Arriving in the living room of the mansion, Morita saw Kohta with his firearms at his feet. Currently filling their magazines, he was in the company of Takuzo, Yamada and Naomi, who helped him pass the time.

"What do you have?" The young girl asked him, noting that he was quite pale.

"These guys are crazy." The boy said, dropping down onto a sofa.

"Oh, stop! Me, I had a lot of fun." Kohta told him.

Watching him fill the gun magazines, Morita noticed.

" Why prepare all the weapons when you are the only one who knows how to shoot ? "

" You never know what could happen! I prefer to be prepared, just in case. " Kohta observed. " And then, as they say, better too much than not enough. "

He then saw Takuzo pulling the magazine of his rifle, without the latter falling.

" How should I do to remove it ? "

" You have to squeeze the top of the magazine before separating it from the weapon. " Kohta told him.

'' But tell me, how do you know so much about firearms ? " Yamada asked him.

" I bet you are a big fan of shooting games. " Naomi sneered.

" Lost. " Kohta taught him. " In fact, to be honest, I have already wielded quite a few firearms. "

" You… Are you serious ? " Asked Morita. " When you talk about handling, what do you mean ? "

" I carried out a training in a camp of the American army! My instructor was a former sniper, who was shot in the knee, during the war in Afganistan! He taught me everything he knew about his favorite field! To give you an idea of my abilities, I managed to shoot down a duck which was five hundred meters from me, in midair. "

" Let me call '' sensei ''. " Cried Yamada.

" Dude, you go up in my esteem. " Adds Takuzo.

" What does that mean ? "

He then loaded his gun, before pretending to shoot.

" If you want, I'll teach you how to shoot. "

Looking at each other then, the four high school students made him understand that they weren't really excited about the invitation.

" What's up ? "

" Rather than thinking that we will soon become professional killers, I prefer to tell myself that we can soon be safe while the world will return to what it was. " Naomi asserted.

" Keeping hope is a good thing. " Kohta remarked, then going to the balcony.

He glanced at them before finishing.

" But believing in a utopia leads to a dead end. "

" They have rather interesting tools. " Usopp remarked, grabbing a power drill.

As Franky settled into the garage, the sniper volunteered to help him with his vehicle. Having installed the Humvee in the garage, the cyborg planned to take it apart completely in order to cover the mini-bus with several of the metal plates. As a result, the group will be able to benefit from a vehicle that can always accommodate and reinforce them, as a bonus.

" Ok, let's go for a SUPER assembly. "

" Do you want help ? "

Arriving then in the garage, Miura was his appearance, while he held Kurokami by the collar. Pulling back, the latter, seemed to show that he didn't really want to stay here. In fact, he had a bored face.

" Do you know anything in this area ? " Usopp asked them.

" My father runs a car garage. " Miura told him, before pointing Kurokami with his thumb. " And he is very good with his hands. "

" In electronics. " Retorted the other boy, with an unhappy expression. " I have never looked at the interior of a car engine. "

'' Come on, I know very well that you would be good at that. "

" Very well. " Said Franky. " In this case, I will remove the metal sheets making up the roof of this vehicle! You, I want you to get the tires back for me. "

" No problem. " Miura assured, while continuing to restrain Kurokami, to prevent him from leaving.

Yawning like a jaw, Zoro woke up suddenly, not knowing how long he had been sleeping. Still lying in the hallway, he saw that he was alone. Stretching, he rose to his feet before heading to the kitchen.

" Hey, Ero-cook! " He called, entering the latter.

He saw her then, cooking, with Saeko. The two were preparing lunch for the next day, while Yuuki was still sleeping in his chair. Seeing them, Zoro saw fit to notice.

" The kidnapping of minors for sexual advice is punishable by law, pervert. "

" Shut-up, Moss head. " Sanji got angry. " What are you doing here? "

" Tell me where I can find sake. "

" There is none left. " The cook informed him. " When we arrived there were only a few bottles of liquor! Lots of people, including you, have used it! It started very quickly. "

As he spoke, Saeko saw Zoro's body turn to stone, when he realized that there was no more alcohol. Finally, he grabbed his sword, before asking.

