I do not own One Piece.
Part two: Shibuya Ko
x
x
Zoro looked at the Vivre Card Nami gave him, tucking it in the haramaki.
The air was heavy with the smell of salt from the sea below and the sweet scent of the moonflower.
He wasn't easily discouraged. Usually, he would roll with the situation, heaving at the drama life jumbled. Whatever his fate was, whatever the hell happened, he saw it as a challenge and an opportunity.
But this situation... This island... Tashigi... stirred a turmoil in his heart.
The third night at the uncanny island was passing slowly. Unused to the new schedule, he yawned and studied the stars. He was on guard duty with a man called Atsushi.
Heat and humidity suffocated him, the bruises on his ribs aching as he inhaled deeply. His thoughts were an entangled mess. Why did he go after her? Endangering the life he promised to his captain and his dream?
When did she manage to get under his skin and bury herself there? No matter how much he scratched and scarred it, she was still there, in his blood.
Since when did he allow distractions?
He groaned, rubbing his temples.
While Atsushi chatted with one of the villagers, he stood up again, focusing on his duty. He didn't like the absence of watchtowers. The one at the gate was good, but what puzzled him was the Gorilla guy's behavior.
Ronan was neurotic about security, yet defense was lax.
He didn't know if there were devil fruit users among the villagers. How skilled were the defenders? If the fight came, could they hold their ground? He didn't like the lack of information and hoped that Tashigi had more success.
Will she turn her back on me as soon as she finds that guy? How will we get out of here?
Zoro believed the answer lay in the looming presence he felt. As for Tashigi, he wasn't sure. She could suddenly get back into the role of a marine and sever their alliance.
What's with her attitude?
She was nervous being with him in a small space, especially the first night. He had no other choice but to camp out.
"We must pray! The dark moon is coming!"
Zoro overheard the women talking as they hurried to their homes.
"Yo, Atsushi. What's this "dark moon"?
Atsushi was five years older than him, with dark hair, blue eyes, and a bright smile. He wore a short sword on his right hip and a dagger in the side of his left boot.
Yesterday, he told him that he was a merchant who learned how to fight to defend himself from pirates. The last journey he embarked on was supposed to be a huge opportunity, which is why his wife decided to come too. The two of them were to start a new life once he secured the deal. But fate had other plans, and they had been stuck on this island for two years.
"You didn't listen to father Izumo's teachings Zero?" He chuckled. "I can understand why. You were reunited with your wife. Lucky rat." He made a grimace that reminded him of Ero Cook.
Zoro gritted his teeth.
"Dark moon is associated with nights when evil is unleashed. Bad things happen. People disappear. I would recommend you to stay in with your wife and prepare to fight. If you're the poor bastard on guard duty, my condolences."
"Why? Does it kill guards? Is it some kind of beast?"
"Yes, you could say so... I don't know what that thing is. But... It can't be human." Atsushi's hand clutched the hilt of his sword.
"I heard screams once, and when I dared to check, I found bodies of the guards on duty. T-They were... limbs... spine... heads... I still have nightmares. No person with a conscience could do that."
Fear took root in Atsushi's facial muscles, despite his best efforts to hide it. Zoro hesitated to push him, but he had to get the information from the only source who was willing to talk.
"Why is having kids forbidden?"
"I..." The man fell silent. His face grew pale.
Shit. He clammed up.
"Sorry, I was just curious."
Atsushi took a deep breath. "It's fine, Zero. I understand why you want answers. We also wanted to have children but..."
The knuckles on his hand turned white, contrasting the ebony sheen of the hilt.
"It happened before my arrival. I don't know the details since it's forbidden to talk about it, but all the children disappeared. That's why father Izumo forbade having them. This evil kills people in the most gruesome ways... It's unimaginable to think about what it can do... what it did to kids. Those poor younglings..."
Zoro felt sorry for the man. And not just him but for all the people that ended up in this hellhole. He wasn't good at lifting one's spirit or changing the subject, but luckily, Atsushi didn't dwell on the solemn topic.
"Don't have kids. I know it's tempting!" He got back to his playful tone. "Use the moonflower tea when the two of you-"
"A-Alright..." Zoro pinched the bridge of his nose, forcing himself to calm down.
"Don't take it the wrong way, but your wife is a beauty, Zero. Intelligent, courageous, and strong-minded. She stood up to Ronan and fought him! I couldn't believe my eyes that a woman so thin could best a man twice her size! I can see why you married her."
While a strange mixture of pride and affection flooded his chest, he had an urge to punch Atsushi just cause he made a perverted face again.
"Yes, my wife is strong..."
