For the second time, Zoro found himself wandering through the streets of Lugunica. After what had just happened, he knew he had to get back to the slums. How though, he doesn't quite know. Perhaps a string of fate would allow him to wind up bumping into Emilia, or perhaps not. This city was very much too large for two specific individuals to bump into the second time, it's practically a one in a million chance. So imagine his surprise after he spotted a familiar and distinguishable silver haired girl lingering through the crowd.

His pace quickened. Despite the aching of his muscles, he found himself pushing through. The last time he saw Emilia, she collapsed into a bloodied pool of her own fluids. He reached out his arm, clasping the woman on the wrist as his throat etched her name out of his lips.

"Emilia!" He nearly yelled in relief. "Are you okay?"

Emilia abruptly came to a halt, stunned at the sudden human connection he so carelessly gave. Her eyes traversed from her linked arm up to his eyes that remain glued onto hers. They looked concerned, much like the warmth and love a dear friend would give. Unsure on how to respond, a small blush began rising to her cheeks as she struggled to put her words together.

"U-Um, I'm sorry." She stuttered. "Do... Do I know you?"

An awkward silence erupted between the two, and it was something that was not easily solved through careless words.

"What?" He could only say.

Emilia pulled her hand away. Clutching her wrist, she softly rubbed the spot he boldly laid contact.

"I-I'm sorry. It's just, you knew my name - yet, I've never met you in my life. I'm clearly the wrong person you're looking for, but you were so considerate and caring that it just threw me off guard."

Her response only seemed to further confuse the swordsman.

"Eh? Did someone hit you with a rock? We do know each other. We were-"

Instantly, his thoughts reverted back to the man he first encountered a supposed 'second' time.

"Kid, I never met you for a single minute in my entire life. You must've been hit harder than expected if you're starting to act all crazy on me."

Furrowing his eyes, he pondered over his current situation. His memories of everything that just transpired remained intact, yet those he interacted with were unable to retain the information he possessed. Another Devil Fruit user perhaps? But what kind of ability? And where? None of this made sense to him, and truthfully it probably never will. His pupils once more falling unto Emilia's violet eyes, his lips twitched open intending to continue. Oddly enough, the universe always seems to have other plans.

*Woosh*

A petite blonde girl dropped between the two. His eyes instantly landed upon his swords strapped to the back of the girls vest. It all happened so fast. At first she was between them. Now, she could be seen speeding down the street at an incredible pace.

"Felt." He realized

"M-My insignia!"

Turning towards Emilia, Zoro could see her rummaging through her pockets about her insignia. After deeming it missing, the half-elf focused her attention towards the fleeing girl.

"Hey, give me my insignia back!"

Of course, Felt ignored her and continued running. Emilia turned towards Zoro, glaring heatedly as she did so.

"You! You were stalling for her weren't you?"

"Wha- No! No, I wasn't. She has something-"

Turning away with a huff, Emilia began to give chase towards her thief.

"...from me... as well." He muttered.

Watching as the two grow smaller in this distance, Zoro sighed frustratingly before attempting to give chase. As you may have figured, it didn't go so well.

"-ack."

Stopping in his tracks, the swordsman clutched his abdomen and hunched over. His entire body remained on fire. It seems the effects of Kaido's wrath remained at its peak across his body. This was gonna be such a pain.

Taking a deep breath, Zoro attempted to fortify and drown his nerves through a mental bastion, but only that could do so much. Taking off in a well paced jog, Zoro found himself turning down an alleyway that looked all too familiar.

"Well, well. Look what we have here?"

Narrowing his eyes at the sound, his annoyance had increased once realization settled.

"Look at him! He's already hurt, ha! Alright punk-"

The three thugs couldn't react in time to what happened next. Cut off by the tightness of Zoro's hands clasped on the leaders wrist, the Thug was unable to react as he was immediately swung around by sheer strength alone.

"Get outta my way!"

Throwing the Thug into the other two who accompanied him, the three of them smashed against the wall - toppling over each other onto the floor.

Huffing heavily at the three nuisances, Zoro took off down the alleyway once more hoping to catch up to the other two - unaware that he had been going the wrong way this entire time.

