Chapter Text
Somewhere in the New World.
Zoro opens his eye and immediately shuts it against the light. He grunts, wiping a hand across his forehead, and sits up, feeling disoriented. As he opens his eyes again, he realizes he’s not on Egghead nor on the Thousand Sunny. He jumps out of bed, alert. Looking around, he notices his clothes hanging on a line, damp as if freshly washed. He spots some clothes on a chair that look like they’d fit him, though he doesn’t recognize them—probably Usopp’s idea. As he reaches for them, a sudden pain makes him wince. His body is fully awake now, and Zoro notices bandages around different parts of him. He carefully touches them, realizing some of the injuries are serious. Thankfully, Chopper is a good doctor. Recalling a battle, he suddenly remembers something.
*“My swords?”*
He turns around in a panic, immediately spotting his three swords lying neatly on the table. He picks up the Wado Ichimonji, feeling relieved. Sandai Kitetsu and Enma are also there.
“Good, the others can’t be far.”
He puts on the new clothes and fastens his swords to his belt. But just as he reaches for the door handle, his Observation Haki goes on alert. A few seconds later, a young woman enters the room, carrying food. Before she can even set it down, Enma’s blade is at her neck.
*“Who are you?”*
“Not your enemy.”
“That’s for me to decide.”
Zoro finds her strangely calm, despite Enma’s demonic blade at her neck and his hand ready on Kitetsu. His Haki doesn’t sense any fear from her, which only increases his suspicion.
“The clothes, do they fit? I wasn’t sure...”
“What? Yeah, they’re fine. But that’s not the point!”
“Lucey.”
“Hm?”
“You wanted to know who I am; my name is Lucey.”
She answers calmly and even takes a bite of an apple from the basket she’s holding, which makes Zoro shout:
“Don’t eat while I’m threatening you!”
“Then stop threatening me. Besides, I brought the food for you.”
Zoro raises an eyebrow, surprised. He extends his Haki, sensing that she really doesn’t intend to attack. She doesn’t seem alert or even remotely aggressive. Cautiously, he lowers Enma and sheathes it. Lucey turns to him with a big smile and holds out the food.
“You’ve been asleep for four days; you must be starving.”
“Four days?? No way. I don’t remember anything. Do you know where Chopper is?”
“Why Chopper?”
“He treated me, so he must be nearby.”
“I’m the one who treated you.”
“Wh—? And is anyone else here? Luffy? Nami, the cook?”
“No, it’s just you.”
Zoro clenches his teeth, not understanding the situation at all. He sits on the bed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Lucey sits beside him, crossing her legs and continuing to eat.
“Did you bring any sake…?”
“No, sorry. But there’s a market nearby; we can get some if you want.”
“Yeah, I really need it now.”
---
At the village market square, Zoro sighs with relief. He’s just finished one bottle of sake and is quickly opening another. Lucey is beside him, devouring a chicken leg. Ever since they left the inn, she hasn’t stopped eating. He smiles as he watches her.
“You remind me of someone.”
“Hm?”
“Nothing, nothing.”
Lucey shrugs and keeps walking. Stars appear in her eyes as she spots a barbecue in the distance. Drooling, she dashes toward the meat. Zoro rolls his eyes.
“*Yeah, she definitely reminds me of someone…*”
Zoro catches up to her with a slow stride, one hand in his pocket. As he reaches her, she hands him a plate filled with perfectly roasted meat. His stomach growls, and he admits it looks appetizing. They sit down at a table on the terrace, and Zoro finally takes the time to eat while savoring his sake.
“I’ve been rude. You told me your name, but I didn’t give you mine.”
“Zoro Roronoa. 1,111,000,000 Berries bounty. I think most of the world knows who you are. At least on the Grand Line and in the New World.”
“Ah.”
He realizes he needs to get used to his new bounty and the consequences that come with it. Zoro finishes another bottle of sake and grimaces, holding his left side. Lucey notices and flips her black ponytail over her shoulder to keep it from falling into her plate. Zoro looks around. The city is alive, the terraces are full, and many people are out, likely encouraged by the pleasant weather. Nothing like Egghead. He takes another sip from his bottle and fixes his gaze on Lucey.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
“Which version do you want?”
“What do you mean, which version?”
