Disclaimer: One Piece not mine.
Summary: Of Zoro, sacrifice and the meaning of Nakama. Thriller Bark arc spoilers.
Endings
Zoro doesn't give up his dream when he kneels before Kuma. It is not out of duty that he makes this sacrifice, because it's no sacrifice at all. Only his crew mates would understand – the rest of the world would misguidedly call him selfless. Only the few who've known Luffy – eaten at his table, sailed on his ship, faced death by his side – would know that Zoro is giving up nothing.
Luffy is the dream. Luffy is the reason. If Zoro does anything less than kneel and shield his captain, there'd be nothing left for him. He'd be unworthy of Kuina and Mihawk. He'd be worse than dead.
Zoro's risked his life countless times before but has never welcomed it, yearned for it with this sick desperation. Take me, he's silently pleading. As long as Luffy can live and laugh and be the little rubber moron for another day, it'd be worthwhile. More than worthwhile. Zoro's life has never been more important to him than in this exact moment, when he can trade it for something so precious.
With every breath, he's willing his body to withstand the agony. The stronger he appears, the more likely Kuma is to take his head instead. He has to be conscious until the end, because Luffy is not. As he'd once told Chopper when they were trekking through the harsh desert gales of Alabasta, this is what it means to be Pirate Nakama. This is the only meaning he will ever accept. His captain had already given his everything, and now it's Zoro's turn.
When Kuma finally stares down at him and his hovering hand withdraws from Luffy's prone body, relief as he's never known floods through his system. It overpowers the pain and the next breath Zoro draws is sweeter and clearer than the finest sake.
For the first time since his sensei gravely transferred it from his calloused hands into Zoro's own pudgy ones, Zoro tosses away Kuina's katana freely. He does not think 'forgive me' or 'please understand'. Zoro, who knows no heaven or piety, is only thinking thank god, thank god.
To die in Luffy's place, to take his captain's suffering as his own, Zoro does not call this duty. This is his privilege.
His only regret is for the time he's now lost with this ridiculous (beloved) crew and this dumbass (beloved) captain. He thought they could have sailed on forever, into legend. But as far as endings go, Zoro tilts his head up to the sky, to Kuma's looming figure, this one is more than good enough.