Ghost

Chapter 6: Zoro

I stared at the man who was the first person to join my crew. The green haired swordsman that I known for the longest out of anyone else in my crew stared straight down at the coffin that had my dead, motionless body inside it with sad eyes. It was difficult for me to see him with such a sad expression. I waited patiently to hear what Zoro had to say. Knowing him, it was something that he was going to say something with all seriousness in it.

"Luffy..." He began, "When we first met, I thought you were some idiot that would do anything to make sure I joined your crew."

Okay! I'm gonna go to where the bastard kid is and get your katana back!

What?

But if you want me to return it to you, you'll have to join me!

THAT'S DIRTY!

"Let's face it, once you set your mind on something there was nothing not either one of us could have done to change it." I couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "Throughout our entire journey, no matter what we all went through, you always kept that promise that we made to each other."

I'm going to be the World's Greatest Swordsman! If I have to in anyway end up forgetting about my goal, I will cut you open until you say sorry.

"I guess you can say I kept my vow with you as well."

Sorry...for worrying you...I know that if I don't become...the World's Strongest Swordsman, it will only embarrass you...!

I SWEAR! THAT I WILL NEVER LOSE AGAIN! UNTIL THE DAY COMES WHEN I FIGHT AND BEAT THIS MAN! I SWEAR TO NEVER LOSE AGAIN!

I grinned remembering the vow he made with me. I knew that I chose the right man to be the first member of my crew. However, I could only feel sadness knowing that I was not going to be able to see him reach his dream. In fact, I wouldn't be able to see anyone of them complete their dream. It hurt so much.

"There were times when you would drive me insane with your idiotic antics, but even so, I still held the highest amount of respect for you."

Suddenly, I felt an uneasy feeling in my stomach. I didn't know what it was, so I assumed it was a mystery feeling. However, when I saw the look on Zoro's face, it felt like he was hiding something.

"Luffy, there is something that needs to be said. It's something that I've been keeping secret from you ever since it happened back at ghost island." I looked at him with raised eyebrows and a questionable look.

"Oi Zoro, are you sure?" Sanji suddenly spoke as I looked at the cook.

"Back at Thriller Bark, when Kuma attacked us, I was able to stay conscious and prevented him from taking you. I told him that instead of taking you, he should take me instead."

My eyes widened. I was speechless. Was this all a lie? It couldn't be true. I looked at the others and they were as shocked as I was except for Sanji, Brook and Robin. It was shocking to me that they were not at all surprised by this. Did they know? I had so many questions I want to ask Zoro, but I...I couldn't.

All the damage inflicted on him in his battle against Moria is accumulated here.

If you wish to die in this place, then you must receive his suffering.

Since you already don't have much life left in you, this pain will only lead to your death

"He responded by saying he wouldn't take you with him. However, he then did something that would explain why you were so full of energy and I was a covered in blood. He did something with his devil fruit power. Something that...that took all the pain you felt during your battle with Moria into a paw sized bubble thing. He said that he wouldn't take you if I took in all the pain you felt into my body. So, I did and what happened next is what you already knew."

I didn't know...I...I just...I didn't know what to say. It was my fault...it was my fault that Zoro ended up that way. I clutched my hair so tightly that if I was alive I would have hurt like hell. But it wouldn't be anywhere close to what Zoro must have felt. It was my fault. Damn it!

"If I had to guess, you would probably have been beating yourself for what happened, but I want you to know that I never regretted my decision. Luffy, if it wasn't for you, I would have never have fought so many strong opponents. If it wasn't for you, I would have not been this close to fulfilling my goal. I want to thank you for that. B-But, I wasn't strong enough to help you against that bastard! I'm sorry, Luffy. I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough, even after what you went through. Even though I trained for two years, I still wasn't able to help you! I'm sorry!"

I clenched my fists tightly as I watched the rare tears fall from his eyes.. Damn it! Why...I wish I never died. I wished I was still with my friends, my crew mates. Damn it! I was still too weak!

To Be Continued...