Chapter 49: Red Nose, Red Flags
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Law sighed, peering through the periscope with Bepo standing nearby. It was far too early to be dealing with this kind of trouble. The last thing he wanted was to cross paths with another Warlord of the Sea—especially that one: Buggy the Star Clown. What was he even doing in the New World? Law had assumed he'd be too busy expanding his business in Paradise. Clearly, that wasn't the case.
"Bepo, wake the crew. I want everyone at their posts."
"Yes, Captain!"
As Bepo hurried out of the navigation room, Law weighed his options. Should they dive deeper to avoid him, or surface and confront him head-on?
.~~~~
Penguin and Sachi lay sprawled in their hammocks, snoring softly, their breaths occasionally breaking the quiet with discordant sounds. Hakugan was curled up on a mattress, one eye lazily half-open, while Clione mumbled something incoherent in his sleep.
Suddenly, the door to the dormitory burst open with a loud bang, and Bepo stepped in.
"Get up, everyone! The captain wants all hands on deck!" he barked in what he hoped was an authoritative tone.
No response.
He marched over to Penguin's hammock, giving it a light shake. "Come on, wake up!"
Penguin cracked one sleepy eye open. "Five more minutes, Bepo..." he muttered before shutting his eyes again.
Meanwhile, Sachi lazily swung one arm to swat at an imaginary fly, rocking his hammock so violently he nearly tipped over.
Bepo gritted his teeth, his patience wearing thin. He glanced at Hakugan, now fully awake and observing the scene with mild amusement. Ignoring him, Bepo decided he'd had enough of being dismissed. If there was one thing he couldn't stand, it was being ignored—especially when he was relaying an order from the captain.
With a frustrated growl, he lunged forward and smacked Sachi's hammock with a powerful swipe of his paw.
"I said, EVERYONE TO YOUR POSTS! Captain's orders!"
The impact sent Sachi's hammock spinning wildly, flipping him out in a spectacular arc that ended with him landing squarely on Penguin.
The two crashed onto the floor in a heap of tangled limbs, groaning in pain. What happened next pushed the scene into utter chaos: in their clumsy tumble, their faces ended up pressed awkwardly together… in an undeniably suggestive position.
"AAAAH!" Sachi screamed as he shot upright, his cheeks flushing with horror.
"No way! Bepo! YOU MADE ME KISS SACHI!" Penguin yelled, horrified, furiously wiping his mouth.
"BEPO?! You're the one who landed on ME!" Sachi snapped back, looking equally disgusted.
Hakugan, who hadn't moved a muscle, burst out laughing, his sharp cackle echoing throughout the room. Clione, startled awake by the commotion, took one look at the scene before collapsing to the floor in a fit of uncontrollable laughter.
"What's going on here?" Jean Bart asked groggily, sitting up halfway. He froze as soon as he caught sight of Sachi and Penguin bickering like an old married couple.
"Well," Hakugan said, chuckling, "looks like Bepo's found a pretty unique way to get those two to bond."
The laughter spread quickly among the crew, who had all woken up to witness the absurd spectacle.
"You're all idiots," Sachi muttered, trying to salvage some dignity as he stood. His effort was short-lived, however, as he slipped on a stray piece of blanket from the hammock, landing squarely on Penguin once again.
The laughter only grew louder as the two cursed the world and each other. Meanwhile, Bepo, thoroughly pleased with himself, muttered as he walked off, "Mission accomplished, Captain."
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Bepo and Hakugan entered the navigation room, where Law stood motionless, hands in his pockets, staring intently at the radar. He barely acknowledged their presence as they walked in.
"Captain," Hakugan began, his curiosity piqued, "what's going on? Why wake everyone up so early?"
Law slowly turned his head toward him, "Buggy the Clown," he said, then lazily gestured toward the radar screen with his thumb. "He's in our path."
Hakugan frowned, trying to piece it together. "Buggy? The guy who's supposedly a Shichibukai now? The one who controls an army of mercenaries and—"
"An idiot, yes," Law interrupted, cutting him off mid-sentence. "But an idiot with dangerous resources. And given his reputation, I'd rather avoid a direct confrontation."
