Book Two: You're my Treasure Too (Zoro X OC)

Chapter Twenty One ~ Banquet at the Palace

As they watched from below cheers for Luffy to destroy the ship ringing around them, the Strawhats saw shadows moving in.

The light of the Eve tree revealed these shapes to be Sea Kings. A handful of the great beasts gathered around the falling Noah, grabbing its floating chains in their jaws.

The Noah slowed to a stop.

The bubble around Noah was absorbed into the island, while the Sea Kings held it aloft but then they left, almost as soon as they had appeared, towing the Noah behind them as if by design.

"A-attention everyone! T-this is unbelievable, it'd take too long to explain it all but it's the undeniable truth, the Noah has stopped! It wasn't completely destroyed either! Fishman Island has been saved!" the announcement rang out throughout the plaza and all around it everyone celebrated.

The fishman and humans that had joined Hordy, willing or by force, took the opportunity to run but Jimbei stopped them.

"This is an announcement for all citizens. The Straw Hat Pirates had no involvement in the kidnapping of the mermaids. We admit that we did not check the facts properly. We truly regret it, and we would like to offer our sincerest apologies." another announcement rang through out the plaza.

Not that the Strawhats were truly listening, Franky was showing of his hair salon. Nicole had shifted back by this point but was entertaining Usopp by answering his questions.

"Hey, hey! If you ate a Rumble Ball, what kind of wild transformations do you think you'd get?" Usopp asked, wide-eyed.

Nicole shrugged. "Who knows? But I'm not eager to test it. I've barely scratched the surface of this fruit's power. If I push too far so quickly, I might not be able to control it... or even survive it."

"She's right. Even after all my training the Monster Point takes a lot of energy. I can't even walk for two or three hours. But I can still treat your wounds. Is everyone alright?" the doctor asked, dazed.

"You aren't alright" Zoro pointed out.

"Everyone seems fine" Robin said.

"Robin-Chan! I used my ultimate technique too, so I'm completely worn out! Let me rest on your lap! Pwease!" Sanji begged, groveling with his usual heart eyes.

Nicole could only sweatdrop "Well at least he's back down to a normal level. For him at least." she muttered.

"He's more obnoxious if you ask me." Zoro said, standing at her side silently nudging her to lean on his shoulder.

"Until he starts barking like a dog, I'd say this is actually an improvement." Nicole said, taking leaning back into him.

~

Meanwhile Hody and his officers were arrested and locked in chains.

"Everyone! You can rest easy! These men will no longer be allowed to run wild!" Fukaboshi announced, much to the relief and cheers of the fishmen.

But then Shirahoshi returned tears streaking down her face and wailing. "Please help him! Luffy won't stop bleeding!"

The mermaid princess returned to the ground and set Luffy down among the Strawhats.

"Luffy pushed himself too far for our sake" she cried, her giant tears splashing onto the ground.

"This is awful! I've got something to stop the bleeding in my backpack. I'm counting on you Robin" Chopper said, his face in the ground due to his exhaustion as Robin rummaged through the doctor's backpack.

"Sure." Robin nodded, and helped Chopper move closer to Luffy too.

"Can you save Luffy?" Shirahoshi asked.