" Okay ! If I go out, where can I find it? "

" You stay here. " Sanji immediately ordered him. " If you go out, you'll get lost again. "

" I can handle it very well on my own. " Retorted the swordsman. " You forget that you are talking to the one who returned to the Sabaody archipelago first. "

This remark frustrated the cook even more, who retorted.

" You were just helped by this ghost woman, so don't show off. "

Sighing the swordsman ends up leaving, not without adding.

" Me, at least, I was in the company of a woman! Not like a cook who prefers the company of transvestites! Plus, the blood of two of them is flowing through your veins. "

It did not take more for the cook to fall to his knees, under the rather amused gaze of Saeko.

" Do you like being in the company of transvestites ? "

" Forget everything. " Sanji implored him. " Forget all this conversation. "

Finding himself outside the kitchen, Zoro thought of a way to get some sake. The only way he had was to go out and find it somewhere. The problem was, he didn't have a clue where he needed to go. Besides, his comrades certainly weren't going to let him go without reacting. So it was not a good idea to tell them about it.

Finally, using his brains, he finally thinks about a discussion he had overheard, during the meal, between Sanji and Yamada. Wanting to know where he could get survival rations, the cook had called on the knowledge of the high school student, who had told him that a mini-market was at the other end of the neighborhood. From what Zoro had heard, this was the kind of place where food was stored as well as alcoholic drinks.

Thinking about that, the swordsman smiled, before heading to the entrance hall.

"In this case, it's simple! I would just have to go all the way there and come back before anyone notices I'm gone ! "

Leaving the mansion, he quickly noticed the many zombies that were in front of the gates of the fence. If he passed that way, he was going to have to fight, and at the same time warn the others that he was leaving without their permission. Preferring to avoid this, he walked around the building, before scaling the gate to a place that was much less frequented by the living dead.

" Perfect ! " He smiles, starting to run to the other end of the neighborhood. " Now it's all right. "

Looking at a map of the city, Nami was marking several pieces of information in a notebook.

" The river that separates us from the second part of the city is about fifty meters long! Saya explained, pointing to the stream! Once crossed, we will be close to where I live! Takashi and Rei live about thirty kilometers away! As for the others,… "

" You really plan to move, zigzagging across the city? " The navigator suddenly cut her off.

" What ? "

" Your respective residences are, for the most part, quite far from each other. " Nami noticed. " If we have to visit them all, chances are we'll get attacked along the way. "

" I know it very well. " Affirmed the young girl. " However, the problem is, we don't really know what to do until tomorrow! Many of us wish to see our families again, knowing full well that the chances of us seeing them again are very low! On your side, where will you want to go ? "

Without hesitation, Nami suddenly pointed to a particular place on the map. With barely a dwelling here and there, it showed the rural area of the city.

" Zombies meet where there are people. " Nami noticed. " Therefore, we should go where there are as few people as possible. "

" I agree with that ! But, the others will rather understand it in another way! A place where there is no one means that they will not find their families there! Two choices will then be open to us: either we go where we will be safe, or we will have to face these corpses to save our families. "

" Indeed. " Nami approved, putting away her notebook. " Alright, in that case, I'll tell the others about it to find out what they think. "

She was about to leave, when Saya asked her.

" Are you really pirates ? "

" What ? " Nami asked, turning around. " Yes, why ? "

" You don't seem to be criminals and even less to simple barbarians devoid of intelligence! noticed the young girl! Plus, you say Mugiwara is your captain, when he doesn't seem to be respected by you and the others at all! To tell the truth, I find you surprisingly likable, while remaining strange. "

" You are not the first person to tell us. " Affirmed the redhead. " Nevertheless, we are indeed a bunch of pirates, under the command of Luffy! It is true that he seems oblivious and silly but, as you must have noticed, no one has a chance to beat him! He has many faults but he respects us and protects us! That's why we all consider him our captain. "

" And us, how should we view him, me and the rest of the group ? "

" What do you mean ? "

" We are weak compared to you. " Saya confessed. " As a result, the longer we stay with you, the more of a nuisance we will be! Over time, wouldn't Mugiwara want to separate from us ? "

Listening to him, Nami suddenly turned out the window before looking at a crescent moon shining through the window.

" At the beginning of our adventure, compared to the others, Usopp, Chopper and I were relatively weak! It took a long time before we could fight alongside Luffy against some powerful enemies! But, during this time, the rest of our friends did not stop protecting us! They stayed by our side and, to thank them, we trained tirelessly, to be able to help them, to rescue them. "

Glancing at Saya, she asserted.

