There are times I wonder why I joined this crew.
For everyone else there are obvious reasons, but not for me.
Brook – our musician.
Well, Luffy has always wanted to have at least one musician in his crew, from the very start.
And Brook's a very talented one. His music – I cannot even find words to describe it, it's so wonderful!
Franky – our shipwright.
He built our ship. And he knows everything there is to know about ships and how to repair them.
He's a fucking genius.
Robin – our archaeologist.
She knows so many things about this world and understands stuff that is far beyond me.
She's so smart, it's almost scary.
Chopper – our doctor.
Since Luffy seems like a magnet to trouble, a doctor was a more than necessary addition to our crew. Though he still doesn't know how to properly take a compliment, Chopper really deserves lots.
Sanji – our cook.
He tends to be an annoying bastard but his cooking is the most amazing there is, I believe. And he manages to sate even Luffy's appetite. I'll never say I like him but I really appreciate his work.
Usopp – our sniper.
That guy's insane with any long-distance weapon there is. He never misses, unless he wants to.
And he got Merry for us, back then.
Nami- our navigator.
I really don't get how she always gets us where we want to go, even in the thickest fog or mist, the weirdest storm, she knows.
She can be a witch at times, but actually she's a nice one, deep down.
Luffy – our captain.
He started it all. Though he had no clue or whatsoever. Just a dream.
But we all believe in this man and we know he'll achieve it.
And then, there's me.
Zoro – the first mate? The swordsman?
But what's a first mate for, anyway? And a swordsman isn't really necessary, either.
It's not like I could take over any of the others' jobs. I could never be a captain.
I'm not essential. And I know that.
I was the first to join Luffy.
The first to believe and trust in him.
Is that what a first mate is for? Strengthening the moral among the crew?
I do not know.
What I do know is this: I'd give my life to protect every single one of them, always.
So, maybe that's my job, after all: protecting my friends, my nakama.
Maybe. At least, that's what I do.
And I am proud, proud to be their nakama.