Lucey wipes her mouth and hands him a newspaper. As he reads the headlines, Zoro’s eye widens. She watches as his hands crumple the paper and his teeth clench. The more he reads, the angrier his face becomes. Finally, he throws the paper on the ground, startling a passing couple. Lucey picks up the newspaper and stays silent, letting Zoro calm down.
“*STRAW HATS DEFEATED?*
*By Morgans,*
*An unprecedented event has shaken the pirate world today as the Straw Hat crew, led by Monkey D. Luffy, attempted a daring operation to kidnap the renowned scientist Vegapunk and declared war on the Government. However, this attempt turned into a disaster when Marine forces, led by Admiral Borsalino, repelled the attackers with overwhelming force through the use of Pacifistas.*
*The island of Egghead, where Vegapunk conducts his research on renewable energy, was the scene of this dramatic confrontation. When Admiral Borsalino, better known as Kizaru, intervened on the island with several fleets and Pacifistas, the situation quickly deteriorated for the Straw Hat crew. Though they held Vegapunk hostage in his lab and prepared their escape, Kizaru engaged in a duel with the three-billion-Berry Emperor. Monkey D. Luffy’s strength is beyond question, and without the intervention of Bartholomew Kuma, he would have succeeded in his plan.*
*The desperate act of Bartholomew Kuma, once a notorious pirate turned cyborg in the service of the World Government, was the most shocking. In a final act of loyalty to Vegapunk, Kuma sacrificed himself by detonating his own body amidst the Straw Hat crew.*
*The smoke and debris from the explosion spread confusion and chaos among the pirates, and at this time, the whereabouts of Luffy and his companions are unknown. Losses among the Straw Hat crew remain uncertain, but it is clear that the attack ended in a crushing defeat.*
*The World Government and the Marines have yet to make an official statement on the incident, but it is likely that severe consequences await the Straw Hat crew for their attempted kidnapping and declaration of war against the Government.*
*Pirates around the world are now waiting, wondering what will become of Emperor Luffy and his crew after this bold attempt that turned into a tragic disaster. The Marines have increased their presence around Egghead Island and are closely monitoring the situation.*
*The future of our famous pirates remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: this event will mark pirate history as a moment of tragedy and mystery. We will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation and provide updates as they become available.*
“I’m going back to the inn,” Zoro declares, standing up angrily with a bottle of sake in hand. Lucey doesn’t stop him; she already suspects the article doesn’t reflect the true situation, and she didn’t need Zoro’s reaction to confirm it. She raises her hand to call the waiter and orders more food.
Zoro walks down the street with a closed-off posture, and the sake he’s drinking has lost its taste. Kidnap Vegapunk? It was Vegapunk who had asked them to help him escape because the government wanted him dead. Sure, Kuma had appeared, but he hadn’t blown himself up. He doesn’t remember any shockwave. And the newspaper didn’t mention the arrival of a Gorosei. Thinking about Saturn makes his heart race. Zoro closes his eye, taking several long breaths to steady it. When he opens his eye again, he glances around and turns right. The inn should be close, but he’s back at the marketplace, seeing Lucey seated at the same table, devouring a large bowl of spaghetti bolognese. Their eyes meet, and Zoro swallows hard.
“Are you lost?”
“No! I just wasn’t watching where I was going because of that newspaper!”
“The waiter brought more sake, thinking you were still here.”
“Fine, take it, and let’s get back to the inn now! I need to talk to you.”
“Do I need to pay for your sake?”
“Oh…”
“And you still ordered it? Fine…”
Zoro has to admit, he feels bad that she’s paying for him. She’d watched over him for four days, and now he’s got nothing for food and is already overindulging in sake. As he wallows in his guilt, he suddenly feels a strong grip on his wrist, yanking him forward, and he has to run to keep from falling. Confused, he looks over to see Lucey, her mouth full of meat, running in a panic.
“Thieves! Come back here!”
“You didn’t pay?!” Zoro yells, caught off guard.
“I only paid for the food! I’m not paying for your sake!”
“But I didn’t ask you to pay for anything!”
“Shut up and run! And don’t let go of my hand, or you’ll get lost again!”
“I WASN’T LOST!”
---
“Phew… good thing we’re fast runners.”
Zoro grits his teeth, this kid who’s way shorter than him is starting to get on his nerves. He’s already on edge from the newspaper article, and seeing her so relaxed and immature just makes him grind his teeth even more. Lucey flops onto the bed and pats her stomach, looking satisfied. Zoro decides to take the chair, crossing his arms.
