Chapter 32: A matter of hearts
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In the submarine, Emi wandered through the corridors, a bag in hand containing dirty laundry. She was heading to the small technical area of the Polar Tang, where a washing machine was set up for their clothes.
As she busied herself plugging in the machine and checking that everything was working, she heard footsteps behind her. The cramped room wasn't a place she expected to run into anyone. She turned around abruptly... and found herself face-to-face with Law, shirtless.
Shirtless?
She blinked, her brain struggling to process the sight. He stood there, several pants and t-shirts in hand, ready to wash his clothes as well. He had just removed his shirt, revealing his intricate tattoos and well-defined muscles. She had already seen part of his tattoos before, but this was the first time she saw them fully.
She felt her throat tighten as her gaze involuntarily traveled across his sculpted shoulders and chest. Emi's eyes drifted over the lines of his muscles, the way they subtly contracted with each movement. She tried to look away, but her heart was pounding too hard for her to focus. Her thoughts were muddled, and she cursed herself inwardly for being so flustered over something so trivial.
Law stared at her for a moment, the hint of a mocking smile on his lips. He had clearly noticed her discomfort. "Are you planning to keep staring?" he teased, a mischievous grin forming at the corner of his mouth.
Emi blushed instantly and turned her gaze away. She shook her head, desperately trying to regain her composure. "What do you want, Law? I'm... busy."
Law stepped closer, his eyes still fixed on hers with that enigmatic glint she knew all too well. He leaned slightly toward her, his tattoos becoming even more prominent under the room's dim light. "You seem a little distracted."
She instinctively stepped back, her trembling hand landing on the edge of the machine. Her heart was racing, and no matter how hard she tried to stay calm, she couldn't deny the effect Law's closeness was having on her. Damn it. What was wrong with her? Was she really this easily shaken?
"I'm not distracted," she retorted, trying to sound indifferent, but her voice betrayed her unease.
Law, noticing how rattled she was, moved even closer, almost completely closing the gap between them. His dark eyes studied her with amusement, and a sly smile played on his lips. He set down his things and rested a casual hand on the machine beside her, almost trapping her against the wall.
"Is it because I'm shirtless?" he murmured, his voice deep and soft at the same time.
Emi tried to breathe normally, but her heart was pounding out of control. Since when did Law have this kind of effect on her? No, no way. She didn't want him to notice. She couldn't bear to seem vulnerable in front of him again, like that night when she'd had too much to drink… She took a deep breath, fixing Law with a determined look.
"Stop getting ideas, Law."
Law stared at her intently, his eyes capturing every subtle reaction on her face. The way she blushed at the slightest provocation, how easily she became flustered, her innocence and naivety — all of it was such a stark contrast that it fascinated him. But he knew she needed to toughen up if she wanted to survive in this ruthless world. She had an inner strength, but her naivety still got the better of her. She had to become more at ease, or at least more confident in situations like this. After all, it was for the sake of their mission. At least, that's what he kept telling himself, though he couldn't quite figure out why he really cared.
Then, he did something that caught her completely off guard. In one swift motion, he grabbed her wrist and guided her hand to his chest, pressing it against his warm skin. Emi jolted in surprise, her eyes widening in shock. The feel of his muscles beneath her palm, the heat of his skin... it was almost too much for her.
"Maybe you should get used to it," he murmured, his tone half-serious, half-provocative.
Emi remained frozen, feeling the heat of his skin beneath her fingers. Her mind seemed unable to process the situation—so sudden, so unexpected. He was testing her, that much was clear. But she couldn't understand why he was doing it. Law was usually so distant, so why was he taking this kind of risk now?
Emi took a deep breath, her gaze locking onto Law's. She refused to be the weak girl he saw, the one who blushed at every provocation. No, this time she was going to prove herself. Her mind was made up. Without a word, she slowly lifted her other hand towards him, her fingers grazing his chest. With a steady touch, she traced the lines of his abs, slowly outlining each muscle, her gaze never leaving his.
