Chapter 27: Card game
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Morning slowly broke over the Polar Tang, filling the submarine with a soft, muted light. Emi gradually awoke, her eyes fluttering open as she lay still for a moment, letting her thoughts wander. The calm inside the submarine was soothing, interrupted only by the faint hum of the machines.
However, an unusual glow suddenly caught her attention. She squinted, unsure if she was still dreaming. In front of her, on the desk next to her typewriter, sat a stuffed fish... glowing.
She sat up, intrigued. The stuffed toy's scales shimmered softly in the cabin's dim light. Emi blinked several times, thinking her mind was playing tricks on her. But no, it was real. A fish with luminescent scales.
What was this plush doing here? She didn't remember ever seeing it before. Could it belong to Bepo? A smile crept onto her lips. The thought of the big, shy polar bear having a fondness for such a peculiar stuffed toy warmed her heart.
Emi stretched lazily, casting one last glance at the glowing fish before getting up. She quickly grabbed a black vest and made her way to the kitchen. Upon arriving, she noticed it was empty. Not a sound, not a movement. Perfect. She cherished these moments of solitude where she could enjoy breakfast in peace.
Once she finished her breakfast, she carefully placed her cup back in place, making sure not to leave any mess behind. She had a report to make, and she didn't want to delay it any longer.
After a few minutes of walking through the corridors, she arrived at Law's quarters. She knocked softly on the door, then cautiously opened it, peeking inside before stepping in.
Law was seated at his desk, his hat resting beside him. He was focused, his serious gaze fixed on pages of documents, his fingers lightly tapping against the wood of the table.
Emi paused for a moment, hesitant to break the work-focused atmosphere, but Law eventually looked up at her, giving her just enough attention to prompt her to speak.
Without waiting, she launched into her report, explaining the findings from the sample she had sent for analysis.
"We identified animal lineage factors in the sample, but we need more time to determine the exact function," she said, her tone a mix of excitement from the discovery and uncertainty about its significance.
Law listened intently, his expression darkening as he absorbed the information. Animal lineage factors? It was something he had only vaguely heard of, a complex area of science. César Clown wasn't just any scientist, and it was clear this guy would stop at nothing to pursue his twisted experiments. Tampering with DNA and meddling with the very building blocks of life went far beyond ethical boundaries.
"It's an unknown formula so far," she added, her voice carrying a hint of apprehension.
Law frowned, recalling his failed attempts to identify the chemical formula. Despite all the equipment they had aboard the Polar Tang, it had been impossible to crack the mystery of this new substance. Now it made sense. The formula was completely unprecedented.
"Interesting," he finally said, his thoughts turning to the implications of this discovery.
Had Doflamingo funded this... but why? To create biological weapons? Strengthen his forces? This discovery was far from trivial. If Doflamingo and his network were really involved, this formula likely had far greater potential than he could yet imagine. He needed to know more.
"Any news on César?" he asked, his eyes locking onto Emi's.
She shook her head. "No," she admitted. "But my contacts are working on it."
Law studied Emi, a sense of urgency flashing in his gaze. César Clown had become a critical piece of the puzzle, and all Law knew for now was that César was working for someone, but for what purpose? Law knew it was crucial to find out where César was hiding in order to uncover more about his intentions and his role in the current events. The quickest way to do that, it seemed, was through Emi. She had managed to establish a connection with one of Big Mom's pirates, who was also searching for César. Law was fully aware of how important that connection was to their mission.
He looked at Emi with frustration in his eyes. He had a pressing need to unravel the details of the connection between César and Doflamingo, but for now, he was faced with a wall of uncertainty and speculation.
"What's taking you so long to gather information?" he finally asked.
Emi felt a wave of frustration rise within her. Law seemed entirely focused on his own goals, ignoring the fact that Emi also had her job as a journalist to manage. She had professional responsibilities beyond their investigation into César and the mysterious substance. Her brow furrowed slightly, betraying her annoyance at Law's apparent disregard.
