Chapter 8

"Thank you guys, for everything," Asmara emphasized as she said her goodbyes to the Straw Hat Pirates. They had eventually finished their meal after Luffy finished all the ingredients in the restaurant. Much to their dismay, Asmara insisted on paying for the entire dinner, even that of Master Shi Ren and Aki.

Each one of them said their goodbyes, in their own special way. Nami, Chopper, and Robin gave her hugs while Sanji recited a line of romantic poetry about distance and everlasting love. Asmara simply responded with a smile (in politeness) while Nami bashed the cook's head in and dragged him away. Usopp gave her a high five and told her she scared the shit out of him. Asmara just laughed; she thought it was hilarious.

"So, you should join my crew!" Luffy insisted. "It'll be fun! Lots of adventures and fighting!" His eyes were bright, hoping for the right response from her. Asmara's violet eyes did not exude the same expression as in Luffy's as she smiled slightly.

"You know I have my own adventure and goals to accomplish, Luffy. I would only be in the way—just like what happened here. You guys have a goal to accomplish; you need to find One Piece." She told him. "Thank you for the offer, but I can't. I'm sorry." Luffy frowned, disappointed.

"Bye Zoro," Asmara spoke out to the swordsman. She smiled at him slightly, looking straight into his dark eyes. He simply nodded and started to leave with the rest of the pirates. Asmara watched them leave and sighed.

"It will be okay," Shi Ren replied, patting her on the back. "If fate allows it, you will cross paths with them again." He gave her a reassuring smile as they walked back with Aki. Aki pointed to a nearby neighborhood on the way to dojo, indicating it was his home. Aki and Asmara shook hands again, and he made his way back home safely.

Asmara felt the bittersweet farewells between her and the Straw Hat Pirates. They had easily won her heart and had been the nicest pirates she had ever met. She liked each one of them for their own special way. The dynamic between Nami and Sanji had always intrigued her. She had a feeling they would end up happily together in the end…they just didn't know it yet. Nami and Robin were pretty much like her sisters with Nami being the youngest. Chopper was probably the cutest creature she had ever met, and his knowledge in medicine intrigued her. She loved playing board games with him. Usopp's "bravery" really entertained her but what impressed her more was his true skill as a sniper. He was on point with his stars, and his desire to help fix the Going Merry every time she had a problem was also very admirable to her. Luffy's spunk and optimism towards everything drew Asmara in. She loved his sense of adventure and his determination. He reminded her of herself when she was younger, just like how Aki did too. As the captain, Luffy was just different compared to other pirates crews and their captains. She honestly hoped he would find One Piece because he would make an incredible Pirate King. As much as she enjoyed the company of everyone in the crew, she especially was fond of Zoro. During the beginning of her time on the Going Merry, a lot of incidences occurred which she wasn't fond of, however, she had grown close to him during the talks in the Crow's Nest. She has realized she trusted him enough to show him the scar Blitzkrieg Zero had inflicted on her. She didn't know what it was, but she was attracted to him. He interested her a lot, and she wanted to know more about him.

"Asmara," Shi Ren spoke, waking her up from her daydream. "Are you ok?" he looked concerned.

"Oh, yes, I'm fine. I was just thinking," she sighed as they continued walking. Before long, they were at the front door of the weapons shop. Asmara sensed something strange though. Something's not right…Asmara became conscious of where her weapon was and how fast it would take for her to reach for it. She and Shi Ren then entered the weapon shop, ready to face what was in store.


"I'm really going to miss her," Nami sighed. " She was a sister to us," she looked at Robin who nodded in agreement.

"She would've been a great crew member!" Luffy still frowned, crossing his arms across his chest. "She's missing out!"

"She has her own agenda though, Luffy," Usopp replied, reasoning with him, which wasn't a very good idea since Luffy rarely listened to any type of reasoning.

"I'm gonna make her my crew member!" Luffy exclaimed, clearly setting an impossible for himself. "Even if she says no!"

"But, Luffy!" Usopp exclaimed. The sniper and captain went on back and forth, explaining why Asmara can't become a crew member and so on.

