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Zoro looked on at Kuma, gaze determined. He knew what he had to do, understood the full implication of his request, and did not falter. He would have become the world’s greatest swordsman, he says it with so much conviction even Kuma is temporarily taken aback, and so his head must be enough to let Luffy go free. Luffy is freedom—Zoro has not a doubt in his mind that Luffy would become the King of the Pirates and demonstrate that freedom for all the world to see—but that meant he needed to make it out of this alive. To live and move ever onwards to achieve his dream, and to get everyone else to achieve their dreams. Zoro’s whole crew had something they wanted out of life, and Luffy would do anything in his power to get them there. Zoro too had something he wanted, his promise to Kuina being his singular driving force for so much of his life. And then he met a boy in a straw hat, and suddenly he had someone believing in him. It made it easier for him to believe in himself. Then he had community (family, though he would rather die than admit that to anyone, even himself), people he cared about and that cared about him in turn. Luffy had given him a world he scarcely believed he was a part of—even as he ate and drank and shared stories with the others, started fights with Sanji and Nami, kept up with the idiot trio’s shenanigans, had quiet (and sometimes loud) conversations with Robin and Franky, napped in the crow’s nest—and had they just adopted a skeleton? Wonders never ceased when Luffy was involved.
All of this washed over Zoro as he pleaded with Kuma. His life in place of Luffy’s. It would be worth it.
Kuma’s impassive eyes stared back at Zoro—and then he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. He did not have the strength left in him to turn and look, but he didn’t have to as Sanji stepped out in front of him. Even as the cook stood tall, Zoro could see the strain it took to do so. And his audacity, to scold Zoro for giving up on his ambition! It was the only way everyone else might make it out alive, why did Sanji not see that? As Zoro started to get more agitated, the words coming out of Sanji’s mouth stopped him cold.
“Don’t take his life, take mine… I have always been prepared to sacrifice myself for the others. This is where I’ll die gloriously!”
And then, in a soft whisper meant for Zoro’s ears only:
“Please give my regards to the others… Sorry, but you’ll have to find another cook.”
Zoro had heard enough. In a single move he didn’t even realise he still had the strength for, Zoro dug the butt of his sword into Sanji’s side. Already shaking like a leaf, Sanji could not react in time. In a wild motion, he turned to Zoro, cursing him out—he looked betrayed, and disbelieving. And just like that, his eyes went blank as he fell unconscious. Zoro felt Sanji’s hand, gripping his shoulder tight—trembling, then slowly sliding down his arm as he fell.
Zoro breathed deeply and looked at Kuma with renewed determination as he threw down his swords. And Kuma relented.
~
Sanji awoke to bright light from the sun and chatter from his crewmates, like any other day on the Sunny, but he knew immediately that something was wrong. Memories came back to him hazily as he glanced around, taking in the scene. Where was Kuma-? Everything came into sharp focus as his eyes landed on three swords lying on the ground. Zoro’s swords… That fucking idiot!
Sanji almost tripped in his haste to stand up, cringing as he felt his broken leg; the adrenaline from the fight had died down. Panic took root instead, as he frantically looked around but came up short. Sanji picked a direction and shot off, stumbling still but unable to rest for even a second because what if Zoro-! Sanji shook his head—the man was like a cockroach, he’s impossible to kill. He repeated those words like a mantra as he continued his search, because the mere thought of telling Luffy what Zoro did filled him with dread. Minutes felt like hours until he finally came across the tell-tale moss-green head, standing resolute as he looked away from him.
Later, Sanji would not speak of the utter relief that filled him in that moment as he ran towards Zoro with all his questions—nor the deep fear and horror that replaced it as he stepped closer and saw the pools of blood. He caught a single glimpse of Zoro’s face—“Nothing… happened!” ripped painfully out of his chest—as he collapsed forward. Sanji would not tell anyone how his hands shook as the hoisted Zoro as gently as he could on his back and took off running, shouting for Chopper. Nor how he burned the suit he was wearing that night, soaked through with Zoro’s blood.
~
Zoro awoke to a pounding headache and raucous noise around him, with Brook’s gentle piano music playing in the background. He slowly tried to sit up, and suddenly Chopper was all over him, ensuring he didn’t open any stitches or move any bandages. Tears glistened in Chopper’s eyes as he explained that Zoro had been asleep for a couple days as he recovered from the battle—there was a slight question in Chopper’s eyes as he looked over Zoro’s injuries again (for the millionth time, Zoro was sure) but Robin spoke up and told him to eat some solid food and start regaining his energy.
Zoro suddenly realised just how hungry he was as Chopper resolutely wiped his unshed tears on his forearm and looked on at Zoro, bowls of simple rice and soup in hand, scolding him lightly to ensure he doesn’t eat anything too heavy or strain himself while he recovers. Zoro nodded noncommittally and got started on the food, and Chopper sighed in resignation. It wasn’t long before Luffy, Nami and Usopp descended upon Zoro, then the rest of the Strawhats and the Victim Association joined them and everything felt like it did before, even with the deep ache in Zoro’s bones. He didn’t notice as Sanji kept to himself, continued to cook and occasionally glared at the two Rolling Pirate brothers to keep their mouths shut about what had transpired after everyone was knocked out.
