A/N: Thank you for your kind reviews! I'm glad you're liking it so far. And yeah OC's would be difficult to write. If I want a character I can just take a character from the massive number of characters from One Piece cause there are so many haha. Enjoy reading!
Zoro's time in UA has been eventful. His experience here probably exceeds even his fellow classmates, thinking back on the monster that he faced back then. Zoro shook his head of this memory and focused at the current situation.
Principal Nezu stood on the stage doing the speech on how another batch of heroes has graduated from UA's walls with plenty of promising names. It's then that Zoro saw the principal give him and other students in the crowd a quick glance before continuing his speech and elaborating how new hands being added in the hero industry will help with the bright future. Admittedly, Zoro zoned out a little, but thankfully his fellow graduate Koby tapped him notifying him that the ceremony has started and everyone needed to stand up and take their diplomas.
As all students stood up, rows upon rows of UA graduates were lined up with their sections. Except for Zoro, since he's the only one in his row and the sole graduate of class 3-A. He swears this school loves to rub in the fact that he's the only student in his class to both him and other students.
As he's handed his diploma, he saw Izuku and Inko in the audience and noticed the tear stains on their cheeks with Inko's shoulders still shaking from crying. And Izuku clapping as hard as he could that he thinks he could hear his claps over the others. And at the very back of the crowd he could see Mihawk and Perona clapping at him too. It sort of reminds him when Perona graduated from her hero school and he and Mihawk were there to congratulate her and Mihawk officially taking her in the agency. It's his turn now.
After the ceremony, Zoro walked up to his mother and little brother. Inko looked at him with pride and Izuku with awe. His big brother is a hero now, he made it! His big brother is so cool that he even brought his swords on stage! He tried asking his nii-chan where he got his new sword, but he just said a samurai did. He wanted to ask more, but Zoro just won't answer or would dance around the question so he dialled it down. He still asks from time to time though.
Izuku watched as his mother smothered Zoro with hugs and kisses more than he's ever received in his lifetime. "Zoro!" she sobbed "You're a big boy now!" she hugged him again with Inko crying again when she saw the height difference between them, further confirming that he's indeed grown up.
While the Midoriyas are too busy celebrating Zoro's accomplishment, they failed to notice that two heroes approached them. Izuku was first to see them watching Inko still dote on Zoro with Perona laughing at the display. Izuku tugged on Inko's bag to get her attention. She looked down at him then towards the two heroes.
"Congratulations, you've earned your new place in this industry." Mihawk said patting Zoro on his shoulder.
"Horohorohoro! This is a surprise; I thought you'd be staying here for a few more years." She teased
"Why you!" Zoro rolled up his sleeve but Inko was quick to hold him back.
"Now now, why don't you invite them with us? The more the merrier."
"Thank you for the invitation Mrs. Midoriya," Mihawk turned to Zoro "We have some work to do since we have a new rookie to take in." he smiled at him.
Zoro returned a grateful nod "We'll take off now. We'll see you later."
"Don't be late!"
"Yeah, yeah."
As they walked away, Izuku waved them goodbye "Bye Mihawk! Bye nee-chan!" he whipped his head towards Zoro "NII-CHAN IS A HERO!"
"My baby is a hero!"
He was about to tell them to stop, but when he saw other students getting the same treatment, he decided to let it slide. Besides, after this it's going to be working all the time, so extra time with them wouldn't hurt.
His hero career for the past year has been in the media's attention despite him working under an underground hero. They somehow always were able to sense where he is and when he's taken down a villain—whom he randomly ran into—reporters are already on his case. Thankfully, he was able to avoid an interview when he stayed with the officers taking in the villain.
"Can't shake them off?" an officer asked when Zoro looked he was met with a cute cat head; at least Zoro was able to keep his face straight. "Officer Sansa, I can't say I've never been a fan. You took the hero world by storm throughout your time in UA."
"Villains just keep appearing out of nowhere when I'm on patrol."
"Your patrol route varies all of the time, I noticed." Sansa commented.
"Huh?" Zoro took his phone out and looked at the map there "No, this map is just very unhelpful every time. At least the places I end up in are the ones that need it."
The cat officer found himself sweatdropping when he pieced together Zoro's position "A-ah, right."
Their conversation was cut off when the officer received a transmission in his radio "We'll handle things here, you can continue your patrol."
"You sure? I usually watch over the villains until they're in custody."
"This area is part of another hero's patrol route and they'll handle stuff here. But don't worry," Sansa put a hand on his shoulder "I'll make sure you get credit!"
"I don't really mind."
Sansa motioned to the reporters "They're already covering the story so you don't have to worry."
"Like I said, I don't mi—"
"Roronoa Zoro will—"
"Goodbye." He cut him off and quickly walked off.
The rest of his patrol went uneventful, he only have a few more hours left before he could wrap up so he decided to take a quick break before continuing. He looked around and found what looks to be a family run convenience store. But what he found strange though, was that when he entered, the place was empty. The place was stocked, yes but no sign of any people inside.
He approached the cash register and it's not even on. Not much to see around there so he decided to leave until he heard the muffled sound of a crowd of people behind the door that's for personnel only. Trusting his gut, he decided to do a light investigation.
Zoro slightly opened the door and peeked an eye in. And when he looked in he saw a large space where he thinks as about a hundred or more people having a meeting. He strained his ears to hear whatever they're talking about.
Luckily one member from the crowd shouted a question "Mr. 5, what do we do about the moles?!"
