The next chapter is up! Please enjoy and thank you to all my followers! I keep going for you! :)
~Blondiewoof7~
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ONE PIECE, ONLY MY OC! :)
Many miles away, Admiral Smoker stormed into his superior's office and slammed a piece of paper down on the desk. "What in the hell is this bullshit?"
The figure leaned over and picked up the crumpled paper, scanning it. "Looks like the higher ups have made their move."
Smoker clenched his teeth and growled. "Straw Hat is mine to capture. We were only supposed to put a bounty on her head and make her presence known. Now pirates and hunters from all over the globe will be after her thanks to this bounty and government seal."
The figure tossed the paper back at Smoker. "You had your chance to capture them. Now a new plan has been set in motion and we can do nothing to stop it. They will stop at nothing to get her and retrieve what she has."
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Dinner now over, Nina returned to the training room intent on getting her targets perfectly.
Breathing in deeply and releasing it slowly Nina started throwing the knives at whirlwind speed yet again at the targets, failing to notice that Zoro was watching her from the doorway. Once again she hit all of the targets but was missing the centers by mere centimeters.
"What the fuck am I doing wrong?" Nina grumbled in anger.
"You are not focused enough, and are not in tune with your senses and weapons." she heard someone say from behind her.
Whirling around she saw Zoro leaning against the doorway, watching her intently.
"What the hell does that mean? I am putting all of my concentration into hitting the targets!"
Zoro smirked and pushed off the doorway, strolling over to Nina's side. "When you fight with your swords, do you feel as if they are just tools to be used to accomplish your mission? Or do you see your swords as an extension of yourself and part of your being? Those with superior abilities in the art of swordplay will tell you that swords have souls and will answer the call of their master. That is why you and I are so in tune with our swords when we battle. We care for them as if they are a part of us and in return they help us accomplish feats that no normal person could with a sword. When you figure out what the knives mean to you they will respond in kind."
Nina thought about what he said and nodded as she gathered her knives again.
"After this display, I can see why they call you a weapons expert. What else can you use?"
Nina smiled as she placed the knives back in her case. "I would not consider myself a weapons master by any means. I just have an affinity for quick learning and have been interested in weaponry ever since I can remember. But to answer your question I am most known for my sword style, but besides that I have a knack for staffs and knives. What I really want to get my hands on though is the new weapon the Navy created."
Zoro looked at her curiously. "And what would that be?"
Nina smirked and twirled one of her knives. "The sniper rifle. It has the same build as the standard rifles they use, but this would allow you to shoot accurately hundreds of feet away from your target."
Zoro just stared at her. "Like what Usopp does with his slingshot?"
Nina shook her head. "Sort of, but this would be less likely to miss due to human error. It has a scope attached to the top that you would look through and use to aim at your target."
Zoro's jaw dropped at her words. "How do you know about this? Where is this weapon at now?"
"As for how I know, I am pretty good at getting information out of Marines, and as for where it is the last I heard is that the Navy has not begun training their men with it yet as it is new. However, I do know that one of the bases near where your friends are heading has a few on hand for training."
Zoro nodded and watched Nina walk over to the mat. "I guess I will leave you too it. I have watch tonight so if you need any pointers you know where to find me."
Walking out of the room Zoro grinned as he heard the knives once again make contact with the targets.
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Hours later, Zoro was growing restless in his training room as he watched the ocean.
"I cannot wait to get to this island. I am craving some land under my feet and some sake. I wonder if Nina likes drinking? I think she would be fun to drink with."
Unconsciously Zoro's thoughts drifted back to his run in with her on the dock of Edinburgh.
"Why do I keep thinking of her like this? There is no way she would have any interest in me, not with guys like the shitty cook all over her all of the time. But it would be nice to feel her skin under my hands, and those lips on mine..."
Zoro shook his head and blushed, glad he was alone with his thoughts.
"Stop it! That will never happen so there is no point in dreaming. She is nakama firstly and I do not want to ruin a good friendship."
Yawning, Zoro could hear Robin ascending the ladder to take over watch. "Hey Robin, there is nothing much happening out there yet."
Robin smiled and sat by the window, opening her book. "Thanks Swordsman-san, you can go get some rest now. Nami thinks the island will be in sight sometime in the next few hours and we need to be ready."
Nodding Zoro descended the ladder and strolled below deck heading to his bed, which sounded really tempting to his sore and tired body.
Opening the door to the room Zoro stretched as he made his way to his bed in the dark, trying not to disturb Nina who he guessed would be in bed by now. Taking off his shirt and placing it on the chair he sat down on his bed to remove his shoes but shot right up when his backside brushed against something hard in his bed.
"The hell?" he whispered in fright.
He found the lamp and lit it, surprised to see that someone was in his bed! Looking closer he recognized the figure as Nina, who was clutching his pillow in a death grip and sleeping peacefully. Zoro smiled and turned the lamp off, before putting his shirt back on and settling down on the floor next to the bed. He heard Fang pad over and lay down next to him. Crossing his arms Zoro's head fell forward and he was soon fast asleep as well.
