Chapter 67: From Words to Action

~~~~o~~~O~~~o~~~~

The submarine had just stabilized in the depths of the ocean. Through the portholes, the dark water stretched endlessly, illuminated only by the faint glow of the Polar Tang's searchlights. Emi leaned against the edge of one of the windows, silently taking in the view with Sachi and Penguin.

Just as she was about to make a comment, a barely perceptible shiver ran down her neck. Someone was behind her.

She didn't turn around right away. She already knew who it was. She could tell by the way Sachi and Penguin had suddenly tensed beside her, no longer as relaxed.

"Emi-ya."

She swallowed and slowly turned around.

Law stood there, arms crossed, his gray eyes fixed on her with that calm patience that always got under her skin.

Emi lowered her gaze, absentmindedly fidgeting with the buckle on her suspender. She knew why he was here. Why he was looking at her like that.

He was waiting for an explanation.

And even though she wasn't ready, she knew she owed him one.

"I guess I could ask Penguin and Sachi why you're in my submarine," he said evenly. "Since they seem to know more about it than I do."

Behind her, the two men stiffened.

"Uh… well, actually—" Sachi started.

"It's a long story!" Penguin added with a nervous laugh.

"Make it short," Law replied flatly.

Emi felt her heartbeat pick up. She could've let them struggle a bit longer, but she wasn't in the mood to drag this out.

She took a deep breath and finally met his gaze.

"Listen," she said in a measured tone. "I was about to ask you. I needed a way to reach the next island as fast as possible."

Law didn't respond, waiting for her to continue.

"And your submarine is a lot faster than any regular ship."

He raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"So, you didn't come to Zou with your own transportation," he said slowly. "Which brings me to my first question—how exactly did you get here?"

The silence that followed was heavy. Too heavy. She definitely hadn't expected him to ask that. He hadn't brought it up when they reunited last night at the Mink party. So why now? She'd thought she could avoid the topic altogether…

She felt the weight of Penguin and Sachi's stares on her. They were waiting for an answer, too. That's right—she had never really explained it to them either.

Great. Now she was really stuck.

She clenched her fists, hesitating. Because she knew that the moment she spoke, the moment she put into words what had happened… it would become real. She could lie. Make up an excuse. Another story.

But her mind was blank, unable to weave even the simplest diversion.

Law was too smart for her to trick him.

And deep down, she knew she owed him the truth.

She hesitated a second longer, then finally spoke:

"I… got captured by Pege and Big Mom's pirates."

She hated admitting it. Hated showing that kind of vulnerability in front of him.

But it was the truth.

Law's brows furrowed, his eyes narrowing as he pieced things together in his mind.

Big Mom. Pege. Dressrosa. The attack on the Sunny… He clearly remembered Nami explaining their encounter with some of Big Mom's crew, but he would've never thought Emi had crossed paths with them.

And gotten captured?

His brain was quickly analyzing the implications. Big Mom's men had attacked the Sunny—that was a fact. Back then, he had assumed they had simply followed the Straw Hats after Dressrosa. But if they had captured Emi, that meant they hadn't just been tracking them at random.

His gaze darkened.

"How did they find you?" he asked, his voice calm but cold.

Emi flinched slightly. Damn it. He wasn't going to let this go until he got a clear answer.

"They were on Dressrosa too. We just ran into each other by some cursed coincidence," she said, looking away.

"Coincidence," he repeated slowly.

She felt the tension rise another notch. Oh, he wasn't happy. And judging by the way Penguin and Sachi were exchanging glances, they weren't too thrilled about where this conversation was heading either.

"Emi-ya," Law said again, and this time, there was a real warning in his tone. "Big Mom's pirates don't just run into people by chance. Either they had a reason to look for you, or you gave them a reason to take you."

Emi felt her throat tighten.

Of course he would figure it out.

Of course he would understand.

She didn't want to talk. Didn't want to explain. But Law wouldn't look away, his gaze cold, insistent. And Sachi and Penguin were there too, staring at her with a confusion that made her stomach turn.

She wished she could disappear.

"I…"

Her voice wavered slightly. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but it was useless.

"I was in that damn bar," she finally said through clenched teeth. "And so were they."

She lowered her head, her trembling fists clenching in her palms.

"They threatened me," she continued, her voice breaking. "I didn't have a choice."

A sob threatened to escape, but she swallowed it down, forcing herself to keep it together. Not now. Not in front of them.

But she knew.

She knew she might have had a choice. If she had been stronger. If she hadn't been so weak.

If she hadn't given in.

A shiver ran through her, and all the guilt she had tried to bury came crashing back, exploding under the weight of her own words.

"Sanji…" Her voice completely broke this time, and she lifted her head, eyes burning. "Sanji was taken from the Straw Hats because of me!"

She took a shaky breath, but it was too late—she couldn't stop now.

