178. Kuma's Goal

After treating Zoro she asked Leo to get him to their house. Leo placed him on the couch.

"Why is he here?"

Leo shrugged and explained what happened.

Shinobu had an amused smiled on her face, "This is getting interesting, a Shichibukai helps out a pirate wanted by the World Government."

Leo had no clue about what was happening. So he pushed it to the back of his mind and asked, "What's his condition?"

Shinobu said, "The people from this world have extraordinary constitutions. This man, Zoro is particularly special, he has got four broken ribs, torn muscles, ruptured lungs and internal bleeding but his physique is so strong that it's already mending itself."

Leo showed no surprise as he had seen cases like this before, "How long till he regains consciousness?"

"In a couple of hours. By the way, are you really gonna hide him here?"

Leo nodded, "They may be pirates but their hearts are in the right place."

Shinobu smiled. She hugged him and gave him a kiss on his cheek.

"I'll be out with Snow to check on a few herbs I planted inside the forest."

"Alright."

Leo sat down comfortably and thought about recent events.

Huuu, it's all messed up.

He closed his eyes and tried to forget about everything, his mind wandered off and he lost focus. After a while he heard some noise and looked over to see Shinobu walking in with a basket filled with wild fruits.

Snow was happily munching on one on her shoulder.

"He hasn't woken up?"

She asked.

Leo turned to look at Zoro and found him sound asleep.

"Hm, anyway, I am gonna prepare dinner."

Just as she placed the basket down they all heard someone groaning.

Zoro woke up groggily and found himself in an unfamiliar place. He tried to sit up but felt terrible pain all over his body.

Where am I?

His eyes took some time to focus. The moment they did he saw Leo and Shinobu along with Snow staring at him.

It's him!

"Why are you here?"

Leo was amused when he heard him, "That's what I should be asking?"

Zoro looked at his body. He was wrapped with bandages from head to toe. He also found it hard to breathe.

I took serious damage. Admirals are really strong.

Leo strode towards him and asked, "Now do you understand where you stand in this sea?"

His question struck a soar spot. Zoro had no answer.

Shinobu at this moment gave Zoro a small bottle filled with blue liquid and said, "Drink it."

Zoro looked at the vial for a moment and did as she asked. He felt a cooling sensation as the liquid flowed down his throat.

After several seconds he felt his body get a bit more loose. He wasn't as constrained as before.

Shinobu placed her palm on top of his heart and nodded, "It's good. Your body is safely recovering. I am going to make some food, eat and get lots of sleep. Your body needs rest."

Zoro shook his head, "No. I have get back to my friends. Thank you for helping me."

He tried to get up and stand on his feet.

"That wasn't a suggestion."

Shinobu suddenly tapped two spots on his head. Zoro fell down uncontrollably.

"What-what did you do!?"

Leo picked him up and threw him inside their spare room.

"Give up, she is a doctor. You can't leave till you get her say so, and don't try to sneak out. You can try, but I warn you, if you don't want to lay on a bed till you get fully healed, I suggest you try nothing."

"I need to find my friends!"

Leo walked out, before he closed the door he said, "Your friends should be fine."

He closed the door. Zoro couldn't move a finger, he could only lay on the bed and stare at the ceiling.

I am too weak...

He was powerless against his enemies. He wasn't able to protect his friends.

Leo walked out and saw Shinobu preparing dinner.

"What do you think about what's happening?"

Shinobu was cutting carrots to fine pieces when she heard Leo. She paused for a moment and said, "A Shichibukai helped out criminals wanted by the World Government. Either he has some plans for them or he was really trying to save them."

"Considering their strength I don't think these guys could have any impact on everything that's happening, so I am leaning towards the second possibly."

Leo nodded, "I think so as well. But why? He has no reason to help out Luffy and his crew."

Shinobu pondered for a moment, "Maybe he has and we just don't know about it. Maybe he didn't want to just save the crew but help a particular member and the crew was just a convenience for him."

Leo rubbed his chin and thought hard for a while, "Among his crew, Nami, Usopp, Chopper, Robin, Franky and Brooke have a clear past. Only Zoro and Luffy have a blurred past. Atleast that's what we know. We know nothing about Zoro's parents, this is the same for Luffy...

As he spoke upto here Leo stopped. He didn't speak for a while and suddenly smiled.

"Haha, I don't know for sure but there is a high chance that Kuma was there for Luffy!"

Shinobu resumed her work and asked, "Why do you think so?"

"We know his grandfather, as for his parents... I have a feeling that Kuma is related to his parents in some way."

Shinobu smiled, "That's all just theory."

"Hey, it's sound reasoning."

"Sure."

"Are you making fun of me again?"

Seeing her toothy smile Leo grinned with a hint of evil. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and nipped her ear.

Shinobu giggled and turned around. She kissed him deeply.

After a minute she separated herself from Leo and said, "Don't mess around, I making food."

Leo threw his hands in the air and laughed, "Yes, yes, madam."