Chapter 11: Chemical observations
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Emi had been abruptly awakened by Sachi's shouts announcing Coco's return. Without wasting a second, she had rushed to the deck, her heart pounding with apprehension and hope. There, she saw Coco, safe and sound, flying towards her with difficulty. A sigh of relief escaped Emi as she extended her arms to welcome her faithful companion.
"Coco! I thought you would never come back!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with relief and tenderness. She hugged the bird against her, feeling her heart gradually calm as she reassured herself with the familiar warmth of Coco in her arms.
Coco responded to her embrace with reassuring little cries, as if understanding Emi's worries and wanting to comfort her in its own way.
However, Emi noticed that Coco was exhausted and visibly shaken by the adventure. Her talons were trembling, and she let out a slight cry of fatigue. Emi looked at her seagull with concern, noticing something unusual. She slightly moved her hands to take a closer look and discovered with horror that Coco's little feet were scratched and dry, as if they had been exposed to something corrosive.
Her heart tightened with anxiety, realizing that these injuries were probably caused by the chemical powder she had asked Coco to retrieve. A wave of guilt overwhelmed her as she realized the dangers she had exposed her faithful companion to.
"Coco, what happened to you?" she murmured, her voice filled with remorse. She tried to get a closer look at the bird's feet, but Coco wouldn't release her grip, as if trying to protect it.
"Coco, it's okay now, you can release your talons."
Emi felt a lump form in her throat as she realized that Coco was still holding the powder tightly in her claws.
Seeing that Emi was overwhelmed and unsure of how to make her bird let go, Law decided to step in. He approached and gently took the bird's feet in his hands, giving her a look that conveyed he was handling the situation from here. "I'll take her to the infirmary."
Emi followed Law silently, still consumed by guilt and worry for her companion.
In the infirmary, Law carefully applied a soothing cream to Coco's trembling talons, ensuring she felt comfortable and cared for. Emi watched his actions with sincere gratitude, touched by Law's attention and care for the bird. He wasn't so devoid of feelings after all... It was the first time she had seen him in his role as a doctor. He had become so serious and focused.
After Law massaged the cream in, Coco finally opened her talons, and he collected a sample of the white powder with a swab, placing it into a test tube. He then dipped the bird's feet in water to rinse off the remaining powder that had visibly embedded itself into her skin.
After setting Coco back on the operating table, Law turned to Emi and said seriously, "Your seagull needs to rest until she can grip firmly and use her talons properly again."
Emi nodded, aware that they couldn't risk further endangering Coco by forcing her to move before she was ready.
Law carefully examined the sample in the test tube, his eyes scrutinizing every particle and mentally noting the substance's characteristics.
Seeing his concerned expression, Emi offered, "I can send the sample for a complete analysis in a laboratory. But we'll have to wait until Coco heals..." she said, stroking her companion.
Law nodded and added, "I can conduct basic analyses here. We have enough equipment."
Emi raised an eyebrow, skeptical of Law's chemistry knowledge. "And how do you plan to do that?" she asked.
Law replied with a slight smile, "I'm not an amateur, journalist-ya. I have my methods."
Emi stared at Law, recalling that he was a doctor—a fact that suggested he likely had basic knowledge of chemistry. This thought gave her a semblance of confidence in his ability to analyze the sample.
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While Law began his analyses, Emi slipped away for a moment to take a shower, an opportunity she hadn't had due to the recent events.
As she washed, Emi wondered what Law would discover in the sample. She hoped it would bring them a bit closer to the truth they were both seeking. This thought comforted her, despite the uncertainty of their situation.
For now, she would rely on the information he would glean from his analysis. She needed answers before their arrival on the next island. Her plan was clear: use Law's skills to obtain the initial information to report to Big Mom's pirate... before leaving for good.
This thought tightened her heart as she thought of Sachi and Penguin. She would miss them, and Bepo too. This attachment was proof that she needed to leave at the first opportunity. She couldn't afford to stay with them.
She wondered how they would react when she announced her departure. Or should she leave without saying goodbye? This prospect made her both sad and determined to complete her mission as quickly and efficiently as possible. She shook her head to clear her negative thoughts.
Emi put on her new clothes and quickly dried her hair with a towel before tying it up in a bun, still damp.