Hakugan nodded absentmindedly, his eyes already fixed on the screens to assess the situation. While Law issued orders to Bepo to ensure the crew was at their stations, Hakugan tilted his head slightly, his brows furrowing.
"Uh… Captain?" he interrupted hesitantly.
Law raised an eyebrow, clearly annoyed by the interruption. "What?"
Hakugan pointed at the radar screen, urgency creeping into his voice. "A torpedo has been launched… and it's heading straight for us!"
Time seemed to freeze for a fraction of a second before Law sprang into action. He rushed to the screens, his eyes rapidly scanning the data. The radar confirmed a bright dot closing in on the Polar Tang at alarming speed.
"Bepo!" he barked.
"Yes, Captain!" the polar bear replied, standing to attention.
"Initiate evasive maneuvers! Emergency dive, now!" Law ordered, his voice cold but laced with unyielding authority.
Bepo leapt to the controls as alarms blared throughout the submarine, signaling the imminent danger. Hakugan, still glued to the screens, added urgently, "We've got less than 90 seconds until impact!"
Law gritted his teeth. "Hakugan, be ready to cut the engines if necessary. We need to minimize our acoustic signature."
Hakugan nodded, his fingers already flying across the controls.
Suddenly, Sachi's panicked voice crackled through the internal Den Den Mushi communicator. "Captain, what's with all the noise?!"
"A torpedo," Law replied without missing a beat.
"A TORPEDO?!" Penguin's voice screeched in the background.
"I want you at your stations, now!" Law snapped.
At that precise moment, the Polar Tang began tilting sharply as Bepo activated the emergency dive. The walls trembled under the increasing pressure, and the crew clung to anything within reach to keep from losing their footing.
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In the torpedo room, Sachi and Penguin burst in, still slightly disheveled from their abrupt wake-up call. They rushed to the consoles, powering up the launch systems with a speed that proved they could be serious… when they weren't too busy bickering.
Sachi clapped a heavy hand on Penguin's shoulder, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Alright, focus up! We've got a missile to launch, partner!" he said, exaggerating the last word.
Penguin jerked forward, shrugging off Sachi's hand with a sharp motion. "OH NO! You've touched me enough for today!" he exclaimed with an exaggerated grimace, referencing their earlier accidental collision.
"What?! You're the one who grabbed me! If you actually knew how to sleep properly in a hammock !" Sachi retorted, crossing his arms with mock indignation.
"I was sleeping perfectly fine until Mr. Sea Elephant decided to toss me to the floor!" Penguin shot back, his brows furrowed in frustration.
Their argument quickly escalated, with each throwing increasingly ridiculous accusations about the other's clumsiness, all while adjusting the controls with a seamless coordination that belied their quarreling.
Overhead, the Den Den Mushi in the room crackled with an exasperated voice. "Sachi, Penguin, I can hear you! If that missile doesn't leave the tube in the next thirty seconds, I'm tossing both of you overboard. Got it?"
"Yes, Captain!" they replied in unison, snapping to attention before shooting one last glare at each other—filled with both animosity and a hint of camaraderie.
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Meanwhile, in another corridor of the Polar Tang, Emi sprinted at full speed, her breath short but determined. Law's orders, echoing through the submarine's loudspeakers, had jolted her awake.
"A missile?!" she muttered, half-panicked, while fumbling to button her shirt properly as she ran. She had no idea what was happening, but it was clear the situation was critical.
The emergency lights cast the hallway in a reddish hue, and she passed several crew members rushing to their stations, their expressions grim yet focused. For a brief moment, she wondered if she was in the way but shook her head. Not the time to overthink, Emi. Law might need me.
Finally, she reached the navigation room door, flinging it open and bursting inside.
"What's going on?!" she demanded, breathless, her gaze darting between the radar screens and the tense faces of the polar bear and the captain.
Law shot her a quick glance, "Buggy and his gang of armed fools. A torpedo is incoming."
"Buggy The Star Clown?" she echoed, confused, before the incessant beeping of the radar seized her attention. "And how exactly do you plan to handle that?!"