“Can I have the other version now?”
“I found you passed out in the forest on this island four days ago. I brought you back here, tended to your wounds, washed your clothes, and kept watch over you.”
“And this island… please tell me we’re still in the New World?”
“Yes, we’re still in the New World. You didn’t go far from EggHead.”
Zoro breathes a sigh of relief; he’d feared he’d woken up in the middle of nowhere, far from the crew. He places his swords on the table and touches the bandages around his sides and on his arms. He decides to sit beside Lucey on the bed.
“Thanks for taking care of me.”
“No problem, it was mostly external, so you’ll be fine.”
“What else do you know? Did you check around the island? There wasn’t anyone else from my crew?”
“No, I really looked around and asked some people I know for information. There’s no trace of them so far.”
“People you know?”
Lucey sits up on the bed, crossing her legs before playing with the red fabric belt that holds her white top in place.
“I’m with the Revolutionaries. I asked Betty, Karasu, Morley, Lindbergh, and even Sabo if they’d seen anyone from your crew or if they knew what happened on EggHead. The only info I have is that EggHead no longer exists. There’s a huge hole where it used to be, and the sea level has risen again.”
“What? The island disappeared?”
“Yes, like the kingdom of Lulusia.”
“I didn’t witness any of that, nor did I see Kuma blow himself up.”
Zoro notices Lucey lowering her gaze, a hint of sadness crossing her face. She seems to know more than she’s saying. Being a Revolutionary, Kuma’s situation must affect her. Zoro is worried; if even a group as well-connected as the Revolutionaries doesn’t know where his crew is, he wonders how he could possibly find them. The young woman’s silence concerns him; if the loss of a comrade or friend is at stake, he can empathize.
“I really have no idea what might’ve happened to Kuma. We arrived at EggHead thanks to our Log Pose. Vegapunk invited us into his lab and asked us to help him escape. The government wants him dead because he’s allegedly been researching something about the Void Century. One of his clones or robots… well, I don’t know what exactly, but something exposed Vegapunk’s actions to the government.”
Lucey listens closely, still fiddling with the belt on her top. She needs Zoro’s version of events to piece together what might have happened. Seeing this, the swordsman continues:
“The Marines showed up, and not just a few… Sentomaru, who usually commands the Pacifistas, actually helped us. We learned that the Pacifistas can take orders and that a certain hierarchy can override those orders. With Vegapunk being pretty high up, we had the upper hand for a while. There were also Seraphim, an experiment by that other scientist, and Admiral Kizaru was there. It was a total mess…”
“Vegapunk never studied the Void Century until now, because even though he works for the government, it’s still forbidden. I wonder why he decided to go down that path… During the fight, do you remember anything specific?”
“Luffy faced off against Kizaru, and I didn’t really understand what I was seeing… Luffy was different, a form of his fruit I’d never seen… He was laughing. Usually, he’s serious in a fight, but this time he found everything funny. Vegapunk told us it was because of his fruit. He said the Gomu Gomu fruit never existed and that it was a false name. According to his research, it’s actually a Zoan, the Human-Human fruit, model Nika, the Sun God.”
“Excuse me?”
Lucey had jumped off the bed, shouting, which startled Zoro. She is inches from his face, looking him straight in the eye, making him flinch backward.
“The fruit of the liberating warrior?”
“I think that’s what he said, yeah.”
“Joyboy…”
“You’re not the first to mention that name; who’s Joyboy?”
“I don’t know, but he was around during the Void Century. The Nika fruit hasn’t been seen in eight hundred years. The government has always been after it. They can’t be happy that an Emperor with the will of D has eaten it.”
“Could the fruit have belonged to this Joyboy?”
“Or maybe the true Sun God, Nika, created the fruit, and in that case, Nika himself was someone who laughed all the time thanks to his freedom.”
Zoro scratches his head, trying to make sense of the situation. He has too little information about the Void Century or even the world to understand the government’s actions. Plus, his crew has always lived simply. Living an adventure day by day, appreciating the little things, the simple act of waking up in the morning, and having a tailwind made for a good day. A laugh from Luffy, a song from Brook, Chopper’s face, a story from Usopp—it didn’t go much further. But Zoro isn’t naïve; too many things are being revealed to them, centered around his captain, and it all seems more connected than he could have imagined. He snaps out of his thoughts when Lucey sits down next to him.
