" For the last time, give us your weapons. "

Surrounding Kohta, with some comrades, a guard threatened the latter so that he could give him the firearms he had in his possession. This was without counting the tenacity of the boy, who categorically refused to give up any ammunition.

" I refuse. " He cried, clutching his weapons against him. " I got them while fighting! There is no question that I will give them to you. "

" Give them to us. " Ordered a guard. " A kid like you doesn't have to have this in his hands. "

" We are at war against an enemy that we cannot underestimate! The slightest mistake can cost us! Are you at least aware of this ? "

" Of course. " Kohta assured. " But, even knowing that, I would never give them to you. "

" And why ? "

" No one here could use them better than me. " Assured the boy. "I know them by heart. "

" So what ? What do you believe ? The world you knew is dead, kid! There is no way we will leave these weapons to you when we can use them to patrol the city and save more lives! What you are doing here is nothing but a selfish gesture. "

" Kohta ! " Suddenly called Saya, coming towards him.

" Saya ? "

" Mademoiselle ? " The guards wondered.

" What are you doing with your weapons ? " Wanted to know the young girl. " I thought I told you to hide them. "

" I ... I had to dismantle them all, to examine them down to the smallest detail." The boy told him.

" And that couldn't wait ? "

" No." Cried the boy. " If I want to be able to protect you, I need to know exactly what these weapons are capable of. "

Looking at her frankly, he said.

" If I'm still alive, it's because I clung to you, in high school, during the attack! But now that I have all these weapons, there is no way I always behave like an embarrassment, towards you! I want to fight by your side. "

Suddenly stopping behind the young girl, Takashi, Rei and Hisashi were able to listen to their friend's speech, which sounded like a statement.

" Kohta…"

" What is happening here ? " Wanted to know a big voice.

Recognizing her, the guards immediately turned their faces to a newcomer, who was walking alongside Saya's mother.

" Co… Commander." Cried his men, recognizing Souichiro.

" Now, it smells of trouble. " Hisashi remarked.

" Against him, Kohta has no chance. " Rei agreed.

" Mr, this high school student does not want to entrust us with his weapons." A guard told him.

Hearing this, Saya's father stood up in front of Kohta, before asking him.

" Who are you ? "

" I ... I ... " The boy frightened.

Suddenly hugging his weapons, he finally stood up before declaring.

" I'm Kohta Hirano! I was a student at Fujimi High School, in the same class as your daughter. "

" Oh ? You seem to me to have a great determination in you! I am convinced that we both have a goal to accomplish! But, in this case, why do you refuse to give up your weapons when they would allow us to fight against our enemies ? "

" Because, without them, I would become the pitiful high school student that I was! yelled the boy! And that, I refuse! In order to defend my group ... in order to make a place for myself among them ... in order to have the respect of some of them, I refuse to give up the weapons which will allow me to show my strength! Without them, I would never feel able to continue this journey with my new companions. "

Arriving suddenly, in the courtyard, Luffy and his friends had lost nothing of the boy's confession. It was clear that the respect he was seeking was theirs, and that he wanted them to consider him a friend of theirs. He wanted to have a real place in their group.

" Kohta ? " Usopp wondered.

'' After hearing that, do you really think these high school kids are so useless ? " Sanji wanted to know, lighting a cigarette.

Saying nothing, Zoro preferred to keep looking at Kohta who was surely standing towards the biggest obstacle he had ever faced.

" Young man ! " Cried Souichiro. " Know that here there are laws! And those who do not respect them can incur serious sentences. "

" I don't care about being tortured, thrown out or whatever." Asserted the boy. " The only fear I have is losing my guns. "

" Really ? " Souichiro wondered.

He suddenly drew his sword, before asking.

" Are you more afraid of losing weapons than of dying ? "

Hearing this, the boy suddenly took a step back, finding that Saya's father would surely have no hesitation in killing an insect like him. Nonetheless… Nonetheless, he couldn't back down. Yes, with his weapons he could only face all those who stand in his way, including death.

" Yes ! I'm not afraid of dying." He asserted, pointing one of his weapons at the man." I am ready to fight against anyone to prove it. "

" So be it ! " Suddenly sighed the adult.

