Chapter 58: As a Revolutionary
~~~~o~~~O~~~o~~~~
In the bustling offices of the Times, the place was alive with energy. The massive printing presses hummed like a mechanical symphony, churning out the day's headlines at breakneck speed, while journalists darted from desk to desk with stacks of papers in hand.
Amid this organized chaos, Samuel stood near the main bulletin board, where the hottest news was chalked up for all to see. A triumphant smile spread across his face.
He slapped a hand against the board, grabbing the team's attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen, get ready to blow up our sales!"
Samuel held up a stack of freshly developed photos, taken by a correspondent in Sabaody. They showed a familiar figure with a straw hat and a wide grin. Beside him, a woman with orange hair and a towering swordsman were also captured walking along the shore.
"They're back. After two years away, the Straw Hats have been spotted on the Sabaody Archipelago!"
A ripple of shock swept through the room. Journalists exchanged incredulous looks, some already jotting down ideas for article angles. Rumors had been swirling for a while about the crew's imminent return, but no one had managed to confirm it... until now.
"You're sure about this, Sam?" Hana asked, leaning in to get a better look at the photos.
Samuel nodded, tapping one of the photos with his finger.
"Look at these faces! That's Straw Hat Luffy himself. And it gets better—witnesses saw them heading toward Grove 42. Word is, they're already planning something big."
A senior editor, cigar clenched between his teeth, stepped forward with a skeptical look.
"And what makes you think this is more than just a quick stop?"
Samuel squinted, a triumphant glint in his eyes.
"Because their bounties are still active, and they're not the kind of pirates to show up quietly. I'd bet anything they're making their move toward the New World."
He spun a desk chair around and dropped into it with visible satisfaction.
"We're about to break the story of the month—no, the year! The Straw Hats are back, and the whole world's going to want to know why."
The writers scattered, rushing back to their typewriters, their minds racing with ideas. Samuel leaned back against a desk, a mischievous glint in his eye.
In a corner of the room, an older journalist murmured to a colleague, "Think they'll make it this time?"
The colleague shrugged, a faint smile on his lips. "They're the Straw Hats. They're always one step ahead."
The clatter of machines grew louder in the room. The return of the Straw Hat crew wasn't just about to shake up the seas—it was about to send Times sales soaring. Meanwhile, Samuel was already drafting a killer headline for the upcoming special edition.
~~~~o~~~O~~~o~~~~
Special Edition of the Times
"The Straw Hats Resurface on Sabaody Islands!"
Two years after their disappearance, the crew of Monkey D. Luffy, aka "Straw Hat," has returned. Their presence has been confirmed on the Sabaody Archipelago, marking a pivotal step in their journey.
The Straw Hats, known for their legendary exploits, seem ready to conquer the New World. Witnesses claim they appeared determined and prepared, with Zoro "Pirate Hunter" and Nami "Cat Burglar" by their side.
Their return raises questions: What's their goal? The One Piece? An Emperor? One thing is certain—where the Straw Hats go, the balance of the world trembles.
Their adventure is just beginning. Stay tuned !
Law folded the newspaper carefully and placed it on the table in front of him. The announcement of the Straw Hats' return had sent shockwaves through the world, and even he couldn't ignore it.
The Straw Hats—always impulsive, reckless, and above all... loud. Their reappearance on the global stage was an unexpected factor, but one that could prove useful. If Luffy and his crew had grown as much as the rumors suggested, they could become valuable allies. Especially if their ambitions led them to challenge an Emperor—specifically Kaido.
Law knew that such a bold move could have unrepairable consequences on Doflamingo's influence.
But for now, it was just a theory. Dismantling Doflamingo remained his primary goal.
Law let out a sigh and stood up, his footsteps echoing softly against the cold metal floor. He wasn't about to rush into anything. Until he had a clear idea of the Straw Hats' intentions, he would stay focused on his current mission.
"Mugiwara-ya... we'll see if our paths cross."
The icy corridors of the base echoed with the clinking of Law's boots, his nodachi resting casually on his shoulders. As he entered the main room, a stifling heat greeted him. Caesar Clown, in the middle of one of his frenzies, was laughing loudly at the screens, watching the children disembark from their ship under Monet's watchful eye.
"At last, my precious experiments can move forward… Shurororororo!" Caesar crowed, arms wide as if basking in an invisible triumph.
Law leaned against a wall, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
"What are you planning to do with those kids?" he asked flatly, his eyes scanning the room with detachment.
