Chapter Summary: Diana and Bruce have a discussion. The JL finally make the offer.

After returning to the Watchtower, the swordsmen immediately take their wares to their rooms and take the rest of the night off to review them. Neither, for once, are eager for a spar; the shopping trip had enough fun for them for one day. J'onn follows them, seeking a quick rest before returning to the promenade to see if there had been any major activity on Earth while they were gone.

Diana is the only one not to return immediately to her room. Instead, she departs for the Founders' conference room, where she knows that one specific teammate of hers is waiting. And indeed, when she enters the room, that teammate is standing with his back facing her, gazing out towards the stars, where the the currently-visible hemisphere of the Earth is floating. Batman had always been one for dramatics, and revealing his identity as Bruce Wayne to them had not changed that in the least.

"So?"

"It went well," she reports, moving to stand next to him. "Mihawk is still hard to read, but Zoro seems to view us as friends. The only snag is that the trip seems to have reminded him of his crew, and of how long it will be before he gets to see them again."

Batman hums. "Anything else?"

Of course, that is her cue to start talking about everything the two swordsmen told her. The geography of their world, the Straw Hats… she has never liked this part of their work. Normally it would've fallen to Shay—to her, but she is gone, perhaps to never return, and Diana is the only one of the team that has been able to really bond with their guests. Well, bond with and be able to be discreet with her inquires, unlike Wally. It feels like a betrayal, speaking of such private information, but if there's anything the Invasion taught them, it is that they have to be careful with who they allow into their trust.

(And, well—Diana has her own suspicions about Mihawk's candidness. Something tells her that Zoro's nickname for him, Hawk-Eyes, isn't just because of the distinctive appearance of his eyes.)

"So our initial assessment about Roronoa is correct," Bruce muses. "He's not one to abandon those he calls his friends."

Diana nods. "Yes. It's unlikely we'll ever reach the level of the bond he shared with his crew — at least, not for a few years. We should, however, have at least some of his consideration by now."

Another hum. "And Dracule?"

Hesitation. "I believe he suspects," she admits.

"He's sharp," Bruce acknowledges, before narrowing his eyes. "We need to be careful around him. How likely is he to accept our invitation if Roronoa does?"

The Amazon shrugs. "He cares for Zoro in his own way, and he seems to be aware that we are their best chance at returning home, so it's likely he'll accept on that basis alone. However, I cannot be certain without knowing more about him, and as open as he is about Zoro's past, he's very reticent in regards to his own."

"So still a wild card, but not necessarily a flight risk," her companion surmises. Bruce sighs. "Well, it could be worse."

"So we'll make the offer tomorrow?" Diana asks, tapping her foot.

"I see no reason not to put it off any longer. If we do, it'll just make them suspicious."

"They're already suspicious."

"More than they already are," Bruce amends.

When Zoro wakes up and realizes he now has new clothes to wear, he grins. He showers and changes immediately into a black t-shirt, a green hooded jacket and a pair of slacks, relishing in the feeling of fresh clothing, before taking one of the sashes he had bought during the trip yesterday and wrapping it around his waist and his katanas. He ties his bandanna around its usual place on his left arm, and then takes a look in the body-length mirror, admiring the sight. He feels more like himself than he has in forever, and it shows.

When he exits his room, Hawk-Eyes is (frustratingly) already waiting for him. The man is dressed in a white t-shirt and slacks, and has his hat on. He's detached the holding loops on the back of his usual coat to make a makeshift sword belt for Yoru. It isn't something his old master does often (Yoru is difficult enough to carry around as is), but his coat hasn't been washed in days and they aren't at sea. Mihawk must be relishing in the feeling of new, fresh clothing to wear too.

They make their way to the cafeteria like they usually do, pick up their usual fare (the variety had quickly lost its novelty) and sit at their usual table. Zoro supposes he should be sickened by how routine this is all becoming, but he's in a good mood today and doesn't want to spoil it. Instead, he decides to commit to wandering the rest of the Watchtower and see more of what there is, or maybe asking one of the League if he can go down back to New York City and do some exploring there. If there is anything yesterday had shown him, it was how much he had missed being on solid ground, around actual people just living their lives.

"You seem cheery today," Hawk-Eyes observes calmly, smearing some jam onto his toast and taking a bite.

Zoro shrugs. "I guess I'm just finally accepting the situation. Yesterday was… well, it was fun."

His mentor hums. "I enjoyed yesterday's trip as well. Perhaps we can do some more exploring of the city tomorrow, or maybe even go somewhere new and see what that place has to offer. It will be a nice way to pass the time as we decide what we'll be doing for the next five years while we wait."

"Perhaps we can help with that."

Both men glance up, unsurprised as J'onn approaches their table. Their former traveling companion is back in his Martian Manhunter form, which Zoro has to admit is a bit odd to see after an entire day of walking around with the man while he was in a human disguise. "What do you mean, J'onn?"