She then returned to the infirmary, gently opening the door to check if Law was still inside. To her surprise, he was still there, focused on a microscope. She glanced quickly at Coco, who had fallen asleep on the operating table, and then focused on Law.
She watched him with a mix of curiosity and admiration as he concentrated on analyzing the sample. His posture was calm and determined, his movements precise and methodical. He had prepared a glass slide on which he had placed the powder, carefully positioning it under the microscope.
Through the eyepiece, Law examined each particle with impressive meticulousness. His serious expression was marked by a calculating intensity.
Emi felt strangely fascinated by his skills. She had never really seen Law at work in this way before, and it gave her a new insight into his abilities. Despite their tense relationship, she had to admit he was impressive in his field.
Emi stepped towards him, her eyes full of questions. After a brief hesitation, she finally spoke up:
"So, have you discovered anything interesting?" she asked, her tone filled with enthusiasm.
Law, absorbed in his work, didn't respond immediately. His eyes remained fixed on the microscope, his brows slightly furrowed as he focused on the details of the sample.
Feeling her impatience grow, Emi started to get bored just watching him. She wanted to participate in the analysis, to contribute in some way.
"Law, have you found something?" she repeated, this time with a hint of insistence in her voice.
As she leaned towards the microscope, Law couldn't help but notice her sudden proximity. Her orange scent, now more pronounced after her shower, filled the air around her, and he found himself unconsciously breathing deeper to take in more of it.
He clenched his teeth, trying to keep his focus on the sample in front of him, but every movement of Emi, every breath she let out, seemed to amplify the inner struggle he was experiencing. He cursed himself inwardly for allowing such a distraction to pull him away from his crucial work.
Emi, on her part, seemed absorbed in her own thoughts, her gaze fixed intently on the tiny details revealed by the microscope. Her still-damp hair fell in strands over her shoulders, with small droplets of water occasionally sliding down her skin.
One of those droplets fell onto Law's neck, sending an unexpected shiver down his spine and triggering a wave of tension he struggled to conceal. Growing increasingly irritated by Emi's presence, he finally lifted his eyes from the microscope to look at her, his expression serious and annoyed.
"I'm working. Find something else to do instead of disturbing me," he responded curtly, his brows furrowing further.
"But I'm just curious! I just want to help," she said softly, trying to hide her impatience.
Law raised an eyebrow, still annoyed. "You really want to help? Then start by leaving me alone," he replied dryly, his gaze insistent to emphasize his seriousness.
Emi, disappointed by his lack of cooperation and offended by his tone, replied, "I'm just as invested in this matter as you are, Trafalgar." Her hazel eyes were locked onto Law's grey ones.
"If you want results quickly," he responded in the same tone, "then let me work."
Emi bit her lip, internally acknowledging that he probably needed peace and concentration. She resigned herself to leaving him to work alone, and without a word, she turned on her heels to head for the exit, a feeling of frustration leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.
Law didn't pay attention to her disappointment, watching her leave, his eyes fixed on her bun.
"And dry your hair from now on," he added as she opened the door to leave.
Emi turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow, wondering about the nature of this remark, but she didn't linger any longer and closed the infirmary door behind her.
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Emi went up to the deck of the submarine to enjoy the fresh air and the view of the ocean. There, she spotted Bepo busy with a fishing rod, apparently trying to catch something. Intrigued, Emi approached him with a curious smile.
"Bepo! Are you trying to catch something?" she asked, watching the fluid movement of the fishing rod with interest.
Bepo turned his head towards her, his face lighting up with a joyful smile. "Yes, I'm trying to catch some fish for the supply!"
"Can I fish with you?" Emi asked with a big smile.
Bepo returned her smile and nodded. "Of course!"
Emi's eyes lit up at the prospect of this activity. She had never tried fishing before, but the opportunity seemed perfect for a new experience.
"Great!" she exclaimed enthusiastically. "How do I do it?"
Bepo explained the basics of fishing, showing her how to properly hold the fishing rod and how to bait the hook. Emi listened attentively to his instructions, absorbing every detail with fascination.
Once she felt ready, she cast her line into the water with intense concentration, eagerly waiting to feel a pull.
After just a few seconds of waiting, Emi finally felt a tug on her line. With a mix of excitement and determination, she began to reel in the fishing rod.
To her great disappointment, at the end of the line was a small fish, barely bigger than her hand.
