The Blind Brawler [ Roronoa Zoro X OC]

Chapter 77: Trouble on the Milky Road

We were making steady progress down the Milky Road. Nami had roped Sanji into doing tasks around the ship. Usopp proudly walked around the deck, double-checking some of the minor repairs. I was keeping to myself for the most part, my shoulder still sore from the healing wound. Gan Fall was similarly sitting quietly as the Merry cruised along.

Usopp approached me with a cheerful tone, "Hey, Kaori! How's your arm?"

I turned towards his voice and smiled, "It's still a bit stiff and sore, but it's much better than yesterday."

He hummed in understanding, "Must be tough for ya, huh?"

I shrugged with my good shoulder, "Eh, I've had worse injuries before."

"Yeah," He responded as I sensed him cross his arms, "But with your arm out of commission like that, I can only imagine how anxious or upset you are feeling about not being able to defend yourself if another one of those priests shows up."

The corner of my lip twitched as my smile became strained. I spoke tensely through gritted teeth as my brow furrowed slightly, "Actually, I hadn't thought about that at all. So thanks for that, Usopp."

"Eeh, heh heh... Any time!" He awkwardly laughed as he shuffled backwards. He abruptly turned on his heel and called out across the deck, "Sanji! You are my official bodyguard!"

I sneered as I coyly tilted my head, "You think Sanji's gonna protect you?"

Usopp took another couple of steps back, still nervously chuckling, "W-well, of course! There's lot's to protect me from, right? Heh," He cleared his throat and spoke more firmly, though his words were still cowardly, "The captain is afraid of this creepy forest."

The chef yelled back at him in annoyance, "Come on, for crying out loud, knock it off with this 'bold Captain' business! The only ones I'm planning on protecting are Kaori cause she's injured and my little Nami cause she's too cute!"

"Hey!" Nami suddenly called out. I thought for a moment she was about to tell him off, but she seemed not to mind his comment at all as she spoke with a questioning tone, "It's about time for Kaori and that weird knight's medicine, isn't it? Do you remember where Chopper said he was going to put it?"

The Sky Knight spoke up, trying to be polite but clearly put off by her calling him weird, "Excuse me, dear. My name is Gan Fall. That's Gan. Fall."

Sanji ignored him as he answered her, "Oh, yeah, that's right. I think he left it sitting on a barrel down in the galley. Can you grab it, Nami-sweet?"

"Sure thing!" She piped up.

Gan Fall sighed at being ignored, and I moved to sit beside him, "Don't mind them. I never got the chance to properly thank you for saving me, Chopper, and the ship."

The old man's voice grew warmer, and I could hear his genuine smile as he spoke, "No need to thank me, dear. I was simply doing my duty. Though I must say, you did very well in holding Priest Shuna off long enough for me to arrive," His voice lowered somberly, "I only regret not being able to arrive sooner than I did. Perhaps your injuries would not have been so severe if I had made it to the altar in a more timely manner."

I shook my head, offering him a smile in return, "Hey, don't beat yourself up over that. It's better than being dead, right?" A thought came to my mind, and my smile turned into a grin, "Actually, there is something that would make me feel better..."

Gan Fall hummed curiously, "Oh? And what might that be?"

I fully turned to face him, clasping my hands together as my grin only grew wider, "Can I pet Pierre?!"