"Trafalgar, I understand the importance of this investigation into César and the substance; I'm involved in it too. But you sometimes seem to forget that I have my own work as a journalist to handle. I can't just set aside all my other professional responsibilities."
"If you didn't have so many side missions, maybe we'd be further along by now. César isn't going to wait for you to finish your next article before he acts."
His tone was sharp, betraying his impatience. To him, the mission was paramount, and everything else seemed secondary, even insignificant. He had neither the time nor the patience for Emi's concerns, which he viewed as unnecessary distractions.
Emi clenched her fists discreetly, trying to keep her cool despite Law's arrogance.
"I'm doing what I can," she replied firmly. "I'm not your subordinate, Law. I have responsibilities beyond the ones you impose on me, and I'm doing everything I can to move this investigation forward. But it's not as simple as you think."
Law didn't respond immediately, his impassive expression giving away no particular emotion. But after a moment, he sighed, as if begrudgingly acknowledging her point.
"If you really want this mission to succeed, you'll have to set aside your other responsibilities. Or at least prioritize them properly."
Emi took a deep breath. Now was not the time to get angry, though she was tempted to snap back at him. Seeing that they were at an impasse, she decided to change the subject instead. She had made her point for now, but she knew that Law would never be fully convinced. And neither would she.
"Alright," she said, stepping back.
Emi hesitated for a moment, crossing her arms over her chest as she studied Law. The silence between them grew thick, and before he could interrupt it with his own thoughts, she spoke up, her voice cutting through the tension.
"I need to know exactly what I can share with Big Mom's crew," she said, her gaze steady.
Law raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by Emi's initiative. He was used to her impulsive and sometimes unpredictable nature, but this time she seemed more thoughtful. He briefly wondered if she had ulterior motives or was simply seeking clarity. Nevertheless, he wasn't about to lower his guard. It was hard to tell how far he could trust her.
After a moment of thought, Law responded in a calm but firm voice.
"Don't reveal his possible connection with Doflamingo." He had already made up his mind, determined to maintain control over sensitive information.
Emi narrowed her eyes, surprised by Law's request. "But they desperately searching for César to report back to Big Mom," she objected. "And we know that César now has other priorities besides fully cooperating with her. Shouldn't they be informed?"
Law shook his head firmly. "We can't risk divulging sensitive information to Big Mom, especially anything about Joker," he explained, his tone leaving little room for argument. "It's crucial we maintain full control over what we reveal and to whom."
Emi reluctantly nodded. She respected Law's decision, though she wondered what really justified such caution on his part. She was aware that the captain's true motives remained largely a mystery. Sure, she could hold off on her dealings with Big Mom's pirate for now, but sooner or later, she'd be forced to file a report, whether Law liked it or not.
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Emi had left Law's quarters with a mix of frustration and bitterness. He was always too consumed by his own objectives to care about anything else—especially her. Every time she handed him carefully gathered information, there was no acknowledgment, no thanks. Law was laser-focused on his goals, and she knew deep down that she was just a tool to him, a means to an end. It stung, more than she'd like to admit. Screw him. He didn't care about her at all, only about what she could do for him.
That realization gnawed at her as she retreated to her cabin. She sat down in front of her old typewriter, her fingers brushing over the worn keys. She had always prided herself on being independent, on not needing validation from anyone—especially not a pirate. But Law's indifference left a bitter taste. Since when had she started expecting anything from him?
Shaking off the feeling, she refocused on the task at hand. Today, her mission was clear: finish her exposé on the Amadeo family. Whatever Law's objectives were, they didn't matter right now. She had her own goals, and she wasn't about to let herself get dragged down by someone who didn't give a damn about her.
Her fingers flew across the typewriter, each word punching the page like a blow against the injustices she was exposing. The Amadeo family's involvement in slavery and arms trafficking had to come to light, and she wasn't afraid to take them down, consequences be damned. If Law wanted to use her for his personal goals, fine. But she wasn't just working for him. She had her own battles to fight, and she wasn't about to be anyone's pawn.
