章節 4: Dorothy Unsworth
"Oh, about that…" Dorothy continued, her tone now nostalgic, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. She was completely at ease as she spoke, as though recounting the most precious memory of her life. "Rorochi saved me. Gave me a life of freedom." Her words were slow, laden with emotion that she rarely showed outwardly, her voice softening as she said the nickname. "Rorochi," the name that only she called him, was a personal term, as she looked at zoro remembering the first time they met.
....
years ago..
The Witch's Forest was shrouded in twilight, the thick canopy of trees creating a near-permanent dusk even as day turned to night. Shadows twisted, moving like living things across the ground, and the air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and magic. On the edge of a castle balcony, the Witch Queen stood, her crimson eyes narrowing as she gazed into the depths of the forest. Known for her near-omniscient awareness within her domain, she sensed every movement, every stirring of mana within the Witch's Forest.
Draped in robes as dark as the night itself, with an intricate tiara that symbolized her supremacy, the Witch Queen emanated an aura of authority and ancient power. Her long, silvery-white hair fell down her back, and her gaze was cold and calculating, with an intensity that could pierce even the strongest minds. Beneath her composed exterior, she carried a ruthless pride in her unmatched magical prowess and her dominion over all who dwelled in the forest.
"A magicless fool dares to tread on my domain?" she muttered disdainfully, her voice carrying a venomous edge. "Humans never learn. Forever tempting fate…." Her eyes gleamed with a mix of intrigue and contempt. She rarely concerned herself with trespassers—her forest's dangers were usually sufficient deterrents—but something about this one felt different.
She turned, her gaze sharp. "Summon Dorothy."
From the shadows, a dark form nodded and drifted off, moving through the castle halls. Moments later, the young witch Dorothy arrived, bowing before the Queen with a respectful nod, her violet eyes shimmering with curiosity and slight apprehension. Back then, Dorothy was still an apprentice under the Witch Queen's tutelage. Her signature hat was absent, revealing her cascade of lavender hair, which fell loosely around her shoulders. Her features were softer, less guarded, with a spark of innocence yet untarnished by the harsh experiences that would come later.
"You summoned me, Your Majesty?" Dorothy asked, her voice laced with respect.
The Witch Queen's lips curved in a subtle smile, both prideful and cold. "There is an intruder at the edge of the forest. A strange one. Magicless." She let the word hang, as if magicless were synonymous with insignificant. "I want you to dispose of him."
Dorothy nodded, surprise flickering briefly in her eyes before she composed herself. The forest was perilous enough on its own; for the Queen to dispatch her was rare, especially for a seemingly powerless human. She squared her shoulders, determination evident. Her Dream Magic was still developing, but it already held immense potential. With it, she could shape illusions into tangible nightmares, making her one of the Witch Queen's most promising disciples.
The Queen watched her go, a smirk playing on her lips. "Dream Magic… one of the rarest gifts, with power over the mind itself. If honed well, it could elevate its user to something almost divine in their own realm." She mused to herself, her gaze cold and appraising as she thought of Dorothy's potential.
Meanwhile, Dorothy moved silently through the woods, feeling her way towards the presence she sensed not too far ahead. It didn't take long before she saw him—a figure standing in a small clearing, seeming utterly out of place amidst the ancient, enchanted forest. He looked around, his face a mix of concentration and mild irritation, like he was trying to make sense of the forest's winding paths.
With broad shoulders, moss-green hair, and three katanas strapped at his side, the man looked more like a wandering warrior than a lost traveler. His dark, intense gaze scanned the area, seemingly undeterred by the forest's eerie atmosphere. Dorothy's sharp senses quickly detected something unusual—he had no mana. No magical energy emanated from him, yet he radiated a different kind of presence, one she couldn't ignore. A pressure that only came from those who'd known countless battles.
'What is a magicless human doing here? Even seasoned mages tread carefully in the Witch's Forest,' she thought, eyes narrowing. 'Could he be a bandit? Or perhaps something more?'
But Dorothy had little time to contemplate as she watched the man draw one of his katanas, the blade a sleek, pitch-black color that seemed to absorb the forest's dim light. In a swift, practiced motion, he slashed, sending a burst of green energy cutting through the trees. The shockwave shot toward her hiding place with deadly precision, and Dorothy only barely managed to dodge it, her heart racing as she felt the air split mere inches from her.
"Come out," he called, his tone sharp and cold. "Sneaking around like that isn't exactly polite."
