╏019

【Born a leader!】

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Chopper explained everything to Y/N, and she was a bit taken aback about not knowing the things that were going on in the kingdom. She didn't have a single idea about Tiger Pirates taking over everything. "How long has it been?" She asked and glanced at Ema as she was the only one who could answer her questions. "They showed up after you left the kingdom and went missing."

"Nami is in danger! We should hurry!!" Sanji panicked and cried out her name. "Usopp is with her too..." Chopper sighed, but Sanji couldn't care more about him.

"Everyone might be having a hard time in the kingdom. Not having the presence of the royal family did cause some serious trouble. We should hurry up and save Nami and Usopp. Every minute we pass, they'll be in more trouble." Y/N stated. "Also... We need to lock up Maverick somewhere for now. I'll deal with him later."

Chopper jumped down from Y/N's arms as his eyes fell on Ema and a surprised yelp escaped his mouth, "Ah! You are that lady's daughter!" He said, leaving everyone confused. "What do you mean Chopper?"

"She looks like the girl in the picture that the women who wanted to save her daughter gave us. The pirates didn't take you?! Then did we risk our lived for nothing?!"

"My mom told you to save me?" Ema questioned and Chopper gave her a nod.

"How did you escape?"

"They did take me away from my house, but I later escaped and was hiding in the forest. I am really sorry your friends were captured in an attempt to save me!!"

"If we are done with the conversation, then shouldn't we plan our actions? Like I said... every minute counts." Y/N stated, and everyone turned their attention towards her.

"I am going to beat this Tiger guy to a pulp if he does anything to Nami and Usopp!" Luffy mentioned and made a fist that he punched the air.

"You guys should hurry towards the castle and try to save them." Y/N said.

"Aren't you coming with us?" Sanji asked.

"No."

Her reply confused everyone, but unlike them, she had a bigger picture in her mind. "I'll need to have a talk with the citizens."

"Talk with the citizens?" Zoro questioned, "As far as I remember, who were so against with the idea of talking with the people when Vivi wanted to do it. You even had a debate stating why that plan wasn't going to work."

"You are right. Talking to the citizens in a 'CIVIL WAR' is useless. But this isn't a civil war. The citizens are true followers of the royal family, and they have been like that for years. So, it's safe to assume that everyone is on the same side and wants to get rid of the pirates." She narrowed her eyes, "If I want, I can finish who ever this Tiger is in minutes. But that won't solve the core problem. There isn't any guarantee that no other pirate crew will attack this island in my absence. I don't plan on ruling this kingdom."

"What?" Ema asked.

"Yeah... I plan on ending this system of royals here. Apart from me, there's no one left who can rule, and I don't want to do it. The people have always been dependent on the royal family, and it's devil fruit that has been passed down from generation to generation, and this had resulted in the kingdom getting weak. It became so weak that a pirate took over it when none of the royal members were present."

"You want to make them independent, right?" Sanji said and Y/N gave him a nod, "Yeah, since I have such a background with me, I do feel a bit responsible for the people of this kingdom and this is the last thing I can do. I want them to fight for themselves. You guys will be going ahead to save our crew members, and I am going to town to encourage them to fight for themselves."

"You are so smart!" Luffy complimented as he took Maverick on his shoulders, "I'll have this guy locked up in Ema's house before going to the castle. You can go ahead and do your job. I am sure you'll show up with everyone."

"I'll come with you." Zoro mentioned and that took Y/N by surprise. She chuckled and looked at him with a small smirk "Oh yeah? Zoro's wanting to go with me, that's rare..." She teased.

"You shouldn't go alone. It hasn't been much time since I have known you but one things for sure... You lose your temper quickly and come back to normal just as quick."

"Damn... Now that hurt me. I am the calmest person I know. I don't lose my temper" She smiled as she recalled everytime Nami hit her and she controlled herself from doing anything gaslighting herself into believing that it was playful hit.