" If you want to join us, there will be no problem for me! But, in this case, it will be necessary from your side, that you prove to us that you are ready to make efforts in order to stay with us. "

On her words, she suddenly left the room, leaving Saya to meditate on this monologue. Suddenly, she felt very belittled.

" Let ... Let us pass! Pity ! " Begged a man.

" We haven't been bitten. " A woman swore.

With several begging like this, a whole group of survivors got stuck on the Ichiyama Bridge, while police prevented them from crossing it entirely. One of them was trying to make himself heard.

" Please ! We ask you to calm down and take turns so that our men can make sure you haven't been bitten. "

" We don't have the time. " Someone retorted, glancing behind him.

Lying on the ground, a few of their former comrades were being eaten by zombies, while several monsters began to move towards them.

" They… They are coming. " Someone freaked out, trying to force their way.

However, he suddenly fell to his knees, and grabbed her arm before starting to cry out in pain. Lowering his sleeve a little, he let see a bite mark that had been given to him as he was about to step onto the bridge. At first, the pain hadn't seemed too unbearable to him. However, now the pain was so excruciating that it made him cry out in pain.

" He ... He was bitten. " Observed a policeman.

A bullet immediately fired into the wounded man's skull, who died instantly. Freezing at the sight of the scene, the rest of his group turned to the policeman who had just fired. Smiling in fear as the eyelid in his left eye kept opening and closing, he bellowed.

" Who else has been bitten ? "

Seeing him point his gun at them, several people started backing up.

" I repeat who was bitten? Answer, otherwise I'll shoot. "

" Ken, stop it. " Another policeman ordered him.

" They have been bitten! They were all bitten! declared the so-called Ken, now half mad! If I let them pass, they… they will transform and kill my family! No, I have to kill them! Kill them to the last. "

" He ... He is crazy. " Cried a man, turning around.

But no sooner did he turn around than a pair of hands grabbed him at face level before jaws closed to bite his nose and rip him off.

" AAAAAAHHH! " He shouted, as other people started running around.

Seeing the arrival of the zombies, several police officers began to shoot them. But some found themselves unable to help them, while people tried to push them aside to get through.

" Run ! "

" I don't want to die. "

" Back up or I'll shoot. "

Hiding under a car, a small boy was sobbing in fear as the carnage continued all around him.

" Mom ! " He sobbed. " Come get me. "

Hearing him then, a zombie crouched down in front of him, and managed to spot him under the horrified eye of the child. Seeing him begin to creep under the car, the child began to leave his hiding place, before starting to run in the opposite direction to that of the police.

However, after ten yards, he was forced to stop, seeing the many zombies that began to face him. Trembling with fear, he dropped to his knees, and began to beg.

" … Help ... ! Help me ! Please… please. "

At that moment, the zombies suddenly stopped advancing. Then, one by one, they turned their faces behind them. For the most part, this was when their heads came to be separated from their bodies. As stunned as the remaining zombies, the child then saw a figure advancing towards him, eliminating the zombies that tried to stop him.

Stopping to walk in front of the child, the silhouette belonging to that of a man asking him.

" Where am I ? "

" What ? " The boy frightened, starting to back away at the sight of the three swords the man carried around his belt.

At first surprised by his behavior, Zoro suddenly turned to the zombies, who were advancing in droves. Since leaving the mansion, the swordsman had desperately searched for the convenience store, before arriving on the bridge. From then on, he had walked towards the bridge, hearing the cries of the people who were already on it. Along the way, he had already managed to get rid of a good chunk of the zombies, but, apparently, this by no means frightened everyone who remained.

" Good, you stay here. "Ordered the swordsman, addressed to the child. " I would need you to guide me. "

Before the little boy could say anything, Zoro pulled his three swords out of his scabbards before heading towards his opponents.

" WHAT ? " Nami suddenly roared.

While the navigation had decided to summon the whole crew so that they could talk about what each wanted to do, she quickly realized the absence of Franky and Zoro. Wanting to complete the improvement of the bus, as quickly as possible, the cyborg had remained in the garage. However, no one had found Zoro, as if the swordsman had vanished.

