Robin looked up from her book and frowned. "Zoro has been searching for food for a long time," she announced. "I wonder if he's okay."
"He's probably just lost, knowing him. It's ridiculous; anyone would think this island was impossible to get lost at," Nami said. She turned to the rest of the crew. "I sure wish I had a knight to help me!"
"YES, NAMI-SAN! I AM HERE!" Sanji dashed over to her, swooning. "What is wrong, Nami-san, Robin-chan?"
"Zoro hasn't come back from searching for food and it's getting late. Will you please go out and look for him? I'm worried," Nami said.
"OF COURSE, NAMI-SAN!" He leaped onto the island and turned back to the ship. "I'll be back soon, guys," he called.
"SANJI, WHAT ABOUT FOOD?!" Luffy shouted. His stomach growled.
"I can't cook any until I find the stupid mosshead. He needs to eat too. Just be patient." He waved goodbye and strolled into the forest. The island was made up entirely of a jungle. Chopper and Usopp had found some plants, some strange fruit and a weird kind of reptilian pig. After discovering all of which were edible, Nami had sent out the monster trio to search for food. Sanji lit a cigarette and took a long drag. Of course the mosshead would get lost.
"Oi, Zoro! Where are you?" He called. No response. "Zooooorooooo! Quit playing around and head back to the Sunny with me!" He gazed up at the treetops. It was too thick to tell for sure, but he had a terrible feeling that it was getting darker.
He continued to trudge deeper into the jungle. Hisses and caws echoed around him. Insects crawled up the trees, snacking on the tree sap. The smell of exotic plants and flowers clung to the humid air.
A snake slithered toward him and he froze, heart pounding. The blue and red scales were a direct contrast to the muddy ground… those bright colours meant this snake was poisonous. Most likely deadly. It slithered up to Sanji's shoe and flicked its tongue out. Sanji's breath quickened. His eyes widened as the snake began to wrap around his leg, making its way up to his torso. "No, no, no, no, no, no…" Sanji whispered, his heart pounding.
"Oi, Dartboard brow. What are you doing here?"
Sanji turned his head around slowly, his eyes still widened.
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong Love cook?"
And then he saw it. The snake's head poised over Sanji's shoulder, its fangs glinting and dripping with venom. "O-oi, Sanji," he whispered.
"I know, mosshead," Sanji hissed. He knew he had to get the snake off somehow. He eased his hand up toward the snake's body as gently and slowly as he could. Zoro gritted his teeth, his eyes narrowed.
"Careful," he whispered as Sanji's fingers inched closer to the snake's body. His fingertips brushed against its scales; the snake hissed in response, baring its fangs. Its head darted towards Sanji's hand and it sunk its fangs into it. There was a soft thud as it dropped to the floor and it slithered away. But Sanji wasn't paying attention. Instead, his eyes were locked onto the two puncture wounds.
Zoro rushed to the cook's side and grabbed his hand. "This is bad! We need to get you to Chopper. Don't move; I'll carry you. We don't want the venom spreading through your body." Sanji remained silent, staring at his hand through bulging eyes. "Oi, Sanji! Are you listening!?"
"M-my hand," he said through gasps. "I-I won't be a-able to cook again!"
"Calm down, you're gonna be fine!" Sanji shook his head and stumbled backwards, colliding into a tree. Zoro grabbed his shoulders. "Look at me, Sanji. You're going to be fine. Chopper will fix you up."
"H-huh…? M-mosshead? I-is that you…?" Sanji stuttered. Zoro narrowed his eyes and frowned. Was the cook delirious?
"Yeah," he said, "it's me. How are you feeling?"
"Wh-why are you a-acting… like y-you care…?"
"Stupid love cook. I care about everyone in the crew, even you. Even if you're a pain in the ass sometimes." Zoro turned around, holding his hands back behind him, offering Sanji a piggyback. "C'mon, I'll carry you back to the Sunny," he said.
"F-fuck you, I-I'll walk there myself." Sanji staggered forward, hyperventilating, his forehead dripping with sweat.
"Oi, you're in no condition to walk!" Zoro yelled. "Let me carry you!"
Sanji shook his head furiously. "'M gonna… g-gonna get th-there… muh-myself…" Black shoes scraped against the ground as he stumbled towards Zoro, brow furrowed. He groaned softly. Black spots swarmed his vision and his surroundings seemed to sway. He hit the ground with a thud.
"Shit! Sanji, wake up!" Zoro screamed, rushing to his side. No response. Zoro placed a hand on Sanji's burning forehead. "Shit, shit, shit!" Scooping up the unconscious cook, Zoro prayed he'd find the Sunny in time.