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The next morning Nina awoke as the sun peeked in through the window and she stretched out on the bed. Once again she had found herself in the swordsman's bed after waking in the middle of yet another nightmare. Knowing he was on watch for the night she figured there would be no harm in using his bed, as his scent had lulled her to sleep with no re-occurrence of the dreams.
She heard snoring next to her and was shocked to see Zoro sleeping by the side of the bed with Fang next to him. "Shit."
Nina quietly exited the bed and went back to her side of the room where she quickly dressed and then started to head out before she woke him, but stopped when she heard him speak.
"What's the hurry? You are rushing out of here like we had a one night stand or something."
Nina immediately felt her cheeks burn in embarrassment and she turned to look at him. "Um, I did not want to wake you so I was trying to be quiet."
Zoro groaned and tried to stretch his stiff neck. "So did you forget which bed was yours last night?"
Nina shook her head and looked downcast. "No, I had another dream."
Zoro immediately regretted his question. "Sorry I was not here to help you."
Nina shrugged. "It's okay, I made due. Sorry I took your bed, you must be stiff as fuck."
Zoro snorted and stood up, wincing at the pain in his back. "Something like that, but I will be okay."
Biting her lip Nina closed the door and walked back over to Zoro. "Here, I can help if you lie face down on the floor."
Zoro furrowed his brows in curiosity but did not question her as he lay on the floor, arms at his sides. Nina massaged his shoulder blades trying to get him to relax and Zoro let out an involuntary groan as he closed his eyes. Nina blushed at the noise and was glad that he could not see her face at the moment.
"You are so stiff." Nina muttered. "Take a deep breath and let it out slowly."
Zoro did as she said and as he let his breath out she placed her hands at the top of his back. She found his stiff joints and kneaded them, effectively popping them loudly.
"Oh fuck." Zoro groaned underneath her.
Stepping away she watched as Zoro rolled onto his back and picked himself off the floor, stretching as he stood.
"Better?" she asked him with a smirk.
Zoro turned and grinned at her. "Fantastic. Thanks for the help."
Before they could say any more, they heard Robin from above deck: "Land ho!"
Grinning widely Zoro grabbed his swords and ran out the door, Nina quickly following behind. As they came above deck the rest of the crew appeared and they all grouped at the front of the ship.
Nami took her binoculars out and studied the island. "It looks like this could be it! There is fog surrounding this one too, but you can just see the tops of the trees!"
Robin climbed down from the nest and joined the group on the deck, as Luffy began to hop around and laugh with joy. "It's adventure time!"
Nami bared her fangs and smacked Luffy on the head. "No it is not! Did you not learn anything from the last island? These places are not to taken lightly or else someone could get killed!"
Luffy sobered up and grew serious when he remembered what had happened at the last island. "You are right Nami, I'm sorry."
Nami nodded and then turned to the group. "We do not know what to expect at this island as no clues were obvious from the statue or the last island, so we will go in together and separate later if needed."
Everyone nodded and watched with bated breath as they drew closer to the mysterious island.
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Running down the corridor, Captain Tashigi was having a hell of a time keeping up with the fuming Admiral. "Do you think this course of action is wise? Do you really intend on defying an order from the Top?"
Smoker growled and puffed heavily on his cigar. "They are turning this into a farce! Every bounty hunter, pirate, and government official will now be on the lookout for Straw Hat and his crew, making it impossible for me to get close again."
Tashigi groaned and pushed her glasses up on her nose. "So what do you plan on doing?"
Smoker stopped suddenly and looked at her. "I know a few people that will find this order as a hindrance to their plans and might take it into their own hands, namely a certain warlord."
Tashigi gasped and crossed her arms. "And what makes you think he would care? He is under their orders too."
Smoker smirked and started back down the hallway again. "It is not below me to make deals with the devil of the sea, and I have some information he may find interesting."
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Hitting the shore, Luffy jumped over the railing before Zoro could even drop the anchor.
"And there he goes again." Nami groaned.
"Captain-san, please wait for the rest of us!" Robin called out to him.
As the rest of them hit the beach, Luffy came running back from the entrance of the forest. "This is so cool! Come check it out!"
Making their way through the entrance of the forest the crew came upon a path that split into three different trails leading in different directions through the forest.
"Great." Nami sighed. "We will have to split up."
In the middle of the trail in front of them, there was a wooden podium, with a locked box sitting on top of it.
Nami ran her fingers over the box and shivered. "It's cold! Just like the statue."
The others drew closer and looked at the box in wonder.
Below the box was a plaque and Nami read it aloud:
"Welcome to Riddle Island. Your wits will be tested and brain will need to be stronger than brawn. Clue of four are spread throughout the island, and only together will they unlock the temple. The first is located in the chest, along with guides if you so choose. Happy hunting and good luck."
Zoro groaned and crossed his arms. "A giant riddle, just great."
Nami snorted. "Well, only some of us are screwed when it comes to the game of logic." Zoro looked at her and scowled.
Nina stepped forward and looked at the dials on the chest. "I wonder what combination is needed to open this first. The plaque holds no clue, so it must be something from the previous island." Fiddling with the dials Nina studied the numbers, hoping to get an idea of what it could be.
