The Greatest (Zoro x Tashigi)

Chapter 22: Twisted

((Author Note: Hello! So, I did make a few significant changes to Tashigi's POV in the last chapter. Not really necessary to understand story but just some more clear understanding about her emotions:) Also I apologize, this one gets a little... violent. there's your pre warning Xb also to all people with medical experience. I'm sorry. It's not accurate in any way shape or form and I apologize in advance... ))

Robin POV:

Dark cliffs loom high above the Thousand Sunny, outlined against the bright night sky with clouds streaking in front of the full moon. While the pale splashing light is pretty, it's not conducive to stealth missions, and as each second ticks from the watch on my wrist, I grow more and more irritated at the otherwise romantic moon.

"Robin, relax. They'll get here. Zoro and that navy lady are a suuuuuper combo!" Franky walks up beside me, crossing his arms in confidence to punch his point home. I turn to look up at him and let out a sigh. We had easily gotten the gold we wanted, and managed to keep the base forces busy for a solid 30 minutes before everyone made it back to the boat. With the help of our new camoflouge tech, the marines quickly believed we had taken to sea. Instead, we sailed around the small island and now sit anchored at the rendezvous point, waiting.

"What if they got decapitated as soon as they landed? Or what if Zoro got lost in all those archive rooms and is repeatedly running into a corner?" I ask, lifting a hand to my chin.

"Oi Oi! Zoro's bad at directions, but he's not that stupid! He would just cut the corner up and keep coming!" Usopp suddenly comes up beside us, shaking his hand in front of his face as if to chase away my dismal predictions.

"What if he slices up a corner that's a main support and the whole building comes crashing down on both of them causing a total massacre?" I counter argue Usopp's admittedly logical point. The sniper raises a nervous eyebrow me, as if acknowledging the possibility of my deductions.

"Then he'll just slice up all the debris and keep running. Probably in the opposite direction of here, but as long as he can keep Tashigi with him they'll both be fine." Nami joins us at the side, a glass of iced tea in her hand that she sips on after the statement.

"The plan was literally for them to separate." I deadpan.

"Good! Tashigi-chan doesn't deserve to be stuck with that moss head idiot who can't tell the difference from a lady and a cactus." Sanji draws on his cigarette, an evil smirk spread from ear to ear as he joins the now crowded rail. "I personally favor the decapitation idea, except Tashigi-chan would survive because she's amazing. I'm sure she'll be here any moment."

Everyone turns to glare at the love cook, who raises his hands to shrug his shoulders. "What?"

"Shishishishishi! Sanji, your funny!"

Luffy's laugh draws all our attention as he, Brook, and Chopper join the rest of the crew. All 8 of us now stand on the starboard side of the ship, looking up the cliffs and the tips of the trees barely visible at the top.

"Zoro will get here! So will Navy lady! And if we don't see them by dawn, we'll just go and get them." Our captain crosses his arms and lets out a nod of surety, serious for a single moment before yawning and going to pick his nose.

I glance up and down the line, at everyone staring up. Some hands in pockets, others with arms crossed, a few holding their trademark accessories. Luffy lowers his finger from his nose. We stand there for a few moments, strangely silent. The New World has kept us busy and often separated on different missions and distractions. But, I'm not sure the last time that just a single Straw Hat was missing while all of the rest of us could only wait.