Before Kohta could even see his gesture, the man's sword slipped closer to his throat in a flash. She certainly would have beheaded the boy, without any hesitation, if a second blade hadn't suddenly blocked her. Immediately feeling himself fallen back, Kohta saw someone stand in front of him, while the guards widened their eyes, noting that the newcomer had put an end to the chief's attack.

Barely blinking, Saya's father then looked at the person now facing him, before asking him.

" Who are you, young swordsman ? "

" Roronoa Zoro ! " His adversary told him.

At that moment, the two men took a step back, while continuing to stare at the person in front of him.

" I ... I do not believe it." Cried a guard. " This man stopped the commander's attack as if nothing had happened. "

'' But where does that one come from ? "

Even Saya couldn't help but widen her eyes when she saw Zoro's performance. Okay, she knew he was strong. Still, she was having a hard time getting used to the idea that he had just countered her father's saber.

For his part, Zoro remained surprisingly calm. Until now, only Saeko had been able to impress him somewhat, when he first crossed paths with her. However, this man was on a whole different level. He wasn't strong enough to beat him, sure, but Zoro was sure he could easily have killed a zombie-lizard. Yes, that person was the first to catch his attention.

Seeing them motionless, none of the pirates made the slightest movement, wondering what was going to happen, now that their friend had turned the head of the place on his back.

"Hey, guys ! " Cried Swan, running up. " I have the spark plug for the car. "

Arriving where he had left Sei and the other two guards, he finally dropped the object, at his feet, seeing the carnage looming before him. Just a few feet away, Sei's body was completely flattened against the ground, while the head and shoulders of another guard were encased in a wall.

" But that … ? "

Suddenly hearing noises of chewing, he turned to the barrier, to see the third guard whose body was being eaten by a zombie. However, the monster was very different from any the man had encountered. Four meters high, he had a muscular body, without the slightest trace of injury. In the end, only his gray skin, his iris-less eyes, and the fact that he ate a human showed him to be an undead.

" You ! " Cried Swan, pointing the barrel of his revolver at his head." You will pay for it. "

Hearing it, the zombie suddenly threw the rest of his meal towards him. Dodging the projectile in time, Swan suddenly saw the monster stand up and reveal the huge 5 that was tattooed on his abdomen.

" A five ? "

Suddenly, the monster closed its fist before hitting the barrier behind it. In an instant, the structure collapsed under the stunned gaze of the man. Opening his mouth wide without being able to say a word, he couldn't even shoot the monster, when the latter roared through the huge breach he had just made.

For a few seconds, Swan let him scream before finally stopping shaking and putting him in his sights.

" You monster! Take this ! "

Pulling at that moment, he sent three bullets at her that hit her skull. However, his eyes widened as the projectiles ricocheted off his skin, not scratching a single scratch.

" But that … ? " Swan began, before hearing a noise.

While the monster had not moved an eyelash, the man began to chatter his teeth, seeing figures arriving, on the other side of the breach. In front of him, a whole group of zombies were about to enter the secure area.

Seeing this, Swan rushed off, before reaching into his pockets, looking for his walkie-talkie.

"I must notify the camp!" It is necessary that … "

Suddenly, the very instant he took out his communication object, he turned his gaze to see the enormous zombie running right next to him.

He didn't even have time to accelerate when the monster hit him in the face, so hard, he sent him crashing into a wall.

Far from suspecting the enormous danger that awaited them, all the people were gathering around Souichiro and Zoro, while the two men continued to face each other. Motionless, Tsunoda and Mizusu stared at them, in front of the front door, before being joined by Yuuki and Kurokami. Mingling with the crowd, Miura also witnessed the scene, while Toshimi, Takuzo, Yamada and Alice found themselves not far from him. Finally, Morita and Naomi had managed to find themselves not far from Luffy's crew, who still hadn't budged an eyelash.

While no one dared to move, the heavy silence that had settled in the camp, stopped the very moment Zoro asked.

" You never tried to kill him, did you ? "

Smirking slightly, hearing this, Saya's father questioned him.

" How do you know ? "

" When a man strikes with force, or with restraint, I know how to make the difference ! " The man assured him.

