Chapter 1: Writting under pressure
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**Marineford Headquarters: The War That Shook the World's Foundations**
Marineford, the Marine's headquarters, became the battleground for a colossal clash between the Marine forces and Whitebeard's crew, backed by a coalition of pirates. This battle, sparked by the mission to save Portgas D. Ace—the son of Gol D. Roger and the brother of Monkey D. Luffy—marked a turning point in the world's history. Lives were lost, heroes emerged, and the pirate era now seems more uncertain than ever.
A look back at one of the most memorable battles in history.
Emi read the articles one after another, examining every detail with a mix of envy and frustration. All those reporters had succeeded where she had failed. They had written powerful, captivating stories, their names printed on the front page. Meanwhile, she was stuck with secondary rumors, far from the glory of the major headlines.
She slammed the newspaper down onto the wooden counter, her fingers drumming nervously on the glass in front of her. Even her favorite drink offered no comfort. Around her, the bar buzzed with lively conversation, but all she could hear was her editor's voice echoing in her head: "Emi, what's with this nonsense about cheap gossip? Are you a journalist or a busybody?"
Since the Marineford War, her lack of solid articles had become apparent, leaving her most loyal client struggling due to other competitors who had obtained exclusive reports on the war. She had been bitterly outdone by other journalists who had written much better articles, amplifying her immense frustration.
Emi was a freelance journalist who mainly relied on selling her reports and gossip to the Marines and editors-in-chief to make a living, but lately, it had become increasingly difficult to convince them to buy her work. The competitive world of journalism was ruthless, and Emi knew she had to find a compelling story to stay afloat.
And bounty hunting or mercenary work? Yeah, that wasn't going to save her. "Catch a pirate and get rich," they said. Not her thing. Writing stories, uncovering truths—that's what got her heart racing, not running around doing the Marines' dirty work. She was a thinker, not a fighter. Despite having a few years of experience under her belt, Emi harbored a deep disdain for both sides: the cruelty of the pirates and the corruption within the Marines and the government, of which she was well aware.
She slumped dramatically over the counter with a heavy sigh. All she wanted was one good story. A real one.
She scanned the dimly lit tavern, her hazel eyes landing on a small group seated in the corner. Her gaze fell on a white bear. A white bear in an orange jumpsuit, sitting quietly with a glass in front of him. Emi squinted, unsure of what she was seeing. The bear had such a gentle demeanor that she almost considered asking if she could pet him. But that thought quickly vanished when she noticed the two men sitting beside him: one wearing a black cap with a red pompom and the word "Penguin" embroidered on it—seriously?—while the other, sunglasses perched on his nose despite the dismal lighting, looked like he was ready to deliver a dramatic punchline at any moment.
It didn't take long for Emi to spot the Heart Pirates emblem stitched onto the backs and pockets of their jumpsuits.
Her gaze shifted to the man seated across from them: dark hair, a Nordic-style fur hat with black patterns. There was no mistaking it—this was Trafalgar Law, one of the infamous pirates belonging to the Worst Generation.
Trafalgar Law... Worst Generation... growing Marine notoriety… juicy intel? Emi's mind raced with possibilities as she studied the pirate and his crew, knowing they were the perfect target for her current predicament. A chance to gather information on someone this high-profile could lead to a story big enough to save her journalist reputation—and her financial stability.
She took a deep breath, straightening on her stool. This was risky. Very risky. But the opportunity was too good to pass up.
Fueled by desperation and determination, Emi stepped forward towards the group. She ignored the stares and whispers that followed her, focusing solely on the opportunity before her.
She approached the table cautiously, trying to appear confident despite the nervous pounding in her chest, her gaze unwavering as she faced Trafalgar Law's cold stare. Emi observed him for a few moments, noting his cautious posture and the readiness of his crew to act at the slightest sign of threat. She cleared her throat, trying to stay calm despite the palpable tension in the air.
"Trafalgar Law," Emi began, her voice steady despite the electric tension in the air.
A heavy silence settled over the room, so thick she could hear someone scraping the bottom of their glass on the other side of the tavern. Law was staring at her, his expression unreadable. Not surprising; she probably wasn't the first person to call his name in a place like this.
