Chapter 8: Sword Duels

A/N: Yay! Since I last updated it's now over 4,000 hits! Because of that I will tell that an additional Naruto character will be in the Kuro arc, who s/he is or what's their role is I won't say with the exception that s/he won't be replacing anyone... but expect both a member of the rookie 9 and an additional character to appear... though when I do reveal it you may say "Should have saw that coming"

Chapter 8: Sword Duels

Zoro continued to block Cabji's sword using two of his swords, however his wound reopened. Sakura looked concerned… she was hopping to one day become a doctor after all…

"Zoro you should rest… your wound…" said Sakura.

"I don't care…" said Zoro.

"He's fine…" said Sasuke.

He walked to a nearby building and leaned against... doing nothing.

"Some partner he is…" said Naruto.

Just then Cabaji blew fire into his face… and kicked his wound.

"Ow that got to hurt…" said Naruto.

Kyubi began to hum the circus song… annoying Naruto at the same time.

"Please don't hum that song…" said Naruto.

Both Sakura and Nami stared at Naruto strangely.

"Who is he talking to?" asked Nami.

"I have no idea…" said Sakura.

They watched as Cabaji repeatedly cheated... after Cabaji kicked up dust and locked swords with Zoro he once again kicked Zoro in the wound… Nami couldn't take it anymore.

"What are you doing? You are his partner… I understand the two idiot brothers but you… I heard you've been with Zoro for a long time… you could at least help!" yelled Nami.

Sasuke looked at Nami "I would if I wanted to but I don't want to… I made a vow with Zoro… that if one of us were in a fight we would the other would not interfere… especially in one for each of us… I refuse to break my vow…" said Sasuke.

The others heard this conversation.

"Wow…" said Naruto.

"You have to admit Sasuke can be cool at times…" said Kyubi.

"Shut up…" thought Naruto.

"Sasuke…" said Sakura.

"He's da man!" yelled Inner Sakura.

Luffy just smiled at him.

Nami sighed at his remark… "But what if he gets killed…" said Nami.

"He's too stubborn to die…" said Sasuke.

Sasuke motioned over to Zoro, who just got up.

"I hope you enjoyed kicking my wound…" said Zoro.

Zoro slashed his wound open even more… Naruto and Luffy were surprised and thought it was cool, Nami and Sakura were surprised.

"Show off…" mumbled Sasuke.

Zoro began to draw his third sword, "I plan to be the world's best swords men…" said Zoro.

"What are you talking about…" said Cabaji.

"Now I'll show you real swordplay…" said Zoro.

When they were sizing each other up by saying things Nami and Sakura realized something.

"Oh yeah we should…" said Sakura.

Nami nodded as she placed her hand on Luffy's shoulder, "Hey you see that shack behind the ruins…" said Nami pointing to shack behind the ruin of Buggy's hide out.

"Yeah…" said Luffy.

"Well that's where Buggy keeps his treasure…" said Sakura, "We're going to take it while his crew is knocked out…"

"We're then going to make our escape… whether you win or lose doesn't' matter. Buggy probably have the map to the Grand Line… but if you mange to get it… we might change our minds…" said Nami not noticing the visible sigh from Sakura.

"Okay…" said Luffy.

The two thieves left. "Bye Sasuke… I hope we meet again!" said Sakura causing Sasuke to sweat drop.

Back with the fight Cabaji threw a bunch of tops at Zoro. While Zoro was fight them Cabaji was climbing up a wall and was about to cut Zoro from above. Buggy decided to help out and launched one of his hands at Zoro… Sasuke of course noticed this and stomped on the hand.

"Please don't get involved in this fight… I don't want to have to hurt… I know how fight with more than just my swords…" said Sasuke picking up Buggy's hand and tossed it back at the clown.

"Wow cool Sasuke…" said Luffy.

"So what he's not that cool…" said Naruto.

"No matter what you say you have to work to be that cool…" said Kyubi.

"You're right…" thought Naruto with a sigh.

Back with the fight, Zoro was breathing heavily and collapsed to his knees.

"I'm tired…" said Zoro.

"So your wound is finally getting to you?" asked Cabaji.

"No I'm tired of your circus tricks…" said Zoro.

"Fine no more circus tricks… real swordsmen ship then…" said Cabaji.

Sadly for Cabaji, Zoro was getting serious.

"Oni…" said Zoro getting ready.

"So he's using that one… I fell sorry for the guy…" said Sasuke.

"Giri!" said Zoro then sliced Cabaji with his swords.

Cabaji fell in a bloody heap.

"How can common thieves defeat me?" asked Cabaji.

"We're not thieves… we're pirates…" said Zoro who collapsed, "Guys I need to sleep now…" who began to snore.

Luffy turned his attention to Buggy.

"Looks like it's time for our fight…." said Luffy.

Meanwhile in Buggy's treasure stash Nami and Sakura were putting the loot into Sacks.

"Nami…" said Sakura.

"What?" asked Nami.

"I think we should their crew…" said Sakura.

"What why… it's not because of Sasuke is it…" said Nami.

"It's not just that… it's just I think if they help us… then maybe we can get it done faster…" said Sakura.

Nami sighed, "Sakura I don't think we should drag them into this…" said Nami.

"You dragged me into this…" said Sakura.

"I didn't… you did yourself…" said Nami, "And sometimes I question whether or not I should have let you…" she added mentally.

"Please…" say Sakura.

"No… their outsiders when compared to our problem, they should not get involved…" said Nami.

Sakura sighed… "But remember no one could do this alone…" said Sakura.

Nami sighed, "Please stop saying that… you've been saying it since you joined… as you're here I'm not alone…" said Nami.

"I know…" said Sakura, "I wish we could just get more help…" eh added mentally.

"We should stop being sentimental and pack all this up…" said Nami.

"Yeah…" said Sakura.

"Do you think you can carry it all?" asked Nami.

"I don't think I can… one sack will be my limit… it's big…" said Sakura.

Nami laughed... "Well I guess I have to carry one of the bags…" said Nami then sighed heavily… Sakura just laughed...

"And you say we don't need help…" said Sakura.

Nami rolled her eyes as they continued packing the treasure into the bags.

Next Time: Buggy and Luffy fight... Buggy does something that will anger Luffy so much that even Kyubi will worry... what does it have to with Shanks? Did he know Shanks? What is Buggy's origin? The answer to these questions and more will be reveled next time...