Delighted to have an audience, Caesar launched into an elaborate explanation about his experiments, detailing plans to create giants for unstoppable armies. Law, however, only half-listened, his mind already drifting to his own objectives.
"Do whatever you want," he said at last, pushing off the wall and walking away.
Caesar frowned but nodded, fully aware of the fragile alliance binding them.
"Where are you going, Trafalgar?" Monet asked, her voice calm but probing.
Without turning around, Law replied in his usual measured tone, "For a walk."
Moments later, he was outside, his boots sinking into the fresh snow. The storm had eased, but heavy flakes still fell from the sky, blanketing the landscape in silence.
A movement at the edge of his vision caught his attention. A dark figure emerged from the blizzard, imposing despite its disheveled appearance. Law stopped in his tracks, his sharp gaze locking onto the stranger. The man wore a kimono and carried two swords, their steel glinting faintly in the diffuse light of the snow.
"Who are you?" Law asked flatly, his tone a mix of suspicion and irritation.
The man's voice boomed, filled with urgency. "I'm looking for my son, Momonosuke. Tell me where he is!" His eyes burned with fierce determination.
He shifted into a fighting stance, his blades gleaming under the pale light of the falling snow.
Law's brow furrowed. He instantly realized this stranger was connected to one of the children Caesar had taken for his experiments. Still, his expression remained unreadable.
"You don't belong here," Law replied coldly, ignoring the samurai's demand.
Frustrated, the samurai placed a hand on his katana. Anticipating the attack, Law sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the blade. Raising his hand, he activated his Room ability, and a translucent sphere enveloped them both.
"Speak!" the samurai growled, his voice filled with rage. "Where is Momonosuke?!"
He charged again, his strikes precise and relentless. Law parried each blow with his nodachi, the clash of steel echoing through the frozen air. After a flurry of exchanges, Law stepped back, raising his arm with calculated calm, a sadistic smirk playing on his lips.
"Shambles."
The samurai's body split in two, his upper half collapsing heavily into the snow while his legs wobbled before crumpling. The man, stunned, stared at his own torso with a mix of shock and disbelief.
"What the...?!"
"Don't mess with my plans." Law said coldly.
To his surprise, the samurai's legs suddenly sprang up and bolted in the opposite direction, cutting through the blizzard at full speed. Determined to flee, they left the motionless upper half behind, gradually being buried under the relentless snowfall.
Law watched the legs disappear into the storm, then shifted his focus, unfazed. In his current state, the samurai wouldn't get far anyway.
Turning back, Law slung his nodachi onto his shoulder once more and resumed his trek through the snow, his footsteps leaving deep impressions behind him. The outline of Caesar's base reappeared in the distance, a cold, imposing structure of steel.
Law scanned the edges of the laboratory with a calculating gleam in his eyes. He'd only been here a few days, but his objective was clear. This wasn't just about a temporary alliance or working alongside Caesar. He had already decided he would destroy the production of SAD—the poison fueling Doflamingo's ambitions.
As he approached the main entrance, he slowed, taking a moment to contemplate the structure. Caesar's scientists bustled about, absorbed in their tasks, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing in Law's mind.
A gust of icy wind swept through, scattering the snow around him and making the edges of his black coat flutter. He stepped back into the lab, his thoughts already on the facility's weak points—the vulnerabilities he could exploit to bring everything crashing down at the right moment.
As he neared the main room, Monet greeted him with her usual calm demeanor.
"Trouble?" she asked.
Law shrugged.
"Nothing I can't handle."
Yet, as he thought back to the stranger he had encountered in the snow, something lingered in his mind. He knew that meeting was just the beginning of the complications to come.
~~~~o~~~O~~~o~~~~
The wind blew gently through Baltigo, the headquarters of the Revolutionary Army, rustling the red banners hanging above the white rooftops. Emi sat on a stone bench in a training courtyard, wiping the sweat from her brow. Her body ached, but there was a strange sense of satisfaction coursing through her.
Finally, it was starting to click. She clenched her fist, feeling the faint but raw energy of Armament Haki flow timidly through her fingers.
For weeks, she'd been training relentlessly. The Revolutionary instructors had taught her not only martial arts but also the fundamentals of Haki—something Law had begun teaching her before. Though her mastery was far from complete, Emi could feel the progress. Every day, her body grew stronger, her resolve sharper.
She let out a deep sigh, her breath forming a mist in the crisp air.