In addition to drafting the article for her editor, Emi meticulously compiled a dossier with all the necessary evidence to incriminate Madame Amadeo's sister in the slave trade. Every document, every witness statement was carefully organized, creating an irrefutable case for her client. The weight of her task hung heavy, but for the first time in days, she felt like she was in control.
Once the final words were written on paper, Emi felt a wave of satisfaction wash over her. She had completed her mission brilliantly, delivering a powerful message through her words. But there was still one crucial step left: getting her revelations to those who needed them most.
Climbing up to the deck, Emi called for Coco, her faithful seagull. The bird landed gracefully beside her, ready for its mission. Emi carefully packed her satchel, slipping in the documents for Madame Amadeo as well as her article for her editor.
She didn't bother contacting her. Emi had always preferred to keep a certain distance from her clients, maintaining a strictly professional relationship. Over the years, she had learned that getting emotionally involved could harm her objectivity and compromise her work as a journalist. She distrusted overly personal interactions and chose to communicate with her clients through more formal means, such as written exchanges.
Satisfied with her work, she blew Coco a kiss through her hat. She knew these documents were crucial for what lay ahead. And as Coco flew off, carrying her revelations to their destination, Emi felt ready to face the consequences of her actions, convinced that the truth would always prevail, even in the darkest of times.
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The rest of the afternoon, Emi spent time on the deck, enjoying the calming tranquility of the ocean. She ran into Sachi and Penguin, who suggested having a barbecue on the deck to take advantage of the pleasant temperature and the sea breeze. Emi agreed with a big smile, and helped prepare the meat and vegetables for grilling, savoring every moment shared with the two pirates. Law, Bepo, and Jean Bart joined them later, and they all ate together, sharing jokes and stories around the grill.
"I remember that time we caught a giant squid!" Penguin exclaimed with a wide grin. "That thing was almost as big as our ship!"
Sachi rolled his eyes with a smirk. "Yeah, especially that time when the squid almost swallowed you whole. You looked like an idiot flailing around, like you were doing the samba!"
Penguin frowned, feigning mock anger. "It wasn't funny, I nearly lost an arm, damn it."
Emi, watching the scene with amusement, chimed in sarcastically. "If you really want to stop embarrassing yourselves, I could show you a few real moves on the deck."
Sachi, glancing at Penguin with a sly grin, turned to Emi. "Oh, I'm sure Penguin could really use a few lessons. If anyone needs training, it's him."
"Seriously, Sachi, you're one to talk when you almost drowned in your own vomit after that massive bender. You looked like a fountain erupting! It would've been funny if it wasn't so pathetic," Penguin shot back with a mocking grin.
Sachi pulled a dramatic grimace, then addressed the whole group. "You hear that? Penguin's giving me grief when he's the one who almost blew up the ship trying to cook some 'exotic' dishes for the whole crew! We ended up with your damn food stuck to the walls."
Emi sighed at the constant bickering between the two pirates. Yet she couldn't help but smile as she watched them. There was something particularly entertaining about their relentless teasing, as if their camaraderie came through in these bursts of laughter and playful jabs.
She wondered how Law managed to handle such a dynamic on a daily basis. He, who was always so calm and serious, seemed almost the complete opposite of this constant chaos. Emi had seen Law in tense moments—always composed and thoughtful, almost as if he was immune to the emotional outbursts of his crew members. The question intrigued her: how did he maintain that balance, managing such larger-than-life personalities while remaining so stoic?
She shook her head with an amused smile, realizing that these moments were just as essential as the intense hours of work they had to spend together.
As the evening drew to a close, and the sky was bathed in a soft starlight, Bepo took the initiative to get up first, heading inside the submarine to the navigation room to make sure everything was in order.