My dear Asmara-chan, please…come back to me. I yearn for your touch. "I will wait for you until the end of time, Asmara-chan.." Sanji wholeheartedly exclaimed, staring into the distance behind him. His eyes began to glisten with tears.

"So dramatic, dartboard brow. Get over it. She's gone." Zoro muttered, unfazed by the lovesick look in the cook's eyes. She's just another person...nothing to fuss about. Even though Zoro thought that in his head, something was stirring up deep within him.

"I really hope we get to see her again. She was nice," Chopper sighed, slightly depressed that they were leaving her.

"Don't worry," Robin replied, "I'm sure we will see her again."

"Yeah, Chopper!" Nami smiled in agreement, trying to make the situation a bit better.

The Straw Hat Pirates had made their way back to the dock, noticing the fleet of ships with white sails.

"Oh no, the Marines!" Nami exclaimed. "Has the ship been harmed?" The crew boarded the ship quickly, making sure none of their personal belongings or any damage to the Going Merry had occurred.

"Oh thank goodness nothing happened," Nami gave a sigh of relief.

"Thank God no one took the food.." Sanji replied. Luffy would complain to no end…

"I'm good! My stuff is all here!" Chopper exclaimed.

"Same here!" Robin also replied.

"No damages to the Going Merry either. I checked all the decks and even around the outside of the ship." Usopp smiled, relieved. Zoro said nothing, indicating that his possessions weren't stolen.

"Glad the marines didn't come to the ship." Nami replied. "Why are they here though?"

"That's really weird, Nami-swan," Sanji remarked. "The Marines would never waste an opportunity to take our ship, which means they must be looking for someone that's more important at the moment." He furrowed his brows and scratched his chin.

"Guys," Chopper chimed in. "The Marines are looking for Asmara. Remember that Commodore?" Sanji and the rest of the crew's faces fell.

"Oh shit, Asmara!" Sanji gasped. "Let's go!"

"No," Robin stopped them. "There needs to be some people at the ship ready to sail. I'll stay behind but there has to be more people to help with the ship and raising the anchors."

"I'll stay," Chopper nodded. "I'll help with the anchors and sails."

"Same here!" Usopp replied. He was clearly scared shitless as his knees started shaking furiously.

"I can't leave you guys here," Sanji replied. "So I'll stay back too in case there are any attacks. Luffy and Marimo, make sure Asmara is alright."

Luffy and Zoro agreed as they jumped off the boat and ran back towards Shi Ren's weapon shop and dojo.


"Sota! Are you okay?" The lights are turned on as Shi Ren calls out. There was no response.

"Sota-kun!" Asmara calls out but there was no response again. "I don't like this feeling, sensei." They walked into the shop, glancing quickly back. Once they were in the middle of the shop, hoards of marines surrounded them, coming through the entrance and behind the curtains. Out came Commodore Louis, smirking widely as the marines raised their guns to fire and their swords.

"Haha, well, well, I've found you finally, you bitch." Commodore snarled. "I can't wait to personally bring you into Impel Down and get the glory I DESERVE! GET HER!" he ordered.

You are not arresting me. Not ever. Asmara prepared herself as the marine soldiers attacked her and Shi Ren. Weaponless, Shi Ren guarded and punched and kicked to defend herself. Asmara used her fan as well to guard and defend, folding and unfolding her fan. The sticks of her fan continued down the length of the fan where they formed sharp edges. She used the sharp edges to stab some of the soldiers attacking her from different angles.

"Shi Ren!" Shi Ren saw Sota at the corner of his eye running through the curtain from the back room. Sota threw Shi Ren's weapon of choice: the naginata, a long metal staff with a sharp blade at the end.

Shi Ren smiled, thanking him as he started taking down the soldiers with lightning speed. He used his naginata to trip the soldiers and disarm them by hitting their elbow and shoulder joints. He then knocked them down with a swing of his staff.

Asmara dashed through the soldiers, swiftly slicing the air with her fan, causing sharp blades of air to injure them. She followed Shi Ren's lead as they made their way outside the shop.

