Chapter 48: Back to the Depths
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In a half-ruined shop hidden among piles of scrap metal and spare parts, Sachi, Hakugan, and Ikkaku stood around a dusty counter. Across from them, a saleswoman stared them down. She could tell they were desperate to find the island's renowned metal. A sly smile spread across her thin lips as she prepared to string them along.
The saleswoman, with a syrupy tone, said, "So, my handsome pirates, looking for something special? I've got everything you need—stones, gears, and… maybe something a little rarer."
She exaggerated the word "rarer," twirling a strand of her hair while her gaze lingered on Sachi. He, blushing slightly, scratched the back of his head, clearly uncomfortable.
"Well, uh… we need a specific metal to reinforce our torpedoes, and, um, I heard you might have... what we're looking for," he said, a nervous smile spreading across his face.
Seeing an opportunity, the saleswoman's smile widened. She slowly walked around the counter, approaching Sachi, and added sweetly, "10 million Berries per kilogram—for that charming smile of yours."
Hakugan, sensing that Sachi was losing control of the situation, tried to speak up. But as soon as he opened his mouth, Ikkaku jumped in abruptly.
"This isn't about smiles; it's about the price!" she snapped, crossing her arms and fixing the saleswoman with a challenging glare. "Do you really think we're going to buy that metal at such a ridiculous price?"
The saleswoman chuckled, standing a little taller with an air of superiority. "Oh, we've got a feisty one here! You're cute, but around here, I set the prices," she replied mockingly.
She shot a sly glance at Sachi, who immediately looked down, his face even redder. Seizing the moment, the saleswoman slid her hand lightly down his arm, leaning into her act of charm.
"I could maybe give you a little discount… just for you," she murmured, batting her eyelashes in an exaggerated manner.
Sachi, completely flustered, began stammering, clearly unsure of what to do. But Ikkaku wasn't about to let this slide. She stepped forward abruptly and slammed her fist on the counter, cutting the moment short.
"Don't even start with your little games. He might be easily impressed, but I see right through you. How much are you really selling that crate of metal for?"
The saleswoman straightened up, her smile slowly fading into a harder expression. A tense silence settled between them as their gazes locked in a fierce standoff.
Hakugan, sensing the situation escalating, attempted to interject. "Maybe we could—"
"No, Hakugan, let me handle this," Ikkaku snapped, not even glancing his way.
Hakugan sighed, resigning himself to stand by and watch. The saleswoman, however, simply smirked. "You think you can intimidate me? I've sold metal to pirates far tougher than you," she shot back, her tone sharp.
"Oh really? Maybe you should ask them for some negotiation lessons, because your price is a joke," Ikkaku retorted sarcastically.
A heavy silence filled the shop once again. The two women glared at each other, the tension so thick it was almost palpable. Suddenly, the saleswoman's eyes narrowed as she spotted something— Ikkaku's screwdriver hanging from her belt.
"That's a custom model, isn't it? Looks pretty well-balanced," she remarked, pointing to the tool, her interest marking an unexpected shift in tone.
Surprised, Ikkaku slowly unclipped the screwdriver from her belt, intrigued by this sudden change in demeanor. "Good eye. I modified it myself for better torque," she replied, a hint of pride in her voice.
The saleswoman stepped closer, her eyes lighting up with genuine curiosity. "That's amazing! I've always wanted to try a modification like that, but I've never had the right parts!" she said with unexpected enthusiasm.
Within seconds, the tension between them seemed to melt away. The two women launched into a lively exchange of technical ideas, completely forgetting they were supposed to be negotiating the price of the metal. They talked about mechanical subtleties, tools, and weapon modifications like two longtime friends.
"Wait, have you ever tried using a counter-spring to adjust the pressure on delicate welds?" the saleswoman asked, her passion for the topic evident.
"No, but that might actually solve the warping issue on fragile surfaces!" Ikkaku replied, just as surprised by the turn the conversation had taken.
Sachi and Hakugan, standing off to the side, exchanged baffled looks. All they could see were two women deep in a mechanical discussion when just moments ago, they'd been ready to tear each other apart.
After a few minutes, the saleswoman turned back to them, grinning widely. "You know what? For you guys, I'll give you a friendly discount. A whole crate of metal for… practically nothing," she declared, bursting into laughter and giving Ikkaku a friendly pat on the shoulder.
Sachi, still utterly lost, leaned toward Hakugan and murmured, "Wait… does that mean… we actually got the crate for free?"
"I… I think we did," Hakugan replied, just as incredulous.
Ikkaku, brimming with pride, exchanged one last knowing glance with the saleswoman. "Good deal," she said, firmly shaking her hand.
