Chapter 35: Sorrow
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During the journey to the next island, Emi had gradually isolated herself in her cabin. The days passed in a semi-numb state, while the nights became her only refuge. She spent hours on the deck, lost in her thoughts, gazing at the vastness of the ocean as if searching for an escape from her sadness. Coco, her loyal seagull, seemed to sense her sorrow and, each evening, would land beside her, offering a silent but comforting presence.
Over the course of these nights, Emi and Coco had developed an unspoken routine. As dusk fell, Emi would head to the deck with a near ritual-like regularity, and Coco would be there, either perched on a railing or flying above her. Sometimes, they would sit there side by side, sharing a mutual solitude, with the silence between them being more soothing than words. Other times, Emi would lose herself in nostalgic tales she shared with Coco: stories of her father, happy memories, moments of joy that had marked her life. Emi's words seemed to float in the night air, offering a form of comfort through precious memories and the soft whispers of the wind.
The crew had observed this sudden change in Emi's behavior with concern. Sachi and Penguin had tried to break the ice with a few lighthearted jokes, hoping to draw a smile from her. But she remained distant, their attempts to comfort her politely brushed aside. Understanding the depth of her pain and respecting her need for privacy, they didn't push further. Law, aware of the necessity to let Emi handle her grief in her own way, had given clear instructions not to interfere. He knew that healing had to come from within, at its own pace.
Emi, though burdened by her own sorrow, felt a sense of gratitude toward the crew for their discreet understanding. The last thing she wanted was their pity or to feel obliged to force a smile. Their respect for her space offered her a welcome reprieve, allowing her to go through this ordeal without the added weight of others' expectations.
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That night, as Emi crouched against the railing of the deck, time seemed to stand still. It must have been past one in the morning, but sleep, as it had for the past few days, relentlessly eluded her. Tears streamed down her cheeks, but they barely seemed to touch the surface of her grief. She was exhausted, not just mentally but physically as well. The gloom and sorrow had taken their toll: her days spent in isolation had wreaked havoc on her body. She realized she was almost immobile, locked away in her cabin or wandering aimlessly on the deck. Her muscles seemed to shrink, and she could feel the weakness gradually settling in.
Emi frowned as she observed her deteriorated state. She thought of her father, of his words of encouragement and the strength he had always instilled in her. He would never have wanted her to break down like this, crying in the shadows. The truth, as brutal as it was obvious, now hit her with painful clarity: wallowing in her father's loss wouldn't change anything.
It wouldn't bring him back.
She understood that to move forward, she had to regain her inner strength, face reality with courage and determination.
As she stood up, her eyes turned to the horizon, where the ocean stretched endlessly, a vast expanse of darkness and calm. She took a deep breath, the salty air filling her lungs, as if to remind her that life continued despite the pain.
She felt a surge of rage rise within her, the sadness giving way to a burning fire fueled by the pain of losing her father and the feeling of injustice.
Injustice.
That was why she had left the World Economy News Paper, why she had chosen to pursue her career independently: the corrupt government, the Cipher Pol, the lies and manipulation. These same forces that had taken her father's life.
The sense of vengeance burning within her was stronger than ever. She wouldn't simply mourn her father, lamenting his loss. No, she would make those responsible for this heinous crime pay. The Cipher Pol… She promised herself she would confront them, make them pay for what they had done. She would not rest until justice was served, until those responsible were held accountable.
And she would do everything in her power to make sure it happened.
Everything.
It was time to act, to fight to honor her father's memory, to regain her strength, and face the challenges ahead. She now knew that the only way to overcome this trial was to stand tall, draw from her reserves, and prepare to face the future with renewed strength.
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In the kitchen of the Polar Tang, Penguin and Sachi were talking quietly, exchanging concerned glances.
"I'm really worried about Emi," Penguin said, arms crossed, looking out the small window overlooking the ocean. "She's lost her smile."
Sachi nodded, sharing his concern. "Yeah, she seems so... lost. I don't know how much longer she can keep going like this."
Law, leaning against the counter with a cup of coffee in hand, turned toward them. He frowned slightly but his expression remained impassive.