~
It had been a busy couple days for Zoro, starting his recovery after the battle, learning about Brook’s history and helping (as much as Chopper allowed him) to set up both the Sunny and the ghost ship for departure. He continued training soon after waking up—he needed to wield Shusui at the same calibre as his other swords, to be worthy of the sword given to him by such a master swordsman, and for that he had to get stronger. He accepted scolding from Chopper, but Zoro had always been able to get up quick after being knocked down, and this time was no different. He just needed to get a rhythm going with his training and it would all work out fine. The doctor relented begrudgingly, he knew no one could get through to Zoro once he had his mind set, and instead just emphasised resting completely when he was not training. Zoro knew Chopper would keep a close eye on him, but that suited him just fine so long as he could keep trying to get stronger.
It was during one of these training sessions, muscles aching from the push and pull, as his mind cleared and he could think for the first time in days, that he remembered exactly what happened with Kuma. Or rather, what Sanji had said before Zoro struck him down. A wave of nausea moved through Zoro as he threw down the weights he was using, startling Chopper, who had taken to reviewing his medical books nearby as Zoro trained.
“Everything alright? I told you not to strain yourself too soon before full recovery, Zoro!” Chopper stood up, intending to hover over Zoro again.
Zoro was startled out of his reverie, and shook his head, “No, no. Nothing of the sort, I’m feeling completely fine,” there was a light ache in his shoulder where a stitch was still healing, but that would be fine soon enough. Anyways, it had nothing to do with the current situation, so no need to worry Chopper about it. He kept thinking about Sanji in that moment, shoulders trembling with the weight of the world, and yet his voice was so calm and certain.
“I just…” Zoro hesitated again. No one had brought up what happened with Kuma, so he had simply assumed the cook hadn’t mentioned it to anyone. He knew Chopper suspected something was up, and had caught a knowing glint in Robin’s eyes, but Luffy didn’t have a clue, which was the most important thing. Zoro knew Luffy would only react badly if he found out what he had done, and so didn’t want to cause a fuss… It might be better to talk to Robin, or even shitty cook about this instead of Chopper. Zoro might even be able to ask Sanji what all that was about, if he could keep the conversation civil (an impossible ask, but Zoro’s mind was made up). He gave the easy excuse of “Nothing! I’m completely fine, just hungry again!” and walked off as Chopper shouted after him to not piss off Sanji. Zoro shrugged as he left the room—no promises.
~
Zoro walked into the kitchen like he owned the place—as he walked into most places—and took a seat on a chair nearby, keeping his eyes on Sanji the whole time. He said nothing as he continued to gaze at the cook, watching him complete preparations for dinner so soon after they had finished having lunch. Sanji pretended not to notice him for a bit, probably hoping he would just say what he was doing here, ask for whatever food or drink he wanted, and leave. When Zoro stayed silent, he got more antsy, until finally:
“What do you want, moss-head? I’m not giving you any more food so soon after lunch!” He still refused to look at Zoro.
Zoro debated what to say, then realised he was talking to Sanji and any plan he made would go out the window as soon as he started pissing him off. He just decided to go for it.
“You didn’t tell anyone… about what happened with Kuma.” Zoro said it as a statement. Sanji waited for him to continue, but it seemed like that was all Zoro was going to say.
“Yeah, I kept your little secret!” Sanji snarked. Zoro was about to retaliate, he didn’t deserve that—but then Sanji sighed deeply, and turned to him, “I know… I had a feeling about you and Luffy, especially with everything that happened at the Baratie with Mihawk. I also know how Luffy is. He would not have accepted it easily… or at all, actually. He might have gone to track down Kuma himself or asked you to do something you both couldn’t take back! I knew enough to make sure he would never find out what you did. I think Robin knows, and there’s a couple of the pirates from Thriller Bark—they’re the ones who told me what happened after you knocked me out—thanks for that by the way! Asshole… But I’ve made sure they didn’t spill.”
Sanji scoffed, then looked away from Zoro again, going back to chopping the vegetables. Zoro took his time, digesting all this. Sanji seemed to get impatient again, as he followed up with:
“Now, if that was all you wanted to hear then get out of here! You’re in the—!”
Zoro cut him off before he started ranting at him, “You tried to sacrifice yourself in my place.” Another statement. This time Sanji didn’t even pause before saying,
“Yeah, and a lot of good that did me! I still have the bruises to show for it—” Zoro felt a little stab of guilt— “And you did whatever the hell you wanted to anyways! It was ultimately useless,” he continued grumbling under his breath. Zoro massaged his temples in an attempt to calm himself; this was not what he was here to talk about. Of course Sanji was being argumentative. Well, he could fight back just as well!
“That’s not what I’m talking about, shitty cook! You know it was different—”
“Yeah yeah, I know, how could I get in the way of a swordsman’s noble sacrifice, the first mate of his crew, Luffy’s right-hand, blah blah! As honourable as you tried to be, it was simple. The crew needs you. Luffy needs you!”
