CHAPTER 5
CAUGHT IN HIS SPELL
Zoro counting with his sotto voice,
"Three.. Two.. One.."
Law's body swaying before his vision blank and collapse, weakly.
"Zero."
THUMP! Law falls on the Kendo's battleground. His Shinai slip from his hand, fall beside his fallen master.
'M-My body... I.. I Lost..'
Vergo stand up suddenly, his face written 1001 of worried and suspense. Ryuma and Mihawk smiles, satisfied, acknowledged the match. They don't care who the winner is, they just proud seeing the new generations of Kendo is as great as their old times.
All people in and out of stadium fell silence and stunned. What happen in front of their eyes really shocking the entire hearts that put a high hope on Trafalgar. But no one underestimate Roronoa's brutal ability. All audiences knew both of the great Kendokas have their own potential capability.
It's just how the competition's rules work. There always have the winner and the lose one.
Suddenly the entire Shabondy burst up into havoc cries and epic cheering, alluring with loud noisy.
"YAHHOOOO~~~! !"
Luffy jumps highly, accepting how his Zoro finishing his battle. Caimie claps her hands and smiles widely. Koshiro smiles proudly. He felt happy seeing his son's ended his battle perfectly.
Penguin, Sachi and Bepo already standing outside from the battle square, and waiting nervously for the referees give a permission to do the medical check up on Law. They wearing their paramedics vests and bring first aid box with them.
Bepo cringe and a single tear dropped when seeing a blood began drenching Law's left shoulder from far. Bepo want to face Roronoa because hurting his dearest Sencho, but just seeing that Black Knight's unmoving figure with terrifying dark auras surround him, make Bepo's leg trembled in fear.
The loud, chaotic and noisy of audience's cries and cheers that wearing the stadium ignored by Zoro. Zoro watch Law bad shape. That lying body looks numb, Zoro eyes caught the trembling shaken from that weak form. Zoro eyeing his fallen prey like a hawk. That sharp piercing eyes feels like tore every inch of it prey's flesh.
Law flinches, he didn't like it how that glares watching him. Law didn't understand what that needle glares meant for.
Law feels Zoro's throbbing glares wearing his body like the Soldier Ant's bites. It hurts his guts, his heart. Didn't capable of doing anything to cover his painful pride in this time, Law feels like want to cry.
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"Hm'mn. Don't cry later."
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'Damn it, Roronoa..' Even still wearing his head protector, Law turns his face to the another side, tried to hide his trembled face from Roronoa. Law bites his inner lower lip. The single trays of tear leave the corner of Law's weak eye.
No one notice it, but Zoro's wild gestures did. Zoro let out a soundless heavy sigh, soften his stern muscles a little. 'I told ya. Don't cry after... Did he forgot?' Zoro shrugs in his head. Damnnation, tears really broke Zoro's evil ego.
Especially from his MALE opponent that admit their defeated by tears. 'Shit..! This is not girl's fight, Trafalgar.' Zoro's eyebrows frown. The uneasy feeling shot his brick heart. He never felt something like this before, Zoro couldn't understand it.
Law's lower half body really turn numb, it's cold and can't make his legs stand properly. His World's visions waved madly. But the most important, Law still managed to stay on his conscious. It's better than worse.
This put Law in the matching level with Zoro, able to compete with Zoro's violent swordsmanship.
Law slowly touches his left shoulder, he fells a hot liquid still flows from there. Then finally he notices the familiar smell. 'Blood... Cheh'.
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"Told ya. I'm biting."
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'He really do biting people, troublesome brat with weird swords.' Law sighing silently.
Law could tell that a normal person who didn't mastering their Haki would suffered from broken bones, severely ripped flesh and coma directly after receive this killing blow. Law acknowledged his opponent's Akuma side. 'This serious Roronoa..! Penguin. Damn I really had fun, yeah.'
Well, Law did nearly got killed tough. With Zoro's seriousness.
While all the audiences still cheers loudly with Luffy still laugh epicly, Caimie only stares on Law.
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"Can't he ever be serious with his opponent.. Poor him."
"If Zoro serious, then his opponent will be moooooooooorrreeee poor. Shishishi"
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Caimie didn't know how to react. She is happy that her big brother fight seriously.. But a 'giggling' and 'laughs' would be sounds really bad, because she fells pity on Law. No, it's a guilty. Guilty that Luffy and Caimie laugh on the 'poor man' before. Caimie fell sorry, didn't know the 'poor man' would be Law.