"We could be here forever!" Luffy whined. "Why can't we just go search for the clues without the guide?"
Nami roared and smacked Luffy upside the head. "You dumb ass! The first clue is in the box along with some sort of guide to make it off of this island alive! We are not moving on until this box is open!"
Sanji sighed and sat on a rock, lighting his cigarette and puffing away. "We could be here awhile. Does anybody have any idea what the combination could be?"
The others shrugged, while Nina continued to fiddle with the knobs. Robin suddenly let out a surprised gasp and the others looked at her.
"What is it Robin-swan?" Sanji asked as he stood and walked over to her side.
Robin smiled and looked at the others. "How is it that these islands are meant to be found in a certain order? What if someone just stumbled upon one and did them out of order? What is keeping something like that from happening?"
The others looked at her in confusion but then Nina caught on. "There must be some fail safe to every island to make sure that you have succeeded in passing the one before it, some way to prove you beat the previous trials."
Nami slowly nodded and smiled. "I think I may know how to open the chest now."
The others watched as Nami spun the dials, numbers appearing on every slot she completed and when she put in the last number the box sprung open.
"Oh you women are so smart!" Sanji gushed, basically melting into a puddle at their feet.
"So what was it?" Zoro asked.
The girls all looked at him and answered in unison: "The coordinates from the previous island."
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Gathering around the open chest the crew watched as Nami lifted the lid and peered in. Reaching inside she took out a scroll and a bag. She passed the bag to Robin and opened the scroll.
"Congratulations on unlocking the secret of the islands. Below is your first clue: What grows up and grows down in the dark has a mouth and teeth, but no tongue? Each path has its own dangers and riddles you will have to face. Make it to all three and you will have what you need to unlock the temple in the center of the island. Using the guides provided will ensure your way, but they also have a consequence for use and need to be returned to the chest. Be warned: Not having the correct answer to the temple will result in death. Good luck."
Nami replaced the scroll in the box and looked at Robin, who was untying the bag. Reaching inside she took out four identical contraptions.
"What are those?" Luffy asked.
Nami took one and turned it over in her hands. "They look like log poses but flat." Pressing a button the side the screen lit up and showed a map of the island, a green light at the tip of the island. "The green dot must be this pose. So using these we will be able to tell who is where, and how to make our way back to the chest to return them. This sounds simple enough."
Luffy started roaring with laughter. "Now even Zoro cannot get lost since it has a signal!" Zoro growled and ground his teeth at the jab.
Robin replaced one of the poses in the chest and shut the lid, holding onto the two other poses. "If we are to split into groups Navigator-san, how do you propose we do this?"
Nami took the poses and turned them on making two more green shapes appear on the mini maps, one a triangle and one a square. "I think that we need to split into groups of two obviously, but each team will be made up of a female and male crew mate so the distribution of brain and brawn is even. Luffy and Robin, you will be a team using the pose with the square marker."
Nami gave the pose to Robin and she placed it on her wrist, where it snapped on tightly. Robin tried to move it around but it would not budge. "How do we get them off?"
Nami walked to the chest to find any clue on how to answer Robin's question and her own pose fell off her wrist and into the chest. "There must be some sort of homing signal next to the chest that deactivates the poses once they are near it."
Taking her pose Nami placed it on her wrist and looked at the others. "I will be a group with Sanji and we will have the circle marker, leaving Nina and Zoro to be a group as the triangle marker." She tossed the last pose and Nina caught it, placing it on her wrist and mirroring the other girls. "Before we head out, we need to take supplies with us as we have no idea how long this will take."
Nodding the group headed back toward the ship but the girls stopped in their tracks and cried out at the same time.
"What's wrong?" Luffy asked.
Robin gasped and looked at her wrist. "The pose is shocking us! We must not be able to stray too far from the island shore or else this happens!" The girls stepped backwards quickly and stayed at the edge of the forest.
"You guys go on and get supplies and we will wait here for you." Nami said.
Nodding the boys headed back aboard and packed backpacks with food, water, blankets, and other odds and ends they might need in the forest. Returning to the girls the six of them went back to the podium and looked around.
"Which trail should we each take?" Sanji asked.
The left hand trail appeared to lead toward a mountain in the distance, the middle stretched on into the forest, and the right hand trail seemed to lead to flat ground and a giant body of water.
Nami looked at Sanji and then at the others. "Sanji and I will take the right trail as Luffy and Robin cannot swim and Nina and Zoro have swords."
The others nodded and Robin stepped toward the left trail. "Captain-san and I should take the left trail as we have devil fruit powers and might find scaling the mountain easier than Nina-san and Swordsman-san."
Nina nodded in agreement and looked at Zoro. "I guess we get the forest, and that works for me."
Wishing each other luck the groups split up and started down their respective paths, anxious to see what the island had in store for them.
TO BE CONTINUED...
What is in store for the crew on this new island? What does Chaser have in mind? How is Usopp's group doing? Stay tuned!
ANY AND ALL REVIEWS/COMMENTS/QUESTIONS ARE WELCOME! :)