Dear Marimo-kun
Chapter 8

Luffy, Zoro, Robin, and Usopp disembarked from the Mini Merry, staring in awe at the humongous metal structure looming down at them. The first thing they noticed was the heat. It seared through their clothes and burned their eyebrows. The ground was almost molten; the sand near the beaches sparkled like glass.

Luffy and Zoro carried the Mini Merry to shore while Usopp and Robin investigated the gate. There was a huge sign carrying the island's name, Punk Hazard. Peering through the wires, they saw mountains and whole structures on fire. The strange thing was that no human skeleton could be seen lying around.

After deciding which things to leave in the boat, three people debated on how to get inside the island. One was busy trying to get off the island.

"No, it's a bad idea I tell you!" chattered Usopp, his knees shaking. His crewmates smiled at the sight, having missed it for two whole years.

"It's not bad Usopp," complained Luffy in a whining tone. "Where's your sense of adventure?"

"It left me a long time ago!"

"I thought you were already brave, Captain Usopp?" chided Zoro.

"Let's cut the chit-chat for a while," interjected Robin, causing the other three to zip their mouths. "Let's assess our talents." Robin pointed to herself. "I read." She then moved her finger to Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp in succession.

"I punch," said Luffy, making a fist.

"I cut," growled Zoro, motioning his finger to make a line across his neck.

"I run," said Usopp in a scared tone.

Robin's lips formed what was like half a smile and half a frown. Zoro stood up and cut the gate, the unanimous decision made silently. The swordsman reflected on how easy he cut the metal gate down. Making sure the skein was safe inside his kimono, he rushed in after his friends.


Dracule Mihawk was silently observing his protege. Zoro was exponentially growing better, markedly improving his skills in the last year. Now he could put down at least 10 mandrills with a slash. Far from his level, but better than when he started. Perona was beside him, making little swinging actions with her hands and giving out comments under her breath like, "That's the way!" and "Oooh, be careful!" If he didn't know any better he'd had assumed Perona was steadily liking Zoro.

Averting his eyes from the training session, he went to the castle's laundry. Mihawk liked to do laundry on spare days, and as the ghost girl refused to do any laundry he had to do triple his usual workload. Rolling up his sleeves he started on Zoro's haramaki, but noticed something embedded in it. Washing his hands free of soap, he plucked out what seemed to be a small leather envelope. Mihawk decided against opening it, preferring to discuss it with his student when dinner was being prepared.

As Perona happily skipped towards the kitchen like she did the recent weeks, Zoro came out of his quarters wearing a white tank top and dark green pants. He just washed himself, and greeted the World's Strongest Swordsman with a bow. Mihawk nodded in return, and they sat on a long table, waiting for the food to come. As always, the master started the conversation.

"How's training?" he asked. This is getting boring.

"Fine," Zoro replied nonchalantly. Same thing everyday, huh?

Mihawk smiled, and turned the conversation around. "You need not hide it from me, Roronoa Zoro. I know you're bored of the same conversation for about six months now, but you couldn't bring it up because you couldn't offend me."

"I'm sorry, master," said Zoro, apologizing with a short bow. What was the point of pointlessly agitating me? "Is there something new in the training menu ..?"

"I'll get to that later," waved Mihawk with a hand. "What I want to know," he said as he fished something from his pocket, "is this." He put the skein on the table, prompting Zoro to get the offending object and check the contents. Mihawk smiled as the green-haired swordsman peeked inside, looking for any signs of tampering. "If you're worried then no, I haven't read it, and it's the first time I've seen it."

Zoro sighed in relief. "I believe you deserve some answers."

"If to pass the time and relieve ourselves of boredom then yes," replied Mihawk, grin slowly growing larger.

Zoro passed the letter to Mihawk, who read it in silence.

Roronoa Zoro,

Never EVER make me worry like that again! I'd be lost if you died; I mean, there'd be no one to talk to anymore! We have to make this a rule: no more depressing letters like that. In my line of duty, not concentrating on the mission is most fatal. I implore you, never do that again.