"How the hell did I get here?!"

Zoro gazed at the building ahead which consisted of nothing else but that of Old Man Rom's Loot House. Somehow, somewhere, Zoro had ended up back in the Slums without even a sense of realization. Approaching the building, his morals informed him that it was the right thing knock, yet his instincts tempted him to enter without so much of a greeting. This was the place he died... or at least where he remembered dying. With his instincts getting the best of him, Zoro barged through the door without so much of a warning. Everything seemed the same as it had been earlier...

"Who's there?"

Except that.

Rounding a corner, Zoro came face to face with a man who stood well over his height. The elderly man peered his head down to the Pirate Hunter. His aura not too welcoming to strangers.

"Who are you?"

"No one important."

"Your beaten and battered appearance says otherwise. You pissed someone off lately, kid?"

"I guess you could say that."

Rom stepped closer towards Zoro almost as if he were sizing him up.

"Injured or not, I don't take too kindly to those who do not have a reason to be here. If you aren't doing business, then leave."

"Felt."

Humming at the name, Rom's interest in the man had increased ever so slightly.

"What about the brat?"

"Felt stole my swords earlier today. I was unconscious when it happened so I was unable to do anything. After gaining some information about who she is and where she's usually found, all roads lead me to this place."

Rom laughed wholeheartedly. Seeing no further use to try and run him off, he made his way back towards his makeshift bar and began pouring himself a drink.

"Felt is... an affiliate of mine. A friend. She'll be dropping by soon with some loot. If what you say is true, then your swords will be with her. They must be pretty valuable if Felt decided to snatch them."

Taking a seat in front of the giant, Zoro rested his elbows against the counter.

"I guess you can say that." Eyeing the collection of booze the man had behind him, he observed the different labels trying to find some recognition behind them. "Say, old man. Do you have any Sake?"

Wiping his lips dripping with alcohol, Rom set an additional cup in front of him.

"Sake? I've never heard of such a thing."

Pouring an alcoholic beverage, he passed it to Zoro who eyed the liquid curiously. Picking it up, he took a small sniff before sipping it with care.

"Hm, not bad." He praised before downing the rest of it.

Smirking, Rom hummed. "You seem like you can handle your booze well."

"I've tasted better."

Laughing at his response, Rom poured him another round as he began to chat away with this newcomer. It had been awhile since he had a drinking partner, and it'd be a waste if he allowed this opportunity to slip by. Having a mean and unapproachable appearance, Rom hadn't interacted with many folks because of it. So it was nice to be able to enjoy a drink with someone who didn't take any means or measure to glance at him skeptically.

It felt good.

A few hours had passed, and the sun was beginning to set over the Kingdom of Lugunica. Zoro and Rom had continued to drink heavily into the setting sun.

"Bahaha!" Rom laughed after slamming down another cup of booze. "And then what happened?"

"Just as you'd expect, that spoiled brat was taken down and embarrassed after his bastard of a father had been dealt with. I'm more than certain he shit himself once he realized his father was unable to protect him."

"He had it coming!" Rom smiled.

A noticeable flush had spread itself across the twos cheeks. A direct result from the large intake of booze they had been downing for the past few hours. During this timeframe, the two had spent most of it chatting up the excitement and humor they've encountered within their lives. Sharing such memories as if they were a bunch of childhood friends. While the two continued to giggle stupidly at the idea of a shitfaced Helmeppo that Zoro had described earlier, none of them noticed a third pair of feet tapping their way towards them.

"I found it rather weird that you hadn't responded to my knocking, but this somehow makes sense."

Zoro and Rom turned towards the voice to see a girl much younger than the two approach them.

"Felt!" Rom smiled.

Standing up, Rom steadied his feet beneath him and made his way towards the girl. "Oh, is it about that time already? I'm sorry for forgetting about you, I sort of got... carried away as you can see."

Felt blankly stared at the giant she saw as a father figure before looking at the green haired weirdo. Shifting her gaze back and fourth between the two, Felt smiled warmly.

"Well, it's okay. I've never seen you smile like that before. So it makes me happy."