"I told them where Caesar Clown was! And now your plan is delayed," she continued in a ragged breath. "Because Luffy has to go get him back!"

Her vision blurred with tears. She sniffled, furious with herself but unable to hold it in.

"I'm sorry… This is all my fault!" she cried.

Silence fell.

Sachi and Penguin exchanged a glance, their expressions instantly softening.

They knew Emi. They knew she never did anything without a reason. And deep down, what was the point of blaming her? Big Mom would've found Sanji and Caesar one way or another. It was inevitable.

No, what mattered wasn't what she had done.

It was how much she hated herself for it.

Sachi took a small step forward, as if he wanted to pull her into a hug, but before he could do anything, Law's voice cut through the silence.

"You two," he said calmly. "Leave us."

Penguin opened his mouth to protest but stopped when he saw the captain's gaze.

Sachi hesitated, his eyes flickering back to Emi with obvious concern.

But she didn't say anything. She didn't move. So, reluctantly, they obeyed.

As they disappeared into the submarine's corridors, Emi felt her heart pounding in her chest.

Law watched her in silence, studying every detail of her face. Her reddened eyes, her still-shaky breath, the way she clenched her fists as if trying to stop herself from breaking down even further.

He had expected her to get angry, maybe even fight back like she usually did. But no. Right now, standing in front of him, Emi was nothing like the proud and defiant woman he knew so well.

And strangely, he wasn't angry. He wasn't even annoyed. No, what really frustrated him was something else.

Worry.

That realization irritated him. Why did it bother him so much to know that she had been captured? That she had ended up in Big Mom's clutches? That she blamed herself to the point of holding back tears? He had no reason to feel like this. And yet, he couldn't deny the weight that had settled in his chest ever since she had spoken those words.

He let out a quiet sigh, running a hand over the back of his neck as if he could shake off the tension.

But before he could say anything, Emi locked eyes with him and snapped, her voice tight:

"Go on, say it."

She clenched her fists, bracing for a blow that never came.

"Tell me I'm an idiot. That I screwed up your plan. That I proved, once again, that I'm just a pain in the ass."

She regretted the words instantly. Too vulnerable. Too direct.

But she couldn't take them back.

Law stared at her for a moment, expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he let out a short, joyless chuckle.

"You've got some nerve saying that to me, Emi-ya."

His voice was calm—too calm—but his gaze burned with an icy intensity. Arms crossed, he studied her with that sharp, surgical focus that made it feel like he could see right through her.

"You want me to say it? Fine. Yeah, this pisses me off. It pisses me off that my plans are delayed because of this. You knew exactly how tangled up we were in all of this. And yet, you spilled everything and gave up Caesar's location."

He took a step forward, and Emi instantly felt cornered under that piercing gaze.

"You knew we were heading to Zou," he continued, voice dropping to a lower, sharper edge. "And you knew my crew was there. Do you realize how dangerous that was?"

She swallowed hard but said nothing.

"Big Mom could've sent even more of her people to Zou looking for Caesar," he pressed on, his tone heavy with accusation. "Do you know what that means, Emi-ya? You put my crew at risk."

The weight of his words hit like a cold blade.

"And now?" He raised his voice slightly, eyes locked onto her. "Now, because of you, our plans against Kaido are compromised. Because Luffy won't back down until he gets Sanji back."

His jaw tensed, the frustration in his posture almost palpable.

"And as if that wasn't enough, we probably have another Emperor on our backs now."

Silence.

A heavy, suffocating silence, thick with frustration, blame, and raw irritation he wasn't even bothering to hide anymore.

Emi opened her mouth, desperately searching for something to say, but nothing came out.

Because he was right.

About everything.

She should've kept quiet. She should've been smarter. She should've…

Her throat tightened. She averted her eyes, unable to hold his gaze any longer.

"I…"

But nothing.

Damn it.

She had nothing to say. Because every single word he'd just thrown at her echoed everything she had already told herself.

She bit the inside of her cheek, fists trembling. She had expected anger. Expected him to glare at her, call her an idiot.

But this…

This was worse.

Because he wasn't just mad.

He was disappointed.

A long silence settled between them.

Heavy. Stifling.

Emi didn't move, her gaze locked on some invisible point on the floor, her jaw clenched like she was forcing herself to swallow something bitter.

Law watched her for a moment, his expression unreadable, though it barely masked the storm in his head.

Then, slowly, he exhaled.

Maybe he'd been too harsh.

And he knew it.

But damn it… he couldn't help it.

The worry simmering beneath the surface was uncontrollable, unbearable. He had buried it the only way he knew how—turning it into cold, cutting words, a brutal lesson in survival.

But now, seeing her like this, that mix of wounded pride and self-recrimination… he felt a flicker of regret.

It was ridiculous. He wasn't supposed to regret anything. He had said what needed to be said. She needed to understand.