" I just wanted to know if his determination was as strong as he claimed. " Souichiro explained to him. " However, I was far from suspecting that someone would try to strike me as you see doing. "

" If I had really wanted to attack you, you would no longer be in this world. " Zoro informed him. " All I wanted to do was block your weapon, nothing more. "

Listening to him, Souichiro asked him.

'' In that case, why did you protect this boy ? "

Thinking for a few moments, Zoro finally confesses.

" Because he managed to show me his strength. "

Listening to him as she was leaning against a wall, Saeko opened his eyes wide as she listened to him. Gritting her teeth, she couldn't help but rage, realizing that Kohta was the first person in their group to gain Zoro's respect. But, in this case, what was the difference between him and her? How could Kohta be stronger than her when she was faster and more powerful than him?

Remaining calm, when it comes to him, Souichiro ends up questioning him.

" And you would be ready to alienate all this camp, just for that ? "

" It's not just for that. " Zoro told him. " It's just that I just realized that I had greatly underestimated the potential of one of my companions. "

" Companion ? " Kohta wondered. " Did he just say I was his mate ? "

Standing up at that moment, he then displayed a confident look before passing the swordsman. Positioning himself in front of him, he ends up stopping in front of Souichiro before teaching him

" Mister ! I know that in your eyes, I am neither more nor less than a chubby high school student who is surely no more useful than a poor kid! Nevertheless, I assure you that is not the case! I don't keep my guns out of pure whim, or just to feel like I'm the most armed man there is! No, I want to keep them with me so that I can fulfill the goal I have set for myself. "

" And what is it? " Wanted to know the man.

" Protect your daughter. " Kohta said without a hint of hesitation in her voice.

" Protect my daughter ? " Souichiro wondered, frowning. " Are you at least certain that you have the necessary triples for this ? "

In front of this hard look, Kohta felt part of his courage fly away. Not knowing what to say in front of this man, he suddenly saw Takashi come to his aid.

'' Sir, I assure you that what Kohta is saying is true. "

" Hum ? " The man said, looking at him.

At first silent, for a few moments, he finally affirmed.

" You are Takashi Komuro, aren't you? Yes, you have been friends with my daughter since kindergarten! So does this mean that you got here together ? "

" Absolutely! And that is why I can assure you that Kohta did not stop fighting in order to be able to protect Saya. "

" And that's not all." Hisashi asserted, arriving in his turn. " When rescuing a little girl, he put all his strength into the fight to help us get her out of there. "

" Since the beginning of our journey, he has not stopped fighting against these monsters, while remaining straight and honest with us." Rei finished.

" The friends ? " Kohta wondered.

" Kohta is just a fool. " Saya said suddenly, walking towards the boy." He lacks intelligence, has no endurance and is naive! Nevertheless, he is someone I now trust and who knew how to be by my side when I needed him, father. "

Positioning herself alongside Takashi and the others, she ended with.

" Do not take Kohta for an incompetent when he can be as competent as you in combat. "

A smile sprouted then on the face of Yuriko, who had a hard time telling herself that her daughter had just complimented someone. Hardening his gaze even more, Souichiro squeezed the handle of his sword again.

" Even if you are my daughter, I do not like that one contradicts my orders. "

Then there was a feeling of fear that crossed the body of the high school students. However, this fear vanished the very moment the man finally put his sword back into its scabbard.

" Nevertheless, it's not every day that I cross paths with people with such bravery in their eyes. "

Looking at Kohta, he asserted.

" I leave your weapons to you! However, if I ever learn that you haven't used it to protect my daughter, in the future, then tell yourself that no one can stop me from killing you under my blade. "

" A ... Aye, sir. " Assured the high school student.

" Dad ? " Saya wondered.

" If this boy protected you, it is my duty as a father to show him my gratitude. " Asserted the man.

Seeing that the situation had calmed down, Zoro ended up putting his sabers away in their own scabbards. But as he turned around, Shouichiro called out to him.

" When to you ..."

Zoro then stretched out his arm, and grabbed the sword that Saya's father had just thrown at him.

