Chapter 6 is here. Almost the end. I want to thank you for taking the time to leave feedback. It means a lot :) Especially for this story, where I attempted something new.

I do not own One Piece.

Part six: Atrocities in the name of justice

x

x

Headache blossomed when she opened her eyes. Her body ached, screaming in protest at the tiniest shift.

When her mind finally began to surface, she realized she was in a white room.

Timidly exploring her face, she moved her ragged hair out of the eyes.

Her cheek was swollen and her nose, although not broken, throbbed.

She sighed, looking at her arms. Bruises turned purple, marking her skin with grotesque blemishes, but fortunately, she had no broken bones.

She had never taken a beating like this. Not in the early days of her training when she sparred with boys who were taller and stronger than her. Not even during Marineford.

Tashigi stood up, her limbs defying the commands of the brain. Each step was wobbly, followed by the involuntary wince.

Thud. Thud.

The sound gnawed at the back of her brain.

Thud.

Irritation bled into a rage when she remembered Ronan's last words before he hit her. He humiliated her, and she didn't know whether to hate him or herself.

Thud. Thud.

Oh, no.

Oh, no. Zoro.

Zoro.

Zoro! A wordless howl burst from her throat.

THUD.

What is that?!

A familiar sound bounced off the walls, piercing her ears. She was conscious but unable to think clearly. Headache squeezed around her brain like a ring of steel.

She noticed the vastness of the laboratory.

The ceiling was a huge dome, crisscrossed with trails for machinery.

Lights were so strong that it hurt her eyes if she looked at them for more than a few seconds.

Pipes were going all over the place, and Tashigi spotted a few catwalks above, along with the observing room. In the middle of the laboratory was an encased space surrounded by glass walls.

THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD.

Several men pounded on glass walls, their knocking increasing when she met their desperate gazes. Lab coats disclosed that they were "no longer useful" scientists.

Refocusing, she rushed over to them.

"Hold on, I'll get you out of there!" She yelled as she approached the door, searching for some way to open it, but she couldn't find one.

"How do I open-" A scream caught in her throat, and she fell on her bottom.

Zoro was among them. He stared at one spot, chained to a chair.

"Zor-"

Sensing that someone was coming, she scuffled, hiding behind one of the many desks.

"...Are you sure it's okay, Doctor?" A chubby, middle-aged scientist asked, accompanying Izumo.

A sudden chill raked over her body when she saw Izumo's emotionless face. He was clad in the white lab coat, holding papers.

"Do you want to join them?" He snapped at the man, pointing at the prisoners.

"No, sir."

"Then, shut up."

"But what if he goes unstable? We cannot detain him-"

"I have no time for what-ifs. Fifteen years of research will go down the drain. We will lose the support. You know how close we are! Just a bit more, and the Navy will be the strongest force in the world."

"But Dr. Vegapunk-"

"Don't speak to me about that traitor!" He tossed the papers on one of the desks.

"After everything he did! All the boundaries we crossed! Well, he can go to hell. Victory is within my grasp! All those souls that got sacrificed... It won't be in vain!"

Ronan arrived, carrying their swords.

"Excellent." Izumo stroked his chin, casting a glance at the glass cell.

"Release him."

"Do you want to dispose of the garbage in the cell first or the woman?"

"Ah, yes. The Captain. She should be awake-" He grinned, peering around the lab.

"Well, well, well. Looks like the G-5 Captain is up and running. Be a dear and come here."

Tashigi didn't move.

"I know you're here. You wouldn't abandon them, and certainly not your lover. Falling for a vermin... You're not worthy of being a Captain."

"Should I bring her?" Ronan cracked his knuckles.

"Ronan." Izumo hissed. "I still haven't forgiven you for putting her in that state. You knew the plan. I need her to be in full strength when facing him. And yet, you disobeyed me."