Law, caught off guard by her boldness, remained still, though his eyes narrowed slightly. He watched in silence, his dark gaze fixed on Emi as she dated to challenge him in this way. He could feel her fingers gliding along his abs, tracing every contour with deliberate precision. She seemed composed, even though he could hear the faint tremor in her breath.
"Maybe it's you who should get used to it," she finally replied.
A subtle smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. He had to admit, seeing Emi stand her ground impressed him more than he expected. She didn't give in to embarrassment or panic; instead, she responded with unexpected boldness.
He moved swiftly, catching her wrist and guiding her back against the wall, his hand resting firmly beside her head, leaving her with nowhere to go. The sudden action made Emi gasp, yet she held his gaze, determined not to back down.
Law leaned in towards her, his face so close that she could feel the warmth of his breath on her lips. His eyes burned with an intensity she had never seen before, and for a moment, she felt all the tension between them condense in that confined space.
"What do you think you're doing?" Law said in a rough voice.
But before he could do anything more, a noise echoed in the hallway. Bepo burst into the room, all cheerful and completely unaware of the atmosphere between them.
"Captain! Emi!"
Emi quickly stepped aside, withdrawing her hand from Law's chest, trying to hide her sudden embarrassment.
Bepo tilted his head, wondering if he had interrupted an important conversation.
"Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to disturb you!"
"You're not disturbing us at all, Bepo," Emi replied immediately, forcing a casual tone.
Before Law could react, she quickly moved to the washing machine and stuffed the clothes into the drum, trying to maintain a semblance of calm while still feeling the heat from her contact with him.
She started the machine and, without another word, headed for the exit.
She clenched her fists. Why did this guy make her feel so off balance?
And why, for once, did it seem like he had also been caught off guard?
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After a little more than two days at sea, the crew of the Polar Tang finally arrived at their destination.
Emi observed the island through a spyglass, hoping to spot a welcoming place with a few stores where she could restock essential supplies. She also hoped to meet influential contacts or important people who could provide valuable information for her research.
However, what she saw didn't match her expectations at all. The port was overrun with docked pirate ships, and the pier seemed deserted and rundown, far too devoid of inhabitants. Great... The ruined buildings and the lack of any human activity unsettled Emi.
As they prepared to dock, Emi turned to Jean Bart, who was also on deck.
"Jean Bart, do you happen to have any information about this island?"
Jean Bart turned toward her, seeing her gaze at the horizon with growing concern. "This island was once protected by Whitebeard," he said softly. "But it seems that's no longer the case now."
Emi felt a wave of apprehension wash over her. "Why are we heading to such a dangerous place?" she asked, her voice betraying her anxiety.
Jean Bart shrugged. "Law has his reasons. He doesn't always share his plans with us, but he knows what he's doing. Trust him."
Emi frowned. Even after their captain's death, Whitebeard's crew might very well still be protecting it. Law didn't intend to claim the island, did he? A shiver ran down her spine. She wasn't ready to face the crew of the world's most powerful pirate!
And if they were no longer around to defend it, then unscrupulous pirates could have easily taken the opportunity to invade the island. Was this really the kind of place Law was looking for?
Emi couldn't accept such a vague answer. She quickly made her way to Law's quarters to get clearer explanations. Arriving at the door, she took a deep breath before knocking. She found Law bent over a map, his cold, calculating eyes scanning details she couldn't understand.
"Law, why this island?" she began, trying to keep her composure. "This place is crawling with pirates!"
Law lifted his eyes from the map, fixing her with an intense gaze. "That's exactly why we're going there," he replied calmly.
"But why take such a risk? What could possibly justify this?" Emi pushed, seeking clarity.
Law straightened up, crossing his arms. "Goals that are my own, journaliste-ya."
Emi felt frustration surge inside her. "Don't start with your cryptic answers. This is madness!"
Law stepped closer, his gaze sharp. "Don't underestimate my crew."
"I'm just asking for an explanation, Trafalgar," she retorted, her exasperation rising with each of his vague responses.
Law stared at her for a long moment, as if carefully choosing his words. "You'll understand in due time."
Before she could respond, Bepo announced that the submarine had docked on the island. The crew quickly readied themselves, armed and prepared to face whatever pirates awaited them.