And yet…

He ran a hand over his face, irritated.

At her.

And at himself.

"Don't dwell on it," he finally said, his voice steadier but still firm.

Emi lifted her head, caught off guard.

He crossed his arms again, pinning her with that unwavering gaze.

"They would've found Sanji sooner or later," he added. "Their reach is too vast. Maybe your intervention sped things up, but it would've happened anyway."

Emi blinked, caught off guard.

What?

She had expected anything but that. For him to get even angrier, to tell her he was disappointed, to lecture her again about the consequences of her actions. But this… he was moving on? Just like that?

She opened her mouth, then closed it again, visibly thrown.

He wasn't saying this to comfort her. He was just stating a fact.

And the worst part? He was right.

She had let herself get carried away too easily.

But that was because this mistake involved him. If it had been someone else, she would have brushed it off and moved on. But this was different.

Because it was Law.

And even if she struggled to admit it, it was obvious now. She didn't want to disappoint him.

"A mistake is a mistake. Learn from it and move on."

He let a brief silence pass before adding, quieter:

"What matters is that you got out of it, right?"

Law pressed his lips together slightly after saying that.

Damn it.

Why did he say that?

He immediately felt the weight of his own words and briefly averted his gaze, uncomfortable. He wasn't the type to voice these kinds of concerns. And yet, it had slipped out so easily.

And judging by the look on Emi's face, she had picked up on his embarrassment.

For a moment, she just stared at him, as if unsure what to do with that information, searching for any hint of sarcasm in his voice. But no. He had been completely serious.

She took a deep breath, trying to push down the tightness in her chest. Then, in a quiet breath, she murmured:

"Thank you."

A real "thank you."

No irony. No defiance. Just sincerity.

Law didn't respond immediately. His gaze lingered on her longer than it should have. He seemed to hesitate, as if weighing the weight of his own thoughts.

Then, in an almost imperceptible movement, he stepped slightly closer.

"You mentioned wanting to reach an island as soon as possible. Why?"

Emi took a deep breath, and this time, her voice was lower.

"Baltigo has been destroyed."

Law's eyes immediately snapped to her.

"What?"

"I found out this morning. It was Blackbeard." She clenched her fists. "He attacked the base. They had to flee. For now, they're all scattered to avoid being tracked."

Silence settled between them. A heavy, oppressive silence.

Law remained impassive on the surface, but inside, his mind was already racing. And the first thing he thought was that if Sabo had been caught in this attack…

Luffy definitely wouldn't sit still.

He turned his attention back to Emi, who continued, her voice tense:

"I need to reach a camp as soon as possible. Karasu can send his messenger crows across the seas. That's how I'll find out the location of our new base." She paused, her fingers tightening around the fabric of her sleeve. "And make sure everyone is safe."

Law immediately caught the unspoken meaning.

"Sabo survived?" he asked in a neutral tone.

Emi nodded. "Yes. Luffy and Robin don't need to worry about that."

An invisible tension seemed to ease in the air. Not that he personally cared about Sabo's fate, but if he had fallen, the consequences for Luffy would have been catastrophic.

Law remained silent for a few seconds, thinking. Then, he simply stated:

"We'll resurface anyway. Too much is happening in the world right now to stay cut off from the news."

Emi blinked.

Wait.

Wait, what?

He slid his hands into his pockets, his gaze turning more calculating.

"We'll do half the trip on the surface. As soon as we spot an island, we'll drop you off there."

Emi stared into his eyes.

She didn't know exactly what she was looking for, but her heart was beating a little too fast in her chest.

A part of her searched for a sign, a shadow of reproach, something that would prove to her that he was holding this against her. But Law remained impassive, his face unreadable, as usual.

The silence between them stretched on until she felt Law step just a little closer.

As if he was about to say something.

As if he was about to do something.

But at the last moment, he held back.

His gaze flicked over her one last time before he turned on his heel and walked away, disappearing down the submarine's corridors.

And Emi stood there, unable to ignore what had just happened.

Her mind kept circling back to that strange impression, that feeling that there was more to this decision than he was letting on. But she neither had the time nor the energy to dig deeper.

She ran a hand over her face, taking a deep breath to calm the turmoil in her mind. She needed to focus. This wasn't the time to get distracted by unspoken words or uncertainties. Law was right: she had to be strong. Resilient. She still had information to gather, and she intended to make the most of every free moment during the journey.

She refused to remain a spectator. Blackbeard had destroyed Baltigo, and she wasn't going to let him act with impunity. As for Sanji, she couldn't just sit back knowing what awaited him. Even from a distance, she had an idea of how she could take action.

But for that, she needed the right equipment.