Law didn't answer, his focus locked on the signals. Emi didn't have time to press further. Another Den Den Mushi, linked to the torpedo room, crackled to life, and Sachi's voice came through.
"Captain, torpedo armed and ready to fire! That is… if Penguin can manage to push the right button without blowing us up first!"
"I told you I know what I'm doing, you brainless seal!" Penguin shot back, furious, over the same channel.
Law closed his eyes briefly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "One of these days, I'm really going to throw them overboard," he muttered before snapping back to his commanding tone. "Fire as soon as you have a clear shot."
The action intensified, and Emi felt her heart race. Buggy the Clown, an incoming missile, and those two in the torpedo room? She wasn't sure the day could get any more chaotic… but with this crew, she wasn't ruling anything out.
"The missile's speeding up!" Hakugan announced, a bead of sweat trickling down his brow.
"How many seconds do we have left?" Law asked, his tone still steady despite the tension.
"Less than thirty!"
"Hakugan, maneuver to position the cannons," Law ordered sharply. "Bepo, prepare the anti-missile countermeasures!"
The submarine lurched suddenly as Hakugan executed evasive maneuvers, attempting to outpace the missile. Meanwhile, Bepo activated the ship's defense systems, hoping to intercept the projectile before it could reach them.
"Sachi! Penguin!" Law barked over the comms. "Target the missile now!"
Sachi and Penguin, now perfectly in sync, took their positions at the torpedo controls.
"Missile locked," Penguin announced, his eyes fixed on the targeting screen. His hand hovered over the launch lever, a nervous grin forming on his face. "Interception angle calcu—"
"Just fire already!" Sachi growled.
The submarine shuddered slightly as the torpedo launched from the tube, streaking straight toward the incoming missile.
"Impact in three… two… one…" Hakugan counted, his eyes glued to the radar.
A bright flash lit up the screens as their torpedo struck the enemy missile, a muffled explosion sending a faint tremor through the Polar Tang.
"Direct hit!" Sachi exclaimed, a mix of relief and pride in his voice.
Penguin crossed his arms with a smug smile. "Piece of cake."
"You want a medal or something? We still have work to do," Sachi retorted, feigning annoyance.
In the navigation room, a collective sigh of relief echoed through the space.
"That was a close one," murmured Hakugan, wiping his forehead.
Relieved glances were exchanged as the crew realized they had narrowly avoided disaster.
Law let out a sigh of relief, but anger quickly surfaced. He didn't know how they had been spotted, but he certainly wasn't going to let it slide.
"Sachi, Penguin, prepare another torpedo. Target the enemy ship and fire as soon as possible."
Sachi and Penguin nodded from the engine room, rushing to carry out the orders.
Bepo, still at the periscope, relayed the enemy ship's exact position, while the rest of the crew worked swiftly to prepare the counterattack. The submarine vibrated slightly as the systems activated, an electric tension coursing through the crew.
"Ready to fire!" Sachi announced over the speakers, hands firmly on the controls.
"Fire," Law ordered, his voice resonating with authority.
A torpedo was launched, speeding toward the enemy ship. Emi watched the scene, impressed by the Heart Pirates' efficiency and speed. Damn, it had been a long time since she'd experienced a situation this stressful. And of course, it always seemed to happen when she was with them.
"Impact imminent," announced Hakugan, his fingers flying over the controls to adjust their trajectory.
But the enemy ship reacted just in time. A deafening explosion echoed through the water, illuminating the depths with a diffuse light. The torpedo had been intercepted, its destructive energy dissipating before it could reach its target.
"Captain, they neutralized our attack," Bepo reported, his jaw clenched.
Law, unflinching, tapped his fingers lightly on the control panel. "Resurface. Prepare for direct confrontation."
The Polar Tang rose slowly from the depths, its systems primed for any eventuality. Daylight now bathed the submarine, its massive weapons trained on the enemy ship. They approached dangerously, tension rising with every meter covered.
On the deck of the opposing ship, Buggy the Clown, true to form, wore his ever-present smirk, waving a hand as if greeting his adversaries.
"Hey, hey! Easy now! This was a mistake! I mistook you for another crew!"
