Thanks for the reviews! Means a lot :)
I do not own One Piece.
Part five: Aztuul's breath
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Hanging lamps swayed in the breeze. The moonlight was strong, shedding light on the temple and the surroundings.
Hiding among the bushes, he watched as the young woman lit the snuffed-out candles on the entrance.
Having fulfilled her task, she merrily sauntered to the beach, joining the ongoing party. Just in case, he waited for a few more minutes before he went in.
The baleful gleam of the candles inside of the temple made him shudder, his mouth contorting in displeasure.
I hate this friggin' place.
His footsteps echoed as he walked to the main chamber, the crimson gaze of the deity following him around.
Looking upon the large assembly of stone mosaics, he noticed the anomaly Tashigi was pestering him about; they were new. Perhaps had a decade on them, but certainly not as old as the one in men's, and according to her words, women's baths.
He rubbed his eyes, craving for the peaceful sleep he had on the Sunny. The only method that worked on this infernal island was to train until he passed out, often not remembering what he did with Rasetsu. His dreams were pathways to the past, concluding with nightmares.
Many adventures with his crew ended with tragedy, enflaming, and burning out the joy and excitement.
The boundless and repetitive failure to protect his crew, particularly his Captain, stretched his will to the point of breaking. To live a life without fear was his way of life for so long. But those visions inflicted the same pain he underwent when losing Kuina.
"I should have convinced her to stay." He complained, disliking the power this island had over him.
"You're seriously going?"
"Yes. I have a hunch." She zipped her pants, reaching for her shirt. "I'll check the temple, then the quarry if I have enough time..." She bit her lip, arranging her hair.
He witnessed her getting into a marine mode, still flushed from their earlier activities.
Heh. That's in her nature.
He rose from the comfy heat with a heavy heart.
"Why don't you take the quarry, and I'll take the temple? Let's meet here in an hour-"
She bent over and kissed him on the lips.
"I love you."
Her silky tresses caressed his face and chest as she sank to her knees in front of him.
Everything went silent, and he could only hear the thrashing of his heart, its rhythm dictated by her words.
As his mind lagged, he felt her fingers playing with his hair. Something suddenly welled up in him and overflowed.
You drive me crazy, but I love you.
He lost the concept of time as he renewed the words in his mind and was silent long enough to miss his chance at saying them.
"You don't have to say anything." She stroked his hair. "I know it came abruptly but... I had to say it in case something happens."
He slid his arms around her waist. "You worry too much. Let's check that out and leave. I had enough of this island."
"Okay." She smiled faintly. "Let me grab my notes-"
"Stay. Just a bit more."
He clung to her, regretting a missed opportunity.
When they were both dressed, Tashigi grabbed some sort of diary she hid near the fireplace.
"I have a few notes about the temple. Make sure to carefully examine it, in case there is a hidden door or-"
"What is this? A treasure hunt?"
"Be serious!" She smacked him on the chest. He got a deja vu of an orange-haired woman who, not long ago, did the same.
Nope. Nami's punch was more painful.
"Fiiiine."
He had to close his eye, his head spinning as if he was looking at waves.
What the heck is wrong with me?
Lately, he was having episodes of sudden dizziness accompanied by a blackout.
Lack of sleep. I need to catch some z's before we leave, or I can sleep in the... Wait. I don't have a clue where Shark Submerge is. Franky is going to kill me.
After inspecting the walls thoroughly for the hidden door, Zoro decided to check the altar chamber, where Izumo gave him the moonflower drink. Initially, he missed the wooden step ladder laid against the side of the wall. Just so he could tell her that he left no stone unturned, he moved it aside.
Great. Another bossy woman in my life. At least Tashigi is more- The hell?
He glared at the stone door in the wall.
Are you kidding me?
It was recently opened, judging by the marks on the floor. As he pushed it, it disclosed a small room with a table.
Heh. Nothing weird about this. Probably a storage room-
The light of an oil lantern unveiled the object he left at the graveyard.
It can't be. How in the hell?!
"YOU DARED TO LEAVE ME ON A PILE OF DIRT, YOU UNGRATEFUL VERMIN."
Zoro put his hands over the ears, the unholy shriek catching him off guard.
"Rase...tsu?"
It was in vain since the screeching resounded within his head.
He frenziedly closed the door, sensing a presence behind him.
"YOU WILL DIE LIKE THE REST OF THEM."
But, he was too slow. He fell on his knees, noticing something sticking out of his shoulder.