"Did you have to duel her to marry her?" Atsushi asked humorously. He offered him his flask.
"Something like that." He took a sip. It was some kind of alcohol, but a weak one.
"So, you won?"
"Of course. But she's a sore loser. Was chasing me around..."
"Oh, how romantic!"
"Hm." He took another sip.
He's chatty.
"I bet she fought you on your wedding night for who gets to take the lead!"
Zoro choked with the drink, wheezing.
"You okay there, Zero?" He tapped him on the back.
"I'm fine." He gave him his flask back. "Stop talking so freely about my wife."
"I was kidding, my friend! It's talk among men."
Gathering info sucks. He clenched his fists, tempted to punch the merry man.
"At least this hell seems less like hell with them around. I would lose it if it weren't for Noriko, but part of me regrets that she's here."
"Yeah..."
Zoro wished he would stop talking. It made him extremely uncomfortable.
"We can release our tension with our wives, but others have it rough..."
"So... this thing that kills... Did anyone see it?" He changed the topic not so subtly.
"Hm... An old lady told me that it was a demon with a sword. But nobody believed her. And all the other witnesses are dead."
"Does it happen often or just when the dark moon comes?"
"Mostly yes... But if there was an attempt to escape, it makes sure to kill the people who survived the sea and returned here. All I can say is that the attacks occur at night."
Tashigi told me the same thing.
"Did someone attempt to hunt the creature?"
"Hunt? I... I don't think... No."
Zoro decided to back off seeing his solemn face. The rest of the shift was uneventful, and at the break of dawn, he bid farewell to Atsushi.
x
x
When he came into the cottage, a pleasant smell provoked a stomach growl. Tashigi was serving something that looked like a stew.
"Just on time." She sat on the floor at the tree stump table.
"How was your shift? Did you find out something new?"
"Shift was boring, but I found out a few things."
He told her everything Atsushi said, minus the perverted stuff. Tashigi's face contorted when he mentioned the children's disappearance.
"Poor children... Something weird is going on here." She placed a finger on her chin.
"I sniffed around and found a potential hotspot in the quarry when we distributed lunch. Before I could ask around, I was rushed off by Ronan. What's more, nobody knows Ko. How is that possible?"
The agitation in his gut remained whenever she mentioned that man. Diabolical yearning sneered at his self-control, his way of life.
Until he met her, there were no distractions.
Loneliness was required on the long-distance run towards his goal, and even with his nakama, he kept the past to himself. This woman invaded his defenses and knew more about him than his crew. It pissed him off.
"Maybe he died, Tashigi." His voice came out harsh.
"No! I have his Vivre Card. It points towards the temple! Look!"
The small piece of paper moved on her palm, in the direction of the temple. He also noticed that...
"It's slowly burning! He's in danger, and I can't help him!" She turned her back and stashed the Vivre Card in her shirt.
Zoro lifted his hand.
It would be unwise to touch her.
He let his hand fall, hushing the part that winced every time she cried.
"Tell me about him."
"We're from..." Her voice cracked. "...the same orphanage."
"We joined the Marines together and vowed to protect the people."
She sniffed.
"I haven't seen him since the war. The news of his death came out of nowhere. I still had his Vivre Card, so I knew that he wasn't dead. Digging around, I found out that he was appointed to escort the researchers to this area. Everyone disappeared. Higher-ups don't bother with people missing in the Serpent's triangle. They are automatically pronounced dead."
Tashigi paused, and Zoro saw a tiny tear that fell from her eye.
"Smoker wanted to come too. I couldn't drag him and our men into this. It's personal. So I left him a letter and sneaked out. He's too important, and I couldn't allow him to risk his life for me. He's going to be so mad..."
A spark of familiarity ignited in his chest. Perhaps she regarded Ko as he regarded Kuina.
"You're a rebel."
"I cherish my friends."
A question played on his lips. Would she do the same if he went missing?
"Do you consider me..." He muttered.
"Hm?"
"Nothing. I read in the papers about you." It slipped his lips.
"What? How- Smoker-san must have- I hope he's not searching for me."
"The title was huge in the papers so-"
Tashigi stood up, pacing and talking to herself.
"Oh, how careless of me! He must have found the files of this area in my cabin." She bit her nail. "We have to deal with this quickly."
"Hey, calm down." He got up.
"You're right. I shouldn't be reckless." She signaled him to sit again, joining him.
She stared at her empty bowl. "I don't want anyone to die because of me. Smoker-san knows I would be pronounced dead. He's making a big deal out of it so that he can search for me."
"We'll get out of this." He tried to convince her, though he didn't know why.
"Right. You must be tired. Get some sleep."