"It doesn't matter," Ronan smirked. "She won't last a second against him. He has no reason to stop now. I watched them train and fight. He was always holding himself back from inflicting her serious damage. He's far too advanced for her."

"Tsk. Ronan, never underestimate the underdogs." His mouth twisted.

"Captain Tashigi! If you don't step out this instant, I will order him to dispose of them first. You have 5 seconds."

They couldn't have turned him into a puppet. I refuse to believe in it.

A jounce of terror went through her. Her brain fought to retain control of the critical situation, but no matter how many times she appraised the circumstances, there was no hope.

But they did the same to Ko...

"Hm. She's not the person I thought she was. Very well. They will die."

"Wait! I'm here."

She arose, despair rooting in her veins.

Her vision began to blur under the heavy light, heart battering inhumanely in her chest. Dragging the legs after her, she coped with the injuries she sustained, feeling on the verge of a breakdown.

"Ah! Marvelous. Come right here- No, Ronan. Leave her be. She won't dare to do anything. Unchain him."

Tashigi cringed at the sight of cold steel trapping Zoro's arms and legs against the chair.

His robust body seemed more muscular than before, glinting with sweat under the lights. There was dried blood on his shoulder, but no wound.

"Stand up," Ronan said, freeing him.

Dry blood was on his limbs as well, her heart clenching when she perceived how ferociously he fought.

Obeying the command, he stood up. He surveyed the area, eye settling on her.

His aura was dark and endless, spreading terror to the core of her being. All of a sudden, she remembered the harpy woman and how he dealt with her.

His expression was stern, betraying nothing.

"Shall we commence? Ronan, give him two swords. Let's make it easier for her. No fun if it ends too soon, right?" He smiled like he was explaining the most amusing things.

"Farewell, Captain. At least you can die for something meaningful and be freed from the shame of loving a pirate." He decided to pat her on the shoulder, but she evaded it, glaring daggers at him.

"You make me sick." She uttered, spitting in his face.

"Watch it, you bitch-" Ronan yanked at her arm, and she stumbled a few steps back.

"It's all right, Ronan." Izumo cleaned his face with the handkerchief. "She'll get what she deserves in a moment." He spoke with a serious voice, leaving the lab.

Ronan gave her the once-over, still holding Shigure.

"I could easily keep this. But... I want you to suffer 'till your last breath, bitch." He hurled Shigure across the floor.

"Kill her. And when you're done with her, kill them." Ronan ordered, handing Zoro Sandai Kitetsu and Shusui. He kept Wado, walking out of the room.

Quickly grabbing her sword, she turned to face him.

The uneasiness was enhanced when she saw his vacant expression up close.

"Zoro! Can you hear me?"

Reaching out, she grabbed his shoulder, shaking him. He did not react.

She shook him again.

"Are you okay? Hey..." Her voice was hoarse, dread hitting her like a thunderbolt. She sheathed her sword, cupping his face in her hands.

"Look at me. It's me! You have to remember!"

His eye flashed, and he howled in sinister laughter as he pushed her away.

Katanas glistened in the harsh light. He licked the blade of Sandai Kitetsu, pointing it at her.

She knew she was no match for him. What's worse, she wouldn't be able to do a thing even if she wasn't injured.

"I won't fight y-"

She didn't see him, but her body felt it. The quick slash tore her shirt leaving a shallow wound across her stomach. Blood dribbled, and she had yet to feel the pain.

Then he paused, waiting. Taunting. Something she experienced when fighting Ko.

She dropped into a fighting stance, her muscles taut. Embracing the grief, and shattered heart, she repeated in the back of her mind: it can't end like the fight with Ko.

Pushing the air out of her lungs, she lunged forward and swung her sword. He deflected it like swatting a mosquito, lashing out in return, and she barely avoided the lethal cut.

With each swing, she applied every trick he had taught her. Yet, she couldn't clear her mind, making amateurish blunders.

Five minutes had barely passed, and she was already covered in a sheen of sweat.

