The Blind Brawler [ Roronoa Zoro X OC]

Chapter 65: Taking Care of Her

⚠️Content Warning: Spice near the end of the chapter 🌶️⚠️

I grimaced as I wheezed, still trying to recover from the blow to my diaphragm that nearly sent me overboard. It was all I could do to cling to the ledge of the ship without falling into the cloud sea below, "Kaori!" I heard Chopper shriek before another slam shook the deck, and I heard Luffy shout in shock.

Nami yelled at us, "Hey! Don't let this guy walk all over you! Get him!"

Chopper screamed again, "He's gonna blow us up!"

An older, powerful, and regal voice rang out from somewhere above us, "That's enough, villain!" I heard the clang of metal striking metal blast through the air. Then, someone landed on the railing of the deck.

Nami groaned in frustration, "Oh, great! Now, who's this guy?"

I heard the subtle clatter of armour as the new stranger stood and turned towards my crewmates, "Miss, you may call me the Sky Knight."

"Peieeeeer!" A large bird creature cried out as it landed beside the self-proclaimed sky knight.

I groaned as I tried to pull myself back up onto the deck, but I was still too winded. The thin air up here in the sky made it difficult for me to do much of anything. Zoro shouted, sounding almost panicked, "Kaori!" The thunder of a pair of boots approached me as he ran towards me. I sensed him throw his leg over the rail so he could reach down and grasp my arm, "I gotcha. Come on."

He was panting, the thin air making it difficult for him to breathe as well. It did not affect his strength, however, as he easily pulled me up over the railing and set me down on the deck. He sank down to sit beside me as I placed a hand on his shoulder. I fought to catch my breath, my body trembling from the rush of adrenaline and fear, "Thanks, Zoro... That was... almost really... bad."

His hand rested on the small of my back. He spoke quietly as he tried to calm me down, "It's okay... You're okay," It seemed for a moment like he was trying to convince himself as much as he was trying to convince me. I leaned closer, resting my temple against his collarbone as I absentmindedly clung to the front of his shirt. He wrapped his arm around me a bit tighter, not saying a word.

The Sky Knight spoke solemnly, "He's gone."

Nami spoke almost indignantly, "What's going on here? Who the hell was that guy?" Her tone grew annoyed and disappointed, "And you. Could you be any more worthless? That was pathetic! You had him outnumbered four to one!"

I snarled and pulled away from Zoro. Standing up, I spun toward the navigator's voice, "Oh shut your damn mouth! At least we tried to fight! You coward!"

My outburst went ignored as Chopper approached the Sky Knight, "You saved us! Thanks a lot."

The old man answered in a kind voice, "I'm just doing my duty. This one's on the house."

Sanji groaned as he sat up and struggled to catch his breath, "What gives? I feel so weak."

"Yeah," Luffy agreed in a breathless wheeze, "I... could barely move."

"It must be because of the thin air," Robin offered.

"What?" My boyfriend said before he sighed, "Oh, yeah. I almost forgot about that."

The Sky Knight turned to us, his armour clanking, "You must be Blue Sea People."

"'Blue Sea People'?" Nami echoed, "What's that? And who are you?"

I listened as the stranger trudged up the stairs to the upper deck, "As I said, I am the Sky Knight. And Blue Sea People is what we call those who live beneath the clouds. I'm assuming that you travelled here from the Blue Sea."