"Hoho! You're gonna make this old man blush you know."

"You're already blushing." She deadpanned.

Taking a small sniff in the air, she covered her nose and waved her free hand in front of her.

"And you smell like booze too."

"Do I?" He hummed.

While the two conversed, Zoro took immediate notice on the all too familiar craftsmanship of the swords strapped to her back. A wave of relief had washed over him - satisfied to see they were all okay and within her possession.

"So who's your friend?" Felt asked.

"Ah, you mean Zoro." Rom gestured. "He's a customer. He's come to purchase what you've stolen from him."

Felt approached the swordsman taking every chance to observe his physique closely.

"Oh yeah, you're that guy I found lying in the middle of the street all beat up. You know it's not very smart leaving your weapons out in the open like that."

"It's also rude to take things that aren't yours."

Smiling, Felt stuck his tongue out at the swordsman before setting the blades on the counter beside her.

"So, what are you willing to pay for them?"

"Pay?" He scoffed. "Why would I pay for something that's rightfully mine to begin with?"

Rubbing her chin, she grinned while eyeing his form from top to bottom.

"Well, you don't seem like you're in the best physical shape to take them back either. Besides..."

Gesturing to her father figure, Rom brought fourth a large club that created a loud *thud* as soon as it landed against the floor.

"...Old Man Rom would step in if you ever cause a fuss."

Crossing her arms confidently, she was more than certain Rom would more than suffice when it comes to personal protection. Zoro sighed dejectedly knowing that a hostile outcome would be too troublesome to go through without his blades.

"Alright, I'll bite. Hurting kids aren't my thing anyways."

Reaching into his robes, he rummaged around hoping to find something. His fingers found themselves rubbing against something quite familiar. Pulliing it out, he briefly inspected it before realizing it was one of the Gold Bars the Land of Wano used as currency. He must've forgotten he had it during his trip with Yasuie, bless his soul. Despite in death, he still found ways to help him out. The Land of Wano's currency certainly held some value, if not as local currency then certainly as a materialistic accessory.

"Would this suffice for the blades?"

Setting down one of the Land of Wano's Gold Bars before them, he watched as the girls face shifted into sparkles at the sight.

"Is that a real gold bar?"

Zoro didn't answer. Instead, he watched Felt become greedy with her little hands - grabbing the object while inspecting it with care.

"Hold on Felt." Rom intervened. "There's a good possibility that isn't pure gold, or even gold at all."

Turning towards Zoro, the giant took a hold of the Gold Bar that Felt handed over. "If I may?"

Zoro shrugged showing little no care on what he'd do. As long as his swords are returned, he didn't care what kind of experiment Rom conducted. Setting the Gold Bar on the counter once more, Rom pulled out a magnet before gently hovering it over the metal.

No reaction.

Putting the magnet away, Rom conducted a few more tests before confirming that the item Zoro carried is legit.

"It's 100% pure gold. Judging by the weight of this bar, I'd say it's worth about 10 to 20 Holy Coins. The strange markings on it could possibly make it even more valuable depending on what it represents."

Zoro smiled confidently already liking where this was headed. At this rate, it'd be impossible not to get his swords back.

"If you return my blades, you can keep it."

"Felt, this deal is the best offer you could possibly receive for three swords. I'd recommend taking it."

"Haha, I was gonna take it with or without your approval!" She smiled.

Refocusing on the Swordsman, Felt gave an approving thumbs up.

"Alright, you got yourself a deal green guy."

Sliding the blades over to Zoro, the Swordsman caught them immediately - carefully securing them to his waist. With his swords finally in his possession, he felt complete.

"Cha, this is probably my best day yet. First I get a gold bar, and now I got a customer coming with 10 holy coins for the other item I snatched."

Ah, yes. If Zoro remembered correctly, the insignia Emilia had been searching for should be here as well - within Felts possession to be exact. His initial goal were to retrieve his swords, but with that now out of the way he wondered if he could be able to snag this as well.

"Could this other item be an insignia?"

"Eh, y-yeah. Why'd you ask?"

