" teased the redhead.
Emi then recognized the two pirates, proudly wearing their distinctive uniforms.
"Oh, it's the journalist from earlier!" exclaimed the redhead, also recognizing Emi.
Initially delighted to see Bepo with a young woman, the two members quickly retracted, remembering the incident in the tavern and the somewhat intrusive questions the journalist had asked their captain.
"What a coincidence to meet you again here," Emi said with a big smile. "I was just walking along the port and ran into your friend 'Bepo' here."
Emi carefully observed the expressions of the two pirates. They seemed different from most of the thugs she had encountered on the island, more thoughtful and less inclined to brag about their exploits. But they were still men.
She smiled at her new idea, then said in a sweet tone: "I hadn't noticed, but you two are quite handsome!"
The two pirates looked at each other, surprised but visibly flattered by the unexpected compliment.
The redhead, trying to hide his enthusiasm, replied with a smile: "Well, we do our best to maintain our natural charm, hehe."
His friend, rubbing his head to hide his joy, replied modestly: "Yeah, but we can't compete with our captain's charisma, right, Sachi?"
Emi held back a smile, finding the two pirates quite interesting.
"Your captain..." she began.
But just as she was about to bring up the subject of Law, she changed her mind. It was still too early to ask direct questions about the captain of the Heart Pirates. She realized she didn't want to seem too pushy right away. Maybe this Sachi and this 'Penguin', as she read on his hat, had interesting anecdotes, even if they weren't directly related to Law. It was an opportunity to learn more about the crew as a whole.
"But your captain isn't the topic here, it's you two who interest me," she said with a wink.
The faces of the two pirates lit up at these words.
"Ah, that's nice to hear!" exclaimed the redhead, delighted to be the center of attention.
Emi smiled, seeing that her compliment had relaxed the atmosphere and allowed them to move past the tavern incident.
Penguin gave Bepo a discreet signal, raising his eyebrows slightly to indicate he could return to the submarine ahead of them. Bepo, understanding his companion's message, adjusted his bag on his shoulder.
"I'll head back early. I need to make sure these fish stay fresh," he announced.
Sachi patted him on the shoulder with a knowing smile. "No problem, Bepo. We'll join you there shortly."
Bepo, though a bit worried about leaving his companions in the presence of such a charming woman, kept his thoughts to himself and nodded. He thought it might be wise to inform his captain of the situation as soon as he saw him...
Emi watched his figure disappear with a certain fascination. She wondered what role this strange polar bear played within the crew of the Surgeon of Death. Another question to add to her already long list.
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Sachi and Penguin suggested stopping by a small shop nearby to buy some sake. Emi agreed readily, knowing that this would encourage the two pirates to speak more freely and openly, and she was also curious to see how these two would behave once alcohol was introduced into the conversation.
Sitting on the port steps, the setting sun painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, Sachi, Penguin, and Emi exchanged stories of their adventures. Emi listened attentively, captivated by the animated tales of Sachi and Penguin, who enthusiastically shared their exploits and escapades.
They recounted encounters with rival pirates, devastating storms, Sea Kings, and daring escapes. Emi smiled and laughed at the anecdotes, finding a certain charm in the adventurous life of the pirates.
As the conversation progressed, she learned that Bepo was the crew's navigator, responsible for charting their course across the seas. Sachi and Penguin, on the other hand, were the mechanics of the submarine, ensuring that the vessel remained in good working order despite the dangers it faced.
She had always been attracted to the mysteries surrounding pirates, their obscure motivations, and the fascinating stories that surrounded them. For her, uncovering the reasons behind the actions of these men and women of the sea was more than just professional curiosity; it was a genuine passion.
What she was less proud of was that she wasn't just a journalist, even though she highlighted this role. Sometimes, she took on the role of a spy for renowned pirates seeking to remain discreet while gathering information on rival pirates and avoiding potential conflicts. These requests were still fairly rare, and she only accepted them when the financial gain was substantial.
After attentively listening to Sachi and Penguin's exciting stories about their sea adventures, she decided it was time to address the delicate question of Captain Trafalgar Law.
"You know, guys, your captain is truly incredible," she began, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "His reputation extends far beyond the borders of this island. Writing an article about your crew would be a golden opportunity for you two! Imagine the fame you could achieve in the world of piracy!"
