The Blind Brawler [ Roronoa Zoro X OC]

Chapter 101: Round #3 - The Combat Round

Kaori

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With Chopper now safely back with us, all that was left was the final combat round. I was admittedly still a little frustrated that Luffy declared 'Captain dibs' on being the one to actually do the fighting. However, I could begrudgingly admit that it was the right call. When I attempted to take Foxy down in round one to stop his interference in the race, he defeated me easily with his devilfruit power. If anyone had a chance to beat that guy, it was Luffy.

Despite our faith in our captain, the risk of him losing this game was real, and Nami was not about to let him forget that, "You've gotta give it a hundred percent, Luffy. Do you understand? If you don't and we lose, then Foxy is probably gonna take Chopper away for good this time."

Chopper whimpered, panic clear in his voice, "I don't wanna leave you guys again!"

"Easy, Chopper," Zoro said sternly to ground the young doctor, "You've got nothin' to worry about. Luffy's gonna win."

"Yeah!" Our captain declared, "Leave it to me!"

"Feh-feh-feh-feh!" Foxy's boisterous laugh made my skin crawl with anger as I turned towards his voice, "I hate to burst your bubble there, rubber boy, but just as a fair warning. Nobody has ever been able to beat me in the combat round. You may be captain now, but you'll be swabbing my decks soon!"

Luffy bristled at him, "Oh yeah?! You think you can beat me in a fight?!"

Foxy's tone grew even more smug, "Feh-feh-feh! Maybe so, and maybe not. But this isn't a fight, my boy. It's a game," With that final ominous threat, the pirate captain walked away.

I scowled at that, "Damn bastard isn't even gonna pretend like he's not gonna cheat."

Zoro spoke up, his voice level and grounded, "Let him cheat. It didn't work for them in the last round. It won't work for this round either."

I clicked my tongue in frustration, but did not argue. He placed his hand on my shoulder and gave me a reassuring squeeze. It did little to ease my anger, but it was somewhat reassuring.

As we followed the crowd to the next round's starting point, Itomizu began his announcements again, "We've finally arrived at the combat round, but before we start, we must decide on the battlefield! The two competitors spin this unbiased cannon, and wherever it stops is the place where they'll do combat!"

I sensed the cannon spinning around for a moment before it started to slow down. Then, it suddenly snapped in the opposite direction and locked into place before firing. Usopp was enraged, "The match hasn't even started yet, and you guys are cheating already?!"

Itomizu ignored his outburst, "There you have it! The battlefield has been set. And wouldja look at that! By sheer coincidence, it's on the deck of the Sexy Foxy!"

Usopp was having none of his feigned ignorance, "Oh, now you're just rubbing it in, you little liar!"

"Takes one to know one," I snidely remarked to my friend.

He smacked my arm with the back of his hand and grumbled in an unamused voice, "Can it, Kaori."

"Moooving right along, let's explain the rules of combat!" Itomizu deflected, "Everything within fifty meters of where the cannonball landed is considered part of the battlefield. In other words, it's a hundred-meter-wide circle measuring from the center of the ship. Weapons and anything else found inside the designated battlefield are allowed. However, outside crewmembers are strictly forbidden from entering the ship! Knock your opponent out of bounds, and you'll win the match! Simple as that! Also, as long as you're in the circle, fighting by the air or the water is fine!"