The Blind Brawler [ Roronoa Zoro X OC]

Chapter 71: Second-degree Criminals

"I don't know if you're lying to me or yourself, but what you did out there on the beach was the opposite of not caring."

Kaori's words cut through me like a knife. My fists clenched at my sides as I felt a rush of defensive anger burning in my chest. I wanted to say something, but I did not know what.

"That was jealousy. That was possessiveness. And that was disrespectful to me."

She started shaking as her lip curled into a grimace of a snarl. I was scowling back at her until I saw something that made my heart drop into my stomach.

"So come back and talk to me once you figure out who you're lying to."

My girlfriend stormed past me, catching my arm with her shoulder as she rushed to get away. I staggered as I regained my balance, but I was too stunned to say or do anything in response. The sound of her footsteps quickly faded into the background as I stared forward.

She was crying.

Sanji's earlier warning rang through my head, "It's the kind of fight that you'll lose and won't recover from."

I made her cry.

My jaw clenched so hard my teeth hurt. I was so livid I almost felt sick. My gaze dropped to the floor at my feet as I took a slow breath. It did little to settle my frayed nerves as I reached up and pressed my palm against my forehead and closed my eyes, "... Fuck..."

I took a moment to stand there and collect myself. There was no way I was gonna run after her right now, not at the risk of upsetting her more. No, I needed to give her space. Like she had asked me to in the first place. My brow furrowed as I scowled at myself, "You just had to push it, didn't you? You couldn't have listened to her or that damn cook's warnings, could you? The hell is wrong with you?!"

I clicked my tongue in annoyance before I spun on my heel and trudged towards the opposite end of the ship. Luffy and Nami were still on the beach, seeming to be arguing about something. My lip curled into another grimace, and I sighed before I noticed Usopp walk up beside me.

He called out to them with an urgent shout, "Can't you two argue on the boat? Come on!"

Neither of them seemed to pay the sniper any mind as Nami threw out her arms and shouted at our captain, "How many times do I have to tell you?! Staying here equals more trouble for everybody!"

Surprisingly, Luffy answered her with an oddly level tone, "We're in trouble no matter what."

Before the navigator could try to argue further, Conis's voice rang out urgently from across the beach, "Save yourselves!" I turned my attention towards the angel's cry and spotted the troop of White Berets standing at attention a short distance away from my crewmates. Conis and her father were among them, looking like prisoners amidst the soldiers. She looked nervous as she called out to us again, "Save yourselves!"

Captain McKinley gave her a sharp glare, "Be careful, Miss. If you say anything to defend these criminals, I will consider you and your father accomplices," Conis flinched away from the soldier as Pagaya placed his hands protectively on her shoulders, "These people must be punished to the full extent of the law for all the abusive language and deplorable violence. I find them guilty of fifth-degree crimes. In the name of almighty Eneru, you are banished to drift in the clouds for eternity."

Nami shrieked in protest, "I told you, it was an accident! Oh, forget it!" She grabbed hold of Luffy's arm and started to run back to the Merry. The rubber man did not budge, however, and let her stretch his arm.

"Arrest them!" McKinley declared, prompting his soldiers to charge forward. I leapt down from the bow of the ship and started to run up to stand beside Luffy as he prepared to fight. The White Berets got into formation and drew their bows. My brow furrowed as I noticed the strange arrows they were using, "Damnit, Luffy can't deflect sharp projectiles like those."