Red Beard smirked. "Then kill me, Swordsmen. Save your "Pretty Kitty." What a stupid nickname for a woman who has so much skill. It's such a waste that out of all the people in the world, Shadow Kat chooses you to give her life too."
Before he knew what was going on, Luffy and Zoro came at him from opposite ends tag tag-teaming and coordinating their attacks so that he didn't know where they were coming from. No, it's impossible. What is it that drives these two? They haven't known each other for very long, yet they work as one.
In the end, Guild Master Red Beard lay dead by the end battle. Taken down by a Swordsman and a boy with Devil Fruit powers.
Back in town, Nami and Usopp were able to find me a doctor who was skilled in the ways of extracting poison from the bloodstream. The doctor looked at both of them while he was working. "This isn't like any of the poisons I've seen before. Assassins are used to taking all manner of injuries, but this was deliberate."
Nami looked at him. "What do you mean, doctor? Are you suggesting that one of us did this?"
The doctor shook his head. "Not at all. This type of poison was set up by the Guild Master himself. It was not intended for this young lady. But it was intended for the other. The Sorwdsmen who travel with you."
Nami blinked. "So you're saying that it was meant for Zoro?"
The doctor nodded. "You're a smart young lady, Ms. Navigator. There is more than just this young Assassin's life on the line."
Usopp looked at him, confused. "You're crazy, old man. What are you talking about? We need you to heal her so that we can go visit Kia."
"THE BUTLER WHO LIVES IN THAT HOUSE IS NOT WHAT HE SEEMS."
Usopp and Nami looked at each other and then back at the doctor. "What you mean "He's not what he seems?"
"Clawidor, as he is known, came to town three years ago after claiming to be shipwrecked in a storm, looking for work. The parents of Ms. Kia welcomed him warmly into their home when she was just a child. At the time, they felt like they had made the right choice, giving their daughter a friend to play with. Then, after Clawidor started working there, they vanished. Rumors began to spread that they were killed by pirates. Anyone who ventures up that hill is a dead man. You young people must leave this island at once. The townspeople have agreed to give you food for adventure, but please leave."
Shortly after finally defeating Red Beard, Luffy and Zoro joined Nami and Usopp at the doctor's house. The doctor recognized Zoro. "You must be the Swordsmen that travel with this ragtag bunch of youngsters."
Zoro nodded. "Yeah. What's it to you, Grampa?"
Nami looked at him, mortified. "ZORO YOU UNGRATEFUL SMUG ASSHOLE, HE'S THE ONE WHO'S TRYING SAVE KAT AND THAT'S ALL YOU SAY!"
The man smiled and laughed. "Don't worry about it, dear, I get where the young man's coming from." He got up and turned on to refill the bowl of hot water that he was using for hot cloths to put on my forehead.
Zoro walked up to the bed and placed a hand on my forehead. "Don't worry, Pretty Kitty. I'm here."
The old man stopped and turned around, setting the bowl on the counter. "Zoro is it?"
Zoro faced the old man. "What do you want, old man? You better save her or I'll cut you in half."
"Tell me, young man, has anyone ever taught you how to control your anger?"
"I don't need to control my anger, I just need you to save her."
The old man smiled. "Impluive and arrogant. Like every young man who comes to this island. There is something inside you that hurts. A scar that never healed."
Zoro stopped. "I lost a childhood best friend, but how would you know that?"
"Just a guess."
I slowly opened my eyes. "Zoro?"
Zoro sat on my bed and took my hand. "I'm here."
Nami came over to him. "Zoro, the doctor told Usopp and me that the poison that is currently inside Kat wasn't targeted for her."
Zoro looked at her. "What do you mean?"
"The intended target was you. The Guild Master must have figured that the best way to get to Kat was to eliminate you."
Zoro nodded. "When Luffy and I fought him down on the beach, he told me that I would be the one who caused Pretty Kitty's death. One of my swords caused this. If anything happened to her, I would be the reason."
Usopp shook his head. "That's not true. The poison was meant for you. He more than likely had someone cover one of your blades on it to use against you. Kat possibly took the force of it, knowing full well that it might cost her her life."
I put a hand on his face, sensing the tears. "I've never seen you cry, but you, Luf, and the others need to stop Clawidor. I'll be fine."
Luffy approached my bed and said, "Kat, we all go as one. If one of us isn't at full strength, then it is right for any of us to go."
I looked at Luffy. "You might come across as one of the dumbest people I've met, but you're a lot smarter than you let on. I can see why people are so either drawn to you are want to kill you."
Luffy smiled. "I'm gonna stand by people I consider friends. If anyone hurts them I'll defend them."
I nodded. "Fair point. I need to heal, and there is no telling what this Clawidor person will do. He might be the very person who ended the lives of his employers. If that is the case, then their daughter is in the greatest danger. Poson takes time to leave the body. At the current moment, I am not at full strength. Just because one of the Order's leaders is dead doesn't mean more will come."
Naomi nodded. "She's right. I'll stay with her while you, Zoro, and Usopp go and face Clawidor."
Zoro nodded. "Right. Take care of her. Nami."
Nami smiled. "Don't worry, I will."
Zoro walked over to me and took my hand. "Hang in there, Pretty Kitty. When I get back, everything will be back to normal. I promise."
I smiled weakly, squeezing his hand. "Don't keep me waiting."
Zoro nodded and kissed my forehead before leaving with Luffy and Usopp.