Well, she do like that Trafalgar... Who's not..?
Caimie just realize that Luffy's words is a real deal of 'sarcasm'. It's not a thing to joke about.
Caimie pinch her own right cheek, fall for Luffy's 1001 means of babyface grins. It's not innocent at all. That grins meant to harm... And why she forgot that her brother and Luffy is a Duo Monsters..? Everything comes from that monsters pair always clipped with something monstrous. 'How bad of me! Kyaa~ I don't want to be a monster!'
The referee asks Law if he is really okay. Law takes some hard time to responds, and tells only by his unvoiced hand, shows the sign of 'okay'. All the audience and Law's fans sighing, feels relive knowing about Law's condition.
But actually Law's both legs and hands shaking badly. And this bleeding shoulder. Law forced his right hand grip tightly on his bleed shoulder, and makes the blood stop immediately by his own way.
"Can you do the Sonkyo, Trafalgar-san?"
Ask one of the oldest referees to Law, softly. Law didn't voices his answer but only with nods.
Law tried his best to sit on his toes, and grab his Shinai. His knees were open and the heels were raised off the ground, straight-backed squat. Zoro watch it as he walks slowly in front of Law, till Law success the attempt.
Then Zoro lower down his legs, sit with same level with Law, straight his back. All three referees stand on the each corner of ring battle. Law swift his Shinai facing Zoro, while Zoro doing the same with both his Shinais facing Law. Their gaze met each other.
The closing matches were declared by perform this Sonkyo.
Again, a heavy claps and cries of cheers howling entire Shabondy, rattled the stadium building and it's sky above. Ryuma, Mihawk, Koshiro, Vergo, Luffy, Caimie, Penguin and all of the people there stand up, claps their hands proudly.
In the heavy noisy hand claps, as the time ticked second by seconds, Law began paled. Law's entire body feels like was struck and chopped by lightning. Law's butt hit the ground suddenly, his shaking legs prevent him to stay on his legs a little longer.
Bepo, Penguin and Sachi halts, while Caimie gasps. Zoro lower down his Shinais.
Law pressed his forehead with his cold palm. His head dizzy. Migraine come and say-hi to his sorry head. 'What a sadist technique..' Zoro stares, then he slip both of his Shinais beside his waist, and stand near beside his fallen opponent.
"Sorry."
All he said, with soft and calm voices. Law halts, he surprised. Law looks up to the source of that familiar voice. 'Roronoa-ya..? Why?' The just now deathly Roronoa sounds... Gentleman Roronoa.. Law tried his best to move and imbalance his body, while tried to cover his nervousness facing another mystery side of Roronoa Zoro.
Law didn't even know that troublesome brat's ego was broke by Law's single tear.
"I-It's okay.. It.. It's a normal thing happen in tournament."
Law's shaken voices startled himself, didn't believe how his own voices betray him. Damn it shows his weak side right in front of this Roronoa. His damn rival..!
Damn, it's completely turns Law off.
"Need help?"
"No, thank you.. I'm okay."
". . . . Alright then."
Zoro bend his body, grip Law's non-hurt shoulder and waist, helping him up. Law flinched, even more shocked. He is not really a touchy type person. Law has been told by Vergo that Roronoa is a very distant person but.. But.. It's feels awkward to him and in the same time, far in his heart he feels happy.
Happy for some unrevealed and strange things that began to blossoms secretly, deep inside his heart.
Sadly, there are butterflies floating in Law's heart. Damn. Law didn't know why. A pinky blush hints on his tan cheeks, he grateful that the Kendo's head protector they wore covering his blush face. It's so embarrassed.
Vergo titled his head, didn't believe what he see in front of his eyes. His thin eyebrows twitched, suspecting that Roronoa boy tried to do something to increase the harm on Law again. Indeed, Vergo was too late.
Roronoa Zoro already increased another amount and level of HARMFUL on Trafalgar Law, Vergo-san.
Law didn't realize himself slowly acting like Roronoa Zoro's fangirl and secret admire.
