Zoro itched. He stretched out and crossed his legs. He wanted to try the swords.

Very, very badly.

He pouted. This sucked. There's no person who would volunteer to be a practice dummy against real swords. The dojo was out of the option. There was Luffy and maybe his brother if they wanted a good rumble but Luffy preferred doing other activities than fighting. Eating for example. He crossed his arms, supposing that his new swords would have to wait a little longer to be introduced to their swordsman. Maybe he wouldn't be able to control their power.


[ Yo Sanji. (; ] An unknown number showed up on Sanji's phone.

[ Uh? ] Sanji typed out, racking his brains for the person.

[ Its ace. R u busy 2night? ]

[ Going down to Baratie ]

[ Sweet. Gona try 2 win goodies. ] Another buzz.

[ Mneeeaatttyryuyr! :DDDD ] Sanji chuckled. That must have been Luffy. He would imagine the brothers jostling over the phone, trying to send a text.

[ Someones excited ]

[ Guess who has 2 cook that shit? ]

[ Me. +0+ ]

[ If he somehow wins 2nite, GL. RIP Sanji and cooks. :P ] Sanji laughed.

[ I gtg. Back 2 work. C u! ]


"Nami, could you get in contact with Daz Bones?"

"What? Zoro what are you planning?"

"Just get him."

"Zoro, I'm not letting you on another one of those 'sparring sessions'. That man is crazy! He has a steel body, for heaven's sake! I'm not dragging your bloody body in my car again and getting ten million speeding fines! Do you know how long it look for me to get your bloodstains out of my car seats?"

"Nami, please."

"No. Unless you can convince me otherwise."

"Ace came."

"So?"

"He got me new swords." Nami groaned.

"Men and their toys. If you die, I'm killing Ace next you hear?"

"Yes ma'am," Zoro drawled sarcastically and winced when Nami set down the phone on the counter with a loud clunk.

"Just hold up." Her voice came faintly. He heard shuffling and the babble of the restaurant.

"This is DB. Zoro my man, why aren't you coming around?" a low voice rumbled.

"Whatever Daz. Can I go to your … whatever the fuck it's called. Stone Fortress?"

"Steel Fortress," an ill-humoured reply came through.

"Yeah."

"Do you need a partner?"

"No."

"Why not? I've been looking forward to a rematch you know."

"Shut it Daz. You don't have to come back begging to try and win."

"Says the guy who doesn't even stick around to fight anymore."

"Can I go or not?" Zoro snapped.

"Sure. The code this time is 2h637cs. Don't punch it in wrong otherwise shit will go down. Do you need a lift to get there?"

"No." And with that Zoro ended the call. Talking with someone like Daz always riled him up.

It didn't take long to pack the swords up and soon he was off, running with a black case on his back. To anyone, it would have looked like an instrument case. It was a long run to the Steel Fortress but to Zoro it felt like the perfect warmup. He was sweating by the time he reached the gate.

"Back off boys. I'm a guest," he growled at the guards.

"Code?" one of them asked. He looked to be the leader.

"Right here." Zoro waved the paper in their faces.

"Who did you get this from?"

"Directly from your boss," Zoro grinned. One of the guards caught the arm of the leader and muttered in his ear. Zoro barely caught what the goon said.

"I remember him… boss's rival… The Demon." Ah, his old nickname. The leader, considered the information for a second, then nodded for the swordsman to come through.

Zoro breathed deeply, reaching up to pull on the black bandanna Usopp gave him. He had no idea why he was taking this so seriously when he swore not to fight again. It was to give these treasures a test run, he reasoned, hitching all three on his side. It felt so familiar, so comfortable, so oddly fitting, despite not wielding these swords for years. A hum of adrenaline gushed through his veins. It was strange that his body still reacted to the swords like this, even though it was training. His hands trembled, itching to unleash all swords and absolutely decimate the metal environment before him. Fuck the trees, the dummies, the walls. Cut it all down.

No.

He needed control. Stupidity it was to release like that.

But…

Why are you even taking these swords? They are subjected to a dishonourable barren life. He gulped. Forgive me, he thought, stroking the hilts. He stopped suddenly.

This was insane but he couldn't lie.

They called him. Their voices were whispering.

Unleash me now. What are you waiting for? Master, I want to see the sun! Zoro stumbled. Stop! Stop! Stop! He mentally screamed.

Kuina would be kill herself if she saw you like this. Zoro collapsed, crashing on his knees. His mouth and eyes hung open, however both unseeing and unspeaking. No.

I don't want to be held by you! Stop. His squeezed his eyes shut and he clenched his head, leaning over in a prostrate position. Make it stop! He begged, tearing at his hair.

Release me!

"I'm sorry!" he screamed. "I'm sorry! Forgive me Kuina! I'm dishonourable. I broke our promise. My dream. Your dream. I'm so sorry. Sorry. Sorry. I'm the scrum of the earth!" he reduced to babbling blindly as the voices grew louder in his head. They were yelling and crying abuse. Zoro's eyes burned with humiliation. With stiff fingers, he loosens his belt and let his treasures fall to the ground. The voices stopped but he did not raise his head, for the shame of rejection was raw and bleeding on his heart.


His phone buzzed. Crawling over to his bag, Zoro answered it.

"Hey Zoro do you like 'em?" Ace's voice crackled brightly.

"Ace…" Zoro's voice cracked and he stopped.

"Did you just wake up man?" Ace joked. Zoro heard muttering through the phone and it was passed around.

"Zoro?" It was Luffy.

"Luffy."

"Where are you? I'm going to take Ace's bike." It was uncanny about how Luffy would understand people's feelings, even though he had to analyse one word over the phone. He heard Ace protesting in the background but paid little heed.

"At Daz's."

"Cool. Just stay there." Zoro sighed and slumped on the floor.