"An arrow..." He mumbled, his vision blurring.
It doesn't hurt… How is that possible? What's wrong with my haki?
A dark figure appeared, yanking the arrow out of his shoulder.
"You're one annoying bastard," was the last thing he heard before the lights went out.
The quarry was sunk deep into the hill behind the temple. It was roughly circular, and as she descended, gravel crunched under her feet.
With the lantern she stole from the beach party illuminating her way, she clenched the hilt of Shigure for courage.
The darkness she encountered was more intimidating with silence - only a faint buzzing of insects interrupting it.
Tashigi took a map out. One of the workers drew it for her before he left. He said that he saw Ronan disappearing behind the opening in the rocks just at the south.
She tucked the map into her pocket, sweating profusely.
Was she an idiot for doing this instead of spending her last moments of freedom with Roronoa?
No. I'm doing this for Ko. I owe him that much.
Dust swirled as she picked up the pace, navigating through the bizarre arrangement of boulders and rocks, some monstrous in size, some in curious shapes. Nearly falling twice, she reached a clear path, leading to another array of boulders.
The light instantly caught her eyes. It seeped through cracks, giving the rocks creepy shadows.
What in the world...? She listened intently for any strange noise.
Bringing her lamp closer, she strode to the opening, touching the random spots, studying it avidly. Shortly afterward, the brightness grew stronger. The boulders became alive in front of her eyes, making her drop the lamp. While they separated, a strange mechanical noise followed.
She swiftly hid behind one of the boulders in the vicinity.
As far as she could tell, the entry was deserted.
She couldn't detect another presence, and she firmly told herself to calm down as she headed inside.
A cold chill went down her spine as the enormous doors closed behind her with a grim tone.
Dimly lit, white hall stretched in front of her.
Her heart was beating furiously.
Is this a research facility?
Swallowing her fears, she sprint-walked to the reception. She snooped around the front desk to find anything that would reveal the facility's layout. Unfortunately, it was cleared out.
Across the reception desk was a 'Security Room.'
Upon reading the label on the door, she opened it, finding all sorts of firearms.
She recognized most of them. They were standard-issue weapons given to the marines.
Just what is going on here? Her mind was jumbled, and she knew she stumbled onto something huge. Curiosity, with a dose of dread, urged her to resume her investigation.
Heading out of the Security Room, she didn't have anywhere else to go but straight down the hall. To her right, a big double-door led to the 'Cafeteria.'
A large number of people can fit in here. But where is everyone? Is the facility abandoned? And what is it doing here?
Tashigi felt like the answer was in the last question. The island was practically unreachable and could not be found on the map. They wanted secrecy. That implied forbidden research.
And the marine weapons. Whoever is in charge here could have just accumulated them from the Navy shipwrecks. I shouldn't jump to conclusions.
Still, the puzzle was far from complete. How could the islanders be oblivious to its existence? Is that what Izumo and Ronan were hiding?
She quickly inspected the kitchen, and after another dead end, she returned to the main hall.
Following the hall, she reached a T-junction. An arrow to the right pointed to the research laboratories 1, 2, and 3, while the left pointed to labs 4, 5, and records storage.
Picking the left side, she glued to the wall, walking cautiously, until she got to the door that had a 'Records Storage' plate on it.
She put her ear against it, listening to the sounds of movement.
Wiping the sweat off her face with the back of her hand, she grabbed the knob with both hands, pulling it open.
Inside, six or seven rows of shelves were lined vertically, full of documents.
For a second or two, Tashigi stood there, overwhelmed.
As her breathing slowed, she walked through the rows of shelves. The records were neatly categorized by date, and after some deliberation, she thought it was best to start with the recent one.
Looking through the file, she understood it was a report of the research progress and a plea to continue funding.
Her hands trembled as she absorbed the information about the nature of their research.
It became clear to her that they worked for the Navy. Most likely the secret branch of SSG.
Some of the names of the biochemists, botanists, engineers, and other scientists were familiar. Their names were on the missing reports she skimmed through when she was preparing to search for Ko.
The missing scientists are here or were at some point.
But how could they use the island's abnormal weather to their advantage?
She put that question on hold as she continued to read the simplified explanation of what they were doing here for years.
They were tasked to create stronger soldiers for the Navy, and the answer was in the specific plant on the island.
Moonflower.
Their goal was to take complete control over one's mind, making them perfect soldiers without conscience or disobedience, exterminating the "human" factor.
