Chapter Text
The sound of laughter and joyful conversation filled the ambience at the bar. A fight or two once a day was not a strange sight to the people from this particular town, as it wasn’t an odd situation to occur.
However, as it was the norm since the imprisonment of the famous bounty hunter, or as people liked to call him the “demon hunter” a few years ago, every day felt like a carnival to the townsfolk; No longer worried about their safety as they used to.
The bar seemed pretty average from the outside, located near the entrance to the forest. By the other side, hidden by a concerning number of “no trespassing” and “beware” signs, one could hardly perceive the start of a pathway covered by undergrowth and tall trees.
The Town could be easily seen in the distance as well. Situated a few minutes walk from the bar towards the north. Although it wasn’t a family friendly space to reunite, more than one exhausted body made his way into the establishment by the end of the day to nurture their spirits back up for the next working shift.
Today was one of those days in which the place got really crowded and it appeared to be about to overflow with the amount of people that occupied the space.
Luffy, who had arrived about a week before with Coby, stuffed his mouth with his… Well, he can’t even remember the amount of meat he has consumed up to this point. Who counts anyway? What a useless thing to do. It’s basically less time to eat.
They met under strange circumstances. As Luffy was making his way on boat towards the kingdom, he’s not sure how but he ended up inside a barrel and then helped Coby break free from the control of a mad looking woman.
If he doesn’t remember all that much about the whole ordeal it must be because it wasn’t all that important. He threw some good aimed punches and beat some dumbasses, and that was it.
“... As I was saying mister Luffy.” Coby was currently sitting across from him at the same table, talking his ear off. “Apparently it’s been three years since the demon hunter has been arrested and people are celebrating.”
“Mmm…” He thought to himself. Maybe he should have left Coby with the mad lady, he kept on talking about irrelevant stuff.
“How’s that of any importance? Aren’t we here to look after the treasure?” He said as he picked up his twentieth piece of meat. Coby had been counting.
The treasure at hand being the long lost (or not) crown from the Kingdom of the land they were currently at. Rumored to be impossible to steal. Even the general public wasn’t sure if it was real or just the product of stories told from long ago that haven’t been entirely forgotten.
To Luffy, it meant adventure.
“It is important!! He is rumored to be the most dangerous and cold blooded assassin ever in the history of ever!” Coby was practically yelling. “Imagine if he breaks free from his prison.” He hugged himself. “I get goosebumps all over just thinking about it!”
“If he’s so dangerous…” Luffy questions as he extends his arm abnormally towards the next table and steals a piece of meat with practiced ease. No one noticed him. “How come he’s got himself captured? I bet he’s not really as strong as you say.”
He's not really all that interested in this so-called demon. More important than that, he was starting to run out from meat to steal from the neighboring tables.
“Mister Luffy! you should be more serious!” Coby exclaimed with urgency, putting both hands on the table and leaning on it. “We are talking about one of the most famous swordsmen in this part of the globe! He’s taken down the most threatening people from the east blue as well!”
He continued. “People call him the demon hunter because he looks just like one when he’s fighting and hunts his prey down without mercy”
“A swordsman you say?” Now, that’s more intriguing. Swordsmen are super cool, he should maybe get this one to be a member of his group. This might work in his favor. Nice.
Coby could easily recognize trouble in the grin that was slowly forming on Luffy’s face.
“D-don’t get any crazy ideas mister Luffy!” Coby seemed to be about one second away from a panic attack. “And don’t get me involved either! you know my dream has always been to be a proud member of the royal guard to protect the king!”
“Don’t worry about it, I haven't forgotten!” Coby sighed, his shoulders relaxing in short lived relief.
“But for the meantime we’re gonna pay this guy a visit. Let’s see if he’s really as tough as people say.”
Just before Luffy could stand up, the same girl that served them their food approached them from the side out of nowhere and with a puzzled look on her face.
“Hey.” She whispered, leaning cautiously into their table. “I overheard you guys talking about the Roronoa Zoro.” She said.
“What’s a Zoro?” Luffy questioned as he picked his nose.