"Alright then! Me, Sanji, Chopper and Ema will go to the castle and Y/N along with Zoro will go to the town." Luffy summarised and everyone agreed upon the plan.

Luffy and the group were the first to leave while Zoro and Y/N stayed behind at the cliff for a little while. "That dream you mentioned that night..." Zoro started. "You want to take down the government right? That's your dream."

"Yeah."

"You know what?"

"What?"

"You are better when you are being all funny and silly. Seeing you angry and serious just doesn't feel right."

Y/N laughed at Zoro's statement "No stop, that sounds so funny to me. I am not usually angry and serious. You sounded like it was a huge concern."

Zoro flustered up and rolled his eyes "I was just stating a fact! Everytime you glare at someone, I feel chills down my spin. You radiate an energy that makes me feel that the person in front of you is about to die."

"Come on, I am not that scary. Zoro you bastard! How can you call a women scary."

"You are tho."

"Don't talk to me."

"Just accept the fact"

"SHUT UP"

"Whatever."

"If it weren't for your handsome face I would've hit you by now."

"Atleast I get a pretty face privilege.... Unlike you."

"What the fuck did you just say?" She gasped "I am prettier than you. Ask Sanji!"

"That weirdo will obviously take your side."

"See? Then the discussion ends there."

"But who is going to ask for his opinion."

"I hate you so much!" She said and started walking away as Zoro looked at her from behind with a small smile on his face.

Atleast she is in a better mood...

"I'll leave you behind if you don't hurry!" She called out and he jogged his way towards her.

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"I didn't know you were such a scaredy cat." Zoro mentioned as he waited for Y/N to stop hiding behind a tree and walk in the market place where most of the people were currently at. "You were so confident about talking to them. What happened now?"

Y/N took in deep breaths and tried to calm her nerves down "I have never talked to the people of this kingdom. It was always mom who used to do it, and I left the island at a young age. I have no idea how to start. I can't just go and ask everyone to listen to me. That would be so weird."

Zoro sighed and tried to encourage her "This is so disappointing you know. You can just walk in there and someone will notice you and then it's a piece of cake."

"That's the problem. I don't know how to talk to them as a potential leader."

"You must be kidding... You were a Vice Admiral... You must've passed orders several times to the marines. You were born as a leader. Up until now on our journey, you have given us several orders too. You are a great leader Y/N. Just have a little bit of faith in yourself."

"If I somehow embarass myself... I'll kill you!"

"Sure go ahead"

(A/N: When he believes in you more than you do >>>>>)

Zoro's words turned into reality, the moment they stepped among the people... They noticed Y/N and that left everyone in utter shock. They had lost their hopes and at that moment looking at her, a new spark of hope emerged among everyone.

"Is that really princess Y/N?"

"Hearing someone address you as princess still doesn't feel right..." Zoro whispered.

"Can you just shut the fuck up?" She whispered back with a smile.

"She is alive?" , "I thought that the marines got their hands on her too... Like they did on the queen and the prince."

People gathered around her slowly which made her anxious. "Guys we will be saved now! The royal family is back to our aid! Let's not lose faith!!"

"Princess, do you know the situation we are in right now? We barely get to eat three meals a day. Those tiger pirates take away everything in the name of tax! Please save us from our misery!!"

"Who is that bastard standing so close to the princess?!" Someone shouted while pointing at Zoro "He even has swords!! He is a part of tiger pirates?! We must save the princess!!"

"Get away from her!!!"

All of the ruckus that was caused by the people made Y/N to go from anxious to angry. Zoro surely was right about her losing her temper quickly. "I request everyone to step back!" She stated in an angry yet calm tone. "This man over here isn't part of the tiger pirates. He is with me. And I am well aware of the situation you all are in and that is the reason why I am here." Everyone followed Y/N's words and took a few steps back.

"I just came here to tell you that I won't be helping you in any manner in fighting the Tiger Pirates."

I hope you enjoyed the chapter <3 Idk if I am doing a nice job with building Y/N's relationship with other characters T-T