The Blind Brawler [ Roronoa Zoro X OC]

Chapter 67: In Heaven

As we approached the archway, the crew gathered together on the front deck. I joined them, despite not being able to actually see the archway looming ahead. I was tempted to use my Weitblick ability to look at it, but I felt now was not the time.

Sanji spoke with a wary tone in his voice as he took a drag of his cigarette, "Yep. That's a gate, all right."

"And look," Nami exclaimed in awe, "That weird cloud we saw really is some kind of waterfall. It's coming down on top of those 'cloudbergs'."

Usopp sounded anxious, "Hold on, am I reading this right? 'Heaven's Gate'? What's that all about?" He started to whimper pitifully, "Sounds like a place you go when you die."

"Yeah," Zoro drawled. I could sense the mischievous smirk on his face as he taunted the sniper, "Well, now that you mention it, maybe we are dead. You ever think about that, huh?" The corner of my lip twitched as I fought a smile.

Sanji hummed as he pondered the thought, "Oh... You know, that would actually go a long way towards explaining this weird place."

Chopper did not seem to find the men's remarks amusing as he shrieked in panic, "But I don't wanna be dead!"

I knelt down beside the young boy with a reassuring smile, "Don't listen to those two, Chopper. We're not dead. See?" I reached out and gently pinched his arm, "Would you be able to feel that if you were dead?"

This seemed to confuse him more than reassure him, "Wait, what does feeling pain have to do with being dead?! I thought that was for dreams?!"

My brow furrowed a bit as I awkwardly hummed. Luffy's boisterous laughter saved me from further embarrassment as he jumped up to the railing, "Who cares? We're here, right? Wherever this gate goes, I'm goin'."

"Will you get serious?!" Nami snapped as she stormed up and struck each of us. I yelped in surprise at the unexpected pain, too stunned to immediately retaliate.

Zoro grunted indignantly as he cradled the side of his head, "What was that for?!"

"If you're making a joke, it's not funny!" She yelled at him.

Chopper whimpered, upset, "So, why'd you hit me, too?"

I growled as I gritted my teeth and turned to the navigator, "Yeah, seriously, Nami. That was uncalled for."

Before the argument could escalate any further, Usopp shouted at us, "Wait! Over there! There's somebody coming out!" The others all moved toward the railing beside Usopp as I stood back. I could hear a strange clicking sound from somewhere up ahead. It made me uneasy when it abruptly stopped.

Chopper cried out in stunned surprise, "Look! She's got- She's got wings!"

"Wow," Luffy said, "That's what sky people look like? She's so wrinkly."

My brow furrowed in annoyance as I smacked the back of my captain's head, "Hey! Don't be rude!" The rubber man whined, despite not feeling any pain from the blow.

Nami spoke up, raising her voice to be heard by the old woman at the gate, "Um, hello!"

"I am Amazon," The stranger said in a weary voice, "The Heaven's Gate inspector. State your business. Sightseeing? Warmongering? Other?"

Nami seemed a bit taken aback as she answered her, "I-I guess it's kinda like sightseeing."

Luffy piped up excitedly, "We wanna go to the sky islands! They're past this gate, right?"

"Can we say 'all of the above'?" My boyfriend added in a flat voice, though I could sense his wry grin.

I chuckled softly to myself and shook my head, "Someone's more playful than usual. I wonder what's gotten into him? Whatever it is, I like this side of him."