The Blind Brawler [ Roronoa Zoro X OC]

Chapter 107: Frostnip

Zoro

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My grip on Wado's hilt remained firm as I clashed blades with the Marine Admiral. Behind me, I heard two sets of footsteps rushing forward.

One stopped short behind me, and I heard Kaori shout, "Stay back, Robin!"

The other set of footsteps charged forward before they leapt up over my shoulder. The cook shouted, "Slice Shoot!" His shoe connected with the base of Aokiji's sword from below, causing the ice blade to fly out of his hand and far out of reach.

The others cheered behind us as I could not help but smirk at this small victory, "I don't remember asking for your help, cook."

He scoffed, but there was no bite to his remark either, "Funny, I was gonna say the same thing to you, mosshead."

Luffy roared as he charged up, "Gomu Gomu no..."

"Guys, move!" My girlfriend yelled urgently, clearly sensing Aokiji's next attack coming. The warning did not come quickly enough. The ice man grabbed my arm and Sanji's leg in the same move.

"Pistol!" Luffy's fist flew between us as he solidly punched the Marine in the stomach. However, Aokiji did not even flinch. Instead, it was my captain who cried out, "He's cold!"

The ice shot up my bicep to my shoulder, covering it in a fraction of a second. I immediately yelled as the sudden temperature change burned my skin, and my nerves and muscles screamed in pain. Sanji made a choked sound as his knee was engulfed. His cigarette dropped from his lips to the ground. Luffy grunted in shock and pain as his fist was frozen up to his elbow.

Through the sudden shock and pain, I could hear Chopper screaming, "Ah! He froze 'em! He froze 'em! Ah!!"

Nami's voice wavered in terror, "He got all three of them! At once!"

We all dropped to the ground, writhing in pain as we clutched our frozen limbs. Luffy was wailing, and Sanji was almost choking as he shrieked. I could not stop crying out in agony as I tried desperately to catch my breath. Panic shot through me as my mind raced, "Fuck! It burns! Why does fucking ice burn?! How do we fight this guy?! This is bad!"

Chopper was shouting, "He's freezing them solid! I have to help quickly! If they get frostbite, their limbs will start to rot! Usopp, what are you doing?! We have to save them! Now!"

The coward had fallen back and was whimpering as he looked up at Aokiji, petrified, "I-I want to help! I'm trying to! But I can't seem to move! Did he freeze me, too?"

"No! You're just too scared to move, coward!" The young doctor screeched.

Usopp screamed again, "Ah! Luffy!"

"Sanji! Zoro!" Chopper called out, "Hold on! We'll save you!"

Nami shouted urgently, "Robin! Run away!"

I looked back at her to see that the older woman was locked in place, her eyes wide and fearful as she panted. Aokiji stepped past the other two guys and me towards her. My chest tightened in dread as Kaori stood in front of her with her arms held out as if trying to be a human shield.

The Marine acknowledged the blind woman with a surprised huff before smirking at the archaeologist, "You have some very loyal friends, but you will never change, Nico Robin!"

"No!" She weakly cried out, "That's not true!"

My girlfriend grimaced as she stood between Robin and Aojiki. She was trembling as she spoke, "Leave her alone!"

The ice man reached toward her and spoke calmly, "I'm afraid I'm gonna have to ask you to step aside, or I'll make you."

My gut twisted as my girlfriend stubbornly stayed rooted to the spot, "Kaori! Don't!"