“Do you remember anything else about the battle?”
“We were gaining the upper hand, starting to see a way out. Some guy showed up; his name is Saturn, and… well, that’s when I blacked out. My next memory is of this room.”
“Saturn was there… I think I’m beginning to piece this together…”
The young woman gets up again and looks out the window, silent, which leaves Zoro waiting. Finally, she sighs, annoyed.
“I think I know what happened with Kuma. He must have had something human left in him. I don’t know if it was intentional or if it’s just an oversight. Either way, he came to save Vegapunk; that’s certain because he’s currently hidden by the Revolutionaries. As for your crew, Kuma probably pushed you away with his technique, in a hurry, because there’s no point in splitting you up. That explains why you’re on this island, alone.”
“But I don’t remember that happening!”
“You don’t remember Kuma, but Vegapunk confirmed he was there, so you’re missing some information here.”
“If what you’re saying is true, the others could be anywhere… Not again!”
Zoro punches the wall, venting his frustration. He feels helpless; not only does he not remember, but he also doesn’t know where his crew is. He feels like he’s failed in his role as the crew’s second.
“If you’re saying Saturn was there, then it’s highly likely that you owe your life to Kuma; his technique and sacrifice bought you time.”
At the mention of Saturn, once again, Zoro feels his heart skip a beat. Something about that guy eludes him; he can’t remember what happened after Saturn showed up. He can’t believe there’s such a gap in their power level, or maybe he just doesn’t want to. His fists tighten even more; he wants to do something but doesn’t know where to start. He’s snapped out of his thoughts when he feels Lucey’s hand on his shoulder; she’s wearing a gentle smile, though he can sense the sadness in her eyes, likely due to Kuma’s death.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. I’m sure the Straw Hat Pirates are fine. Should I remind you of your exploits? There are more people afraid of you than those who want to cross swords with you.”
“I know… I just feel like there’s something I need to remember.”
“Yes, like how you owe me several meals. I’ve already stolen to cover your drinks, and since you don’t have anything, I’ll probably have to pay for your food too.”
Zoro grumbles, a slight blush coloring his cheeks, embarrassed that he has nothing to repay her with.
“I’ll pay you back for the inn and the food as soon as I find my ship. Nami’s going to kill me, but… I do owe you one.”
“Alright, sounds good. Well, let’s go find supplies and a way to navigate off this island. We won’t find your crew by staying here.”
“You don’t have to help me, you know…”
“Yes, I do. You’ll never find the port with your sense of direction.”
“STOP THAT!”
Lucey sticks her tongue out as she packs her travel bag, grabbing the keys from the table to signal that she’s returning the room. Zoro does the same, packing his kimono, preferring to keep his new clothes, and they both leave the room.
---
The night begins to fall gently, and the duo prefers to avoid the marketplace due to the events earlier in the day. The town is slowly bathed in soft, dimmed hues as lights turn on. There are fewer children than before, likely at home eating and preparing for bed. Several couples stroll through the alleyways, stopping at terraces and shops. Zoro walks slightly behind Lucey, one hand holding the strap of his backpack and the other arm resting on his swords at his belt. He observes his surroundings; everyone is well-dressed, most wearing silk or other delicate fabrics. Several pieces of jewelry adorn their necks, wrists, and fingers. The shops are not merely practical; one can find delicate dishes in terms of food and wine, valuable objects displayed in windows and scrutinized closely by experts. There are beauty salons, massage parlors, high fashion stores, and also casinos.
"This island seems to be doing well."
"The downtown area, yes. Out in the fields or villages, it’s a different story."
"Ah..."
A man approaches Lucey with flowers. He removes one from his bouquet and offers it to her. The young woman stops, looks at the flower, but ends up smiling and declines. The man becomes insistent, blocking her path and nearly pushing the flower under her nose.
"A pretty flower for a pretty lady."
"No, thank you."
"Then allow me to offer you the finest glass of wine at the best wine bar!"
Lucey steps ahead, but the man catches up to her again, so Zoro decides to answer him.
"I'm interested in that fine wine!"
"I'm not asking you, but the lady!"
"And she’s told you no three times already, so move along, or I'll show you how I say no."
"And I suggest you listen to him; he has a bounty of 1,111,111,000 Berries!"