“The demon hunter.” She clarified. “You don’t look like bad guys so I'll tell you what I know. Zoro isn't as bad as they make him out to be. The people from the town don’t know it because the royal guard spread rumors about him killing the innocent.”
She took a breath before continuing. “Zoro arrived at the village three years ago, and got into a fight with the royal guard. He beat them all up. But they outnumbered and threatened him. They said that if he didn’t surrender they would go to the dojo he used to train at and kill everyone there.”
Coby looked taken aback, surprised by the revelation. “How do you even know all that?”
The girl dropped her gaze towards her feet and sighed. “The fight started because he defended me from one of the soldiers that entered the bar by force with some wolves to torment us. He protected me.” Her eyes were full of tears.
“If you follow the forbidden path you will find him arrested in the tower at the end of the road.” Then, she distanced herself a bit. “I know it’s a lot to ask of you but please help him.”
And just as quickly as she appeared, she was gone.
“Are you sure you wanna be one of those guys Coby? They seem kinda violent to me.”
“The royal guard is a great institution led by the most loyal and honorable of men.” Coby defended them. Although he didn’t sound one hundred percent sure. “They must have had a good reason to be at the bar. They have been following the steps of the demon hunter for quite some time after all.”
Why was the royal guard following the demon hunter with so much urgency though? And why were they keeping him isolated? Coby pondered to himself.
Well, Luffy didn’t really care all that much about the reasons behind the persecution of the guy. “Whatever, let’s go!” He announced cheerfully.
Coby wondered for a bit before Luffy quickly caught his attention once again as he had already decided on their next course of action.
“B-but mister Luffy i don’t know if it’s a good idea to-”
“Don’t be such a coward Coby!” Luffy couldn’t hide his growing excitement as he took Coby by the arm and dragged him towards the exit. “We gotta go meet him!” He laughed as he made his way outside from the bar.
But before they could advance any further, a yelling man stopped them.
“Wait right there you filthy little rats! Where do you think you are going?” Several people started walking towards them menacingly, with anger apparent in their faces. “How dare you go on your way without paying? Furthermore, stealing from everyone?! You will pay for every piece of meat you ate and stole!”
Oops! It seems like he’s going to have to use that thingy. Oh! Coby looked funny, his face was starting to look more and more white by the minute, he kinda resembled a one of those weird-
“Mister Luffy!” Right, he should be looking for the thingy.
“Oh! my bad hehehe” He started searching for the thingy totally unconcerned, as if they didn’t have dozens of people breathing down their necks ready to pound. As if they had all the time in the world.
Uh there it is.
“Here, take this.” He said.
Luffy extended his arm and left a piece of rock in the hands of a random man from the infuriated group. Everyone was surprised enough by the weird boy that had just extended his arms unnaturally to not react at the supposed payment. They just stood there bewildered and wide-eyed. Feet rooted to the ground.
“I’m sorry I almost forgot to pay.” Luffy apologized as he wrapped his left arm around Coby a handful of times. “Goodbye! Thanks for the meal!” And then, he grabbed the branch of a random tree that was not far from there and escaped the situation by literally flying them out from the scene.
He made a mental note to come back to the place as the food was particularly yummy.
“Wait! How is this going to serve as payment for all the stuff you ate?!” One person from the group shouted, having reacted from his stupor. “Who are you?!”
Luffy couldn’t help but smile broadly.
“I’m Monkey D. Luffy!” Luffy screamed back with a joyous look lighting up his expression “And I'm the man who will become the king of thieves!”
The man glanced black at the piece of rock that he was still holding in his hands; he was one second away from throwing it at the stupid brat that had scammed them. Before he could do just that he fixed his eyes onto a poorly written message engraved into the stone.
“Show this and the future king of thieves will pay for whatever debt he may have xoxoxo”
—
The entrance to the cave was covered with a thick curtain of the forest fauna. And beyond the cave and its long ominous pathway a tower almost as tall as the clouds could be seen hidden by the mountains and in the middle of a beautiful green valley.