Under the stunned gazes of Sachi and Hakugan, the saleswoman handed over the keys to the stockroom, letting them leave with a full crate of metal loaded onto a cart. Still in a state of shock, Sachi and Hakugan followed a triumphant Ikkaku out of the shop.
"I'll never understand how she does that," Sachi muttered to Hakugan, shaking his head, still unable to believe what had just happened.
~~~~o~~~O~~~o~~~~
Law and Emi walked toward the port, their mission successfully completed. The silence of the night surrounded them, disturbed only by the soft breeze rustling through the air. Emi walked beside Law, her gaze fixed ahead, but her mind wandered. She kept replaying what she'd dared to do earlier in the castle, her face suddenly flushing as her heart raced, for reasons she couldn't quite grasp. That kiss—it had been nothing more than a way to distract their pursuers. She knew that... and yet... she couldn't stop herself from replaying the moment over and over. She had surprised even herself by taking the initiative, something she'd never imagined she would do.
Now, she found herself wondering what Law thought about it. What had he felt in that moment? Or perhaps he hadn't given it any thought at all, his focus entirely on the mission. After all, Law wasn't the kind of person to dwell on such details, was he?
Shaking her head slightly to dispel her thoughts, Emi resolved not to bring it up. As much as she wanted to ask him, she didn't want this incident to disrupt the alliance they had forged. She needed to suppress these feelings, fully aware that Law wasn't interested in that way.
Just as Emi reached up to remove her mask for better visibility in the dim night, Law suddenly stopped in his tracks. He tilted his head slightly, his senses on high alert, as Emi narrowed her eyes in the same direction.
"Keep your mask on. We're not alone," Law murmured, his voice calm but razor-sharp.
The silence thickened as Law stood motionless, his eyes rapidly calculating the situation. Figures emerged from the shadows—the Cipher Pol. They should have been incapacitated earlier, but evidently, these agents were tougher than anticipated. And as if that weren't enough, the Marines seemed to have been alerted as well. A squad of Marines appeared at the street corner, forming a net around them.
Emi turned to him, visibly panicked. "We need to lose them, and fast!"
She already knew Law would agree; a confrontation with the Marines wasn't part of their plans, and the last thing she wanted was a bounty on her head.
Law sighed, irritated. A pointless fight with the Marines was never high on his list of priorities, especially with his Shichibukai status at stake.
Without a word, he grabbed Emi's arm and pulled her swiftly into a narrow alley. The agents were now in hot pursuit. Emi, her breath quickening, cast a nervous glance at Law. She knew that being recognized here would spell serious trouble—leaving the island was no longer optional.
"Let me board your submarine, Law!" she finally blurted.
He turned to her, narrowing his eyes. "Emi-ya, why—"
"I don't want the Marines on my back, and... I have information on Caesar Clown," she replied, breathless but resolute.
Law's cold eyes locked onto hers, weighing her words carefully. A tense silence fell between them, broken only by the shouts and heavy footsteps of the Marines drawing closer. Finally, he made his decision.
"Grab your things. Meet me at the port, and don't drag your feet," he said curtly.
Without another word, they split off in opposite directions. Law disappeared into the shadows of another alley, leaving Emi alone to deal with the real threat. As he moved away, however, he noticed that the sound of pursuing footsteps had stopped. Pausing for a moment, he turned back, realizing that the Marines and Cipher Pol agents had focused all their attention on Emi. Not a single one was following him.
"Damn it…" he muttered, a flicker of irritation crossing his face.
He hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on Emi's figure as she fled, pursued by several agents. His hand instinctively tightened around the hilt of his Nodachi, ready to intervene, but he stopped himself. Emi knew how to handle herself. She had survived this long, and she would probably get through this, too.
Casting one last glance in her direction, Law turned and resumed his path, as calculated and pragmatic as ever.
Meanwhile, Emi was running flat out, Cipher Pol agents and Marines hot on her heels. She weaved through the streets, desperately trying to shake them, but they were quick and clearly knew the terrain better than she did. Why were they so fixated on her, anyway?
"This has got to be a joke!" she thought, exasperated to see Law escape without a single person tailing him. Her mind raced as she searched for a way out. Her legs burned from the relentless effort, but she had no choice—she had to outrun them.
Finally, she spotted a small alley to her right and darted into it, her heart pounding as she found refuge behind a stack of crates. Holding her breath, she watched the agents pass by without noticing her. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm her racing heartbeat—a brief reprieve.
