Chapter 57: A Compass Without Stars

~~~~o~~~O~~~o~~~~

Emi sat on the operating table, a place she had spent far too much time for her liking. Her complexion was still a bit pale, but her cheeks had regained some color. It had been a full week since then, and the urge to get out was unbearable. Her ribs still ached slightly, but she could walk now, which meant there was no real reason to stay stuck in this suffocating room. One more night here, and she would have lost her mind.

Thankfully, she hadn't been alone during those endless days. Penguin, Sachi, and Bepo visited her daily to check in on her. They'd had several conversations, one of which started out casually but took a serious turn when they discussed Law's plan against Doflamingo. He had finally shared his strategy with the crew after keeping it to himself for so long. That could only mean one thing: he was ready to act.

She hadn't taken the time to ask what they thought about it all, but it was clear their loyalty and trust in him were unwavering. One thing was obvious—they believed in their captain, no matter the risks.

Regardless, she was deeply grateful to them. Ikkaku also stopped by regularly to change her bandages, a gesture that brought Emi a small sense of comfort. But Law…

Law hadn't come. Not even once since that moment when they had kissed. The silence weighed heavily on her, and Emi knew she couldn't ignore it much longer. She needed to clear the air with him, no matter what it took.

This week had given her time to think, to sort through the chaos of her emotions. She'd made her decision: she couldn't get emotionally attached. Not to the crew. Not to him.

Getting attached meant risking becoming a burden to him, an obstacle in his quest, and even straying from her own convictions—something she couldn't allow. No, she had to stay on the path she had set for herself, the one her father had always taught her to follow.

She was going to join the revolutionaries.

It was better this way. For him. And for her.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the infirmary door opening quietly. Ikkaku entered with a smile, carrying a tray of fresh fruit and a small bowl of soup. She paused when she saw Emi already sitting on the edge of the bed, wearing a slightly wrinkled shirt and with her hair still a mess.

"Well, looks like you're ready to get out of here," Ikkaku said with a smirk. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better," Emi replied, rolling her shoulders gently. "I think I'm ready to leave the infirmary."

"Don't overdo it," Ikkaku said, placing the tray on the bedside table.

"I've been stuck in bed for a week. I'm losing my mind. Trust me, I feel fine," Emi said confidently.

Ikkaku laughed and nodded. "I believe you. The others will be thrilled to see you again."

Emi managed a faint smile, but a persistent thought crossed her mind, and the smile quickly faded. She had tried not to dwell on it since her conversation with Sachi and Penguin, but now that Ikkaku was here, she couldn't avoid it any longer. She straightened slightly on the bed, fixing Ikkaku with a worried look.

"Hey, Ikkaku…" Emi paused, her heart tightening a little. "You and the others… are you really okay with this? With what Law's planning to do against Doflamingo?" she asked, her hands clasped tightly on her knees.

Ikkaku sat on the edge of the bed, her tone turning more serious. "Okay with it? It's not about agreeing or not. He's the captain. We trust him. Always."

Emi looked down, the weight of the conversation pressing heavily on her. She struggled to accept the idea that they wouldn't even try to persuade him otherwise. Weren't they like a family?

"But at what cost?" Emi's voice was quieter, tinged with frustration. "You follow him because you believe in him, I get that. But him… the fact that he keeps you out of it, doesn't that bother you?"

Ikkaku sighed and shrugged slightly. "This isn't the first time the captain's made this kind of decision. And we're here to back him, no matter what it involves. Same goes for you, doesn't it? You could've left a long time ago, but you stayed. Because, like us, you see something in him." She paused, glancing up at the ceiling before continuing. "You're part of this, Emi. Even if it's not official."

Emi lifted her eyes to Ikkaku, a slight shiver running down her spine. She was part of it. That recognition, quiet and genuine, filled a void she hadn't even realized was there.

Ikkaku went on, her smile tinged with sadness. "Nobody can stop him, Emi. We follow him, even when his choices hurt us a little. That's what it means to be a Heart Pirate. Sometimes, we just have to accept that he doesn't tell us everything. But he always acts with his heart."

