Tough Choices

It didn’t take Ben and his men long to reach the island; Shanks had guessed Luffy and crew would stop there next and already set course for it. The whole place was one big tourist attraction. Plenty of hotels for travelers, tons of shops, gambling houses, stores, and bars. The people were friendly and open. Everything that might attract the Straw Hat crew centered in one place. Shanks knew they couldn’t resist.

So it only took about an hour to reach a small sheltered inlet two miles from town. Not many knew of it or bothered. Pirates enjoyed the town as it was and saw no reason to stage a raid. As there were no Marines on the island or steady police force, there was no sense in hiding. This time, however, Ben needed to arrive unseen. Luffy could have no warnings of what was headed his way. Escape wasn’t going to be an option.

Several members went ahead to scout the town and find out where the swordsman was. He doubted it would be on the ship. And, as they waited in a small grove of trees outside of town, the scouts returned, confirming his suspicions.

Zoro was drinking in a small bar near the edge of town. Apparently a sword shop had attracted him only to be closed for the day. He’d been drinking for several hours yet none of those who spied on him thought the young man truly drunk. Ben agreed. The fighter didn’t give off the aura of someone stupid enough to lose himself in a strange place; even one as peaceful as Tomis.

It was still fairly early when they reached the bar and Ben knew they had time. If Zoro sensed danger there would be no taking the young man captive. A man alone was sent to slip a small vial of powerful sedative into one of the swordsman’s drinks. The others would wait outside until he collapsed. Thus the waiting game started.

Ben took up position across the street from the bar; he had clear view of their target and couldn’t stop a bit of admiration building in his heart. Zoro looked for all the world like a man three sheets to the wind yet his eyes darted here and there, keeping track of everyone in the room. Two hours passed before the crewmember found an opportunity to act. Then only because Ben sent three of his men to act like intoxicated idiots, bursting through the door and drawing the attention of everyone. Especially Zoro and the bargirl carrying his ale.

All held their breath as the drink was delivered and consumed. Once the drug was in his system, Zoro seemed to sense the danger and his eyes turned unerringly toward Ben. The older man froze as their gazes locked; there was such depth to Zoro’s soul. A shame to have to do what brought them there.

The swordsman saw the members of Shanks crew closing in and went for his swords, knocking his chair back in the process. However, as he stood, a of tof terrible dizziness overcame his senses, sending him toward the floor. Strong arms wrapped around his waist suddenly and the world shifted. He found himself thrown over someone’s shoulder like a sack with all three swords gone.

“Sorry about that folks,” Ben’s voice filled Zoro’s ears. “Just one of my crewmembers who had a little too much to drink.”

Zoro tried to call out, get some attention, but his body felt leaden. Darkness soon became all he could see.

Before they left the bar, Shanks’ men saw their captive go limp and breathed a sigh of relief. The drug would keep him asleep long enough to get him into the woods. Though the sedative part of the drug burned off quickly, there were a few aftereffects. Hours after taking it a person would be slow, without any strength, and unable to fully control their body.

They decided to bind Zoro’s arms behind him as soon as the lighted streets were left behind despite this fact. The boy was very skilled; a simple mistake could get them killed. Who knew if he had enough control to burn off the side affects quicker than anticipated. One never took chances with people like the swordsman.

The forest outside of town was pretty sparse but a few places had good cover for what Ben needed to do. He was shocked, though, to find Usopp’s father waiting for them at the only real clearing.

“What are you doing here?” The others dropped Zoro on the ground, waiting for him to regain consciousness. There was no need to be gentle considering what they planned to do in a short time.

“I’ve seen how Luffy’s crew works together. This is something they aren’t going to forgive.” The man glared around him. “I’m not a coward. If you’re in, so am I. I won’t abandon my crewmates or let them do something I won’t.”

“Usopp might never forgive you.”

A groan cut off the pending argument. Zoro shifted, opening his eyes and struggling against the ropes.

“Let’s just get it over with.”

Ben nodded his agreement. With a nod to his men, they all began attacking their captive. Fists pounded his sides until someone picked him up and then his face became a target. Boots dug into his back and legs when he fell, unable to keep standing when released. Not a single cry of pain came from the fighter, to his credit. The occasional grunt was forced from him when a foot or fist connected with his stomach. Yet no other noise was uttered.

Grudging respect filled the pirates’ hearts. The kid was tough; no doubt about it. He tried to fight back even with his body sluggish. Once he managed to bite a hand straying to close to his mouth. Another who kicked him found teeth buried in his shin. But did he have the strength to beat the Line?

Soon blood soaked the ground and Zoro’s white shirt was heavily stained. Moments later Ben called for a pause and all attack ceased. The green haired young man lay panting softly as pain threatened to drown out his ability to think. No cheers or comments came from the other pirates. It was strange how silent the forest seemed except for harsh breathing.

“Kid,” Ben said as calmly as he could while grasping green locks and forcing Zoro to face him. “I want you to tell Luffy a thi this. Tell him about every blow, every pain, every wound.”

“No,” Zoro spat at him.

“Don’t push me, boy! You have no idea how bad we can make things. How far we’re willing to go.”

“I won’t help you make Luffy fight.” The words were final. In the morning he would probably make up some tale of a bar fight or mugging. No matter the amount of suffering Zoro was put through, he was going to protect his Captain. Admiration filled Shanks’ men and several threw glances toward their leader seeing definite parallels between the two men.

Cursing stubborn fools, Ben threw the young swordsman to the others. “Strip him.”