She cast a cautious glance around, making sure no one had seen her, then slipped out of her hiding spot and resumed her sprint toward the inn. Every second counted. When she arrived, the street seemed quiet, but she wasn't fooled. Cipher Pol or the Marines could return at any moment. Sneaking through a back window, she climbed into her room with swift, deliberate movements. Her bag was already packed. She had anticipated this possibility earlier in the evening and didn't regret trusting her instincts.
But just as she stepped outside, she came face to face with agents conducting an inspection. "Damn it, they're everywhere," she cursed under her breath.
"Hey, you there! What are you doing?!" one of them shouted.
Without hesitation, Emi turned and bolted in the opposite direction. They'd seen her, but had they recognized her? It was dark, and the dim light spilling from the windows of nearby buildings was weak. Maybe she still had a chance to remain anonymous. But this night seemed determined never to end...
.~~~~
On the deck of the Polar Tang, Law had already given the order to prepare for departure. It had been far too long for his liking since Emi was supposed to arrive, and he was growing increasingly impatient, though his expression remained unreadable.
"Start the engines. We leave as soon as I give the signal," Law ordered.
Bepo nodded energetically, rushing off to execute the command. "Got it, Captain!"
Penguin and Sachi, who had been waiting on deck, turned at the sound of hurried footsteps. Their eyes widened as they spotted a familiar figure emerging from the shadows of the night, racing toward the submarine.
"Hey, it's Emi!" Penguin exclaimed, pointing toward her.
Emi was sprinting through the alleys of the port, her bag slung over her shoulder, breathless but determined to reach the Polar Tang. Behind her, Cipher Pol agents and Marine soldiers were in hot pursuit, their voices echoing through the night as they desperately tried to catch up to her.
Hearing the submarine's engines roar to life, Emi's eyes widened in shock. They wouldn't actually leave without me, would they?!
Law, meanwhile, frowned as he took in the scene. Emi had made it back in time, but with an entire squad of pursuers on her heels. Annoyance flickered across his face as he realized she hadn't managed to shake them off.
"Of course," he muttered under his breath.
"Captain! The Marines and Cipher Pol are right behind her!" Bepo exclaimed, looking panicked.
"I can see that, Bepo," Law replied curtly, his eyes fixed on the unfolding chaos.
Emi was still on the ground below, struggling to pull herself up onto the deck after her mad dash. She finally made it, vaulting onto the submarine in a spectacular leap, with her pursuers barely a hundred meters behind.
Out of breath, she shot Law a withering glare. "You were going to leave without me?!" she shouted, exasperated.
Law, clearly irritated, glanced sternly over his shoulder. "I told you to hurry up. And now you've brought us extra trouble."
Emi scowled in frustration. "Are you kidding me? If you'd helped me when we split up, I wouldn't have come back with the Marines and Cipher Pol on my tail!" She turned her head toward Penguin and Sachi, who were watching the exchange with a mix of fascination and amusement. "Don't just stand there like statues! Dive the submarine!"
Law's frown deepened, his irritation evident. "Emi-ya, don't give orders to my crew. Especially not on my submarine."
She rolled her eyes. "Are you going to lecture me, or are you going to dive this thing?"
Penguin burst out laughing, leaning toward Sachi. "She's actually bossing Law around! She's got guts!"
Law let out a long sigh. He didn't have the time or patience to argue with her and needed to get off the island as quickly as possible. "Penguin, Sachi, to your stations, "he ordered, never taking his eyes off Emi.
They nodded hastily, rushing to their posts. "Aye aye, Captain!"
The Polar Tang surged forward, water splashing along its sides as it began to submerge beneath the waves. The shouts of the Marine officers echoed behind them, their weapons aimed futilely at the retreating submarine. Emi, relieved and triumphant at having shaken them off, leaned against the railing, waving cheerfully at the frustrated pursuers still scrambling at the port.
"Good riddance!" she called out to them with a grin.
"Emi, get inside, now!" Ikkaku shouted as the submarine completed its dive into the ocean. She then turned back toward the interior. "And you two, what the hell are you doing?!"
Inside the submarine, Penguin and Sachi were locked in an intense struggle with a heavy crate full of the rare metal they had managed to acquire earlier that evening. The two Heart Pirates pulled on one side, lifted on the other, striking what might have seemed heroic poses were it not for their grunts of frustration.
"Ugh… seriously, you were supposed to put this crate away hours ago, Sachi!" Penguin gasped, pausing to lean against the crate, already out of breath.
"Me?! Are you kidding?!" Sachi shot back, shoving it with his shoulder. "It was your brilliant idea to leave it here in the first place! And where the hell is that stupid cart?!"
Emi, having just stepped into the submarine, caught sight of their futile efforts. Despite her exhaustion, she couldn't help but smirk. "Instead of breaking your backs, why don't you just call Jean Bart? I'm sure he could move it in two seconds."
