Um… so… this is my first fanfic… I won't upload more unless I get reviews to know that someone's following and stuff. Just so you know, I found that hitojichi means 'hostage' and I don't own One Piece, though I wish… hehe :3

Zoro ducked into the alleyway and watched a group of marines hustle past him, headed to find whatever of the Mugiwara crew that they could. It was time to go. He turned to check that no marines were tailing him, then broke into a run and headed towards the docks. He was proud of his ability to remember Nami's careful instructions. She had made it a point to grab him by the ear and poke a finger in his face as she said them. "ZORO. DON'T FORGET. The docks are where the sun RISES. The town is where the sun SETS. You got that? The sun RISES in the WEST. It SETS in the EAST." That's how Zoro remembered it. Fortunately, he happened to know where the west was. He ran towards the western part of the island, ducking between, stepping past, and in some cases, leaping over people. He knew Luffy would wait for him, but they couldn't risk someone almost burning their ship down like in Loguetown. Suddenly, it seemed, trees were rising up before Zoro. He slowed to a stop gradually and looked up at the trees, confused. "These aren't the docks," he muttered under his breath. He looked around. Everyone else seemed to know where they were. He sighed under his breath, then stopped and thought. Had he misheard Nami? Did the sun really rise in the west? He looked up just in time to see a woman with her back to him pointing out something on a map to a couple that looked tourists. He waited until she finished her conversation, and then stepped up to her awkwardly. "Hey, could you tell me where the docks are?"

"The docks?" the woman repeated, re-rolling her map. She didn't turn to look at him. "Well, you're out of luck if you think they're around here. They're on the other side of town!" She turned to him with a smile, but that smile immediately turned to a scowl.

"YOU!" Zoro's eyes widened. "Crap," he muttered, backing up a bit. Tashigi was grimacing at him like she always did. She went for her sword. Zoro, wanting to avoid another fight, searched for a way out that would buy him some time. Then he got an idea.

"Sorry," he said, and then he knocked her glasses off her head and ran. It wasn't long before she was tailing him, calling, "Stop! Roronoa Zoro, you're under arrest!"

"Sorry; I can't today," Zoro called back. He pressed on, heading for the ship as fast as he could. The marines would be there by now. He didn't have time to be slow. He ran straight through the town, shoving people out of the way. Tashigi had gotten faster. She was hot on his trail. Zoro dashed onto the first dock and spotted the Sunny at the end, already untied. Right alongside it was Smoker's marine vessel; its cannons were firing and Luffy was serving as the shield. Zoro ran down the pier and Luffy's head snapped around to him.

"Oi, Zoro! You made it!" he cried. Chopper came to the side rail with a rope and tossed it over the side for Zoro.

"Hey, what's happening!" Nami cried suddenly. Everyone looked to Smoker's ship. The cannons were suddenly extending. More and more were appearing in the hull out of little compartments. If all of these fired at once, the Sunny would not survive.

"Roronoa!" Zoro heard from behind him. But when Tashigi caught up, she slowed down, too, marveling at the change of Smoker's ship. Zoro thought quickly, then grabbed the rope and circled one arm around Tashigi's waist. She screamed instinctively as he threw her over his shoulder. Zoro ignored her and began to climb up the side of the ship. He jumped over the side rail and raced to stand before Luffy. Behind him, the rest of the Mugiwara crew exchanged confused glances, excepting Sanji, who grew hearts in his eyes and exclaimed, "My, what a beautiful lady!" Zoro put Tashigi down and turned her to face the marine vessel, holding her tightly by the shoulders. "Don't shoot!" he said firmly. "We've got your sergeant major!"

"We do?" Nami said quietly to Robin. "She's a sergeant?" Robin shook her head with a small smile. "I am surprised myself," she admitted. "She wasn't a formidable opponent."

"Who is that?" Luffy asked, looking at Tashigi over Zoro's shoulder. Tashigi squirmed under the pressure Zoro placed on her, but she couldn't move and was forced to look to the marine vessel, where Smoker stood, growling at the Mugiwara pirates.

"Hold fire!" he yelled to the gunmen. A nearby marine looked astonished. "B-but, Captain Smoker-…"

"Hold fire," Smoker repeated, crossing his arms. "What do you pirate scum want?" he asked through the cloud of smoke around him.

"Let us go," Usopp stepped in, getting Zoro's plan. "Or else we'll throw your sergeant overboard!"

"You'll what!" Tashigi screamed, glaring at Usopp. "You will not!" Usopp gulped and stepped back.

"She's scary," Chopper whispered. Zoro drew Wadou Ichimonji and held it threateningly before him, daring Smoker with his eyes.