Zoro’s eyes went wide and he tried desperately to get his body to obey. All the effort did was exhaust him further. His swords, sash, shirt, and pants ended up in a rather neat pile off to the side of the clearing. They left him at the center, naked, as they stood in a circle around the bound man. No fool, he knew what came next. Ben dragged him to his knees and shoved him face first into the grass.

“I won’t tell him,” Zoro ground out, fighting the grip.

“Damn it, boy! Don’t make us do this!” Ben was furious. Why couldn’t Zoro sy liy lie? But woul lie lie to Shanks? Or would he try to protect his lover, friend, and Captain even if it meant enduring something like this? Ben knew the answer and hated himself for doing this. Yet what other way was there?

“Hnn. Doesn’t seem like I’m the one forcing anyone to do anything.” Sneering words struck the pirates. “But I won’t tell Luffy. No matter what you do.”

That wasn’t going to help matters. There had to be a way. Maybe they could leave him unconscious where Luffy would find him and make it obvious what happened? Only such would involve hurting the boy more than theyted.ted. A way out had to exist!

Ben scanned the area around him looking for an answer, some kind of help. His eyes fell on Zoro’s blood stained shirt. Could it….? A thought began forming. Luffy cared for his friends and crew deeply. What would he do if one of his crew was killed by Shanks’ men? Or at least thought Zoro was dead?

“Get his shirt.” It could work. It had to work. “Someone go back to town and get paper and something to write with.”

“What’s the plan, Ben?” Usopp’s father wasn’t going to complain about not having to rape the young pirate, however, they still needed a way to get Luffy angry.

“What if Luffy thinks we killed Zoro?”

Realization dawned on everyone’s face.

“We make it look like he’s dead?”

“What would you think if someone sent Shanks my shirt, covered in blood, with a note that basically claimed I was dead?”

“Bastards!” Zoro hissed. “You’re not going to use me!”

“Someone gag him,” and as an afterthought “and put his pants back on.” Well the youth was very attractive. Too bad he wasn’t a part of the crew; Shanks and he could probably think of many delightful things to do with him.

Shortly a pirate returned with paper and a pen. Zoro fought as furiously as he could in the background completely ignored. Unfortunately, the drug kept him from being able to do much more than become soaked with sweat and dizzy.

As the sun rose over the horizon, the note was finished and a villager was hired to take a small package to Luffy’s ship. In it were the torn, crimson soaked shirt and a note. Brief and to the point:

“You should protect your crew better. S.”

With any luck the Straw Hat pirates would believe Shanks and his crew had killed Zoro. In the meantime, Ben sent five men to check into a hotel and keep Zoro there; whatever the fight’s outcome, the captive went free after the dust settled. He’d return to the ship and sail it into the harbor. Surely Luffy would attack. This had to work. None of them really wanted the alternative. He also kept the three swords in case Luffy needed more proof of the murder.

As they split up, no one noticed a small group of Marines watching all the activity. Smoker thought to sneak into Tomis and surprise Luffy. However, a bit of movement in the woods attracted his attention. They arrived as Zoro was being redressed but were unable to hear what was said. Smoker recognized the green haired prisoner and his obsession was rekindled.

“Follow the pirates and get back that package. I want to know what’s in it,” Smoker ordered his men. “I’ll see where they’re taking the swordsman.” His Second in Command started to object until she saw the expression on his face; better to remain silent and follow orders. For now.

Smoker used hislitilities to go unnoticed. Not that the pirates were worried about being followed. Their focus was the limp, bound form they dragged along. As they approached town, one of the men threw a blanket over him. No need to make a scene. Yet what was planned for Zoro remained a mystery to the Marine. Why take him into the forest, beat him, and then return the young man to town?

As they reached a hotel near the city’s edge, the cloth covering slipped for a second and Zoro was clearly visible to anyone. Naturally, no one seemed to be on the street at such an early hour. A few bums and a strange deer-like creature. None that mattered. Quickly they hustled the prisoner into the building certain their secret was safe and counting their blessings.

However, the strange deer-like creature darted away. Chopper raced for the ship. Zoro looked like he was in serious danger. Smoker stayed in the shadows of an alley across the street willing to wait for things to reveal themselves or his real target to appear. As for the bums, they slowly worked their way into the hotel.

Inside the hotel, the pirates checked in and got a room on the top floor. One glance at all the blood and bruises made Shanks’ men consider cleaning up the hurt man. There was no need to keep Zoro in pain or let his wounds become infected. Unwilling to take chances, they all held him while binding his wrists to the bed’s headboard. They stripped off his pants and threw them in the corner. Even more bruises.

“Stay still. We’ll be back with some water and bandages. Maybe some ointment for those cuts if we can find it.”

Gagged, Zoro didn’t respond.

Once the room was empty, the young swordsman fought against the ropes. A feeling of impending doom wrapped around his heart. Something was wrong. Beyond simply being used by Shanks. More than Luffy getting tricked into a fight. What it was became clear as three men snuck into the room.

“Well if it isn’t the famous pirate hunter.” The first was a dirty, tall blond.

“You killed my Captain and ruined my life,” the second, shorter, stockier, and dirtier, growled takiut aut a knife.

“Let’s not be hasty,” the third had an expression which froze Zoro’s blood. Lust. “We can make this last. Wouldn’t that be better? To make him scream?”

“Oh yeah.” The second one laughed. “I want him first. I want to hear him howl and then I wanna make him bleed.”

Like rabid animals, snickering madly, they stalked toward the helpless man