She accidentally moved close and swung Shigure in a futile attempt to disarm one of his swords, but he dodged with ease, using the sword in his right hand to scrape her arm.

With a cry, she pulled back and glanced at the gash.

Though it was superficial like the previous wound, she was scared.

"Zoro, please... Snap out of this... Please..."

Ignoring her, he attacked again.

She hastily parried it, wielding her sword as strenuously as she could against his. His grin turned wicked, spreading wider and wider as he overpowered her with ease.

A monstrous swing forced her to kneel as she blocked it with her tired arms.

Another sword. He has another sword.

No sooner than she thought of it, Sandai came crashing down, and she made a split-second decision to roll to the side.

A sound judgment, considering that the floor where she stood just moments ago, had a tremendous hole in it.

Her senses were admittedly sharper, but her body couldn't keep up.

Using the remaining strength, she swiped her leg across the ground, tripping him.

Relieved that it worked, she frantically got to her feet, utilizing the moment to gain some advantage and attack him.

As she prepared for a thrust, he kicked her in the stomach, sending her tumbling to the ground. Shigure flew out of her reach, and she had to clench her teeth to prevent herself from crying out in pain.

I... can't fight anymore... It's my limit.

Tashigi looked at him one last time, wishing to see the man she loved. Sadly, nothing but destruction, power, and darkness was there.

She was afraid now more than ever, unsure if he can feel any other emotion except the urge to kill.

Her pride was screaming at the injustice, at the envy, at her misfortune, an awareness of her brevity and futility squashing her.

I'm not about to die lying on my back! At least he can cut me head-on!

Holding her stomach, she screamed, "Zoro, I need you to snap out of this!"

He halted the skirmish, waiting for her to take her sword, in the same manner, Ko did.

"And... if this is the only way, so be it." She lunged toward the man she loved.

Attempting to ignore the agony of her body and heart, she launched a flurry of strikes she hoped would do something, but the wounds and the pain were too distracting.

Fatigue paralyzed her movements, slowing her down.

He knocked the sword out of her hand once more, and as she glanced in the direction of its flight, he kicked his leg out, dropping her to the floor. She landed face first, with a loud thwack.

Everything went black for a moment.

She expected his blades to penetrate her body. However, the fatal blow did not come.

She gradually moved her hands under her body and lifted herself, blood oozing from her lip and nose.

What is he waiting for? Ko did not hesitate to kill me when he knocked me down...

As soon as she staggered to her feet, he readied his swords again.

I had hoped I would die with my sword...

She raised her hands in surrender.

"Please... This isn't you." She walked backward.

"Remember what's important! Your crew! Your captain... Straw Hat! Your dream! To be the greatest swordsman in the world!"

He stopped.

"Kill her already! No more playing around!" She heard Izumo's voice echoing the lab, from the observing room above them.

His grip tightened around his swords, but for some reason, he still marched towards her. She assumed he would use one of his attacks to finish her off.

"Zoro... Wait... I don't want you to feel the same grief I felt when I killed Ko! It messed me up for good!"

The mention of Ko seemed to do something to him. He frowned, veins bulging on his neck and forehead.

"KILL HER."

Carried by the rage, he charged with both swords.

"I'm so sorry for dragging you into this..." She hung her head in surrender when her back hit the wall.

No... I will face my death.

Tashigi raised her gaze and looked into his maddened face, as the distance shrunk between them. With her next blink, he was only a few inches away, and before he could jab his swords into her flesh, she muttered, "I love you."

But the agony of death never came.

She felt a light touch against her lips.

"I'm still here, Glasses." He said when his lips left hers.

"Huh?"

At that moment, an earsplitting blast rang out above them.

"NO!" Izumo shrieked.

A second later, she realized why. Zoro aimed his attack at the observing room, pulling her into his arms and jumping away from the rubble as it collapsed.

She could still sense Izumo and Ronan's auras, their fear and panic.

