Chapter 39: Growing stronger
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"So, you want me to put your submarine in my shipyard, is that it?" the owner asked, squinting at Law, his voice deep and hesitant. "I know who you are, Trafalgar Law. Pirates. Nothing but trouble."
Sachi, with a broad grin, tried to lighten the mood.
"Come on, old man, we're not that bad, huh? We just need a few tweaks for the submarine, and we pay well!"
The old man stared at them silently, his wrinkled hands gripping the edge of his desk. Although he was reluctant to welcome a pirate crew into his facilities, the money offered was tempting—very tempting.
"I've heard stories about you… not the kind to bring the Marines on my back, but bounty hunters and mercenaries often lurk around, eyeing big bounties like yours or rare materials," he replied. "And here, this is my turf, my workers. If anything happens, it'll fall on me."
Law, his piercing eyes shadowed by his hat, didn't need many words. He placed a bag of gold on the desk with calculated precision.
"There's no longer a bounty on my head. But take this as a guarantee," he said coldly. "And Wolf recommended you for a reason. Do your job, and everything will go smoothly."
The old man hesitated, his gaze drifting from the bag of gold to Law's impassive face. Finally, he sighed.
"Fine. But if things go south, you're out of here as fast as you came."
Wasting no time, Law pulled out his Den Den Mushi from his pocket and contacted his helmsman. "Hakugan, you can guide the Polar Tang into the hangar."
A few moments later, the deep rumble of the submarine's engine echoed as it slowly made its way through the massive doors. Sachi and Penguin, standing near the entrance, exchanged a knowing glance as the immense yellow-and-black figure of the Polar Tang slid into the enclosure. The old man, a pipe clamped between his teeth, watched the submarine with a mix of apprehension and curiosity before turning to Law, his gaze sharp.
"So, what exactly do you plan to do with this engineering marvel?" he asked, arms crossed, fully aware he was about to get involved in something unprecedented.
"We need to upgrade the submarine's propulsion system," Law explained in a calm but commanding tone. "I want more efficient engines and optimized energy consumption."
The old man nodded as he listened carefully, sizing up the Polar Tang with a discerning eye, squinting as if to assess the full scope of the work ahead. "That's high-grade equipment you've got there. This kind of submarine is rare, and improving its propulsion system will require an expert."
Sachi, ever upbeat, chimed in. "We're ready to go all out if necessary. We just want the best for our Tang."
The old man gave a slight smirk. "Don't worry about that. I have just the person for this kind of job." He turned and gestured toward the workshop, signaling someone.
A few seconds later, a woman appeared, striding confidently toward the group. She had curly brown hair tied back under a yellow-and-orange bandana, and her mechanic's clothes, smeared with oil, indicated she'd been in the middle of work before being called over. As she got closer to the Polar Tang, her gaze immediately settled on the submarine, and her eyes widened slightly with admiration.
"Here's Ikkaku, our best mechanic for this kind of work," the old man announced, a proud smile on his lips.
Still captivated by the Polar Tang, Ikkaku stepped closer to the submarine, running her hand along its smooth hull. "It's a magnificent vessel... a one-of-a-kind model, isn't it?" she asked without taking her eyes off it.
Law, watching with curiosity, nodded. "It needs a few upgrades. Think you can handle it?"
Ikkaku turned to him, her light brown eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "If I understand correctly, you want to boost the propulsion?" She glanced at the rear of the submarine, already contemplating technical solutions. "It's doable. It won't be easy, but with a bit of time and the right tools, I can make this sub faster than ever."
Sachi and Penguin exchanged a knowing look, intrigued by this newcomer. Penguin, always quick to strike up a conversation, stepped forward with a grin. "Looks like we're lucky to have you. Want a little tour? We could show you what the Polar Tang's got under the hood."
Sachi hung back, adjusting his sunglasses while observing Ikkaku with a sly smile. "Yeah, we could help you get to know the crew too."
But Ikkaku, entirely absorbed in analyzing the Polar Tang, barely noticed their clumsy attempts to impress her. She moved toward the submarine's thrusters, casting an expert glance. "Impressive," she murmured to herself. "The structure is solid, but there's massive potential for optimization. You're looking for more power without excessive energy consumption, right?"
Law nodded, intrigued by her precision.
Finally, Ikkaku turned to Sachi and Penguin, only now realizing their presence. "You can give me a hand if you want, but I'm not here for tours or to meet the crew. I'm here to improve this vessel." She shot them a sharp look, clearly unimpressed by their approach.
Sachi laughed nervously, while Penguin crossed his arms, conceding with a smirk. "Well, that's clear enough," he shrugged.