Just as she'd expected, they had barely taken a few steps onto the dock before they found themselves surrounded by pirates with clearly hostile intentions. The buildings around them were crumbling, and the residents seemed to have fled, hiding from the violence.
One of the pirates, a hulking man with a sneer plastered on his face, stepped forward. "You're too late to claim the island; it's already under our control," he taunted.
But Law, completely unfazed, stepped forward, his gaze cold and resolute. "We're not here for that," he said calmly.
The pirate scowled, caught off guard by the response. "What? Then you're here to die!" he roared.
Without a moment's hesitation, Law gave his crew a subtle signal to attack, and chaos erupted in an instant.
The crew dove into the fight with lethal precision. Sachi and Penguin, armed with spears and combat weapons, tore through enemy ranks with ruthless efficiency. Jean Bart used his immense strength to send pirates flying with ease, while Bepo unleashed a series of powerful punches and kicks.
As the battle raged, Emi intentionally kept her distance. Her eyes scanned the scene, and although she knew perfectly well how to defend herself, she had decided not to get involved. They didn't need her help to win against these pirates, and she certainly wasn't going to assist Law when she still had no idea what they were really after. She deftly dodged a few attacks, avoiding unnecessary conflict.
At that moment, a massive cannonball whizzed just inches from her head, teleported by one of Law's skillful 'Rooms.' Emi threw herself to the ground just in time to avoid the impact, then got back up, fuming. What the hell? She turned her furious gaze towards the captain, who glanced at her out of the corner of his eye with his usual impassive expression, as if he wasn't involved.
"You've got to be kidding me!" she yelled in Law's direction.
He had definitely done that on purpose. But before she could give him a piece of her mind, a pirate rushed at her, sword raised high.
Emi sighed deeply. She had no choice now but to fight. Stupid pirates. She should have stayed on the submarine. Without hesitation, she dodged the attack with innate grace and retaliated with a powerful kick to the pirate's solar plexus, sending him crashing into a wall. Another pirate came at her, but before he could even strike, she delivered a precise pressure-point blow to his arm, paralyzing him instantly, then followed up with a swift kick to the face.
Emi's kicks flew with precision as she moved fluidly through her opponents, targeting their vital points methodically. One by one, the pirates collapsed around her, their nerves struck, leaving them incapacitated. Fortunately, these pirates weren't ready for the Grand Line, not by a long shot.
From a distance, Sachi watched, impressed. "Hey, she's holding her own pretty well!"
Penguin, equally surprised, nodded. "Yeah, those kicks of hers are something else!"
The fight raged on, but thanks to the strength and coordination of the Heart Pirates, the enemy were gradually overwhelmed. Each crew member's skills complemented the others perfectly, creating an almost unbeatable synergy. Finally, after several minutes of fierce combat, the last pirate fell to the ground, unable to stand.
Law calmly stepped forward amidst the fallen pirates, his expression unreadable. He raised his hand, and a blue sphere appeared around him.
"Room," he murmured, activating his power.
The sphere expanded, encompassing all the defeated pirates.
"Mess."
With a precise motion, Law used his ability to extract the hearts of the fallen pirates. The organs, encased in a blue light, floated in the air before being carefully placed into a brown cloth pouch and then into a special box Law had ready.
Emi, watching the scene unfold, couldn't suppress a shiver of horror. She had seen Law use this technique before, but she never got used to it. The apparent cruelty of the ability unsettled her deeply. Why did he do this? Why did he need their hearts? The question haunted Emi. Was it for medical reasons? But there was something darker about this collection of hearts. Was it really for medical research, or did Law have something else in mind?
Law turned toward Emi, noticing her horrified expression. A slight smirk crossed his face as he walked toward her. "Journaliste-ya, you wanted to know the reason we came to this island?"
Emi stared at him, her gaze filled with unanswered questions through the fading haze of the battle.
He continued, "Follow me to my quarters, we need to talk."
