Chapter 57

Skinned alive

Zoro gritted his teeth while Chopper bandaged his left leg a little tighter. The reindeer's anxious gaze let guess the importance of his wound but the swordsman wasn't particularly worried. Even though he was in pain, the doctor had confirmed that it wasn't a fatal injury. Of course, the Vice-Admiral's blade tinged with Haki had almost cut his limb in half and at the same time, it had affected his muscle and nerves but it was a lesser evil considering the situation and the strength of his opponent.

"The muscle has been largely severed; it'll be hard for you to bend your leg for a while…"

"Hm."

Sitting at the foot of the Sunny's mast, Zoro kept his eyes fixed on the door to the infirmary where their captain was resting. Around him, the other crew members were trying to go about their own business but the latest events made the atmosphere tense and heavy. Luffy hadn't regained consciousness since they fled the island and judging by his heart rate, Chopper had administered several medications to force his body and mind to relax. That was why despite this apparent tranquility, everyone feared the moment when the straw hat boy would wake up because no one could predict his reaction following this terrible news.

"Do you have any other injuries, Zoro?"

The swordsman turned his attention back to the reindeer before quickly shaking his head. He was covered from head to toe with bruises and sores that Chopper had carefully cleaned and disinfected for nearly twenty minutes without Zoro trying to escape. The fencer had been surprisingly calm but he had reached his limit. Most of his companions were also injured, although much more lightly, and they had all passed through the hands of their doctor before the latter looked into Zoro's case.

"If you don't need me anymore, I'm gonna check on Luffy."

Zoro nodded again and examined his bandaged thigh before covering it with his haramaki. The battle had taken place several hours earlier but it was still present in his mind and once again, the scene flashed before his eyes.

*Flashback*

The Vice-Admiral hadn't usurped his rank within the hierarchy of the Marine because immediately after arming his arms with Haki, he had grabbed his sword and tinged it with the same menacing silver color. His first blow had been so fast that Zoro had barely had time to protect himself and the two blades he had drawn, Kitetsu and Wadô, had vibrated for a long time in his hands to resist the assault. The following attacks had been just as dazzling and terrible, making him step back each time in spite of himself. The swordsman had understood that he was no match. The power of his enemy's Haki put him beyond his reach, he who didn't master it.

It had never occurred to him to give up though. Powerful and unattainable opponents were the best because they forced him to surpass himself and push his limits. So Zoro had focused and held his ground against the Vice Admiral's devastating blows. The fencer had brushed the edge of his enemy's sword dozens of times and nearly been cut just as many times, but just like him, his swords had withstood every charge against them. Yet Zoro had eventually felt their plaintive moans as time passed. Just like him, his swords had become exhausted and quite quickly, he had been forced to consider another tactic.

After several minutes of fierce battle, Zoro had caught his breath then, blood slowly dripping from his numerous scratches. Staring at his opponent, he had weighed his chances of defeating him. They were thin but not non-existent. He had taken the time to ensure that his friends had reached the Sunny and then slowly twirled his three swords in front of him. He had been ready to try his luck at that moment. Ready to fight despite the disproportionate strength of his enemy and ready to put his life on the line to do so.

Yet a movement in the periphery of his vision had made him flinch and he had turned towards his ship while narrowly avoiding another blow in his direction. He had then noticed that the hundreds of officers on the island were rushing towards the Sunny and this aspect had changed the situation in a second: the priority was to return and protect the crew. Protect his captain.

He had lowered his blades.

"Do me a favor; I can't stay. This fight is only postponed though, my honor as a swordsman is at stake."

A few steps away, the Vice-Admiral hadn't moved, ready to launch his next attack. "What gives a pirate the right to ask for a favor? You chose your side and challenged me. Now all you have to do is live up to your choice!"

The Marine had rushed forward in a split second to prove his words and Zoro had nodded and smirked. "Fine. I'll take this right on my own then."