Watching Bepo leave for his duties, Law and Jean Bart rose from their seats and slowly made their way inside the submarine, exchanging a few words along the way, probably discussing tasks to finish before turning in for the night.
On the deck, only Sachi, Penguin, and Emi remained. The sea breeze gently caressed their faces as they stood there, absorbed in the night's tranquility. The two pirates, looking to liven things up, suggested a card game. With a mischievous laugh, Penguin proposed, "Every time someone loses, they have to do a striptease."
Half amused, half exasperated, Emi gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. "Actually, every time someone loses, they drink," she corrected seriously, setting the new rules.
Sachi burst into laughter. "Sounds good to me! Get the glasses ready; it's going to be an interesting night."
The night progressed joyfully, filled with laughter and jokes, but Emi seemed to be racking up losses, despite her initial confidence. Every time she thought she had victory in her grasp, Penguin or Sachi would pull out an unbeatable card, dooming her to drink.
"I won!" he exclaimed triumphantly, while Emi swallowed her drink with a grimace.
"You drink!" they repeated with each new loss, and Emi began to wonder if the cards were rigged.
"These cards are rigged, no way!" she protested, a mix of frustration in her voice.
Penguin burst out laughing at Emi's remark, raising his hands in innocence. "Rigged? Come on, Emi, you know we'd never do that!"
Sachi added with a sly grin. "It's just that you don't have our talent, that's all."
Emi glared at them suspiciously, but their jovial expressions and the warmth of the evening eventually made her drop her suspicions. After all, it was just a game, and despite the losses, she was enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.
As the game continued, the atmosphere began to shift into a mix of friendly competition and rising tension between Sachi and Penguin.
"Stop cheating, Penguin! I saw you sneak a look at my cards!" Sachi accused, frowning.
"Me, cheat? It's not my fault you're so predictable." Penguin retorted.
"Predictable?!" Sachi exclaimed, visibly stung. "You wouldn't recognize strategy if it hit you in the face!"
"Strategy? You mean your incredible talent for losing, right?" Penguin shot back with a smirk. "You're so bad even your bluffs are honest!"
Penguin opened his mouth to reply but stopped short when he heard the sharp slap of a card on the table. Emi had just played her turn, cutting off their argument with a confident gesture.
"Guys, you know I'm still here, right?" she said, crossing her arms with an amused smile on her lips. "Are you going to argue all night, or lose in silence?"
As the evening progressed and the cards continued to be dealt, Emi began to feel the need for a change of scenery. She needed water and to clear her head, which had become clouded by the alcohol. Rising cautiously, her slightly unsteady legs betraying the effects of the drink, she made her way to the entrance of the submarine, determined to cool off in the kitchen.
As she walked through the corridors of the submarine toward the kitchen, the dim lights seemed to flicker slightly around her, casting moving shadows along the walls. Every step was a challenge, but she held onto the railing firmly to avoid stumbling.
The stars seemed to dance through the portholes, their twinkling reflections swaying in time with her hesitant steps. Even in her altered state, she couldn't help but find a certain beauty in the celestial display.
Once in the kitchen, she took a deep breath, trying to shake off the effects of the alcohol that had dulled her mind. She made her way to the faucet, her fingers carefully gripping the lever, struggling to keep a firm hold as the ship gently swayed beneath her feet.
With a soft sigh of relief, she finally managed to activate the lever, letting the water flow into the glass with a quiet murmur. She watched absentmindedly as the light danced on the surface of the water, focusing on the simple task of filling her glass.
Yet even in this moment of tranquility, Emi's thoughts kept drifting back to the card game. She couldn't help but wonder whether it was really the cards to blame, or if maybe she wasn't as skilled as she had thought. An amused smile tugged at her lips as she recalled the triumphant expressions of Penguin and Sachi with each victory, and she shook her head with a light sigh.
Lost in her thoughts, she didn't immediately notice the familiar figure silently approaching her.
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Thanks for reading this chapter! What do you think could happen with a tipsy Emi… find out in the next chapter ;)