To test the subjects, they created a "real-life environment." That's where the survivors came into play.
The experiments were the so-called demons and the ones responsible for murders.
How can someone do this? Have they no conscience? Morals? She had to take her eyes off the file. Yet again, she witnessed the horrors the Navy is capable of doing in the name of "justice."
She scowled, continuing to read the repulsive testimony.
"...We developed a drug "Aztuul's breath" that enhances abilities. A single dose will make anyone immune to pain and give him peak human strength, and nothing short of a headshot or decapitation will stop him (a shot/stab in other vital spots will kill him, but he'll still move for a few minutes and eliminate the target). The side effects that we're working on eliminating are that we lose control over the subjects. But even in the current state, we can use it to our advantage. In almost all cases, the subjects turn into dust, which is convenient as they leave no traces behind.
That's what happened to Ko.
Anger boiled in her stomach, her hands quivering with the urge to rip the file to shreds.
"...Aztuul's breath stages:
Increased heart rate and body temperature, flashbacks, feeling of euphoria, restlessness, hallucinations, disorientation, insomnia, dizziness and amnesia, personality changes and final - complete control."
She read through the history of trial and error, losing the ability to think clearly.
When she was ready to get the hell out of there, her eyes caught on a familiar name.
"... withdrawal symptoms that have killed all but one of the subjects. Shibuya Ko."
Tears clouded her eyesight as she searched the folder for Ko's file, reading the atrocities he was put through. The file also contained a victim count and a detailed explanation of how the subject was behaving when he was given the drug.
"... a new batch of subjects should arrive in a few days. Doctor will cleanse the island tonight, along with the scientists who are no longer useful."
She jumped at the nearness of the voice.
Promptly closing the folder and putting it where it belonged, she hid behind the shelf.
"... It's our opportunity to gather data on the new intake of the drug. This subject got it gradually through food and alcohol, but he only had hallucinations and mild mood swings."
One of the scientists entered, talking with someone over the Den Den Mushi.
"Was he violent? Did he kill?" The voice asked.
"No, sir. As the Doctor said, physical strength is important, but also mental. We're doing further tests now, and let me tell you, the stamina and endurance of this subject are simply remarkable! Almost inhuman! No doubt that he will die, but at least he can be useful. And you said pirates are useless."
"We shall see after the experiment. Can the drug be used in combat?"
Tashigi held a hand to Shigure, ready to attack when she noticed that the folder was sticking out.
"Yes, we can try it in actual combat now. Soldiers will listen and won't stop until they finish their goal. The only flaw is they quickly burn out... I'll send you the report."
"Don't bother. I'm not convinced, and neither are my associates. You didn't make a lot of progress during 15 years."
"Sir, please! We are so close!" The man raised his voice.
"Dr. Vegapunk abandoned this project a long time ago. If he deemed it a failure, why would we continue to pour our funds into a dead end?"
"I promise, you and your associates won't regret it. Just give us one more chance. I beg you."
"Very well. You have one last chance. But if you gain nothing from your current experiment, we will withdraw the funds."
Gacha.
She urged her frozen limbs to move when the man left.
Awful... Disgusting... Ko. .. Tears came, and she didn't bother to wipe them.
"What should I do? I have to stop them, but I will need Roronoa's help-"
"...This subject got it gradually through food and alcohol, but he only had hallucinations and mild mood swings."
Tears instantly froze on her face.
"...the stamina and endurance of this subject are simply remarkable! Almost inhuman!"
"No... It can't be!"
Blinding light struck him like a knife, piercing his eye and brain, enhancing the headache tenfold. Through tears, he detected a needle stuck in his arm, followed by the snake-like tube. His muscles tensed until they began to burn, the heat devouring his flesh.
He frantically moved to break the chains on his arms and legs, but no matter how much he tried, it was in vain. As if something was sapping his strength. Cold shackles cut into his skin, yet he could hardly feel any pain.
Without a voice, he fought the seizure, his throat too dry.
What... is going on...?
The raging sound of a heartbeat invaded his ears, and just then, he noticed electrodes attached to his bare chest. The blood dripped from a wound on his shoulder, and once more, he felt nothing. It was hard to think and estimate the situation.
My swords... Tashigi...
All those times when he was near death, he never once regretted giving up his life; it was on his terms. But this... This was pathetic.
Could I only make it this far?
As he sunk into the feverish nightmare, the last thought prevailed.
I'm not gonna die like this! Luffy... Everyone... Wait for me...
