Chapter 21: On the Way to North Blue
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In the submarine's navigation room, Law stood in front of a table covered with maritime charts laid out in precise order. Beside him, Bepo silently observed, ready to assist his captain with any necessary task.
They were planning their exit from the Grand Line to head towards the North Blue, a change of course that required careful and strategic navigation. The inevitable passage through the Calm Belt was the most delicate part of their journey. These notoriously calm waters were infested with Sea Kings, those gigantic and dangerous marine creatures, making surface navigation extremely risky.
To avoid the unpredictable dangers of the Calm Belt and minimize their visibility to these aquatic monsters, Law had decided to keep the submarine submerged during this portion of the trip. The submarine was equipped with sophisticated radars that allowed them to detect the Sea Kings underwater, where they could maneuver with more discretion and safety.
"Make sure all radar systems are fully operational and the batteries are fully charged," Law ordered, his gaze fixed on the charts.
Bepo nodded, mentally noting the checks to be done. "I'll check the propulsion and navigation systems as well. We need to be as quiet as possible to avoid attracting their attention."
Law nodded in agreement, appreciating Bepo's diligence. Together, they reviewed the route plans, adjusting trajectories and marking key navigation points on the charts. Law was fully aware of the risks associated with their crossing, but he was also confident in the capabilities of their submarine and crew to handle them.
After finalizing their navigation plan, Law remained silent for a moment, contemplating his future plans. The North Blue offered new opportunities to expand his crew, and while he focused on the immediate journey through the Calm Belt, his mind was already planning the next steps once they reached calmer waters.
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Emi, feeling much better after her rest and the comforting meal, decided to head to the navigation room to satisfy her curiosity about the submarine's sudden dive. Wrapped in her blanket, she made her way through the narrow corridors of the submarine until she reached the room where Law and Bepo were planning their route.
Upon her entry, Bepo greeted her with a big welcoming smile. "Emi, you look much better! It's great to see you up," he exclaimed, his smile brightening the otherwise serious room.
Law, busy with the charts and navigation instruments, looked up at Emi. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, silent and scrutinizing, as if assessing her health from a distance.
Emi gave a shy smile. "Thank you. I'm feeling much better."
She then turned her gaze to Law, who was watching her with his usual serious expression. The heavy silence between them brought back fragments of her dream to Emi's mind, along with memories of how Law had cared for her during her fever. She quickly looked away, focusing on something else.
"Why did we dive?" she asked, trying to keep her tone neutral.
Bepo responded, "We're getting ready to leave the Grand Line and head towards North Blue. It's a tricky route, especially because we have to cross the Calm Belt. It's safer to stay underwater because of the Sea Kings."
The news surprised Emi, who hadn't anticipated such a drastic change in their itinerary. "The North Blue?" she repeated, intrigued by what Law might be planning. She knew his routes were never without reason, and this piqued her curiosity about the possible motivations behind this decision.
Law, once again focused on the charts, responded without looking up: "We have business to take care of in the North." His voice was calm, but his tone left little room for further questions.
Emi frowned slightly. She knew Law wasn't one to share unnecessary details, but this evasive answer didn't satisfy her curiosity. However, she understood that pressing the matter wasn't the best option, especially when he was so closed off. Instead, she focused on the charts, trying to guess their next destination.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Law's plans, Emi found some comfort in the idea of getting closer to the North Blue. The prospect of reuniting with Coco sooner than expected brought her a glimmer of joy.
Though temporarily reassured by the submarine's route, she couldn't help but feel a tinge of ambivalence about her current situation. By staying aboard Law's submarine, her ability to move freely from island to island to pursue her own journalistic investigations was severely limited.
Usually, her work required great mobility and constant access to new sources and events, which was hardly compatible with the often unpredictable pace and directions of the submarine. On one hand, she appreciated the safety provided by the crew, as well as the access to information and places she might not have been able to explore on her own. On the other hand, she realized that each day spent underwater was a day she couldn't actively pursue her own stories... She sighed at this thought but decided to leave her worries for another day, too tired to find a solution.
Emi left the navigation room, heading to her cabin to finally get a truly restorative night's sleep. As she passed by the submarine's library, a murmur of voices caught her attention. Curious, she discreetly approached the entrance to see what was happening.
Inside, she found Penguin and Sachi deeply engrossed in a conversation, with a magazine open between them. At first glance, the scene was nothing unusual, except that the content of the magazine they were examining wasn't exactly what she expected. The magazine was clearly a special issue on swimsuits, with a rather revealing cover featuring women posing in bikinis.
