The Blind Brawler [ Roronoa Zoro X OC]

Chapter 39: Escaping the Marines

The shade beneath the palm trees was incredibly refreshing. The fronds were a lush green and fanned out to cover a large area around it. The girls and I all sat down around the base of the enclosed trees while the dumbass cook remained standing. Chopper lay down on his stomach with his knees tucked underneath him.

The reindeer let out a sigh of relief, "Much better..."

Kaori turned her head toward the doctor's voice with a concerned frown, "Take it easy for a minute, buddy. Luffy and Usopp will be back with water shortly," The reindeer hummed happily and the blind woman gave him a small smile.

The corner of my lips twitched at the sight of her smile. I took a deep breath and rolled my shoulders before closing my eyes and leaning my head back against the stone pillar behind me, "We've reached Rain Base, so I need to be ready for a fight. Even with as tired as I am, sleep isn't an option right now," I idly looked around and found a small stick lying on the ground beside me. Out of boredom, I picked it up and started twirling it between my fingers to keep myself occupied.

Kaori let out a sigh as she stretched her arms up above her head, "Ugh! I'm too anxious to relax. I wanna hit something!"

Nami huffed at the white-haired woman, "Oh, please. You'll get plenty of chances to hit things soon," She cast the blind woman a sideways glare, "You can be such a meathead sometimes."

"Don't push her, Nami," I warned her with an annoyed scoff, "This isn't the time to start an argument."

The copper-haired woman frowned at me before a sly grin curled her lips, "Well, why don't the two of you blow off some steam and spar or something to warm up for the fight?"

Kaori visibly tensed at the navigator's suggestion, "I don't think it's really a great time for that either, Nami!" She sighed but dropped the issue. The blind woman scowled and crossed her arms and legs, fuming.

My brow furrowed in confusion and concern at the blind woman's volatile response, "Man, she really is tense. Is she scared? No, she's not the type to be scared by a fight. Something else must be bothering her."

Chopper let out a small grunt as he stood up again, "I'm gonna go use the little boy's room," I gave the little reindeer a nod as he turned and trotted away.

Curlybrow took a drag on his cigarette and looked toward the town with a wary eye, "Do you really think we can count on them to stay out of trouble?"

"Even they can handle little errands okay, right?" Nami chirped up optimistically.

I shrugged as I took the little stick and started poking Eyelash's nose, "I don't know. I'll bet they'll manage to screw something up. It is Usopp and Luffy," The camel bayed indignantly at me as I continued to poke at him in boredom. I shrugged as the others all looked toward me, "I'd start getting ready to run if I were you."

As if on cue, the dull roar of people yelling and running started to get louder. Kaori sat up straighter, "Can you guys hear that?"

The cook leaned around the corner and his shoulders sunk as he let out a sigh, "You win. Looks like the Marines are chasing them."

Nami leapt to her feet with a disbelieving shriek, "No way! So why are those idiots running this way?!"

I stood up as Kaori and Vivi scrambled to get off the ground as well. The princess turned to me in concern, "Hey! Tony hasn't made his way back here yet!"

"He'll be fine," I reassured her as the others started to run. The blind woman was biting her lip, clearly worried about the young doctor. I grabbed ahold of her wrist and gave it a small squeeze, "Chopper can manage on his own. Right now we need to move."