CHAPTER 14 - Sacrifice
Shinobu couldn't believe her eyes. For the first time in their journey, Zoro had surrendered from a fight. The man withdrew his blades.
"I want you to honour your deal, right now." Zoro demanded.
"I know. I'll honour the deal. In exchange, you'll have to come along with us." Hawkins replied.
Beast Pirates grunts showed up and cuffed Zoro, confiscating his blades.
"But why?" Shinobu asked.
"Don't worry about it. And besides, forget about the pirate situation. They were looking out for me so they won't have a reason to cause a fuss."
"But…"
"I don't want to hear about it. It's my choice, I'll pay for the consequences. If you are thinking of anything, don't think about it."
"Zoro." Kanae observed the man's conviction.
"You heard me, Hawkins." Zoro looked ahead.
"Very well."
And with that Zoro left the village with Hawkins and other members of the Beast Pirates. Shinobu observed them go, but couldn't do a thing.
"It's not your fault." Kanae mentioned, "He was adamant, and we couldn't have helped him in this situation. Zoro believed he had good reason to do what he did."
"I can't let it end this way. That Hawkins, he will pay." Shinobu was furious after a long time.
Zoro was thrown into the brig of a Beast Pirate ship that was anchored off the coast.
"Hah, serves your right, Pirate Hunter. Master Jack hasn't arrived yet, but you can count your days." bellowed one of the pirates.
The brig went into silence. Zoro's handcuffs were removed but there seemed to be no way of getting out of the bars.
"Hey you, I heard you were caught by Hawkins. Are you really the Pirate Hunter?" asked one of his cell-mates. Zoro hadn't realised that a person was sitting quietly behind him.
"Yeah, so what?" Zoro replied.
"So what's the plan, are you getting out?"
"Do you see a way?"
"Not yet, but it all depends on the purpose."
One day after, Law received Shinobu's message...
Back at the Butterfly Mansion, Law knew better than to head out without further details. Shinobu had sent the letter the previous evening, detailing the situation regarding Zoro and the man named Basil Hawkins. The lamps lightened the room after the sun went down.
"I can't believe he's here. That would count two of the Supernovas, besides Zoro-ya and myself." he told himself.
Shinobu's assistant Sumi showed up in the room and mentioned that the patients were done with their recuperation training.
"Let them rest, and I don't want that Zenitsu and Inosuke leaving the mansion. Tell them that I'll hunt them down." Law said.
"If you say so." Sumi seemed unsure of his idea.
"I don't know if I'll be able to continue this research." Law was concerned, "Pirates have landed ashore and Zoro-ya has been captured."
Sumi sympathised with his angst.
"Please, take it easy. You have been working your best, and you haven't slept much these days. Please take care of yourself." she said, "Should I prepare you an evening tea?"
Law looked upon her, "That would be soothing, thank you." he appreciated.
The door slid open, with Tsuguko Kanao Tsuyuri surprising the people inside.
"Is it true that Lady Kanae went along with big-sister Shinobu? And they are in danger?" she demanded.
"What do you plan to do?" Law asked calmly, but Sumi was concerned from Kanao's demeanour.
"I believe you are concerned about your boss, but those two can handle their own. And besides, if you were concerned, you should've gone with her." Law added.
"I was busy with a mission." Kanao replied, calming herself down.
"Alright, let's head over to the living room and get things calmed down over tea." Law got up walked out of his room.
"Master Law, Pillar Tengen Uzui has come to see you." Aoi showed up and mentioned.
"Let him in. We'll talk over tea."
Uzui met Law and Kanao in the living room and was amused with the new caretaker. Tea was served as Uzui began the conversation.
"So you are now Hashira Trafalgar Law, the new administrator of the Butterfly Estate?" he laughed, "You and your friend have amazed me. I wasn't expecting Master Ubuyashiki to surprise us like that, making the both of you Hashiras to replace Rengoku's death, let alone allowing you to attend the former meeting."
"I'll take that as a compliment. But Zoro-ya isn't my friend." Law replied, "But whether you like it or not, there will be a time when we both will need to leave out for sea."
"I know." Uzui nodded, "And besides, I heard your swordsman friend, Hashira Zoro was captured by pirates? I haven't got the details, but I was planning to head in that direction for a mission. I could lend Shinobu a hand whilst at it."
"Don't bother. Kocho-ya can handle the situation. And as for Zoro-ya, I'm expecting him to figure something out." Law sighed after a moment of pause, "But you are right. I do have my doubts over their situation." Law said.
"That's it then, I'll be making a search." Uzui decided not to listen.
Law decided to let Uzui do his job. Kanao of all people was glad to the decision.
"Very well." Law agreed.
"So tell me, I had a high impression over Roronoa Zoro, him defeating Sanemi Shinazugawa. What happened? Did Shinobu mention anything?" Uzui asked.
"I thought she had sent a message to the headquarters. Did you guys not receive the message?"
"As a matter of fact, we did yesterday evening. And thus, there's a meeting upon the Ubuyashiki Residence for the available Hashiras. I was supposed to mention it to you since I was in the area. I heard you are involved with some kind of research."
"Yeah, I wasn't being able to give time out of the Butterfly Estate, but I'll join you guys in the meeting."
"I acknowledge it. So, now tell me what happened?"
Law began to explain things in brief.