The Martian tilts his head. "After you finish breakfast, please come to the Founders' Conference Room. We have an offer to make to the both of you." With that final word, he departs.

Zoro frowns, before turning to his teacher. Mihawk's infamous eyes are narrowed thoughtfully at the back of the retreating alien, and he absentmindedly takes a sip of his orange juice. "Any clue about what that 'offer' might be?" Zoro asks, crossing his arms.

"…one," Mihawk says, and says alone. Zoro doesn't ask for any further clarification. He knows he won't get any.

So, they're finally making their move, Mihawk muses internally as he follows Roronoa out of the cafeteria and to the elevator.

Ever since they had first learned that their return home would take much longer than they originally thought, Mihawk had been anticipating the Justice League's next move. As his Observation Haki indicated all of them as honest and altruistic as they presented themselves to be, that did not mean they were the types to trust easily. Things would've been easier if they had been able to be immediately sent back, then it just would've been a matter of lodging. But now that they know they will be in the League's care for years, that means further measures will need to be taken.

Death was immediately stricken off as a potential option. It was easy to tell by their first interactions with the team that all the heroes were adverse to the idea of killing in general, let alone doing the deed themselves. And even if that weren't the case, Mihawk was confident that his student and him could easily handle whatever this particular group could throw at them. Neither of them were the types to die easily, and at a glance of the League's auras, they were far beyond all the members of the League in power and skill.

So that left three options. Imprisonment (possibly through house arrest on the Watchtower), resettlement, or conscription. Of those three, the first was the most unlikely; the League seemed smart enough to realize that any attempt at imprisonment would be futile in the end. If Roronoa or him wanted to leave this place, there was little anyone here could do to stop them. Especially if they chose to leave at a time where most, if not all of the League were gone from the Watchtower.

That left the latter two options. Resettlement, most likely on the Earth to live civilian lives, or conscription into the Justice League as new members. Mihawk suspected the latter would be the one offered, with the other as the less preferred option. While they had to familiarize themselves with this world either way, the League would be perceptive enough to recognize that both Roronoa and himself were not ones to live 'peaceful' lives. They thrived in combat, so it would only make sense to channel that into something productive rather than risk making them into enemies later on. A way to keep an eye on them, while at the same time add two more proponents to their own goals of keeping peace on this world.

It reminds me of the World Government and the Royal Warlords of the Sea, the swordsmaster cannot help but note, but something tells me that the Justice League will not be so lax with monitoring our activities as the Government was with the Warlords. No, our arrangement will be based on a much shorter leash.

Mihawk cannot necessarily say that is a bad thing, as annoying as it will be to him. It is telling that of all the Warlords, he, a man that had rarely attended any of the meetings and taught a student who was a member of crew that had literally declared war on the World Government, could be considered the most loyal of them all. None of his former 'comrades' had hesitated in taking advantage of the World Government's lack of attentiveness (besides Jimbei, and even that man had betrayed them in the end), and their 'ally' had paid for it dearly in the long run.

At least the monarchs of the world had learned from it. He had already suspected that the system would be in danger after the incident with Crocodile, but when his student's crew had taken down Doflamingo right before the Reverie, he had known the abolition was inevitable. It is why he had sent Perona away after the newspaper had confirmed the topic had been brought up at the Reverie. He could handle anything the World Government threw at him, but Perona would not have been as lucky.

He can tell from his few interactions with them that Justice League is not so arrogant and bloated as his former employers were, that they're making this offer while being completely aware of what the potential consequences and implications may be. That they're prepared to deal with whatever may come of this. Their ambitions are grand, but so is their will to achieve them, and so is their caution. They will make mistakes — all people with such grand ambitions do — but he has far more faith in their success than he ever did in the World Government.

(He is certainly rooting for them more than the World Government. As indifferent as he can be to the suffering of strangers, he certainly wouldn't mind if the innocent were spared from being the collateral of whatever darkness blanketed this world. He's not a complete monster.)

And, of course, there is Roronoa and himself. The League would not be making this offer if the two of them were anything like Donquixote Doflamingo or Sir Crocodile. No, Mihawk is honorable, a professional, and so is his student. The last few days with Diana and J'onn would've only assured that to the other members of the League, especially with all he had revealed of Roronoa's past at the end of the trip yesterday. With that quality in the forefront, the Justice League was making this offer in the faith that they would uphold whatever agreements made between them.

It is a reasonable assumption. A correct assumption.

They are competent. Idealistic, but competent. And strong, if not in body, then in heart.

He closes his eyes.

If they make the offer he thinks they are about to make… well. He won't say no.

At least not immediately.

"You're asking us…" Zoro gestures to both Hawk-Eyes and himself, trying not to sound too incredulous, "…to join you?"

All three heroes nod; Diana and Batman once, the Flash far more vigorously, with a grin on his face.

"As superheroes?" The very word leaves a bad taste in his mouth.