A familiar figure suddenly appeared from behind a pillar a few meters away.
"AMAZING!" the person exclaimed, eyes sparkling with excitement. "You're channeling invisible energy! Imagine if we could extract it and measure it chemically… We could revolutionize science!"
Emi didn't even need to look up to know who it was. Ambre, as exuberant as ever, popped out of nowhere, flailing her arms as if she'd just uncovered a new law of physics.
"Don't you have anything better to do? Like… I don't know… working on your research?" Emi replied with a playful smirk.
Ambre waved a hand dramatically.
"Oh, that's already sorted. I just submitted my latest report on the drug, and the Revolutionaries loved it! Well, okay, they did set a few… conditions. But honestly, working under supervision isn't so bad! I've got a lab, equipment, and no one sabotaging my experiments."
Emi chuckled softly, wiping the last bit of sweat from her face. The only condition for Ambre to continue her research was that she remained under the Revolutionaries' supervision. She hadn't really had a choice in the matter, but Emi was glad they'd allowed her to stay at the base. It meant they'd been able to spend more time together. Emi watched her friend as she rambled on about the advanced technology at her disposal and everything else she found fascinating.
"The food's good," Ambre continued, "the people are nice, and there's this amazing—"
She abruptly stopped, realizing she'd said too much.
"Ohhh, don't stop now," Emi teased, her tone playful. "I think you were going to talk about a certain someone." she added, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
"What are you talking about?" Ambre shot back defensively, her cheeks turning a faint shade of red.
"Come on, Ambre. Want me to say his name out loud?"
Ambre's eyes widened, and she took a step back as if Emi had just accused her of a serious crime.
"What?! If you're thinking of… No! Absolutely not! It's just a coincidence that he stops by the lab sometimes to check on my experiments! He's just… curious! It's completely professional, I swear!"
Emi burst into laughter, thoroughly entertained by Ambre's flustered reaction. Her friend's eccentric behavior only made her embarrassment more obvious.
"Sure, sure, purely professional. You should thank him for keeping you so motivated to stay here."
Ambre stuck out her tongue and plopped down beside Emi, grumbling, though the faint smile on her lips betrayed her amusement. The gentle wind continued to blow through Baltigo, carrying their laughter into the crisp air.
"You two seem to be in good spirits," a clear voice called out, echoing across the training courtyard.
Sabo stood at the entrance, a warm smile on his face. He strolled over casually, taking in the sight of Emi seated on the stone bench and Ambre fidgeting beside her.
"Speak of the devil," Emi quipped, shooting Ambre an amused glance.
Ambre nudged her lightly in response, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Sabo, either unaware of the remark or simply uninterested, stopped in front of Emi and asked, "How's the training coming along?"
Emi raised her hand, staring at her fingers for a moment before replying, "It's getting there, but it's still not quite right. I can feel it sometimes, but as soon as I manage to activate it, it slips away."
Sabo nodded, a look of understanding on his face. "That's normal at first. Haki isn't just about strength or technique. It's an extension of your will. Keep at it, and eventually, it'll become second nature."
A faint smile appeared on Emi's face, her shoulders relaxing under his encouragement. His words reminded her of someone…
Ambre, who had been silently observing until now, gave Emi a playful pat on the shoulder. "Pfft, Emi, you should brag a little more—it might do you some good," she teased.
Sabo laughed, clearly entertained by her energy. "Speaking of exceeding expectations," he said, his tone shifting to something more serious, "how about starting a real mission?"
Emi's head shot up, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Finally. A mission. Her first mission.
"Seriously?!"
Sabo crossed his arms, his expression growing more intense. "We've got intel on an arms trafficking operation to take down, run by the Donquixote family. In Dressrosa."
The name hit her like a jolt. Emi shot to her feet, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Dressrosa? The country ruled by Doflamingo?"
Sabo nodded calmly, watching her reaction. "That's right. The Council decided it's time to act. We'll infiltrate the network and try to dismantle part of their operation."
A heavy silence settled as Emi processed the information.
Fate seemed to be toying with her. Of all the places in the world where her first mission could have taken her, it had to be there—Dressrosa. The kingdom where Trafalgar Law's shadow still lingered in her thoughts.
Ambre burst out laughing, crossing her arms. "Well, this is your chance to shine, Emi! You're always dreaming about exciting missions, and now you've got one served up on a silver platter!"