In the narrow corridors of the submarine, Emi walked behind Law, her thoughts swirling in a mix of confusion and apprehension. The metallic sound of Law's boots echoed in the silence, creating a tense atmosphere. When they reached his quarters, Law stopped abruptly and turned to face her, his sharp eyes locking onto hers.
"I need your skills," he began, his voice calm but resolute.
Emi frowned slightly, trying to understand what he expected from her. After all, she was already helping him locate Caesar… What could he be talking about now?
"For what?" she finally asked, perplexed.
"I'm going to deliver these hearts to the Marine Headquarters," he replied simply.
Emi's eyes widened in shock. "Excuse me? Why would you do that?"
Law sighed lightly at her questions, his gaze darkening. After a brief pause, he answered, "To become a Shichibukai."
Emi's frown deepened. "A Shichibukai? You?"
Law nodded in silence.
Emi was stunned. Law, becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea? It didn't seem like him. Why would he want to ally with the World Government?
"What are you really planning, Law?" she asked, suspicious, trying to grasp his true motivations.
Law sighed again, his eyes growing even darker. "It's not an alliance by choice, but by necessity. It'll give me freedom of movement and access to resources I can't get otherwise."
Still unsatisfied with his vague answers, Emi pressed further, "This is about your plans against Joker, isn't it?"
Law hesitated for a moment, his gaze hardening further. He didn't like being questioned, especially about his deeper motivations. But he also knew he needed Emi's cooperation for his plans to succeed. After a tense silence, he nodded, a calculating glint in his eyes.
"Having the status of a Shichibukai would provide cover and resources I wouldn't have access to otherwise."
Emi thought deeply. How far was he willing to go to bring down Doflamingo? She felt both confused and intrigued by Law's request.
"And what role do I have in all of this?" she asked, her eyes scrutinizing him.
"Your seagull can find its way to Marine Headquarters, can't it?" Law asked directly.
Emi was taken aback by his insight. The New Coo were indeed exceptional birds, capable of finding their way back to their base without fail, crossing oceans and storms with unmatched precision.
"Yes, that's true," she admitted. "Every time they deliver newspapers, they return to Marine HQ to restock. Their sense of direction is infallible."
Law nodded, seemingly satisfied with her response. "Perfect. So, she can lead us to the headquarters."
Emi's heart raced. She clenched her fists, feeling the weight of the Eternal Log Pose in her pouch. This Log Pose constantly pointed toward G-1, where her father worked. She had kept it after leaving the Times, just in case she ever needed to return.
Now that G-1 had become Marine Headquarters, a strategic fortress since the events of Marineford, she could easily use it to guide them. But if she revealed this information, she would lose an advantage that might be useful later… She bit her lip, weighing the pros and cons of sharing this with him. After a moment of silence, she decided to keep the secret for now. She didn't have to reveal everything to him anyway, and Coco could guide them without any trouble.
Besides, was it really necessary to deliver the hearts to secure the title? She couldn't help but find the method a bit sadistic and over the top, but she knew Law likely had his reasons for projecting such a cruel image.
Emi now understood his strategy better. He was the type to meticulously plan his actions, waiting for the right moment to strike. Even though she hadn't yet seen him take direct action against this Joker, it seemed clear he had a specific plan in mind.
Despite understanding his motives, Emi remained cautious. She wasn't going to help him without getting something in return.
"Alright. But what's in it for me? I'm not going to let you use Coco for free, Law. What do I gain?"
Law, who seemed to have expected this question, didn't flinch. His piercing gaze intensified, and he stared at her in silence for a long moment, carefully weighing his words before answering with a voice as cold as it was assured.
"Your freedom."
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Thank you for reading this chapter and for commenting, it always makes me happy :D
And I know I have a habit of interrupting those tense romantic moments, please don't kill me for it lol But we've gotta appreciate the tension between them, right?
I'm trying to avoid disrupting the main story, so I include occasional references as of some of you noticed, but at some point, I think I'll dive into it—though that won't be anytime soon
puritygirl2005 Thank you so much! I'm really glad you're enjoying how the story flows with the main plot, and it's great to hear that the switching scenes give off that anime/manga vibe! More action and romance are definitely on the way—hehe