Chapter 50: Something More in Time

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With the help of Chaka's nose, I had hoped that tracking down the missing swordsman would be a simple task. However, whether intentional or not, Zoro had to make things more difficult. Nami was getting more frustrated as the search continued to drag on while I grew more concerned.

The Royal Guardsman suddenly seemed more alert as he stopped and turned toward me and my crewmate, "I believe I may have finally narrowed down your friend's trail. However, it seems to lead out toward the palace grounds. I'm afraid he may have ventured out into the city."

"You've gotta be kidding me!" Nami exclaimed with an angry groan, "That idiot! The entire capital is crawling with Marines! What was he thinking?!"

"We have to go out and find him quickly," I urged Chaka as I stepped forward, "Would it be okay for us to use the Super Sonic Ducks?"

The man gave a small hum in response, "That would probably be for the best. I'll take you to them and we'll head into the city."

As we began to rush toward the stables housing the sonic ducks, Nami griped under her breath, "I am so raising his debt to me after going through all this trouble," I merely shook my head at her petty mumblings.

Once at the stable, the three of us each settled ourselves into the saddle of different ducks and galloped out of the palace grounds. Chaka led the way with Nami and me on his heels. I did not bother gripping the reins to steer and opted to gently hold my arms around the duck's neck to keep from falling off. My hair whipped out behind me as we rode and I only then noticed it was no longer braided.

The city was bustling with the sounds of people and construction, but none of the voices registered as we sprinted past them. The ducks' speed was still remarkable, even as we wound through twists and turns to try and follow Zoro's trail.

I let out a small yelp as it felt like we were suddenly falling. It took me a moment to realize we were descending the stairs that led up into the city. Nami voiced my concern as we left the borders of Alubarna, "Chaka, are you sure Zoro went this way?!"

"I am certain of it," The dog man replied, "His scent is getting stronger."

Panic tied my gut into a knot as I shouted up to him, "It doesn't make sense for him to leave the city alone. Do you think he could have been taken away by the Marines?"

Chaka called back to me with an assuring tone, "I do not think so. I'm only picking up his scent. No one else seems to have gone this way."

My panic turned into confusion as we hit the bottom of the stairs and veered to the right along the cliffside of the plateau. Nami let out a yell, "There he is!" Her voice became aggravated and confused, "What the hell is he doing?!"

"What's going on?!" I asked her.

Chaka was the one to answer me with a puzzled tone, "It looks like he's... lifting boulders?"

My worry and confusion were both quickly dashed away and replaced with fury, "He's out here training?!"

The ducks all slowed to a stop and I immediately swung my leg over the back of the saddle and dropped to the ground. I sharpened my sensory vision enough to see the swordsman sitting about twenty feet in front of me with a pair of massive rocks balanced on his extended arms. A scowl curled my lips as I stormed toward him with my hands balled into fists.

Zoro noticed me and called out casually as I approached him, "Hey, Kaori. Good to see you're awake. What are you doing all the way out here?"

Enraged, I reeled my fist into the side of his head, causing him to yelp and drop the boulders in surprise. Before he could respond, I leaned over him and threw my arms down by my sides, "I should be asking you that! What the hell are you thinking?! Coming out here on your own with Marines everywhere?! Do you have any idea how worried Chopper is with you being out here injured and YOU'RE TRAINING?! I have half a mind to kick your ass!"

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