Penguin and Sachi exchanged mock-offended looks before smirking. "Hey, we're not that desperate for help yet…"
Rolling her eyes, Emi stepped forward and positioned herself to assist. But before she could start pushing, an unfamiliar voice interrupted.
"Seriously, guys? You gonna stay stuck here all night? Let me handle it."
Emi turned to find herself face-to-face with someone she didn't recognize. She took a moment to size him up. The man was rather imposing, though perhaps slightly less intimidating than Jean Bart. His appearance was striking—he wore a gray bandana with black stripes, pulled up to cover most of his face down to his chest. Beside him stood another unfamiliar figure, more understated in demeanor. Of average height, his chestnut hair peeked out from under a navy hood, and he studied her with a curious but friendly expression.
"Yo. Emi, right? I'm Clione. And him, that's Uni."
Uni simply nodded, his dark eyes locking onto hers with a slightly intimidating intensity. "Welcome aboard," he said in a deep voice before stepping toward the crate.
With startling ease, he hefted the massive box onto his shoulders, stacking it effortlessly. Emi couldn't help but watch, impressed.
"So, where does this go?" Uni added, glancing mockingly at the two Heart Pirates, who scratched their heads, looking mildly sheepish.
As Emi observed the newcomers curiously, Ikkaku motioned for her to follow, her sly smile tinged with amusement. She led Emi down the corridor, casting a quick glance over her shoulder.
"New faces for you? Clione and Uni are... unique, but you'll see—they're solid."
Emi raised an eyebrow, still intrigued. "They certainly seem capable."
"No kidding," Ikkaku replied with a chuckle. "Clione and Uni are our go-to guys for heavy lifting. Believe me, no one has ever managed to move Jean Bart an inch… except for those two!"
The two women walked through the narrow corridors of the Polar Tang until they reached a cabin Emi recognized.
Ikkaku winked at her. "Here you go, your old cabin. You're still sharing it with Bepo, but this time, I'm your roommate too."
A nostalgic smile spread across Emi's lips as she glanced around the room. She placed her belongings down and sat on the bed, taking a moment to breathe. Ikkaku leaned against the wall, arms crossed, observing her.
"You know," Ikkaku began, staring at the ceiling, "this cabin could become permanent for you—if you decided to stick around. Word is, our captain might be more... invested in this alliance than he lets on."
Emi, startled, lifted her head to study Ikkaku's face, trying to read between the lines. "Invested, you say?" she murmured, skeptical.
Ikkaku nodded, her mischievous grin never fading. "Let's just say he took quite the risk bringing you on board, not to mention your knack for sniffing out secrets," she teased, crossing her arms. "At least, that's what Sachi and Penguin let slip..."
Emi shook her head, an amused smile forming. "Oh, I get it. Masters of tall tales... and often bedtime stories at best," she replied, chuckling softly.
Ikkaku let out a light laugh. "Maybe. But there's always a grain of truth in what they say, isn't there?"
Emi didn't respond immediately, letting a brief silence settle. Her eyes wandered over the familiar objects in the cabin, stopping on the plush fish with its iridescent scales. It was still there... This submarine, with its peculiar atmosphere, had somehow become a place where she felt comfortable—almost at home. Yet, she also knew her goals and promises didn't currently align with their ambitions, and she wasn't ready to sacrifice them without a compelling reason.
"I don't think I'm meant to stay, Ikkaku," she finally said softly. "This alliance is temporary. I know that, even if..." She let the sentence hang, unsure of her own feelings.
Ikkaku smiled knowingly, pushing off the wall and heading toward the door. "Take your time to think it over." Then, with a final wink, she added, "And if you ever change your mind… you can thank me for keeping your spot."
She gave Emi one last playful wink before disappearing, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Emi stretched out on the bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. She stayed like that for a while, lulled by the gentle hum of the submarine as it dove deeper into the abyss. The quiet and darkness of the cabin, broken only by the faint sounds of machinery, reminded her how this metallic environment, despite its coldness, had become strangely familiar.
~~~~o~~~O~~~o~~~~
In the submarine's common area, the atmosphere was relaxed. The crew, eased by the smooth navigation, was enjoying some downtime, though the boisterous bickering between Sachi and Penguin kept the room lively. At the table, the two crewmates were engrossed in a game of cards, the tension rising with every turn.
"Sachi," Penguin said with a sly smile as he laid down his cards triumphantly, "you're as bad at cards as you are at flirting."
Sachi squinted in indignation, leaning toward his opponent, clearly offended. "Hey! You're just saying that because you lost last time with that tavern waitress who shot you down immediately!"
