First Flight (Zoro X OC)

Chapter 18

*EDITED*

Although the day was nice up until now, dark storm clouds were quickly moving in, courtesy of the New World’s unpredictable weather patterns. Shortly after Leanna got back to the ship it had begun to rain, causing the rest of the crew to pack up early to set off. She noticed Nami and Robin talking with Zoro when he made it onto the beach, maybe they could figure out what was wrong and relay it to her later.

She sighed, gazing wistfully out into the accelerating waves; they were quickly picking up speed with the encroaching storm winds. She froze, noticing a plethora of ships on the horizon from her vantage point. Standing, she narrowed her sharp eyes; there were maybe half a dozen marine ships approaching quickly.

Leanna cursed, jumping down from the crow’s nest and landing quietly on the lawn. They must have been spotted by a scout earlier; there was no way this many ships were just out patrolling together.

Usopp, who was unluckily unloading lawn chairs near where she landed, shrieked as she straightened up. The rest of the crew looked at her with raised eyebrows and curious gazes. 

“Marines on the approach,” She explained, pointing them out on the horizon. Luffy jumped onto the railing, searching the horizon before his eyes widened.

“Wow, that’s got to be at least five, let's go meet them!” He called excitedly.

Nami rolled her eyes. “Well, we’re going to have to. They’re blocking the way out!” She began directing the crew to accelerate the ship's preparations for departure.

As soon as Leanna unfurled the main sail, like she usually did, she flew by Luffy who sat on Sunny’s head, watching the approaching marines.

“Luffy, I’m gonna go slow them down!” She shouted to be heard over the storm and the waves.

He nodded, “Leave some fun for the rest of us!” He called back, laughing while holding his hat to his head.

She smiled, nodded, and flew off. The Sunny had departed from the island and was sailing parallel with the coast to try to skate by the marines who looked like they would try to pin their ship down. 

Streaking through the sky, Leanna drew a pair of blades. She flashed by the first ship, tearing long rips in its sails and causing it to stall immediately. She cut critical ropes, further hobbling the ship. 

She cut down four more ships before they even noticed her, flying too fast for any marines to retaliate. The quickest of them readied their guns, attempting to trail her as she flew by. All shots missed her as she ducked down, gliding effortlessly just above the thrashing waves. Only a few more ships to go, she thought, determined to give her crew enough time to pass by. 

She came upon the last ship, slicing open the full mainsail when she felt her haki activate. She dove sharply to the side, narrowly missing a blinding flash of light. But she wasn’t able to dodge the second one. A sharp pain pierced her side, causing her to falter slightly in the air before her wings could catch herself again just before she hit the water. She could feel blood gushing from her side as pain radiated from it, numbing her entire side. 

She gasped, looking to where the shot came from before her eyes widened. On the last marine ship stood a tall figure, his finger pointed directly at her as another bullet of light grew from the tip.

She grit her teeth, “Kizaru!” She cursed. Then her heart dropped even further as she saw more marine ships approaching.

Narrowly missing the admiral’s next shot, she retreated to the Sunny, using the cut-up marine ships as cover.

She collapsed onto the Sunny’s deck, hand still pressed tightly to her side. The crew gasped, shocked as she kneeled in the middle of them with blood streaming from her side and already running down her leg. Chopper was immediately by her side, worrying over her and already pulling out bandages.