~~~~o~~~O~~~o~~~~

Emi was sitting between Franky and Usopp in the submarine's library, her Black Den Den Mushi resting on the table in front of her. For hours, she had been scanning through frequencies, hoping to catch an interesting transmission—especially anything related to Blackbeard or his activities. She was determined to gather as much intel on him as possible, but so far, all she had picked up was static and useless chatter. Just as she was about to call it quits for the day, Franky had shown up, offering to upgrade her device. Usopp, ever curious and always up for tinkering, had joined in.

Now, Franky was adjusting the small metallic dial on the Den Den Mushi while Usopp held a screwdriver in one hand and his notebook in the other.

"If you want to get a clearer signal, you need to boost reception with an upgraded antenna," Franky explained, his goggles pushed down onto his nose.

Usopp nodded. "And with a better frequency filter, we can cut out interference and isolate the transmissions you actually want to hear."

Emi watched them work, fascinated. "That's amazing… I've always had trouble getting clear conversations. You guys are geniuses."

Franky puffed out his chest. "Of course I'm a genius, BABY!"

Usopp grinned proudly. "And I'm a great inventor, you know. Obviously, I can upgrade your transceiver!"

"Let's test it." Emi placed her fingers on the device. "Let's see if it works better."

She activated the Den Den Mushi, and immediately, the signal came through with surprising clarity.

"Marine Base 45, this is the forward outpost. Do you read me?"

"Loud and clear. What's the status?"

"All normal… but seriously, our commander is such a pain."

Franky and Usopp exchanged a glance.

"Yeah, yesterday he made us repaint the entire deck just because he thought the color was 'too aggressive'… it's a damn warship, for crying out loud!"

Usopp stifled a laugh. "Oh, this is gold."

"I can't take it anymore… the second I get a transfer, I'm out of here!"

"Did you see what he made the new recruits do? They have to salute every time he enters a room—even in the bathroom!"

Franky burst out laughing. "This guy is SUPER!"

Emi, however, wasn't as amused. Sure, the clarity had improved significantly, but now she was also picking up even more useless conversations that were distracting her from her goal.

"Okay… Let's change the frequency," she declared, adjusting the dial.

They kept flipping through frequencies, determined to pick up something worthwhile.

Silence.

Then…

"Mmh… I miss you so much. I wish I was in your bed right now…"

Emi blinked.

