The Blind Brawler [ Roronoa Zoro X OC]

Chapter 31

Ace returned to the Going Merry and we continued to sail west past the smouldering remains of the Billion's ships. Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper cheered the hero as he boarded. The rest of us thanked him a bit more humbly, but all of us were impressed by his power.

The captain called for a toast to celebrate the quick victory. I knew it was just an excuse for the rubber man to get some more food. However, I was not about to turn down an ale, so I joined in. Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper all began to cheer for everything they could think of, sitting right next to Ace along the starboard rail of the deck. Nami and Vivi sat against the wall of the cabin with Sanji nearby on the port side railing. I chose to sit against the main mast, facing everyone while Kaori sat between me and Sanji, opposite Ace.

Luffy turned to his brother with a mouthful of food, "Ace, are you sure you don't want to join us? It'll be fun. I promise."

The older pirate shook his head with a small frown, "I can't right now. I'm chasing someone," He took a drink from his mug before scowling, "He's a pirate named Blackbeard."

This piqued my interest and I lowered my drink as Usopp grunted curiously and Vivi spoke softly, "I've heard of him. He was the one who attacked Drum Kingdom!"

Chopper bowed his head for a moment before Ace continued with a dark tone, "You see, Blackbeard used to be a member of the Second Division of the White Beard Pirates. He was one of my own men, but he committed the most unforgivable sin a pirate could: he killed one of his fellow crew members, and then he jumped ship. As commander of his division, it's my responsibility... to take care of him," He spat out the last few words with venom and a scowl curled his lip. His knuckles turned white as he gripped his mug tightly in anger.

"So that's why you're after him," Usopp said softly, awed by the older man's fury.

Ace's scowl became a sinister grin, "I came here because I'd heard that Blackbeard was seen in Alabasta in a place called Yuba, so that's where I'm headed."

Nami tilted her head in thought before her eyes grew wide in realization, "Hey! That's our destination too! Right?" The navigator turned her question to Vivi.

The blue-haired woman nodded with a determined look and pulled out a map of the coastline of Alabasta, "Exactly, we just entered the Sandora River," She began tracing our path on the map with her finger as she continued, "We'll take it to Erumalu, where we'll dock, and then we'll proceed on foot until we reach Yuba, here," She looked up from the map toward Nami and Ace, "The leader of the rebel army is there. That's where we're going."

"You don't say?" Luffy's brother seemed thoughtful for a moment before he smiled, "You mind if I tag along?"

I heard Kaori softly grunt, as if uncomfortable before Sanji started to swoon, "Nami, Vivi, I'll follow you anywhere. Just tell me where to go!"

I rolled my eyes and raised my mug to my lips with an annoyed growl, "Hopefully, it's off a cliff."

The cook snapped at me, "What did you say, Zoro?"

"Cool it, you two!" Nami barked back at him, shutting him up as I took a drink from my mug. She sighed before turning back to Luffy's brother with a smile, "Well, looks like you'll be with us for a little while, Ace!"

"We're all really happy to have you aboard," Usopp agreed.

"Yeah, really happy," Kaori said softly and with a high-pitched tone. I turned to look at her with an eyebrow raised as she held her mug with both hands. She had not drunk any of her ale yet.

Before I could ask her if she was alright, Luffy began to shout gleefully, "This is gonna be fun," He raised his mug, "To Ace!"

Usopp and Chopper sprang up and ran over as the rest of the crew and I stood to join him, "Cheers!"