Emi stayed silent for a moment, letting Ikkaku's words sink in. With his heart, huh… Slowly, she stood up, using the wall for balance.

"And then? What happens to all of you after?" she asked softly.

A mysterious glint flickered in Ikkaku's eyes. "If everything goes as planned... we'll head to Zou."

Emi straightened up, her tone giving away her surprise.

"Zou? Bepo's homeland?"

Ikkaku nodded. "Yeah. It's Bepo's dream to reunite with his people, and he's ready to lead us there. We'll wait for the Captain on the island."

Emi clenched her fists against the wall, her nails digging into her palms. Law was really planning to leave his crew there?

"And if he doesn't come back?" she murmured, barely audible.

Ikkaku sighed, meeting Emi's gaze with determination. "He'll come back, Emi."

Emi felt her chest tighten, but she quickly pushed away the dark thoughts. Ikkaku was right. He would come back… wouldn't he? Trying to shift the conversation, she suddenly asked, "And… how's Bepo planning to find Zou? It's not on any maps, right? Do you have an Eternal Log Pose?"

Ikkaku shook her head with a small laugh. "Nope, nothing like that. Honestly, I don't completely get it either, but apparently, it's in his genes. He's following his senses, like some deep instinct."

Emi stayed silent for a moment, processing that. "You're telling me he can literally sense his way home?"

Ikkaku nodded, a smirk playing on her lips. "Pretty much. The Minks are unique, you know. Their connection to Zou is one-of-a-kind. It's like, no matter where they are in the world, they always know how to get back."

Emi drifted into thought, trying to picture this extraordinary place. A hidden island, creatures with instincts so strong they didn't need tools to navigate, a culture she'd never encountered before… It stirred her journalist's curiosity. But she held back from asking more questions.

"I see. Thanks for patching me up, Ikkaku."

Emi turned slightly and left the room, heading to her cabin, her thoughts swirling around Ikkaku's words.

Law was going to leave his crew on Zou.

The thought crept into her like venom—colder and more relentless than anger. Because a truth she had refused to admit until now had settled in during that conversation.

He was going to leave everything behind.

She knew why. He was ready to sacrifice everything for Corazon, for his revenge against Doflamingo. His crew, his allies, even himself. He was prepared to die—of that, she was certain.

He didn't see a future for himself because he didn't believe he had one.

She knew him well enough to understand he wouldn't change his mind. Law was as stubborn as stone, and he'd decided his crew would be safe on Zou.

Emi ran a hand over her face, wiping away a lone tear she couldn't hold back.

Unfair.

He was leaving everything behind without hesitation, as if nothing else mattered. His crew relied on him, yet he was abandoning them, in part, to chase his vengeance. And her... she relied on him too, though she had never dared to say it.

But she had no right to ask him to stop.

How could she?

She was just a temporary passenger in his life. She had appeared in the middle of his journey, one he had already set for himself. She respected his loyalty to Corazon, and she understood what it was like to live with a burden on your heart—a pain that refused to fade until justice was served.

.~~~~

In the cabin she shared with Bepo and Ikkaku, Emi found her belongings neatly placed on her bed. Her satchel was there too, untouched. She sat on the edge of the bed, her hands trembling as she opened one of its pockets.

Inside, the Eternal Pose pointing to Punk Hazard glowed faintly under the dim cabin light. Emi took it in her hands, her fingers gripping the object tightly. The pointer was still, frozen in time, silently marking a destination that felt like a burden.

Punk Hazard.

Law had never wanted stability. Everything he did, every step he took, was to honor the memory of someone he had lost, to complete what he considered his mission. Doflamingo wasn't just an enemy to him—he was a debt Law had decided to settle alone. He wasn't going to drag his crew into this. And he wasn't going to take her along on this journey to Zou.

Even though she had made up her mind to join the revolutionaries, the realization still left a lump in her throat. Emi swallowed it down with a sharp breath.

