The full moon hovered over Alubarna, casting a silvery glow over the towers of the royal castle. The warm desert breeze slipped through the half-open windows, carrying the distant scent of sand and the garden's flowers.
In the room, the faint light of the torches flickered against the stone walls, casting elongated shadows that danced gently. The space was simple but comfortable. A wide bed occupied the center of the room, where Luffy slept, snoring loudly, his arms spread wide as if ready to embrace the world.
"Meat… Lots of meat… Shishishi…"
The captain's slurred voice mingled with the sound of the wind, his lips moving in a dream that undoubtedly involved endless feasts.
Zoro leaned against the wall, seated on a wooden bench with his arms crossed, his eyes half-closed. He wasn't asleep, but he didn't seem fully awake either. The swordsman's instincts kept his body alert, even in exhaustion.
The door opened silently.
The wind blew lightly, and the desert scent was replaced by something different—sandalwood, metal, and something warm, like ashes.
Riser entered.
Zoro's eyes snapped open instantly.
The blond walked slowly, his boots tapping the marble floor without haste. His golden gaze swept the room, lingering briefly on Luffy before settling on the swordsman.
Zoro didn't move.
"I knew you'd come."
His tone held no surprise.
Riser leaned against the wall by the open window. The wind tousled his golden hair, and he stood there, gazing at the city under the moonlight.
"Then you know why I'm here."
Zoro closed his eyes for a moment. His breathing remained steady, but the grip of his crossed arms tightened.
"You're leaving the crew."
No question. Just a statement.
Riser didn't deny it.
Zoro let out a quiet sigh, his chin dipping slightly.
"I've been expecting this… ever since Loguetown."
The silence between them grew heavy.
The breeze rustled the curtains.
Zoro uncrossed his arms slowly, leaning forward slightly. His dark eyes fixed on the blond, assessing every detail.
"Why now?"
Riser turned his gaze from the city back to the swordsman.
"My journey is different."
The answer wasn't enough.
Zoro clenched his fists.
"You knew from the start you wouldn't stay. Even so, you stuck around long enough to teach us."
The golden eyes gleamed in the dim light.
"I stayed long enough to strengthen you all."
Zoro felt the weight of those words.
He had learned a lot from Riser. Techniques, philosophy, endurance. Things only a true warrior could teach. But at the same time…
'I always felt something off about him.'
There was a distance between them. Something that, no matter how much they trained together, never faded.
"Luffy doesn't know."
Riser glanced at the bed.
Luffy was still asleep, snoring softly, a goofy smile on his face as he mumbled something about meat.
"He doesn't need to know now."
Zoro felt a tightness in his stomach.
"He does."
His tone hardened.
"You can play your games with whoever you want, but Luffy's the captain. He trusts you."
The shadow of Riser's smile grew slightly.
"That's why I'm here. To make sure someone tells him."
Zoro's eyes narrowed.
The moonlight illuminated part of Riser's face, highlighting the lazy, calculated glint that had always been there.
'He planned all of this.'
The swordsman felt a dull irritation rising within him.
"Why me?"
Riser tilted his head slightly.
"Because you understand."
The wind blew harder.
Zoro didn't like that answer.
Did he understand? Yes. But that didn't mean he accepted it.
His fingers slid to the hilt of the sword at his side. It wasn't a threat—just instinct.
Riser noticed.
The golden eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Are you going to test me now, Zoro?"
The swordsman's heart quickened.
He didn't like this.
"I don't need to test someone I already know."
Riser's smile faded for a moment.
Then he turned back to the city.
"I'm not your enemy."
Zoro gripped the sword hilt tighter.
"But you're not our ally anymore either."
The silence stretched between them.
Luffy mumbled louder, shifting in bed.
"Meat… Gomu Gomu no… barbecue…"
Zoro closed his eyes for a moment, holding back a sigh.
When he opened them again, Riser was already at the door.
The blond paused, glancing over his shoulder.
"Take care of the captain."
Zoro lifted his chin.
"You don't need to tell me that."
Riser smiled.
"Then we're on the same page."
He left, and the wind filled the space where he'd been.
Zoro remained still for a long time.
The weight of what had just happened was real.
Riser was leaving.
And he was right—Luffy didn't need to know now.
But Zoro knew.
And that bothered him more than it should.
He looked at the captain, still sleeping, still dreaming of meat, of adventures, of simple things.
'You're not going to like this when you wake up, captain.'
His gaze darkened.
But he'd keep his promise.
He'd tell him.
Just not now.
For now, all he could do…
Was wait for morning to come.
---
The wood of the Going Merry creaked lightly under the weight of the night breeze. The scent of the sea mingled with the desert sand still clinging to the deck, carrying an air of uncertainty. The sky was clear and starry, but the mood on the ship was far from calm.