Satisfied with their reaction, Ikkaku allowed a slight smile before turning back to the submarine. "Right, I'll gather what I need to get started. I'll need your complete technical specs."
"Ikkaku, was it?" Law asked, as if confirming.
"That's right," she replied confidently, heading to her workshop to start prepping.
The old man looked at Law with a satisfied smile. "She's the best in the field. You won't find anyone more qualified."
Law nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. "We'll see about that."
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On the desolate hill, the cold wind blew, making Emi's long black skirt billow like a shifting shadow. The gray expanse of the North Sea stretched to the horizon, austere and silent, mirroring the emptiness she felt deep within.
Emi had returned to her native island, to pay her respects at her father's grave. She stared at the tombstone in silent sorrow, each gust of salty wind bringing flashes of memories—shards of happiness now lost.
"Papa," she murmured, her voice wavering under the weight of grief. "I promise to honor your memory."
She laid fresh flowers on the grave, their gentle scent mingling with the salty tang of the sea air. The wind grew stronger, as if reminding her of the resilience that had always been part of her.
"I promise I'll grow stronger," she continued, her eyes bright with determination. "I'll find those responsible and make them pay."
She stood tall, her gaze fixed on the horizon, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.
With a final glance at her father's grave, she turned and walked into the forest, heading toward Ambre's laboratory, which sat on the outskirts of the village. Ambre's experiments were sometimes... explosive, and the locals had complained enough that she was forced to relocate her lab at the forest's edge.
As Emi entered the laboratory, she paused, observing the scientist hunched over her microscope. The lab was a true mess—a maze of strange flasks, machines emitting regular beeps, and piles of hastily scrawled notes. The place mirrored the scientist herself: chaotic but surprisingly functional. Ambre was scribbling furiously in a battered notebook, absorbed in her work.
Emi leaned against one of the shaky shelves, her brows furrowed with impatience and worry. She had seen Ambre in this kind of scientific frenzy dozens of times before. Ambre was brilliant, but sometimes terrifying, as though the spark of madness in her eyes could explode at any moment. Yet Emi knew that when her friend took on this tone, it wasn't just idle curiosity. This was serious.
At last, Ambre stopped writing and looked up, her safety goggles balanced on the tip of her nose, her curly hair tousled from hours bent over her samples. She looked tired, but an intense gleam shone in her eyes.
"I've found it, Emi," she said, her voice both excited and grave. "This substance… it's not ordinary."
Emi stepped closer, her heart pounding harder. "So, what is it?"
Ambre took a deep breath, as if weighing the impact of what she was about to reveal. "This substance is used to create artificial Devil Fruits. Specifically, Zoan-type fruits."
Emi's eyes widened in shock. "Artificial Devil Fruits? How?"
Ambre sighed, grabbing a vial of white powder and waving it in front of Emi. "Did you know Caesar Clown and Vegapunk worked on several projects together? Including the biogenetics of Devil Fruits. This powder can induce mutations similar to those in Zoan-type Devil Fruits. He must have found a way to manipulate DNA to transform it into this form."
Emi's eyes widened further, impressed by Ambre's knowledge. This woman, eccentric and unpredictable as she was, mastered a field of knowledge that very few in the world dared to explore. She was brilliant, bordering on genius.
Ambre carefully set down the vial, her hands trembling slightly with excitement. "Imagine the implications, Emi. An artificial Zoan fruit. Not just that, but full control over the process. It's... It's revolutionary." Her eyes widened, and her smile teetered on the edge of mania.
"Wait." Emi frowned, trying to grasp the full scope of what this meant. "So this substance… it can give anyone Devil Fruit powers? Zoan-type?"
Ambre nodded, almost intoxicated by the discovery. "In theory, yes. But in practice? I'm curious to see."
She continued analyzing the situation, narrowing her eyes as she flipped through her notes. "He must have found a client or funding to keep his research going…"
Emi frowned, trying to piece together the puzzle. If she ruled out Big Mom as the main client, that only left… Joker. But what would he want with these Devil Fruits? Was it for his own use? Or was he planning to sell them to other clients, expanding his influence within the underworld, that shadowy network? The deeper she dug into Caesar's work, the more her research pointed toward Doflamingo and the potential dangers tied to his dark dealings.
"I think I might have an idea," she murmured, her mind racing to connect the scattered information she'd gathered.
Ambre raised an eyebrow, stepping closer, her sharp gaze fixed on Emi. "Who do you think it is?"
Emi hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. She couldn't reveal everything to Ambre—not yet. Not only would it put her in danger, but the more she knew, the more trouble she'd attract.
