Hi all! Here is chapter 22! Legal stuff: all original plot, characters, and settings belong to Eiichiro Oda. Enjoy the chapter!
It was difficult getting serious. The wolf hooted, peal after peal of laughter bringing the animal to tears. The giraffe wasn't helping matters either.
"I keep telling you, Jabra. Stop laughing! Giraffes are cool! I really like them!"
The wolf writhed on the ground in convulsions. "'I-I really like them!' you say? You really are cool, aren't you?"
The foreman yelled back, "I said, don't laugh!"
Zoro couldn't hold his frustrations any longer. "Oi, Giraffe! Didn't I tell you that I'm in a hurry? Are you going to stand there all day arguing? I'll cut you up right now, just like that."
"Oh, right," Kaku turned back to him. "You're in a hurry to be destroyed. I'll use my hybrid form and defeat you with the new destructive power that I've gained. Be afraid, because I will win using this form!"
Mist formed around the body of the giraffe and Zoro heard the body stretch and warp. When the transformation was completed, the shipwright stood on two hooves and his neck stretched up several feet above him. The giraffe's snout elongated, stiffening into a square. The triangular ears wiggled. Zoro's reaction burst out of him before he could stop it.
"That's so lame!"
The wolf held his stomach. Kaku swung on him.
"Jabra, I'm going to kill you if you don't stop it!"
The wolf didn't respond; he just nodded and held his breath. But the wolf couldn't control himself when the giraffe's ears waggled again.
Zoro sighed, pressing his palm against his forehead, "I need more training. I can't believe that I said something so shallow on instinct."
He was about to get his katana out and demand the two animals seriously fight him when cool stone wrapped around his wrist. Zoro glanced at the doorway. Magina and Usopp stared back at him. Usopp held his new weapon aloft.
"Sogeking! What is this? What do you think you're doing?"
"M-My apologies, Zoro-kun. I was trying to shoot these handcuffs at those two since these are probably Sea Prism Stone handcuffs. It should cancel out their Devil Fruit powers. But-but," and his voice trembled, "it was just too funny… A giraffe with a square face! My grip slipped because I was laughing too hard."
The wolf agreed. "Right? It's just too funny!"
Zoro glanced up sharply. The giraffe's aura suddenly changed.
"How dare you mock me! I'll show you my true power! Tempest Kick!"
The giraffe spun. A wind grew steadily in the room. Zoro was already leaping when the giraffe shouted the name of his move. He tackled Usopp and Magina to the ground. The cut in the air passed harmlessly above their heads. Zoro glanced at the ceiling. He'd be the last to admit how impressive it was. The foreman would be a dangerous enemy for Usopp or Magina to handle. He couldn't wait.
"I get it now. Your power increased because of your reach," he commented.
Kaku chuckled. "Now you understand the terrifying truth behind my new power.
"Ouch," Magina mumbled. "Did you have to tackle us, Zoro? I could've dodged by myself."
He grunted in response. "Sogeking was just standing there in a daze. So were you, siren. What else was I supposed to do?"
Zoro moved to stand up but his right hand dragged to the ground.
"Ow-ow-ow-ow! Zoro-kun! Stop pulling on my arm!" Usopp complained.
It was only after he sat up that they understood what happened. He and Usopp held their wrists up at the same time. His expression felt as black and in as much shock as Usopp's. Magina bit her lip and frowned at their shackled wrists.
"Well, that's going to be a problem."
"Magina-kun, don't just say that so nonchalantly! Help us find a solution!"
Magina shrugged. "What did you want me to say? I'm just a fisherman. It's not like I know anything about handcuffs. How tight is it? Maybe I could wedge one open?"
Usopp rubbed his wrist above the handcuffs. "It's locked tight."
Zoro grunted. "Yeah. It is." He didn't even have to check the restraints. They limited his movements. He glared at Usopp.
Usopp noticed. "What? This isn't my fault! You were the one who charged me!"
Zoro sighed. "There's no use arguing now that it's happened. Just unlock these handcuffs, otherwise we're going to be in deep shit."
Usopp tried to fiddle with it but with no luck. "I can't. It looks like we're doomed!"
Magina knelt and took a closer look at the handcuffs. "You panic too easily, Sogeking. I think there's something that I can try yet."
Usopp wasn't done being pessimistic. "The only thing I know, is that Zoro-kun and I are in the same predicament as Robin-kun right now."
Zoro couldn't ignore the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. If their situation was the same as Robin's then… He swallowed.
"Then, the key is…"
"That's right, Zoro-kun. The key is in the hands of one of the CP9 members. We will have no choice but to defeat them in order to get the key," Usopp answered darkly.