Taking a moment to think, he reached into his pockets to see if there were anything else he could use to barter for the insignia.

Empty.

Zoro sighed dejectedly when realization settled, but he wasn't about to give up just yet.

"Would you mind selling that to me too?"

"Hmmm." Pondering over the thought, Felt smirked greedily. "I'll sell this to anyone, for a good price - but..."

Posing in a pleased manner, Felt held her head high

."...I do have a client who wishes to purchase this item as well. Before I make my decision, you and my client will bid for the item. The highest bidder claims the stone."

*Knock Knock*

All of their ears perked up at the sound. Standing from her stool, Felt quickly paced herself towards the door.

"Speaking of my client, I believe that person finally arrived."

As the youngest of the three left, Zoro glanced at Rom confusingly.

"You allow Felt to do this stuff at her age?"

Rom sighed. "It's not like she has a choice. The governmental system hasn't been so kind to those who grow in poverty. It's been like that for quite some time. Despite her history of thievery, Felt is a delicate girl. She would not survive for long on her own. I couldn't sit by and allow her to do this without some kind of muscle to back her."

While Roms gaze fell into a saddened expression, Zoro remained silent at the explanation he received. Growing up in poverty wasn't something he experienced, so he had no right to judge the lifestyle of those he can not understand. The only thing he could do was show his respect for their conviction to keep moving forward. Footsteps began to approach, and the two men glanced at the newcomer that entered the building.

"I was right! It was for me."

Felt returned with her client hot in toe. While Rom didn't know what to think of this newcomer, Zoro had gently rested his hands onto the hilts of his blades. He knew this woman. She was certainly going to be trouble.

Elsa Granhiert. A woman dressed in nearly all black with a figure most women would kill to possess. Her smile reflected such innocence and generosity that at first glance would never be suspected as a cold blooded killer.

Like Zoro, Elsa briefly studied the two men before her in hopes of understanding what protection this girl carried with her. Elsa was swift, and powerful in her line of killing - but even she knew that it would be unwise to start something that can't be finished. Noticing the hostile aura Zoro emitted, her pupils settled onto his fingers that gently rested atop his weapons. Smirking at the sight, an anticipated twitch lingered in her fingers knowing that the two would battle.

"You seem quite jumpy." Elsa commented

"I could say the same yourself." Zoro responded.

In our Pirate Hunters point of view, the Bowel Hunter had tensed the moment their eyes met. She was wary of him, he could see that. After all, he wouldn't be caught of guard like before. Elsa approached, warily of course. Sitting just across the swordsman on the same table, their eyes never left each other the entire way.

"You have keen eyes. The familiar sense of blood lingers off your blades. You've killed before, haven't you?"

"You sure that stench you smell isn't the blood off my cloths?"

"That too, but there's more to it than what stains you."

At this point, Felt stood at the far end of the table while Rom decided to stick closer to Felt. He could feel the shift in atmosphere the moment these two began conversing. The giant knew a fight was eventually going to break out, he just didn't know when. Felt finally interjected herself between the two's conversation wishing to conclude business before things gets out of hand.

"Now, I don't care who gets the insignia. All I really care for is who can pay the highest amount."

"Ah, I see now. So that's why this mans here."

"He's your competition." Felt clarified.

"It's a good thing I was given additional funds to secure this deal." Reaching into her pocket, Elsa pulled out a small sack before emptying its contents onto the table.

"20 Holy Coins." She stated. Her cheeky grin never leaving her face for a moment.

Felts eyes sparkled at the sight. Tonight had been so full of blessings for the hard work she's put into this criminal line of work. The god of fortune has surely been smiling down on her lately. She truly felt blessed.

Everyone's gazed shifted towards Zoro wondering what kind of value he'd bring to the bidding table. If he had something that could top 20 Holy Coins, then this bid would be entirely in his favor. Before they all knew it, the room had gone quiet. Awfully quiet.

"...well?" Felt crossed her arms and tapped her feet impatiently.

Seeing how the girl was speaking to him, Zoro raised an eyebrow at her behavior. "Well, what?"

"Aren't you going to bid anything? It's what we agreed to earlier, remember?"