Emi paused for a moment, raising an eyebrow as she saw the two men absorbed in their reading. She cleared her throat lightly to announce her presence, which caused Penguin and Sachi to jump in surprise. The two pirates quickly turned around, their faces flushing bright red as they realized they had been caught red-handed.
"Uh, Emi! It's not what you think..." Penguin began, desperately trying to hide the magazine under a pile of more academic books.
Sachi, slower to react, stammered, "We... we were just doing a bit of cultural research, you know, to better understand fashion trends... uh, yeah, that's it!"
Emi, arms crossed and an amused smile on her lips, looked at them both. "Cultural research, huh? And since when did you become experts in women's fashion?" she asked, her tone half-amused, half-skeptical.
Penguin, realizing they were completely busted, shot a distressed look at Sachi before resigning himself to the truth. "Uh... We just wanted to see what all the fuss was about with these fashion magazines. Nothing serious, I swear!" he admitted, while Sachi nodded frantically beside him.
Emi burst out laughing at their obvious embarrassment and the excuse they had tried to come up with. "I'm just teasing you, guys. I'll leave you alone with your... 'cultural research'," she suggested with a wink.
Penguin and Sachi, relieved that Emi took the situation with humor, laughed as well, though their embarrassment was still evident. Emi waved goodbye and continued on her way, leaving the two pirates with their 'research' and a new subject of teasing for the days to come.
As Emi walked away from the library, she couldn't help but reflect more deeply on the reality of life aboard the submarine. It was true that spending long weeks at sea, often isolated beneath the ocean, must be difficult for the crew, who were mostly men. The lack of female company, the monotony of days spent in the submarine, could surely weigh on their morale.
This reflection led her, almost involuntarily, to think about Law. The captain, always so in control, so focused on his missions, must also feel that tension, that need for relaxation and distraction. It was only natural, after all... Emi shivered slightly as she realized that once again, her thoughts were turning to him. She had promised herself to push these thoughts away, especially after the recent events.
"I really need to get him out of my head," she murmured to herself. She knew that once she was fully recovered from her illness, she would be able to think more clearly. Perhaps the infection had clouded her thoughts more than she had realized.
Finally, she arrived at her cabin. Pushing the door open, she was greeted by the comforting darkness and silence of her personal space. She slipped under the sheets, nestling into the comfort of her bed, ready to be carried away by the restorative sleep she so deserved after the turmoil of the past few days.
As the submarine continued its silent journey through the dark depths of the ocean, Emi let her final thoughts drift softly. The peace of the night enveloped the room, and soon, the worries and reflections of the day faded away, replaced by the calming promise of a rejuvenating night. Perhaps, after all, rest would bring her the clarity she needed to put her thoughts in order and resume her activities.
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Morning arrived earlier than expected for Emi, who opened her eyes in the darkness of the cabin. A sense of well-being and vitality washed over her—she felt completely recovered from her illness, every muscle and bone in her body buzzing with renewed energy. She glanced at the watch on the desk; it read 5 AM. It was earlier than she had planned, but she felt too awake to go back to sleep.
Quietly, Emi slipped out of bed, mindful that Bepo was still asleep. She carefully crept out of the cabin, making sure not to make any noise that might wake the polar bear.
The idea of stretching out in the training room crossed her mind. She felt a bit stiff after a day of forced inactivity due to her illness, and nothing could beat a good workout to get back in shape. Before heading to the training room, Emi stopped by the kitchen, where she quickly grabbed something to eat—a few fruits and a piece of bread—and made herself a cup of strong coffee. The invigorating aroma of the coffee filled the room, and she took a deep breath, letting the caffeine work its magic.
With a cup still half-full in hand, Emi entered the training room. The place was empty and wrapped in a peaceful silence, as if she were the first to disturb its tranquility that morning. She set her coffee down on a nearby bench and started with some light stretches to wake up her muscles.
After warming up, Emi felt a sudden urge to dance. Music wasn't necessary; the rhythms were already in her mind, a legacy from her mother, who had been a professional dancer. Emi had always loved dancing—it was her way of escaping and revitalizing, a deep connection to the memories of her mother, who had passed away when she was only ten.
She began slowly, letting the memories and energy flow with each movement. In the solitude of the training room, Emi gave herself over to a spontaneous dance routine, blending elements of ballet, jazz, and modern dance, all styles her mother had taught her. Each movement was imbued with grace and energy; every pirouette and leap seemed to tell a story.
Law, on his way to perform his usual morning checks, passed by the training room when he noticed Emi's unexpected presence. What was she doing so early in the training room? He paused, silent, to observe.
He saw Emi in full motion, dancing with a grace and energy that seemed to transcend the space of the training room. Law stood there, watching the fluidity and precision of her movements. Every extension of her arms, every bend of her legs, every spin and leap revealed a mastery and passion that were almost mesmerizing.