It can't be Roronoa. He's too strong to get caught.
Tashigi reassured herself, following the path to laboratories 1, 2, and 3. But, if he was drugged the entire time... That would explain his mood swings, a mirage of his dead friend, and talking to Rasetsu. I caught him several times but dismissed it cause sometimes I talk to Shigure- Ugh!
It's my fault.
Taking a pained breath, she paused to make sure she didn't miss anything.
Adrenaline kicked in when she perceived bloody fingerprints on the doorknob of lab 3.
Coaxing herself to open it, she drew her katana out.
The floor was smeared with dark red. Without a doubt, it was blood. The pattern and splatter indicated that someone was carried while bleeding.
She crouched, examining it with her fingers. It was still fresh.
Tears dripped while she tried to keep her focus against the panic that kept growing, erupting in her chest.
He is not here. He is probably angry because he can't find our cottage. I would return, but I'm trapped in here.
Her wishful thinking didn't last very long.
Just when Tashigi was about to leave, she froze in her tracks. In the corner of the room, she detected three katanas.
"No... Impossible!"
Tottering to the swords, she took Wado Ichimonji, its beauty splitting her heart in half. She slid down the wall to the ground and put her palm over her mouth.
It was luminously clear; she had no time to waste. The pain she was in had to be dismissed.
Keep moving on. I have to reach him.
Picking up his swords, and sheeting them along with her Shigure, Tashigi stepped out, spinning left then right in search of the next lab.
The bloody trail continued down the hall, passing lab 2, and ending in front of lab 1.
Every muscle in her body stiffened as she listened for any noise. Uncanny silence caused her to unsheathe Shigure anew, slowly gripping the knob and pushing the door.
Intense light assaulted her eyes, forcing her to blink vigorously. Relying on her haki, she tried to sense another presence.
Bit by bit, her eyes adjusted to the surroundings.
No one was around.
"My god... It's the same as Dr. Vegapunk's..."
Several months ago, they visited Vegapunk with children. She saw the same laboratory there.
Even she could tell that no expenses were spared. Vegapunk was the top scientist of the Navy, so it was reasonable to assume that he got all the best stuff and funds.
The lab was filled with floor-to-ceiling shelves of scientific equipment she couldn't name, and the layout was entirely different from the ones she saw on the way here.
As she advanced further into the lab, she noticed a door. It led to another corridor, much larger than the first.
The light was as faint as in the previous hall, and the haunting atmosphere made her rethink sheeting Shigure.
The corridor revealed more research facilities that she didn't have to search because the labs were enclosed in glass.
She felt like she was walking for hours, exhaustion finally hitting her when she reached some sort of control room. There was a full-wall computer on her right, and it showed surveillance of other facilities.
She nearly jumped out of her skin at the figure sitting in the corner.
His chin was on his chest, hair shiny with blood, arms limp at his side, legs spread out in front of him. The white coat was soaked with red.
She dropped to one knee, tilting his head back. The stench of blood was something she could not get used to.
She spent most of her free time after Marineford in the bathroom, under the shower, trying to clean herself. Scrubbing her skin until it stung. And still, she didn't feel clean.
When a fit of vomiting came, Tashigi lifted her head, looking at the ceiling.
It was the scientist from earlier. His throat was slashed.
I have to continue. For him.
She drew back and pulled in a breath to calm herself, her head whirling.
Smoker-san... I have to find a way to call for help. Where are you, Zoro?
Her eyes frantically searched for the monitors, finally spotting him.
No!
He was chained to a chair, one of the scientists by his side. Helplessly, she watched as he inserted a needle into Zoro's neck with a syringe full of blue serum.
His eye opened for a second, his head dropping to the side.
"No!"
"Don't worry. You'll join him soon!"
Tashigi managed to deflect an attack just in the nick of time. She took a moment to recover after discovering her assailant was Ronan.
"You...?"
"Surprised, Ginchiyo? Or should I say Captain Tashigi of the G-5? Who would have thought that a small fry like you would bring in a big catch?"
How does he know my identity? Her eyes narrowed.
"Ronan. I have no idea-"
"Moonflower is such a useful plant." He interrupted her. "Did you know there are varieties of it? Yellow, orange, green, red…
The red one proved to be a potent ingredient for making the truth serum. You were fed with it the moment you stepped into the temple."
The drink! But it had no taste. And I would remember if I-
Of course! She cursed herself for being naive.
I thought I was feeling the consequences of the rough voyage but it was the drink Izumo made for me.