"I'm a journalist," she said, meeting Law's gaze with unwavering determination. "I'm looking for interesting stories, and let's just say, you have a certain knack for creating them."
Emi fought to keep her composure, but the guy in the "Penguin" cap stifled a chuckle, which, honestly, wasn't helping.
As Emi introduced herself, Law couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance. He had dealt with enough journalists to know that their motivations were often driven by self-interest rather than a genuine quest for truth.
"Independent, to be precise," she added.
Law raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued despite himself. "And what brings a journalist like you to a place like this?"
Emi paused, choosing her words carefully. "Like I said, I'm always on the lookout for interesting stories. And from what I've heard, your recent exploits are the stuff of legends."
Law's expression remained wary, but a flicker of amusement could be seen in his eyes.
"And what makes you think I have a story worth telling?"
Emi met his gaze without flinching. "Because behind every legend, there's a truth waiting to be discovered. And I have a feeling yours is different from anything I've ever heard."
A moment of silence ensued as Law considered her words, weighing the pros and cons of engaging with a journalist. Flowery words surely hid some ulterior motive... But finally, he nodded, albeit reluctantly.
"Very well," Law declared, his tone reserved. "You can ask your questions. But I have little patience for idle chatter."
Emi nodded, grateful for the opportunity he was offering her. She knew that gaining his trust wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to uncover a story that could be useful, no matter the cost.
"I couldn't help but wonder... Why did you save the Straw Hat Pirate at Marineford? What compelled you to intervene in such a risky battle?"
Law's expression darkened at the mention of the Straw Hat, his grip tightening around his glass. He looked at Emi with cold detachment, his distrust evident in the firmness of his jaw.
"I have my reasons," Law replied curtly. "Reasons that don't concern you."
"But there must be a strategic motive behind those actions." She persisted, undeterred by his dismissive response.
Law's patience waned in the face of Emi's persistence, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
"I suggest you mind your own business, journalist-ya"
Emi shivered at his sharp tone. She knew it would be difficult to make him talk, but refusing to be intimidated, she pressed on.
"I'm just trying to understand the bigger picture, Trafalgar Law. As a journalist, it's my job to seek the truth."
Law gave a mocking smile, bitterness creeping into his voice.
"The truth? In your field, the truth is a commodity to be bought and sold to the highest bidder. I have no interest in being a pawn in your game of misinformation."
Okay. He had a point there.
Emi felt the tension rise, and his crew seemed to tense up as well. It was a moment to back down, but her pride took a hit. Emi had a strong character and didn't hesitate to use blackmail or threats to obtain useful information. However, facing Trafalgar Law, she found herself in a delicate position, far from her usual confrontations with vulgar pirates or corrupt politicians. She had to find another way to convince him...
Emi was ready to fire back with a sharp reply to defend her honor and professionalism, but before she could get a word out, an old pirate barged into the conversation. He'd clearly been eavesdropping and, spotting a journalist, puffed out his chest and declared in a pompous tone:
"Instead of wasting your time on that guy, you should write an article about a real pirate like me, the great Baterlo, and my legendary crew!"
Emi gave him a once-over, raising an eyebrow. The "great" Baterlo, as he called himself, barely stood five foot six, his beer belly threatening to pop the buttons on his pants. His beard looked like it had been hacked at with a dull blade, and he reeked of cheap rum.
She'd never heard of him. And as a journalist who specialized in pirate affairs, Emi prided herself on knowing all the big names. The fact that this guy wasn't even on her radar said it all—he was insignificant at best. To her, he was anything but impressive.
"Never heard of you," she said flatly, before turning back to Law to pick up their conversation.
Baterlo turned bright red, clearly outraged. It seemed no one had ever ignored him quite so blatantly. Furious, he grabbed Emi's arm roughly to get her attention.
"Listen to me when I'm talking to you, you little bitch !" he roared, his grip tightening like a vice.
The moment he laid a hand on her, a wave of anger surged through Emi. Without hesitation, she kicked him square in the face. The blow sent him stumbling back, crashing into a chair with a pathetic groan.
For a moment, the tavern fell silent, everyone too stunned to react. Then, as the reality of what had just happened sank in, Baterlo's crew scrambled to their feet, drawing their swords and readying themselves to avenge their so-called "captain."