"You... You're... You are..." She couldn't find the proper words, striving to keep the tears in.

"You look like shit." He said, releasing her and sheathing his swords. "Gorilla guy did that to you?" He placed his hand under her chin and gently lifted her face.

"You look worse than me, and I was a lab rat for fuck's sake-"

Her hands flew around his neck and yanked him into a hug.

"I'm so glad you're okay!"

"Oh, please. Like they could do me in. And-stop- We should go after them-" Despite the protests, he hugged her back.

"I didn't think you were pretending."

"If I wasn't, you'd be dead."

"You have a point."

"What?! No patronizing-high and mighty attitude? I'm surprised."

"Don't get used to it." She went to fetch her sword, thanking her lucky star that he was unharmed.

"Let's go. Those two need to pay for all the shit they did. The people who left the island… They are all dead."

"No…! Did you-?"

"No. It was Ronan. I'm gonna catch him and take back what's mine."

"Let's go," Tashigi said with determination.

"Where the fuck did they go?" Zoro shouted. "We can't chase them through this friggin maze!"

"Zoro. Please, shut up and follow me." Tashigi grabbed his wrist. He kept wandering off, and they literally had to follow a straight path.

Before they went after Izumo and Ronan, they freed the scientists. After the treatment they got from Izumo, they were more than happy to provide evidence about the illegal actions that transpired on the island for fifteen long years. Still, she wasn't sure if it was the best idea.

The higher-ups will use any means necessary to cover up the truth from coming out, and that implied disposing of everything and everyone. Even the innocent survivors.

Now more than ever, she needed Smoker's guidance. But he was unreachable. The only means to contact him was lost. Or so she thought.

Baby Den Den Mushi she carried with her to the island, as a backup plan, was not lost in the storm after all. It got confiscated by Ronan while she was unconscious. One of the scientists returned it to her.

As she anticipated, Smoker was near the island. He would never give up on her.

They exchanged a few words since the time was of the essence.

In the back of her mind, she considered going public like Admiral Fujitora did in Dressrosa. But she couldn't guarantee the safety of others.

Which infuriated her.

What was she supposed to do once they captured Izumo? Kill him? What kind of justice was that?

"You're pissed."

"Of course I'm pi-upset. The Navy is behind this." She did not look at him, continuing to push forward.

"I know."

"How?" She paused.

"Izumo wouldn't shut up about making super soldiers for the Navy. Also, I'm their last experiment."

"That's good news."

"What did you say?" He glowered.

"I didn't mean it like that! It's good that experiments are not running around."

"Hmpf."

"I don't know what to do, Zoro." Her free hand tightened into a fist.

"We can't arrest Izumo and Ronan. They won't end up in jail to pay for their crimes. Higher-ups will erase the evidence, and find a use for Izumo. He will probably continue with the experiments."

She hardly believed that he would lose resources. Not after what he discovered. Tashigi suspected that whoever was funding him from the Navy, said that to light a fire under his feet.

"Let's just catch them."

She nodded, still holding his hand.

The last bit of the mystery was the weather phenomenon. A man-made

weather manipulation machine had meteorological patterns for creating rain, wind, lightning, fog, and temperature changes.

It was the latest, perfected weapon scientists had developed for the Navy.

Zoro destroyed it, telling her to hurry up.

Witnessing their creation demolished, the scientists were a bit reluctant in giving information about Izumo's and Ronan's escape route.

It took one glare from Zoro to reveal that they were heading for the emergency exit, where a submarine was waiting.

They hurried down the hallway where another set of closed doors awaited.

Zoro made a quick slash with Shusui, clearing the way.

The next area was divided into two tunnels.

"We have to split up," he uttered.

"But... You'll get lost."

"I won't!"

Heaving a sigh, she didn't have the strength to argue.

"Okay, which one will you take?"

"Left one." He replied, entering the right one.

Tashigi pinched the bridge of her nose, praying that the crazy luck he had doesn't desert him.

