The Blind Brawler [ Roronoa Zoro X OC]

Chapter 74: Guilt and Anger

Nami, Robin, and I trudged back through the overgrown forest back to the ship. I was still reeling from the discovery we made as I looked around at the trees, "I can't believe this place is actually the missing half of Jaya. It hardly resembles the other half down in the Blue Sea, but I guess 400 or so years sitting in the clouds might change a few things."

"You alright, swordsman?" Robin called back to me, amused at my obvious awe at our surroundings.

I clicked my tongue as I hopped over another massive tree root, "'M fine."

Nami taunted me from up ahead, "Come on, Zoro! Get your head outta the clouds! We gotta regroup with the others so we can find the City of Gold!" I rolled my eyes as she practically squealed and giggled in delight.

Robin chuckled softly, "My, our navigator is certainly in high spirits, isn't she?"

"Of course she is. Money is involved now," I huffed softly, a bit annoyed after the long day.

Up ahead, Nami stopped, "I see the altar! We're almost there!"

"Finally," I sighed as I moved a bit faster to catch up to Robin.

The older woman stopped and looked ahead, her tone growing concerned, "Something wrong, Miss Navigator?"

Puzzled, I looked up and saw Nami frozen in place with a look of worry on her face. My brow furrowed as she stammered, "The ship, it's..."

A knot of worry twisted in my gut as I moved to stand beside her, "It's what? Don't just start saying something and stop like that."

She answered me by pointing up ahead. I felt my shoulders tense as I followed her gaze and saw the Going Merry in far worse shape than we had left it. The mast was discarded into the cloud bank at the base of the altar. There were scorch marks scattered about, some looking more like gouges in the wood than burns.

Kaori and Chopper were nowhere to be seen. That knot of worry in my gut twisted more, and my hands curled into fists at my sides, "What happened while we were gone?"

Nami stepped forward and called out, hands cupped over her mouth, "Kaori! Chopper! Where are you guys?! If you can hear me, answer!" There was no answer from the altar, and Nami's voice grew more panicked, "Are you there?!"

I looked over the ship, trying to spot any movement, "Look, her mast is gone, and a wing is ripped in half. What've they done to her since we left?"

Nami turned to me in anger, "Obviously, the Going Merry was attacked! Chopper and Kaori couldn't have done that to her!" She began yelling across the cloud bank again, "Kaori! Chopper! I'm sorry we took so long! You can come out now! You'll be safe! I promise!" When she still received no answer, she cried out desperately, "At least give us a sign that you're not dead!"

Robin hummed after a moment, "So I guess that means that they're dead."

"Would it kill you to think positive?!" Nami shrieked at her.

My blood ran cold at her words, "Dead? No. No way. I refuse to believe that," My lip curled into a scowl as I stepped forward and cupped my hand around my mouth, "Hey, Kaori! Chopper! Come out! Cause Nami's scared and I'm tired!" I called out to them with an impatient growl.

After a brief pause, the little reindeer shuffled into sight. Nami gasped as she took in his appearance. He was bloodied and bruised with bandages haphazardly wrapped around his chest as if he had done them by himself. He barely met our gazes as he called back to us, "H-hi... Uh, e-everything stayed ship shape while you were gone," His voice cracked as he choked back a sob and turned away from us again.