Law fixed him with a cold stare. "Do you really think I'll buy that, Buggy?" he said icily, his fingers curling slightly around the hilt of his nodachi.
Buggy shrugged, putting on an innocent face. "I swear, Trafalgar! Just a simple misunderstanding!"
The Heart Pirates, tense and ready, remained in position, their weapons at the ready. The air was thick with tension, every second stretching endlessly as the two crews stared each other down, poised for a fight.
"Explain to me how you confuse a yellow submarine with another ship," Law murmured, his tone growing more menacing with every word.
Buggy burst into an exaggeratedly jovial laugh. "Ah, you know, with all the chaos in the New World... And well, your ships all look the same from a distance!"
Law remained motionless, his eyes fixed on Buggy, analyzing every movement, every word. Then, with a sharp motion, he lowered his nodachi. "What are you doing in this part of the New World?" he asked, his voice calm but loaded with implicit threat.
Buggy, still playing the arrogant clown, let out a loud laugh. "Oh, nothing much, Trafalgar! Just the usual! Expanding my network, building my reputation, you know how it is!"
The Heart Pirates didn't move an inch, still on high alert, ready to act at the slightest sign. Law, impassive, stepped closer to the railing, towering over the Polar Tang's deck and locking eyes with Buggy.
"Let me be clear," he said, each word weighted heavily. "If you ever cross my path again, you'll regret it."
Buggy forced a smile, but the sweat on his brow betrayed his discomfort. "Haha! Of course, of course! No need to get so serious, huh?"
Emi, still observing from a distance, clenched her fists. She couldn't believe someone as ridiculous as Buggy had risen to the rank of Warlord. Compared to Law's commanding presence, Buggy seemed more like a bad actor playing a role than a real captain.
"Captain," Hakugan murmured to Law, scanning the radar. "Their cannons are still active. I wouldn't trust them."
Law gave a barely perceptible nod, his eyes still locked on Buggy. "You'd better order your crew to lower their weapons. Now."
Buggy raised his hands in an exaggeratedly innocent gesture. "Done, done! We're all friends here, right?" He shouted to his crew behind him, "LOWER THE CANNONS, YOU IDIOTS!"
But the Heart Pirates remained tense. A single word from Law, and the situation could erupt into an all-out battle.
"Bepo, prep the navigation instruments. Hakugan, keep the cannons trained on their ship. If they so much as twitch, sink them."
Then, he turned back to Buggy one last time. "Get out of my sight."
Buggy, seizing the opportunity to flee, nodded vigorously. "I knew you were a reasonable man, Trafalgar! We won't cross paths again, promise! Haha!"
As Buggy's ship began to move away, his crew visibly relieved, the tension still lingered on the Polar Tang's deck. Law remained motionless, watching the ship disappear into the New World's haze. His fingers toyed absentmindedly with the hilt of his nodachi, a silent signal to his men that their captain was still weighing the implications of this encounter.
"Are we really letting him go just like that?" Sachi murmured, glancing cautiously at their captain.
Law didn't respond immediately, his eyes still fixed on the horizon. Finally, he spoke in a low voice, "Buggy isn't a threat. Going after him would be a waste of time."
As Buggy's ship vanished from sight, Law abruptly turned, his sharp gaze sweeping over his crew. "Return to your posts. We're leaving immediately."
.~~~~
Emi walked slowly through the narrow corridors of the Polar Tang, her hair still damp from a well-deserved shower. Her freshly changed shirt clung slightly to her skin, and she ran a hand through her silvery hair to set it in place. She took a deep breath, appreciating the silence—a striking contrast to the chaos and tension that had erupted a few hours earlier.
Lost in thought, she was startled by the sudden sound of the Den Den Mushi ringing in her bag. Its antennae twitched. Quickly pulling it out, she immediately recognized Morgans.
She answered, "Hello, Morgans?"
The cheerful and excited voice of the director echoed on the other end. "Big News, Emi! We need to talk! Did your mission on the island go well?"
"You could say that," Emi replied, a little surprised by his enthusiasm. "I'll send you the full report on my investigation and the gemstones being traded during the auction."
