Chapter 7: Echoes of Courage

"I will be leaving then," Yash stands up and start to walk out, he grabs the glass of alcohol from Pacia's hand and throw it out the window.

"Alcohol isn't good for your health." Yash climb down the stairs and ran towards the Groove 12, the same place where he found out that Zoro has vanished. He wanted to return their and tell everyone that Zoro is alive, because it was sure enough those people care for him just like he cares about his loyal companion Buro.

Making his way through Groove 13 and Groove12, Yash arrives at the same spot on Groove 12.

An enormous man, at the very least 20 feet, long and curly hair, His jacket contains a large white design reminiscent of a target crosshair or a coda sign. The man known as Bartholomew Kuma, just struck Zoro with his palm, vanishing him in thin air. A bubble in the sky also pops at the same time.

'Did My eyes deceive me?' Yash shakes his head.'No I definitely saw it. Zoro had White fur on his hands. it was definitely Buro.' Yash with his eyes widened due to urgency, sprinted towards Straw Hats standing by in shock and horror.

"ZORO IS ALIVE. THAT GUY HAS AN ABILITY OF SENDING PEOPLE FLYING FOR THREE DAYS AND NIGHTS. DONT GIVE UP." Although Yash knew fully well that it was a rumour, but her Loyal companion was also with Zoro when he vanished. He wanted that Rumour to be true at all costs.

"Is that True?" luffy asks quickly while feeling sudden relief from a huge pain in his heart.

"YES SO KEEP GOING" Yash yelled again, everyone there heard it, including Sentomaru, Kizaru and Bartholomew Kuma.

"Is that Straw Hats new crew member?" Wondered Sentomaru.

"Young Man Yash sure has courage. Sure enough this era is going to be a big wave with all these younglings." Exclaims Rayleigh as he draws his Sword against Borsalino [Kizaru].

"Revealing yourself like that to the danger sure takes courage but such a shame, that boy is weak." Says Kizaru in a laidback tone as he struck back with his sword made of light.

'Is that man really a new recruit of Straw Hats?' thought Bartholomew Kuma.

"So, Zoro is Safe. That guy, he was with Zoro earlier, Zoro said that he helped him before, so he won't be lying " Says Franky.

"Thanks God, I thought we lost him for a second." Says Nami," Let's continue to escape, we will find him later, it's not the first time he got lost."

"So he...

Is alive, That fool..." Says Sanji, gravely injured, lying on the floor, His head is bleeding, his chest, core and leg muscles have experienced immense trauma due to intense battle.

"Zoro-san is alive. thank God." Exclaims Brook as he tries to get up.

'Can we trust that man's words?' Thought Nico Robin.

"I am the Most tight lipped Man in the World, so Whoever spread that information outside the Marines about Kuma's ability of making people fly for 3 days and nights with his paw strike can't be me." Says Sentomaru.

"So It is true. Where is Zoro right now?" Ask Luffy in Relief that his friend is alive but also in worry about his whereabouts.

"I am the most tight lipped man in the world, Even if I knew where he, which I don't, I won't tell you. Only Bartholomew Kuma knows where he sends the people he strike" Says Sentomaru as he observes Kuma's action.

"You Bastard! Where did you sent Zoro?" Luffy shouts as he charge towards Kuma

"Say something Dammit. Where do you send Zoro." Ask Ussop, distressed toned. Sanji trying to get up but his shoulder also starts to hurt, he grabs it for supporting the tired muscles.

"So you are finally here, Real Warlord of the Sea" Says Sanji to Kuma.

"The Real Warlord of the Sea!.." exclaims Brook.

Yash after Yelling had dashed towards Ussop, instinctively knowing it is the right decision if he wants to be reunited with His loyal companion.

"Are you guys Ok? You look like you can't move." Ask Yash when he reach The area where Ussop, Sanji and Brook were.

A Pacificta, A robotic weapon that looks exactly like Kuma and shoots laser at criminals with bounty was right behind them, It was Charging for a laser beam attack towards them.

Bartholomew Kuma starts to move towards Ussop's group.

"Stop right there..... Don't come any closer Dammit" exclaims Ussop, tensed about facing Kuma.

The laser beam was finished charging and Pacificta took the position to shoot.

"Ussop Behind you." Sanji tried to warn but he was late.

Noticing Pacificta getting in the way, Kuma instantly covered the distance between them, A 22 feet man disappearing and Appearing infront of a 22 feet Pacificta was an incredible sight knowing that they were approximately 100 meters apart but what happened next was even more shocking.

The instant Kuma got near the Pacificta, which was about to shoot the laser beam towards Ussop, Sanji, Yash and Brook, Kuma struck him with his paw and said," Don't get in the way."

The 22 feet tall Pacificta vanished. Yash was shocked at the sight but he slapped his face to retain focus again.

"He turned against his own ally?" Says Brook in shock.

"Are you guys alright?" Yash asked again.

"yes We are alright for now, but if we don't get out of here, we will be toast." Exclaims Ussop.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO YOUR OWN ALLIES KUMA??" Screamed Sentomaru.

Kuma turned towards Yash, Ussop, Sanji and Brook again and start to walk.

"RUN ALL FOUR OF YOU." Luffy ordered.

"Luffy?" exclaims Ussop.

"JUST GET OUT OF HERE, YOU CAN THINK THINGS THROUGH WHEN YOU ARE SAFE. GOOOO" Screamed Luffy with a sense of Urgency.

"You heard Luffy, let's go." Says Franky to Nami as they ran.

"I am Uninjured. I will carry Sanji." Yash offers as he picked up Sanji using his shoulder.

"Let me help you too" Ussop joins in to help him but Kuma was already behind them raising his paw to strike them.

"Be careful You three" Tell Brook as he jumped in to sheild them from the strike.

"Brook? BROOK.." Yells Ussop.

"I will protect you guys even if to cost me my life" Says Brook as he was about to be struck.

"Ah! Although I am already dea-" Brook was struck with Kuma's Paw before he can finish his sentence and was vanished.