That grip.. It feels so strong and full of care. Law can feel some possessiveness wrapping, shielding around him. Zoro is not as the annoying, wild and tyrant 'Roronoa' that he just fought a minutes ago. Now is a soft, gentle and caring 'Roronoa'. Weird. Law never knew that Roronoa could be this.. This..
"Is okay here?"
Zoro's manly voices interrupting Law's fly minds. Law startled from his self thought. Law turns his gaze to see Zoro and then their eyes met. A stormy grey orbs met a dark bronze orbs. Zoro stare at Law.
"Oi. I'm asking you. Or you prefer to see my Grandpa so he can give you some traditional treatment."
"N-No, thanks!"
Law push Zoro so he free himself from that intoxicating grip. 'Shit. How can I didn't realized he still holding me? You're so dead Trafalgar. How embarrassing.' He can feels his face getting hot and redden.
But the traditional treatment sounds good... Law chocked. 'OHH Fff#%&$ +^*#!* this kid make me nervous!' Law blaming on the other party for drove him turns soft.
Law helped by his friends, Penguin and Bepo to sit and relaxing himself. Bepo massage Law's back gently, avoiding the bloody part of Law's shoulder, while Penguin, checking Law's pulse at his wrist. Sachi prepared some cold towel and the first aid.
Zoro confused with that weirdo Law. Law avoided eye contact with Zoro.
Zoro walks to his father and Luffy. He glance at his grandfather, who still discussing with Mihawk, Vergo and other judges. Ryuma steal a glance when he noticed his grandson peek at him. Ryuma smile.
Zoro halts. It's the first time Ryuma... Smile to him. Zoro feels so nervous; he couldn't even reply that smile. Zoro nod, as symbol of honor to his grandfather. Then he kept walking.
Luffy is the first one come to Zoro and suddenly beat Zoro hardly on stomach. Zoro's eyes about to flipped out from its socket.
"Teme! What was that for?!"
Zoro snapped in shocked, his teeth changes to shark teeth, his hand rubbing his dull stomach. Luffy only keep laughing loudly, while Caimie cover her mouth with soft 'Opss!' slipped from her lips. Luffy always know the best time to catch Zoro off guard. Maybe due to Zoro's mind still distracted by Ryuma's sudden mood change.
"Shishishi hontouni omedeto~~! Zoro! That was great battle! Shishishi~~"
Zoro's angry face softens. He smiles in turn. Smiles proudly, happy to hear his most dear best friend acknowledged his fight. His only Captain, his only Boss.
"You know I'll always finished my battle, Sencho-Oyabin."
"YEPP! Shishishi that's MY Zoro~! AHA HA HAA~!"
Luffy laugh again, louder than loud. Luffy's hands placed on both his waist, while his shoulder shakes along with his laugh. Damn Luffy too happy he couldn't control his nasty and insane laugh. Zoro smirks. Caimie giggles.
"You're great, Nii-chin! Congratulations~!"
"Zoro. Congratulations, my son."
Koshiro smiles. He placed his right hand on Zoro's left shoulder, patting his son proudly. He is happy.
"Ah. Thank you Oka-san, Luffy, Caimie."
"Shishishishi"
Luffy's chesire wide grins reply Zoro. Luffy brush his nose with his left finger, he feels so exited he can't stop his goofy grins.
Koshiro told Zoro to rest himself and relaxing before the announcement. Caimie accompany Koshiro, sit on the VIP seats back. Zoro nod in understanding, Luffy follow after him to the participant special seats.
Zoro sits Japanese male style. He placed his two Shinais beside him vertically lean on wall, along with his other non-used two long Shinais. And finally Zoro opened his Kendo's battle mask, leave his identical black bandanna. The air around him sparkles, shows his handsome features and a sexy pair of an Asian's eyes.
He can hear all audiences and fan-girls shouting, cries his name and cheering fanatically on him. Caimie also waving her green color little triangle shaped flag to Zoro, with words 'LONG LIVE MARIMO!'
Luffy laughs again and sits after Zoro, with his legs spreads open and his straw-sandals facing readers, sitting barbarically. His D grins come after the laugh. Zoro sigh expecting the noises. But Zoro didn't hate it, Zoro didn't mind it.
Zoro's sweats began to dry. Zoro open his Redbull drink bottle and gulped it's contains. Luffy put both his hands behind his head and lean to the wall behind him, sighing a relief feels how good the place, Luffy can see a nice view of audience crowd from there.
