Chapter Text
Shock is like fear. A feeling that grips you tightly and takes control of your whole body. Your inhibitions are relinquished and it typically leaves you with only one of the two options-whichever your spirit was born with-fight or flight. You can try to think you’re making a choice or go against your instincts, but that’s the thing about shock. It’s quick, and it’s sharp. You don’t think at all, you act. You react .
It’s only natural whatever you do.
~
The heat of battle. He’d been craving it. Things had been so stagnant for a while. Smooth sailing, perfect weather. Those things were nice and made training or napping easier to not be interrupted, but he needed things to be shaken up after a while.Go plunder something, explore an island, hunt, or just straight up pick a brawl at a bar-preferably against some Marines on that one. Anything to chase away boredom and things feeling too similar day after day.
It was his lucky day as they’d run across a ragtag band of pirates that were itching for a fight against whoever crossed their path. The Jolly Roger had piqued his eye when it appeared on the horizon. It boasted a strange image signifying machinery and a lightning bolt; they called themselves the “Volt Pirates”. That didn’t concern him at all as he took up a watchful post behind Luffy at the bow. If there was some form of electricity being utilized they’d be in for a rude awakening against said Captain.
As their ships had approached one another, it was very clear there wouldn’t be much negotiating or discussion, nor did he mind that. He’d rather fight than talk any day, especially the way some of them were already trying to size him up from their ship. It got him a little excited, shooting a piercing gaze and smirk back at them. They weren’t good enough to best him, he could already tell. But they may be able to give him a satisfying workout. His swords were eager to actually cut something again already. And as the two ship sailed around each other, they wasted no time in surging into action. Launching from their ship, they flew through the air with the aid of strange mechanical devices towards Sunny. They intended to bombard and overtake them just like that.
They either really did have no idea who they were dealing with or they did and actually thought they stood a chance. Which one was more foolish-he would debate that every single time this happened.
The fight was exhilarating! They weren’t too much of a challenge, but they also weren’t pushovers. The senior officers especially provided good pumping of his heart and songs for his swords to sing. He, Luffy, Franky, and the cook had taken the top ones, while the others all dealt with any others and the few minor officers.
Brook was certainly having a grand dance with two of them. Stepping, turning, and parrying like a true dancer through their attacks even as they both tried to take him together. Ussop kept their long-distance covered and prepped the cannons. Robin kept him covered and a watchful eye over the whole ship, while Nami made sure anyone kept their distance from her. Chopper bounced around the ship in his different points, taking down anyone he could find. Jinbei remained at the helm keeping them steady and the bow area protected. Franky engaged in a heated battle of machinery with his chosen officer, someone called Sircut. The cook flipped and air-stepped all around his called Charger. Luffy took their captain, Wattson, head on. While he himself clashed with their vice captain, Magnes.
Whatever mechanical enhancements they had packed onto them, it made for an interesting tussle at least. Franky was trying to decipher them the moment he laid eyes on them, and if there was anyone that could figure it out it was him. The key element was electricity no doubt, seemed to be their whole schtick. It was kind of ridiculous, and he may have thrown a few snide remarks at his opponent about it. It succeeded in riling them up, making the air heat up and tingle with all the voltage rising up. Luffy would have no problem with them, and that much was clear as his fight against Wattson became very one-sided after a while. Luffy was just playing with him, the poor, unlucky bastard. Against anyone else he would’ve been a real threat.
But while Luffy was practically immune, the rest of the crew were not made of rubber. They still needed to be careful. And while having one’s captain defeated would demoralize and spell defeat for any other crew, that didn’t seem to be the case with this crew. At least they weren’t going down without one hail mary.
The surprise came with a call from Franky as he finished demolishing his opponent. Sircut was trapped under his hands and foot, while Franky had torn apart the mechanical devices attached all over them. Electricity sparked in torn wires freshly ripped by Franky’s hands and lingering sparks all through his own body. His sunglasses were unfortunately broken again.
“Everyone be careful! Those things have fail safes! Don’t let em go off on ya!”
Time to wrap things up then. Zoro took the warning immediately, sliding under a swing from Magnes and slashed through, making sure to hit as much of the device as he could. Steel ripped through metal, wires, and flesh. It was over in that one strike. As he brought down his opponent, the others followed suit. Brook clicked Soul Solid closed, letting his unseen slashes tear apart his two. Luffy was still playing around with Wattson, knowing they’d won but wanted a bit more fun. The rest of the Volt pirates were hesitant, seeing their strongest fall and their captain heading towards defeat.
