Zoro's saber brought down the body of the last zombie-lizard he fought. Looking around, the swordsman saw nothing but the corpses of the latter, which were unlikely to come back to life for a long time.

" Yosh. " He cried, putting away his sabers.

Turning around, he made out the silhouettes of the people still on the bridge. Eyes wide, they couldn't help but watch the fight, until the end, when Zoro started to counterattack. They could admit it: the man was even more afraid than the monsters he had just slaughtered. At least, for some people, since others immediately began to cheer him.

" Tha ... Thank you very much. "

" Thanks to you, the bridge is clear. "

" You are really impressive. "

Continuing to stare at them, Zoro began to sigh. He had no problem with being congratulated. However, that didn't help his problems in any way.

"Can any of you help me, please?" He finally asks. " I would need some of you to go back to town, to find my friends. "

Ceasing to smile, a man was surprised.

" Return to town? But don't you think about it, all the same? These monsters are now everywhere there! Going back means wanting to die. "

" He is right ! Now that you are here, it is best for you to keep moving forward! You are strong, but surely not so strong that you can fight against all the zombies in this city! Plus, no one would feel able to guide you anywhere in town. "

Realizing that none of them were of any use to him, the swordsman finally asks.

" In that case, can you tell me how to get to ...? "

" ZZZZOOOORRRRROOOO ! "

Before the man could even turn around, a real cannon ball hit him in the back. Feeling his vertebrae dislocate, Zoro ends up collapsing to the ground, face down on the ground. To everyone's surprise, a man was now sitting on her back. Smiling, Luffy put his hat back on his head, before patting his friend on the back.

" Hahahaha! I finally found you. "

" I ... will ... really ... kill you. " Zoro promised him, half unconscious.

But as he was about to get up, he took out one of his sabers in time to block a kick that Sanji was going to give him.

" Stupid Moss-head. " Roared the cook, landing next to him. " When are you gonna finally stop getting in trouble for us? "

" What trouble ? " Wanted to know Zoro. " I was doing very well on my own, before Luffy came to break my back. "

To prove it, he showed one of the corpses of a zombie lizard, which was lying at his feet.

" Nevertheless, I wonder what it was! The zombies would have mutated? "

" We think that they are not living dead, strictly speaking. " Sanji retorted. " To see the number on their torsos, it seems that they are rather creatures created in a laboratory! To be honest, it could be that these creatures started this invasion of walking corpses. "

" How did you know it existed? " Wanted to know the swordsman. " Have you ever seen them ? "

" No, we saw you on TV. " Luffy told him. " You really had to be too cool. "

" TV ? " Zoro repeated thoughtfully.

Thinking for a few seconds, he finally displayed an arrogant smile, before turning to Sanji.

" Which means that a lot of people, including women, must have seen how powerful I was! Jealous, eh ? "

" And that's all it does to you? " Sanji growled, banging his forehead against hims . " Do you know at least what worries we had for you ? "

" And after ? I remind you that I have just made use of humanity, by killing all these monsters. "

" Uh ... sorry to bother you but ... "

The two men suddenly stopped arguing and saw a young woman approaching them, accompanied by the child Zoro had managed to save. Walking towards the swordsman, she ends up bowing to him before thanking him.

" Thank you ! Thank you very much for being able to save my son. "

Seeing her do it, while the police team had stopped pointing their guns at anything that moved, other people bowed in turn.

" Thank you very much for what you just did. "

" We will never forget your gesture. "

Then, starting one after the other, they ended up taking the second part of the bridge, and headed for the safe city area.

" Hey, wait ! " A policeman wanted to stop them.

His comrade, to his left, motioned him to stay still, and stared at Zoro. After seeing the power of the swordsman, he was now afraid that the slightest bad move on their part would end up putting the man on their backs. Running last, the young woman who had just thanked Zoro, grabbed her son's hand before following the rest of the group. The child then began to wave his hand before screaming.

" Thank you, Mr. Samurai. "

Watching the survivors leave, Zoro turned to Sanji before whispering something that sounded like "a fan club." Annoyed that the group included women, Sanji was about to retort something, when an explosion sounded behind them.