They nod again, in the same fashion.

"…why?"

Next to him, Hawk-Eyes snorts. "Come now, Roronoa. You're not that dense. We are powerful, dangerous strangers stranded in their world for the next five years, and neither of us have shown a disposition towards peaceful lives. How else are they supposed to keep an eye on us?"

Zoro turns to glare at his teacher, even as the wheels begin to turn in his head. As much as he hates to admit it, Mihawk is right. No matter how much the Justice League seems to like either of them, they are still practically strangers, with strength far beyond most of the people of this world. Most people are not like Luffy, are not ones to trust so easily. These people are kind, but they are cautious. They offer their hand, but are ready to pull away if it is bitten.

He cannot begrudge them that. And under different circumstances, he would even accept their offer immediately. But…

"I am not a hero. Nor do I want to be one."

Everyone blinks. Even Hawk-Eyes looks surprised. "…why?" Flash asks, looking curious, if a little disappointed.

Zoro sighs, before taking on a firm expression. "Say you have a jug of booze. A hero would want to share the booze with everyone. I want to drink all the booze!"

There's a beat of silence.

…what?

Even Batman is thrown off by that explanation. Everyone is then stricken by the sound of flesh meeting flesh, and turn to see the other swordsman of the group palming his face in an exasperated fashion. It's the most emotion any of the three heroes have seen on Mihawk's face.

"Honestly, Roronoa? That's how you define a hero?" The man sounds parts irritated, parts resigned. He respects his student, both as a man and as a rival, but there's no question that the younger man's sanity is rather… questionable.

"Hey!" Zoro growls, offended. "That's how Luffy defined a hero too!" He pauses. "Though he used meat instead of booze."

"Of course he did."

Diana clears her throat, cutting the argument off before it can get going. "Zoro, could you explain? We don't really understand what analogy you're trying to make."

Zoro ceases his glaring contest with his teacher to glance at the Amazon, before releasing another breath. "Heroes are selfless people," he explains. "I am not selfless person. I mean, if I see an innocent person dying on the street, I won't leave them as is, but…" He shrugs. "I'm not the kind of person to go out of my way to help strangers. I'm selfish like that, and so was my captain and my crew."

The three heroes stare at him for a moment, blinking, before slowly nodding in understanding. "That's perfectly understandable," Batman notes. "And I commend you for your honesty. But the situation still doesn't change. We need to keep you under surveillance for now, and you two aren't the types to live peaceful lives. So, perhaps you can think of it in a different way."

"How so?"

"Think of it as payment," Batman calmly explains. "In order to continue using the Watchtower's facilities, you'll have to join the Justice League as a full-fledged member. If you refuse, then we will simply help you settled down on Earth as civilians, including helping you find jobs, until it's time to return you home. We'll leave you as is with periodic check-ins, but if you in any way cause trouble, we will have to bring you in. However, if you accept our offer, then you'll be allowed to remain here on the Watchtower and have full use to all our facilities, in return for service as members of the League."

Zoro blinks. Mihawk, mask back in place, simply stares. "That sounds reasonable," he notes, with no inflection to whether he was partial to accepting or not.

It does. It sounds far more palatable, now that the offer is being framed that way. But still, Zoro finds himself reluctant. At the tip of his tongue, the forefront of his mind, there is a wide, childish smile drowning everything it out. A smile so bright that he can never forget it, even if he wants to.

(He never wants to forget it. Not even for a moment.)

"…I want to," he admits. "But there's only one man that I've ever followed, that I ever want to follow. And as much as I like you all… none of you are him."

There's another moment of silence, as everyone registers his words. The expressions of the heroes soften into something akin to sympathy. They can sense the sadness in his words, the loss. Even if they don't know who, exactly, he's lost. Hell, even Hawk-Eyes has a touch of sympathy in his aura. He knows, better than anyone else here, of what Zoro is feeling now. He's seen it before, after all.

"Don't think of it as following, then," Flash suddenly says, sounding far more determined than they had ever seen the man. "Here at the Justice League, there's going to be team leaders and stuff, people with seniority that are going to throw around orders, but in the end, everyone here is going to be an equal. We don't follow any one person — we follow an ideal, a vision. We're bonded by our desire to help people. And every voice here will be heard, with equal weight. Yours included."

He stares right into Zoro's single eye.

"Do you think you can accept that, at least?"

Zoro stills, and stares back. And as he stares, he can swear that, just for a moment, he can see Luffy's own determination right in that cowled face. He had wondered, ever so briefly, why he had gotten along with Flash so easily, so quickly. He guesses this is why.

And with that in mind, Zoro smiles. Just a little bit.

"Yeah. I think I can."

Sorry for the late chapter. The vacation took more out of me than I thought, and I'm currently trying to plot out all the episode of S1 of JLU that I'll be using in this story before I begin writing again. There's one more chapter in the Introduction Arc after this, and then we'll finally move on to S1 of JLU.