Dorothy stepped forward, keeping her expression calm and measured as she met his gaze. Now that she saw him up close, his presence was even more intimidating—his sharp eyes, scarred features, and confident stance marked him as someone who was as deadly as he was experienced.
"You've entered the Witch's Forest," she said evenly, her voice carrying a warning. "Leave now, or face your end."
"Huh? Are you threatening me?" Zoro responded, his voice tinged with annoyance. He raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by her threat. "I don't care about your forest or whatever rules you have here. I don't need permission to find my own way.
Dorothy's eyes narrowed. His arrogance was infuriating. She'd been given a command, and she would not fail.
With a calm wave of her hand, her grimoire floated before her, its pages flipping open as her magic activated. The air around them shimmered, thickening with a heavy mist as she spoke, "Glamour World Creation."
In an instant, the world around them transformed. The clearing melted into an ethereal dreamscape; the ground dissolved into a swirling void, trees stretched into twisted shapes, and strange, otherworldly creatures flickered at the edges of his vision. It was an illusion, but one crafted with such mastery that even a seasoned warrior would find it difficult to distinguish from reality.
Zoro looked around, his gaze unyielding as he assessed the altered landscape. But where most would be unnerved, he seemed almost… intrigued. Dorothy watched him closely, wondering if he'd show any fear.
Instead, Zoro smirked, adjusting his grip on his katana. "So, you like playing with illusions, huh? Doesn't matter to me if this is real or fake—I'll cut through it all the same."
He lunged forward, his speed blinding, and Dorothy was forced to leap back as he swung his blade in a wide arc. Despite being pulled into her dream world, his strikes were shockingly precise, slicing through illusions as if they were mere cobwebs. Each swing of his sword sent a shockwave that rippled through her constructs, destabilizing them. His sheer will seemed to disrupt her dreamscape, making it harder to maintain.
Dorothy's eyes widened in disbelief. "How... how can you cut illusions? That's not possible!" Her voice shook with genuine shock, as she struggled to grasp the force she'd just witnessed. Her Dream World—her creation—was supposed to be impenetrable, unbreakable by anyone without powerful magic. Yet this stranger, with no hint of mana, had shattered it.
Gathering herself, Dorothy narrowed her eyes, focusing her magic to summon a towering creature, its jagged claws gleaming, and a face twisted between a grin and a snarl. The creature lunged forward, claws arcing toward Zoro with terrifying speed. But Zoro barely flinched. He spun, drawing a second sword, which was soon cloaked in Armament Haki, its dark, ominous aura extending down to his arm.
In a low, steady voice, he murmured, "Nitoryu: Tatsumaki." As he swung his swords, a massive tornado roared to life in front of him, its fierce, spiraling winds tearing through the dream world with a fury that swept away Dorothy's illusions. The creature, despite its terrifying appearance, was no match. The tornado ripped it apart, leaving not a trace behind.
Dorothy staggered back, watching in horror as her creations—every dream-like manifestation—were obliterated. Her thoughts swirled, disoriented. How is he this strong, with no magic power? Is he… is he some kind of devil? She could feel her mana depleting as she struggled to sustain her world, but her attempts to invade Zoro's mind, to destabilize him, were futile. Frustration tightened her throat. This magic-less human was completely unaffected by her illusions, her domain. Could he possess some kind of anti-magic ability? she wondered. But she quickly dismissed the thought. It was too absurd to even consider.
"I haven't lost yet!" Dorothy screamed defiantly, pouring all her remaining mana into a desperate, last-ditch effort. With a wild flourish of her hands, she summoned an overwhelming number of weapons from every direction, surrounding Zoro in a seemingly endless barrage. Spears, swords, axes—all glimmered with deadly intent as they floated in midair, poised to strike. At last, breathless and nearly drained, Dorothy allowed herself a flicker of satisfaction. She was certain she would defeat this arrogant stranger.
Zoro stood in the midst of the weapons, a calm and collected gaze surveying the scene. To Dorothy's surprise, he sheathed both his swords.
"Finally accepting defeat?" Dorothy taunted, her voice laced with smugness. "Now that you know you can't win?"
But Zoro's lips curled into a wide, excited grin. This was a challenge. He had tried this move many times before, never quite succeeding, but now, he felt it in his bones—this was the moment. Slowly, he crouched down, preparing himself as a massive wave of Conqueror's Haki poured from him, rippling outward. Within seconds, every creature within a kilometer radius collapsed, fainting instantly from the sheer pressure. Even Dorothy found herself forced to her knees, head bowed in awe and terror. She'd never felt such raw, indomitable force before. A primal fear clawed at her chest as she realized she had to act quickly. If he unleashed this attack, she might die.