Penguin smirked, clearly amused. "Ah, Sachi, always clinging to the details." He pretended to think for a moment before adding in a calm voice, "Speaking of details... that metal crate seller. She was something, huh? Maybe a bit too much for your taste."
Sachi's eyes widened in outrage. "What?!" He turned to Ikkaku, who was watching the exchange with a sly grin from the other end of the table. "Ikkaku! What exactly did you tell him?!"
Ikkaku shrugged, feigning innocence. "I might have mentioned… a few interesting details. But don't worry, I left out some parts to save your dignity!"
Penguin burst into laughter, reveling in his crewmate's embarrassment. "So, you're saying there's more to the story? Fantastic. You should tell us the rest, Sachi."
Sachi, visibly flustered, jabbed a finger accusingly at them. "Traitors! And you, Penguin, you've got no room to talk with all your little escapades at the last stop! If we're bringing up failed flirting, should we mention that waitress you couldn't even close the deal with? The one who left you stuck with the bill?"
The crew burst into laughter, delighted to see their two friends engage in a verbal duel. Bepo, sitting nearby, watched the scene with a confused expression. "Close the deal? What deal, Penguin?"
Hakugan couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head. "Bepo, you really don't want to know. Trust me."
Meanwhile, Law watched his crew with an exasperated look. He was grateful they had managed to negotiate that rare metal during his absence—it would allow for some much-needed upgrades to the submarine. Tonight, however, he had decided to let them enjoy some downtime.
Sensing an opportunity to tease the bear further, Penguin stepped closer to him with a mischievous grin. "Well, Bepo… when a man finds a woman attractive, certain things happen, you know?"
But before he could finish his explanation, Bepo interrupted him with his usual disarming innocence. "Attractive like fresh fish?"
The laughter in the room doubled as Ikkaku shook her head in exasperation. "These guys are impossible," she sighed.
It was at that moment that Emi entered the common room, clearly seeking some company and blissfully unaware of the conversation.
Penguin, spotting Emi, flashed a sly grin. "Speaking of fish, look who just walked in!"
Sachi leaned toward Penguin with a mischievous smirk and added, "The captain's catch, perhaps?"
An amused silence fell over the room as everyone's eyes darted from Sachi to Law, then to Emi. Bepo tilted his head in confusion while Penguin bit his lip, struggling not to burst out laughing.
Emi stopped dead in her tracks as she felt all eyes on her, frowning slightly. "What? Do I have something on my face?"
Law rubbed his temples and gestured toward Emi, a silent "don't even try to understand."
Amused by the cheerful atmosphere, she shrugged, deciding not to pry further, and settled onto a beanbag near Law.
She raised an eyebrow at the captain. "You don't give them sedatives every now and then? Feels like they're getting crazier by the day."
Law shot her a tired look, though a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips, betraying a flicker of amusement. Emi couldn't help but notice the subtle warmth in his gaze. Despite his apparent irritation, he was looking at his crew with a barely concealed fondness. She caught that rare glimmer, like a spark in his otherwise impassive eyes.
The sight sent a wave of thoughts through her. She found herself wondering what it felt like to have a "family" like this—a group you could rely on no matter what. A sudden pang of envy hit her as she watched the camaraderie of the Heart Pirates, their deep bond and unwavering loyalty to one another.
Lost in thought, she hadn't realized she was staring at Law's face. Noticing her gaze, he frowned slightly, snapping her out of her reverie.
"Feels like I'm the one with something on my face now."
Startled, Emi straightened up, trying to mask her embarrassment. "Oh… no, it's just that… I tend to stare when I'm overthinking."
She hesitated, searching for something else to say, but before she could steer the conversation away, Law spoke first, his tone turning serious again. "In any case, we'll talk tomorrow. You still owe me information about Caesar Clown."
Emi let out a dry laugh. "Of course, I haven't forgotten. Business first, right?"
Law nodded, offering her a half-smile, though she caught a trace of weariness in his eyes. "I didn't bring you aboard just so you could enjoy their endless card games."
Emi chuckled softly, leaning back against the beanbag. "Well, for what it's worth, I do appreciate the show," she said, gesturing toward Sachi and Penguin, who were still locked in their latest argument.
Their laughter and banter filled the common room, masking the silence that had settled between Law and Emi. But this time, the quiet wasn't cold or tense. It was a silence that carried the beginnings of a mutual understanding between two allies walking parallel paths.
~~~~o~~~O~~~o~~~~
Thank you for reading this chapter! Emi is back on the submarine once again! See you this Sunday for their next adventure!