"Yeah." He finished his stew and stood up.
Their hands touched when she tried to take his bowl. A brush against her skin stung the nerve endings of his hand as if he was holding it over a fire.
She quickly tugged her hand away.
"I-I'll take care of it, don't worry."
He nodded, taking his swords and walking to the door.
"Where are you going?"
"Outside."
"It's all right. You can sleep here."
"Are you sure?" His heart thudded faster.
"Yeah. I have a shift so..."
"I see."
For a second, he believed that she got used to him.
"Tashigi." He caught her elbow before she left.
"Don't try anything by yourself. We'll make a plan when you get back."
She let out an amusing sound, "O-Okay."
x
x
Bloodcurdling screams jolted him awake. The person beside him rose as well.
Tashigi?
He had no time to be confused by her proximity, jumping to his feet and grabbing his swords.
"It's coming from the village!" Tashigi followed.
"This way!"
Burnt stench invaded his nostrils, dark plumes of smoke rising from the houses.
Immediately, he sensed menacing auras all around them. He cast a gaze at Tashigi; outrage and fear crossed her face as she gripped Shigure.
"We need to help people! Let's split up!"
He nodded, but before he could move, she seized his hand.
"Be careful. I don't know what we're up against. I know you're strong but... I think the enemy is sneaky."
"Who do you think you're talking to, Glasses?"
He tried to play it off as his arrogance and reassure her as much as he could.
"Just don't get caught up in a fight and forget about your surroundings!
Try not to destroy everything around you! Villagers are our priority!"
Can't suppress the marine in her.
She ran in the opposite direction, kicking the door to the nearby house where smoke arose. A moment later, she dragged a woman out.
The woman had numerous slashes across her abdomen. Tashigi didn't flinch at the gruesome sight.
He thought she would faint or petrify and likely shed tears.
To his surprise, she tried to resuscitate her. Keeping her arms straight, she pushed down, using her body weight to compress the woman's chest.
After a few dreadful minutes, he spoke.
"Tashigi."
"No! Please!" She shouted, continuing to press her chest.
"Tashigi!"
Fierce defiance flashed in her eyes as she blinked away the dampness. Her face was a vision of purity even though she was drenched in blood.
A realization came to him - a true warrior was not cruel or emotionless.
A true warrior was the one who picked up a sword to protect what's important.
She closed the woman's eyes with her fingers.
"What are you waiting for, Roronoa?! Go!"
He tore his eyes from her, sprinting in the direction where he sensed enemies.
The woman she tried to rescue was not as mutilated as the victims in Atsushi's story. Also, he did not mention anything about multiple attackers.
The trail of blood grew thicker. He didn't have to travel long.
Three figures with bizarre oni masks cackled, the noise scraping at his eardrums.
He realized that they were at the gate of the village, without a guard in sight.
Bodies were scattered across the ground, some headless, some armless, others just hacked beyond recognition.
The creatures paid no attention to him, hacking at the corpses with deranged movements. Their bodies looked human, but Zoro never sensed such bloodlust from any of the opponents he met. Or the absence of control.
They were no warriors. Just mindless killers.
Sandai burned in his hand like it was excited at the sight.
"Yo, assholes."
They turned their heads. The one to his left stopped laughing, abandoning the corpse with a cuirass.
Damn it, kid.
The creature swung a blow at his midsection with a short sword. Its hilt caught his eye.
It was Atsushi's.
You'll regret it.
Rage unleashed in his gut, scorching his insides like lava. Whatever the creations in front of him were, he will deliver them to hell.
After a quick sweeping blow with Sandai, the creature's sword-bearing arm tumbled to the ground with a dull thud. As the blood gushed, it didn't even flinch.
His two buddies rushed in, circling him. They laughed as if they were having a night of their lives.
He pulled out Shusui.
With his two swords parallel to one another, he took a stance.
"Nigiri: Toro Samon!"
The beasts shrieked, turning into dust.
I had enough of this island.
He forced his gaze away from Atsushi's and Boren's corpses, following the screams. Tashigi gave him a job to do, and he had a task of his own to send those things to purgatory.
He swiftly disposed of the pests who crossed his path and froze when he sensed the same sinister aura he eagerly desired to hunt.
"This damn, bewitching island!"
He glanced left, then right when he reached the gate again.
"It messed up my sense of direction!"He decided to head right.
.
.
By pure luck, he reached the edge of the village.
The leftover fire illuminated the dark masses of the forest surrounding the village.
Two figures clashed, steel meeting steel. As they drew apart, one of the figures was clearly fighting the exhaustion.
His heart popped out of his chest as he approached.