"Go!" she screamed, her voice desperate, as she commanded every weapon to surge toward Zoro.
Zoro didn't even flinch. His eye narrowed, the red lightning of Conqueror's Haki crackling around his sword and its scabbard. He muttered, "Sovereign's Wrath: Demon King's Fang." His aura intensified, the red lightning dancing fiercely along Enma's length. In one swift, upward slash, Zoro brought the blade down with such force that, for a brief instant, time itself seemed to stand still. The world turned grey, shrouded in silence. Then, a moment later, a devastating gash ripped through the landscape. Dorothy's Dream World fractured, clouds parting, the ground torn asunder in a straight line for 500 meters, leaving a scar in the very fabric of her domain.
Dorothy fell to her knees, her Dream World disintegrating around her as she stared in utter shock. Her pride shattered as she realized the difference in their strength. But to her horror, Zoro's expression was one of mild dissatisfaction. "Tch, still not enough. It's too weak," he muttered, almost as if scolding himself.
He finally sheathed his sword and walked calmly toward her. Fear overtook her, yet a strange resolve surfaced.
"Kill me!" she cried out, voice breaking. "I'd rather die than be sold off as a captive witch. Kill me now!" Tears pooled in her eyes as she braced herself for the end.
"...Huh?" Zoro's brows knit in confusion. Why was this crazy woman asking him to kill her? "Why would I kill you? Are you crazy?"
Dorothy's confusion mirrored his own. "Then why… why are you here? If not to capture a witch?"
Zoro scratched his head, clearly annoyed. "Do I look like a bandit to you? I was just lost. On my way to the Clover Kingdom."
Her breath caught as she processed his words. "You… got lost?"
He nodded, casting a frustrated glance around. "Yeah. I'll just be on my way."
Dorothy blinked, staring into his eyes, searching for any hint of malice, but saw none—only sincerity, and a touch of irritation. But more than that, she glimpsed something she hadn't expected to see in anyone: pure, unrestrained freedom. Here was a man who did as he pleased, unburdened by others' expectations or limitations. For the first time, she felt a longing for a life beyond the constraints of the Witches' Forest and her obligations.
"Take me with you," she whispered, the words slipping out before she could stop herself.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback. "Huh? You were just trying to kill me a minute ago."
She smiled, her heart pounding with a strange excitement. "I want to see the world. I want to understand that strength… that freedom."
Zoro shrugged, already turning to leave. "Do what you want. Just don't expect me to babysit you."
"Wait!" Dorothy scrambled to catch up, chuckling despite herself. "Let me guide you. Or you'll just end up lost again."
As they walked, Dorothy glanced at him, curiosity finally spilling over. "By the way, what's your name?"
"Roronoa Zoro," he replied, not even turning to look at her.
A mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. "Alright then, from now on, I'll call you… Rorochi!"
He groaned, visibly annoyed. "Hey, what's with that weird name?"
Dorothy laughed, a lightness she hadn't felt in years bubbling up inside her. "No, it's cute! Rorochi, Rorochi!" She repeated it with a playful grin.
Zoro sighed, exasperated but resigned. "Fine, do whatever you want. Just stay out of my way."
She giggled, running beside him with a renewed energy, catching herself smiling more than she had in years.
Present Day
Dorothy's gaze softened as she looked at Zoro, who sat across from her, absently downing a bottle of sake. Following him was the best decision I've ever made, she mused, the memories of their adventures flickering through her mind. The only reason she hadn't joined the Black Bulls was that she wanted to stand beside him as an equal, not as someone in his shadow. She wanted to be strong enough to match his strength before she ever admitted her feelings. But then, a pang of irritation surfaced. Why should I be the one to confess? she thought stubbornly. Isn't that the guy's job? But she knew Zoro would never understand subtle hints.
Zoro, finishing his drink, looked at her curiously. "By the way, why are you still following me?"
She smiled, heart racing just a bit. "I told you, to spend more time with you."
He considered this, then shrugged, as if that answer made perfect sense. "Fair enough."
Meanwhile, Asta, standing nearby, felt utterly ignored, watching Dorothy's lovestruck gaze and Zoro's oblivious calmness. He sighed, resigned to being the third wheel in their strange, unspoken connection.
每周推薦票狀態
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