Proceeding through the left tunnel, the only source of light was blinking and had soon died out. Without the aid of a lantern or torch, it was hard to steer. She relied on her senses.

It was challenging because her body was near collapsing. As luck would have it, it was a straight walk down the narrow tunnel, and she immediately discovered a ladder that led up.

Her foot slipped a couple of times, as she climbed, ribs and hip aching when she opened the hatch.

The flood of light was painful to her darkness-adjusted eyes. She felt Izumo's presence, the fresh air cooling her brow.

The area had an opening and a dock. She could see that the dawn was breaking, as well as the raised tower on top of a submarine.

Izumo carelessly stuffed some of the papers and vials with blue liquid into his backpack.

Slowly walking towards him, she had every intention of cutting off his escape route, but she accidentally stepped on one of the vials that he dropped.

"Ronan?" He turned around, his eyes hysterically wide when he spotted her.

"It's over, Izumo. Surrender." She drew Shigure.

"Don't come any closer! I have a gun!"

Just as he was about to reach into his bag, she used soru with leftover strength, placing the tip of her blade underneath his chin.

Regardless of her poor condition, she kept her face blank.

He squealed, dropping the bag.

"No more running. Time to face the consequences."

"You will have to kill me, Captain. Otherwise, I'll never stop!"

The sharp release of an explosion shook the ground beneath their feet, and huge pieces of rock came crashing down, dust flying everywhere. She closed her eyes on instinct. As soon as she lost sight of Izumo, he unleashed a storm of bullets at her.

She jumped away, dodging, slicing some in half, deflecting the rest with Shigure.

When the dust settled a little, she recognized his figure boarding the submarine.

The second explosion happened before she could follow, rocks and boulders impeding her path.

She heard the same shriek from earlier, but could not make out what befell Izumo.

Instead, she turned around, relieved that the hatch was still accessible.

I hope Zoro is okay.

In the shadows of the tunnel, he flattened himself against the wall.

His muscles had seized up, body struggling to repair the damage.

The rush of battle had passed, exhaustion breaking him.

He drew in a clean breath, but no matter how hard he tried to get his mind under control, Kuina returned.

Darkness and heaviness overtook him, pulling him into an eternal sleep.

He knew that if he yielded, his existence would turn into dust.

Kuina observed him.

He blinked, almost missing the faint words from her mouth.

"Our dream..."

That's right. Their dream. Wado Ichimonji was still in the hands of that asshole.

He closed his eyes, focusing on the faces of his crew. Imagining the taste of Tashigi's lips and her hair hanging like a curtain around his face when she bent to kiss him.

"I love you."

I can't die here.

He forced himself to stand.

"It's fucking pathetic to die like this." He smirked.

Falling prey to a pest like him? Not a chance. Besides, he had a score to settle with Ronan for spiking his alcohol among other things.

Maybe alcohol is my weakness after all.

He forced me to raise my blade against her. For that, he will pay.

Zoro walked through the darkness and light, finally catching up to him at, what looked like, the drug-production room.

Huge containers were around them, similar to those in Punk Hazard where SAD was produced.

"You have something that belongs to me."

"Heh. Pirate hunter. I know I can't defeat you. Even in that shape." He tossed him the Wado Ichimonji.

"You're not even gonna try?"

"Oh, no. You misunderstood. I'm not going to make it easy for you." The sweat dripped from his face and arms, and the veins popped on his neck and forehead.

"You took the drug."

"Correct. But this one is a bit different than the prototype used on you. It gives- Hurts like a son of a bitch!" He doubled over with pain, shivering.

"The effects are instantaneous, but the strain on the body is- AGH!"

"Why did you do that?"

He let out something between a cry of agony and laughter.

"Never mind that. I want to know... how are you resisting the drug?"

"I have my body and my mind under control."