" What ? " Said the two men.

The trio suddenly saw a column of black cloud rise in the sky, as lightning struck a part of the infested area. Dropping his cigarette, Sanji was horrified.

" This place ... This is where Nami-swan and the others are ! They are surely being attacked. "

Eyes widening at this announcement, Luffy suddenly sprinted towards the site of the explosion, immediately followed by his two friends.

Five minutes before the explosion

Arriving in front of the manor gate, Takashi and Hisashi were surprised to find that no zombie was in front of him.

" What ? " Hisashi wondered, expecting to face twenty living dead.

Approaching the gate, Takashi gently pushed it aside, before ending up in the neighborhood. Turning his eyes, he finally saw an astonishing sight. In front of the three paths which presented themselves in front of him: he could see the zombies divided into three distinct groups. The first, to his left was fighting Chopper, who had managed to get out of the mansion before the two high school students. To the right of the duo, the second group was fighting Brook and Saeko.

" But that … ? " Takashi wondered, seeing them gather more and more monsters around them. " They are mad. "

" This is what you should expect, every time you want to save someone. " Hisashi retorted, rushing straight towards the third group of zombies.

Heading towards where the girl was, the monsters were being killed, one after the other, either by being shot in the head or by finding themselves in the middle of a powerful explosion.

" Takashi, Hisashi, go ahead. " Kohta suddenly encouraged them, from the top of the balcony.

" We take care of them. " Usopp said, pulling his pachinko.

'' Even them ... ? " Takashi wondered.

Running then, he noticed that their five friends had managed to clear their way to the coveted place. With so many shots and the number of enemies divided by three, it was now easy for the duo to sneak past without being noticed by the few undecided zombies.

" I don't believe that ! They were able to clear the way for us. "

However, on arriving near the house where the girl had taken refuge, about thirty zombies were already gathered in front of the garden, while others were arriving.

" And now ? " Takashi wanted to know.

" What do I know ? " Hisashi asked him. " I thought you had a plan. "

" What ? You're kidding me ? "

" To come here, it was your idea, asshole. "

At that moment, they both felt their hair curl upwards, as static electricity was felt all around them.

" What ? " The two high school students wondered, looking up.

They then began to back away, as a large cloud formed and gradually grew above their heads. Turning around, they saw Nami creating her future attack, from the mansion.

" Come on! Again ! Again ! " She repeated, as small clouds black from her climat-tack.

Having left the rest of the group, she rushed to a place higher up in the residence, and ended up joining Tsunoda and Taniuchi, who were still in one of the bedrooms on the top floor. Starting to swallow their saliva, the two high school students watched without saying anything the meteorologist to demonstrate his skill.

Suddenly, the clouds stopped coming out of her staff, the very instant the redhead began to smile.

" It's ready. " She asserted.

A ball of electricity suddenly materialized at the tip of his weapon.

" Let's go, DARK CLOUD TEMPO. " She cried, swinging her ball straight at the cloud.

Seeing the attack disappear in the middle of it, Hisashi and Tahashi felt their heartbeats quicken as the cloud immediately charged with lightning. Lightning that would surely soon fall on them.

" Let's ... Let's go. "

The very second they turned around, a terrible rumbling sound was heard behind their backs, as lightning fell to strike the ground. In an instant, the zombies were struck down and then charred. Throwing themselves forward, the two friends collapsed on the tar, before looking over their shoulders. A crater. All they saw was a large smoking crater, as charred bodies lay here and there. The attack had managed to get rid of an entire group of enemies without giving any of them the slightest chance of escape. In fact, the heat given off by the electricity had even managed to melt the tar here and there.

'' Was it ... the sailor who did that ? " Hisashi wondered.

"She really has to tell me where I could find and buy a weapon like hers."

A frightened cry was suddenly heard, where the girl had taken refuge.

" Oh no. "

Running towards the garden, the two boys immediately saw three zombies, circling the child. Having taken refuge in a corner of the garden, the girl was curled up on herself, in tears. Despite the fact that his dog bit the leg of one of them, two zombies began to grab hold of the child's arms.