"For a first catch, it's not bad at all!" Bepo exclaimed with an encouraging smile.
Emi smiled timidly, a bit disappointed by the size of her catch, but she appreciated Bepo's support. She began to slowly reel in the small fish, but as she brought it closer to the submarine, a huge sea monster emerged from the depths. Its eyes were as big as saucers, and its gaping mouth swallowed the small fish in one gulp, causing the water around them to ripple.
"What the hell is that monster?!" Emi exclaimed, her face painted with astonishment as she realized the immense size of the sea creature that had stolen her catch.
The scene on the submarine's deck became chaotic as the enormous sea monster, having swallowed the small fish, began to pull on the line with impressive force. Emi, determined not to let go, pulled with all her strength, but the monster was far too powerful.
Seeing Emi struggling, Bepo quickly moved in to support her. He held her firmly by the waist to prevent her from slipping or being pulled overboard.
At that moment, Sachi, who happened to be passing by, rushed towards them. "Let me handle it!" he shouted confidently before courageously diving into the water.
Emi watched in horror as Sachi dove in, fearing for his safety against the colossal size of the sea monster.
"Is he crazy?! He's going to get eaten!"
Suddenly, the tension on the line disappeared. After a few seconds of suspended silence, a massive jet of water shot up from the sea, propelling the sea monster out of the water and sending it flying through the air.
Emi, wide-eyed, watched as the giant fish soared above them. As it fell back toward the deck, Bepo, with surprising agility, jumped and delivered a powerful punch to the monster, causing it to crash onto the submarine's deck, completely stunned.
The water fell in a fine mist, and Sachi emerged, drenched but triumphant, after using one of his techniques to propel the fish out of the water. Emi, relieved and impressed, couldn't help but smile at the pirate's feat.
"Wow, that was amazing, Sachi!" she exclaimed.
As the giant fish lay defeated and still on the deck, Bepo, beaming, turned to Emi and Sachi. "With this, we'll have enough for at least a week!" he cheerfully exclaimed.
Emi, watching the scene unfold, felt increasingly impressed by the demonstrations of power from the Heart Pirates. Each new feat deepened her curiosity about this unique group. She hadn't yet seen the others in action, and a part of her couldn't help but wonder about their strength, especially Trafalgar Law, the enigmatic captain.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Penguin, who came running, having heard a loud noise from the training room where he had been previously. Curious and a bit concerned, he had rushed over to see what had caused such a commotion.
Penguin was surprised to find the massive fish lying on the deck and congratulated Emi on her "catch."
"Wow, Emi, did you catch this? Great job!" he exclaimed with a broad smile.
Emi rubbed the back of her head, a bit embarrassed since she hadn't done much. "Uh, actually, it was more like Sachi and Bepo."
Penguin laughed and gave Emi a friendly pat on the shoulder. "No matter how it happened, it's still a great catch!"
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The day passed in a pleasant and productive atmosphere. After the excitement of the fishing, Sachi and Penguin decided to return to the training room to continue their daily routine, while Bepo busied himself preparing the fish for upcoming meals.
Emi chose to follow Penguin and Sachi into the training room but opted out of the afternoon physical training session. Instead, she decided to observe them, hoping to better understand their techniques and coordination. Sitting on the side, she watched the precise movements and sequences of Sachi and Penguin, calculating their agility and strength.
Although Emi had initially boarded to gather information about Law and his crew for a potential article, she found herself in a delicate position. As a journalist, her main goal was to collect as many details and gossip about the Heart Pirates to enrich her article and save her job, which was at stake. However, as time passed observing and interacting with the crew, she realized that she was gradually moving away from her initial mission.
Sitting on the side of the training room, she noted every gesture and movement, trying to convince herself it was for her article. Yet deep down, Emi felt her motivations beginning to shift. She found herself genuinely enjoying the crew's company, laughing at their jokes, and feeling involved in their daily little victories.
She needed to decide whether continuing to grow closer to the Heart Pirates was worth risking her original objective or if she should refocus on her article, potentially at the cost of the relationships she had begun to build. It was a difficult decision, especially as she realized how much she had come to respect those she had initially seen as mere subjects of study.
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As Emi struggles to stay focused on her objectives, what impact will this sample have on her path? Don't miss the answers in the next chapter ~
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