Morgans became even more excited. "Fantastic!"
Emi sighed, a hint of disappointment and frustration in her tone. "He wasn't there, Morgans."
Morgans paused for a moment, as if deep in thought, before responding, "He's become more cautious lately. But don't worry, Emi. We'll track him down eventually."
Emi nodded, her thoughts drifting. She had taken on this mission in part because the owl-like CP2 agent was supposed to accompany the Noble. But to her immense frustration, he hadn't shown up. Her thirst for vengeance remained one of her driving forces, but she forced herself to stay composed. There would be other opportunities.
Wanting to shift the conversation, she asked curiously, "So, what did you want to talk to me about?"
"I can't discuss it over Den Den Mushi. Too risky. Are you still on the island? I'll send a dirigible right away!"
Emi frowned at Morgans' impatience. "Wait. Let me check where we are first."
"We?" Curiosity laced his voice. "You're not on the island anymore? Are you on a ship? With who?"
Emi sighed. Morgans was asking too many questions. Ignoring his persistence, she quickly made her way to the navigation room. Upon entering, she spotted Bepo, Hakugan, and Law leaning over a map, speaking in low voices around the table. She stepped forward, her voice breaking the silence.
"Bepo," she called out as she approached. "When will we reach the next island?"
Bepo, ever serious and attentive to his duties, glanced at the map and the instruments before him. "We should arrive at our destination tonight, if all goes well."
Emi nodded, satisfied with the answer. She picked up the Den Den Mushi and relayed the information to Morgans. "We should get there tonight, Morgans."
"Perfect!" he replied, his voice brimming with excitement. "I'll send a dirigible to pick you up!"
She was about to hang up when Morgans spoke again, his curiosity poorly disguised. "By the way, who are you with right now?"
Emi sighed, exasperated by his persistence. Morgans had already asked this indirectly, and his curiosity was becoming insistent. She glanced at Hakugan and Law, who were both watching her with intrigued expressions, while Bepo remained focused on the map. Emi hesitated for a moment, debating whether to stay vague, but she knew Morgans was already aware of her connection to the Heart Pirates. He had never expressed any disapproval, so she decided not to hide it.
"I'm… with the Heart Pirates," she finally said, her voice calm.
A silence settled on the other end of the line, creating palpable tension. She knew Morgans was likely evaluating the implications of this revelation, though it was hard to guess his thoughts. When he spoke again, his tone had shifted to something more serious, as though he was trying to contain his excitement.
"Interesting… Well, Emi, you won't disappoint me, will you? I expect juicy information on the new Shichibukai. Don't forget, I'm counting on you!"
Before she could respond, he abruptly hung up, leaving Emi unsettled. Morgans had never directly asked her for information on Law, but this time, he was making his expectations clear.
Law, who had overheard the conversation, raised an eyebrow as he looked at Emi, his piercing gaze hinting at a trace of mistrust. She quickly sought to reassure him.
"I don't disclose anything compromising, Law, I swear."
He studied her for a moment, as if gauging the sincerity of her words, then gave a slight nod. After all, if there had been something to worry about, he was convinced she would have acted long ago.
"What did he want?" he asked in a neutral tone, though a hint of curiosity crept into his voice.
"To share some 'big news,' apparently," she replied, trying to sound detached as she carefully tucked the Den Den Mushi back into her bag. "He didn't want to say more, but… I think I know what it's about."
Her gaze briefly shifted from Law to the other pirates, Bepo and Hakugan, subtly signaling that this topic wasn't for everyone's ears.
Law caught on and nodded, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He turned to Bepo and Hakugan, giving them a brief look that signaled the end of the public discussion.
"Stay here. I need to speak with her in private."
Law gave a subtle nod, signaling Emi to follow him. Without a word, he turned and walked toward his quarters, Emi close behind.
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Thanks for reading this chapter!
What will Emi reveal to Law this time? Find out in the next chapter hehe
Super-Fudge Thank you so much for your comment! I'm so glad you're enjoying the story ! I'll definitely keep working hard to finish the story and hope you'll continue to enjoy the ride! :D