"She has to heal at her own pace," he said calmly.
Penguin turned his head toward Law, confusion on his face. "But Captain, we can't just stand by and do nothing! She needs support."
Law set his cup down and fixed Penguin with a steady, quiet intensity. "She needs to find her own way through this pain. If we intervene too much, it could make her more dependent and less capable of handling her own emotions."
The kitchen fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the soft clink of Law's cup as he leaned back against the counter. Penguin and Sachi exchanged a glance, the weight of Law's words sinking in. They knew he was right, but the helplessness they felt gnawed at them.
"She's strong, you know," Sachi said quietly, almost to himself.
Penguin nodded in agreement, his voice softer now. "Yeah, and it's not like she'd ask for help. Emi's always been proud... never wanting to burden anyone."
"She'll come to us when she's ready," Law said, more quietly now.
Penguin glanced down at the floor, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "You're right, Captain," Penguin finally said. "We'll be there for her, but we'll respect the way she chooses to deal with things."
"Good," Law replied, picking up his cup again. "She's more resilient than you think. Give her time."
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Under the pale moonlight, Emi trained relentlessly.
Aware of the immense challenges awaiting her if she confronted the Cipher Pol and the government, she knew she had to strengthen her resilience, both physically and mentally. She understood that to stand up to such forces, she had to be ready to face all kinds of dangers.
With each movement, each breath, she promised herself to live not only for herself but also to honor her father's memory. Her decision was now made: she would fight, she would rise, not only to overcome this pain but to ensure that her father's death was not in vain.
She felt every muscle awaken.
It was painful, but it was a pain that signified life.
She tried to recall Law's instructions on mastering Haki, desperately trying to feel the energy he had described. With every punch she threw into the air, she hoped to feel that inner strength.
But nothing came.
Her frustration grew. "Why isn't it coming?" she murmured between ragged breaths. "Damn it, I'm so weak..."
She hated herself for this apparent weakness. She was on this submarine, surrounded by formidable and determined fighters, and she felt immense pressure. The desire to improve, to become stronger, seemed to crush her a little more each second.
Her thoughts swirled as she remembered moments when she had watched the Heart Pirates crew. Each of them seemed to master their skills with ease. Law, in particular, was a model of calm and control. Even in perilous situations, he always kept his composure. But her? She was just a journalist, an observer in a world of fighters.
Yet, she knew she had to overcome this weakness. She had a clear goal, a burning desire for revenge. She recalled the sleepless nights, the silent tears, and the promise she had made to herself to become strong enough to face Cipher Pol and seek justice.
But here, on this moonlit deck, facing the vastness of the sea, she felt small and insignificant. Law's words echoed in her mind.
"Mastering your emotions is crucial..."
Emi clenched her fists, determined not to let her emotions bring her down. She resumed her exercises, repeating the movements Law had once shown her. Her muscles protested, but she ignored them.
"I have to get stronger," she murmured, each word charged with resolve. "For me, for my father, for everything I believe in!"
She collapsed to her knees, exhausted and frustrated. "What's wrong with me?" she murmured, her voice trembling with despair.
Why couldn't she reach that level of mastery? Was it because she wasn't talented enough? Or was it because of her own doubts and fears? Despair washed over her, and she crumpled onto the ground. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she thought of her father.
My God, how she missed him...
She clenched her fists, silently vowing never to give up, even if it seemed impossible.
It was then that quiet footsteps echoed across the deck. Law appeared in the moonlight, approaching Emi with his usual hard, firm gaze. He knelt before her, looking straight into her eyes.
"Why are you still up?" he asked in a deep voice.
Emi tried to wipe away her tears and avoided his gaze, feeling vulnerable and exposed. "I... I have to get stronger."
Law remained silent for a moment, his eyes scrutinizing Emi's face, marked by determination and tears. "Haki doesn't manifest through brute strength alone, Emi. It requires willpower, clarity of mind, and a clear objective."
Emi looked up at him, surprised, staring into his steely eyes. It was the first time he had used her name, and it sparked a flame of determination in her gaze. "I want to avenge my father. I want to be strong enough to face Cipher Pol and make them pay."