"Zoro! You must treat me a mountain of meat on bone!"
"Why?"
"You won!"
"Baka! You are the one who should treat a winner!"
Zoro poke Luffy's left cheek playfully with the tip of his shorter Shinai. Luffy giggles, didn't mind letting Zoro molesting his cheek with Shinai.
"Damn, it's an international tournament. You're super Diva, Zoro! Shishishi~"
"Ain't I awesome?"
"Zoro is TRUE AWESOME~~!"
"Ch'. You're too loud."
"Shishishi~~ . . . . . Ne, Zoro."
"Ah?"
Luffy grip and stopped Zoro's poking Shinai with his left hand, while his right hand still behind his head.
"It's four, is it?"
"Yeah.."
"Your technique.. Hm. So Zoro do strike on him four blows... Shishishi"
"Well, I appreciate your sharpness, Sencho-Oyabin."
"Aashishishi~~ What's wrong..? That's not your usual death blow. It should be six. What with sudden change... Nee, Zoro~~"
Luffy smirk naughty. His tone sounds dangerously playful, while Luffy's wide eyes lazily reduce the orb size to the teasing eyes. The eyes of the pervert mind. Zoro's eyes ogle on Luffy seriously. 'Damn his twisted grins. I hate that.' Zoro's sweat dripped from his forehead. Luffy's words hit Zoro right on his nerves. Zoro didn't really like it when Luffy busted him out with those wicked grins.
". . . . . ."
"You hold back? Why so gentle suddenly..?"
"Teme. I just feel like it. He can't stand even one direct hit."
"Awww Zoro~ Shishishishi"
"Hn."
"That guy.. Is really something."
Luffy said in a low deep toned, while throw his serious look on Trafalgar who far from them and still receive the treatment by Penguin, Sachi and humanism big Polar Bear. Zoro watch Luffy's long gaze and still wearing his silent. Zoro tried to make sure he understands Luffy's tricky words.
". . . . . ."
"He manage to stay conscious. Shishishi~ Seems he able to heal his inner self in short time, that Tora-something guy."
"Who knows? Perhaps he trained his body and muscles well. He's not a new guy in big tournament events like this."
"Shishishi I know Tora-something family.. They're into medical and pharmacy stuff."
Luffy grins to Zoro. He make a peace sign, but his fingers bending like a rabbit ears. Zoro's rise his right eyebrow, he knows Trafalgar is a doctor. But something strange in Luffy's words hints a different meaning. Zoro watch Luffy's face in disbelief, let out his curiosity in low whisper.
"Drugs? You mean.. He took Steroids?"
"Kinda. But not sure."
"You investigate him? Wow, what are you into now, a stalker..?"
"No. Aww Zoro~~ Shishishi~ Yesterday... I pokes.. His older brother. Shishishi~"
'Luffy met with that Police Chief Superintendent..?! What kind of business they had..?' Zoro kinda shocked, something called 'jealousy' runs through his nerves. Why Luffy didn't even tell him about that..? Zoro felt he was left behind, but he can't get mad at Luffy. Because Zoro never understand how WORKING people's works their days. No naps, no plays, no training it's boring.
Luffy laugh indifferent tones of nasty grins. Luffy is being naughty again. Zoro can't ever predict Luffy's business nowdays. But Zoro don't want to push it. Luffy will tell if he wants. Luffy is younger than Zoro, but Luffy's business always older than his ages. This damn twisted babyfacer.
"Ah... That's why you skip dinner yesterday. I think World is going to end."
"Shishishi. Or Tora-something guy is really that strong."
"Yeah.."
Zoro eyeing Trafalgar Law from far. Law just opened his Kendo's battle mask, shows his dark blue-ish goatee and messy but stylish hair that still wet with sweats. The cut and injured from Zoro's Shinai on Law's shoulder make some part of his white Kimono colored in red.
Red tinted on white... Well, Zoro like the colors. Zoro like his own well done job. 'It's look fabulous on him..' Zoro's brain smirks, while his left hand busy reach for his long Shinai that he used before in their battle. The Shinai that smeared with Law's blood.
Zoro watch the Trafalgar's stoic face. Nothing pains affected that man's face gestures after short time. 'So his body familiar with bloody cuts. Good..' Zoro took a small, soft green colored towel near his bag.