" You can always dream. " Takashi cried, rushing towards them.

Raising his bat, he hit one of them on the head and knocked him back. Preparing to do the same with the second, he froze when he heard a bang, before seeing the zombie's head explode.

" Well done, Kohta. " He mumbled, realizing where the shot was coming from.

Not having the idea to give up, the third zombie was about to grab him, when Hisashi gave him a powerful shoulder. Losing his balance, the zombie fell to the ground and, before he could stand, he felt the tip of Hisashi's revolver sink into his mouth. Finding himself on top of him, the high school student put a finger on the trigger of the weapon, before declaring.

" Return to your grave. "

A stream of blood splashed across the lawn, as a dark red puddle formed around the zombie's head.

Seeing the main danger being neutralized, Takashi then headed for the portal, which he closed immediately, in front of the noses of a few zombies approaching them. Wanting to block it, he stuck his bat there.

" What are you doing ? " Hisashi questioned, starting to approach the child. " We must go quickly. "

A hand suddenly appeared between the bars of the portal, showing that it was already too late.

" The lightning attracted them. " Takashi remarked. " Now, they will come with more numbers! We must find another way to escape. "

" It's understood, Robin. " Brook said, holding a den den mushi in his hand. " It's good news. "

He then hung up, and turned to Saeko, who slashed open a new skull with his weapon. However, the poor dozen corpses she had just killed did not change the situation at all. The zombies were coming in more and more and starting to surround them.

" They have reached the portal. " Brook told her suddenly, taking her arm. " We can go. "

And, before she could say anything, he made a fantastic leap, before landing on a low wall. He then began to run along the short wall, heading to where Chopper was.

The reindeer, in its small form, was climbing a lamppost, while a score of zombies surrounded it. The brave animal had managed to smash the skulls of half of his opponents. But, exhausted, he had finally resigned himself to finding safety.

" He is in danger. " Saeko remarked, already starting to run towards the zombies.

She froze suddenly, feeling a demonic aura behind her back. Turning around, she saw green smoke coming out of Brook's mouth. As the skeleton's body froze, the smoke was transforming before it took on the shape of a huge skeleton.

" But what ...? " The schoolgirl wondered, preferring to get away from him.

Far scarier than its creator, the greenish figure laughed ominously before heading straight for enemy lines.

" SOUL KING ! " Cried Brook suddenly. " Forward ! "

As surprised as Saeko, the zombies suddenly sensed the presence of a person who couldn't touch. Also, despite their tiny level of intelligence, something inside them told them to beware of what was about to happen. Yet the instant they wanted to move, they felt their bodies paralyzed. Something was preventing them from making the slightest movement.

Eyes widening, Saeko felt a drop of sweat run down her neck, seeing the ghostly figure of Brook surrounding the walking corpses, as his creator walked the most quietly in the world towards them.

" Yo oh oh, Yo oh oh oh… "

" Hey, the skeleton, what the…? " Began the schoolgirl.

She suddenly saw him disappear, before finding himself behind the group of zombies. Putting his sword away, he continued to sing.

" Bink's sake… "

At the end of the syllable, one of the zombies fell backwards as a long wound cut through him from the crotch to the top of his head. Soon another met the same fate, then another and yet another… Finally, before Saeko could figure out what was going on, most of the zombies were on the ground.

" But how … ? "

" Phew ! " Chopper sighed, stepping down from his perch. " Thanks Brook. "

" But it's nothing. " The skeleton assured, as the ghost vanished.

Turning then, he noticed that Saeko was staring at him with a scared look.

" A problem ? "

"Roronoa is not the only exceptional swordsman of this group of pirates." Saeko remarked, remaining silent. " This skeleton is also an ace of the sword! But where did they get such power ? "

Then squeezing the handle of her own saber, she decided.

"I have to stay with them! Yes, by accompanying them, I too would find a way to become stronger! Stronger than anyone. "

Suddenly she turned to listen to a suspicious noise. Slipping away, she saw a figure running on all fours at a surprising speed.