Law nodded silently, then placed a firm yet reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Then keep fighting. The determination you're showing is a good start. But you need to learn how to control your emotions and channel that energy productively."
Emi looked at him, surprised by the compassion behind his harsh words.
Law watched as Emi stood up again, her determination clear despite the traces of tears on her cheeks. He reflected on his own advice about mastering emotions. Ironically, he spoke of control while standing before the woman who, inexplicably, stirred feelings in him he didn't fully understand.
The moonlight made her silver hair shine, giving her an almost ethereal aura. His heart beat faster, and he clenched his fists to refocus himself.
"Mastering your emotions is crucial," he began, trying to keep his voice steady. "Emotions can be a source of strength, but they can also be a weakness."
Emi nodded, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "How do you stay so calm and composed all the time?"
Law hesitated for a moment. Should he be honest? He looked at her intensely, stepping closer. "It's not always easy," he finally admitted, his eyes locking with hers. "There are times when... it's harder to stay in control."
As Law stepped closer, Emi felt her heart race. The distance between them seemed to shrink with every word Law spoke, adding layers of tension to the night air. The moonlight deepened every shadow, making each silence heavier.
Emi started to feel a strange desire to see Law lose control, to witness a crack in his emotional armor. She needed that—needed to see that he was just as human as she was, that he, too, could feel the weight of uncertainty.
"Like now?" she asked softly, her voice laced with a desperate curiosity as she searched his face for any sign of fragility, of weakness.
Law's intense gaze didn't waver. The moon illuminated her delicate features, her hair shimmering in the silver light, and her hazel eyes reflecting a mix of determination and vulnerability. This woman, with her fragile strength and fighting spirit, stirred emotions within him he wasn't accustomed to feeling, emotions he didn't dare express. A strange warmth spread through him, like a softness that seeped into his defenses—an emotion he had long tried to suppress. He didn't know why, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from her, his rational thoughts dissipating in the face of this inexplicable pull.
"Maybe," Law murmured, his voice betraying a sliver of the emotion he had been trying to hide. The whisper was almost a confession, an admission of the vulnerability lurking beneath his usual calm exterior.
Emi noticed the depth in Law's gaze, an internal struggle hidden behind his cold mask. Had she succeeded in cracking it? She straightened slowly, her face mere inches from his.
She observed the conflict in his eyes, fascinated by it. Law's facade of impassivity seemed to be crumbling, revealing a depth and humanity she hadn't fully seen before. This discovery was both comforting and unsettling. She finally saw that, despite his apparent strength, Law could be affected by the same doubts and uncertainties that plagued her.
Law gently placed a hand on Emi's face, his fingers brushing through her hair, tucking it behind her ears. The touch was unexpected but surprisingly tender, as if he was trying to wipe away the traces of tears and pain she still bore.
Their faces were so close now that Emi could feel the warmth of his breath on her lips. Every fiber of her being was acutely aware of his presence, of this intoxicating closeness. Law seemed to hesitate for a moment, then, in a barely perceptible movement, his lips brushed against hers—a fleeting contact, charged with tension.
But just before the moment could deepen into something more, Law abruptly pulled back and straightened up, as if to regain control of himself. He seemed to refocus, suddenly reminded of the coldness and determination that were integral to his identity. The brief moment of tenderness evaporated, replaced by the familiar severity in his gaze.
"You have a clear goal, Emi-ya. Don't let anything distract you from it," he finally said, more softly this time, before retreating inside the submarine.
Emi watched him walk away, her heart pounding even harder. She had almost made Law lose his composure, but in that exact moment, she felt incredibly foolish. What was she truly trying to accomplish? And why did this affect her so much? Law was supposed to be just a temporary ally, a distant and impenetrable figure. Yet in that instant, he had shown a more human, almost vulnerable side. She replayed the scene in her mind, over and over, wondering what might have happened if she had dared to get closer. A mixture of frustration and confusion washed over her. Why did she feel this irresistible need to get closer to him, to understand what lay beneath that cold mask?
This realization hit her with bitter clarity. She clenched her fists, her determination growing stronger despite the lingering pain.
Law was right.
