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When Luffy found Zoro, he was enthusiastic about his potential. He had eagerly asked him to join his crew. Zoro agreed if he helped him escape his current situation. Luffy got him out. A fight ensued. They fought together and it was intriguing how in sync they were.
Honestly his initial intention was to ditch the string bean as soon as he was able. But he decided to ride with him for a bit, even if it was just them two. For now. It’d get him to the next port at least. His next fix. And just maybe, the boy would prove to be entertaining. He was a little eccentric to say the least.
Luffy proclaimed he was going to be the King of the Pirates. Zoro told him he was going to be the world’s greatest swordsman. Luffy believed in both their dreams. Zoro was skeptical about both. But Luffy’s unwavering attitude was a little infectious. No matter, he just wanted to get land as soon as possible.
At the next port, Zoro had slunk off and immediately made his desertion. However, after taking care of his business, he got lost. He saw Luffy had come across a girl. They looked like they might need some support. He sighed to himself and went to help.
Luffy’s new friend was a navigator who had a fiery spirit just as fiery as her hair. Nami. He wasn’t sure how he felt about her at first. With enough product to last him, he decided to continue on with these two. But Nami was smart and conniving, and he’d need to watch her.
He didn’t want to admit it, but Luffy was starting to grow on him. And Nami, she was there. Always watching him. Trying to figure him out. He didn’t like that. He kept an eye on her.
Zoro was running low, and when they landed in a town named Syrup Village, they came across a boy with a long nose and longer tales. Usopp. He was enough of a distraction for Zoro to sneak off to get what he needed. Of course, Luffy managed to find trouble, and Zoro had to help.
Usopp’s friend gave the crew a ship. The Going Merry. Zoro decided to stick around longer. Now he had his own space where he could stash things. He had plenty to stash now. Enough to last a while. The crew was genuine enough. They never suspected him of anything nefarious. Nami might have, but never said anything out loud. Usopp and Luffy were definitely entertaining.
By now, Luffy had definitely grown on him. The fool. Although he wasn’t sure who the fool was, him or Luffy. Even Luffy’s belief in Zoro becoming the world's greatest swordsman started to sound attainable, just maybe. He’d have to get his act straightened up though. He’d have to stop chasing other things first, but that was easier said than done.
After sailing together for a bit, the crew began to bond. Zoro began to like them all, including Nami, although she sometimes still watched him with suspicion.
Usopp shared his dream to become a Brave Warrior of the Sea, and told stories of his father. The infamous Yassop of the Red-Hair Pirates.
Nami had shared that she wanted to draw a map of the whole world. He could admire that.
Luffy was Luffy, there was no other way to describe it except the rubber stick who could eat ten times his weight and smile through any adversity. Zoro believed he might actually reach his goal through sheer tenacity.
When Zoro told the crew about his dream, no one blinked. He mentioned he needed to seek out and defeat Mihawk to accomplish this. No one doubted he could do it. It fueled his need to actually try to be a part of this crew. It almost made him feel bad that he had been keeping such a big secret. He didn’t know when he began to really care for the crew.
After traveling for a while, Zoro’s secret stash had begun to run low. He covered the absence with sake. Any alcohol really. It wasn’t the same, but it would smooth the edges.
The crew finally landed at a floating restaurant, the Baratie. The crew settled in for food and drinks. Zoro had asked for booze, and if he didn’t get it soon, he might lose it. Instead, the pretentious waiter had the audacity to flirt with Nami right there in front of them, ignoring Zoro. Sweat had formed on his upper lip and his foot bounced up and down as he tried to remain calm.
Finally the drinks came. Zoro chugged his down, then excused himself. He used the chaos of the delivery of a massive amount of food to sneak out. He had been watching the crowd and knew who to see about his need. He didn’t realize the waiter had been watching him.
Zoro snuck back into the booth, the picture of calm. He smiled slowly at the crew finishing their meal, enjoying this feeling. Maybe a little too much. He was happy right now. He wished he could be happy all the time. Then he saw the waiter watching him. From the looks of it, he was trying to figure something out.
Somehow, the crew ended up in a fight again. The waiter, who claimed he was really a cook, was a decent enough fighter. Sanji. The crew and Sanji took a beating. At one point, Zoro’s reactions were too slow, and Luffy took a gnarly and unnecessary hit. It gutted him instantly and he knew he had to get his shit together.
As the battle ravaged on, a man arrived with a sword larger than him. Zoro recognized the man immediately. Mihawk. What are the fucking odds? Despite his state, and the fighting going on around him, Zoro challenged Mihawk. Mihawk scoffed but played along.
Mihawk could tell Zoro was in no shape to win. Zoro knew he was in no shape to win. But he had talked a big game, he had to try. Maybe he’d lose and Mihawk would put him out of his misery, then he wouldn’t have to face open defeat. He wouldn’t be able to face Luffy’s wide hopeful grin when he lost.
The duel commenced, and as both suspected, Zoro lost. However, Mihawk did not kill him. He did tell Zoro, just quiet enough only he could hear, “this is for your own good. Straighten up, then come find me again.” Zoro knew what he meant. Mihawk knew. Then he passed out.
Zoro woke from his wounds a few times in a haze on the ship. The cook was there, mopping his brow and frowning at him. Zoro could hear Usopp upset with Nami about something. Luffy was worried about both him and Nami, which crushed his soul.
Zoro woke a few more times, and he felt like shit. His wound hurt. His blood boiled. He was shivering. Sanji was always there. He gave him water and broth. Zoro knew he was taking care of him so the others wouldn’t see him like this.
One time when he came enough to really focus on the man hovering over him, he simply asked, “Why?”
Sanji drew on his cigarette and released the smoke, “We had a chef who was hooked on the same shit you are. He had potential, just like you. We tried to help him, but were unsuccessful.”
Zoro turned his gaze away, ashamed, “You don’t know what you are talking about.”
“Don’t I?” Sanji said incredulously. “I found your stash. The needles, the… rest of it.”
Zoro’s shock registered and he looked at the man. Really looked.
Sanji continued, “I threw it away. You think I didn’t see what that bandana on your arm was covering? You can be a great man. A strong member of this crew.”
Zoro huffed, “Crew?”
“Yes.” Sanji almost growled. “I am part of this crew now. That means I look out for the crew, which includes you. You can get clean, and I will help you. Or… I will notify the captain and see you on your way.”
Sanji finally took a deep breath then exhaled slowly, “It’s your choice. I’m hoping you make the right decision.” He left the room then, leaving Zoro to think of his choice. Of his consequences.
Today marks Zoro’s one year of being clean. It wasn’t easy. Hell, he had wanted to kill Sanji more times than he could count. But that stubborn man never let him fail. He kept encouraging him. He kept him honest. He kept his word. Zoro owed him that much. His sobriety was his payment plan. He’d never quit paying. He also never wanted to.
By now the crew was sailing the Grand Line. The crew had grown. As a crew, they have known happiness, and heartache. Some days were easy and lazy. Some days battle fatigue kicked their asses. They did it all together. They believed in each other, and they supported one another.
Zoro had his secrets. Some shared, some still personal. He still had his demons, but he wasn’t fighting them alone anymore.
He loved this crew. He would do whatever it took to protect them.