" Where did this moron go? " Wanted to know the navigator. " As if we only have to look for it. "

" Calm yourself, Nami. " Usopp advised him. " You know him, don't you? This place is super big! He must have got lost and fell asleep in the most unusual room ever! As long as he's not outside, we'll be able to find him shortly. "

Hearing it, Sanji suddenly declared.

" He came earlier to ask me for sake, but I told him that there was no more. "

" I don't really see the connection. " Brook confessed.

" In your opinion ? Moss-head can't go without alcohol for more than three hours at a stretch as soon as he knows it's around! Who doesn't tell us that he hasn't gone to explore the houses in the neighborhood to find some ? "

'' He ... He wouldn't have ...? " Usopp began.

" Robin. " Nami called her then. " Can you find him ? "

Immediately crossing her arms, the young woman revealed hands with eyes in the rooms of the manor as well as on the walls of the houses making up the district. Scanning the surroundings in detail, she could only see the high school kids who were with them, as well as the zombies walking outside. There was not the slightest trace of Zoro.

" I don't see any here or in the neighborhood. " She finally admits.

" He must have got lost while searching everywhere. " Suggested Chopper. " Now who can know where he may be ? "

Realizing that he could be in danger, Luffy immediately headed for the entrance hall, before being caught in time by Sanji.

" Hey, where are you going ? "

" Find Zoro. " Asserted his captain.

" Stay there! We don't know where he went! If we lose you too, hello trouble. "

"I don't care! We must find it as soon as possible."

Listening to them start to bicker, Kohta, who was on the balcony of the living room, preferred to leave them between them, and observed the horizons again with the help of his pair of binoculars.

'' Has the swordsman disappeared? he wondered, starting to look for it! If this is the case, I hope for him that he did not come across a whole ... "

An explosion caught his attention.

"Um?" He wondered.

As they tried to sleep, not far from there, Takuzo and Naomi reached the balcony before asking him.

"What was that?"

"I don't know." The boy confessed to them, looking for the location of the explosion.

Suddenly distinguishing a column of smoke, he felt his heart pounding, when he identified the spot from which it rose.

"The… Ichiyama bridge." He cried.

Still seeing a helicopter flying over the infrastructure, he rushed into the living room, before turning on the television.

"Shit! Shit!" He cried, reaching for the remote.

"Hmm? What is happening?" Yamada asked him, as he had dozed off on a sofa, which he shared with Morita.

The television screen suddenly lit up and showed everyone a scene worthy of having been filmed in hell. Still filming the Ichiyama Bridge, the camera was showing several vehicles being cut in half, causing their gas tanks to explode. Now surrounded by flames, the bodies of several zombies were advancing towards a group of survivors, who were unable to advance due to several police officers.

" It's even worse than earlier. "Naomi scared.

" I'm very happy not to be there. " Morita confessed.

Watching the television in turn, Usopp began to cry out in amazement.

" AHHHHHHH! Is this a joke? "

" Why are you screaming like that? " Sanji wanted to know, moving closer to the TV.

His eyes widened the instant he caught sight of a figure, which was surrounded by several corpses, at his feet. Protecting a whole group of people, who were behind him, a man had no trouble getting rid of the zombies that tried to approach him.

" Zoro. " Cried his comrades, recognizing him.

" What is happening ? " Mizusu wanted to know, arriving in the living room, while Saeko came out of the kitchen.

" That fool. " Then roared Nami. " He's even dumber than I thought. "

" Let's see the positive side of things. " Robin remarked. " At least we know where it is! Also, he seems to have handled the situation perfectly! We can always go get it. "

'' Say, what are these things? " Brook wanted to know, pointing at something.

Fear was seen on the faces of his comrades as they leaned down to look at what he was pointing at.

"But what is this? "

" TIGER CLAWS ! "

Being disembowelled, three zombies fell near the bodies of their comrades already lying on the ground. Barely out of breath, Zoro made his sabers gesticulate in front of him, cutting out anything that had the misfortune to approach it. It had been a long time since he had stopped counting the number of his victims. Instead, his idea was to kill as many as possible, in one attack. However, their lack of power didn't make him want to seriously fight them.

" Come on, motivate yourself! We are in the middle of a battle, you weaklings. "

Behind his back, several people were looking at him, swallowing their saliva. Since his arrival, the fugitives had ceased to want to force their way through, while the police had not fired a single shot.

