Opening his eyes, Zoro finally sits up. However, as soon as he moved, he began to moan in pain and put his hand on his wound in the abdomen.
"Zoro." Rejoiced Lucy, who was next to him. " You're awake. "
"Lucy?" The swordsman wondered.
Then, looking around, the swordsman saw the rest of the crew. They were all there, but many were in poor condition. Apart from Menma, the entire group, which had been assigned to protect the Merry, was still lying on the ground, with their bodies covered in bandages. Chopper, being among them, Lucy must have asked Capricorn to give them first aid.
being also injured, Robin had her arms covered in bandages, as was Yosaku's chest. Sitting next to Carue, Vivi worried about her condition, while her pet still hadn't opened her eyes. Also injured, Sanji, Bruno and Johnny had waited for Capricorn to finish treating their companions before getting treatment too. Suffice to say that the crew had seen a lot of fighting today.
Surprised to see so many injured people, Zoro looked up and saw Luffy, sitting on the branch of a tree. Looking thoughtful, the captain still put on an angry face as he surveyed the surroundings. If anyone wanted to hurt the injured, he was sure to see Luffy appear in front of him to punch his face.
"Luffy...everyone..."
"Are you okay, Zoro?" Nami questioned.
"What... what happened?" Asked the swordsman, as he noticed that the Merry had received a lot of damage.
"While we were gone, one of the priests took the opportunity to attack the ship." Nami explained to him. "And with the help of his companions, he managed to defeat our companions! Without the help of Gan Fall, the demon woman and yours, who knows what would have happened?"
"Gan Fall? The demon woman?" Zoro wondered, as he saw the old knight lying on the ground.
Finally, he caught sight of Menma, sitting against a tree, while she put on a saddened face. Seeing her like this, while the rest of her group had fought to death, Zoro ended up growling.
" Zoro...? " Nami wondered, seeing him get up.
Ignoring her, the man, despite his injuries, managed to walk to Menma. First surprised, the child ends up standing up, before trying to smile at Zoro.
"Onii-san! I'm glad that..."
"MENMA! Did you do something?"
"Huh?" The child wondered.
"Did you do something to protect the Merry?"
Hearing his question, Menma remained still. Then, looking down, she remembers, all she did was hide and sob when the ship was attacked. Finally, she confessed.
"No…I…I was scared and…I…I'm sorry."
Immediately, a powerful slap sounded in the area and everyone saw Menma fall to the ground, with her cheek flushed. Surprised, she put her hand on her cheek on fire, while she turned her gaze to Zoro.
" O ... Onii-san ? "
"Why?" Zoro questioned her. "Why did you come back to our crew, if it's only to escape danger?"
"ZORO!" Nami roared, coming towards him.
However, stretching out his leg, Bruno tripped her, causing her to fall.
"Hey! Are you crazy?"
" Don't stop Zoro from doing what he has to do. " Bruno ordered her.
" What ? "
"Menma...look around you." Zoro ordered her. "Everyone fought and everyone got hurt! Everyone...except you! Do you think that's normal?"
"I...I...I got scared and..."
Grabbing her by her throat, Zoro lifted her up before banging her back against the trunk of a tree.
"What were you afraid of?" Zoro questioned her. "You are an immortal spirit! You have acquired new powers? So why are you afraid to fight? What do you believe? That you will be spared by the enemy if you do not fight against them? That someone will be always there to defend you? Menma, are you stupid?"
"Zoro...I'm sorry." Menma could only say.
"Sorry, that's all you have to say! Menma...if one of our friends had died and you hadn't done anything to help them...I would never have forgiven you." "
Then, letting go of Menma, he watched her fall to the ground, before turning around and leaving.
"Menma…I'm going to ask Luffy that you leave the crew. No way to have someone like you among us."
Widening her eyes, Menma saw him walking towards the tree where Luffy was sitting. Immediately, taking fright, she tried to run towards Zoro, but ended up falling to the ground. Can only reach out her arm, she begged.