Law watched the scene with exasperated patience, annoyed by the chaos she had unleashed, ruining their moment of tranquility in the tavern. He remained seated, arms crossed, his usual calm apparent despite the commotion around him. Penguin, however, couldn't help but comment with an ironic smile, "Well, she's got guts! The little one can hold her own!"
Despite their numerical superiority, Emi displayed great agility, skillfully dodging the pirates' attacks. Her nimbleness allowed her to weave between them, delivering simple but precise blows. However, faced with their ever-increasing numbers, she quickly realized the fight was uneven. Choosing to avoid a futile and potentially dangerous confrontation, she made the wise decision to retreat, leaving the tavern to ensure her own safety.
Emi skillfully slipped out of the tavern, casting one last glance at Law as he began to draw his Nodachi from its sheath. Those filthy pirates had ruined her only chance to write an article worthy of her name. But Emi wasn't one to give up easily. She was determined to find a solution, to come back to him one way or another.
On this particular island, the Log Pose took three days to reset and point to the next fervently hoped that the Heart Pirates had arrived recently and didn't have an Eternal Pose in their possession, which would mean they still had to wait before setting sail. This situation offered her a valuable window of opportunity to attempt a new approach.
Lost in her thoughts, she was abruptly pulled from her reverie by the sound of the tavern doors flying open. Baterlo's pirates, still furious over the affront, stormed out, their eyes blazing with anger as they immediately zeroed in on her. Their intention was clear: to settle the score for the humiliation she had inflicted on them.
Emi quickly rummaged through her satchel and pulled out her precious little bombs. A confident smile spread across her face.
Taking a deep breath, she hurled her first bomb and shouted, "Remember this, you dumbass!"
She expected a resounding explosion, but due to the rain, the bomb produced only a small "puf," emitting a slight puff of smoke and a few sparks before fizzling out. A long silence followed, as the journalist's face fell in dismay. "Is this a joke?!"
Undeterred, she threw another bomb, but the result was the same: a tiny "puf" followed by a few damp sparks and another long silence.
"No, no, no, this can't be happening!" she muttered, cursing the weather.
The pirates, seeing their prey disarmed and desperate, wore cruel smiles as they advanced slowly, savoring their imminent victory.
"Catch her!" ordered Baterlo, his eyes gleaming with triumph.
Emi felt a surge of adrenaline as her survival instincts kicked in. Without wasting a second, she turned on her heels and dashed off into the pouring rain. Cold drops lashed her face, but she couldn't afford to worry about that. Behind her, the enraged pirates' shouts echoed, mingling with the storm's din.
She ran at full speed, her steps splashing through the puddles dotting the cobblestone streets. The town, with its narrow, winding alleys, provided a perfect labyrinth for evading her pursuers. Emi knew these paths well, and she used every nook and cranny to outmaneuver her assailants.
The pirates, less agile and unfamiliar with the town's layout, struggled to keep up. They slipped on the wet cobblestones, growing increasingly frustrated as they lost ground. Emi, on the other hand, leveraged her knowledge of the area to her advantage, slipping through passages barely wide enough for a person.
She rounded a corner sharply, pressing herself against a wall to catch her breath. She could hear the pirates running, their hurried footsteps echoing off the buildings' walls. Emi closed her eyes for a moment, listening intently. When she opened them, she spotted a small gap between two buildings, just large enough for her to squeeze through.
Carefully, she wriggled into the narrow opening. The rain continued to pour, creating a symphony of droplets hitting roofs and cobblestones. Emi waited for a few moments, holding her breath, hoping the pirates wouldn't find her.
The sounds of footsteps and shouts began to fade, moving off in another direction. Emi let out a sigh of relief. She had managed to lose them, for now. Straightening up, she cautiously peeked out from her hiding spot. The alley was deserted, the pirates nowhere in sight.
She slowly emerged from her hideout, making sure the coast was clear before resuming her path. Soaked but unharmed, Emi continued to navigate the narrow streets, heading for a safer place. Her mind was already formulating a new plan. She would not let this setback deter her. Law was still her best lead, and she was determined to find a way to get the story she needed.
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I hope you enjoyed this first chapter! I apologize in advance if some sentences seem odd, but English is not my first language and I am doing my best 🙏 Thank you for your understanding~