" But that … ? " She wondered, blinking.

Looking at the street again, she was surprised to find that the strange creature had disappeared.

"What was that ? "

" Come on, hurry up, Takashi. " Hisashi advised him, climbing the low wall that surrounded the garden.

" You are not light. " The boy remarked.

While the zombies still tried to force the portal, Takashi was doing the short ladder for Hisashi to help him climb up the wall. Once upstairs, the high school student would then help Alice join him before doing the same with Takashi. Putting his hands at the top of the wall, he began to force his arms in order to hoist the rest of his body.

" I'm almost there. " He assured.

At that moment, he suddenly turned his gaze to the left and began to widen his eyes.

" But what ...? "

" What ? " Takashi wanted to know.

Feeling his friend drop back, he saw him fall at his feet, starting to shake.

" What's wrong ? "

Alice suddenly gave a shrill cry, before pointing at something. Immediately turning his gaze to the top of the wall, the teenager now saw a strange creature watching them from the top of his perch. The creature was a zombie with scales on its body as well as a snout similar to that of a lizard. Small, crenellated teeth protruded from his jaws, as drool streamed down his chin.

" What is this thing ? " Cried Takashi, who was one of the only people who hadn't seen Zoro fight on TV.

" Looks like a lizard. " Hisashi scared, suddenly pulling out his gun, before pointing it at the body of the monster.

But barely had he time to make a gesture that his opponent flexed his limbs before jumping straight for him. The impact was powerful enough to knock Hisashi to the ground, as he dropped his gun. Finding himself now unarmed, he had no choice but to hold onto his opponent's arms in order to push him back from his face.

" Let go of me! Get out. "

" Mister. " Alice horrified, falling backwards, her legs paralyzed.

Frightened, too, by what he saw, it took a few seconds for Takashi, before he saw Hisashi's pistol lying close to him. Not wasting a moment, he grabbed it before pointing it at the zombie-lizard's skull, whose jaws began to snap near his friend's throat. Holding the gun in both hands, he took a few moments to aim his target and had his finger already on the trigger.

However, just as he was about to shoot, an idea suddenly sprouted in his mind, as his gaze turned cold.

" Takashi, what are you waiting for ? PULL ! " Hisashi ordered him, unable to hold back the monster any longer.

Turning his gaze a little, he fell silent, seeing the tip of the weapon point at his head. Takashi had just changed targets and was now ready to kill whoever he considered most to be his enemy.

" Ta… Takashi ? "

" But what is he doing ? " Saya wondered, watching the scene from the top of the balcony, with the pair of binoculars.

For more than ten seconds, Takashi had been immobilized as he was about to kill the zombie-lizard that was fighting against Hisashi. Again, she hadn't noticed that he had lowered his gun a little in order to aim Hisashi.

" He must have trouble aiming it correctly. " Yamada suggested. " Can't you do anything to help him ? "

" If I shoot, I risk hitting Hisashi. " Kohta retorted, already looking for an opening.

Suddenly taking a step towards them, Robin watched the scene, before starting to fold her arms.

" I will separate them. " She announced. " As soon as that is done, get ready to shoot. "

" Okay ! " Assured the two snipers.

But the instant Robin concentrated, Usopp sensed a presence warning from below them.

" Go back. " He suddenly ordered, pushing Kohta to force him off the balcony.

" But that … ? " Wondered his two comrades.

A figure suddenly appeared on the railing that surrounded the balcony and began to stare at them. Stepping back, several of the high school students began to shake in fear, seeing that the newcomer was a zombie-lizard, similar to the ones Zoro had fought. Thanks to his ability to behave like the reptile, he had no trouble getting over the wire fence before climbing the facade.

'' But ... But how many of these creatures are there ? " Mizusu wondered. " I thought Moss Head killed them all. "

Hearing the sound of her voice, the zombie bent its legs before jumping on her.

" AHHHHHH ! " Cried the young girl, putting her arms in front of her face.

Still having his bat on him (don't ask me why), Takuzo suddenly stood up in front of her, and attempted to punch the creature. The zombie immediately fell to the ground, in order to find himself out of the path of his weapon. Surprised, the boy found himself paralyzed, while the zombie was about to pounce on him.

