Zoro POV:

I'm gonna kill her.

I'm gonna kill her!

There's-

How-

Why?

Why did I agree to this?!

Rage shivers through my entire being as I stand glaring at the despicable woman in front of me who just ordered me to handcuff myself. Justice my ass. She's enjoying this WAY too much. She lifts her lips in a smirk, the light of actual success corrupting her pretty irises as she fully embraces being a greedy wench.

If I hadn't promised Luffy...

What would it be like to wring her neck?

I could say she didn't survive the action... no one on the crew needs to know! Tashigi matches my murderous gaze with her own lifted eyebrow, when I hear a snicker from the crowd of marines. DAMNIT. I lift my murderous gaze to sneer at the marines stacked behind her. Idiots. It's their fault for making her desperate enough to ask our crew for help in the first place! I get a tint of satisfaction when a few of them audibly yelp from fear of my glare, and while murder still seems like the most satisfying option, I do very, very, very slowly start to put the cuffs on. I get to cut up people later. I get to cut up people later. I need more practice fighting groups if I'm gonna stay good enough for Luffy to be pirate king.

"Captain, if he's supposed to follow your command why... why does he still look so scary!!" The yellow haired private from before squeaks out the question, clearly the new guy on the dock. Tashigi turns sideways to answer the private, and I can see a sugary sweet smile plastered on her face. Gross. Ya filthy clueless hag. At least the idiots around us have enough sense to know when they should fear for their life. Because there is a 99% chance I'm gonna kill you when we get back to the boat.

"I apologize, I just got this power a day ago. It has many intricacies I am still learning. Apparently, I commanded him to handcuff himself, I didn't specify how fast or what attitude he should have while completing the command." She then turns back to me, and while her voice stays sugary sweet she gives her own death glare as she follows with "next time I can make sure to add 'quickly' and 'with a cheerful smile' to my orders."

Is that a threat? That's a threat! That's it. You are gon-

"Now hurry it up sweet cheeks. Your gonna make me rich!"

...

Da heck?

"Attaboy!"

The clink of the handcuffs locking brings me back and I look down at my hands in shock, which are now cuffed. When did I-?

"One of you fools get us off this dock. I'm freezing and want to finish business as fast as possible."

I look back up as Tashigi barks the orders, her confidence soaring as she falls back into her practiced role of captain. Stupid woman, fretting all these days over 'oh, my acting skills!' IM THE ONE SUFFERING HERE.

"Of course, follow us this way. There's an elevator against the cliff, once we're on that it'll take 30 minutes to get to the commanders office." The lieutenant motions to his men to turn around and start marching.

"Thank you Lieutenant. As long as everyone keeps a wide berth of me and the prisoner there won't be any issues." Tashigi responds before turning back to me. I stare into her SOUL trying to INFORM HER that it is wise to NOT test my limits if she wants to survive the night.

She just grins back.

SLAP!

And that's how it goes, for the rest of our trip to the commander's office.

SLAP!

"Stand still while we're going up the elevator filth!"

SLAP!

"Follow right behind me as we walk through town you son of a motherless goat."

SLAP!

"Roronoa you bastard, stop making mean faces at the passing drunks because I sWEAR if you get in a fight right now..."

It didn't take long for the marines to start getting comfortable, and they quickly picked up on Tashigi's casual tone with me. Soon, they were making requests. At first, Tashigi was smart enough to not succumb to the marine mob, until...

"Oi Captain! Make him say the Navy is the greatest group of guys in the world!"

I immediately turn my murder glare on the idiot who yelled the suggestion, the man shriveling up and whimpering in response. Tashigi laughs at the prompt, with me being the only one close enough to hear the nervous edge to it as she turns to look at me for a second. I don't match her glance. Oh? Uncomfortable because you're finally figuring out the Navy is, in fact, NOT the greatest set of blokes in the world? Gee, I wonder what happened to tip you off to that astonishing piece of news. My eyebrow twitches as I realize the thought isn't totally sarcastic.

"Sorry boys, I don't have time to play games. Besides, you don't want this bastard holding a grudge against you when he's in the dungeon." Tashigi responds to the marine, and I let out a silent snort cause that's the smartest thing she's said all night. We are almost out of the singular village on the island, inhabited by marines with families and the businesses to sustain them. True to Usopp's legend and the blue prints, a huge clear dome covers the place, and before the marines started getting comfortable and stupid you could hear the plinks and thuds of insects crashing against the plastic in the silence of the night. Dark jungle crawls right up to the dome as we leave the village area and start down the clear tunnel towards the main base. Despite Tashigi's warning, marines keep yelling out order ideas, and I start repeating my calming mantra I came up with to get me through this hell.