The man’s eyes widen, and he backs away with a nervous laugh. Lucey smiles broadly and turns to Zoro.
"You’re pretty intimidating!" she says with humor.
"I'm not exactly trying *not* to be."
"Don't worry; you don’t scare me at all. I'm sure you’re just a big softy under all those muscles!"
"Just because I defended you doesn't mean I won’t cut you in half."
"Shall I remind you that the sake you're drinking again is thanks to me?"
"Point taken."
Lucey notices the hint of a smile on her traveling companion's face and smiles in return. She does, however, mean what she said; she can sense that the swordsman has a good heart. He has that classic tough-guy personality, but he adjusts his actions based on who he's dealing with. The young woman turns down a narrow alley toward the port that leads to the back of the shops. The duo sees a woman taking out the trash, her eyes sunken with dark circles and her skin dull. She heaves the bag with difficulty into the dumpster and cracks her back before returning to the restaurant. The door stays open, and Lucey sees her washing dishes. A feeling of compassion washes over her. Shortly after, two children arrive and start rummaging through the trash, ignoring the two adults completely. But unlike appearances, they aren’t looking for food, but rather valuable items, jewelry, etc.
The young Revolutionary approaches the children and kneels, though it doesn’t prevent them from recoiling. She offers them a few coins each with a smile, and tears appear in their eyes.
"Thank you, big sister..."
"Thank you so much!"
"Ready to answer some of my questions if I give you more?"
The two children seem hesitant and look at each other, their nervousness evident in their fidgeting. One of the children shakes his head, and the other, older and more determined, decides to stand up to Lucey.
"We'll do it for twenty thousand Berries!"
"Hey now, don’t push our generosity!"
"You haven’t given us anything, ugly man!"
"Don't be rude!" Zoro growls, a vein throbbing on his forehead.
"What? It’s not my fault you look scary with your swords and scars!"
As Zoro begins to grind his teeth, Lucey can’t help but smile. Her traveling companion has no middle ground and quickly gets riled up. She hands a bill to the child, who still challenges Zoro with his gaze for good measure. He takes it and grabs Lucey’s hand to lead her.
---
"We're home, Mom!"
"I'm in the kitchen, kids!"
A woman appears in the doorway and starts when she sees Lucey and Zoro. She immediately grabs a broom and assumes a defensive position. The two children panic instantly, and the older one steps in front of her.
"It's okay, Mom. Big sister promised to give us money if we give her information! She already gave us some."
"I'm not here to cause trouble; I just want to understand what’s happening on this island and also find someone with a boat so I can set sail with Mr. Ugly over here."
"You don't have to join in..."
The two children laugh as they tease Zoro, and after a long pause, their mother lowers the broom. She tosses a damp towel to her boys so they can clean themselves up.
"My name is Zumiyo, and these are my children, Chichi and Yori. I apologize for my rude behavior, but I have nothing to feed you. We can barely feed ourselves."
"Don't worry about that, Zumiyo-san. I’m Lucey, and this is my friend, Zoro."
"Mr. Ugly!"
"Hey!"
"Zoro Roronoa? From the Straw Hat crew?"
"Yes, although right now, it’s just... whoa, hey?"
The woman drops to her knees before him, grabbing his legs, her head nearly touching the ground as tears flow down her cheeks. Zoro is taken aback; he didn’t expect this. Lucey, beside him, is just as surprised by this sudden change. The children are equally bewildered as to why their mother is suddenly pleading with the swordsman.
"Please, Roronoa-san... you, the Straw Hats... help us!"
"What... b-but..."
"You freed Wano, and you brought down Big Mom, Kaido, and Doflamingo... You can help us here too! I beg you..."
Compassion overtakes Zoro, though he doesn’t show it; he is moved to see this woman so desperate. Lucey approaches and helps the woman to her feet, then sits with her on one of the benches at the dining table. Immediately, her two children come over to hug her, also crying. Seeing their mother cry is clearly the last thing they need.
"I walked through the fields and villages, the poverty is immense compared to the big city. Everyone seems exhausted."
"Before, the island of Hana no Kuni was prosperous. Our trade is based on plants; we’re known for all sorts of medicinal herbs. Everyone across the Grand Line bought from us, and we lived well, but recently, life has changed here…"
"Yes, I noticed that. I had plenty of options for treating my friend’s wounds. Several doctors in the big city even offered to come treat Zoro."