Something resembling a man stood calmly, eyeing his opponent. At a second glance, Zoro realized his judgment was poor. The creature was at least eight feet in height, clad only in pants.
His body resembled that of a muscular man, while his head was that of a beast. The region around its eyes was distinctly human, the rest of it covered in fur; he had a long wolf-like snout, fangs, pointed ears, and yellow eyes. The blade of his katana was painted red, blood dripping from the edge.
"You will pay!"
Tashigi was bleeding profusely from the cut on her hip. She pressed it with the left hand, holding Shigure with the right. The blood coated her jeans in red, sliding down her leg and into her boot. Her breathing was ragged.
The monster looked at her but did not raise its sword.
"You killed so many people! How could you?! How could you!?" Tears rolled down her cheeks.
The creature said nothing, eyeing her. In the next moment, his aura turned black, a gust of wind sending a chill down his spine. He held his breath.
Tashigi clenched her jaw, pointing Shigure towards it. He saw the look in her eyes and knew what it signified.
She will fight to her last breath.
Though her beauty was something he cherished, the first thing that attracted him was her spirit. She was quintessentially brave, at times reckless, but never yielding, despite the odds.
Admirable, but she couldn't survive this round. She lost too much blood.
He reached for Wado Ichimonji, but before he could do anything, her voice struck him.
"DON'T YOU DARE RORONOA. NOT THIS TIME."
"Don't be stubborn, Tashigi!"
"This is my fight! Don't interfere!"
Blood oozed from her wound onto the ground as if measuring her remaining lifeforce. The tears dried up in a storm of hurt and fury; her face twisted in contempt, refusing to die until she took a piece of her enemy with her.
The crackle of lightning lit up the forest and her determined, pale face. He knew she wouldn't forgive him if he stepped in. He wasn't sure if he could honor her request.
As he anticipated, the creature was fast. It was a pure fighting machine, a lot deadlier than *Kagero.
Rain came down, smothering the remains of the fire, additionally making the fight harder.
The creature ran straight at her with tremendous force, knocking her onto the ground when she blocked the strike.
Another flash of lightning revealed their shapes; Tashigi was on all fours.
The hairs on the back of his neck were standing up. The muscles in his legs quivered, as he prepared to jump in and stop the monster.
The creature walked slowly to Tashigi, waiting for her to get up. She huffed, pushing herself up.
Their blades clashed again, but the creature used its free hand to strike her in the chest, launching her into the mud. She rolled to the side, the beast's katana sinking into the ground where she was moments ago.
Her efforts to stand up failed twice; her legs wobbling at the third attempt.
Tashigi couldn't get her footing. She swung Shigure like a madwoman.
The creature avoided most of her swings, halting when her sword nicked its chest.
It sprang forward, slicing open her forearm. Tashigi's foot slipped, and she went down. At once, the beast leapt upon her, trapping her beneath its body. She moved her face to the side as it sniffed her cheek, drool overflowing its mouth.
Shigure was lying just a few inches from her; her fingers clawed through the mud to reach it.
She's going to die. She's going to die!
Sounds around him became mute, and the images went in slow motion.
Her fingers gave up on Shigure.
For a second, he thought she gave up on her life, but her fist connected to the beast's head. It let a tiny squeal, surprised.
Next punch did not land, the beast catching her fist and crushing it.
"Aghhh!"
"Hate me if you must, but I won't let you die," Zoro growled.
The creature sensed his intention and with surprising speed and flexibility, leapt from Tashigi, landing right in front of him.
Now that the fire was extinguished, darkness ruled. Zoro relied more on his haki, closing his eye and blocking the attack that came from both sides. The beast didn't let him draw Wado Ichimonji, attacking with such force that it pushed him backward.
Heedless rage coursed through him, causing his heart to explode at the sound of Tashigi's groan.
The monster utilized the moment of distraction and jumped over him.
Zoro immediately turned around, blades colliding. He stared into the merciless eyes, the ground trembling beneath them. The collision of their blades created a pulse of energy, dispersing through the entire forest and bending the trees.
"You're a strong one. I can feel your ambition."
He couldn't afford another distraction. Could the beast speak?
"Do you want my power? I can make your dreams come true."
The voice came from inside of his head, causing him to flinch. The creature used the opening, kicking him in the abdomen.
Zoro staggered, managing to dodge the next attack aimed at his stomach.
"Why do you resist? With me, you can become the world's greatest swordsman. To honor her dream as well."
Stop messing with me, beast!
The creature bared its teeth as if laughing. It jumped back, directing the katana to the sky.
Lightning struck the blade, absorbing into it. The monster pointed the gleaming sword at him, firing two spheres.