She couldn't let her emotions or anyone else steer her away from her goal. Every moment spent being distracted by feelings, likely unreciprocated, was a waste of time. Law had made it clear that he would never yield to her, and even though it hurt deeply, she had to accept that reality. Suppressing her emotions became a necessity, a way to stay focused on what she needed to achieve.
No matter the distractions or budding feelings, she had to stay strong and determined.
She wouldn't let anything or anyone stop her.
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After a few nights at sea, the Heart Pirates crew was finally approaching an island, the darkness enveloping the Polar Tang as faint stars twinkled in the night sky. The submarine glided silently into a secluded cove, its engines reduced to a whisper to avoid attracting attention. The ship docked with practiced precision, and the crew immediately got to work securing the mooring.
Sachi, his face marked by fatigue but still alert, headed towards Emi's cabin. He was convinced that getting outside would do her good, especially since the island they had docked on was habitable and peaceful, ideal for unwinding and clearing one's mind. Emi had been too quiet for too long, and Sachi was determined to help her snap out of it. He knocked gently on the door, hoping to convince her to step out for some fresh air.
"Emi, we've arrived. You should come out and get some fresh air," he called through the closed door.
He waited, but no sound came in response. Was she asleep? No, she had recently developed the habit of staying up late at night and isolating herself during the day. That couldn't be it.
A little more worried, Sachi called out again, this time raising his voice. "Emi?"
Still, silence answered him. He frowned, insisting, "Emi, are you asleep?" He hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and carefully opened the door.
But the cabin was empty. The bed was neatly made, and there were no signs of her belongings.
A sinking feeling overtook him, and he rushed to the main deck, his heart pounding, to alert the captain.
"Captain! Emi… she's gone!" Sachi gasped, breathless and alarmed as he reached Law.
Penguin, who was nearby, froze. "What do you mean by 'gone'?! She couldn't have gone far! We've only just docked!" he retorted, his voice a mix of disbelief and anger.
Sachi added, "I checked her cabin—she wasn't there, and all her stuff is gone too!"
The two men immediately started frantically searching the submarine, combing through every corner in the hope of finding a trace, a clue. They passed through the engine room, the kitchen, the rest area, the library—but it was as if Emi had vanished into thin air. There was no sign of her left on board.
Exhausted and desperate, Sachi and Penguin met back on the deck, their faces etched with worry.
"Maybe she's already on the island, waiting for us?" Penguin murmured, clenching his fists, holding onto a faint glimmer of hope.
Law, who had been observing silently, took a deep breath, masking a frustration he rarely let show. He knew why Emi had left. He had suspected it the moment Penguin reported her absence. Letting out a deep sigh, he adjusted his fur hat.
"She's not coming back," he said in a calm, measured tone, his words sharp.
Penguin turned to him, eyes wide. "We can't just leave her like that, Captain! She's vulnerable—she needs us!"
Law looked at him, his gaze hardening. "Emi is stronger than you think. She made her choice, and we have to respect that decision."
The tension in the air thickened as Penguin gritted his teeth. Sachi, on the other hand, didn't dare ask any more questions. He knew the captain, and he knew Law never made decisions lightly. If Law said they had to respect Emi's choice, there was a reason for it.
The captain of the Heart Pirates turned his gaze to the horizon with deceptive calm. He knew full well that Emi's decision wasn't impulsive—it was a matter of vengeance and determination. But she had gotten herself into something personal and dangerous. Would she make it out? The thought gnawed at him, and Law's brow furrowed. He hated that the question lingered in his mind, a rare crack in his usually impenetrable resolve. Emi had lived a life before them; she had her own skills, her own battles.
Wherever she was now, their paths might cross again—but not today.
Today, she was on her own.
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Phew, I had a really hard time writing this chapter, not only because it was difficult to stay true to Law's character, but also because I had this irresistible urge to make him crack, lol. But well, there's a time for everything, and this isn't the moment for that scene just yet.
Anyway, thanks for reading this chapter, which also marks the end of the first season of this fanfiction! I'll be back in a few weeks after I've set up the last plot points for the second season, which I hope you'll enjoy :D
See you next time!