"The capital is called the City of Blossoms, named after the blooming Edelweiss."
Zoro sits at the table as well, glaring at Chichi, the older child who sticks his tongue out and continues whispering to his little brother about how scary Zoro is. He thinks he could give them a real reason to be scared, but now is not the time. Instead, he decides to open his bottle of sake and keep listening to Zumiyo.
"People mainly come to buy Edelweiss from us. It blooms once a year and, when synthesized into an elixir, it can cure rare genetic diseases. The government, the Marines, the Revolutionaries, and the pirates—everyone buys it from us. Only the chemists of our island know how to make the elixir."
"I’ve heard Chopper mention it. His books on medicine and herbs mentioned this island."
"Only, in recent years, a widespread epidemic has broken out on the island, and we’ve been denied access to Edelweiss…"
Lucey and Zoro’s eyes widen, shocked by this revelation. What kind of dictator had they stumbled upon again? The Revolutionary had sensed something wasn’t right about this island. While Zoro slept to recover from his wounds, she had explored the island a lot. She saw farmers and botanists working day and night, often with no shifts. Under the blazing sun, their skin dirtied by earth, sweating, skinny, tired, and pale. There was a huge contrast between the City of Blossoms and the rest. But that wasn’t the worst of it… Lucey had sensed an omnipresent fear; people didn’t hesitate to work, they seemed to be racing against time, always looking over their shoulders as if danger was about to fall upon them at any moment. She had felt a sense of overload, overproduction, with no breaks, no slowdowns. She had also seen a long line at the herbalists and the price of medicine. Luckily, she had berries on her, or she wouldn’t have been able to treat Zoro.
"What kind of epidemic is it, Zumiyo-san?"
"A very contagious viral infection. At first, your skin itches like an allergic reaction, then you start having a fever that gets higher and higher. The next symptoms are blood issues. When nosebleeds start, it becomes urgent to seek treatment, or anemia sets in."
"Why don’t you have access to Edelweiss anymore?" Lucey asks, though she has a hunch about the answer.
"The king of the land, Saint Néron, takes all the flowers at blooming time. To access the elixir, not only must we pay a monthly tax, but we must also work to exhaustion to meet a quota… and sometimes, even that isn’t enough. The disease spreads so quickly that by the time we get an elixir for one person, others are already infected."
"Are you saying your king is Saint Néron?"
"Yes, Lucey-san…"
"A Celestial Dragon…"
Zoro doesn’t miss the darkening look in Lucey’s eyes. He’s not surprised by her reaction; she’s a Revolutionary, and Celestial Dragons are naturally her enemies, the ones she fights against. Listening to Zumiyo’s account, he better understands the Revolutionary cause. The government doesn’t care for the people; it only thinks of itself. Every time he has encountered a Celestial Dragon, he has witnessed horror. At Shabondy, it was slavery; Doflamingo and the treatment of Dressrosa; the racism toward fish-men; and now, controlling a population through disease. Lucey takes Yori on her lap, trying to comfort him as he continues to cry a little.
"How much is the tax per month?"
"About a hundred thousand berries per person, plus half of our crops, whatever they are."
"I see why people work to exhaustion in the fields and greenhouses."
"Then why is the City of Blossoms so wealthy?"
"The people there weren’t always rich…"
The swordsman raises an eyebrow as he takes a sip of sake. Something doesn’t add up; there’s clearly information missing. Yet with what he’s already seen on the Grand Line, he suspects why Saint Néron demands so much from the citizens. An illicit trade or something of the sort. Especially if Edelweiss can cure rare diseases, a single elixir must be worth a fortune. But even so, why impose such taxes, unless it’s to instill fear?
"Every month, five people from each village are selected to live in the big city, like a lottery. They’re given housing, a business, and a sum of money to start with. Some have refused because their families can’t come with them unless they’re also selected. Others are so exhausted they leave everything for the city, and… I can’t blame them…"
"I take it you’ve never been selected," Zoro responds calmly.
"Even if I were selected, I couldn’t go. I have my children; they need me."
Chichi buries his face in his mother’s arms, smiling, while Lucey manages to calm Yori by holding him close. The story of this island is truly sad; she wonders how long it’s been since the people here had any respite. Yet, one last question lingers on her lips.
"What happens if you don’t pay the tax, Zumiyo-san?"
"They take you to prison. It’s underground, in the island’s mountain."