He tried to dodge the lethal orbs, but they followed his movements no matter what he did.
Out of options, he blocked them with his swords.
The contact created a powerful shock, throwing him into the air.
The beast followed, coming from his right.
"Shit!" He blocked the slash, but not on time, his upper arm paying the price.
It was not fatal, but it was lethal for his concentration.
The beast landed on its feet, Zoro on his back. They kept striking at each other and dodging each other's blows until the creature jumped up for a slamming strike.
Zoro put his blades up and blocked the vigorous attack. His feet were swallowed by the ground, electric shock erupting from their blades.
He channeled all of his strength into his feet, trying to push back. His legs were shaking, but he knew that this was not his last battle.
This creature had nothing on Mihawk. Anger clouded his judgment, and mind games made him reckless.
He had to clear his mind and focus.
"I'm sending you to hell. You'll join your buddies tonight."
"Yes! Yes! That's good! I can feel your strength!"
"Ichi gorilla, nii gorilla."
Zoro's arms tensed, his muscles becoming twice their size. He ignored the voice inside his mind, droving the creature back.
Once their swords disconnected, the monster fell to its knees.
He unsheathed Wado Ichimoji.
"Santoryuu... Nigorizake!"
All three of his swords targeted the beast's chest.
A rush of adrenaline pumped through his veins, at the thought that the monster will suffer the same fate as the people it killed.
The beast closed its eyes at the impact. Blood from its chest began to filter down, the creases of its mouth distorting, and for the first time, a deep, broken rumble of anger erupted from its throat, displaying the yellowed teeth inside its jaws.
The katana tumbled from his hand.
Something odd happened. The creature shrunk before his eyes, shedding the fur from its face and becoming human.
What the...?
"Ko..." Tashigi crawled through the mud.
"Ko!" She dragged herself to the man, embracing him.
Black locks covered his sweaty face, his breathing uneven. Blood dripped from his wound, streaming in a slow but deadly river, soaking her clothes.
"Ko! I'll help you! Your wound-"
"Tashigi... Tashigi..." He mumbled into her hair, his hands wrapping around her back.
Something broke inside of him.
"You'll be okay! You'll be fine-"
"No..." He tore himself away from her to look her in the eyes. "There's no coming back from this. I killed so many people... I tried to kill you too-" He coughed up blood.
"End.. me."
"No! I found you-"
"Tashigi... I want to die by your hand... please... Make the nightmares stop... Before I slip again..."
"Remember our promise!"
"Please... It's my time to go to the purgatory... I have to atone for my crimes. I'm sorry." His voice dropped, nearly to a whisper.
She sobbed, gripping him tighter.
Zoro dreaded that she would kiss him.
"You want the woman? End his misery."
He shook his head. The fight must have fucked up his mind.
But she's not capable of ending his suffering. I should.
Before he could react, she grabbed Ko's katana, droving it into his chest. Ko screamed, his voice becoming serene a second later.
"I'm...sorry... for ... making... you... After everything...that... happened...at Marineford... I will... be... a part of... your nightmares..."
Tashigi's face was unrecognizable; while tears flowed down her face, she had a cold resolve in her eyes.
The face of someone who saw death.
Then it struck him; she was at Marineford, witnessing horrors of the greatest war, and survived. He wasn't at his Captain's side, and he could only imagine what it felt like, looked like...
To think he taunted her for being soft and having no will to fight when she only wanted to protect her men and preserve their lives.
No wonder she considered him an enemy and an occasional ally when their interests crossed. She wouldn't run after him if he got stuck on some god-forsaken island.
"Oh, boo-hoo. Who cares about her! You can have any woman you want!"
"Ko... Farewell, my friend. I hope you find peace. Let us meet again." With the blade still thrust inside him, Ko leaned his head on her shoulder, faintly smiling, before turning into dust.
"AGHHHHHHHHH!"
Her scream chilled his bones.
She screamed at the dark sky until she passed out.
*Kagero is from One Piece World Seeker: The Void mirror prototype. It was designed to learn the movement patterns and techniques of whomever it observed. It used this ability to copy and reproduce Zoro's sword techniques and the power of Kizaru's Pika Pika no Mi. You can watch the gameplay and cutscenes on YouTube.
Zoro's Nitoryu is based on the Niten Ichiryu (Two Heavens-as-One Style), one of the first styles of samurai swordsmanship that focus on dual-wielding swords in battle (famously used by the famed samurai and the Sword Saint, Miyamoto Musashi). It was hard for me to write fighting scenes as I'm still learning and practicing, so I mixed Zoro's old attacks with new ones.
Thank you for reading it!