So you've gone to a Sky Island? I haven't been to one myself. What do you mean you fought god and won? That's preposterous, I'm about to laugh. Anyway, it all sounds fantastical. People have wings, they use dials (which are a different kind of ... technology?), there's a lot of gold up there, and it's 10,000 meters up in the sky. Huh.

Good for you though. I've been stuck with watch duty over the course of a few weeks. Day in and day out it's just watching the prisoners, I fear I'm going to go crazy.

I'm happy that you're safe, but I'm still angry you made me worried.

I won't be forgetting this debt of yours,
Master Chief Petty Officer Tashigi

The master swordsman looked up with an inquisitive glance. After refolding the letter, he passed it back.

"She's a good fit for you," said Mihawk, noticing Perona wheeling in the food.

"That means so much in every way," said Zoro, pocketing the skein without further persuasion.

"You're going have to tell me everything in time."

"There should be something in it for me."

"Hmm," said Mihawk, rubbing his chin. "How about I tell you a story of mine?" Zoro just nodded, while Perona was busy setting the grilled fish with tartar sauce on the table.

"I once came across a book about a wandering swordsman who had a cross-shaped scar on his cheek," he started. "His blade was reversed – a sakabatou, he called it. He was once a deadly assassin, one of the greatest swordsmen of his time. However, an incident caused him to turn away from his killing ways and use his skills for good, to protect the weak and innocent."

Perona finished the table setting and prompted everyone to say grace. After which, Mihawk resumed his story over turkey.

"As such, he needed extreme force of will to stop himself from murdering every man he fought. He just beat them all down with quick strikes and agility. People didn't understand him at first, but in time they did. This man was living the life the way he wanted it to. After all, he relinquished his title for the woman he loved."

"What are you trying to say, master?" said Zoro, not touching his plate of food. Interested, Perona also started listening in.

"Why do you think I'm living alone? Think about it long and hard, Roronoa Zoro. Both of you are swordsmen, and have women you love. However, he gave up his path to power because he found it lonely at the peak. With who you are right now, can you handle the loneliness? You have to be prepared for a few things if you ever beat me to get to the top, and that includes giving her up."

"I have made it my goal to beat you," said Zoro, making Mihawk and Perona smile. "However, I shall do things differently from him. I respect his choices, but I want to try a little differently. I want to bring everyone with me to the top."

"That is much harder to do than to say," replied Mihawk, slicing his Angus beef. "Your goal is lofty; it's far harder to achieve than the swordsman's."

"I have a captain whose goal is harder to achieve than mine," said Zoro with a smile. "I believe he can do it, so why shouldn't I believe in myself?"

Mihawk just nodded and continued eating.

"Er, Perona," said Zoro. "I was thinking, you know, er..."

"Yes, I know, you want to eat in your room," waved Perona. "Negative Hollow!"

Zoro followed the Hollow to his room, as he always lost himself in the castle when she didn't guide him.

"Looks like you've got some competition," said Mihawk, uncorking a wine bottle.

Perona just crossed her arms and huffed. "I don't care. I'm with him and that's all that matters."

"What about Gecko Moriah?"

"I was inspired by what he said. I'll bring everyone with me."

Mihawk just shook his head and poured some wine for the ghost girl.


Luffy and Zoro had just dispatched of the dragon that greeted them. Zoro had the killing blow, Ittoryu Iai: Shi Shishi Sonson. It had the same basic makeup as Shishi Sonson, but had faster execution speed and had Haki in it. As such, Luffy was currently eating through it, Usopp was slicing through some parts for later eating using his Wadou Ichimonji, and Robin was circling the corpse, examining it.

The swordsman was impressed by the sniper's physical prowess in particular. Usopp's physical strength had increased during the two years they were separated. In the past, he had to hold the sword in two hands and concentrate just to get in basic stance; now he was wielding the sword like a pro. Nothing on me of course, but still impressive. The sniper noticed Zoro looking at him, but paid no heed and continued slicing chunks of meat.

Robin finally tired of examining the dragon, trying to find something strange unnoticed with first impressions. As she sat on a rock just across, Zoro noticed that she looked ... seductive, for lack of terms. Her sweat was running down the middle of her cleavage, and her legs glinted in the blazing fires. She noticed the lewd look Zoro was giving her, and immediately covered his eyes with Dos Fleur.