Suddenly, a sharp sound broke the silence: one of her Den Den Mushi had woken up and started ringing from inside her satchel, its shell vibrating slightly with each ring. Emi's eyes darted to it, meeting the impatient gaze of the snail, already mimicking Morgans' expression.

Burururu. Burururu.

She froze, her face unreadable. The ringing continued, echoing in the cabin with familiar persistence. But Emi didn't move.

Burururu. Burururー.

Finally, the snail fell silent, and the room returned to stillness. Emi turned her gaze away, unable to face the idea of speaking with Morgans right now.

Rising abruptly, she stuffed the Eternal Pose back into her pocket and left the cabin, her footsteps echoing through the metallic halls of the Polar Tang.

She needed to talk to Law.

The narrow corridors of the submarine were bathed in dim yellow light, the hum of machinery vibrating faintly through the walls. Emi walked briskly, her thoughts swirling in her head. Zou. The Heart Pirates. Punk Hazard. She couldn't piece them together, like a puzzle refusing to fit.

Stopping in front of Law's quarters, Emi took a deep breath.

She placed a hand on the handle, hesitating for a moment before slowly pushing the door open.

Her eyes scanned the room, lingering on the maps scattered across the desk, the neatly arranged tools, and the empty chair. The silence was almost deafening, broken only by the steady hum of the submarine in motion. Law wasn't there.

Sighing, she turned to leave.

As she made her way back through the corridors, her attention was caught by a porthole. The submarine was still on the surface, the sea glittering under the fading sun. A thought crossed her mind:

The deck.

Emi climbed the ladder leading to the hatch, her chest tightening slightly. She knew what she needed to do, but the idea of confronting him made her nervous.

Law stared at the horizon, his thoughts drifting between the plans he meticulously crafted and the mistakes he wished he could erase. The sound of footsteps behind him pulled him back to the present. He knew it was Emi. She was out of the infirmary. She must have recovered. Just by her pace, he could tell she had something to say. Likely about that damn moment he should have avoided—the impulsive kiss that haunted him more than he wanted to admit.

He clenched his jaw, already preparing the words to set things straight. It was a mistake, he told himself again, even though the bitter taste of the thought weighed heavily on him. But before he could speak, Emi broke the silence by handing him an object.

Curious, he glanced down at what she offered. A familiar shape gleamed in the light—an Eternal Log Pose. His brows furrowed slightly as he read the destination marked on it: Punk Hazard.

For a moment, surprise flashed across his face, quickly replaced by intense curiosity. How had Emi gotten her hands on something like this? His thoughts tangled, but he stayed silent, his gaze shifting between the Log Pose and Emi, waiting for her to speak.

"You'll probably need this," she said, extending the object toward him.

Law reached out and took it. He examined it for a moment. The silence stretched, broken only by the sound of the waves. He hadn't asked for this, yet she had brought him this invaluable item. He had no doubt she was proving to be a remarkable ally.

Emi clenched her fists, gathering her thoughts, and then, in a calm voice, broke the silence again.

"You're planning to die there, aren't you?" she asked bluntly, her gaze fixed on the sea, distant yet intense.

The directness of her question struck Law. His brows knitted slightly as he slowly turned his head toward her.

"It's a possibility," he replied after a moment, his voice calm but heavy with meaning.

Emi felt her chest tighten. She lowered her eyes, frustrated by her own emotions. She knew it was his fight, his mission, but that didn't stop the pain from gnawing at her.

"I understand why you're doing this," she murmured finally, her eyes still on the sea. "I know I have no right to say anything about it. But... it's frustrating. You're leaving everything behind. Your allies, your crew..."

Law watched her for a moment, his expression unreadable. But he didn't look away, waiting for her to continue.

She lifted her head, locking eyes with Law. "I didn't come here to talk you out of it or to try and stop you. How could I? This is your fight, your decision... and I respect that."

She took a step closer, her shoulders relaxing as if to ease the tension hanging between them. "I just want you to know that, no matter what you decide, I've got your back. Even if it means leaving everything behind. Even if it means... leaving."

