The Swordsman and the Blacksmith (Roronoa Zoro x Reader)

Chapter 22: The Calm Before the Storm

That was the final straw. The sea? Utterly loathed. As if to underscore your sentiment, the deck beneath your bare feet turned treacherous, slick with seawater from an enormous wave that nearly capsized the ship. You fought to maintain your balance, cursing the unending, unforgiving expanse of ocean that seemed determined to thwart your every step.

With a muttered curse, you clung to the railing, knuckles white with tension as you weathered the onslaught of wind and water. Each crash of the waves against the hull felt like a personal affront, a reminder of your rapidly growing disdain for this tumultuous expanse of blue.

The chill gnawed at you mercilessly, penetrating your thin pajamas now thoroughly drenched from the relentless assault of sea spray and blinding rain. You'd just spent the last half hour securing all the tools in your forge. Your thighs burned as you wrestled to keep upright, nonetheless, you pressed on, navigating to the tables, aiming to fasten them to the deck too.

As the ship rocked and pitched beneath you, you couldn't help but wonder what possessed you to embark on this voyage in the first place. The promise of adventure? Ha! More like a death wish.

Nami's voice struggled to pierce the howling winds, her instructions almost lost amidst the deafening roar of the storm. It had descended upon you with startling swiftness, catching everyone off guard in the predawn hours. Yet, despite the lack of warning, Nami had somehow sensed its approach mere moments before the first punishing wave crashed against the hull. It was a testament to her unparalleled skill as a navigator, her intuition bordering on the miraculous.

As chaos reigned around you, you marveled at the seamless efficiency with which the crew sprang into action. Zoro and Sanji moved with practiced agility, securing the flailing sails with expert precision. Chopper and Robin worked tirelessly in the galley to secure loose objects and prevent potential disasters. Meanwhile, Franky and Usopp, undaunted by the storm's fury, kept a watchful eye on the ship's mechanical systems, ensuring that everything continued to function smoothly amidst the tumult.

Beside you, Brook offered his assistance to Nami, his skeletal hands deftly aiding her in whatever tasks she required. And then there was Luffy, the damned daredevil, perched atop the figurehead of the Sunny, his infectious laughter ringing out above the tempestuous din. Despite the danger that surrounded you, he seemed utterly unfazed, his carefree demeanor a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding around him.

With the final knot cinched tight, you ensured the tables and chairs remained steadfastly anchored to the heaving deck. Rising to your feet, the disorienting sway of the ship made every movement feel out of sync, as if gravity itself was conspiring against you.

Fuck.

You were going to hurl.

The taste of bile flooded your mouth as you bent over the side of the ship.

A monstrous wave suddenly crashed against the hull, sending everything careening off course with a violent lurch that nearly catapulted you over the railing. In an instant, the world tilted at a perilous angle, and you found yourself teetering on the edge of oblivion, the relentless pull of the ocean threatening to claim you.

With a surge of adrenaline, your eyes widened in alarm as the deck vanished beneath your feet, replaced by a gaping void of churning water. The air rushed past you, whipping at your clothes as gravity seized hold, menacing to drag you into the icy depths below.

Your heart pounded in your chest as a firm grip closed around your waist, wrenching you back from the brink of disaster. In a blur of motion, you found yourself onto the safety of the deck once again, the sensation of solid ground beneath your feet a welcome relief.