How They Found Out

Ch2 or Sequel to

So That's What Happened

So Alexzandria747 gave me an epic idea for how to Finally! finish this story. Thank you!

Their Idea: It would be kind of funny/ironic if they found out cause the marines found out and upped his bounty with a story.

My fans! You're all so epic! I love the ideas you give and it's really helps set everything in motion! Thanks so much!

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Nami sighed, sifting through the newspaper in boredom as she and the crew waited for the return of Zoro, who was, of course, lost. Never fails. The crew is at an island, they have their fill of adventure, and then, just when they are ready to leave, Zoro still somehow manages to get lost. This was nothing new, Nami told herself, Robin was being ridiculous.

Robin seemed to think that Zoro was not getting lost, but instead finding a fight. Yeah right. If Zoro was fighting instead of wandering around, something that big would be noticed. The whole town would know. After all, Zoro wasn't exactly known for his subtlety.

"Hey Nami!" Luffy called, slingshotting towards her. "Are there any new bounties?" he asked, hopping excitedly.

"Yea," Usopp cheered, running over with Chopper, "Maybe the marines put down another story to go with one!"

Nami rolled her eyes. Ever since the marines wrote their story in the paper along with the raise of their bounties for defeating the Donquixote Pirates, the kiddy trio was always asking for the latest story. So far there has been none but Nami shouldn't have expected them to quit.

"Alright, alright," she said, turning to the bounties page.

She pulled out the loose sheets and began to look through them. "No one important," she said, "Just some nobodies from East Blue and-."

Nami paused in surprise. "Zoro," she said in shock.

"Zoro?" Luffy perked, along with everyone else.

"Yea… And you too Luffy; your bounties both went up 30 million berry," she said, then paused, "And there's a report on it."

"Read it! Read it!" the kiddy trio chimed.

The others walked over curiously. "We haven't done anything recently," Sanji frowned, glancing at Robin.

Robin chuckled. "Huhu. We haven't, swordsman-san however…" she left it at that.

Nami cleared her throat and began to read. "Be advised. Strawhat Luffy and Pirate Hunter Zoro are to be considered extremely dangerous. Mugiwara Luffy is wanted Dead or Alive. Pirate Hunter Zoro is wanted Alive, so he may face his crimes against the Marines."

Nami paused and they all took in the gravity of that last sentence. The marines wanted Zoro alive. To face his crimes from them personally. Luffy clenched his fist, his eyes becoming shadowed; never again.

"Keep going," he said. He'd hear the bullshit the marines had for wanting his swordsman's death.

Nami nodded and continued. "Recent reports state that Strawhat Luffy maliciously orders his first mate, Roronoa Zoro, to attack and kill all marines and bounties hunters they come across. It has also been reported that Strawhat Luffy does not hesitate, and does not even look to his victims before they are brutally killed. Roronoa Zoro is also noted for not hesitating to follow his captain's orders, painfully killing all he comes across."

"Marines?" Franky asked.

"Bounty hunters," Brook frowned.

Luffy's eyes narrowed. "My orders," he asked himself.

"What do they mean Luffy?" Chopper asked, frowning at his captain.

Before Luffy could reply, they were interrupted by steps on the gangplank. "Finally found you all," an exasperated voice said.

They turned to the front and gasped. "Zoro you're bleeding!" Chopper shouted, dashing for the emergency first aid kit.

Zoro tried to placate him. "Chopper I'm fine," he said, holding his hand up. "Just a couple scratches."

"Sit!" Chopper barked, turning into his heavy point.

Rolling his eyes, Zoro complied; he was tired anyways. Zoro closed his single eye, focusing on his breathing as Chopper worked on his small wounds; he opened it when he noticed a disturbance, or rather, lack of none. There was no noise, and everyone was staring at him with various expressions.

"What is it?" Zoro sighed, rolling his eye. He was sure he'd be chewed out for getting lost again.

Luffy tilted his hat to cover his eyes. "Zoro, have you seen the papers today," he asked.

Zoro frowned. "The papers?" he asked. "You know I don't read that crap Luffy."

"Our bounties went up," Luffy said.

Zoro tried to lessen the tension. "Well great," he said, grinning, "Why aren't we celebrating."

"They want you dead Zoro," Chopper said quietly, pausing in his cleaning. "The marines do."

Zoro's eyes widened briefly but Usopp continued. "They say you've been killing marines and bounty hunters. What do they mean Zoro?" Usopp frowned.

Zoro jerked. Fucking marines! Now they knew! They're weren't supposed to know! His crew was supposed to remain innocent! He was the shield! The buffer!

His dream meant nothing compared to theirs. If he couldn't protect his nakama, then his dream was worthless. His blood was muddy water compared to the gold running through their veins.

Robin came to his rescue. "Isn't it obvious?" she asked.

Luffy glanced at her from under the brim of his hat. "What?" he asked.

"Swordsman-san is merely in the wrong place, at the wrong time," she said. and Zoro mentally sighed in relief.

"Wrong place?" Sanji asked, eyebrow rising.

"Wrong time?" Nami asked in disbelief.

Robin merely smiled. "Swordsman-san become lost, and just happens upon those who annoy him," she said simply.

Everyone looked to Luffy, curious for the teen's reaction to the explanation. Finally Luffy looked up, tilted his head back, revealing his beaming smile.

"Oh I get it!" he said, then looked to his first mate. "Didya win Zoro? Didja? Didja?"

Zoro gave a demonic grin. "Of course captain," he said.

The answer was flimsy, and everyone knew it was bullshit, but no one called out on it. If Sanji gave Zoro booze with his breakfast the next morning, or if Nami 'forgot' to raise his debt, no one said anything. If Zoro got lost on whatever island they were on, no one said anything when he returned, just gave a pat on the back or a welcome home.

Robin observed them all for days, a smile on her face. She supposed they would be considered selfish; allowing their swordsman to fight alone. But, she also knew that they didn't care. She saw it everyday. The Strawhats liked having someone take care of them. They liked having someone give a shit.

"Oi Robin."

Robin looked up from the horizon, smiling at the swordsman, who loomed behind her. "Yes Zoro-san," she said.

Zoro barely concealed his grin at the sound of his given name. "Shit-cook is whining for you to join us for dinner," he said.

Robin stood. "Join me?" she asked, offering her hand.

Zoro offered his elbow and Robin took it; they walked to the galley and Robin smiled to herself. So what if the others were selfish when it came to Zoro. She was too.

End.

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OMG it's been forever. It didn't end in a romance with ZoSan like I originally had planned but it seems to have leaned towards ZoRob, which is cool too.

This is done. No more. And thank you Alexzandria747 for giving me an epic idea!

Till next time,

Ja ne~!