Law didn't look away, staying silent as he processed her every word, every nuance in her tone.

Emi continued, her voice steady and honest. "I'm not here to... make things more complicated." She hesitated, glancing to the side before looking back at him. "And I don't want you to think that what happened—" She paused, searching for the right words. "The... kiss... It wasn't some attempt to hold you back or anything like that." Her voice trembled slightly, and she looked away, annoyed at herself. "Anyway, what matters is what you need to do."

Law didn't respond immediately, his gaze still fixed on her.

"Finish what Corazon started," she said at last, her voice firm. "Get the revenge he never could."

She paused, letting her words settle in the silence. Then, in a softer tone, almost a whisper, she added:

"And I hope... you find peace when it's done."

She lifted her head again, her eyes shining with restrained emotion. Law kept his gaze on her, taking in the determination written all over her face. He could sense her frustration, but what caught him off guard was how deeply she seemed to understand.

He had expected her to demand answers, to push him for justifications. But instead, she simply... got it.

It unsettled him. Maybe he should have seen it coming—Emi always had a way of looking past the surface, and it threw him off balance in ways he hadn't anticipated. It frustrated him, really. It might have made things easier if she had pushed him, given him a reason to build up his defenses. But her quiet resolve seemed to sweep away his hesitation, offering him a strange kind of solace.

The wind swirled around them, carrying away unspoken words and bottled emotions. For a moment, it felt as if the world had stopped, leaving only the two of them, lost amidst the sound of the sea.

Then Emi spoke again, breaking the silence. "When will we reach the next island?"

Law, caught off guard by the question, turned to her and replied in a tone that felt almost casual. "In a few hours."

Emi raised an eyebrow. "A few hours?" The surprise was evident on her face. "I thought we had more time before getting there."

She knew she'd spent a week bedridden, but the realization that the journey was nearly over struck her differently. She'd had time to think, to come to terms with the fact that life around her kept moving. But the way time seemed to have slipped through her fingers still caught her off guard.

Law gave her a sidelong glance, his expression faintly amused. "You're losing track of time worrying about me, Emi-ya."

Emi smirked, a glimmer of lightness in her eyes. "You mean I'm worrying you by worrying? Interesting."

That little quip shattered the lingering tension. Their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, they shared a connection that felt effortless, as if the weight of heavy conversations and fate's turmoil had been momentarily lifted.

Law stared at her briefly before responding, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You intrigue me, which is much rarer."

Emi arched an eyebrow, taken aback by his response, but before she could say anything, Bepo's voice crackled over the submarine's speakers.

"Captain, the island is in sight!"

And sure enough, a small patch of land emerged on the horizon, growing larger as they got closer. Emi instinctively placed her hands on the railing, watching the island take shape. She sighed softly. It was time.

Law stepped back calmly, tilting his head toward the speakers before speaking:

"You know what you have to do."

.~~~~

Slowly, the Heart Pirates gathered on the deck, anticipation shining in their eyes. Under Emi's discreet but watchful gaze, Law positioned himself in front of his crew.

He paused, as if carefully choosing his words. Speeches weren't his thing, and it showed. After a brief sigh, he finally spoke, his voice calm but firm:

"We'll meet again at Zou. Do what you need to make it there."

Silence followed.

Emi glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, raising an eyebrow. That's it? That's all he had to say? It was short, almost abrupt, but it seemed enough for his crew. At least until Bepo, his face filled with dramatic emotion, lunged forward and wrapped Law in a bear hug strong enough to rival a polar bear.

"Captain! Promise us you'll come back in one piece!" Bepo cried, tears streaming down his face.

Law, visibly uncomfortable, raised a hand to awkwardly pat Bepo on the shoulder. "I'll be back. Now let me go, you're suffocating me."

Sachi and Penguin stood a little farther back, clearly emotional. Sachi tried to stifle a sob, while Penguin cleared his throat to cover up a tremble in his voice.

"You've got this, Captain," Sachi sniffled.