Sanji was still focused on his chopping board, refusing to budge an inch. Zoro had enough and put a hand on his arm, halting his knife and forcing the cook to look at him.
“I knew what I was getting myself into—there was nothing else I could have done to save everyone. I came to terms with not making my dream happen, but there was no question that I would have eventually become the world’s greatest swordsman! That’s why my sacrifice was meaningful! But you—you put yourself in front of me, with no mention of the All Blue! What do you mean, you’ve always been ready to die for us? That we can just find another cook? Bullshit! I couldn’t stand hearing that shit out your mouth!”
Sanji’s eyes hardened as he glared at Zoro.
“What, no one else can put their dreams aside and die for Luffy? Only you’re allowed to do that?”
Zoro shook his head. “It’s not about me being ready to die! I know—we all know we would die for Luffy’s dream!”
Zoro's brow furrowed as he spread his arms wide, ignoring the smarting in his shoulder. “You understand that as well as I do! But why are you so eager to die?!”
Sanji froze, and the colour drained out of his already paling face. He sputtered, “I— What? What nonsense are you spouting now? I just put myself in the same situation as you, and instead of leaving the choice in Kuma’s hands, you made it all on your own!” He turned away from Zoro again—again! Zoro resisted the urge to hold his face in place, to make him stop hiding.
“It’s true, isn’t it? Luffy will be King of the Pirates, and he’ll need the world’s greatest swordsman at his side! It might be a little difficult to find another cook who can keep up with all your appetites, but certainly not impossible.”
Zoro saw red—how could this idiot actually believe that? Didn’t he understand his place in the crew? They were Luffy’s wings, they protected everyone together.
“There it is again—! There is no other cook, there will never be another cook. If you understand what I mean to us, why don’t you understand what you do? And the way you spoke at that moment, saying please and sorry to me—that’s nothing like you! I never want to hear that crap again!”
There was no one else Zoro trusted at his back more than Sanji. He had to make him see that!
Sanji turned towards Zoro, aggressively pushing his pointer finger into Zoro’s chest (somehow missing—avoiding?—all his injuries), “you don’t get to decide that! Always making all the decisions yourself, and never dealing with the consequences. You were just knocked out for a few days, and already you’re pushing yourself—”
“This isn’t about me!”
“—you’re not the one who had to look for your body, unsure whether you lived or died! Of course you moved away from the rest of us,” Sanji spat the words out like venom, “didn’t want us to see you die? Well too bad! ‘Nothing happened’ means jack shit when you’re surrounded by pools of your own blood—”
Sanji cut himself off before he could continue, breathing harshly. His eyes looked distant as he flinched before coming back to himself. He continued glaring at Zoro.
“You… you were the one that found me?”
“Yes, that’s right, and be thankful I did because anyone else would be a lot more confused and traumatised! You’re lucky I hate you as much as I do!” Sanji’s hands shook, eyes looking at Zoro the way they had when the swordsman had knocked him out.
“I’m not going to apologise for what I needed to do.”
Sanji groaned frustratedly. Zoro could see it in his face, the urge to fight and knock some sense into him. Before he could argue however, Zoro continued, “but that must have been… You shouldn’t have seen that.”
Zoro did not apologise. He knew only Sanji would have been able to handle him in that situation. The same way he knew only he could do the same for Sanji, even as he hoped it would never come to that. They were equals.
Zoro continued, “That doesn’t mean I’m letting you off the hook. You’re not allowed to die for me—not before I drag you to the All Blue, kicking and screaming all the way if I have to!”
Sanji’s eyes widened as he took that in. He looked at Zoro who stood tall, hoping Sanji could see the conviction in his words for what it was.
“Who said it was for you?” Sanji grumbled as he looked at his feet, hair covering his face so Zoro couldn’t see his expression again. He suddenly looked up, eyes slightly teary but resolute as he declared, “Well, you’re not allowed to die either moss-head. Not if I have anything to say about it!”
~
At some point in the quiet after their fight, both huffing from frustration and overexertion so soon after Thriller Bark, Zoro realised what they both meant. He didn’t want Sanji to die for him, to die at all, and he would do anything he could to make his dreams come true. The realisation that that might be harder than he expected, because of the shitty cook’s own stupidity, only filled him with resolve rather than frustration. He looked over at Sanji, who glared at him darkly… until he sighed with resignation and Zoro knew they both understood. Maybe better than anyone else could. He closed his eyes, content in this moment to have gotten his point across, until he heard a clink of dishes as something was put in front of him. He opened one eye, then blinked at a plate of onigiri—a peace offering—placed before him. Looking up at Sanji, he glimpsed a complicated expression on his face for a second before it slipped to his usual irritation.
“Get better soon, moss-head. Stop making me do all the work around here.”
Zoro could not have missed the slight fondness hidden beneath their usual aggression if he tried. A small smile spread across his face unbidden, and Sanji had to turn around quickly, busying himself with his preparations lest he give anything away to the idiot swordsman.
They enjoyed the quiet as Zoro ate, more peaceful than they both thought possible, before Zoro said something stupid to aggravate Sanji, who fought back just as hard—and everything returned to normal.