"NOOOOO! Don't do that."
"And why?" Zoro questioned her. "If you're afraid of danger, you have no business being with us! We're doing everything we can to survive, while helping each other! If someone refuses to do so, they don't deserve to stay with us . Menma, it's time for you to understand that we're not playing pirates! We're pirates."
Glancing at Menma, he said.
"Menma...you may be weak, but I didn't know you were so cowardly and useless! Today you disappointed me a lot."
Then, without saying anything more, he walked towards Luffy. Seeing him do this, Menma felt tears running down her cheeks.
"Onii-san! No! I'm sorry! Really sorry."
Seeing him still walking away, she pointed her fingers at the floor, repeating.
" I am sorry ... "
Then, thinking back to Zoro's words, regarding her weakness, the child ends up rubbing her eyes with her arm. Then, fixing Zoro with a stern look, she ends up getting up, before running towards him. Then, hearing her utter a battle cry, Zoro saw her running towards him, before directing the claws of her hand towards his face.
Pulling out a sword, Zoro used the flat of the blade to block the child's claws. Seeing her put on a hateful face, the swordsman waved his arm to make her back away. Then he questioned her.
"May I know what got into you?"
"I am neither weak nor a coward." Menma roared. "I'm Menma...crew member of Monkey D. Luffy! And I would never let someone like you insult me, Roronoa Zoro."
Pointing at him, she declared.
"I will show you that I am not weak! Not with words, but with actions."
"Really? And what are you going to do? By trying to kill me? Forget it! You'll never scratch me."
"I'll be the one to defeat Milhawk."
Startled, the swordsman stared at her, while Menma affirmed.
"Even if I wouldn't fight him with a saber, I would challenge him, and I would be the person to defeat Milhawk! And when that happens, I will force you to confess that I will have become stronger than you! Do you hear me ...Roronoa Zoro?"
Fixing her with a stoic gaze, Zoro remained silent, while he saw tears running down Menma's cheek, who was trying to maintain her seriousness. at this moment, she felt completely ridiculous. After all, Zoro was right. She was weak and cowardly. She was afraid to fight. Fear of being alone. She was even afraid of flying. So how would a person like her have a chance of defeating someone who had defeated the person she looked up to.
" Don't talk nonsense. " Zoro said simply, turning around.
Still, with a small, amused smile, he declared.
"Nevertheless, impress me."
"What ? "
"If you can defeat Milhawk, I will never consider you a little girl again! In my eyes, you will be a true warrior."
Hearing this, Menma again wiped the tears that ran down her cheeks, before screaming.
"I will! I will become the person who defeats Milhawk! I swear."
Seeing the scene, Nami had a hard time understanding what she had just seen.
" But that ... "
"I hope she understood." Bruno affirmed. "If she continues to be afraid to fight, Menma will become the main target of our enemies, who will want to target the weakest person in our team! If Zoro behaved like this, it was to protect her."
Having heard their conversation, from the top of his tree, Luffy looked at the child, before starting to smile. Menma seemed to have found a new purpose, and perhaps that was what she needed to overcome her fears. Hearing Zoro join him and sit next to him, Luffy affirms.
"Do you have any competition?"
"Shut up!" Zoro ordered him.
Then, looking at the forest in the distance, the swordsman asked.
"Luffy...do you think Raftel is still far away?"
" Huh ? " Said Luffy.
Remaining silent, while he remembered the fights of the day, Zoro finally retorted.
"No, I didn't say anything."
"Lucy-sama, here's a potion for your friends." Capricorn affirmed, handing her a bottle.
"What is it?" Lucy questioned her.
"A tonic! If you give them this, they will regain their strength! However, this potion only deceives their bodies! In truth, it will make them believe that they are cured, for a period of twenty-four hours."
"Twenty-four hours? And then what?"
"The potion will stop working and the pain from their injuries will return."
