The Blind Brawler [ Roronoa Zoro X OC]

Chapter 106: The Power of the Navy

~*^<:>^*~

I sensed several people draw closer to us, staggering and shambling out of the treeline as if scared or injured. My brow furrowed with wariness and concern, but I did not say a word as the group entered the clearing with us.

Some of them dropped to their knees as one man spoke up with a relieved tone, "So you're really a Marine? I wish we'd known that a lot sooner."

Nami sounded baffled, "Hey, who are all these people?"

I leaned over to Zoro and whispered, "What do their clothes look like? Are they in uniforms?"

He lowered his voice as well, "No uniforms, but they look like they've been through hell and back. Tattered fancy clothes. Men all scruffy and unshaven. A lot of them are shaking."

As if to prove his point, a couple more people fell to the ground. Sanji took a step forward, sounding concerned, "Whoa, are you guys okay?"

Usopp hummed in surprise, "I thought this island was uninhabited."

"Weeell," Aojiki drawled in his low and sleepy voice, "They're probably castaways that washed up on the shore here. There was a passenger liner that was reported missing about a month ago, last seen somewhere in this area. I'm guessing it sank, and these are the survivors."

I bristled at that, "You're guessing?! You didn't investigate the missing ship when it was reported a month ago?"

The lazy Admiral held up his hand in defence, "Now, now, I'm just on a stroll, remember? This area isn't usually my jurisdiction. I'm sure the Marines in charge of this sector did what they could, but weren't able to find any leads for where the passenger liner went down or if there were any survivors."

The chef turned on him, growling in fury, "So these people were left to starve because you guys are bad at your jobs?!"

My boyfriend stepped between Aojiki and me while also holding his arm out in front of Sanji, "Cool it, you two."

Chopper let out an alarmed gasp as he looked over the crowd, "They look hurt! Luffy!"

The captain grunted in an understanding tone, "Go ahead, Chopper."

As the young doctor ran over to the group, he called back to me, "Kaori, can you help me?" I frowned before I turned and hurried over to his side. I sensed one of the castaways recoil from us, but Chopper quickly calmed him, "Don't worry. I'm a doctor. May I see your injuries?"

"A... doctor?" The man mumbled, unable to believe his luck. He held out his arm towards Chopper, who immediately began to examine him.

After a brief pause, he hummed, "The bruising appears to be severe. There may be a possible fracture in the bone. Kaori?"

"On it," I replied as I knelt beside him. As I gently grasped the man's forearm, I sharpened my mantra to sense the extent of his injury, "... Definitely a hairline fracture, but not a full break. Looks like it's started to heal, but it doesn't seem like a month's worth of mending. Did this happen after you arrived at the island?"