"Kocho-ya mentioned there was a fishing village on the coast where her team had arrived. It seemed the Beast Pirates had rounded up the residents, and that was not all. They had done a pretty good job scouring on the mainland. Contrary to my expectations, the Beasts Pirates landed ashore soon after the first meeting we attended with you guys. These pirates managed to capture Demon Slayers who were on duty around the seaside area, along with at least some two or three villages worth of population. I don't know what they were planning to do with them. On the other side, Zoro-ya was a prime enemy to the Beast Pirates, just like me."
"Don't tell me, he gave himself up without a fight?" Uzui was shocked, and so was Kanao.
"The only thing Kocho-ya had mentioned was the number of enemies they had to face. I guess some twenty to thirty pirates, according to the letter."
"But that shouldn't have stopped Shinobu or Zoro for that matter. Or, are these pirates more dangerous than I had believed? Am I missing something?" Uzui asked curious and agitated.
"In usual assumption, I'd believe the rest of the gang weren't a threat. But there was a leader, a notorious pirate named Basil Hawkins. He is a man of mystery, but I was surprised that he had joined up with the Beast Pirates." Law said, "I can't say why Zoro-ya had surrendered, but either way with Hawkins around, it might have been a difficult situation."
"Roronoa Zoro seemed like a man seeking out for blood, something I felt during his fight against Shinazugawa. I find it hard that he'd give himself up for others."
"Don't get me wrong. Zoro-ya wouldn't be one of those who'd die easily. I had known him for a while, so did Kocho-ya and Giyu-ya. I can only believe, he decided not to let those captured Demon Slayers being slaughtered. Last time I checked, both had the same bounty of 320 million, wanted for piracy. I'd say Zoro-ya would have given Hawkins a hard time. "
"If that's the case, I have grown a regard for the man. I'll make post-haste to find him after the meeting." Uzui mentioned, "And I apologise for ever doubting you both."
"Apologies are not needed. We came here to drop off Kocho-ya and Giyu-ya. Unprecedented things had happened, and somehow it's kind of our fault to draw the pirates here. So I believe we are even." Law said.
"Very well, then." Uzui got up to his feet, "Once again, I'm glad I got to have known you. I'll meet you at the meeting later."
Law nodded. Both of them bowed to each other. Uzui was escorted out by Aoi.
Law returned back to find Kanao and the other girls bowing down.
"What's all this?" Law was surprised.
"We couldn't thank you enough." Kanao mentioned, "We have heard of your encounters with the demons, especially the Upper Demon Moon."
"Enough with the bowing."
Kanao and the girls got up.
"I know it's the job of Hashiras and Demon Slayers to show constraint in emotions when dealing against demons, but we were shocked to hear that big-sister Shinobu made contact with an Upper Demon Moon. As a matter of fact, big-sister Kanae was killed by an Upper Demon Moon a few years back. And we couldn't afford to lose another sister, who had taken us in when we had nowhere to go." Kanao explained.
"That true, I guess?" Law looked at the others. They all nodded.
"You should save your thanks for Zoro-ya. He's the one who had fought Kokushibo, the Upper Demon Moon."
"In that case, let me accompany Hashira Uzui to find your friend." Kanao had a determined look.
"First and foremost, Zoro-ya is not my friend. And second, don't get involved with the pirates, it's our problem, and third, Kocho-ya asked to look after her disciples, the mansion and the patients. That includes you, kid." Law declared.
"Please, I must beg of you. I'm an able fighter." Kanao insisted.
"And what do you want to accomplish? You are a Demon Slayer, not a Pirate Hunter." Law retorted.
"I want to help find your friend, and aid big-sister Shinobu with the situation."
"Kocho-ya mentioned her situation's been going okay. As a matter of fact, Giyu-ya has mentioned he is heading to her location, as of the moment."
"Please…" The girls were surprised that Kanao was awfully worked up over the situation, contrary to her silent demeanour.
Law sighed, "Alright, then. You'll come with me to the meeting, and state your case. I'll even support your absurd demand. The decision rests on Ubuyashiki and Tengen Uzui." he agreed.
"Thank you." Kanao bowed once again.
Law got up, "I'll be in my room. Let me know if something comes up."
"Yes, sir." the girls replied unanimously.
The incident of Zoro's surrender took place two days prior to the second Hashira meeting that was supposed to happen upon the Ubuyashiki residence. Many of the Hashiras were away from the headquarters, including Tomioka, Shinobu and Zoro, the latter who was supposed to have been the matter of subject. Shinobu and Kanae had managed to safeguard the retrieved villagers and Demon Slayers who were released by the Beast Pirates. Night was upon them, and demons made their sojourn hard upon the coastline. Due to demons interfering with the crows, Shinobu's first message arrived the next day, much delayed than expected, and describing Zoro's 'sacrifice'. She sent another message the evening, one day prior to the Pillar meeting, which contained more distressing news. She and Kanae had made their move against the Beast Pirates but that information was yet to reach Law and the headquarters.
"The situation's turned from bad to worse." Shinobu told Kanae.
"I know. You need rest, Shinobu. Invading the pirate ship was a bad idea." Kanae mentioned.
"But where is Zoro?" Shinobu was curiously vexed.
TO BE CONTINUED...
P. S. - The next chapter might take a while to get released. Hoping to complete it by the middle of next week.