"Oh, that. I'm broke."

.

.

.

"Then there's no reason to be having this!" Felt growled!

"Does this mean the insignia is mine?" Elsa smiled.

Sighing in discontent for the amount of time wasted time, Felt nodded. "Yes, the item is yours."

Felt tossed the insignia over expecting for the Bowel Hunter to catch it. It didn't quite end up in the hands she expected it to. Snatching the insignia mid air, Zoro tossed it around the palm of his hands with little to no care.

"I may be broke, but I can't let you have this either."

"Oh?" Elsa hummed. "And why not?"

"Rom, they're going to cause a fuss!" Felt warned. "Get that guy out of here."

Rom sighed knowingly. "Zoro, you seem like a nice guy, so I'm only asking this once. Please don't be a nuisance and leave before I make you."

"Under normal circumstances I would've abided and taken my leave. However, this insignia doesn't belong to anyone here. I intend to return it. Not only that, but I'm fairly certain your client here will sabotage this deal and soil these floors with your own blood. Isn't that right, Elsa?

During his spiel, Elsa already been itching her fingers towards her daggers.

"And what caused you to bring about such accusations?"

His thoughts reverted back to when he first came here in his, previous, trip. The corpse of Rom still mesmerized clearly in the forethought of his mind. No one had attended this 'deal' until later on that night. By then, they had already been slain. He did not see Felt anywhere, but if Rom had perished then the girls body was certainly lurking elsewhere at the time. It was common sense really, especially since the only person he's ever encountered was Elsa. Grinning confidently, Zoro stood.

"Because, if you had no intentions of killing, you wouldn't be preparing to do so now."

The table between them had been kicked across the room ridding the area of any obstacles linking Elsa and Zoro. Instead of attacking the swordsman, Elsa had thrown a dagger aimed for Felts jugular. Felt was confused to the sudden change in hostility that she did not have time to process the imminent danger that was about to kill her.

*Clang*

Zoro rushed in front of Felt and redirected the flying dagger with a swift swipe of his blade. With Sandai Kitetsu now released from its sheath, Zoro pointed the sword ahead. A brief familiarization of pain had shot throughout his body reminding him that he has yet to be in peak performance. Though oddly enough, it seemed to be much more bearable. Perhaps his drinking session with Rom had caused the alcohol to numb his nerves to the pain, even if it were slight.

"I'm surprised you knew. I guess even the intel I received couldn't accommodate the possibility of someone of your caliber appearing." Pulling out two extra daggers, Elsa's smile grew sadistic. "I can only wonder what your innards would look like."

Elsa closed in swiftly, but was forced to dodge as Rom's club came smashing against the wooden floor she stood on.

"I've always had a bad feeling about her." The Giant muttered.

"W-Wait, so she wasn't planning on holding her end of the bargain." Felt questioned.

"It seems so."

Rom took the lead and began swinging like a barbarian at the Bowel Hunter. Elsa danced around the Giants attack with a crazed giggle, enjoying the amount of hostility Rom emitted.

"Ah yes, I've never seen the insides of a Giant like yourself. Please, allow me to witness such beauty!"

"Quiet girl! I'll chop you up and feed you to the Rats!"

The two paced each other around the room causing damage to everything near and far. While Rom held an enraged look, Elsa looked as if she were having the time of her life. Soon, the Giant slipped up leaving an opening for the Bowel Hunter.

*Clang*

Before Elsa could strike a killing blow, Zoro proved to be an annoying pest in her side by interfering with the battle. Dashing back just mere moments before he could cut her down, her attention had now been refocused on him.

"You know, it's rude to pick a fight with the elderly." Zoro taunted.

"Brat, I'm not that old!" Rom grumbled.

Elsa backed away - brandishing her blade psychotically.

"You're such a tease, Swordsman-kun. I was really hoping to be bathing in his bodily fluids. I suppose you'll do for now. I can't help but squirm at the thought of your radiant dye of love."

Placing her wrist over her breast, Elsa's breath grew heavy with lust. Simultaneously, her thighs rubbed together in a heated manner.