" This is my Kyu Gunto! It is the second saber that has the most precious to me! I offer it to you, to congratulate your courage! And, when you're done playing hero, come see me, I'll give you a place in my escort so that I can send you on a mission! Guys who have guts, like you, they are very rare. "

Showing only a simple smile, Zoro finally left, before asserting.

" I will try to think about it. "

Then heading towards his friends, he ends up overtaking them and, before either of them can say anything, he teaches Luffy.

" Take them, if you want! In the end, maybe they can at least be of some use to us. "

Listening to him, his captain could not help a smile, noting that his friend had just complimented, indirectly, the high school students, thanks to the courage of Kohta and the intervention of Takashi and the others. They stood up to someone stronger than them and faced him without batting an eyelid. For once, Zoro could only congratulate them.

Passing in front of Robin, he preferred to avoid her gaze. However, the small smile she was showing was a very clear sign that her opinion had just changed about him.

He could very well have said something to her, but he had someone else to see first.

Making his way to the back of the mansion, he found Saeko there, practicing hitting a tree trunk with his wooden sword. The latter was wearing out with each stroke, while the young girl refused to stop.

Hearing Zoro arrive behind her back, she didn't even have to turn around to ask him.

" Why did you come here? "

" To ask you to come, on an excursion, with me. "

" What ? " The young girl wondered, turning to him.

Grabbing the sword Zoro had just thrown at her, she barely had time to identify the object when the man told her.

" When I was weak, I asked, on my knees, the strongest swordsman in the world, to train me to become as strong as him! You have potential, Saeko Busujima! You have the power, the strategy, but now you lack the willpower you just lost. "

" Will ? " She wondered. " But… why do you want to train me ? "

" This is not only my fight and that of my friends. " Zoro said. " It's also yours! If you want to avenge all your loved ones who have died, join us and become stronger. "

Suddenly drawing his sword, he made a quick gesture, before putting it away. Behind his back, Saeko then heard the top of the tree being chopped off before falling to the ground.

" I would ask you once! If you are ready to receive training to do the same, become my student. "

Not knowing what to do with this announcement, the young girl could not help remembering all the times she has felt ridiculous in recent days. She now felt so belittled that she wondered if she had any future in kendo today. Seeing her remain silent, Zoro took that as an answer and ended up withdrawing.

'' Too bad, I thought that ... "

" Let me become your disciple. "

Turning then, Zoro saw the young girl, kneeling in front of him.

" I want to become strong! Become strong enough to protect my friends! To kill all those monsters. "

Lifting her head, she said then.

" I want to become the strongest person in kendo. "

Hearing this, Zoro ends up nodding his head, telling her to follow him.

" We are going to take a walk outside, in the infected zone! Try to make yourself useful. "

" Okay." She asserted.

However, before following him, she ends up grabbing her wooden sword, before planting it on the ground.

" This is where my path ends. "

Placing the scabbard of her new weapon at the level of her belt, she then assured.

" For me, it will be a new beginning! I am ready to face this world again. "

Getting ready to say something, Zoro was interrupted, hearing a huge crash.

" You are completely stupid." Said Takuzo, to Kohta. " Do you realize that you could have been killed ? "

" I was ready for that." Asserted the boy.

While the guards had finally dispelled the crowd that had gathered, the high school students had finally joined Takashi and the others. They were, at that time, almost all reunited. There was just Tsunoda, who had stayed by the front door, Miura, Kawamoto and Taniuchi who were missing.

" Difficult to believe that you just won the respect of this man. " Morita asserted. " There, I say bravo. "

" Do not encourage him." Retorted Saya." It could have gone very wrong. "

" I must admit that Zoro was too cool." Mizusu asserted." He stopped this man with such ease. "

Takashi was about to say something, when he heard it.

" Hey, Takashi. "

Turning around, he saw Luffy facing him, while his friends were not far behind him.

" Yes ? "

"How would you like to come with us?"

" What ? " They wondered.

" We will soon be leaving here, in order to find the cause of all this commotion. " Nami told them.

" We will surely face a lot of dangers. " Usopp added.

" However, we wouldn't mind taking you with us." Sanji assured.

In front of the smile of the four other people, the high school students understood that they were serious in their words.