Hearing this, Nami grabbed the bottle, looking pleased.
"Perfect, if we give that to Chopper and the others, we will be able to fight again, if Enel decides to attack us again."
"Isn't that dangerous?" Lucy asked.
"If they drink this potion, they'll be fine for twenty-four hours! That'll be enough for Luffy to kick that damn god's ass."
Then, opening the bottle, she walked over to Gin and opened his mouth. Then she dropped some of the contents of the bottle into his mouth, while pinching his nose. Seeing him swallow it, Nami waited a few seconds, but nothing happened.
"Hey, that's not working."
"It's not instantaneous." Capricorn retorted. "You have to wait half an hour for it to take effect! Also, don't forget something! This potion won't heal their wounds! It will only make the pain go away! So if their wounds aren't healed and they fight, know that the condition will be much more serious, once the twenty-four hours have passed."
With these words, he finally disappears.
" In that case, you have to give some to Chopper quickly. " Nami affirmed, running towards the little reindeer.
For her part, looking around, Lucy finally caught sight of Raynare, seated towards the group, with Eevee lying on her lap. Walking towards her, Lucy saw her pensive.
" Raynare ... ? "
"What do you want ? "
"I…I learned what happened, when you found Luffy and the others! Are you okay?"
"Don't worry about me! This isn't the first time I've been pushed away by humans."
Then the silence returned. Looking a little uncomfortable, Lucy wiggled her fingers. Finally, she asked.
"Raynare...do you trust me?"
"Huh…? Yeah, I guess."
"Then… can… can you tell me why you hate humans?"
Again there was only silence, while Raynare remained silent. Waiting several seconds, Lucy saw her remained motionless. Finally, thinking it was best to leave, she got up.
" Sorry to have disturbed you. "
However, as she was leaving, she heard Raynare begin to speak.
"It happened several hundred years ago."
"Huh?" Lucy wondered, turning around.
"In my world, demons and fallen angels are not eternal! Only angels are! Other deities only live for a thousand years! I am over three hundred years old!"
"Three hundred years…" Lucy repeated. " Incredible ... "
"Lucy…you're the first human I'm going to tell this story to! And I hope this shows you that I trust you."
Listening to her, Lucy finally sits down, before declaring.
"I know you trust me! You've always trusted me."
"Tsss! Don't overestimate yourself."
Then, finally, she began her story.
"As you know, I was born in another world! In a world where god exists! I was born in the place that you considered paradise, as an angel! From my birth, my only reason to exist was to serve God! And that's what I had done for many years! I had stayed by his side and obeyed his every order to enable him to improve the amount of work he did. could perform! And then, one day, he entrusted me with my first real mission: to take care of a village."
"A village ? "
"Yes! It was a village made up of religious people who all believed in gods! My goal in this village was to protect it and ensure that its villagers continued to believe in god! As soon as I arrived in this village, the villagers came to look up to me and I was seen as a real goddess."
Immediately, Raynare remembered the gaze of people, each time she appeared, staring at her respectfully and bowing to her. In truth, that was when Raynare felt a new emotion: arrogance. Hearing people compliment her had gone a long way to flatter her ego. However, having been able to control him to prevent him from botching his job, she had continued to protect this village from the many wild demons, who had attempted to attack! And this for six years, until an event happens.
"Six years after my arrival in this village, someone had come and said he wanted to settle there! Nevertheless, even if he was pretending to be a human, I immediately felt that his aura had nothing That person was a man named Kesoko and he was a fallen angel."
"What did he want? To control your village?"
"No, it was me he wanted."
"You? Why?"