"Don't be unreasonable! We can't fight like this!" he shouted.
"Oi! Which number handcuffs are you wearing?" Kaku called, interrupting their arguing.
"Number?" Usopp asked, confused.
"Yeah, each pair of handcuffs is paired with a key. If one of us has the key that matches your cuffs than we'll give it to you. It's no fun to fight handicapped prey," the foreman replied.
Zoro meditated, hoping for patience. Usopp fumbled around, looking for the number.
"Ah! Found it! We need key number 2!"
The enemies both looked at their keys. They looked at each other and then glanced their way. Zoro felt a chill go up his spine. They didn't have the right key and now they were about to attack. They both transformed, a giraffe and a wolf again.
"Magina, get ready to run. Sogeking, you too!" Zoro growled.
The wolf and giraffe chased after them. He worried that the siren and the marksman wouldn't be able to keep up.
"This is ridiculous," Magina panted.
She stopped and turned around.
"Don't, Magina!" he yelled.
She dodged both animals. They glowered at her and made a move to attack again.
"Wait! I have an idea. Won't you at least let me try? I can maybe unlock the handcuffs!"
Both animals skidded to a halt. They stared at each other and shrugged.
"I guess it won't hurt us any. What are you going to do?"
Magina took out her daggers, the fine metal points glistening.
"I'm going to pick the lock."
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Her hands trembled as she held the daggers. She boasted so confidently that she could pick the lock. Now, she was paralyzed.
"Take a breath, siren. I have another idea if this doesn't work," Zoro murmured quietly in her ear.
Magina shivered in reaction. She didn't understand why he could affect her so much. Once he said something, the fearful beating of her heart calmed, and her shaking stopped. She bent over the keyhole and set to work. Shadows loomed above her, making it more difficult to see what she was doing. Magina glanced up. The two giant animals were peering over her shoulder.
"How long is this going to take? My senses will get dull if I wait much longer," the wolf growled.
"Shut up, Jabra. How can anyone think with you yipping at them? Be a good dog and lie down somewhere else."
Magina silently let out the air she held. At least, if they were arguing with each other, they weren't bothering her. Eventually, their argument dwindled. Magina was bent over the lock.
"Don't you think that you should try twisting the blade a quarter turn to the left?" the giraffe spoke suddenly, bending his head to look over her shoulder.
Magina all but leapt out of her skin. She was so startled, that she dropped her dagger. A bright spot of red glistened on Zoro's hand.
"Zoro! I'm so sorry! Did I stab you? I didn't mean—"
"Stop apologizing, siren. We're training. If I get stabbed, it only means that I wasn't paying attention. It means you got stronger too, so don't apologize. Besides, either way you look at it, it's the giraffe's fault."
Magina bit back her response. It wasn't like they were really training in this situation. Still, once Zoro got an idea in his head, it was nearly impossible to persuade him otherwise.
"Yeah, this is all your fault, Kaku. If you hadn't lost control over your emotions earlier and attacked, they wouldn't be handcuffed together. It certainly isn't our fault that you look ridiculous," the wolf complained.
"Be quiet, you overgrown puppy! Giraffes are cool!" the giraffe argued back.
Magina felt the vein pulsating at her temples. She just about had it with these two! Magina leapt up and swung her gaze at the beasts. "Both of you, shut up!"
Stunned silence answered her. Still, she fumed.
"It's hard to see when you lean over my shoulder," she pointed at the giraffe. The wolf snickered. She pointed at the wolf, "And it's hard to concentrate when you keep picking a fight! If the two of you can't behave, then sit at the opposite ends of this beautiful garden and let me work in peace!"
"Wow, Magina. I can't even remember the last time you yelled at someone! What's going on here?" a familiar voice broke through her rant.
Magina sat down in front of the handcuffs in a huff while the giraffe and the wolf shuffled to opposite corners. She bent over the keyhole again. Now that she could see clearly, picking the lock might be easier than she thought. She was dimly aware of Zoro and Usopp explaining that they needed him to find the correct key. Magina focused all of her attention on the handcuffs. Her daggers were skinny enough to slide into the lock and she worked on adjusting the blades to find a catch.
"M-Magina-kun?"
"Hmm?"
"They're c-coming back this way…" Sogeking stammered.
Magina frowned. "It hasn't even been five minutes yet."
She dared to glance back. Waves of fury washed over her from the two animals. She was so startled that she dropped her daggers. Magina scooped up her daggers just before the wolf and the giraffe charged after her. Zoro and Usopp were already running ahead.