The flashbacks and bewilderment, along with the unbearable emotions flooded her mind that night.
Is Izumo behind this?
"Doctor told me not to kill you. But I want to see you suffer when you find out the truth."
"I defeated you already."
"That? It's called pretending." Ronan began to circle her as if looking for a weakness. She made sure to keep her face blank.
"I hope that Dr. Izumo can overlook it. I can hold back this time. I hate your face." He chuckled humorlessly.
So it's Izumo after all.
"You don't seem surprised." His grin twisted further in mocking.
"I had my doubts."
"Well, aren't you smart? But not smart enough. Tell me, did you deliberately walk into a trap?"
I don't have time for this! Roronoa is in grave danger!
"Why are you two doing-?"
"Two? Thousands of people are involved, you stupid woman. The government you work for pulls the strings from the shadows. I got a choice - to cooperate or be the bottom feeder like that livestock in the village."
"You participated willingly in slaughtering innocent people?"
"Innocent? Don't make me laugh. It's a survival game, woman. They had to die so I could live. As simple as that."
Tashigi was ready to strike. She knew she couldn't reason with the murderer.
"Izumo works for the Navy." She said calmly, attempting to push back the details of everything she learned and to strike when the time was right.
"Bingo. One of the leading scientists from SSG. He's fucked up in here," he pointed at his head.
"He requires strong test subjects. But the catch is, not many of the older, intelligent marines want to come here. They know something is off. So, we have to settle for the young ones, still green and full of ideals. Good for controlling but not tough enough to endure the effects of the drug. Devil fruit users are a no-go. The last one went berserk.
The government sent us slaves, outcasts, homeless people, and their trash to populate the island. But the Doctor thought it would be best to have more diverse cattle. We threw in the "innocent people" that got too close to the island. Some of them proved to be valuable lab rats."
He's a madman.
"And the children? What have you done to them?"
"What do you think, Captain?" He sneered.
Wrath was darkness. It fed off the painful truth that dawned on her at that moment.
They killed them.
What was the right thing to do? What was the path to justice? To yield to the fury that overtook her and kill the monster in front of her? But wasn't that simply a step further to wickedness?
"Children are not good test subjects... We tried on a few of them. Progress cannot be achieved without-"
"Shut up!" She turned on her heel, blocking the sneaky attack aimed at her back.
Sparks flew when their swords collided. Tashigi's adrenaline skyrocketed, causing her reflexes to be sharper and her mind to work faster. She pulled back her blade and swung again, Ronan blocking it effortlessly. He was faster and stronger than the first time they fought.
"You will pay!"
Their swords collided in rapid series. Although Ronan was stronger, she was faster.
"Pay? Try it, Captain!"
Futile swings diminished his strength, and Tashigi knew she had to use it to her advantage.
She employed her momentum and shoved hard against his sword, forcing him backward, and in that instant, cutting the back of his sword hand.
His eyes almost bulged out of their sockets.
It was incomprehensible to him how a woman, a weak woman he considered her to be, did that.
"You bitch!" He hissed as the small droplets of blood spattered the floor.
Anger wiped away the smirk, his broadsword now grasped with both hands, moving cunningly and crashing with her Shigure.
As she parried the latest attack, she realized that he could win.
Rage fueled his charges, his speed increasing.
She turned swiftly when he jumped at her, swatting his blade aside and attempting to unbalance him in hopes to finish the fight quickly; but Ronan noticed her intention, seizing her by the hair and slamming her to the floor.
She tasted blood in her mouth, the wind knocked out of her.
Ronan laughed, "Do you think you can beat me, stupid woman? As if a woman could defeat me!"
She got up, wiping the blood from her nose.
I have to calm down.
Tashigi hardly had the time to check if her nose was broken, Ronan attacking again. This time, she dodged left and right, calculating his movement.
"You will... pay... for underestimating me just because I'm a woman."
It wasn't the first time. Heck, before she really got to know Roronoa, she thought he was the same as this pig in front of her.
Calm down, Tashigi. Every swing has to have a purpose.
The noise of metal hitting metal floated in the air, as her body followed the rhythm with each step, the only difference being Ronan, for not having good footwork. She was faster and clipped his cheek slightly.
Ronan gritted his teeth, the visible bloodlust transforming him into a berserker.
He charged and cut furiously, each attack with a potential of finishing her. Her fingers and arms burned, but she ignored the pain, resolved to end it as soon as possible.
