It didn't take long for the log pose to catch on to a particularly small island to the north. After little debate and Luffy's fascination they headed in its direction. After spending all that time beneath the sea, they were more than eager to stretch their legs on dry land again.
Sanji and Zoro left the galley to join the others. The bottle of sake they shared moments before, has found a new home within Zoro's arm as he took another swig of the bitter stuff. He was working on a pretty good buzz and the blond didn't seem to mind, consider it a gift.
"Are we stopping already?" The swordsman uttered, noticeably buzzed by the flushness in his cheeks. He didn't mind either way. He liked to go with the flow. They didn't have anywhere to be after all, they were free and together again.
After little discussion they were each given a task for the day, chores and such. Zoro and Sanji would go ahead and scout the island since they were only able to get so close. They didn't plan to stay for long, just enough to blow off steam.
"Please tell me you kicked that habit of getting lost while we were apart." Sanji scoffed, following Zoro over the side of the ship.
"Not so sure about that one." Zoro chucked as he finished the bottle and set down as the two of them leapt from boulder to boulder towards the shore.
Their feet hit the grassy surface with a heavy thud. Sanji landed a bit more gracefully in comparison to Zoro. "I'm not promising anything other than that stupid look on your face when I get the bigger catch."
Zoro's cheeks were flush and red reflecting how welcomed the alcohol was. He was feeling pretty good right about now better than he had in a long time. He took in a deep breath. The scent of the salty sea air mixed well with the dirt from the inland.
"Is that cockiness I hear in your voice?" Sanji raised an eyebrow, Zoro flashed a grin.
"I hope you haven't gotten rusty otherwise you're gonna enjoy eating my dust!" Sanji spat as he leapt into the air and shot high up over the tree line. It was instantaneous and Zoro was a little too buzzed for all of this.
"Hey you bastard, that's cheating!" He barked into the air his eyebrows furrowing out of irritation. Sanji never looked back to acknowledge the other although he clearly heard him. He smiled happily although he would never tell him he'd missed him.
He missed everyone. It was a rough two years. He even went as far as to lose his own mind at some point. The thought of it made him shudder. The image of a gender bent Ivankov flashed in his mind, almost making him fall out of the sky. "Never again.." He whispered to himself.
The higher he flew the more he could see. One thing he hadn't seen yet were any signs of life. It was strange usually he'd pass a few birds or something but this was strange. It didn't take long for him to get to the other side. Down below him there was a nice clearing. He seemed to bend the air with every swift kick. Even being able to slow to a stop in midair and glide to the ground.
Sanji figured there'd be no better place to get started. His freshly polish black dress shoes met the grass with a sort of elegance. He scopes out his surroundings. The island sure held an abundance of rock. Even the shore around had been littered with the dangerous deposits. It would be hard for any living creature to survive here.
He skimmed the forest noticing a few pairs of eyes among the trees. He stepped up closer to get a better look when several crows flew out at him and knocked him on his ass. His heart thudded off in his chest but he was quick to pick himself up. He slicked his hair back composing himself.
Thank goodness no one was around to see. He sighed, mentally kicking himself for being scared of a couple stupid birds. He stepped up closer dusting himself off when he suddenly caught a whiff of something foul. Although it smelt putrid curiosity always gets the best of him and he had to investigate.
But when he peered through the brush all he found were several woodland creatures slaughtered and scattered amongst the leaves. It took a bit of strength in order to keep his stomach from churning.
There was no doubt about it that these killings were senseless. Sanji stepped a bit closer, noticing something strange. It was a weapon on some sort, it was pale white and he couldn't tell what it was made of. It he had to guess it resembled bone. But the shape of it didn't make any sense.
"Did somebody carve this?" He uttered under his breath. Sanji didn't like this feeling he had deep down. There was something very wrong about this place.
Zoro gazed into the sky following the black dot until he fell below the trees. 'How the hell does he do that?' He thought to himself sighing as he made his way into the forest. He was feeling pretty good right about now, his mind was nice and fuzzy. He took in a deep breath the scent of the salty air blending with the earth relaxed him. But it was eerily quiet. It gave him a bad vibe which he was trying so hard to ignore. But the further he ventured the stranger it seemed.
"What's wrong with this place?" He huffed. He hadn't even seen so much as a lizard since they landed. It was strange but he didn't think about it too hard. He didn't try to hide himself and he didn't even really feel like hunting. He probably just scared off whatever living things. Perhaps he'd just go out for a stroll. This island didn't seem very big from the sea. He figured he'd just go straight and make it to the other side.
He drew his sword effortlessly gliding through thickets of untamed vegetation. Everything stilled for a moment, not even the air shifted. Then everything fell into a neat mess at his feet as he made his path. He rested his arm on his katana at his hip and continued on his way. Little did he know there were two sets of eyes watching him from up above.
A couple of kids were concealed high up in the branches. The two exchanged glances before watching the wondering swordsman venture further and further. They were both considerably young, maybe 15. The boy, Kai was a few months older than his sister Ami. The reason for their presence here however was premeditated. As they will soon learn the hard way that there are eyes and ears everywhere. Especially in the New World where dangers lurk in even the most innocent looking places.
