Chapter Text
Ever since that day that Luffy appeared in the yard at Shells Town, Zoro has been loyal to the boy. He would protect his back no matter what. Though it wasn't until the Baratie and his defeat against Mihawk that Zoro pledged his loyalty to his captain and swore he would become the greatest swordsman in the world. That is where it started, Zoro was the first mate, he has been with Luffy since the very beginning of their adventure at Shells Town, shortly after it was Nami, then Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, Robin, Franky, and then there was Brook. Zoro felt pride in his position as the first mater and he was proud to call Luffy his captain.
But...
Did they really need him?
Every day Zoro watches his crewmates, get stronger and stronger so did they need him if they could take care of themselves?
--
"Zoro! Wake up!" Luffy called out hanging upside down in front of him. "What is it Luffy?" he asked. "Can you come and fish with me? Usopp is busy and so is Chopper and I'm bored." he said with a pout on his face. Zoro scoffed a bit in amusement. "Alright." he huffed pushing himself up putting his swords to his waist and walking over to the railing with Luffy.
Luffy sat on the railing next to him handing him a rod with a bright smile on his face before casting his own out into the water. "Everything alright?" Luffy asked glancing over at Zoro. "Huh? What do you mean?" he asked. "Main reason I picked this spot specifically was because known of the crew is around. I know you don't like putting your problems on the crew so I'm asking you." he explained. "I'm fine captain." Zoro said turning back to the water. "Are you sure?" Luffy asked again. "Yeah, I'm sure. You don't have to worry about me captain." Zoro reassured. Luffy nods a bit turning towards him first mate then back to the water.
"Have you ever had any regrets?" Zoro suddenly asked.
Luffy hummed turning to him. "No, I don't. Why? Do you?" Luffy asked him. "Only one, but how can you live without having a single regret?" he asked ignoring the question. Luffy hummed again. "Back when I live in Mt. Colubo with Sabo and Ace. I spent a lot of my time running around, doing things that I shouldn't be doing though I probably wouldn't be here today if I hadn't done the things that I did. If I actually listened to what people were telling me then I would still be there to this day or I would be a marine like my grandfather wanted. Anyways, when Sabo supposedly died, a part of me regretted a lot of the things that I had done. I sat on a cliff where I could see the ocean, and Ace stood next to me. He told me that I should live my life with no regrets because if I regret things then that would mean I wouldn't be where I am today." Luffy explained to him. “What do you regret?” Luffy asked him.
Zoro looked down a little at the water. “Sabaody, I wasn’t strong enough and we all got separated and we went through hell.” he answered honestly.
”Is that really a regret?” Luffy asked “Of course it is, what are you saying?” Zoro asked him. “We were cocky. Yeah we faced everything head on. Think about it, if we came to the New World without those two years do you think we would have survived?” Luffy asked looking at him. Zoro stared at him a little shocked before shaking his head. “Exactly, I think when Kuma separated us it was a blessing in disguise.” he answered honestly. “We got stronger and we have survived. We all would have died if we came straight to the New World.” he bluntly stated.
Zoro looked at the water before sighing and nodding. He suddenly felt a bit of pressure on his head “We are here if you have doubts Zoro. We are nakama.” Luffy smiled as took his hand away from his head.Luffy didn’t have his iconic straw hat on his head. There was shade covering Zoro’s eyes where the straw hat now sat.
”Luffy bro! Come check this out! You’re going to love this!” Franky called out “Coming!” Luffy called back running after him leaving Zoro on the deck with his thoughts.