Row after row of soldiers, some by foot and some on horses, could be seen from the top of the tower, guarding it from any intruders that might dare to try and reach it.
Zoro knows all this by experience.
He has watched, as powerless as he felt from the balcony of the tower (and only entrance), day after day, how many individuals came in here just to be immediately put down by the troops that stood there without rest. Always attentive to any indicative of an intruder.
As the years went by, they started to appear more frequently. Zoro had no doubts. They were starting to decipher why the royal guard was keeping him isolated and alive after all these years.
Zoro would sometimes laugh at them. He could easily have taken them all down with no effort. He probably wouldn’t even have to use more than two swords to get the work done.
He sighed. If only he could.
It was frustrating for sure, but he couldn’t risk it. Not after Kuina.
That stupid general had taken all the necessary precautions to keep him in the tower since day one. Not a week had passed and they had brought Zoro pictures from the dojo being guarded by soldiers from all possible angles.
That had been enough to extinguish any idea of breaking through the soldiers and taking back his freedom by force.
They had at least let him train all throughout his stay in the tower. So he was as strong as ever, if not more than before.
He couldn’t let himself slack off, he had a promise to fulfill and a dream yet to be accomplished.
He will make it happen.
One day.
He drew his sword out from its sheath and prepared himself to practice the same form he has been polishing off all afternoon.
Just then, he got interrupted.
Or more like, attacked from the side out of nowhere with a strange object.
“Wha-!” Was all he managed to let out before all air got forcefully knocked out of him.
One moment he was standing just in front of the open balcony and in less than a second he found himself pressed against the wall at the other side of the room. A heavy weight on top of him.
Uh, Was he hallucinating? or had the thing on top of him just moved?
He must’ve hit his head pretty hard.
Then, the thing shifted as it reincorporated itself on top of Zoro and smiled at him. What the hell is going on?
“Hi! You must be the demon hunter right? I’ve been looking for you!”
The thing that had previously struck him down was not actually a random object, but a weird looking boy. He had black hair and was wearing a simple red vest along with a pair of short jeans and a straw hat on his head.
“Wow! your hair is green! So pretty!” The weird looking guy exclaimed with his eyes set on his head. “Is it real? Can I touch it?”
“Of course it is! And no, you can’t touch it.” He replied firmly and somewhat offended at the suggestion of his hair not being naturally colored.
And just what was he doing letting a random guy sit on top of him as they made small talk about his hair?
Although he has always been somewhat of a lone wolf he briefly wondered if the prolonged confinement had affected him more than he thought it had. To let the situation escalate as it did. Not like he would ever admit it aloud. Or to himself. Ever.
Coming back to his senses Zoro quickly stood up as the stranger fell down from his lap.
And just as his unexpected company got up on his own two feet, Zoro had already grabbed his swords and proceeded to question the guy.
He felt confused at the bizarre and out of the ordinary situation. He could feel himself growing more upset by the second but tried to stay calm as best as he could.
“How- What are you doing up here?” Zoro says, surprise mixed with hardly contained rage. He holds his sword to the other man's neck, putting him up against the nearest wall. “Who are you?” He asked, stupefied.
The man -or boy really- who had never taken his eyes off of Zoro, now staring at him with something akin to fascination on his features, looked at him straight in the eyes.
“Well...” he smiled “I’m Monkey D. Luffy and i’m the man who will become the king of thieves!” Then he laughed, probably at the stupid face Zoro knew he made at such a ridiculous statement. “And you’re going to help me!”
… What is this idiot saying?
“Are you stupid?”
“Debatable.” Luffy replied instantly.
Zoro couldn’t bring himself to respond. Perplexed at the dumb but honest nature of this guy’s answer.
“We should get out of here. Coby is waiting at the bottom for us,” Luffy said as he brought his hand up to his face and rubbed at his chin in a contemplating manner “Or not, whatever you decide on. I already punched all the guys outside. There’s no need to hurry.”
Luffy grinned and Zoro felt oddly comforted at the sight. He relaxed his stance and let Luffy go. Still observant of his every move.