" But what ...? "

" Who is this guy ? "

Looking at him, speechless, the child the swordsman had just saved was looking full of admiration for him. He really felt like he was in the presence of a real superhero.

" TORO NAGASHI ! "

This time, three gashes opened on the body of a zombie, including one on the head.

" It's not enough yet. " Retorted the man. " I need even more power. "

No sooner had he finished speaking than he tilted his head to the side. Slightly brushing against him, a figure had tried to attack him at his face. No longer on his guard, it came close to Zoro getting hit in the head.

" What an idiot. " He thought, immediately using his haki to spot his opponent.

He didn't even have to look for it for more than a second. Landing on the roof of a car, he saw a new zombie growling. Nonetheless, he was very different from anyone Zoro had fought so far. With an elongated muzzle, scaled skin, and long claws, the being in front of him looked like a man who had merged somewhat with a lizard. Like the giants of earlier, he wore a number on his chest. With the difference that he wore number 2.

" What is this thing ? " Wanted to know the swordsman.

Then uttering a shrill cry, the zombie-lizard pretended to be frustrated. Wondering what he was doing, Zoro then heard another scream, before other zombies similar to the first one appeared. Soon there were more than a dozen.

" AHHHHHH! " Cried a woman. " Monsters ! "

" Are these zombies? " Wanted to know a policeman.

" It is better not to stay there. "

As they started to panic, Zoro smiled, while putting his bandana around his head.

" I think it will finally get interesting. "

Suddenly positioning himself in the same way as a beast preparing to attack an antelope, the lizards gave him a few seconds to prepare. Then, like torpedoes, they rushed towards him.

" Come on ! "

However, several lizards suddenly stopped in front of him, while the others moved to the sides. Beginning to surround him, they began to move in a frightening way. Indeed, while half of them moved in all directions, without attacking, the others stayed in their place, until one of them positioned himself near them. Replacing him, his comrade took his place and began to turn, in turn around Zoro.

Turning his gaze everywhere, the swordsman tried to anticipate the attack, of the one who was about to launch the assault. Still, nothing could tell him where the attack was going to come from. No zombie took a run like that of its companions. Plus, they never replaced the same zombie. So any one of them could be the one to come forward first.

Remaining perfectly still, Zoro began to concentrate, while spotting each of the energies that these monsters gave off.

"Don't make the slightest gesture ! If you ever go on the attack first, they'll have a chance to kill you! Stay calm ! "

Suddenly turning his foot in his direction, one of the zombies charged at the man, jaws wide open. Opening his eyes then, Zoro began to aim his sabers at him. It was this moment that another zombie was waiting to attack him behind his back.

" What ? " Zoro wondered, hearing him arrive.

Then leaping above him, the first lizard tumbled over his head, before standing next to his companion and the two attacked Zoro's back together.

Turning around in time, the swordsman managed to drive a sword into the body of the first zombie to stop it and succeeded in deflecting the claws of the second using his second sword. Running away, his second opponent returned with the others, as the first lizard grabbed Zoro's sword and prevented him from taking it back.

" Hey, let go. " Zoro ordered him.

Other lizards ran towards him. Unable to recover his saber in time, Zoro finally let go and decided to fight only with two sabers. Succeeding in dismissing his opponents to the side, he nevertheless failed to injure them. Attacking him without stopping, the latter threatened to cut him at any time.

Numbers and speed were in their favor, much to the dismay of Zoro, who was on the defensive.

" It is not possible. " Cried Yamada.

" This guy is… " Takuzo began.

As the whole small group continued to watch their friend through the living room screen, everyone began to worry about the swordsman. The lizard zombies appeared strong as well as well organized.

" What happens at the end? " Wanted to know Usopp. " How come they can run so fast? Is it because they are lizards ? "

" How do they manage to spot Zoro so easily? " Asked Mizusu. " These creatures are blind, aren't they? "

" Body heat ! " Someone noticed.

Arriving at that moment, Saya explained to them what she meant.

" Lizards are reptiles and reptiles are known to spot their prey by detecting their body heat! If these zombies have the ability, then that means staying silent is no longer good for anything. "

" But ... But it's impossible that people have turned into this, even after having been bitten! Naomi noticed! Why are they like this? "

" It could be… that these monsters are perhaps not human, at the origin. " Began the young girl.

