By the time Zoro helps me and Usopp out of the upturned barrel of the cannon, Vivi is perched up on the open clock face and is staring down at the plaza.

'Why are they still fighting? ' she asks, her voice nothing but a breathy whisper.

I tap Usopp on the shoulder and point out the hole. 'You have the perfect vantage point, take out as many Baroque Works agents as you can, ' I say quietly. He gives me a neat nod before he 's crouching beside Vivi and aiming down his slingshot.

A faint ringing distracts me from them. I turn to the right to see what it is, but the ringing follows my turn.

Ah. Fuck, I don 't think that 's good.

I bring my hand up to poke at the tender spot above my ear, and my fingers come back slick with blood. I know head wounds bleed a lot, but shouldn 't this have clotted by now? It was a blunt goddamn kick!