Emi nodded slowly, trying to appear calm despite the storm brewing inside her. "Yeah… I can't wait," she replied in a measured tone, though her mind was already elsewhere.
Sabo, oblivious to her inner turmoil, added, "Get ready. We leave tonight."
Emi's eyes widened. "Tonight? Already?!"
"Missions like this don't wait, Emi," he said with an encouraging smile before turning to leave the courtyard.
Emi stood still, lost in thought. This mission wasn't just a chance to prove herself to the Revolutionaries—it was an unexpected opportunity to strike at Doflamingo's network. And maybe… just maybe… to help Law, indirectly, in his quest for revenge.
She shook her head, trying to dismiss the thought, but it lingered, persistent and bright, like a spark she couldn't ignore.
Ambre suddenly straightened. Her eyes widened as the pieces clicked together. "Wait a second. Dressrosa… Doflamingo… Don't tell me Traf―"
Emi reacted instantly, clamping her hand over Ambre's mouth to stop her from finishing. "Shut up!" she hissed.
Ambre raised an eyebrow, amused, and gently pulled Emi's hand away. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Well, if this isn't fate, I don't know what is!"
Emi rolled her eyes. "This isn't about fate or anything else. We have a mission: dismantle his arms trade. Nothing more, nothing less."
Ambre shot her a playful wink. "If you say so… But I bet this mission is going to be way more interesting than you're letting on."
Emi didn't respond, instead casting her gaze toward the horizon where the sun was at its peak. She had a mission to complete—nothing more. Or at least, that's what she was trying to convince herself.
But this mission was leading her down a familiar path...
.~~~~
Emi spent the final hours before departure in intense focus. Every item she packed into her bag had a strategic purpose. Her notebook, already partially filled with valuable information, was accompanied by a carefully selected set of pencils and pens. She added discreet espionage tools: a miniature Den Den Mushi capable of recording conversations, a compact camera, and a small telescopic lens for long-distance observation.
She double-checked her Den Den Mushi devices, equipping them with anti-interception modules, then slid her small bombs into a hidden pocket of her bag. Her personal provisions included energy bars and a water flask—essentials in case the mission dragged on.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting Baltigo in a dim glow, Emi made her way to the grand hall where Sabo, Koala, and Hack were already waiting. The atmosphere was serious but calm, with everyone mentally preparing for what lay ahead.
Dragon stood at the center of the room, holding a stack of files that he distributed with precision.
"Here's the latest intel," he said, his authoritative voice echoing in the space. He handed Emi a folder, their eyes meeting briefly. He seemed to be assessing her capabilities, silently weighing whether she was up to the challenge of this critical mission. Emi met his gaze, her expression resolute.
Dragon continued, "This operation won't be easy. The primary goal is to disrupt the Donquixote family's networks while staying under their radar. Any mistakes could allow them to regroup and strike back. Stay sharp."
Sabo nodded, his face serious but composed. "Understood. We'll minimize the risks."
Koala silently slid the documents into her bag with practiced efficiency, while Hack stood motionless, as steady as a rock. The giant fish-man's imposing presence inspired a sense of confidence, even in Emi, who wasn't yet accustomed to high-stakes missions.
Dragon pointed toward the exit. "Your ship is ready at the port. Make this mission count."
The group left the room, their footsteps echoing down the halls of the Revolutionary base. When the port finally came into view, Emi felt a rush of adrenaline. The Revolutionary ship was impressive yet built for stealth. Its dark sails and sleek design made it perfect for infiltration missions.
As she stepped onto the deck, Koala approached with an encouraging smile. "Ready for your first mission?" she asked.
Emi nodded, a determined smile spreading across her face. "More than ever."
The ship left the port in almost complete silence, gliding over the dark water as the wind filled its sails. Emi leaned against the railing, watching Baltigo fade into the distance. The base became a tiny dot on the horizon, but she carried with her Dragon's words and the confident looks of her teammates.
She clenched her fists, a mix of nerves and resolve washing over her. This mission was her chance to prove she belonged with the Revolutionaries. More than that, she knew their actions could weaken a powerful enemy and bring hope to those who needed it most.
Emi took a deep breath. She was determined to make this mission a success.
~~~~o~~~O~~~o~~~~
Sorry for the delay! It took me longer than I expected to finalize this last part of my fanfiction I want the ending to truly do it justice!
Now that news is spreading about the Straw Hats resurfacing, will Emi be able to stick to her convictions and missions, even if she crosses their path? Find out in this new season :D