" What ? " Nami wondered. " What do you mean ? "

" These monsters and giants have one thing in common. " Then declared Robin. " They all have a number on their chest! The 3 for the giants and the 2 for these lizards! If we follow the order of power then the normal zombies must have the number 1 and are therefore the weakest! However, once bitten, humans must all transform into mere living dead! For lizards and giants, I believe their bodies were created artificially. "

" Ar… Artificially? " Kohta wondered. " How can we be sure ? "

" The numbers on their torsos look like the serial number scientists can write on androids. " Cried Sanji. " In addition, they are the only ones to have it, compared to all the people who have been bitten! This therefore proves that they were created in a laboratory before being released into the wild. "

Listening to him the high school students began to swallow their saliva.

" But then … " Began Chopper. " This means that the presence of these monsters is really due to someone who created them. "

Laughing at all this, Luffy had been staring at the screen for a while now. However, the moment he saw Zoro start to be in danger, he finally made his way to the balcony and stretched his arms out, before closing them on stable holds.

" Zoro. " He cried, starting to back away.

" Wait, Luffy. " Wanted to stop him again Sanji.

Too late. The boy had already catapulted himself out of the mansion, towards the bridge.

" And damn. " Sanji cried, heading for the balcony then. " I'm also going ! I promise to bring them back. "

On his words, he jumped from the balcony, before starting to jump into the void.

" SKY WALK ! "

Making his way to the heavens, he left the rest of the group behind him as they again watched the swordsman fighting.

Remaining silent until now, Saeko carefully examined Zoro's every move. So far, he had been adept at repelling every assault. Yet… it seemed to him that his movements were much slower than when they were still in high school.

"Is it an impression ? "

Breathing, Zoro began to feel drops of sweat running down his forehead. Around him, the lizards continued to surround him and attack him relentlessly. Looking at them growling, he tried, as best he could, to locate the zombie who still had his sword stuck in his stomach.

"Where's that motherfucker ?" He wanted to know, suddenly blocking a zombie attack.

Opening his jaw wide in front of his nose, he was a few inches from the latter, while Zoro managed to push him back, using his two sabers. Now convinced that there was nothing more he could do, another lizard attacked from behind and prepared to bite him in the back of the skull. But just as he was about to have it, he saw Zoro put his two sabers back into his scabbards, before turning to face him. In an instant, he aimed his arm at the zombie's skull and managed to grab it without pain, literally stopping his run.

"Can't you do anything other than attack from the back?" the man wanted to know, while his arm was covered with Busoshoku haki.

Squeezing his grip then, he smirked as the zombie's skeleton crunched under his fingers. Only able to utter a shrill cry, the injured lizard made his comrades understand that he was in danger. Stopping then running, the other zombies turned to the two fighters, when Zoro completely crushed his opponent's skull.

Falling at his feet, the monster's body remained inert on the ground.

" I must confess something, lizards! You gave me a great fright when our fight began! But, to tell the truth, I fought opponents who fought in the same way as yours, while being armed! I fought them for two long years! That's why opponents like you will never be able to hurt me again. "

Having understood, or not, his words, half of the zombies suddenly rushed at him, without having any strategy in mind. Devouring his insides was all they wanted to do with this man.

Starting to smile again, Zoro took out his two sabers again before turning on himself.

" Ok, the warm-up is over! 720 KLESHA SLASH ! "

A sharp blue circle suddenly appeared around him and raced straight towards the charging zombies. Before they could even see it, they felt the attack slice them at the head and split the head in two. In an instant, the enemy troops were halved which allowed Zoro to find the opponent he was looking for. Dashing towards the lizard that was holding its third saber, between its entrails, it swung it swirled a blade in its direction, which created a blue aura in the shape of a bird.

" BULL OGRE: BRAVE CLAW ! "

Piercing his body, the attack had the effect of knocking the body of the zombie back. Falling on him, Zoro then grabbed the handle of his third sword and managed to extract it from his stomach, before planting it mercilessly in his jaws, to the back of his throat, piercing his brainstem.

" That's done. " He asserted, looking at the last remaining lizards.

They barely had time to take a step when they saw Zoro advancing towards them with his three swords, before attacking them.

" DRAGON TWINSTER ! "