The Greatest (Zoro x Tashigi)

Chapter 18: The mid-games

1:15 am

Robin POV:

I can't stop the laugh that bubbles from my lips as I run through the short stretch of forest to the island's edge, a large burlap sack of gold propelled beside me by my own helping hands. Nami, Sanji, and Luffy are not far behind me, each carrying their own sack of gold as they maneuver through the tangled jungle. Other than a short shriek from Sanji and Nami at another large beetle, we make it to the cliffs with no issues. Behind us and still at the foot of the mountain, I can hear Franky letting out maniacal cackles and Usopp yelling his different sniper attacks as they throw volley after volley of explosions towards the jungle covered mountain surface and the Berri mint sitting on top.

"Okay everyone, pile the gold here then go back and grab the guns to help with back up!" I order, quickly rolling my own sack of gold off the edge as I sprout hands to catch it falling down the cliff. Peeking over the edge, I can just barely make out the Sunny down below, mostly hidden by an incoming fog. Brook and Chopper better be ready to catch! I hope they weren't eaten by a sea king, or I wonder if they had a sudden stroke and died? That would be a tragic ending for both of them. But no, I'm sure they're fine. 

"COME AT ME YA LOUSY MARINES!!!! TASTE MY FURY!!!!! How was that for a Zoro impression, eh Sanji?" Luffy's 'mission voice' sails across the tree tops, and I can't help but roll my eyes.

"Baka! Don't give them hints about our identity!" the cook's whispered complaint is, unfortunately, just as loud. Dear goodness how have we survived this long? Even louder than the boys' yells, the TAT! TAT! TAT! of returning fire fills the night.

"oooohhhh riiiiight!!!!! Sokka, Sokka! NOTHING SPECIAL HERE YOU STUPID NAVY SAILORS!! Wait why can't they know our identity?"

"Because if Zoro's inside, and we're out here robbing them clean, they'll definitely figure out that Tashigi is up to something! C'mon Luffy- don't you remember any of operation Rieno Royal Rumble Rendezvous?" Usopp's voice (still equally as loud) explains the situation, sounding quite done with the lack of memory from our captain. 

KAPOW!!!!

Flames burst forth in brilliant orange near the crew's voices, the explosion filling our existence for a moment before they all continue right on with their conversation.

"Usopp, you're the only one who calls it that." Nami's voice joins the fray.

"Yeah Usopp. That's a stupid name. Like I could remember that!" Luffy yells, indignant. 

I'm tempted to let out a very long, exasperated sigh, but end up chuckling instead. No point in expecting them to act any different than they normally do. Several more explosions rain down, while Franky and Usopp certainly make their own marks of damage on the mountain and money making factory. So far I haven't seem Luffy swinging around, and with the ship out of sight... 

I pause for a moment, uncrossing my arms to wipe some sweat from my temple, looking towards the center of the island. Well, navy lady, despite their lack of filter, I think we'll still be able to buy you enough time. All those archive rooms... I should have demanded I go instead of Zoro. 

Although if my original plan had worked, I would have had no complaints about missing the archive rooms. Alas, neither Zoro nor Tashigi were willing to use my kiss-kiss fruit idea. hmph! I shake my head in dismay as I start sending down the third sack of gold. And I had so many good variations too! the Frenchie, tantalizing tonguer, pecks on pecks...

Tashigi had shoved a pillow in my face before I could state any more back on the boat. Coward.

"OOIIII ROBIN!!! A few more minutes then we'll be ready for a SUUUUUUUPER escape!!" Franky's shout rises over the chaotic battle noises, and I start the fourth and fifth gold bags going down. At least I can afford to buy some more self help romance books to send with the two oblivious swordsmen!