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"You don't need to protect us, Luffy!" He whispered softly. "There are 9 people in this crew, and each one of them is able to fight for themselves, and each one cares about you. You don't need to pretend with us, Luffy. We can see right through you."

Luffy bit his lower lip as more tears fell. They stayed in this position for a few minutes, before Nami's voice rang out

"Land!" She screamed from the deck. Zoro's head shot up, and he stood up, reaching his hand down to Luffy.

"Come on captain." He grinned, "Adventure is awaiting." Luffy managed a weak smile, as he took Zoro's outstretched hand, and they headed onto the front deck.

Nami noticed both Zoro and Luffy arriving on deck, and noticed Luffy's tear stained face. She stole a quick glance at Zoro, before turning back to address the crew.

"Guys, you are free to go out and explore, but be back before sunset, and travel in pairs in case we run into marines." She called out to all 8 others.

"You sound like a worried mother." Zoro mumbled as he strolled off the deck

"What was that Marimo?" Zoro spun around to see Sanji glaring at him.

"Nothing." He grinned, "Come on Luffy let's go." He stopped walking, as he got no response.

"Luffy isn't here.." Nami paused, before looking around the deck. "He must have gone on ahead." She sighed, "Knowing him, he's going to cause some sort of trouble. Zoro, go find him." She motioned to Zoro, who in turn nodded, and jumped off the side of the ship, walking up the port.

"You do realize he will get lost...Right" Usopp smirked to Nami, who in turn sighed.

"I forgot about that." She replied, "But he'll find him eventually...I hope."

With that, the rest of the crew headed off to explore the town, while Franky stayed behind to tend to Sunny.

Zoro walked casually along the path. He looked to be in a marketplace of some type. There were stalls selling all sorts of goods. He noticed a katana store from the corner of his eye, and proceeded to enter it.

He entered the store, and began to walk around. There didn't seem to be many good katanas, after all, he didn't need one. But it's always nice to look at them.

"May I help you sir?" He turned around to the table at the back, and walked up to the man.

"No, just looking." He replied, before narrowing his eyes, and slowly backing away towards the door. His eyes glued to a wanted poster on the wall. It was Luffy. He reached the door, before pulling it open and rushing out as fast as he could.

Phew. This town seems to be kinda dangerous for Luffy if he's running about. Zoro thought to himself, as he passed a bulletin board with yet another wanted poster of Luffy. Fuck, okay this is weird. Even if he has a 400 million bounty, there is never this many wanted posters up of him in one town!

Zoro broke into a sprint, as he raced through the marketplace, his eyes searching everywhere for the boy, hoping to find him before any marines or bounty hunters did. He knew Luffy was capable of taking care of himself, but Zoro wasn't sure if he could while in this state.

Zoro spun around quickly as he heard a lot of commotion coming from behind him, in one of the shops. Curiously, he headed over, and cut the door down, before walking in, standing face to face with Luffy.

"...Luffy!" He stuttered out, before regaining his composure, "I've been looking everywhere for you.. Where did you go?" Luffy just looked away, his eyes not meeting Zoro's.

"Just looking for someone." He replied, before walking out the door, Zoro following close behind.

"But who?"

"Can you leave me alone" He cringed.

"I can..." It was such a simple request, but Zoro felt like he shouldn't obey. "But I'm not going to."

"Zoro just leave me alone for like a day!" He spun around, anger flourishing in his eyes. "There's something I need to take care of... Alone."

"Something.. Or someone?" Zoro narrowed his eyes. "I can see right through you Luffy." He grabbed Luffy's arm lightly. "Just let me come with you and help you?"

"No! Just leave me alone. I'll be back before sunset." He snatched his arm back from Zoro, and raced off as fast as he could.

Please Zoro. I need to do this alone.

Luffy knew Zoro was persistent, but it's been an hour and Zoro was still following him. Luffy's patience was running thin, and he was just about to turn around and snap at Zoro, before he ran into someone.

That's what I get for not paying attention. He thought to himself, before staggering back, "Sorr-" He froze.

"Well, well, well."

Zoro ran up to Luffy's side, tapping him lightly on the shoulder. "Oi Luffy." No reply. "Oi Luffy! Snap out of it!" He slapped Luffy across the face again, this time gaining a small whimper. Zoro turned his attention to the man Luffy ran into. He was tall... Very tall. Zoro spied a Marine cap sitting on his head. "A marine, ay?" He smirked, drawing his swords.

"NO Zoro." Luffy seemed to come back to reality, before pushing Zoro down onto the ground.

"What the hell Luffy-" He looked up at his captain. He was... shivering? No... Luffy doesn't get scared.. But it wasn't cold out. "Luffy..." Luffy ignored his comments, his attention drawn to the man.

"If it isn't Dragon's son..."

Luffy gritted his teeth,

"Luffy, who is this?" Zoro asked from where he was sitting on the ground.

"It's.." Luffy seemed to be breathing more, sweat dripping down from his head.

"My name is Akainu. Fleet admiral Akainu." The man smirked to himself, causing Zoro to gasp.

This was Akainu... the man who did the only thing that no one else could do. Completely break Luffy's spirit

Luffy gritted his teeth before kneeling down to Zoro.

"I'm sorry Zoro." He whispered

"Huh?"

Punch

Luffy knocked Zoro out completely, before switching into gear second, and jumped onto a nearby roof. As he expected, the man followed.