"Don't keep us waiting too long," Penguin added, his tone attempting to sound casual, though his reddened eyes betrayed him.

Emi, arms crossed, watched the scene with a faint smile. And these were the ones who claimed to fully trust their captain? she thought. But she stayed quiet, letting them have their moment.

Bepo, still clinging to Law, finally let go and wiped his eyes, looking sheepish. "We'll wait for you, Captain. We're with you."

Law nodded, regaining his usual composure. "Good. Get back to your posts. And don't do anything stupid while I'm gone."

Suddenly, Emi uncrossed her arms, as if hit by a sudden realization. Her eyes flicked to Law, then to the island growing closer by the second.

"Hold on a second," she said, her voice cutting through the bustling chatter of the Heart Pirates. "You're staying on the island... and they're leaving without you?"

Silence fell over the deck, and all eyes turned to Emi. Bepo, Sachi, and Penguin exchanged awkward looks, as if just remembering that part of the plan hadn't been explicitly stated yet.

Law turned slowly to face her, his expression unchanged, as if he'd been expecting this reaction. He gave a small nod, confirming without hesitation. "Yes."

Emi felt her stomach twist. She wasn't ready for this. Everything was moving too fast, slipping out of her control. But she swallowed her unease, refusing to show it. Taking a breath, she turned to Bepo.

"Think you can get everyone back to Zou without any trouble?" she asked, her voice almost casual.

Bepo straightened up, looking determined. "Of course! I'm ready, Emi."

Hakugan, sitting nearby, chimed in with a proud grin. "And with me steering, there's nothing to worry about. I'm the best helmsman!"

A smile flickered across Emi's face, her gaze warm. She had never doubted them. "I know you are. Take care of yourselves."

.~~~~

When they reached the island, the submarine gently settled on a quiet beach, hidden from prying eyes. It was a quick operation—just enough time to drop off Law and Emi before heading off again. Law wasn't one for long goodbyes; he preferred to get them over with quickly.

But Emi had a different approach.

Before their departure, she made sure to say goodbye to every crew member. She pulled Sachi and Penguin into big hugs, meant to comfort them, even though they struggled to hide their emotions.

"Come on, don't cry, you two," she teased, holding them close.

Bepo, on the other hand, lowered his head gently as he approached. Emi wrapped her arms around him with a smile, finding a quiet comfort in the softness of his embrace. "Take care of them, Bepo," she murmured.

"I promise," he replied, his voice tinged with emotion.

.~~~~

On the sand, Emi and Law watched the submarine drift away, the Polar Tang gliding slowly into the water. The crew, gathered on the deck, waved at them, their voices carrying across the distance.

"See you soon!" Bepo shouted, his voice full of hope.

Sachi and Penguin added exaggerated, almost comical gestures to their goodbyes. Emi waved back enthusiastically, a smile on her face, though a knot of worry tightened in her chest. They'd see each other again… right?

When the submarine finally disappeared on the horizon, Law sighed, turning away with one hand in his pocket and the other firmly gripping his nodachi.

Emi cast one last glance at the ocean before following him. She walked by his side in silence, the sound of waves fading behind them, mingling with the weight of what lay ahead.

She stole quick glances at Law. It was just the two of them now… and one question had been nagging at her ever since she realized he intended to stay on this island.

She finally broke the silence. "Law… how were you planning to get to Punk Hazard before I gave you the Log Pose?"

Law kept walking without slowing, as if he'd been expecting the question.

"I had a plan," he said simply, not bothering to look back.

Emi rolled her eyes. "Of course you had a plan. You always have a plan. But what was it? Were you planning to swim to the island? Build a raft out of three sticks and a rock?"

Law came to an abrupt stop, turning his head slightly. "I would've managed."

His response sparked as much frustration as it did curiosity. "You're ridiculously vague, you know that?"

He shrugged and resumed walking. "I've never needed to spell everything out for things to work."

