Captain's Orders || ZoroXNami

ACT SIX - Chapter 23 Stop

ACT SIX
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The sky was pitch black, but the stars illuminated the sky brightly. It looked like the evening, instead of midnight. Zoro leaned against the wooden railings, playing with his swords as he watched the sky. As if waiting. And finally, a shooting star appeared. Zoro remembered how his mates at the dojo used to wish upon shooting stars. They'd ask to be the best swordsman in their dojo. He never used to believe in things like that. Superstitions were merely stories used to entertain children. But now, Zoro fought against an impulse to wish. Because he didn't just want the crew back together.

Zoro turned around, leaning by the wood with his back as he slid his swords back into their sheaths carefully. They were shining under the moonlight. Usually Zoro would pay special attention to his swords, but not today.

Sanji was walking out of the ship's bridge where Nami was eating her late dinner. The cook closed the door behind him and started to make his way to Zoro. Reluctance slowed his movements.

When he was finally near Zoro, Sanji lit up a cigarette and puffed. "Oi. Nami wants you, mosshead. She's over there."

Zoro was quiet, silently staring down Sanji. "What were you doing with her over there?" Zoro asked.

"Hah?!" Sanji raised an eyebrow and glared at him with malice written all over his face. "Why do you need to know what I do and don't do with her?! It's none of your business. Now go in, don't keep Nami-san waiting."

Zoro's eyes sparked with anger and he flew at Sanji, slamming him to the side of the ship. It rocked dangerously at the impact. Sanji coughed, desperately clawing Zoro's arm which pinned him down. Zoro's face displayed nothing but rage. "What the hell do you want?" Sanji wheezed. Zoro had never lashed out at him with this much strength before. Sanji wasn't prepared.

"It is my business. Shitty cook. You waltz back on to our ship and after your little argument with your girlfriend, you start hitting on Nami. Have you no honour? You think you can do this and that, but you don't know how either of them feel about this. So, I suggest you do less flirting, Sanji," Zoro said, trying to contain his anger. Then he finally let go.

Sanji stumbled up, keeping a straight face as he cast his face down. He threw his cigarette on the ground and stomped it with his foot, the flames fading out. "You don't know anything," but he didn't say anything more. Instead, Sanji executed a spinning kick, but Zoro blocked it with the sheath of his sword.

Suddenly, Nami's voice interrupted their duel. "What's happening? Zoro?! Sanji?! Are you at it again? Please, stop. And Zoro, I need you here!" Immediately, both of them stopped their fighting, out of both fear and respect.

Zoro walked away, leaving Sanji in the dust. The cook stood by himself, under the night sky. At that moment, he felt so alone. Sanji had been holding in his hot tears since the beginning. And it wasn't just because of the onion he had chopped a few minutes ago. Or the fact that Nami wanted Zoro to help her and not Sanji. Truth was, Zoro was right.

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Usopp had raced out of Drum Kingdom as soon as possible and now, he had arrived at what he recognised as Jaya. The streets were loaded with people and he could barely squeeze in his small boat at the docks. If he put it anywhere else, Usopp was sure to lose it.

Jaya seemed to be in a season of winter, because the air felt colder than usual and Usopp was already shivering in his one-layer outfit. So he took out two jackets and put them on, but after sweating in an instant, Usopp settled with one jacket.