"I see…"
Zumiyo gets up, taking her two boys to put them to bed. She closes the bedroom door, signaling that she wishes for a private moment with them. Lucey stands up and massages her neck muscles. She opens the pouch at her hip and places the equivalent of their tax in berries for the three of them. Zoro sees her and closes his eye without saying anything. Still, he isn’t pleased with the situation, and he’s almost sure that if Luffy were here, he would already be on his way to knock down this Saint Néron. The two remain silent until Zumiyo returns, her head bowed. When she sees the berries on the table, her eyes widen, and she is speechless. Lucey offers her a smile.
"You’ll be able to pay the next tax without any trouble."
"Please… let me offer you a room for the night!"
"Thank you very much, Zumiyo-san. Especially since my friend is still recovering; a place to sleep will do him good."
Zumiyo bows before her guests. She lifts a floorboard and hides the berries in a safe place. She then goes into the room where her boys are sleeping and comes back with a futon and a blanket, which she places in front of the fireplace.
"It’s not much, please forgive me…"
"It will do just fine. Thank you very much!"
She bows once more and returns to the room with her sons before closing the door. Lucey arranges the futon, narrow as it is, and spreads the blanket over it. She stands up and stretches before turning to Zoro.
"Get some rest. I’ll redo your bandages when you wake up."
"Aren’t you going to sleep?"
"Don’t worry about me; you need to be in shape."
"Suit yourself."
Zoro lies down on the futon and immediately closes his eyes. The young woman sits beside him, in lotus position, and closes her eyes as well. She takes deep breaths and relaxes her muscles. When she feels her heart rate slowing, she begins her meditation. She feels at peace, visualizing her special, safe place, then strengthens her mind.
The tranquility envelops her like a gentle embrace, silencing the incessant tumult of her thoughts. Her regular breath becomes the sweet rhythm to which her calmed mind dances. Tensions evaporate, giving way to a sensation of lightness and connection with the present moment. Each inhalation becomes an invitation to harmony, each exhalation a healing release. In this meditative state, she feels a profound serenity, a delicate union with her inner self. Wandering thoughts transform into contemplative calm, and she finds herself enveloped in an inner peace that emanates from her own essence. Meditation thus becomes an inner journey, an exploration of the self imbued with tranquility and rediscovery of her own essence
When she reopens her eyes, she realizes that Zoro is watching her, lying on his futon, without saying anything.
"Are you still not sleeping?"
"You're the one who has been meditating for a long time; I slept."
"I see it's still dark; you're not the 'Sleeping Beauty' type."
"No, I only sleep three to four hours at night, and I make up for it with naps."
"I see. I'm going to change your bandages; sit up."
Zoro nods and sits up on the futon. Lucey grabs a jar and bandages from her bag and sits behind him. With infinite delicacy, she gently removes the old bandages, revealing areas of skin that require special care. Applying the medicinal cream expertly, she gently massages the affected areas, providing soothing relief. She ensures that each bandage is placed carefully, providing adequate protection to promote Zoro's healing. When she reaches his left ribs, she feels him contract as she applies the cream.
"It's already deflated; I'm afraid you might have a broken rib..."
"I'll be fine; I've been through worse."
"You’ll tell me about it."
She finishes the last bandages and gently pats him on the shoulder to let him know she’s done. Zoro runs his hand over his ribs and presses lightly on each one until he grits his teeth. This kind of pain he knows well because it has happened to him before. No doubt, one of his ribs is fractured. He sighs in advance at the thought of facing Chopper's concern. Zoro grabs his t-shirt and puts it on before standing up, handing the blanket to Lucey, who raises an eyebrow.
"Sleep. You must be tired too."
"Are you sure?"
"I’ll keep an eye on the house."
"Alright."
Lucey doesn’t need to be asked twice; she takes her place on the futon and pulls the blanket up to her chin. She watches Zoro as he approaches a window to look outside. Lucey can clearly see his brows furrow and his jaw tighten, a sign that he is gritting his teeth. His body seems relaxed, but certain signs don’t lie. She sees him crossing his arms over his chest, remaining upright, quite alert; finally, she turns onto her side in his direction and says in a calm voice:
"Are you wondering where they are?"
"Hmm."