"You're not supposed to look at me like that," reprimanded Robin with a small glare.

"I can look, I can't touch," he replied, eyes still covered. "Besides, I know you're for someone else."

Robin withdrew her hands from his eyes, satisfied with the answer. "You're more straightforward now, I see."

"You're more open with your emotions yourself."

"I'm glad you also noticed, thank you."

He laughed. "Everyone did, it's just that only Franky had the guts to tell you."

Robin laughed along, and Usopp went towards them. "Hey hey, you two better not be laughing at me."

"We're not, don't worry," said Zoro. "What do you need?"

Usopp handed over the sword. "I don't have enough rope to tie everything up. I mean, I can carry that, but I'll need a rope to put them all together."

"Looks like Luffy already got to it," pointed Robin. The captain was currently eating through the freshly cut provisions.

"Hey everyone, I'm not sharing!" called Luffy in-between mouthfuls.

"Luffy! That's for later!" screamed an indignant Usopp.

Robin stood up to help Usopp with the meat packing. Zoro closed his eyes and leaned on a stone wall.


"Roronoa," called Mihawk from the doorway. Zoro was currently executing two thumb pushups, and his master's presence demanded his utmost attention and respect.

"What is it, master?" he asked, wondering what the man had to say.

"We're going to start a new phase of training tomorrow. I suggest you prepare yourself."

"Yes sir, but what is it about ..?"

Mihawk went inside the room and sat on a chair. Noticing Perona hovering outside, he invited her in, and she sat on the bed. Zoro remained standing where he exercised just before.

"Do you remember the story I told you about the swordsman with the sakabatou?"

Zoro nodded, unsure where his master was going along with it.

"How did the swordsman rein in his killing instinct?"

After thinking for a second or two, Zoro replied, "um, force of will, right?"

"Correct. And now, I'm going to teach it to you. The unknown force named Haki," said Mihawk. "Ghost girl, summon one."

"Negative Hollow!" cried Perona, and one ghost popped out of her hand. Mihawk got out the knife he used against Zoro at the Baratie and slashed the ghost in one motion. It disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. Zoro's eyes widened and his body started shaking.

"What? But that's impossible!" cried Perona once again, her feelings mainly of shock and disbelief. "My ghosts are completely intangible!"

"Nothing is impossible if you will it to be possible," said Mihawk in reply. "Ghost girl, take care of him." He exited the room without so much as a backward glance.

"That man's a monster," said Perona.

"If he wasn't, I wouldn't have asked him to be my teacher," replied Zoro, his body still not stopping from shaking. Perona noticed his predicament and motioned for him to come to the bed. He complied and immediately, Perona hugged him, his head on her shoulder.

"Shh, it's alright," she said, patting his green mop of hair. He smelled of sweat, yet she didn't mind.

"This is the only time I'll comply with your wishes, woman," Zoro announced. "Won't you put me inside the bear suit this time? It's the perfect opportunity to take advantage of me, I won't even complain."

"No, I won't," replied Perona. She slid his head from her shoulder to her chest and pressed his head onto her left breast. "Hear that? Now be calm just like I am, or you won't ever go to sleep because of all this."

He was initially shocked at the contact; Perona was never this forward before. The soft mush of her chest and her girly yet motherly, rosy fragrance created a calm illusion, one that Zoro was willing to lose himself in. After some time, the heartbeats lulled him to sleep.

"Last chance, Pero ..." he said as he finally surrendered. Laying him down on the bed, Perona wiped his sweat off with a towel. She traced his scar across his body. She smiled a bittersweet smile, and opened the windows to let in the night air. Packing her things up, she leaned in for a kiss, but decided against it.

"You know the reason why I wouldn't do that to you right now, Roronoa Zoro?" she asked to his sleeping form. "It's because the things that are most fun are the ones that are seemingly unobtainable." She looked at his face with gentle sadness in her eyes, and turned the lights off.

Zoro opened his eyes and reflected on her words for a long time.


A/N: I put in Zoro x Perona for a friend. Don't worry, I'm still a huge ZoTash fan! ^^