Emi scowled. Trafalgar. Always so cryptic. But she wasn't done yet. She pressed on, her voice firmer this time. "And now that you have the Log Pose, how exactly do you plan to get there? Because, unless I'm mistaken, you don't have a submarine anymore."

Law let out an irritated sigh, his features shadowed by a weariness he didn't even try to hide. "Emi-ya, the less you know, the better it is—for you, and for me."

His words, though spoken calmly, had a sharpness that made her flinch. She crossed her arms, feeling slightly stung. Curious—that was who she was. Maybe too much so. It was her job, her nature, her essence. But she didn't press further. What was the point? She looked away, biting the inside of her cheek to stifle the urge to retort.

They continued walking in silence until they reached the edge of the port. The city was bustling with life: merchants shouting to attract customers, children playing near the docks, ships of all sizes coming and going. The lively, almost joyful atmosphere was a stark contrast to the weight she felt on her shoulders.

Emi didn't know what to say or do. Was this it? Was this where everything between them ended? Here, in a noisy port, surrounded by strangers who didn't even notice them? A sense of unease grew within her, as if she hadn't prepared herself for this moment.

Law finally turned to her. "There are members of the Revolutionary Army on this island. If you want, you can join them."

Emi froze for a moment, surprise written all over her face. Sabo... So Law had actually listened to his request. She wasn't sure whether to feel grateful or annoyed by the gesture. Was this his way of ensuring she wouldn't be a burden to him anymore? Or was it proof that he cared enough to make sure she'd be safe, even now? Her grip on the strap of her satchel tightened, as if to steady herself.

She stared at Law for a long time, searching for something in his eyes, but he was like a wall—impenetrable. Then, she turned her gaze toward the port. People were busy living their lives, pursuing their own goals. That simple observation brought her a strange sense of comfort. Life would go on, even after this separation.

Emi felt a new determination rising within her. Like those people, she would move forward, live, and find her place. The Revolutionaries... Yes, she had made her decision. It was what she wanted—what she needed to do.

"I guess this is where we part ways," she murmured, her voice soft with an emotion she could barely contain. "If… if there's even the smallest chance you can come back… take it, okay?"

"I'll do my best," he said simply.

It wasn't much, but it was all he could offer. Emi nodded, as though that small promise was enough for her.

"Take care of yourself, Trafalgar. And... thank you... for everything." She finished with a wide sincere smile, one of those rare smiles she only gave to special people.

Law stood still, his gaze fixed on Emi's face, silent. He was used to making tough decisions, to sacrificing things for the sake of his goals. But this time, there was a strange heaviness in his chest.

He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to remain impassive. Feelings were a luxury he couldn't afford. Emi belonged to a different fight, a different cause, and keeping her by his side wasn't an option.

But despite all his logic, a small voice in his head whispered that he could've said something more. A word, a phrase, something that would make this goodbye feel less cold. He shook the thought away with the smallest tilt of his head.

He'd never been good at expressing what he felt, and today wasn't going to be any different. Emi knew that better than anyone. She understood that in his world, bonds were as much a weakness as they were a strength. Maybe she even accepted it more easily than he did himself.

He simply turned on his heel, adjusting his hat as he walked away. And deep down, he knew he wouldn't forget this moment. Not her look, not her words. And especially not that smile.

Emi watched him go, her heart heavy but resolute. She stood there, unmoving, until he disappeared into the crowd.

"Goodbye, Law," she finally whispered, her words carried away by the sea breeze.

She turned back toward the port, her bag firmly strapped to her shoulder. The voices, laughter, and shouts of the merchants returned to her ears like echoes of a future waiting to be built. She took a deep breath, letting the salty air fill her lungs, and took her first step into her new life.

Under the vast sky and the white sails of the ships, Emi walked, carried by an invisible wind. Maybe they'd meet again, or maybe not. But one thing was certain: their paths, though now separate, had left a mark on each other's lives.

And like the sea, always in motion, she would keep moving forward.

~~~~o~~~O~~~o~~~~

Thanks for reading this chapter ! Which end the second part of my fanfiction! Next chapters will be the third and last season ! Take a breather—the best things are coming