Chapter 3

Zoro led Mizuke towards the edge of town, past a few trees so they could still see the buildings and people walk by, but no one would notice them unless they walked behind the foliage. Zoro paused, facing away from Mizuke, before speaking.

"Who are you?"

Mizuke stiffened. "I'm Mizuke… why do you ask?"

Zoro met his eyes. "I don't trust you. Luffy's easily convinced, but I'm not. So cut the shit and tell me why you came with us. You seem way too familiar with this island."

Mizuke could not blow his cover. That was certain. Even if he was scared and wanted to admit everything and just end his mission, he would not betray the Marines.

"I'm really just here to buy my mother a gift. I told you that I want to learn how to be a sailor when we met and I'm still learning from everyone. Once I get to Scanty Isle, I'll leave you be, don't worry. That place is a sailor's haven where anyone can learn the trade." His face hardened, "I only hope you'll allow me to get there with no problems. Being infamous pirates, I assumed you knew what you were doing."

He hoped he'd let his familiarity with the island slide. Mizuke was also unsure if Zoro had caught the underlying tone in his voice that almost gave him away. If he had, the swordsman showed no signs of it.

Zoro grimaced. "We don't know what we're doing half the time, but that's what makes us a threat. Especially my captain." Zoro walked away and disappeared into the tavern. Mizuke shivered.

Mizuke was by no means a large man, held little strength, and wasn't intimidating in the least. That's what made him such a good spy. But when Usopp, one of the crew's lankiest, most underwhelming member challenged him to an arm wrestle, he couldn't decline.

When was the last time Mizuke had fun? This island wasn't doing him any favors either, so he took the chance. They sat down facing each other and clasped their hands tightly together.

Luffy and Chopper shouted in favor of Usopp, Franky and Nami cheered on Mizuke, Brook and Robin stood by idly to watch the fun. When they began, they put equal pressure down. It wasn't long before they both started to get serious

"Yeah, yeah! Go Usopp, yahoo!" Luffy yelled next to Usopp, accompanied by Chopper who was yelling the same thing.

"Go, go Usopp!" Chopper jumped up and down in excitement.

"Oi, oi, stop yelling in my ear!"

"Oh, sorry", Luffy smiled, "WOOO!" He yelled louder.

Franky laughed and chimed in, "You can do it, little dude!"

Nami added, "You have to do it! I've got 500 in cash resting on this match!"

"You're betting on him?" Robin sounded amused.

Nami ignored her and prayed to whomever would listen for a win.

Usopp and Mizuke were struggled against each other's strength, but Mizuke felt himself losing, his tiny amount of endurance wouldn't last much longer. He couldn't push Usopp's arm to the table, he could only hold it in place. Sweat began to form on his forehead.

Usopp smirked, "Hee-hee, I've got this in the bag!"

Luffy and Chopper egged him on as Mizuke's arm began to slowly drift towards the table.

Usopp shouted, "My special move: Usopp Strength-of-a-Thousand-Men Finishing Blow!"

He slammed Mizuke's hand onto the table with a thud and cheers erupted from Luffy and Chopper. Nami yelped in defeat and shot a deadly look to Mizuke.

"You owe me 500 Belly."

"But you're the one that bet against me… And it's only 500 Belly!" Usopp sounded a little hurt.

She punched him and cried as she handed her 500 Belly coin over to Luffy.

"You bet with Luffy?!" Franky scratched his head.

"Yeah," she said between sniffs, "I thought that he was too stupid to pick a winner."

"That hurts, Nami…" Luffy frowned.

"Alright! Let's go get some food!" Usopp said.

"Alright!" Luffy smiled and ran to the tavern counter next to Zoro.

The swordsman had watched the match, eyeing Mizuke closely, and turned around when Mizuke caught his eye. Robin laid a hand on Mizuke's shoulder and giggled.

"It looks like Mr. Swordsman has his eye on you. I wonder what makes you so interesting."

Mizuke laughed nervously, "I-I don't think he sees me as interesting, Miss Robin…"

Robin glanced at Zoro thoughtfully, but quickly her smile returned. "Maybe he's wondering why you're so disinterested in this city, as if you've been here before?"

Mizuke froze. "W-what could you mean by that, I wonder?" He diverted his eyes.

"I wonder." Robin left him to think on it and joined the three Straw Hats at the bar.

He caught Nami staring at him from the other side of the room, accompanied by Brook and Franky, who were whispering among themselves. He saw Usopp glance at him from over his shoulder, but when they made eye contact, Usopp jumped and turned back around immediately.

They're onto me…

Author's Note:

Ayyy, I hope to finish this story (and my others) to get them off my chest so I can keep working on my books~

This probably won't be more than 10k words, but we'll see.

Anyway, off to the next chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece, just Mui/Mizuke