The eye he closes shows that a worrying thought crosses his mind at that moment. Lucey gets up while keeping the blanket on her shoulders and moves closer to him. Through the window, she can see a large field with a long green plant with a thin stem and a rather thick bulb, resembling corn, and in the distance, a building that likely serves as a barn. Zoro has his Haki on alert since she has approached, but once again, he feels neither aggression nor mistrust from her. It’s as if she is convinced that he is not hostile towards her. He perceives a certain wisdom in her, which he had already noticed when she was meditating just before. This girl seems to know how to calm herself and strengthen her mind. The features of her face are soft and relaxed. He guesses she can't be more than seventeen or eighteen years old.
And despite all this analysis, his gut tells him not to take her lightly. She is a Revolutionary, first and foremost. She walks alone, so she knows how to handle herself and probably defend herself or at best go unnoticed. She seems to know things, and she clearly has an interest in this island. Since they left the inn, she hasn't even tried to hide that she's trying to gather information about the situation in Hana country.
"Why are you on this island?" he asks, looking at her.
"I received information that the underworld supplies itself here with unique treatments. And by digging a bit with the Revolutionary network, I learned that Mary Geoise also sources from here. I thought it might hide a subjugated people or slavery. That’s enough for us to act."
"Don't you act as a group?"
"Normally, yes. But I prefer to be alone."
"Why?"
"To be left alone."
Zoro doesn’t miss the slight arrogant tone and the closed expression on Lucey's face. He could ask her what she really thinks, but in a sense, it's not his business. However, he doesn't understand why she took care of him and watched over him for four days. It goes against her being a solo worker.
"Why didn’t you drop me off at a doctor’s or somewhere?"
"So you wouldn't get taken by the Navy."
"Okay, but why? What’s your interest?"
"I'm just nice."
"Sure, and I’m not a pirate."
"You’re not a pirate?" she asks with wide eyes, feigning surprise.
"Don’t push me..."
Lucey chuckles lightly, pleased with her joke. She lies back down on the futon, which annoys Zoro.
"Hey! I asked you a question!"
"I answered you!"
"Okay, fine, I’m healed anyway; I don’t need you anymore."
"Indeed, goodbye!"
"You little..."
He decides not to finish his sentence and growls instead before taking the door. Lucey is still smiling and decides to return to the window. In ten minutes, she sees Zoro pass by the house three times. She holds back a laugh; how could someone be so directionally challenged? Finally, when she sees him pass by a fourth time in front of the house, she places the blanket on the futon and steps outside. She maneuvers so that he crosses paths with her at a corner of the house. There, he looks at her, she looks at him; he starts to blush, and she smiles.
"If you ever say anything..."
"I'm not afraid to fight."
"Oh really?" he asks with a smirk. "Is that a challenge?"
"If you want. There are two hours left before sunrise. If you can touch me with your swords, I’ll tell you why I helped you. Otherwise, you help me on this island."
"You're far too confident."
As Lucey keeps her smile, Zoro unsheathes his first sword, Kitetsu. This time, thanks to his Observation Haki, he perceives aggression and combativeness from Lucey. She is ready to fight, even if it’s a friendly match; she takes it seriously. He doesn’t have such a bounty for nothing. Zoro takes a combat stance and chooses his first attack. Only his Haki catches his attention further away, behind Lucey, and she turns around as well, betraying her own mastery of that same Haki.
Zoro keeps Kitetsu drawn and follows Lucey as she hurries ahead. They climb a hill and take cover behind a tree, remaining discreet. From their position, they have an overview of the village and a collection of fields. A cart arrives, pulled by two white horses, meticulously adorned with gold and jewels. It is driven by a man who wears chains on his wrists, preventing him from leaving his place as a coachman. At the back of the vehicle, two other men with chains on their ankles stand, holding on as best they can. Behind them, several Marine soldiers march in rhythm, one hand holding a rifle.
The cart stops in the middle of the village; immediately, the two men at the back get down, one of them takes a crate and pulls out a snail phone with a speaker option, while the second lies flat on the ground in front of the cart’s door. Finally, the coachman rises from his seat and opens the door. An individual appears, dressed in white silk clothing, with several gold embellishments. On his back, a golden laurel crown is embroidered. He steps down, walking over the lying slave, and grabs the snail phone from the hands of the other slave.
"My good fellow citizens! I’m sorry to wake you in the middle of the night, but the selection is here! I, Sir Commode, will offer you a life in the city!" he declares into the snail phone, which resonates throughout the village.