"Highly unlikely. You are extraordinary I admit that, but... you, like the other pathetic fools, have succumbed to emotions. The woman made you lose sight of what we were doing. And such a feeble woman... What a disgrace for a warrior like you. I enjoyed punching and kicking her-"

"Shut up." He put Wado in his mouth.

When Ronan launched at him, his speed was a bit unexpected.

Their swords clashed with a metallic thrill. His style reminded him of his own when he was a boy; savage and predictable.

Ronan managed to dodge his lethal slashes, struggling to keep up with his attacks.

With every clash, his swords chipped away at his. One swift move broke his broad sword in two. He fell on his butt at the sheer force.

He sheathed Wado.

"Stop it. I don't want to kill you."

"I'm already dead."

Ronan recovered and jumped with his broken sword, aiming at his chest. He sidestepped and knocked it out of his hand.

"Really?" He sighed. "Pitiful."

"See you in hell!"

The hissing sound reached his ears just enough to jump back to avoid being blown to bits.

The mad bastard had dynamite. He must have ignited it when he was on the ground.

Zoro grimaced in disgust, wiping the gore off his face. As he scrubbed Ronan's blood and who knows what else, his eye paused on one of the containers.

"Oh, shit-"

A strong orangey flash hit him. The blast of the explosion blew him against the wall.

He couldn't feel a thing, temporarily blinded. It was difficult to breathe due to the amount of dust and smoke, but he didn't have time to think.

At the next moment, the ceiling came crashing down, loose stones hailing on him.

He rushed into the midst of the fire but was soon driven back by the heat.

The objects in the laboratory had taken fire, bursting and sending shrapnel and glass everywhere.

Jumping forward to avoid rocks and debris, he rushed through the flame, just when another container went off. It catapulted him into the tunnel, right before the pile of boulders collapsed.

But he wasn't out of danger.

The tunnel started caving in, enclosing around him. It would be a piece of cake to cut his way out, but his body betrayed him. He was drowsy, and for the first time, he fought the siren's call of sleep cause he knew he wouldn't wake up.

Remember... The dream, Luffy, Tashigi, my crew, Kuina... Remember! Remember!

"Zoro! Zoro!" He heard her cough, as she screamed his name. It was the kick he needed to pull himself together.

"I'm fine!" He yelled into the darkness. "Don't come in here! It's not safe-"

"I'm not leaving you!" She tenaciously yelled back.

"Don't argue with me, Glasses! The last thing I want is for some rock to smash your head-"

"I'm not going to leave you! Without me, you can't find the exit, you stupid pirate!"

His laughter turned into a violent cough, but their stupid bickering sparked up a fire in his gut, urging him to walk. With a grunt of determination, he ordered his feet to move, finding the cavity between the rocks wide enough to crawl through.

Tashigi awaited him on the other side, pulling him towards the flickering light. She was covered with dust and grime from head to toe and was silent until they reached the exit.

Once they saw the daylight, he spoke, "You are really stubborn Glas-"

She smacked him on the shoulder, "If you try to pull something like that again, I'm going to beat you up."

"I'd like to see you try." Faintly smiling, he surrendered to gravity.

I know my "villains" are not that great in terms of exploring the character, but I kinda wanted them to be a product of the island's atmosphere. In Izumo's case, he's simply convinced that he's doing everything for the greater good so the lines of morality and "justice" don't exist anymore, since he's been doing experiments for quite a while. Ronan's motto is "to survive at all costs" and to him taking lives is as natural as breathing. He was one of the first batches of the "population" sent to the island.
He doesn't hate women. He simply knows which buttons to push in the case of Tashigi, since their first clash when he let her win (or so he claims), and keep in mind that he knew she was a marine, so her noble intentions to rescue her friend and to protect the people on the island were what made him dislike her and later, hate her. Her righteousness and kindness irked him to the point that he became obsessed with the need to show her the "true reality" and to break her/make her suffer. Even giving up on his life to try and take out the man she loves.