"Demons and Fallen Angels are two races of deities who are separated into several factions or families! However, sometimes one of them may decide to betray his group and decide to become a wild demon or fallen angel! several of them decide to take advantage of their freedom to kill humans! Others decide to set their sights on other deities in order to bewitch them and form a group with them! That's what he wanted! Kesoko had just betrayed his group and wanted to create another one, while integrating me into his ranks! However, while he thought I was weak-minded, I quickly realized that he was trying to manipulate me! He tried to pretend to want to show me that god was using me and that he was there to give me back my freedom! Nevertheless, I did not want to leave my village and, above all, not to betray my master! That was why I had rejected your offer and that I had ordered him to , that didn't stop him from coming back. "
Clenching her fists, Raynare seemed to struggle to continue, as she affirmed.
"Almost every day, for five months, he came back to the village! But instead of insisting on enlisting me in his group, he behaved sympathetically towards me! At first, I was hostile with him, I ended up being interested in him! Kesoko ... at first, he made me think of a show-off teenager, who thought that a simple wink eye could put women at his feet! Nevertheless, seeing me ignore him, he had begun to change and behaved more romantically! And, in truth, I was attracted to him! Not because I was in love! In fact, he was the first fallen angel I had met and I had a hard time understanding why my group and his were at war! For me, a difference in the color of our wings was not a reason to kill each other! And that was why... that was why I falsified my reports to my superiors! Instead of reporting the presence of Kesoko, who had ended i by settling in my village, i said he never came back. "
This time, Lucy saw a tear rolling down Raynare's cheeks as she tried to wipe it away.
"I trained several times with Kesoko and he allowed me to master my powers more! And he took me to many places to allow me to know more about the human world! With him, I was happy and I really thought he was changing and that he was trying hard not to be the fallen angel who had betrayed his band! However, one day he came to me and told me that his old band had found and that he had to flee! He had then asked me to come with him! At that moment, I had the choice between betraying my own clan or refusing his offer! Finally, after thinking for a whole night, I privileged to fulfill my mission! And that was why I refused to follow him! At that moment, after having announced his choice to him, I had never seen so much feeling of betrayal as in his eyes! And it was without saying a word to me that he left." "
Hearing her strike a new pose, Lucy questioned her.
"Kesoko...did you like him...?"
"I don't know! I don't think so! In fact, I mostly considered him to be the first friend I had made! He was even a brother to me. But all that changed, two days later! The reason Kesoko had been considered a traitor, by his former group was because he had killed one of his comrades, to steal his Sacred Gear."
"Sacred Gear ? "
"These are sacred objects that allow their user to acquire powers, which are different depending on the object. The one that Kesoko had saved allowed its user to be able to have the same appearance as a person of their choice. "
"The same power as Gemini?"
"Yes, that's it! And, taking advantage of a day when I wasn't in the village, he took on my appearance and massacred a dozen people, before fleeing."
Eyes widening, Lucy placed her hand in front of her mouth, anticipating what had happened next.
"When I returned to the village, I had not seen anyone and when I started looking for the villagers, they fell on me, and without being able to understand what was happening, several spears had pierced my body and my wings The villagers really thought I was the person who slaughtered the people Kesoko killed and now they were out for revenge! They kept doing it while insulting me! One of the moments that shocked me the most was when he hung me on a cross above a pyre."
Shaking, Raynare remembered that horrific moment well, while the ends of the spears were still stuck in her body. She had seen the villagers who had worshiped her for six years insult her and call her like a monster. Then, one of them brought a flaming torch and lit her pyre. Being unable to free herself, Raynare had begged someone to come and help her. And, she had spoken to god. Yet, even as she felt the flames begin to burn her legs, she saw no one coming to help her. Kesoko had betrayed her... The villagers had betrayed her... and even god was betraying her while he didn't come to her rescue. All that happened was a shower of stones thrown by the villagers who continued to call her a monster.
" DIE ! DIE ! DIE ! DIE ! DIE ! DIE ! "
Feeling a stone hit her face, Raynare felt like an electric shock, as blood flowed from a wound in her forehead. Then, ceasing to move, she felt the flames continue to consume her body, while the villagers continued to boo her.
"Shut up." She finally ordered.
"DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE!" the villagers shouted.
"SHUT UP!" Raynare ordered, feeling the flames rise to chest level.
Then, quickly, his entire body was entirely gone behind the flames, but that didn't stop the villagers from continuing to scream.
" DIE ! DIE ! DIE ! DIE ! DI ... "
However, a spear of light suddenly pierced through the flames and pierced the body of one of the villagers. Startled, the others saw the man fall to the ground. Then, a gust of wind had extinguished the flames of the pyre, as they saw Raynare's body appear, while she had her wings appear to put out the flames. Her ropes now burned, the angel was now free. Her body half burned, she remained motionless for a few moments. Then, finally, staring at the villagers, she conjured dozens of spears of light around her, before roaring.
" I WILL KILL YOU ! "
Then everything had been black in Raynare's head. All she could remember was the moment she opened her eyes. Not remembering where she was, she had quickly jumped, seeing the body of a child, in front of her, before a spear of light piercing her body. Surprise Raynare had seen all the villagers of the village, who were all dead, around her.
More and more surprised, Rayanre had tried to understand what had happened. Then she had heard.
"Raynare...you're like me now."
Turning around, she saw Kesoko, behind her, displaying a big smile.
"What...? What...? Kesoko?"
Seeing him, she ended up remembering what had happened and thought she understood the reason for the hatred of the villagers.
"MOTHERFUCKER! This is all your fault! Why? WHY?"
"Why?" Asked the fallen angel. "But because I love you! And I did everything to allow you to leave your stupid god to come with me."
"With you?" Raynare roared. "Are you joking? Why would I follow you, after all you've done?"
"Because you have no choice! Look at the color of your wings."
"Huh?" Raynare wondered, turning around.
At that moment, she completely froze, seeing the new color of her wings.
"What...? They're black."
"Do you understand, Raynare? You were the victim of my plan and yet your god did nothing to help you! He even punished you for defending yourself to stay alive! If I did All of this is to prove to you that no one really loved you. No one deserves you."
Remaining completely still, Raynare had fallen to her knees, while feeling tears running down her cheeks. Then she began to whisper.
"God...He forsook me?"
Approaching her, Kesoko then hugged her, while affirming.
"Don't worry, Raynare! I'm here! I'll protect you! Because I love..."
Suddenly his eyes widened. Then, lowering his gaze, he had seen a spear of light which had just pierced his abdomen. First paralyzed, he had taken two steps back, before falling to his knees. Getting up, Raynare had, meanwhile, displayed an unhealthy smile. Remembering the murders she had just committed, she smiled grimly.
"Everyone betrayed me! Everyone!"
Then, staring at Kesoko, she continued to laugh, while creating another spear of light.
"Then I'm going to kill you all! Humans, just like other deities."
This time, Raynare stopped for good, preferring not to say how she had finished off Kesoko. Having listened to him, without saying anything, Lucy finally said.
"Raynare...it wasn't..."
"Please don't say it wasn't my fault." Raynare pleaded. "You can't understand! I...I enjoyed killing those people! I enjoyed it so much that I killed countless people over the next few years! I behaved like a murderer and a bitch I don't deserve forgiveness, because I'm no better than Kesoko."
"It's true." Lucy affirmed, without hesitation. "When we met, you were arrogant, ungrateful, aggressive and cruel."
" The worst part is that I can't say otherwise. " The fallen angel asserted.
Suddenly, she felt Lucy's hands press to her cheeks, as she forced her to look at her.
"But we don't care what girl you were! What matters is the person you are now! Raynare, you have changed! As soon as you joined our crew, you became a different person! And I'm proud of the effort you've made."
"But… But… I've killed people! How can you be sure I wouldn't do the same to you?"
"Raynare, you said you trusted me, didn't you? I trust you too! Raynare, you are my friend! And so am I! I know very well that you never do me the slightest harm."
Then she leaned her forehead against Raynare's as she smiled warmly.