She paused, letting her words sink into the minds of the two pirates. Sachi and Penguin exchanged a glance, seeming to seriously consider the idea. To reinforce her argument, she continued:
"And think about the wanted posters with your names on them!" she exclaimed enthusiastically. "Imagine the respect you would earn among pirates when seeing your faces on those posters. And your captain would certainly be proud!"
Sachi's eyes lit up at the idea, while Penguin nodded with a smile. The idea of being recognized in the world of piracy seemed to appeal to them more.
Seeing the growing enthusiasm in the two pirates, Emi added with conviction: "Especially in the New World, prestige and recognition are essential for survival. With your own notoriety, you will be respected and feared by other pirates. You will be better prepared to face the dangers that await you."
"She has a point..." admitted Sachi, his voice tinged with some hesitation.
Penguin agreed, a reluctant smile appearing on his face. "Yeah, we could be famous..."
Emi held back a smile of satisfaction. Her plan seemed to be working perfectly.
"But all in good time," she interjected, placing a soothing hand on Sachi's shoulder, who blushed slightly at the sudden closeness. "First, let's talk about your captain's motivations."
Sachi and Penguin exchanged a knowing look, tacitly agreeing that they might provide superficial information without revealing too much to avoid provoking their captain's anger.
Noticing the hesitation of the two pirates, she added, "Listen, I understand that some things need to remain confidential, especially when it comes to your captain's affairs," she began in a soft but determined voice. "But this information is important to allow me to focus on you afterward. You know, the principle of an article, it needs a story..."
Finally, after a moment of silence, Penguin sighed and turned to Emi with a resigned smile. "Listen, we don't know much about our captain's motivations. But what I can tell you is that whatever he does, he always has a reason. And that reason, he keeps to himself, no matter how much we press him to reveal it."
Sachi nodded in agreement, adding: "That's true. The captain is the kind of person who keeps his nodachi close to his chest when he sleeps. But if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that he never does anything without weighing all the options."
As Sachi spoke, he let slip something that should have remained confidential. "I mean, he often acts based on his past, with Coraz..."
Penguin abruptly cut him off with a sharp slap on the back of the neck, realizing too late that Sachi had almost revealed something too personal about their captain.
"Damn it, Sachi, you weren't supposed to say that!"
Sachi realized his mistake, covering his mouth with his hand as if he had said something regrettable. Penguin looked at him with exasperation before turning to Emi with a strained smile.
"Uh, sorry about that. Sachi can be a bit too talkative sometimes, hehe."
Emi felt a hint of frustration rising within her as she wondered who this mysterious "Coraz..." was that Sachi had almost revealed. She was so close to discovering something important, she felt it. She thought that if she insisted a little more, she might get crucial information...
However, just as she was about to dig deeper, Law appeared behind them, his face clearly showing his annoyance with the two pirates who had been charmed by the journalist. Emi held back a sigh of frustration, realizing that this opportunity was now lost.
Law observed Emi with suspicion, then turned his attention to Sachi and Penguin, who seemed increasingly nervous under his irritated gaze.
"Ahh, Captain, uh... how long have you been here?" asked Sachi, his voice betraying his nervousness, aware that they had blundered.
Law ignored his question and stated in a neutral tone, "I see you've found some company," his severe look revealing his disapproval.
Sachi and Penguin stiffened, suddenly realizing that they had let their guard down and neglected their responsibilities.
"We're leaving tomorrow morning. Make sure you finish your preparations now," he ordered firmly.
The two pirates quickly stood up, fervently nodding with a "Yes, Captain!" before scurrying off, fearing more repercussions from their leader.
Emi watched the two pirates disappear into the darkness of the port, the sun having already set, before turning to Law.
"Good evening, Surgeon of Death," Emi said in a calm voice, skillfully concealing her frustration.
Law remained motionless for a moment, observing Emi with a mix of irritation and defiance. Then, in a calm but firm tone, he addressed her.
"What are you really after, journalist-ya?"
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What will be the outcome of this conversation? Will Emi succeed in getting what she wants? Don't miss the next chapter to find out ~
I apologize in advance if some sentences seem odd, but English is not my first language and I am doing my best 🙏