Law's friend turns chaotic and panic after take a single look inside Law's bloody kimono. Law's shoulder swollen badly, the cuts look like bitten by tiger or shark. They forgot Law was bite by a fucking giant dragon. Zoro's dragon. Or rather, slashed by Kitetsu's shadowed Shinai. Zoro's mystery technique seems like a haunted ability, it's terrifying.
Penguin's hands trembled and shaking while treat Law's wound. His mad and sad mix each other. Sachi bite his lower lip, also tried to control his anger and sad, while Bepo helping Penguin with his fluffy ears fall back. They all sad.
It's only Law who didn't feels sad about himself. Lets bygones be gone. Law sighing when seeing his comrade's all moody.
"Stop it you guys, I am okay. Do faster with the treatment."
"H-Haii'.."
Zoro wipe the about-to-dried blood on his Shinai gently. Gently handle his Shinai like his most precious treasure, while his eyes never leave Law's calm face.
Zoro watch clearly that natural tan skin, matching with the hair. 'Maybe dark hair look good on me too?' Zoro wonders, and still questioning himself till now why his own hair was green colored in the first place..? Why didn't he got his father's DNA color more?
That long bend lashes and exotic smokey beauty eyes.. 'I just now make those eyes in tears.' Zoro gulped his own saliva, either guilty or happy. Zoro wonders if Law got the beautiness from the mother. Or put some plastic surgeries on it. Men can't be this beautiful. 'It's sexy, damnit!'
Law's tall figure, not to feminine, and not to muscular. The shape that girls and woman would whistle and drools over. It looks strong, elegance, intelligent, influential, and powerful. That man really got a pack of brain and look. Perfect shape for ideal heir of known-as-Diva Trafalgar.
Zoro can tell why so many women are willing to be used, cry and kill themselves just for this man. That bold apparence could kill anyone who lay their eyes on 'it'. Zoro know this man full of trick. It's dangerous, but perfect for his liking. The capable beast in silence. Wild is his taste.
Damn, even Zoro was stuck with Trafalgar's beauty spell, slowly swallowed up silently.
'I'm glad I bleed him.' Zoro growls a sinister vulgar snort.
Zoro too absorbed staring to that mysterious beauty. He didn't realize his Hakiknock Law's guard hint. Law noticed that Zoro look at him. He glances at Zoro and their eyes met, the vision crushes.
Law smile and nod to Zoro. Hoping Zoro would hear out his heart; 'Thank you, but I hate you.'
Zoro can read those eyes. Zoro's serious face began soften. He reply with smile and nod too. 'Such a polite person, and thank you too for the blood.'
Zoro feels happy that tonight Kitetsu would sleep soundly without rattles its hungry cries, so Zoro can sleep peacefully. So nice.
Luffy grins widely, sensing Zoro's pheromones spread out uncontrollably. Knowing the Tora-something guy must be already caught his Zoro's wild interest. HIS Zoro.
"Shishishi! No one could manage to stay conscious after receive Zoro blows. He is the one, after me.. Interesting, so damn interesting~~ Shishishishi"
Zoro opens his black bandanna, and tied it on his left shoulder nicely.
"His title as Surgeon of White Tiger Demon didn't just a talks."
"Yours also not just a talks. Shishishi."
"Yours too, Sencho-Oyabin."
This pair of monsters smile to each other.
Later, both Zoro and Law called to in the arena.
Law's shoulder bandaged nicely, and he wore his long coat to cover his bloody white kimono. All cameraman and paparazzi gathered in front of the battle square. The winner announced.
Zoro overpowered Law and beat Law's history. Their match was stated and ranked in the Book of World Records as The Most Greatest matches in Kendo history.
Roronoa Zoro The Three Horned Demon, conquering Trafalgar Law, The Surgeon of White Tiger Demon.
As the winner announced, the narration conclude the segment stating that;
"Trafalgar won in reactive superiority, but Roronoa won in Kendo."
Both of them equally strong. One mastering his creepiest strategist brain, and one other mastering his overwhelming rampaging swordsmanship.
To be continue...
A/N :
Sonkyo - The calm, straight-backed squat.
Hontouni omedeto - Really really congratulations
Thank you so much for reading, Sweetheart.. :)
Dear Azab, thank you so much for the support and I really appreciate it..! XD