I get to cut people soon. I get group practice. I can stop being curious about what Tashigi wants from here.

Wait that last part's not supposed to be there.

I'm not curious. I don't care about other people's predicaments. Focus Zoro.

I get to cut people soon. I get group practice. I kill navy brat on the boat after learning what she wanted from here.

...

Still not the original but improvement. I'll settle for it.

"Wait, you should make him do the chicken dance!"

I get to cut people soon. I get group practice. I kill navy brat on the boat after learning what she wanted from here.

"I wanna see him try to lick his elbow!"

I get to cut people soon. I get group practice. I kill navy brat on the boat after learning what she wanted from here.

"You guys seem chummy, make him sing a love song for ya!"

I get to kill THAT GUY soon. I get group practice. I kill navy brat on the boat after learning what she wanted from here.

"Wait, no, you're onto something." Tashigi's response makes me choke and I don't even try to hide the horrified disgust from my face. She spins around and plants a hand on her hip as an evil gleam flashes from her eyes.

You will die.

SLAP!

"Alright bastard, keep following me while you repeat what I say."

Tashigi POV:

Do I have a death wish?

It's a very real possibility.

I hold back a snort as Zoro bores holes through me with flabbergasted, crazed eyes and the marines around us all start laughing. They're down to just 10 escorts, as apparently whatever the heck this act is I have on has fully tricked them into complacency.

Captain Tashigi that captured infamous Roronoa through grit and quick thinking acts very differently from normal Tashigi. Normal Tashigi would realize that asking your prideful partner in crime to make a fool of himself was not a smart idea and could result in death which would make this entire stupid break-in pointless.

"Captain Tashigi is the smartest, most epic marine captain I've ever met."

Unfortunately, normal Tashigi isn't really driving the bus right now. Zoro takes a veeeeeeery long deep breath before repeating the words in a monotone voice laced with poison.

"Captain Tashigi is the smartest most epic marine captain I've ever met."

"Pffft." I can't help but snicker, and I meet his eyes with bravery. Yes, I know your going to kill me when we get back to the ship.

"BWAHAHAHA!!!!" The marines crack up, and I turn around to laugh with them, falling in step beside Zoro for my next line.

"Zoro looks like a pregnant south bird with a wedgie when he lifts weights." I glance sideways as I say the words with fully evil intentions, then turn to walk backwards again as I tilt my head and make an innocent face at his now steaming glare, which makes him look kinda steamy.

Red rushes my cheeks, but Zoro's murder stare doesn't change.

I push the thought away, and match his stare with a slightly softer expression while he repeats the phrase. Don't get me wrong, I fully enjoy this, but I promise I'm also trying to make your job easier later! The more they don't take you seriously, the easier they'll be to take down, the more time I'll have to guide you out of the base's labyrinth of halls you directionless tiger! Zoro just rolls his eyes at my argumentative and rationalizing gaze.

"Oi, Captain! Make him say you look sexy wearing green!"

The words stun me and before I realize I'm processing outloud-

"I look sexy in green?"

"Hell yeah I do."

Zoro practically sings the words with pride and very apparent relief. Stunned silence falls over our escort as they all freeze, and I swivel with panicked rage on Zoro whose eyes go wide for a second, before a relieved and bloodthirsty grin starts to sprea-

"AMAZING! I barely whispered that phrase and you still repeated it! Wow, the extent of this fruits power is breathtakingly incredible, that it allows those possessed to follow instructions even when they would seem physically impossible! Brilliant." The marines all blink a few times at my reasoning, before letting out nervous chuckles, and start walking again.

Zoro looks very, very disappointed.

"Make him say it right now captain, stop messing with us!"

"Say it right?"

"Yeah- 'you look sexy in green."

I open my mouth, ready to spout off about what that sentence and their insistence on me saying it indicated about their disorderly conduct and sexual harassment, but before I can get the proper words out I look at Zoro's olive complexion contrasted with the forest green T-shirt he'd chosen to wear for the occasion and-

"You do look sexy in green."

...

Well frick.

Guess I have to die now.

I'm sorry hometown. I failed you.

For the first time since landing, Zoro doesn't look like he wants to murder someone. His head tilts barely to the side and his cheeks flush as red as mine feel as his eyes travel down and up me for a split second.

"You.. do..? Look.. sexy in.. green..."

He says the words, then perses his lips together at this uncomfortable revelation.

The marines hoots and laughs seem far away as I quickly slap his cheek and say "just.. follow me. Uh, punk." I add the insult just in case anyone is listening, before swiveling towards the main base and picking up our pace. Going to work very hard to forget that ENTIRE scenario.