Zala opened her eyes slowly.
Her head throbbed. Her muscles ached, a familiar weight for someone who'd been defeated, but the worst was yet to come. The first sound she heard was a soft, controlled laugh.
"Finally awake."
The voice was calm, almost amused. Cold as a well-sharpened blade.
Zala's eyes focused on the woman before her, her mind still adjusting to the surrounding darkness.
Robin.
She was seated on a supply crate, legs crossed, fingers gliding smoothly along her arm as a calculating gaze fell upon her. The faint torchlight illuminated her face, casting treacherous shadows.
Zala tried to move.
The metallic clink of Kairoseki handcuffs was a cruel reminder of her situation.
'I'm a prisoner now.'
Her chest rose and fell slowly, controlling her anger and frustration. Her eyes scanned the deck, taking in her surroundings.
And then she saw Alvida.
The woman leaned against the mast, arms crossed, eyes half-closed, brimming with impatience and something more dangerous—restrained rage.
"You two talk too loud."
Robin smiled.
"I haven't even said anything yet."
Alvida clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, tapping her club lightly against the deck.
"But I already know I'm going to hate whatever you say."
The game had already begun.
Zala watched the two exchange barbs, a quick analysis forming in her mind.
'Alvida's an enemy. Robin should be my ally.'
But something about the way Robin smiled at the dark-haired pirate made her hesitate.
'That look… That teasing manner…'
'They've known each other longer.'
"It's fun seeing you so annoyed, Alvida."
The archaeologist's tone was sweet, almost kind, but the intent behind her words was razor-sharp.
Alvida straightened, her fist tightening around the club's handle.
"I should smash your face in."
Robin's smile didn't waver.
"But you can't."
The wind blew, tousling both their hair.
Zala sensed the tension, a thick energy in the air. Alvida wanted to hit her. But she couldn't.
And Robin knew it.
"Riser made it very clear you're not allowed to touch me."
The taunt was like gasoline on a fire.
Alvida's eyes flared with fury.
Zala swallowed hard.
She'd seen Alvida fight. She knew what she was capable of. But now, the woman who'd crushed her team with brutal strength was standing there, held back by an invisible rule.
'Riser forbade physical contact between them.'
That made things more interesting.
"I should be enjoying this moment."
Robin adjusted her glove slowly, unhurried.
"Seeing you so frustrated, unable to react. Feeling angry and unable to take it out on me."
Alvida tapped her club against the deck again.
"Keep talking, and I might forget the rules."
Robin's smile widened.
"You won't."
Alvida's gaze darkened.
Zala held her breath.
She wanted to see how far this would go.
But Robin was in control.
The archaeologist tilted her head slightly, like a cat watching a mouse.
"You're scared."
Alvida froze.
Robin smiled, satisfied.
"Scared of losing your place."
The wood creaked under Alvida's feet.
Zala blinked.
Robin was toying with her. Hitting exactly where she knew it hurt.
"Then why are you so mad?"
The question hung in the air.
Zala felt the mood shift. Alvida was a hair's breadth from snapping. But she couldn't.
She couldn't touch her.
She couldn't yell, because that would prove the archaeologist right.
Robin knew it.
And she was having fun.
"I don't need to compete with you."
Alvida's response came slower, laced with controlled rage.
Robin raised an eyebrow.
"Then why does it feel like you do?"
Alvida's smile was dark.
"Because in the end, you'll end up like me."
Zala saw the subtle shift in Robin's expression. Faint, but real.
Alvida noticed.
And pressed harder.
"You think you're playing me, but you're already in his game."
Robin blinked slowly.
"I know."
Alvida narrowed her eyes.
"Then what's the fun in it?"
Robin smiled.
"The fun is that I can understand him."
The provocation was back.
Zala almost laughed. These two would never stop.
But then Alvida leaned back against the mast, a lazy smile returning to her lips.
The wind blew.
Alvida turned to Zala.
"But just like me… she'll end up joining him too."
Zala felt a chill run up her spine.
They were talking about her now.
The archaeologist looked at her with an almost gentle smile.
"I think so."
Zala clenched her teeth.
She was a prisoner.
Her boss had been defeated.
And now two women who should hate each other were debating her future.
'My future.'
She said nothing.
The truth was… Alvida was right.
She could deny it.
But deep down, something inside her knew.
Just like Robin.
Just like Alvida.
Eventually, she'd end up bending to Riser's will too.
Silence fell over the deck.
Alvida looked at Robin.
Robin looked at Alvida.
Zala looked at both of them.
The game wasn't over yet.
But all three of them knew.
Riser had already won.
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Reincarnation in Smallville
A new life, a new Clark Kent — with all the memories of his past life intact.