" So, would you like to continue the adventure with us ? " Luffy asked again.

Again, Takashi was stopped by two voices that declared.

" We want to come. "

Turned around, he looked at Rei and Hisashi, who affirmed.

" I know what you want to do, Takashi. "

" In addition, we are a perfect trio, right ? "

" Me too, I want to team up with you. " Toshimi assured.

" Me, I begin to appreciate you. " Yamada asserted.

" I feel safe with you. " Naomi confessed.

" And then, I think we have already found a semblance of a place among you. " Yuuki finished.

Arriving then, towards the group, Tsunoda affirmed, to everyone's surprise.

" You are at the head of a real bunch of crazy people, but I can only admit that I like you, straw hat. "

Hearing this, Mizusu smiled before giving her approval herself, along with the others. Finally, being the only one who remained silent, Takashi remained still before finally reaching out to Luffy, while asserting:

" I know I'm weak! Taking me with you would surely get you in trouble, but I want to be helpful! Let me accompany you and become stronger by your side. "

Without hesitation, Luffy suddenly slapped the palm of his hand before ensuring:

" It's okay, Kashi. "

" Kashi ? " The boy wondered, wondering if this distortion of his name was to show him that he considered him a friend, or rather a weak person.

" In this case, it is necessary ... " Saya started.

At that moment, the gate of the gate was destroyed and flew into the air, before falling back to the level of the courtyard fountain. Immediately everyone turned to the old portal square, where now stood a humanoid figure four meters high. Seeing his size, Usopp began to shout:

" A ... A giant zombie. "

" No, it is twice as small. " Franky retorted, noting that he was barely passing Brook.

Advancing then towards the mansion, the newcomer to show his strengthened body as well as the level he wore on the abdomen.

" The number 5. " Brook observed.

" There, we fell on very heavy. " Sanji asserted.

Noting the same thing as him, several guards positioned themselves in front of the zombie, in order to prevent him from passing.

" Hep, as if we were going to let you go as you see fit." One of them cried, pointing a gun at him.

Imitated by his comrades, he began to shoot. Soon, a dozen projectiles shot at the zombie and struck him without the latter making the slightest gesture. However, no bullet managed to penetrate his skin. They all ricocheted as they hit the latter, or fell to the ground, completely flattened.

" But how … ? " One of the men wondered.

Suddenly opening its arms, the zombie let out a powerful roar, comparable to that given by giants. Then, positioning his gaze towards the small group, he ended up blinking several times, until a pair of pupils could be seen.

" He ... Does he have irises ? "

'' But then ... he can see us. "

No sooner had this sentence been uttered than the zombie rushed straight towards the guards, who immediately began to huddle together. A huge frontal shock was then felt, while a violent flow of air shook the whole place.

Taking a step back, Takashi swallowed, seeing Luffy shoot his fist in the zombie's face, as the latter had imitated him. Equally, the newcomer had managed not to back down a single millimeter. But, surely the most terrifying was the material with which his arm was now covered and which looked, like two drops of water, to that which also covered Luffy's arm.

" The haki ... weaponry. " Murmured Robin.

" How is that possible ? " Wanted to know Chopper.

Suddenly jumping back, Luffy ran the back of his hand over his sore cheek, as the zombie watched him, feeling no pain. Noting that his power was in no way comparable to all the zombies he had fought against, until now, the pirate ended up putting his fist on the ground, before declaring.

" I do not know where you come from, but I'm going to have fun. "

Her legs then began to act like push-ups, as smoke came out of her body.

" GEAR SECOND ! "

Seeing him preparing an attack, the zombie ran towards him, immediately imitated by Luffy, who also swung his arms back.

" GUM GUM … "

The zombie's arms suddenly covered in haki, like Luffy's.

" ... JET BAZOOKA ! "

Colliding once again, the two opponents created a much more powerful impact than the first. Protecting his face, seeing sparks being created under the action of their force, Usopp could not help but be surprised.

" They… They are of equal force. "

However, at that moment, the zombie suddenly opened its mouth, as a ray appeared in it.

" What ? " Luffy wondered.

A huge explosion occurs, the instant the attack hit him.