The sun slowly rose in the horizon. Zoro looked down at Sanako and Robin, who were both sleeping nearby. This was going to be a tough day. The rebel leader approached him.
"What is the plan?" he asked Zoro.
"I'm the wrong one to ask. That's Robin's job." Zoro brushed him off. He didn't know who all to trust except his sister and Robin right now. He would have to protect both of them and get them off of this island in general. It kinda hurt that Luffy and the others attacked him like that, but he had to admit he had that coming. Sanako streached out as her and Robin woke up.
"Morning Zoro!" Sanako said, running to her older brother. Zoro put an arm around her shoulders to give her a small hug as Robin came over.
"What now?" Robin asked.
Luffy, Usopp, Sanji, Nami, and Chopper were at the palace gates. "Let's go get our Nakama back!" Luffy shouted happily. The group shouted in agreement and left to where they had seen Zoro last.
"They sure are a lively bunch." Isao said with a small smile.
"Yah they are, but they can also be potentally dangerous if they join with the rebels. I don't think that lie I told them will hold out for long. It may only last for a few hours until they find their friends, then they'll tell them the truth. The best option we have is to get to Sanako first. Then we can use her to keep the other two quiet, that way, no one knows." said Taro. Isao nodded and followed him along with the guards.
"Are you sure that's going to work?" Sanako asked Zoro and Robin. They nodded.
"It's pretty much the best idea we can come up with to keep everyone safe." Robin said.
"No, I won't go with it!" Sanako said. Zoro gave her a puzzled look. "I'm going to stand by you and help, not run and hide like a coward!" she shouted in frustration. Zoro looked to Robin for help, but she just smiled. "Another thing! No one else is going to go along with it either! We're not running! Would you run?" she asked. Zoro smirked and hung his head for a second.
"Fine, we'll have to come up with a new plan then!" Zoro said. He knew there was no chance of arguing with her, she was stubborn and when she made up her mind, he never could talk her out of it again. He would just have to keep an eye on her.
"Swordsman, I hear something." Robin said. They looked over to see Luffy and the crew emerging form the woods.
"ROBIN! SANAKO!" Sanji shouted in joy.
"ZORO!" shouted Chopper. The three of them stood in surprise at them. They weren't going to fight them?
"GUM-GUM PISTOL!" shouted Luffy, his fist went for the rebel leader. Zoro jumped in the way and blocked the attack.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" shouted Zoro. 'Why did Luffy attack the rebels?' he wondered.
"Because they're going to kill you!" Luffy shouted, confused as to his friends reaction. Zoro shock his head. It was time to explain things. Then Sanako screamed. He looked over to see Taro had her wrist.
"I was so worried! Luffy, can you finish things here, I must take Sanako back to the palace." Taro said. With that, he left with her and the guards. 'Shit, I know what he's doing! If me and Robin tell him what's really going on, he'll kill her! That bastard!' Zoro thought. He looked at Robin, but she was having trouble with holding Sanji back, she didn't notice. Then Taro disappeared into the woods. 'DAMN IT!' Zoro couldn't afford to tell the others yet. The only thing they could do for now was to keep the rebels safe.
"Exploding star!" shouted Usopp firing off a shot at a small group standing near Zoro. He jumped over and cut the shot in half, so it blew up in his face.
"What are you doing Zoro?" asked Luffy. Robin went to explain when Zoro shock his head.
"I'm sorry Luffy, we're going to have to leave you in the dark for a little bit longer!" he shouted. Luffy looked hurt at that statement but tried to hide it, not succeeding very well. Sanji got by Robin and went for one of the rebels, but robin crossed her arms.
"Tres Flur!" she shouted. Three arms wrapped around Sanji, knocking him onto the ground and holding him. "RUN!" she told the rebels. They nodded and fled into the forest, realizing this one was not their fight. They had another fight, a more important one to fight! They were headed to the palace. Zoro and Robin ran after them. They had to brake Sanako out before something happened. The others stared after them in surprise, then ran after them. Something was going on, something that they weren't told about yet! They continued along to the palace. Taro came out on a balcony by himself.
"LEAVE!" he shouted the single word with such power and anger.
"Not without Sanako!" Zoro growled.
"She's fine, she's here with me! Now leave!" he shouted.
"That's far from fine!" Zoro growled.
"What's going on?" Luffy shouted.
"Very well, I guess I can explain! Sanako is my wife to be because I kidnapped her. You see, I have to be married by the end of this year or else I will lose my throne! That's when I saw Sanako. I fell in love with her and decided that it would be her to be my bride. When I decided that, I brought her here to marry me. Unfortunately, I had come to find that she is the brother of the great Roronoa Zoro! Others discovered this as well, and learned that she didn't want to be married to me, so they rose up as a rebellion, using the color her famous brother wore in order to let me know who they were. In response, I told them if they ever attacked me, Sanako would die, that was the only way I could keep such a rebellion in line! Now I'm going to give you the same choice. Sanako is with Isao right now. All you strawhats but Zoro are to leave. If you ever return, Zoro will die." Taro said.
"And what makes you think I'm going to stay?" asked Zoro, trying to get the guy to let his guard down.
"Because you wouldn't leave Sanako to die would you?" Taro asked.
So there you go, the next chapter! Sorry it's short, I intended to make it longer. I hope you like and comment! Thanks for reading again!