"I'd rather not say too much for now," she replied cautiously. "It's safer for you, Ambre."
The scientist let out a short, almost mocking laugh. "That's ridiculous, Emi. If you think you can protect me by hiding half of it, you're wrong." She crossed her arms, her expression hardening. "I'm already in too deep. If anyone finds out I'm the one who analyzed this substance, trust me—there's no going back for me either."
Silence thickened in the lab, the machines humming their mechanical rhythm in the background. Emi felt the pressure rising within her. She knew she'd dragged Ambre into this, and the thought made her sick. Emi lowered her head, her throat tight. Memories of her father haunted her still. His death—she had always seen it as her fault. If only she'd been more careful, smarter, maybe he would still be alive. That guilt followed her like a shadow, and the idea of pulling Ambre into this spiral terrified her. Losing another person important to her? She couldn't bear it.
But she also knew that lying to Ambre at this point would only make things worse. Being transparent wouldn't put her in any more danger than she was already in. On the contrary, telling her the truth might even protect her. Ambre was sharp—much sharper than Emi sometimes dared to admit—and she owed her that much: the truth.
The problem was the truth itself. Emi dreaded confessing who she was really working with. Pirates. How could she reveal that to Ambre without being judged? Emi, so grounded and principled, involved in illegal, dangerous dealings with outlaws. She could already imagine the disappointment in Ambre's eyes, that flicker of disapproval.
But Ambre, true to herself, wasn't letting it go. "I know that since your father's death, you're careful about what you share with me, Emi." Her voice was full of understanding, but also a hint of reproach. "And I understand why…" Ambre continued, moving closer. "But I want you to be more open with me, Emi. You don't have to carry all this alone. I'm here for you, and I really want to be here to help." She placed a hand on Emi's shoulder, squeezing it gently but firmly, as if to remind her that she was strong and wouldn't be intimidated by danger.
Emi slowly lifted her head, meeting Ambre's determined gaze. She took a deep breath, her heart racing, but she finally gave in. "Alright… I'll tell you everything."
Ambre nodded, waiting patiently, her intense gaze fixed on her.
Emi began her recounting, starting with how it had all seemed so straightforward at first. A simple search for information—that was all it was supposed to be. She hadn't planned on getting swept into Law's orbit or thrown into a world where each alliance, each revelation, was darker and more complex than the last. What had begun as curiosity had shifted into an unrelenting pursuit of answers, a dangerous pull that she couldn't resist, even if it meant navigating the risks that came with being around him.
The silence that followed was absolute. The lab machines kept their low hum, but in that moment, the world seemed to stand still. Ambre, motionless, stared at her, wide-eyed. Emi felt small, bracing herself for the storm of reproach she had envisioned.
Then, to her surprise, Ambre burst into laughter. A genuine, joyful laugh, almost uncontrollable. Emi froze, not understanding what was happening. This was the last reaction she'd expected.
"W-What?" Emi stammered, in disbelief.
Ambre was still laughing, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. "Trafalgar Law? One of the 11 Supernovas?" She nodded, laughing even harder. "And you thought I'd judge you for that? Honestly, Emi, you underestimate me!"
Emi stared at her, eyebrows knit. "You don't care that I'm working with pirates?"
Ambre finally settled down, her laughter fading into a warm smile. "Emi, I've watched you make tough choices your whole life. You're smart, and I trust you. If you've allied with a pirate, you must have your reasons." She shrugged, a relaxed expression on her face. "And, let's be honest, I actually think it's pretty exciting!"
Emi was speechless, a mix of relief and disbelief washing over her. She'd expected anything but this kind of reaction. Ambre, with her brilliant yet slightly mad mind, wasn't judging her. She was simply… Ambre.
Ambre stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I'm with you, Emi. No matter what happens. I'm ready to help, but you have to stop thinking you have to carry all of this alone."
Finally, Emi smiled, feeling a wave of gratitude. Maybe, she realized, she wasn't as alone as she thought. She was overwhelmed with mixed emotions: guilt for having kept Ambre at arm's length, relief at finally revealing the truth, and above all, gratitude. She suddenly realized just how much she'd underestimated Ambre. Her friend wasn't just a brilliant scientist, a bit crazy at times, but above all, someone she could rely on.
Ambre picked up a thick file from one of the lab's workstations, then turned to Emi. "Now that that's settled... Emi," she began seriously, handing the hefty file to her friend. "This file contains the latest results on the substance."
Emi stepped closer, her gaze locking onto the documents with palpable intensity. "Thank you, Ambre." Her voice was low but filled with gratitude.