The two looked at each other and back down, observing their target waiting for the perfect time to strike. To the untrained eye they wouldn't seem like much, just a couple of youth. For now they concealed themselves, hiding their breath. they were here for him.
Kai slipped something out of his pocket, a metal tube of some sort probably the size of a scope and handed it to Ami. She took it without hesitation and nodded. Their window was small but she knew what to do, this was just another job. That's how she had to think about it.
After they do this they can return see the light of day tomorrow, live just a little while longer. It was him or them they had no choice. She gripped the pipe harder before Kai disappeared. He would give her the opening she needed for a clear shot. This was who they were.
Zoro couldn't shake this bad feeling he had, that that wouldn't stop him from trying. The last thing he wanted was for something to ruin his buzz. He couldn't ignore it anymore and when he heard a rustling above it proved his suspicions. What he didn't expect to find was a kid.
"I knew there was someone keeping an eye on me." He remained quiet. He furrowed his brow when the boy produced a small steel dagger and guarded. Zoro pouted really not wanted to pick a fight with some kid. He really wanted to relax today.
"Strong silent type huh?" He sighed holding his katana up urging the other to attack. They went back and forth a couple hits. The kid making sure not to get too close, Zoro on the other hand was edging to get closer. Show this kid who he's messing with so he will learn not to mess with strangers. His hits get harder against him and it's not long before Zoro breaks Kai's weapon.
He leaps back in order to avoid his attack. "Are you done messing around, tell me what you want."
Kai discards the broken blade. He takes in a deep breath, leaning his head back facing the sky. He doesn't answer and Zoro's getting very impatient. He's ready to finish this and be on his way when suddenly he speaks. "You can't run from your past."
"Who sent you?!"
Kai flashed a big crooked smile. "That's the least of your worries."
Zoro looked confused at first but his mood changed drastically when pale white spikes grew at the tips of his fingers. He shouldn't be surprised, all the weird he's seen within his life time this was barely scratching the surface. Still a situation he'd hoped not to find himself in.
Kai points in his direction aimed with a shard. He giggled, imagining the damage he could do to him. Zoro could see the sadistic thoughts churning within the child's mind. As much as he didn't want to he had to consider the ultimate solution and ending this poor child.
He gripped the hilt waiting for his attack when suddenly the spikes shot off like bullets. Kai didn't take in account that a man his size would dodge them so easily even under the influence. Kai grinned it wouldn't be fun if it wasn't a challenge. If anything this was just the warm up. This is where their home team advantage comes in handy.
He fabricated a blade like shard, just begging to pick a fight. He looked up at Ami and nodded. She nodded back holding out her hand, she slowly turned her palm up and Kai could feel himself become lighter. Zoro still couldn't quite figure his reason for being here. Or what he was about the face but anyone willing to attack him in broad day light was begging to be put in the grave.
It was a quick scuffle between the two of them. Kai was quicker than he gave him credit for but he never let Zoro get too close, just enough to distract him. It doesn't take long for Ami to get a clear shot. As Zoro lunged sword aimed for the kids head when something sharp stuck him in the nape of his neck. It stunned him for a moment and he backed off.
"What the..?" It was the opening Kai's been waiting for. It didn't take long for their secret weapon to take effect.
Zoro's vision hazed over, he blinked hard in futile attempts at clearing but it remained in and out and when he opened his eye the kid was gone.
"Shit.." He felt the back of his neck. There was this ceaseless burning sensation where something stuck him. He set his hand over to the spot feeling the blood ooze from the back of his neck. It was a needle mark. 'Little snot got me, from behind?'
This was getting stranger by the minute and he really didn't want to call for anyone over a kid. He would never hear the end of it if he did. His head began to throb thinking about it just irritated him. He had to stay focused, as much as he'd like to he couldn't drop his guard again. He ignored the sick feeling he was getting and continued to look for his assailant.
He was sure he hadn't left yet. Yet Zoro wasn't in a mood to play hide in seek. There were only so many placed he could be. Up above the young ones watch him.
"Did it kick in?" Ami uttered hushed.
"Not yet."Kai quickly returned his eyes never leaving the target.
"He's big; do you think it was enough?" She questioned again. Kai nodded. He'd done this a couple times against high risk targets and it never fails.
"Give it a few minutes before it sinks into his blood stream. Then we strike."
She nodded. They remained placid statues perched up high waiting for the perfect moment. When Zoro started to get restless they knew it was beginning to take effect.
"You ready?" Kai whispered although he knew the answer. "Wait till he follows me, then come up behind."
Zoro was getting edgy looking for any signs of the brat plowing through the woods. When he found none he assumed he must have disappeared into the trees again. 'Assassins are getting younger.'
The green haired man thought, feeling ridiculous for being fooled by a child. He didn't like this but it seemed like he needed to repay the favor. It'd be nothing to clear this forest. Zoro readied his attack when he heard a rustle in the trees. He knew the kid was fleeing and he wouldn't let him get away from this.