He had twirled in the sky, protecting himself with his three swords when their two bodies had collided head-on, their blades creating sparks in all directions. Zoro had lost this duel and he had been violently pushed back against the mast of the frigate which had been shattered. He had felt his swords protest in his hands but he had gotten up in a flash: the next attack was already coming and he had no time to stay. In the distance, he had heard explosions from Franky and the angry screams of Usopp who was probably using his kabuto.

"This fight ain't over." He had closed his eyes, perfectly focused on himself despite the chaos around him. "Three Swords Style: Enbima, Sleepless Night. Demon Slash!"

The power from the fencer's concentration had caused his swords to wave and just as his opponent had been about to reach him, Zoro had crossed his three blades to form the horns of a demon and cut the Vice-Admiral. His attack had deeply cut the Marine in the stomach but it hadn't prevented the man from stabbing Zoro's leg and his blade had passed right through him. The swordsman had gritted his teeth to push back the pain and then he had taken advantage of the Vice-Admiral's few seconds of inattention to jump onto the railing towards the Sunny. The jump had caused blood to gush from his thigh and Zoro had felt the earth rock under his feet but he had still rushed towards his goal right away.

A few seconds later, Brook had helped him climb aboard and Nami had steered the Sunny out to sea while the rest of the crew had fought off the officers in the port as best they could. He had heard the Vice-Admiral shouting orders to pursue them but the navigator had managed to outrun them and thanks to Franky's Coup de Burst shortly after, they had quickly been out of range of their cannons.

Yet Nami had pointed out that the Marine must have seen their trajectory and that their hunt wouldn't stop there. That was why despite the relative calm they experienced for almost two hours, the crew knew that sooner or later, the Marine would find them. Indeed, Robin had recognized the senior officer as Vice-Admiral Momonga and he was known for his tenacity. The opportunity to capture a pirate from the Worst Generation related to another pirate they had just executed was also too good to pass up.

*End of flashback*

"Luffy, wait!"

Zoro suddenly came back to reality when Nami's frantic voice resounded from the first floor. At the same time, the navigator abruptly moved away from the infirmary door when it shattered under the force of the straw hat captain who staggered forward.

"C-Calm down." Usopp was behind him, clearly panicked.

"You need to rest; the shock was severe and the drugs I injected you with are very powerful!" Chopper added with concern.

"A-Ace…"

Luffy dropped onto the deck of the Sunny with wild eyes. Franky, Zoro, Brook, Malek and Robin observed him while Nami, Usopp and Chopper ran down the stairs to join them.

"Ace…"

The straw hat boy took a few unsteady steps across the deck before tripping. He tried to catch himself but cracked the mast on which he leant. The swordsman quickly stood up and grimaced because of his injury.

"You, uh, should sit down," Malek suggested to the captain.

"The effects of the drugs don't seem to have completely worn off," Robin agreed.

"Ace… Where's Ace?"

"We're in the open sea," Franky replied behind him, his face tense.

"We got back as soon as we had the chance," Brook added softly. "Zoro-san managed to keep this Vice-Admiral away to allow our escape."

The straw hat boy faltered again.

"Luffy, please sit down," Chopper insisted, approaching cautiously. "Your heart rate is too high; you need to rest."

"I'm sure Malek made something to eat, aren't you hungry?" Usopp suggested with forced enthusiasm.

"Ace. Where's A-Ace?"

The captain's strangled voice made his crew tense before Nami took a step towards him, trembling. Luffy looked like a wild beast. His senses were still numbed by Chopper's medication but above all, the pain perceptible in each of his gestures and words made him stumble and blurred his notion of reality.

"Please, Luffy, I know it's hard but you tried your best. You couldn't have sav-"

"I wanna know where Ace is! Tell me where he is!"

The captain propelled himself forward in search of an imaginary land and his crew's eyes widened when they saw him break the railing, carried away by his speed. A second later, Luffy fell into the water and Chopper let out a panicked cry while Franky rushed to go get him.

When the cyborg brought him back up a few moments later and placed his weakened body on the deck, Luffy struggled to regain his breath even though he immediately tried to get back on his feet.

