Zoro and his Assassin

Lost Again

Zoro's POV

We bid rest of the crew a hasty goodbye and disembarked on a small island, from where we would board the train to Achter.

Nami led the way to the railway network. This wasn't my first time traveling by sea train. I glanced around at our team: Nami was at the front, grumbling about something, with Love Cook trailing her like a lost puppy. Brook followed right behind, while Usopp walked next to me.

Suddenly, Nami spun around and pinned me with a deadly stare. I didn't like the look in her eyes one bit. From experience, I knew that whatever came out of her mouth next wouldn't bode well for me.

"Listen here, Zoro," Nami snapped. "We're pressed for time. There's only one train each day from here to Achter, and we cannot miss it. If you get lost, we don't have the luxury of waiting or sending scouts after you. Do you understand?"

I nodded, feeling a little ashamed at being talked to like a clueless three-year-old.

She wasn't done. "If you get lost, we'll leave your ass behind and keep going to Achter. Sanji will be enough to help save the country." Sanji's eyes turned into hearts, and he started drooling at Nami's words.

I understood her words and, honestly, I probably needed to hear them. But that didn't mean I had to like it. I scowled at her and grunted a vague response. She smacked the back of my head with enough force to put Kaido to shame.

"Oww, Nami! This is why I can never find my way—you keep killing all my brain cells." But she wasn't listening, already busy beating up the idiot cook.

I know Nami's on edge—hell, we all are. The group always ends up getting separated, each of us fighting our own battles, but this time feels different. Usopp keeps reminding us every two seconds that the last time we tangled with the Celestials, we didn't exactly walk away unscathed.

This time, we're basically declaring war on them. But if we're being honest, we probably landed on their radar the second Usopp burned the World Government's flag. We were always marked; we just weren't a big enough threat for the Celestials to come after us directly. That's fine by me. A sneer forms on my lips—we'll take the fight to those bastards. Nobody messes with my crew.

We were always destined to go up against those assholes. This has been a long time coming. If Luffy truly wants to be the King of the Pirates, then he needs to teach the Celestials a lesson—and offer his protection to Achter.

Nami hits me again, apparently because my "evil smile" was jeopardizing the mission. People call me the demon, but it's this damn woman who's the real evil. I do not risk speaking though.

She gives us a brief explanation of what to expect at the station and hands each of us a few berries—just enough to buy a ticket if we get lost. She looks pointedly at me. Tch.

-----

We're making our way to the station when I suddenly feel it—a gentle, warm brush, almost a whisper in the air. But I'd recognize that warmth anywhere. It's the same heat I always felt from her.

It's barely there, and as I try to focus, it slips away. I look around desperately, hoping for a miracle. Could she be on this island right now? The odds are slim—her captors must already be on their way, it makes zero sense for them to stop here. If the bastard Kanzi's to be believed, it's better to make haste and get to Achter as fast as possible.

Still... maybe if I step toward the sea for a quick second, I might catch that warmth again. Damn it, I hope this isn't all in my head.

I stand still, debating what to do next. I watch as Nami and the others continue down the straight path ahead. The island is so small, with only one road to follow—there's no way I can get lost here.