((Author interlude: I swear I didn't mean to write filler... it just kinda happened! Cause... slap-slap fruit... I promise things gonna get real real, real fast next time Xb ANYWAYS BACK TO THE STORY!!!))

After making it to the base, the lieutenant leads us in through a thick metal door that slides into the wall to let us pass. My eyes adjust to the dimmer light, and I look around the narrow but wide entrance, counting 7 different doors presumably leading to 7 halls. Although the one on the far right could maybe be a janitor's closet? My anxiety is long forgotten as I fully sink into the current moments, years of training kicking in as I juggle my tasks. I glance back at Zoro, who I commanded right before entering to walk behind me 2 feet while keeping his head forward and face emotionless. The last two commands more for maintaining public image than anything else.

"Don't need him causing a ruckus when I meet the commander" I had offered to my escorts who nodded with grave approval at my forethought. Now, I find myself having a hard time seeming uninterested in the new base, as I try to soak up as many details as possible while still playing the part of tough but sassy captain.

"This way." The lieutenant had moved to a door on the left, closest to the wall, and I quickly walk after him, nodding as I see the stairs behind the opening.

One story. 5 stories. 15. 30... The staircases zig zag back and forth in a rectangular space, the dark grey cement steps about 6 feet wide and a foot tall. The walls too were plastered cement, with no windows to combat the buzzing fluorescent looking lighting. I only have to bark at two privates to keep a wider berth from Zoro as we go up, and I pray that these same men end up escorting him to the dungeon. I assume that's where he'll go after I 'deliver' him.

35 stories, 40... I do make an effort to reduce the amount of times I use my 'new power' on the green haired swordsman. The less angry he is, the less likely Zoro is to mess things up. We may have the foot soldiers fooled, but base commanders were not awarded the position by luck. Especially not this one.

The entire time we climb, I run through everything I know about Commander Eiji in my mind. Started as a private, got into intelligence divisions, clawed his way to power- sometimes nobly but more often by sabatogue, though no one openly admits it. Known for his luxurious taste, I looked into him when I realized he might have been one of the people who kept blocking my requests... which meant he of all people would know I shouldn't be here tonight.

44, 45.

"Just two more floors Captain."

The group of escorts are all behind us now, and I can't help but turn and give a suspicious glance as I catch a tinge of uneasiness in the lieutenant's voice. Did they not like the commander? Although the position is meant to receive a healthy dose of respectful fear from those of lower rank. My gaze catches Zoro's for a moment, and I let out a small sigh of relief as I see a glint of focused anticipation in his dark and gripping irises. His back to the marines, he raises a single eyebrow in question, also picking up on our nearness to an apparently very feared man, his expression almost granting permission for one last ridiculous display to help make an entrance.

I turn to face forward so no one sees my smile.

Zoro POV:

When she turns around to start trouble, I start repeating my mantra on double time. I've made it this far damnit, I can last just 5 more minutes. I figure that's how long it'll take to send me down to the dungeon or for our act to be found out.

But as she lifts her hand to deliver an ordering blow, I catch an expression of nervous hope splashed across her face, innocent light pulling at her lips. Belief, gratefulness. She lets them linger in her eyes a moment too long as she looks at me. She really thinks this is the right thing to do...

the SLAP! echos through the entire stair well, the sting just as potent as ever. Tashigi walks up the stairs backwards, keeping her hand near my face as she shouts.

"Slow down while climbing the stairs you bastard pirate! Are you so eager to meet your doom?"

8 steps later, we all stand at the top of the stairwell, and Tashigi turns to look at the giant man standing in an open doorway of 30 foot wooden doors. The two authorities stand for a moment, taking the other in. Well, one authority, one stubborn and confused runaway. The commander fits the title, with his short yet stylish dark hair, well groomed goatee, and broad shoulders covered by the mandatory navy officer jacket. Only this one seemed to have a bit extra gold stitched in at random places. The faux golden weave shoes seemed a bit overboard to me, but I'm not a fashion expert so..

"Captain Tashigi I presume." The commanders voice booms, the almost jovial noise reverberating through the entire 47th floor. He stares at her for a second longer, harsh, calculating, before suddenly letting out an equally raucous laugh to match his booming voice before. "BWAHAHAHA!!! Who would have thought my night would hold such excitement. Come! Bring this 'pirate bastard' into my office, let's talk business."

Tashigi stands in front of me, brittle, as she registers the commanders orders. With a snap of her head, she takes a step forward, exclaims "oh!", turns around, slaps me, "stay right by my side.", then strides into the office.