He was compelled to admit that Emi was exceptionally talented. Her ability to express complex emotions through her body language was something rare, a talent that came naturally to her. Her dance style, both powerful and elegant, had a kind of visual allure that made it impossible to ignore. Law, who understood the importance of fluidity and control in combat, could see how Emi's dance skills translated directly into her fighting style. This realization helped him understand where her ability to anticipate and react with such grace under pressure came from.
Law remembered the few times he had observed Emi in combat; the way she maneuvered the space around her, moving with an efficiency bordering on artistry, was reflected in what he saw now. Her dance movements were the foundation of her combat skills, each step and pivot calculated not just for beauty but for functionality.
Eventually, after several uninterrupted minutes of dancing, Emi slowed down, letting her movements fade until they stopped completely. She stood there, breathing deeply, each breath calmer than the last. A satisfied smile lit up her face, reflecting the inner peace she had regained through this dance.
As Emi caught her breath, a sudden sensation made her feel she might not be alone. She turned her gaze toward the entrance of the training room, scanning the doorway for any sign of a presence. However, the entrance remained empty, with no sign of anyone else. Perhaps the intensity of her dance session had heightened her senses to the point of imagining things…
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Emi wandered through the narrow corridors of the submarine, her boredom becoming more and more palpable. While the other crew members were busy with their respective tasks, she had little to do. Sachi and Penguin were likely performing their routine inspections in the engine room, while Law and Bepo were somewhere checking the navigation systems, leaving Emi alone with her thoughts.
She sighed as she made her way to a small observation room at the rear of the submarine. This room offered a limited view of the outside through a circular porthole. But the sight of an endless expanse of dark, empty water was hardly comforting. She sat on a bench near the porthole, arms crossed, trying to come up with a way to pass the time.
She thought about reading her notes, writing a new article, but inspiration was lacking in the stifling environment. Without really thinking, she got up and headed towards the engine room, where Sachi and Penguin were. Maybe their company would give her a change of pace. She had promised herself to keep some distance, not to get too attached to them to avoid any emotional confusion. But boredom had won over her resolutions.
Entering the engine room, she found them indeed hard at work. Sachi was crouched by a control panel, checking cables, while Penguin was tightening a bolt on a valve.
Emi approached, curious. "What exactly are you guys doing?"
Sachi looked up at the sound of her voice and gave her a smile. "Oh, Emi! Nothing too exciting," Sachi replied with a shrug. "We're just checking that everything is working properly. Routine inspections, you know. But if you want to have a bit of fun, you can press that button there. It doesn't do anything special, but it might make you feel useful."
Emi narrowed her eyes at his remark. Useful? Did he really think she had nothing better to do than play with a useless button? True, they weren't entirely wrong; she had decided to visit them to pass the time productively, but she couldn't help but feel a bit offended.
She bit her lip, hesitating for a moment. She hated the idea that they might see her as useless or underestimate her. Part of her wanted to ask if she could help them, but her pride held her back. Still, standing around doing nothing made her feel even worse. She crossed her arms and frowned.
"Don't underestimate me, Sachi. I'm not here just to play around."
After a brief moment of hesitation, she stepped forward, crossing her arms to give herself a bit of confidence. "I... I could help you, you know," she said, attempting to sound calm. But her tone, a bit too hurried, betrayed her nervousness.
Penguin and Sachi straightened up, exchanging a knowing and almost amused glance. They had noticed her hesitation but chose not to comment on it.
"Well... if you need a hand," she added quickly, immediately regretting her words, her cheeks flushing slightly, but she kept her gaze steady on them, determined to contribute something.
"Well, if you really want to help, we can find something for you to do," Penguin said with a wink.
Sachi seemed to think for a moment, then his smile widened. "We need to check the temperature of the machines. If you want, you could read the numbers to us while I take note of them. It would save us some time."
Emi nodded, pleased to be able to participate. "I can do that. Where are the temperature readings?" she asked, glancing around the engine room. The place was cluttered with pipes, levers, and devices whose functions she didn't know, but there was a sort of utilitarian charm to it, with its constant hum and blinking lights.
Penguin pointed her to a board with several thermometers placed at strategic points around the machines. "Just read the numbers and tell us."
Emi approached and began reading the readings aloud, while Sachi noted each value on a sheet. The task was simple, but at least it gave her something to do. She felt a bit lighter, even if she hadn't found anything to write about; these moments were enough to chase away her boredom for a while.
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Thank you for reading this chapter !
I'm sorry this chapter doesn't have much action, but I wanted to focus on their daily life in the submarine. More actions will come on the way!