…Wait, what?

She turned up the volume slightly, expecting to catch a code or some crucial information on illicit dealings.

"Mmh… I'm waiting for you… If only we could be together tonight…" a woman's voice responded.

Emi blinked again.

Usopp, still holding his notebook, let it slip from his fingers.

"…Wait, WHAT kind of frequency is this?!"

"I think about you every night…"

Franky frowned. "Ohoh… I think we just tuned into a SUPER private channel."

Emi desperately tried to cut the transmission, her cheeks burning.

Of course, this was the perfect moment for Sachi to walk in.

"Yo, what are you guys up t—?"

"I wish your lips would travel my body like last time..."

Sachi, who hadn't even finished his sentence, stared at the Den Den Mushi.

Then at Emi.

Then at Usopp and Franky.

An awkward silence settled in.

Then, his face lit up with an amused grin.

"Ohhh, now THIS is interesting," he said, absolutely delighted as he took a seat next to them.

Emi smacked him on the shoulder. "THIS ISN'T WHAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR!"

Usopp desperately tried to turn the dial, but instead of cutting the frequency, he amplified it.

"Mmmh… I want to hear your voice whisper those words again…"

"TURN IT OFF RIGHT NOW!" Emi shouted.

And that's when Kinemon entered the room.

"By all the samurai of Wano, what is this ruckus?" he asked, resting a hand on the hilt of his sword.

He was immediately greeted by yet another passionate declaration from the Den Den Mushi:

"Tell me how much you desire me…"

Kinemon's eyes widened. "EXCUSE ME?!"

Franky, Usopp, and Emi all scrambled to shut off the device at the same time, which only resulted in a suggestive crackling noise.

Sachi, dying of laughter, turned to him. "We're picking up some very educational frequencies, Kin."

Emi grabbed his collar and shook him violently. "PERVERT!"

"Mmh… if only I could be in your bed right now…"

Kinemon choked. "That is a rather bold communication!"

He immediately drew his sword and pointed it at the Den Den Mushi.

"I shall put an end to their suffering!"

Usopp panicked. "WHAT?! WAIT, WAIT! IT'S JUST A FREQUENCY, NOT AN ENEMY!"

Still red as a tomato, Emi finally managed to cut the transmission, plunging the room into stunned silence.

Everyone stared at her.

She took a deep breath, her face still burning.

"Remove that upgrade. Immediately."

Sachi shrugged. "Shame. I actually liked that new feature."