" DOS FLOR ! "

Suddenly, two hands grabbed the creature's feet, just as it was about to jump. Surprised, she began to struggle, as Robin tried to push new arms out of his body to immobilize him. Wasted effort. The smooth skin on his body prevented the hands from gripping a stable grip. In addition, the zombie kept squirming in all directions, which had the effect of closing Robin's hands in the void.

Realizing that he could handle this obstacle, the zombie even managed to grab hold of Takuzo's leg, who hadn't had the savvy wit to back down. Losing his balance, he fell to the ground, as his attacker pulled his leg into his jaws.

" No ! Noo! NOOOO ! "

A chair suddenly hit the zombie's skull, to everyone's surprise. Grunting, the creature let go before collapsing to the ground. Breathing heavily, Takuzo suddenly lifted his head before seeing Morita, with a chair half fractured and colored red in one spot. Frightened too, the boy still had trouble understanding what he had just done. It was the first time he had given a blow to a zombie and it looks like he just killed it on the first try.

" My God ! Oh my God ! " He cried.

" You ... Did you kill him ? " Saya questioned, while Takuzo stood up.

To answer his question, the lizard suddenly raised its arm, showing that it was still alive, despite its destroyed skull. Trying to spot everyone around him, he waved his arm at Morita, in revenge. Raising his chest, he began to stand up, when his head exploded. Splashing the whole room, his brains squirted all over the place as the rest of his body fell to the floor, never to have the chance to move again.

As everyone began to swallow, they ended, one by one, by turning to the person who had just killed him. Dropping the assault rifle she had just picked up, Naomi was shaking, as she looked at what remained of the zombie's body. Confused, as well as emotional shock, she began to look at her hands, before falling to her knees.

While her friends were in danger, she had stepped back before her foot struck the gun. Having seen the gun, the young girl grabbed it, before pointing it at the zombie. Nonetheless, not feeling capable of killing him, she had purposely aimed higher, in the hope that the shot would grab his attention. However, this idiot, getting up, had put himself, all alone, in the trajectory of his projectile, when it had fired. Now that the damage was done, tears rolled down the schoolgirl's cheeks.

" Naomi ! " Takuzo cried, crouching down beside her.

" I have ... I killed someone. " She sobbed. " I killed someone! I wanted to… save you and… and I became a murderer. "

" But no, ... you ... I ... "

At that moment, another shot was heard in the distance.

With the end still warm, Takashi's weapon finally lowered slightly. Watching in dread what had just happened, Alice continued to sob, as her dog began to growl at Takashi. The high school student, his gaze still stoic, watched the body of the zombie-lizard stir. Turning his gaze to the teenager, he pretended to stand up, despite the hole he now had in his forehead. With his brain hit by Takashi's bullet, he eventually succumbed after a few seconds. Crushed by the weight of his body, Hisashi kicked him in order to knock him aside.

Getting to his feet, he looked at Takashi, who was staring at him, without moving.

" What … ? " He began.

The gun then left Takashi's hand as the boy confessed.

" I hate you ! I hate you with all my soul! Still, I can't kill you. "

Starting to cry, he began to display a genuine smile, before adding.

" Yes … ! I can't ! After all,… you are my friend. "

" Your friend ? " Hisashi wondered. " Do you still consider me your friend after what I did to you ? "

" I felt betrayed by that! But, if you and Rei are in love when she no longer has feelings for me, I know very well that she would die of grief in the end, if you died! I don't want to make her cry. "

Hisashi looked at him, dumbfounded. Until a quarter of an hour ago, he thought that Takashi's behavior had changed completely. But, in the end, all hope may not be lost. Yes, maybe they could go back to being the friends they were before this all started.

The puppy's growls intensified at this point. With its muzzle turned towards the portal, the animal let the boys know that Takashi's bat was about to give way.

" Let's go now. " Takashi cried, grabbing Alice's hand.