"I must see it. The beautiful color of red that's making me this way. It's driving me insane."

Raising an eyebrow at the sight, Zoro did not know how he should take this kind of reaction. It was... weird.

"Women..." He muttered.

The two clashed once more. Sparks flying each time metal collided against each other. Elsa maneuvered herself around the Swordsman hoping to catch him off guard like she had Rom, but he never allowed her that chance. Despite his injuries, despite the pain he was in - numbed from the large quantity of alcohol he ingested, Zoro held his ground, and that frustrated her. Increasing her speed at an alarming rate, Rom had taken the opportunity to grab Felt and duck behind the counter. The Bowel Hunter had began taking this seriously.

The pressure began to stack against Zoro. Immediately, he could already sense the speed Elsa had tapped into. It was alarming, but not absolute. She was fast, but still unable to touch him. Combining that with the numerous cuts he's given across her increasingly damaged clothing, the fight remained in his favor. With that clearly distilled in his mind, he refused to pull out a second blade. This woman wasn't worth the effort.

Elsa came to a sliding stop. Her boots screeched against the wooden floor. Releasing a long exhale, Elsa studied the defensive Swordsman.

"You carry more than one blade, yet you're using only one. Will you not pull out another?"

"I've thought about it, but the more we clash the more I realize that there's just no need. These swords will remain sheathed."

"All three?" Elsa giggled. "I wonder how you carry the third one."

"There's no need to wonder any longer." Adjusting his form into a Kendo like stance, he glared into her soul. "You won't be finding out."

The two stared each other down once more almost as if they were unsure of what to do with one another. Shifting her feet slightly, Elsa retook her fighting stance. With two daggers on each hand, her lust-filled smile said it all.

"Elsa Granheirt, Bowel Hunter." She proclaimed.

Realizing that she had introduced herself as a sign of respect, Zoro smirked viciously.

"Roronoa Zoro, Pirate."

Elsa inwardly hummed at his declaration. "Pirate? Hmm, and so far from the sea." She thought.

Her nose twitched causing her to take a whiff in the air. Her sadistic smile surprisingly turned sour as realization dawned upon her. There was two incoming individuals. One of them was strong, the other was immensely overwhelming. An anticlimactic end to one of the most adrenaline kicking battles she's ever had.

"Roronoa-kun, I enjoyed our battle of precision, but I believe it is time we end this."

"I agree."

Putting everything and more into her dash, she instantly closed the distance between her and the proclaimed pirate. Her malicious intent made it clear that this would be their final clash.

Zoro could clearly distinguish the difference in speed she exhibited. She was swift, perhaps even swifter than what she displayed a few moments ago. Despite this fact, the Bowel Hunter seemed to have, slowed, oddly enough. No, she wasn't slow. He was just faster. His senses could react to her movements quicker than she could execute. The benefits of observation haki seemed to hold no bounds.

"Ittoryu." He softly muttered.

His eyes sharpened. A glow of red seemed to engulf his outer pupils leaving streaks of crimson wherever they averted. The Bowel Hunter was now before him, her gaze remained lust-filled intensely into his own. Though just as swiftly, Zoro could already distinguish the upcoming change in her demeanor.

From the depths of hells, the Bowel Hunter knew no other sense than the sickening pleasure of blood. The beauty its crimson color emitted radiated the very definition of love. Whenever the idea of love is foretold, the color of red is usually associated with this ideal. Red is the identified color of love, meaning blood is the embodiment of love. And within it, a warm and indulging sense of security would erupt within her chest making her feel at peace. A safe haven consisting of all her guilty pleasures.

But now, she could not find such refuge. There was no safe haven she could dive into. No sanctuary where she could bathe her skin among the pleasures that trigger her lust. Staring into the eyes of the man before her, she could no longer see such a paradise. Briefly, she thought of the hundreds of victims that she gutted along the way. Their eyes had been filled with an amusing terror she craved to see. She loved it. She needed it. It was part of her identity - so much so that it left her to wonder. What would she now if she were to look into a mirror? Would she find herself the same - prancing menacingly over the pleasure of her victims? From those she hunted? She could only wonder. Elsa Granhiert stared into the eyes of her opponent. Unknown to the change in status of what was predator and prey. Unaware to the fact that her pupils had expressed that one sense she never truly understood.