"A-Ace. I need to save Ace…"

Chopper rushed to his side to check his pulse, tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Luffy…"

The straw hat boy spat out the water he had ingested and Usopp leaned towards him in turn, squeezing his captain's hand in the hope of giving him some of his strength. "You can't blame yourself, it's not your fault. There was nothing you could have done…"

"Lemme go, I need to… I need… A-Ace." His captain tried to push him away. The sniper shook his head sadly. "It's gonna be okay, Luffy…"

"I see a land."

Everyone instantly looked up at the archaeologist who had approached the opposite railing, her figure turned towards the horizon.

"This is probably the island the Log-Pose pointed to when we left the previous one," Nami said. "I have no idea of its characteristics; I chose it randomly when we used Coup de Burst…"

Completely ignoring his friends around him, Luffy suddenly stood up and threw his arms towards the island that was looming in the distance.

"Don't, Luffy!" The navigator got terrified when she realized what he was doing. "The Marine is after us, we can't stop!"

The straw hat boy didn't bother to answer and propelled himself out of the Sunny thanks to his elastic limbs. His crew jumped towards the railing to hold him back but it was too late.

"Ace!"

"Ace!"

Franky shook his head when hearing yet another desperate cry of his captain. Silent at his side on the deck of the Sunny, Robin, Zoro and Brook kept their gaze fixed on the huge forest that spread out before their eyes.

"Ace!"

Usopp clenched his fists and Chopper lowered his head to no longer hear his distress.

"Ace!"

Malek jumped when another tree collapsed and Nami put a hand over her mouth as tears slowly trickled down her cheeks.

Luffy's agony was endless.

For almost an hour since they had been forced to disembark to follow their captain, pain and despair had gradually replaced bewilderment and confusion in Luffy's heartbreaking cries. If at first the crew had tried to follow him and bring him back to his senses, they had ultimately returned to the Sunny one by one, unable to calm him down and heartbroken when hearing his shattered calls.

Night was falling and the destruction that the straw hat boy was wreaking around him never seemed to stop. The huge trees were falling and the gigantic rocks were smashed like sandcastles with each of his explosions of rage and suffering. Fortunately, the island seemed deserted and completely invaded by nature. Unfortunately, that wouldn't stop the Marine from finding them.

The next morning at first light, the crew minus their captain met wordlessly in the galley. No one had slept, jumping every time that another mountain collapsed under Luffy's blows and in constant fear of seeing the Vice-Admiral turn up. Faces were drawn and livid when Malek put the breakfast dishes on the table without enthusiasm. No one even pretended to help themselves and only Robin poured herself a cup of coffee.

"I don't think he slept; he's gonna stop eventually," Franky finally pointed out after yet another tree collapsed with a sinister crack.

"Our captain's pain is immense," Brook noted sadly.

"The Marine won't be long now," Nami whispered in an empty voice. "It's already unlikely that they didn't find us yet."

"I don't know how to help him! I tried to talk to him several times but he doesn't listen to me!"

Chopper's tear-filled voice finally shook the rest of his friends and Usopp closed his eyes for a second with a quivering breath.

"M-Maybe… Maybe if we prepare, we could get those Marines to retreat? Until Luffy gets better. We could… buy some time."

Beside him, Nami nodded while wiping her eyes. "Y-Yes, we have to. He's in no condition to fight and we need to help him."

"I can use Rumble Balls to protect him!" The little reindeer suggested amidst his sniffing.

"This Vice-Admiral doesn't scare me," Brook agreed with determination. "I'm ready to give them a taste of my sword!"

"I repaired the mast before tinkering super inventions all night to kick their asses in a super stylish way!" Franky added.

"G-Good. I'll go talk to him about our strategy then," Usopp decided. "That way, he can take the time to feel better…"

At these words, the sniper got up to head towards the door but Zoro shoved his sword at his feet and he instantly froze.

"Sit your ass on that chair."