Resuming their ascent, the boy took the short ladder back to Hisashi, who hurried up to the top of the wall, before reaching out to grab Alice. But did he have time to put it down next to him that the doors of the portal opened wide, while a wave of zombie submerged the garden.

Then grabbing the puppy by its collar, Takashi put one foot against the wall while Hisashi pulled him up by pulling on his arm.

" Quickly ! Quickly ! " Takashi pleaded, as the first zombies wriggled their arms towards his legs.

Feeling one of them brush against him, Takashi made a perfect hip swing before throwing his foot into the face of an undead, who felt himself fall back. Behind him, like dominoes, some of his comrades fell under his weight, while the others passed them. However, as the first of them was about to catch his foot, Takashi exerted pressure with his arms on the top of the wall and managed to extract the rest of his body out of the reach of the zombies.

" Dirt! " He roared, turning to them.

Confiding the puppy to Alice, he pulled out the gun and started shooting at the zombie that had almost grabbed it.

" Stop. " Hisashi then stopped him. " It's no use. "

" What are we going to do ? " Alice frightened then, starting to sob.

Kneeling in front of her then, Hisashi assured her.

" Don't worry ! Our friends will be coming to pick us up soon. "

"Finally, let's hope ! " Takashi almost added, turning to the mansion where the rest of the gang were.

" Something must be done, quickly. " Nami suddenly cried, stepping into the living room.

As they followed her, Tsunoda and Taniuchi saw her freeze. Glancing over her shoulder, they then caught sight of the body of the zombie lizard lying on the ground, while most of the residents of the room appeared to be at bay.

" What happened ? "

" He managed to enter the mansion. " Usopp told her.

" What ? " Taniuchi frightened. " Can they come in here, then ? "

" What is this horror ? " Tsunoda wanted to know, coming a little closer. " Looks like a man with the body of a lizard ! Did you kill him, Kohta ? "

" No, it's not me. " Retorted the boy. " In fact, it is her. "

Turning their heads to the person he was pointing at, the trio then saw Naomi, still in shock, being cradled in her boyfriend's arms. The poor girl, already frail in mind, had a hard time understanding the fact that she had killed something that she considered, despite the situation, to be a human being.

" We… We are no longer safe here. " Cried Morita. " Let's go before other creatures come here. "

" To go where ? " Saya asked her.

" Anywhere ! In a few moments the building will be surrounded and we won't be able to leave here. "

" Huh ... There is more important, there. " Mizusu suddenly told them, glancing out the balcony window.

Arriving next to her, Nami suddenly widened her eyes, seeing Takashi and Hisashi in bad shape.

" Usopp, contact Chopper and the others, quickly. "

" Huh, yes. " The boy assured, taking his den-den mushi.

Turning it on, he had to wait a few seconds, before a voice answered him.

" Yes, what is it ? "

" Chopper ? "

" No, it's Saeko! And we … "

Usopp suddenly heard a cry of fear belonging to Brook, as the noises of struggle were heard in the background.

" What is going on ? " Wanted to know the sniper.

" Lizards, like the ones Roronoa fought on the bridge, attacked us! Chopper and Brook are pushing them back. "

"In that case, could you go to the garden where Takashi and the others are ? They are surrounded. "

" Impossible. " Saeko retorted. " These monsters are more and more numerous! We can't even clear the path. "

Growling upon hearing this, Nami finally turns to Yamada before ordering him.

" Go find Franky and the others! No matter how the bus is, it has to be ready in a few minutes at all costs. "

" O ... Okay. " The boy nodded, rushing immediately to the garage.

" You ... Do you plan to leave? " Asked Taniuchi. " But where could we go? "

" First of all, we get everyone back. " Nami decided. " Then we will go to the Ichiyama Bridge! Once this last one crossed we will see for the continuation! In the meantime, go wake up those who are still asleep and collect whatever may be of use to us. Usopp and Kohta, you stay on the balcony and watch everything going on outside, making sure that no more zombies come over the gate! At the slightest problem, you call us. "

" Yes. " The two boys agreed, resuming their positions.

As everyone got busy, Nami began to pray inwardly that Luffy and the others would come back soon.