Fear

"Great Dragon Shock!"

The shockwave that came after a swipe of Zoro's sword carved the ground before them. The floor boards cracked and shattered in a straight line while simultaneously scattering shards of wood. The aftermath resulted in a large hole caved through the wall allowing the outside world to witness the spoils that unfolded within.

Elsa skidded to a stop on the opposite end of her opponent. Standing for a brief moment, blood had suddenly splattered from the center of her chest down to her abdomen. Blinking in confusion, there was an odd tingle in her belly. She felt weird, funny, and loose - almost as if she became lighter. Her eyes trailed down, only to realize her own guts had begun to to spool from her open belly. Dropping her blades, Elsa fell onto her knees holding onto the intestines that threatened to detach from her completely. Pushing her innards back in, the amount of blood that pooled out had left her palms and fingers soaked with that radiant color of love.

"I-" She could only uttered.

Her breathing grew shaky at the sight. Typically, the usual reaction of any human being in this situation is to fall over and hold on for dear life. Their vocals remain choking in endless release of blood up until their demise. But Elsa was... different. Her lips curved upwards, and her eyes shifted into a loving expression.

"It's... beautiful."

With that, Elsa toppled over. Her hands still holding onto her abdomen in attempt to remain whole.

The sound of Sandai Kitetsu sliding back into its sheath resonated around the room before clinking shut. Zoro let out a heavy sigh once he realized the battle was finally over. With Elsa down, it would only be fair for Felt to allow him to keep the insignia as repayment for saving them. Now, if he could just-

Before he realized it, Zoro had collapsed onto the wooden floor. His legs had given out again. A direct result for pushing himself despite his injuries that had yet been tended too from his battle prior to arriving in this world. Cursing silently, he wished Chopper was around to help tend to his broken body. If only that Yonko hadn't done such damage, he certainly wouldn't be seen in such a pitiful state. These people, these mercenaries, these assassins - they were weak. If he were at full strength, this battle would've been over by the time it started. If only he wasn't a total wreck.

His vision grew blurry just as the sound of Felt crying his name entered his ears. He could identify Rom's voice as well, followed by two more he couldn't entirely recognized. With heavy eyes, Zoro forced himself to glance at the spot Elsa had collapsed onto earlier - only to find nothing but a pool of blood to occupy its location.

Seconds later, his eyes fell shut forcing him to sink into a desperate need of sleep and rehabilitation. After this battle that pushed his physical limitations well beyond his already damaged state, he certainly needed it.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

End of Chapter 2

That wraps this chapter up. I wonder how I'm going to play out the next portion of the story, but I'll leave that for the future me. I just want to warn you guys to not expect frequent updates because I have other things I am currently attending to. Two of them being an edit/rewrite to some other stories such as "My Other Self?" - One Piece. And "A Shattered Legacy that Paves the Path to Destiny," - Avatar: The Last Airbender. Also, to those of you that believe this will follow Canon. Imma just say that I haven't got the slightest clue of what's in Re:Zero after the last episode of Season 2! As you can now see, I am extremely limited in knowledge about this verse outside of the Anime. I haven't read the manga, so I don't fucking know! That's why I say don't expect frequent updates. Also, if you believe this is not "Zoro" because his ambition doesn't allow him to die so easily. Well first off, you're an idiot. Secondly, this is fanon. If you wanna argue about this topic, PM me. I believe I can persuade you to say you're wrong with simple facts about recent events, and if not then I guess you win.

Anyways, let me know what y'all think and I'll get to the next chapter when I can.

Ciao!

~TheLivingMyth

Update: 20210901. Reading some new reviews, it baffles me how tunnel visioned some people can be. I understand the criticism for Zoro being a little too 'simpy' in the previous chapter, but many of your perceptions of our beloved Swordsman during his battles is completely inaccurate. Especially if this damage came from someone like Kaido for crying out loud. Some people just wanna see an OP character.