“You must be dying to get out of this place. It’s not as ugly as I thought it would be but I bet you are bored out of your mind.” He watched as Luffy started a quick examination of the place.
“Wow! Those dumbbells look super heavy!” Then, he smiled again. “It was true then!” He proceeded to look Zoro up and down, as if he was looking for something.
And, to his own astonishment, Zoro felt himself feeling nervous under the attentive gaze of the other on him.
Whatever Luffy was looking for he seemed to have found it as he let out a little laugh. “You are actually really strong. Just like the people said back at the village.”
“Of course I’m strong. I’m the man who will become the best swordsman in the world.” Zoro was not ashamed about talking aloud about his dream. He has never cared about the comments or jokes that people might aim at him. He was simply stating a fact. Something that is going to happen in the future for sure.
A grin formed in his face. Confident and self-assured of himself.
They guy let out a satisfied hum. Visibly approving of Zoro’s bold declaration.
“Great!” Luffy started walking. He closed the gap between the both of them but stopped just a few centimeters away from Zoro’s personal space. His eyes staring directly into Zoro’s. Zoro was sure he could see delightment reflected in his eyes.
He didn’t know what to make of it but he maintained eye contact. Not sure of what he conveyed back to the other man. He hoped it was a challenging stare.
He felt the tension rising in the room. It came out of nowhere but Zoro couldn’t help but to respond silently to whatever the guy was trying to accomplish with it all.
Unexpectedly, he didn’t want to know exactly what was happening.
It felt like a challenge. And he didn’t want to lose.
He found himself immersed in the other’s gaze. Pleased at the approval that he perceived in it.
A chuckle full of mirth interrupted the weird trance he had been absorbed in. The tension in the air dissipating at once.
“So,” Luffy started. “You’re joining me right?”
He seemed positive that Zoro would accept the offer. The question being more of an announcement rather than a request. A confirmation.
And Zoro always knew he was somewhat crazy. Or stupid.
He felt inclined to accept. To free himself from the stupid tower that had been a prison; an obstacle that he had to overcome.
He wanted to say yes.
But.
“Look uh- Luffy,” He sighed. “Even if I wanted to… I can’t. Believe it or not I’m not here because I want to. I’ve stayed all this time out of obligation. To maintain certain people safe”
“Don’t worry! I already took care of everything on my way here.”
What?
“Yeah! I happened to come across the guy that put you here and gave him the beating of his life,” He laughed. “It was a piece of cake!”
Shit, he must’ve said that out loud.
“Speaking of cake, you don’t happen to have a piece of right?”
Zoro couldn’t believe his ears. He was free? After all these years?
“It’s fine if you don’t have any cake. I’m alright with whatever. I’m not picky.”
Upon this sudden revelation Zoro quickly went from feeling lightheaded to ecstatic in a couple of seconds.
“And you beat all of them?” He had to be sure.
He trusted the guy but still. (He will have to reflect upon this admission but that’s for later)
“Yep! I dealt with every single one of them.”
The relief was immediate.
Zoro smiled. A wide and honest smile.
Luffy gasped. “Zoro’s smile is as pretty as his hair!”
Right, Zoro had forgotten about his company. He pointedly decided to ignore the- compliment? that he had received. He didn’t know how to react.
He wasn’t used to people calling him nice things.
They were not unwelcomed though.
“Uh- okay. Whatever you say,” Luffy giggled at his responde. What was so funny? “So, what’s the plan boss?”
Luffy liked Zoro calling him boss. He didn’t know why though. It was most likely not important, he figured.
“First, We steal the crown,” Luffy counted with his fingers. “Second, I become the king of thieves.”
Well, Zoro couldn’t really fight against that logic.
“Seems like a solid plan to me.”
He made his way towards the corner where he had left his other swords before Luffy practically came flying into the room.
Luffy tilted his head to the left. Noticeably curious.
“Why does Zoro have three swords?”
“I fight with all of them. I use the three sword style.”
Luffy was sure that this is exactly what people felt when they won the lottery. How could he be this lucky?