They weren’t gone yet though, so the battle wasn’t over yet. Zoro kept Enma out but sheathed Kitetsu.
“Might as well give it up already.” He lifted a foot up onto the deck railing and angled Enma to let sunlight shine off their edge. As much as he did want to fight more, and Enma lusted for it, it would have to come to an end eventually. “Your captain doesn’t stand a chance. Surrender and retreat, and the most we’ll do is take all you’ve got as compensation.”
Zoro angled his eye over his shoulder to glance at Luffy’s tussle, finding that it was indeed coming to a close as Wattson was slammed against the railing behind him near the bow. He couldn’t help but smirk.
Luffy bounced on the balls of his feet with his classic, cheeky smirk ready to strike again. He was winding up to pistol punch him straight back over to his ship. Wattson struggled to heave himself up against the railing, spitting blood onto the deck as he scanned over the ship.
“Dammit it all!” His eyes flit around, finding each of his downed officers, but then his gaze went up. Desperation and anger flashed in his eyes. “If i’m leaving this ship with a loss, then so will you.”
Luffy paused. Zoro’s own eye narrowed, his hand ready with Enma until he yelled again.
“Charger! Do it! For your captain!”
Zoro’s brow tightened, head snapping up to follow his line of sight. All the way up at the top of the mast, Sanji’s fight had managed to get up there and he was still engaged with his officer. He was perfectly balanced on the yard, air-stepping in the proximity of it as needed as he kept trading parries and counters.
Charger heard his captain’s order-whatever it meant already left a wariness in Zoro’s gut. “Yes, Captain!”
It happened so fast.
Charger took Sanji’s attack head-on, absorbing it with blood spewing from his lips. But it allowed him to shoot a hand out and grab Sanji’s wrist. Then the other.
“Hey-” Sanji growled.
“We’ll go down together.” Charger purred.
Every single one of them froze in that second. Zoro actually froze as electricity flashed and engulfed both Charger and Sanji’s bodies. Sanji went rigid. His back arched, head snapped back, and body spasmed. There was no scream. Not from him at least.
Several of them yelled out his name, helpless to watch as the horror only continued for 10 long seconds that felt so fast, yet felt like an eternity.
It finally stopped, Charger’s body a smoking mess and Sanji was released from his grip. But that was only because his body had gone limp and then was falling from the yard.
And so was Sanji. He dropped backwards over the other side. Falling straight down towards the deck.
“Sanji!” Luffy cried out.
It was in an instant once the cook’s body fell over. Zoro’s body ignited into action again before he realized it himself. He launched himself over the upper railing and pushed off the other.
Charger’s body hit the grass deck hard. Zoro’s feet hit it firmly as he rolled through, ending up on one knee. Sanji’s body was in his arms, completely limp.
The other’s gasps and cries of concern filled the tense, silent ship. Zoro took two breaths, his heart pumping much harder. Sanji’s body was heavy in his arms, even though he could lift much heavier with ease. Glancing down, the cook was practically lifeless. His head hung back like a ragdoll, hair rustling loosely in the wind where it hung down as well.
“Hey-” Zoro’s voice cracked, hesitant, to his own surprise as he gave a single shake to the man. Sanji didn’t respond at all, but the tiny spasms through his body and limbs were the only placater that he was still alive. At least he hoped that meant he was alive…..
Wild laughter erupted from the other side of the ship. Laughter that sparked white, hot anger in his chest. That feeling must have echoed through every single one of them as he heard an enraged yell from Luffy and then the laughing ceased with an ear-popping bang and shudder through the air.
Zoro would have looked, but all he could see and focus on was the limp cook in his arms. His eye couldn’t look anywhere else, frozen on his form. A buzzing was in his ears. There was a chill in the wind. The air felt thicker and heavier.
“No mercy, men!” The Volt Pirates captain wouldn’t seem to stay down despite being knocked straight back to his ship, splintering the rails and a mast. “We’re not finished! It only takes one good strike of lightning to torch a blaze!”
“Yes, captain!” The remaining forces roared, charging forward.
Most were charging right towards Zoro, their target obvious. The grins and fervor told of their intention: finish off the already injured one, the one they deemed the weakest. They had no honor. Disgraces.
“Oh no you don’t!” Franky roared, throwing his pinned officer away into the ocean, then drew his guns from his arms. Brook was already hot on his heels to follow, Soul Solid ready to be drawn. Nami was already forming a thundercloud over them. Chopper had hopped down from the upper deck in kung fu point, another rumble ball in hand ready to enter monster point.
“Stay back!” The command from Zoro stopped them all in their tracks.