Usopp felt his eyes widen. "W-What do you mean? We need to let him know…"

"Leave him be." Zoro looked at his friends who were all observing him in astonishment. "All of you, stay away from him."

Nami felt that she was growing pale. "Wh-What?"

The swordsman turned towards her, his gaze hard. "No one's gonna go after him from now on. He has to come back on his own."

His friends stared at him, stunned, and Usopp slowly sat down again.

"Zoro, he's suffering!" The little reindeer reminded him. "We can't leave him alone!"

"We tried and it didn't work," the swordsman pointed out.

"What are you talking about? He lost his brother!" Nami got angry, "He needs time!"

"We do not have time!"

The swordsman's loud voice froze the crew and Zoro looked at his crewmates one after the other. "This is not a game. The slightest mistake can be fatal on this ocean, Ace's death is proof enough!"

"It's not his fault," Usopp tried to say. "The repercussions are terrible for-"

"It doesn't matter," the fencer cut him short. "He's the captain, he must hold his place. If he lets his crew down now, what will he do next time? We're barely standing in the New World!"

"I see what you mean, bro, but-"

Zoro stood up abruptly from his chair, his aura threatening, and the end of the cyborg's sentence died on his lips.

"Luffy needs to get his act together, otherwise there's no point in this crew so no one will get near him. He needs to make a decision."

A second later, the galley door slammed behind the swordsman, leaving the rest of his friends in shock. No one tried to go talk to Luffy though. The first mate's order had been very clear.

"Luffy."

The straw hat boy looked up at his first mate who had stopped a few steps away from him. He then pressed his hands over his ears and closed his eyes again. The sound and images he had seen hadn't left him since the day before and they haunted him constantly.

"Leave me alone!"

He fell to his knees and his head hit the ground violently in the hope of erasing the memories that had been imprinted on his retina as in his memory for eternity.

"Ace!"

Zoro crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze stern. "Luffy, you need to wake up. Ace is d-"

"Shut up!" His gaze brimming with anger, the captain suddenly stood up to take a threatening step in his direction. "Don't you dare say it, you hear me?! If you say it, I couldn't… I don't want him… to…"

"And what are you gonna do? Hit me? You think reality is gonna be different if you silence all those who say what you refuse to hear?" The swordsman took two blades out of their sheaths then, determined. "You may be my captain but I refuse to be defeated by a guy who can't even face the truth."

Enraged, Luffy stretched his fist forward to hit the fencer who shifted awkwardly due to his injured leg. In return, his swords grazed the straw hat boy who stumbled, panting. Just like Zoro, he was in no condition to fight after all the last hours he had spent fighting against himself.

Luffy then stood up to throw himself against a tree which tore apart under the impact while he continued to want to destroy the ground as he desperately hit it, mad with pain.

"Wh-What do you think?! I know very well I'm not sleeping, I looked everywhere for his Vivre Card and there's nothing left! Nothing but… ashes!"

The captain suddenly froze and fell to his knees. This time, he looked towards the sky adorned with the colors of dawn but he didn't see them, overwhelmed by his suffering. Trying to see through the fog of his sorrow, he clenched his fists with all his strength.

"He… He's gone, isn't he? A-Ace is dead? Is he dead, Zoro?"

A few steps away, the swordsman sighed before observing his captain. The straw hat boy was devastated. He gently put away his blades then.

"Ace is dead, Luffy," he confirmed.

Zoro saw his captain's heart break into a thousand pieces but he didn't look away when Luffy struggled not to give in to the final waves which would implacably lead him to accept the unspeakable.

"It's okay to mourn your brother but you can't forget your crew. Everyone is waiting for you."

As the swordsman turned away to head back towards the Sunny, Luffy's tears finally welled up, his grief sweeping away everything in its path.

Musical inspiration: Seras-tu là (Will you be there) - Michel Berger

What a happy chapter, I hope you're in good spirits these days!

I was heavily inspired by the scene between Jinbei and Luffy, one of my favorite scenes from the entire manga.