Emi threw whatever was closest—a book—straight at his face, then buried her face in her hands with a groan, while Usopp frantically scribbled DO NOT MESS WITH SNAIL FREQUENCIES in his notebook.

~~~~o~~~O~~~o~~~~

Emi had settled into a secluded corner of the submarine's hold. Surrounded by wooden crates, metal plates, and a few abandoned tools, she had finally found a spot where she could be alone. Not that she disliked the company of others—far from it. She enjoyed chatting with Robin and listening to the samurai's fascinating tales about Wano. But after the lively dinner they had just shared, she needed some quiet.

The evening had been loud, as always, whenever Usopp launched into one of his exaggerated stories, met with Franky's incredulous laughter and Zoro's sarcastic remarks. Sachi and Penguin had kept the jokes rolling, even convincing Kanjuro to paint ridiculous drawings. The lighthearted mood had filled the room, and while Emi had been amused, she'd also felt herself drifting into her thoughts.

Now that she was alone, lulled by the deep hum of the submarine's engines and the steady rocking of the sea, she could finally think seriously without interruptions.

Sitting in the hold, Emi let her thoughts wander to the Straw Hat crew. A colorful bunch, undeniably powerful, but also strangely chaotic. Each of them had a unique—sometimes eccentric—personality, but that was precisely what made them so fascinating.

Her mind, however, lingered on Sanji. She genuinely hoped he was okay. His sudden departure left her with a bad feeling, and she knew Luffy would stop at nothing to get him back. But… what if that wasn't enough? What if Sanji was truly trapped in this whole marriage mess? Was there anything—no matter how small—that she could do to help?

A shiver of excitement ran down her spine as an idea formed in her mind. Morgans.

Maybe he could stir up chaos at the Tea Party and throw a wrench in Big Mom's plans.

She dug into her satchel and pulled out a small Den Den Mushi, bringing it to her lips as she cast one last glance around before dialing a number.

The snail immediately came to life, its features morphing into the caricatured face of the great newsbird.

"Emi?! What a surprise, my fearless little revolutionary journalist. I was wondering when you'd give me some news."

Emi didn't waste time. "I need information. You've heard about the Vinsmoke-Charlotte wedding, right?"

Morgans chuckled. "Of course I have! It's the event of the year, come on. And guess what? I got an invitation!"

Emi's blood ran cold. "What?! You're going?!"

"Of course! What better opportunity for a scoop?!" he replied, clearly thrilled.

Emi took a sharp breath. It was now or never.

"Morgans… You have to do something. You can't let this wedding go as planned."

Silence. Then the Den Den Mushi burst into loud laughter. "Hahaha! What are you saying, kid?! This is Big Mom we're talking about! You want me to sabotage HER Tea Party? Have you lost your mind?!"

"Listen to me," Emi insisted, her voice low and urgent. "Sanji doesn't want this wedding. And Luffy is about to throw himself into the lion's den to get him back. You want a scoop? Here's your scoop! It's going to be a bloodbath!"

Morgans stopped laughing. Even through the Den Den Mushi, she could tell he was paying closer attention. He let out a slow breath, as if weighing his options. "Hmmm… Now that's interesting… But tell me, Emi, why do you want things to go south?"

She clenched her fists. "Because I owe them."

Before Morgans could reply, a soft sound made her jump.

Law had just entered the hold, silent as a shadow.

Emi whirled around, her breath catching. Shit. How long had he been there? And what was he doing here?!

Without hesitation, she swiftly cut the transmission and shoved the Den Den Mushi into her satchel.

"How long have you been there?" she asked, trying to mask her panic.

Law raised an eyebrow, his sharp gaze flicking from her to the crates behind her.

"I just got here." He crossed his arms. "What are you doing here?"

A cold sweat ran down her spine. Panic threatened to rise, but she forced herself to breathe steadily.

Emi swallowed discreetly, her mind racing for an answer. She blurted out the first excuse that came to mind.

"Uh… nothing, I was just… training my Armament Haki."

Shit. Why did she say that? It was so ridiculous she wanted to slap herself on the spot.

Law raised an eyebrow, stepping closer. His movements were measured, calculated—almost predatory. Emi forced herself not to back away, but her body tensed involuntarily when he stopped just inches from her.

"I heard you, Emi-ya," he murmured, his gaze locking onto hers. "Morgans. Big Mom. Tea Party."

A charged silence settled between them.

She hated this. That damn ability he had to put her on the defensive, to force her to show her cards.

"You told me to be resilient, and that's what I'm doing," she finally said, her voice harsher than she intended.

Law tilted his head slightly, his smirk laced with irony. "By using Morgans to stir up chaos at Big Mom's place?"

Emi stiffened. He was too smart. Too quick to put the pieces together.

"That's… none of your business," she shot back, gripping her satchel tightly.

"It is."

One word. Simple. Unyielding.

She clenched her teeth. Of course, he was right. Anything involving Luffy or Big Mom was directly tied to him and their plans against Kaido. But it pissed her off how easily he could read her.

Law stepped even closer, closing the remaining distance between them.

"Next time," he murmured, voice barely above a whisper, "don't lie."

