Luffy and Zoro Vs. Red Beard

After the close call with Dave, the other assassins came to where Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and I were. "Well, Shadow Kat, what are your orders?"

I smiled. "Head back to the ship and wait for me there. We have something here to take care of."

One of the assassins, Garth Fire, approached me. "And what if the Marines should show up?"

I smirked. "What assassins do best. Kill."

Luffy smiled big. "Don't worry. We'll be back."

I look at Usopp, "Now show us the way to this Clawidor."

Usopp looked at me. "You're hurt, maybe you should rest before meeting Kia and walking into town." He noticed the scar on my side that I had gotten from my fight with Dave was bleeding. "I'm worried you might not make it."

I smiled. "Don't worry about me. It's nothing. I'm an assassin. Getting wounds like this, facing off any government agency is what we do."

Nami also noticed the wound. "Dammit, women sit down. You're gonna bleed to death."

"I'm fine, it's nothing."

There was a voice that came from behind us. "Looking for me, Strawhats? It seems that one of you is already injured. What good is it to have a wounded member who can't fight? Tell me something, did you think that you could outrun me, Shadow Kat?"

 Luffy turned around to see a tall man standing on the same part of the beach that we were on, dressed all in black. He had a cold, almost evil air about him. "Who are you? If you're not Clawidor, then we have no time for side quests."

The man laughed evilly. "No, Straw Hat, you're right, I am not the man you're looking for. But I will take the traitorous assassin you have in your crew to answer for her crimes."

I struggled to stand, leaning on Zoro as I rose. "It's ok, Luffy. I know this man very well. It's the Guild's leader. Red Beard."

Red Beard glanced at the wound on me. "Oh, Shadow Kat, you used to be one of the Order's best assassins. Look at you now, struggling to stand and getting involved in piracy."

I coughed. Blood came up as if Dave had struck me with a poison dagger. 

Luffy ran at him. "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO HER!!"

Zoro also noticed that I was getting weaker. "Hey, stay with me. Pretty Kitty, look at me, don't die." He looked at Luffy. "Luffy, don't bother with him. We need to get her to a doctor and fast." Dammit. This is the second time that Pretty Kitty has been poisoned. Damn, Dave what did you use on her. I knew you were a jealous bastard, but this is too far.

Red Beard sidestepped Luffy's attack. "Too slow. Listen to your friend, Straw Hat. Save Shadow Kat. That is, if you truly care for her. If not, then she will die from the poison coursing through her veins. It looks like love and friendship have weakened her enough as it is."

Luffy stared at him. "What the hell do you know about love and friendship? You bought and tortured kids from their families. You refused doctors to heal any wounds and visitors. You have a fucked up view of the outside world. Now that one of my friends is dying at your hands, do you think you can just have her without a just reason? I'm not gonna stand around and let that happen." He paused for a moment. "Zoro, Nami. You go with Usopp into town to find Kat a doctor. I'll deal with Red Beard."

Zoro nodded, picking me up. "Luffy, promise me one thing."

Luffy nodded. "I know what you're gonna ask, Zoro. Don't worry. I'll kill the bastard."

Red Beard spotted Zoro and laughed. "So, this is the man who Shadow Kat chose for her lover. A former Bounty Hunter? Looks like I'll kill both of you."

Zoro stopped. "I'd like to see you try." He handed me to Nami. "Take care of her. I'm staying with Luffy to fight this lunatic."

I coughed up more blood. "Zoro, don't. He's too powerful for both you and Luffy."

Nami glanced at me. "Don't talk too much. The boys got this." She looked at Zoro, nodded, and followed Ussop on the path into town. 

Red Beard stood there, cold as ever. "Tell me, Zoro, what could Shadow Kat ever see in you? You're arrogant and selfish. I will admit your ambition in wanting to become a great swordsman, but other than that, I don't see it."

Zoro drew two of his swords. "You poisoned the women I love twice. Once when we were kids, and now this. Luffy was right when he told you. What do you know about love. If you think I'm just gonna stand around and watch you take her from me, then you're wrong." 

Luffy stood next to him, all manner of laughter and smiles gone from his face. "Zoro, don't hold back."

Red Beard started laughing. An evil, cruel laugh. "If you boys think you can take me on, then bring it. Shadow Kat will be dead within hours, and both of you will be responsible for her death. It's delightful. To think, that the great Ronoro Zoro will be one that brought her heart to a stop."

Zoro looked at him. "What are you talking about? I'm trying to save her, not kill her."

The Guild Master continued his evil laugh. "Oh, you stupid boy, one of the very swords you hold still has the poison on it. When Dave and the others followed you idiots onto this island, I had him cover one of your swords in poison and then use it on Shadow Kat. It's great. Now that it's entered her bloodstream. To think that you would try to use that same sword against me."

Zoro's face tightened with a mix of horror, fear, and anger. "You son of a bitch! Enough talk."