They had all settled round the dining table to talk, they had began by going round everyone's name for Zoro.
The only person missing was Brook, he had worked at their school for a period as a music teacher. That is until he got fired for asking to see a female teacher's panties, Luffy had somehow talked the skeleton into moving in here once he got the place. Tonight though Brook had a gig and it had been decided that it would be strange if he didn't show. They'd explained all that to Zoro, with the promise that he would meet him soon.
Usopp had managed to seat himself as far away from the swordsman as possible but still looked terrified. The rest were about as serious as they could manage as they passed around the information Shanks had sent over.
He quickly glanced over it they had information on Doflamingo himself and his top four: Diamante, Vergo, Trebol and Pica. Robin and Nami had brought a pinboard and stuck pictures of the five along up with all the information they had on each person.
Zoro had said that he mainly dealt with Diamante and rarely saw Doflamingo. He didn't know much about anyone because he was kept out of the way.
He would travel with Baby 5 and Buffalo, both were devil fruit users and they were currently waiting for him somewhere near the docks.
Robin had been taking notes and no doubt they would have their own pictures soon enough.
It pissed Sanji off, the idea of Zoro spending all that time alone when his friends and family had wanted him back but it didn't seem to bother the other man too much, he apparently liked being left alone to work out.
They didn't push Zoro on how the group treated him, Sanji already knew about the punishments. Shanks had said that Doflamingo treated his main group as his family and looked after them well. Clearly Zoro wasn't a member of the family but Doflamingo wasn't the kind to take losing something that was his without a fight.
Zoro got up and left the room with Chopper, it was time for his first therapy session. Usopp visibly relax and Sanji decided it was definitely time for a smoke. He went over and opened the window and sat on the window sill before lighting up.
'Right first of all Franky set up surveillance all round the grounds, make sure the sky is covered too. No one gets near the house without us knowing about it' Nami paused 'Usopp make sure you have ammo ready that can take out a flying person. I want everything set up as soon as possible. Once surveillance is setup, we'll set up a rota for keeping watch'
Everyone nodded in agreement.
'I have a few contacts I'm going to reach out to. I think I may be able to find an ex member of the gang' Robin said
'I'll find out what I need and how quickly I can get it in' Franky looked deep in thought, he stood up and patted Usopp on the shoulder 'Come on little bro we got a lot to do'
The two left talking excitedly about their plans and what they would need. Sanji already knew his job, keep everyone fed, it didn't matter what was happening his nakama wouldn't go hungry.
He found himself staring out the window watching the smoke trailing into the calm night outside almost blending in with the few grey clouds in the sky, helping him tune out the conversations around him.
Since he had left for a smoke at Koshiro's he'd been worrying. He had found himself getting on with Zoro and he was enjoying his company but they hadn't gotten on that well as kids. Koshiro had reminded him of that big fight, he had no clue what Zoro would remember and in what order. It was like two unique Zoro's existed, they had their childhood friend and a strange teen, once he had his memories would he go back to being like young Zoro, he'd already changed since they found him. He got the feeling they were creating a third version this one a mixture of the two.
'You ok Sanji?' Nami asked
He hadn't even heard her come over to him.
'Of course my love I'm fine' he automatically answered
'Come on Sanji, something is getting to you' Seeing how concerned she was he caved.
'You know me and Zoro weren't friends until we met Luffy right? We'd been in school together almost a year without talking once, he was a new kid moved here with his dad a couple of months into our first year of school' he stubbed out his cigarette and lit another 'If it wasn't for that I probably wouldn't even have noticed him'
'Well Luffy brought us all together, most of us would never have met if it wasn't for him' Nami smiled at him 'Don't worry too much you're a good guy I'm sure even if he remembers bad things about you, everything you've done recently for him will show him what you're really like'
He found himself gleeful at the compliment from his beloved Nami and all the worries he had disappeared.
'Thanks Nami' he smiled feeling better already.
'Night Sanji' Nami gave him one last smile and left the room.
He looked around and noticed he was alone, he must really have been out of it, he stubbed out his last cigarette and followed suit.
When he reached his room, Zoro was already lounging in his hammock in his new pyjamas. He had to admit the hammock looked pretty fun.
Sanji got himself ready as well, after he had a shower and brushed his teeth he slipped into bed. He had thought Zoro was asleep until the other man spoke.
'So how did we all meet?'
He realised they had told him how they knew Brook but hadn't covered how he knew the people at the table.
'School, We were in the same class in our first and second year. Luffy and Usopp started school a year early so they were in the year below is with Nami. We never hung around together till we made friends with Luffy in our second year. Ace, Sabo, Kuina and Nojiko were in the year above us' Sanji smiled to himself he hadn't even realised that they had been friends twelve years now.
'It's weird, having friends that like me this much and I can't even remember them' Zoro sounded frustrated.
'You didn't make any friends when you were going up?' Sanji asked though he didn't expect an answer.
'There was a group of kids training at the same time as me at the Marine base but no one was allowed to know about me, they claimed it was all part of the training you know, not being seen or at least blending in so well that no one notices you' Zoro sounded sad 'Doesn't matter they're all dead now anyway and same deal at Doflamingo's his family give me orders and no one else is to know who I am. Even when I fought in the arena, they told everyone I was a traveller'
Sanji tried to stay calm, if he got too excited, Zoro might stop talking. This was the information they had wanted but didn't want to push for.
'So is that where you trained then a Marine base?' he kept his voice calm like he was only curious.
'Yea, first I had to pass their special training, shutting out anything that would get in my way. So no emotions, no attachments and no friends. That wasn't too hard I already had nothing when I started. Then they called in a favour and I got to train with a Shichibukai called Mihawk, he's an amazing swordsman. Once I completed my training I went with Doflamingo and I've been there ever since' Zoro made it all sound, simple and matter of fact.
Sanji's stomach twisted, it had been said so casually but now they had the confirmation that the Marines had taken Zoro and probably Kuina too.