After a miscalculated step, she sustained a blow to the ribs, almost losing hold on her sword.
Winning is the only option. I have to reach Roronoa.
She had to strategize and predict his movement.
Though, it was easier said than done.
She was constantly on the defensive, her nose pulsing tortuously, while the blood tickled her face.
Another strike. Another block.
She circled him, stabbing, ducking, and dodging, but mostly missing. Like fighting an armored opponent.
He didn't even blink at the few cuts he obtained, but she noticed he was tired. His eyes lost the usual ferociousness, and he reacted more slowly.
Unfortunately, the fatigue had reached her as well.
He didn't have haki. The fight would be a lot tougher. But it would also be easier if hers was more developed.
I won't cut him any slack. He's a murderer.
But...
Was that enough reason and justification to end him?
While she struggled with her moral compass, she failed to notice that Ronan was backing her into the corner, cutting off her space to evade.
As her back hit the wall, he made a horizontal swing that would cut through her stomach, but her reflexes were faster.
She blocked the attack by having the tip of her katana face the ground and using her left hand to push against the blade for extra reinforcement. Still, his blade managed to cut her arm.
When she wasn't focused, her haki didn't work. A rookie's mistake. And one that could cost her the ultimate price.
What would Roronoa say if he saw this? He'd say I grew weaker.
She slammed into the corner, Shigure nearly dropping out of her hands; blood dripped down her arm as she struggled to inhale.
Ronan charged like a raging bull, and as she saw the triumph in his eyes followed by a victory grin, time slowed down.
Breathe.
Clear your mind.
Blink.
She could hear his irregular breathing, his heartbeat.
Breathe.
She could sense his hatred. So much hate, and disturbing pleasure in seeing her hurt.
She coped with the revulsion, keeping her concentration.
There!
After predicting where his attack was going to land, she waited for the last second to roll to the side, Ronan crashing into the wall with full force.
He staggered back, falling to the ground.
She disarmed him, pointing Shigure at his throat.
"Stay down."
"Are you going to kill me, like you killed your friend?" He grinned. She kicked him.
"Your kicks are weak like you!"
"Where is he?"
"I'm not going to tell you. By now, he's already under Izumo's full control."
"Speak!" She kicked him again.
"If you kill me you'll never find him. I am the only one who knows how to get to the secret lab. Your sly victory was for nothing, gahahahahaha!"
"Guess I'll kill you then."
For a second, she thought about plunging her blade into his neck. Who knows how many he killed ruthlessly, without a thought?
"Killing is killing, no matter the circumstances."
There was no sign of fear on Ronan's face.
"Go ahead."
She pressed the tip of her blade to his throat, grazing his skin.
"I see them every time I close my eyes. The faces of people I killed... I don't want the same to happen to you."
"Can't do it, Captain? Love makes you weak. Also, you dropped your guard."
"What-"
He caught her leg, pulling it strongly. She collapsed on her back, and the position reversed in an eye blink.
"I would love to kill you, but I promised Izumo. Death by my hand would be mercy..." He kicked away Shigure, touching her face with the tip of his blade.
"That doesn't mean that I won't fuck up that pretty face."
The last thing she saw before her world went black, was Ronan raising his fist, and bringing it down.
Hands down the toughest chapter I have written. Tried my best, I really did. I do like to challenge myself, but hell, this time I chose to write about something I have no clue about. I always try to stick to canon, reality, and research as much as I can, but this chapter was all my imagination and gaming. My fights aren't good cause I try to keep them realistic often forgetting about haki. And let's face it, OP is full of everything but normal fights, lol. That's why Tashigi works for my writing cause she's the most human chara in OP (for me).
Also, it's not a Germa rip-off, lol. Super soldiers/perfect soldiers were on my mind for a long time, and I decided to re-visit this fic after I watched "Universal Soldier" and "Bloodshot" back to back. Noblesse gave me the extra push.
Obviously, I changed the story a lot, cause originally I wanted it to be similar to the two movies, and it was for a gen fic with Smoker and Tashigi finding the island of horrors where fallen soldiers can't rest in peace.
It was hard to work Zoro into it cause he's a part of the monster trio and could end everyone in like a second, and to be honest, I nearly dropped this story. So, I had to work on the sneaky ways to produce some sort of drama and psychological problems, introducing the feels- feelings of love that can stir even the most powerful, so I rolled with it.
I'm hoping to get some feedback ofc, but I want to thank you for reading it and giving this story a chance :)