"You're going to pay for humiliating us! Those locks can't be picked! They can only be opened with a key!" the giraffe yelled.
The wolf howled. "You're pretty blood-thirsty for an herbivore. Let the true hunter go after her. Nobody treats me like a bad dog and gets away with it!"
Magina swallowed. Great. Now she was their target!
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
The doctor was finding the key. He had to be close to finding it by now. He growled underneath his breath. The siren and Usopp were gasping. They wouldn't hold out at this pace for much longer. That wasn't his only problem. He had to figure out a way to keep the siren safe. And he still couldn't think of a way to fight at full strength with one hand bound.
"Isn't the key here yet? Where is Chopper?"
Usopp's panting became more exaggerated. "Zoro-kun! Zoro-kun! I…can't run anymore! Carry me on your back while I catch my breath!"
Zoro's eyes narrowed. "Hell no! If I'm carrying anyone, it'd be Magina! Now, jump!"
At the same time, the giraffe yelled, "Tempest Kick!"
Condensed air pressure whipped around their legs as they all leapt in the air. There was another explosion nearby. Zoro glanced back just in time to see the foreman jump back. Magina staggered across the bridge and collapsed on the soft grass on the other side. He and Usopp stopped on the bridge. The wolf and giraffe began arguing, completely forgetting their main objective. These two enemies had no cooperation whatsoever.
"Doesn't their arguing remind you of someone else, Zoro-kun? I imagine this is exactly how you fight with Sanji-kun," Usopp murmured, "We can use that to our advantage. Now, I have a plan."
Zoro frowned. What did Usopp mean by that?
Usopp cleared his throat and nudged him. "So, Zoro-kun. Tell me, who do you think is stronger? Oh, you're right. The wolf certainly looks fierce. But wait? The giraffe is very fast too? You're right… But which one is stronger?"
Zoro gave Usopp a confused look. Why was he having a one-sided conversation with himself?
There was a moment of silence before the wolf and the giraffe started arguing.
"Obviously, I'm the strongest. Wolves are vicious hunters. Better luck next time, leaf-eater!"
"You're dreaming, Jabra! My speed and height make me the unmistakable winner when it comes to strength."
"So, what's this plan of yours, Sogeking? It better be good, they look like they're ready for blood," Zoro asked.
Magina shot him a look of pure disbelief.
"What? It's not like we talked about a plan ahead of time. All the enemy is doing is fighting with each other. Oh, wait. Is that the plan?"
This time Magina sighed so heavily that she almost sounded like a grandma.
"I know that this isn't your usual style, Zoro, but it's not like we have a lot of other choices right now. Sogeking, are we all supposed to try to escape or is it just the two of you?"
She obviously was trying her best to come up with a plan. He wanted her to run to safety. It wasn't going to happen. She was too stubborn and… His very own words replayed back in his head. 'Just stay back and help the others.' Damn. Usopp was locked with him. There was no way she would leave them behind.
Zoro's face hardened. "I'm not leaving you to deal with those two animals by yourself, siren."
Usopp shrugged in response, "As Zoro-kun said, it would be suicide to leave you, Magina-kun. We should go together or not at all."
"I'm personally favoring the 'not at all' choice myself. I'll kill you all before you have a chance to escape," the wolf snarled.
"Not if I finish them off first!" the foreman argued.
Usopp whistled sharply. "Those lines were pretty cool just now. Maybe being the strongest isn't enough. You have to be just as beautiful and cool as you are strong. I wonder who is the coolest? The giraffe or the wolf?"
"That trick isn't going to last long," he murmured as the two animals started arguing…again.
Magina's glare could throw daggers. Zoro stifled his snort as best as he could. Regardless of how dire the situation was, she could still make him laugh.
"Zoro-kun, this isn't the time to be laughing," Usopp said.
"Don't worry, I have a plan. Let's play rock-paper-scissors."
Magina and Usopp turned to him, confusion written all over their faces.
"What?"
"Rock-paper-scissors?"
Feb 4, 2020-So, I had this chapter edited and in the Doc Manager all ready to post Feb 1 but all my plans for the day got changed, rearranged, and my mind completely slipped about posting the chapter. I've been wracking my brain trying to remember exactly what I forgot. Finally remembered it today. Sorry for the late posting all!*
It's already Chapter 22. It's been a crazy start to the year so far and it seems like it's only going to get busier for next month. Because real life will have to take the priority for the month of March, I'm making the announcement that I will NOT be posting a chapter on March 1st. I am taking a slight break (just the month, I promise). I will be using February and March to get ahead as much as I can again with writing and editing. As always, thank you for reading! We'll see you on April 1st, no fooling!