He held her gaze for a beat longer before glancing down, the ghost of a smirk playing on his lips.

"And while we're at it…" He lifted a hand slowly, brushing the tips of his fingers against her forearm—a barely-there touch, but enough to make the tension spike. "Show me."

She blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

"Your Armament Haki." His tone was neutral, almost nonchalant, but she wasn't fooled. He was testing her.

Emi narrowed her eyes. "Don't you have anything better to do? What are you even doing here ?"

Law raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "I'm in my submarine, Emi-ya. I don't have to justify myself."

His casual attitude instantly annoyed her. He was always like this—calm, unshakable, as if he was always in control. But this time, she wasn't going to give him that satisfaction.

She focused, her right hand slowly glowing with a black aura—the manifestation of her Armament Haki. At first, it flickered unevenly, but then it stabilized, spreading over her fingers, creeping up to her wrist, then her elbow.

With a swift, precise motion, Emi brought her hand down on a chain wrapped around a wooden chest. The sharp clang of impact echoed through the room, followed by the distinct sound of metal cracking. The chain split in two, the broken links crashing onto the table.

She took a step back, eyeing the scattered metal pieces on the floor. She was nervous but kept a neutral expression, subtly watching Law's reaction.

Law stepped closer, briefly examining the broken chain. A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at his lips.

"Not bad. Your Haki's improved."

A small wave of satisfaction ran through Emi. He wasn't expecting that, was he?

"I'm still far from perfect." She lifted her hand, showing how the black aura now covered her entire forearm. "I'm starting to control it, but I know I don't have the precision for more advanced techniques yet."

Law moved in, his gaze locked on her hand. He was quiet for a moment before speaking.

"Show me again."

Emi gave a small nod, suppressing a nervous sigh. She focused her energy once more, making the dark aura spread over her fingers. She repeated the motion a few times, letting it flow up to her wrist, then her elbow.

"You're wasting too much energy trying to extend it too far too quickly. Focus it here," he said, pointing at his own fingers.

Law activated his Haki, a sleek black coating appearing on the tips of his fingers. The precision was almost flawless.

Emi mimicked him, narrowing her eyes in concentration. The black aura formed again but remained incomplete, unstable.

"Stay focused," Law murmured. "Watch."

He reached out his hand toward her, palm open, his Haki still activated. Emi lifted hers as well, mirroring his gesture.

And without a word, Law gently pressed his fingers against hers.

A spark shot through Emi at the contact. She glanced up at him, meeting his calm yet intense gaze. The atmosphere suddenly grew heavier, as if the world around them had paused. Emi swallowed, trying to focus despite the firm pressure of Law's fingers against hers.

"Breathe," he said simply.

His deep, steady voice pulled her back to the moment. She closed her eyes for a second, sharpening her concentration. When she opened them again, a stable black aura finally coated the tips of her fingers.

"That's it," Law murmured in approval, his hand still in place.

A mix of triumph and emotion welled up inside Emi. She didn't move, her gaze locked onto his.

Time seemed to stand still as Emi looked at their hands, still pressed together. The warmth of his touch and the intensity of his stare unsettled her. Without really thinking, her fingers moved on their own, slipping between Law's and gently closing, intertwining their hands.

Law raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by her boldness. His eyes flicked briefly to their linked fingers before slowly meeting hers again.

Emi's face turned bright red as she realized what she had just done. And yet, instead of pulling away, she stayed frozen, unable to come up with an excuse.

"I… I just wanted to… check if my Haki would hold up with direct contact," she stammered awkwardly, avoiding his gaze while tightening her grip slightly around his fingers.

Law obviously didn't buy that excuse, but he didn't pull away either. He let out a small sigh, one that might have been a quiet chuckle if he weren't Law.

"That's… an unusual method," he remarked, his fingers still loosely interlaced with hers.

Silence fell between them again, even heavier than before, charged with an undeniable tension. Emi could feel her heart pounding, and even Law—normally so composed—seemed just a little thrown off.

Yet neither of them seemed willing to let go.

And before either could say anything else, the sound of heavy, uneven footsteps echoed down the hallway.

"Oi! Where the hell's the damn bathroom?!"

Zoro's familiar gruff voice cut through the atmosphere like a sword slashing through the air. Within seconds, he appeared in the doorway, scowling and clearly lost.

"Tsk. These corridors are a damn maze," he muttered.

As he turned toward the lower deck, a brief flash of bright blue light illuminated the room. Zoro blinked, confused, scanning the area, now strangely empty.

He narrowed his eyes, trying to make sense of what he had just seen, then shrugged and continued wandering, still completely lost in the ship's endless corridors.

~~~~o~~~O~~~o~~~~

Hey everyone! Thanks for sticking around, and sorry for the delay! Law and Emi are still in denial, but let's be honest… that won't last. Next chapter is gonna be ... interesting— 😃!