Gently Zoro slipped the hand under Sanji’s knees out, letting the man’s legs rest and drape over his propped up thigh. Reaching to his side, he drew Enma. “They’re mine. ”
The venom in his voice was caught by his crew as they withdrew without question. His enemies didn’t seem to catch it as they only continued their charge. He welcomed it. Enma yearned for blood. He may have been as well, feeling completely in sync with the blade within those moments. Haki flowed straight through into the blade as he lifted it up and drew it back. There was nothing else. Only Enma, the cook in his arms, and the desire of revenge….no…protection. One of those things. Right now he just wanted to cut.
“One sword style…..” He growled, the power growing and haki flooding out.
“360 Caliber Phoenix!!”
Swinging Enma, the slash leveled through the wave of enemies in an instant. The whole ship seemed to tremble in its wake. The Volt pirates crumbled, many thrown overboard, and many struck down onto the deck. Not a single one was left standing. Any that were lucky enough to be out of its path became unlucky with being thrown off by Robin and Franky.
“Fire!” Usopp’s voice rang out above everything, then cannonfire.
It brought satisfaction to Zoro’s heart at the speed and initiative of their sniper to lay waste to the enemy ship. He only spared a brief glance though to see it become splinters in the water.
“Jinbei, get us out of here!” Nami called out.
Sheathing Enma, even though they ebbed for more, he put his attention back to Sanji. His free hand moved immediately to his neck, resting against it. He waited….and he was sure his own heart didn’t start beating again until he felt Sanji’s own in his pulse. It was weak and not at all normal, but it was beating still.
His hand ventured up to touch his cheek with his palm. “Come on, cook…” he muttered sharply, giving another jostle.
“Sanji!” Both Luffy and Chopper’s voices rang out and Zoro raised his head to see both running towards them. Luffy slid to a stop on his knees, panting and hat blowing off his head to his back. Chopper shifted into Heavy Point, kneeling down in front of them, immediately prodding and examining Sanji still in his arms.
“He’s still breathing.” Zoro provided, glancing up at Chopper. “But i’m not sure if what’s going on with it is normal.”
Chopper didn’t meet his eyes, keeping his focus on Sanji, but nodded. His hands lightly touched and hovered across Sanji’s body, then his stethoscope was placed on his chest. His face hardened as he listened for a moment and then quickly removed it.
“The shock caused an arrhythmia. I can treat that, but I need to do it quickly. Zoro, bring him to the infirmary, now. Be careful though, I don’t think there’s any spinal injury but I don’t want to risk it with extensive movement.”
Zoro nodded, carefully slipping his hand back under Sanji’s knees and lifted him up. Luffy followed, worry in his face. The others had begun to crowd in as well from their various positions on the ship. Jinbei’s voice cut through it all as Zoro followed Chopper up the stairs to the galley door.
“Sanji is in good hands! I suggest all of you help look after things out here!”
Below on the grass still, Luffy pulled his hat back onto his head. His brow reset into determination rather than concern. “Chopper, take care of him!”
“I’ve got it, Luffy.” Chopper nodded firmly, as he pushed the door open to the galley, letting Zoro pass by. “You can count on me!”
Following Zoro in, the door shut with an audible click.
“Usopp!” Luffy turned his attention to the upper deck, waiting as the sniper ran over. “You got ‘em?”
Usopp gave a hard look and a salute. “Not a trace left, captain.”
Luffy gave a firm nod in return, crossing his arms, then took a deep breath and sagged. All of the tension left his body as he whined. “Man….and now i’m hungry! Sanji always makes after-battle snacks! He better get better soon!”
“I hope so too….” Usopp muttered. “That looked bad. Sanji’s tough but still….”
A hand sprung out his shoulder to pat his head. “Our dear doctor will take care of him. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Usopp took a deep breath himself, glancing over as Robin approached. “Good thing Zoro was there. It could’ve been worse.”
“Indeed.” Robin uttered, while Usopp watched in surprise and a bit of horror as she easily used her blooming arms to heave Charger’s body that had still been on the deck up and over the rails without a care in the world. Her voice was calm as ever, but knowing Robin there was ferocity in it and her actions. “And don’t think I didn’t see that excellent shot with Kabuto to their captain.~”
“I just took the shot.” Usopp rubbed the back of his head, suddenly sheepish. “Guy just wouldn’t shut up and stay down no matter what, it was getting pretty irritating. Anyways, let’s get everything cleaned up, and hopefully Chopper will have an update for us soon.”
All of their eyes laid upon the shut galley door. All they could do was wait for whatever was hidden behind it for the time being.