"Thank you for trusting me and telling me about your past."
At that moment, Raynare felt new tears running down her cheeks. Then suddenly she made an unexpected gesture. She didn't know if it was because of Lucy's words, or if it was because her face was right in front of hers. Anyway, before Lucy could figure it out, she felt both of Raynare's hands go behind her head, pinning her down. Then, the next second, the fallen angel's lips pressed against the blonde's, and Raynare began to kiss her.
Surprised, Lucy remained completely frozen for a few seconds, while her cheeks turned completely red. Finally, her eyes widening, Raynare was the one to push Lucy away slightly, as if surprised at her own gesture.
" Raynare ... I ... "
"I'm sorry!" Raynare apologized, standing up.
Then, suddenly, she ran towards the forest.
"Raynare, wait ! "
Too late. At that moment, regretting what she had just done, Raynare wanted to run away from Lucy and, as a result, she made her wings appear, before starting to fly. However, neither she nor Lucy saw a figure hiding behind a tree. Having witnessed the scene, Virgo had her' fist closed, while seeing Raynare flee.
Who will join Luffy's crew?
Before Shells Town: Raynare - 38 million - (Highschool DxD) / Lucy Heartfilia (Fairy Tail)
Arc Shells Town: Roronoa Zoro - 60 million -
Kuro Arc: Usopp
Arc Baratie: Sanji / Gin - 32 million -
Arlong Arc: Nami/Johnny/Yosaku
Drum Arc: Chopper
Alabasta Arc: Nico Robin / Eevee (Pokemon) / Bruno -52 million- (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure) / Nefertari Vivi -25 million- / Menma (Anohana)
Skypiea Arc: ? /? /?
Arc Enies Lobby: Franky
Arc Post Enies-Lobby:?
Thriller Bark Arc: Brook
Punk Hazard Arc:?
Tesoro Arc:?
Dressrosa Arc : ? /?
Wano Kuni Arc: Jinbei /?
Post Wano Kuni Arc: ? /?
Arc Battle Teach :?
With other characters:
Buggy: Alvida - 21 million-, Magi - 29 million (OC), Bull (OC), Kuro - 37 million -, Morgan - 17 million -, Megumim - 105 million (Konosuba), Zala (Miss Doublefinger) -35 million, Babe (Mr 4) - 3.2 million, Drophy (Miss Merry Christmas) - 14 million, Willy - 20 million, Needless - 57 million
Arlong: Syra (OC)
Milhawk: Alice (OC)
Wapol: Musshuru
Crocodile: Noscula (OC), Mr 6 (OC), Miss Halloween (OC)
Garp: Sakura (Zombieland Saga); Jin (My Hero academia); Emma (The Promised Neverland)
Enel: Hunter J. (Pokemon), Zancrow (Fairy tail), Pit ( Kid Icarus ), Pokemon ( 53 )
Im: Light Yagami (Death Note)
Cobra: Neni (M. 9)
Wiper : Ayoho ( OC )
Sengoku: Shinichi Kudo (Detective Conan)
Shanks: Nana Shimura -840 million- (My hero academia), Utsuro -970 million- (Gintama)
Individual: Reiner ( Shingeki no kyojin ), Garou (One Punch Man), Babidi (DBZ), Orochimaru (Naruto); Mirko (My hero Academia), Samus (metroid), Team Rocket (Pokemon), Velvet Crowe, Akoya Seishu ( Kengan Ashura), Hiyama Shunka ( Kengan Ashura), Black Knights (Code Geass), Suzaku Kururugi (Code Geass), Elsa Granhiert
Gold D. Roger (formerly): Igneel - 1.380 billion - (Fairy Tail), Acacia (Toriko), Bardock (Dragon ball Z), Hiruzen Sarutobi (Naruto), Utsuro - 970 million (Gintama), Nana Shimura - 840 million ( My Hero Academia)
Xerec (formerly): Aizen (bleach)