“That’s so cool! Zoro you’re so cool.” If Zoro didn’t know better, he would have been sure that literal sparkles just replaced Luffy’s eyes.
He was going to end up blind with all the brightness that Luffy radiated. Apparently the guy was a walking ray of sunshine.
“Zoro’s amazing!”
Damn, Luffy should seriously stop with the nonstoping praise or at least tone it down a bit.
It felt weird to hear.
Not bad. Just weird.
Uh.
Whatever.
“One last thing before we go,” Zoro said. “ If for any reason I have to give up my dream. You’ll be the one to assume the consequences. That alright?”
“No problem!" Luffy answered. "The king of thieves will need someone like you on his team.”
At this point, Zoro didn’t care if he became a wanted criminal. He was already being seeked after.
“How are we getting out of here?” He found himself asking. Remembering the unusual entrance that Luffy made not so long ago.
“Oh! You’ll see!” Luffy giggled. Privy to some own personal joke that he didn’t plan to share with his companion.
Zoro felt a shiver run down his spine. Alright?
Just as he was about to ask again Zoro looked completely perplexed as Luffy stretched his left arm and surrounded his upper body with it.
He squeezed Zoro once. And twice, just because. “Ready?”
For what?
Not a word came out from Zoro as he was practically dragged to the balcony against his will. And then, they fell.
Zoro swears that he saw his fricking soul leaving his body.
Or maybe, it was his lunch.
He didn’t scream. Although Luffy would differ on that later.
And just as he thought they were dead for sure, Luffy extended his other arm to the balcony and stopped their fall just a few meters shy from the ground.
Once Luffy made his arms look normal again, Zoro fell to his knees and took deep breaths to calm himself down from,, whatever that was.
“Are you a lunatic? We could have died!” He took another breath. “And how did you even do that?”
“What?”
“The stretching! Your arms!”
Coby, who had been witness to everything that had transpired, decided to make his presence known.
“Uh-” He started to explain. “Mister Luffy ate a devil fruit.” Zoro directed his gaze towards the trembling boy that was hiding behind Luffy at the moment. “He became a rubber man.”
Okay, sure. That explains it all.
Zoro must have been making a stupid face again because the boy- Coby, determined that he was in need of some reassurence.
“It took me by surprise at the beginning as well. Don’t worry. You’ll get used to it”
Well, as long as Luffy stopped flying them out from unmeasurable heights. He stood up from the ground.
“Oh! Coby there you are!” Luffy grinned. “Zoro, this is Coby,” He pointed to the guy with the pink hair. “Coby, this is Zoro. The demon hunter.”
Luffy came right by Zoro’s side and put his arm around his shoulders and brought them together “He’s part of the team now!”
Coby would have been more surprised if he wasn’t. Nonetheless, he was still impressed with mister Luffy’s social skills
“There’s a pub known as the snuggly duckling. I heard that all sorts of people gather there. If we’re lucky enough we’ll be able to get some information about the crown” Coby suggested.
Luffy seemed to agree with Coby. “Alright! Let 's go!”
“Aye boss.”
Luffy directed one last smile at him. And like that, their journey officially started.
Zoro took in the scenery surrounding them.
The wind was once again blowing in full force against his skin. He could feel the rays of the sun shining directly upon him. The oversaturated colors from the landscape were invading his senses from all directions.
He let go of the internal turmoil that had felt as heavy as a rock in his chest as he let a sense of tranquility take its place and replaced it instead.
Zoro could no longer feel the worries that had been tormenting him and pressing down onto his shoulders for the last three years.
All he had left was the excitement of once again continuing the path that will eventually lead him to the realization of his dreams.
He took a deep breath.
Yeah, let 's go.
—
Not a minute later, his traitorous mind reminded him of a smiling face as it called him pretty.
He definitely wasn’t blushing.
“For god’s sake” He sighed heavily. Restless.
“Uh, I didn’t know you were religious Zoro!”
He felt another type of weight making his way and taking place into his chest. Albeit against his better judgement.