"FOLLOW THEM!" Commodore Louis cried as the remaining soldiers obeyed. Commodore Louis knocked Sota to the ground in anger as he stormed out of the shop as well.

Outside, the fighting became intense. Asmara refused to use her Devil Fruit Powers, as always, and used her fan to parry, block, and strike her opponent. Shi Ren jumped high into the air and struck with the base of his naginata, causing the ground to shake and crack beneath the soldiers. In that moment of distraction, he struck them down with the large force of staff. Although Shi Ren and Asmara were working hard to stop the marines, it seemed their efforts were useless.

"Sensei, I feel like there are still more soldiers!"

"You need to get out of here, Asmara!" Shi Ren said through the crowd. "Get out of here and find him. He can explain everything you need answers to. I promise!"

Shi Ren dodged a sword and struck the soldier horizontally , shattering his ribcage.

"Who?" Asmara asked, folding her fan and forcibly striking one of the soldier's neck. She struck another with the point of her elbow, breaking his nose and kicked one in the stomach. Shi Ren knocked a wave of soldiers down, swiftly running to her side and whispering something in her ear and then turned back to fight. Asmara was shocked to hear what Shi Ren had told her, and in that moment of vulnerability, one of the soldier's had fired their gun and had pierced her left shoulder blade. The pain shot up to her neck, back and down her arm and she screamed.

She angrily began to use her powers. She used her fan to send sharp blades of wind and air, which pierced through anything. All the bullets from the guns aimed towards her but never reached as she stopped the bullets' velocity.

"Hey! We're here!" Luffy interrupted the scene as he started punching and kicking with his rubber extremities while Zoro struck down soldiers with his Nittoryu. Asmara was shocked and surprised to see them again.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"We wanted to make sure you were okay," Zoro replied, slicing through a handful of soldiers.

"Thanks, I'm fine," she told them.

"Stop bullshitting me," Zoro roughly pulled her aside from the soldier and took a look at her left shoulder and back, which were now covered with blood. "You need to get on the Going Merry. You need Chopper to help you."

She pulled pack her shoulder from his grasp and refused. "No way. I've gotta help Master Shi Ren." She ran back into the crowd, fighting and knocking down the soldiers. The pain became progressively worse and caused her to slow down with her fighting.

"Asmara!" Shi Ren angrily yelled. "Go with the Straw Hats and find him. That's an order."

"I don't take orders from you anymore, remember? I'm going to help you. You'll die!"

"The Marines are after YOU not me. I will be fine. Now GO! Or else you will never find what you are looking for!" Shi Ren gave her a very serious and stern expression which caused her to obey.

"Fine, let's go!" She pulled Zoro and Luffy quickly and started running towards the dock. Zoro quickly grabbed her and carried her so she wouldn't lose any blood as they made their way to the ship and boarded.


"They're here!" Robin exclaimed. "Let's set sail!"

"Alright, raise the anchors and set the sails!" Nami commanded as Usopp, Sanji and Chopper helped. Within moments, the Going Merry had sailed away from Kura Island and from the marines.

"Oh God, what happened?" Nami asked, not fond of the blood that had now soaked through Asmara's shirt and Zoro's. Asmara's pushed against Zoro's arms, freeing herself from the swordsman's arms as she balanced on her feet.

"Fuck this.." she muttered, her hands pressing against the area of her back where the bullet hole pierced. "They're using Kairoseki bullets." The pressure on her back from her right hand did not help the bleeding as she continued to lose blood.

"She got shot." Zoro muttered.

"Asmara, you should rest," Usopp suggested, freaking out at the ungodly sight of blood.

"No way, I'm fine. This will stop shortly." Asmara replied, walking towards them.

"You NEED to rest," Zoro suggested.

"Listen, I'm fine. It hurts a little, but that's it. There's nothing to worry about.." as Asmara finished her sentence, she began to feel lightheaded. Her vision became blurry, and she felt her legs turn to jelly as she fell to the floor, unconscious.