Ambre raised an eyebrow, a playful smile forming on her lips. "So, this is for your client, Trafalgar?" She put a deliberate emphasis on his first name, her tone dripping with suggestion. Leaning slightly toward Emi, she gave her a knowing wink. "You've put yourself in serious danger for just an alliance, or… is there more to it?"
Emi blushed instantly, feeling her face heat up. "It's not like that," she replied hastily, her hands waving nervously. "It's not just... him... in all of this."
Ambre watched her, amusement glinting in her eyes, but let her continue without interrupting. Emi took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. "There's another pirate… who wants to know where Caesar is hiding, but… it's complicated." She pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling a slight headache forming as the situation became increasingly difficult to explain. "Really complicated."
Ambre smirked, clearly entertained by Emi's flustered state, but she quickly regained her serious expression. She moved to a corner of the lab, where several metal objects and devices were arranged. Returning to Emi, she held out a small, sleek device. "I made something for you. No bombs this time." She paused, her smile turning mischievous. "But it'll be just as useful."
Ambre stepped up to Emi with a proud smile and handed her an object that looked like a simple metal handle. It seemed ordinary at first glance, but Emi knew that with Ambre, nothing was ever as straightforward as it appeared.
"What is this?" Emi asked, intrigued, as she took the handle in her hands. She turned it over, examining it from various angles, but couldn't see anything special at first.
Ambre just smiled, clearly pleased with the surprise she was about to reveal. "Press this button," she said, pointing to a small control on the side.
Emi hesitated for a moment, then pressed it gently. In an instant, the handle extended into a long spear, arcs of electricity crackling around its tip. The blue light of the sparks lit up the room, crackling with impressive power. Emi's eyes widened, surprised by the ingenuity of the device.
"Wow... Ambre, this is amazing!" She made a few moves with the spear, which was light and maneuverable despite its size. The electricity pulsed around the tip, creating a menacing yet controllable aura.
Ambre crossed her arms, her smile widening in satisfaction. "It's made of sea granite. Perfect against Devil Fruit users, like the ones you might encounter on your journey. And the electricity? That's just a little extra deterrent," she added with a mischievous raise of her eyebrows.
Emi couldn't believe her eyes. "Ambre, this is brilliant, really. This spear could save my life."
"From now on, you'll need more than just strategies and well-laid plans to accomplish your missions. You need tools to defend yourself, especially if you're surrounding yourself with dangerous pirates."
Emi nodded, deeply touched by her friend's support. "Thank you, Ambre. For everything."
"I know you can handle yourself," Ambre added, her gaze becoming more intense. "But this time, promise me you'll be more careful. You're getting into something huge, and I want you to come back in one piece. And don't hesitate to come back to me or call Coco if you need more help. I'll keep improving these prototypes for you."
Emi nodded, moved by the sincerity in her friend's voice. "I promise."
Ambre held her gaze for a moment before releasing a breath she seemed to be holding. "Good. Because I won't let you end up like your father."
The silence that followed was heavy with implications, but this time, they didn't need words. Ambre had faith in Emi, and Emi knew she could count on her, no matter what dangers lay ahead.
Emi carefully tucked the weapon into her satchel. "I'll keep you updated on my missions."
Ambre smiled. "That's all I ask. Take care of yourself, Emi."
Emi thanked her one last time, hugging her tightly before pulling away to leave, her mind already focused on her upcoming missions. As she stepped outside, the cool breeze of the island gently hit her, and she took a deep breath, holding the folder close to her.
Above her, Coco, her faithful seagull, flew in circles, waiting for her instructions. Once at the port, Emi raised her arm with the folder in her hand. Coco swooped down gracefully to land on Emi's shoulder, and she gently slid the folder into Coco's satchel, making sure it was secure.
"Go on, Coco," she whispered, "drop this off at the Heart Pirates. It's important."
Coco squawked, as if to indicate she understood, then soared toward the horizon, her wings beating vigorously against the wind. Emi watched her go, her mind troubled by conflicting thoughts. She didn't quite know why she was still helping Law with his search... After all, they were only linked by a temporary agreement, a fragile alliance dictated by circumstances. Yet, a part of her felt that it was the right thing to do, even if it put her in danger. And could we even say they were still allies? Even though she continued to communicate with them through Coco, she had left the crew without warning...
She shook her head to chase away those thoughts. That wasn't really what mattered. No, she had revenge and a promise to keep, an injustice to right.
Her next destination: the island of Veloria.
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Thank you for reading this chapter!
And surprise: the next one is already published! :D