"Oh my god!" Chopper exclaimed, quickly transforming to his larger self and carried her to his room. "Robin, please help me."

Robin agreed and quickly followed him, attending to whatever Chopper asked.

"Asmara chan!" Sanji frowned and cried. "I hope she's going to be okay! I won't let anything happen to her!"

"Too late for that." Zoro remarked, instigating the fire between the two again.

"Well, what did YOU do, Natural Treasure?"

"I helped fight the marines!"

"You couldn't even keep Asmara-chan safe! What kind of man are you!" Sanji and Zoro bickered back and forth. Usopp became sick and started to clean the deck from where Asmara's blood had dripped on. Nami had gone back to helm, sitting at the table and drinking some water. Luffy had fallen asleep on the bust of the Going Merry, enjoying the breeze without a care in the world, as always.


"She has a fever. I need cold water and a towel!" Chopper said, as he checked her pulses and draped her in fresh clothes. He examined her shoulder blade.

"Thank you, Robin," he replied as Robin fetched the items using her Devil Fruit powers.

"Hm," he checked to see if the bullet had gone through. "No sign that the bullet went through so that means it's probably still in there." And if what she said earlier was true, this bullet is made of Kairoseki. I'll need thicker gloves and I'll have to use some tools to fetch it out.

"Be careful, Chopper." Robin watched him carefully as well as Asmara, making sure she was okay and didn't wake up.

"Right," Chopper nodded. He placed some oils and herbs into his mortar and pestle, carefully blending them for a few minutes until a green paste formed. "I'm going to place this around her wound. It's a local anesthetic. If she starts to stir when I look into her wound, add more of this paste. I'm going to start sterilizing my tools." Robin understood as she took the mortar and pestle containing the anesthetic with her. She checked Asmara's temperature which had lowered.

"Her temperature went down." Chopper nodded as he finished sterilization.

"Alright, I'm going in."

"I wonder what's taking so long." Sanji looked at the Chopper's room. He continued to make food for the crew as Nami looked at the map.

"Nami!" Luffy called out to the navigator.

"What's up?"

"Where are we headed?"

"Um, good question. We were just trying to get away from the Marines; not sure where we're headed exactly. We still don't even know what happened with Asmara, you know?" Nami replied, explaining the situation at hand. They had managed to escape the marines as Chopper and Robin tended to her wound, however, they had no idea where they where to go.


An hour later, Chopper opened the door to his room and left, with Robin following him. He discussed something with the archaeologist before they went down to the deck with the rest of the crew.

"How's everything? What happened?" Sanji asked. All of them wore a worried expression, even Zoro, much to Chopper's surprise.

"She had a fever so we brought down her temperature. I examined the wound; Asmara was right that the bullet was made of Kairoseki. The bullet was in her shoulder so I removed it and gave her some medicine. She should be getting better soon."

"Oh, well that's good then." Sanji smiled, relieved. Everyone was relieved with the good news.

"Dinner time?" Luffy smiled, rubbing his belly. Nami and Sanji sighed but also felt the same way.

The crew ate dinner within the next half an hour as it became dark. Anchors were dropped and the sails were tied as the Going Merry relaxed by a few rocks. Sanji saved some food for Asmara, personal bringing it to Chopper's room, but she had not woken up. She was simply breathing heavily, bandaged, and with a washcloth on her forehead.

While everyone went to bed, Zoro was on night duty. He paid special attention to Chopper's door – in case anyone tried to enter (Sanji) or tried to cause harm to Asmara. He drank his sake and stared at the night sky and then back at Chopper's door, constantly. When he was faced away, he heard the squeaking of a door and he suddenly turned his head. Chopper's door had opened slightly, with a drowsy Asmara emerging from the shadows. She was red in the face and sweating profusely, clutching her left arm.

"Zoro…" she whispered, hoping he could hear her. In response, he jumped down quickly from the crow's nest and next to her side.

"What's wrong?" he asked her, holding her as she fell limp in his arms. She was burning up again with sweat dripping from her body.

"Go… Tsurugi….Sterling Salvatore.." was all she could muster as she passed out once more.