The swordsman's eyes widened in recognition. He recalls reading a case about an organization where they use codenames and no one knows about each other's personal identity. Zoro wasn't able to learn much about their purpose, but he suspects that Mihawk knows who their very mysterious leader is.
Zoro looked at the mole they were talking about and saw a large man with extravagant hair, a young lady, and…a big duck all in a cage. Zoro decided to ignore that little detail for now and started wracking his brain on what to do. He can't act hastily—
"We'll get rid of them tonight, thus this meeting."
Scratch that, he needs to act now.
"Did the boss approve of that?"
Zoro silently entered through the crack on the door and closed it and proceeding to hide behind the many boxes that most likely contain illegal stuff.
"These moles know about the boss' identity." The Mr.5 said earning shocked gasps from the crowd. "They won't mind if we get rid of them right now. We might get even promoted!"
While he express his excitement of said promotion, Zoro jumped from blind spot to blind spot taking advantage of every shadow to hide his presence. Soon enough he was behind the cage and saw a clear view of the people inside.
Zoro looked at the self proclaimed leader or the person with the highest rank checking if he's still distracted. He still is doing a speech so Zoro sent a message for back up and his current location before enacting his plan. He made sure the message went through before going near the cage and knocking on the metal lightly getting the attention of the occupants.
The girl whipped her head in his direction, but the larger man placed a hand on her shoulder, signalling for her to not be too obvious. The two of them—along with the duck—sat closer to his direction.
Zoro interpreted that them being quiet is a sign for him to introduce himself "Roronoa Zoro. I've already called for backup; I'm here to make sure you'll be alright until the others come."
"A hero?" the man with big curls asked his voice light with relief.
"Yes sir."
"Then I ask you to prioritize her as we make our escape." He said his hand gripping her shoulder.
"Igaram!" she whisper yelled, scolding him.
"No can do, I'll take all you three out here." Zoro took one sword out and was about to slice a small opening but before he could, he sensed someone descending on top of him. He quickly jumped away from his spot and a woman fell to where he exactly was with a crater under her.
"Kyahaha! Look what we have here Mr. 5." She called to him holding her umbrella to her shoulder.
Zoro looked at Mr. 5 and saw him about to flick something towards him. He didn't see what he threw at him but it blew up and the blast caught him a little. Zoro rolled away and brushed off a spark of the blast from his costume. Zoro drew all three of his swords.
"Kyahaha! Looks like we got a newbie hero!" Miss Valentine said "Cocky aren't cha what makes you think—" she was cut off when Zoro dashed infront of her slicing her umbrella to pieces and using the back of his blade with the other sword and instantly knocked her out.
"You fucker!" Mr. 5 stuck his finger in his nose and pulled out…a booger, preparing to throw it at him.
Zoro cringed "Ew" but that didn't stop him from going into action. Zoro ran at him dodging the small projectile and did a shallow slash with his blade across his chest. And instantly, Mr. 5 collapsed on the ground cradling the wound he inflicted. Zoro looked back at him not really worrying since he's sure the wound is not a serious one.
Zoro looked at the crowd who gaped as he took down the highest ranking in this room of their organization in almost an instant. He pointed a sword in their direction. "Who's next?"
The others, instead of seeing him as a threat, they only saw him as a challenge. All of them started preparing their quirks and weapons to face him but by the time they were about to attack the intruder, he wasn't there anymore.
The people in the cage watched with bewilderment "H-he…disappeared!" the girl stated in surprise along with Igaram and the duck. The rest of the people started to look around looking for the hero urgency in their faces to get rid of him.
Zoro smirked in the middle of the crowd laughing at the fact that they somehow continue to miss him despite being in plain sight. One of the people beside him finally did recognize him after giving him a good look and yelped pointing a finger at him while stepping back. The commotion one did took the other's attention and started to step away from him.
He looked around the people that surrounded him and said "Wanna go?" he challenged with a wide smirk.
Long ranged members of the organization started to blast at him but, again, he disappeared and people ended up hitting each other with their quirks taking them out of commission.
As they're confused at his second sudden disappearance, he made quick work of one corner of the group taking down a couple of dozen all dropping at the same time from the speed of his attack.
When you see your comrades or allies from your side start to drop like flies, you start to panic, and panic they did. The remaining of the villains started to frantically attacking him with no coordination whatsoever, resulting in them accidentally hitting their fellow colleagues.
All that chaos made Zoro's job much easier since he started taking down all ones left standing. They all put up a fight but was extremely overpowered by Zoro's prowess.
In all the chaos, one of the members managed to get a hit in to Zoro with a ladder straight to his head. Zoro came flying all the way to the cage his back banging on the bars.
"Mr. Bushido!" the girl shouted in worry.
Zoro who was very much fine twitched with the nickname but figured now's not the time for that. He stood up and brushed off the damage he took not paying any attention to the blood running down from his forehead. The two and the duck have their jaw wide as they watched this man proceed as if he wasn't just hit on the head.
He started walking towards the assailant who gulped at his intimidating aura. When she got over her hesitation, she threw a punch towards Zoro which he caught in his bare hand with ease. Zoro gripped the fist in his hand which had his opponent screaming in pain and going down to her knees.
Zoro raised his other hand in the direction behind the woman. As she struggled to free her fist from his hand, she stopped her struggle when she felt a cut on her cheek. She looked up and saw Zoro's hand that used to be empty now holding his sword.
He smirked as he looked down at the woman "Did you think my quirk was somehow related to swords?" he raised the sword above his head and slashed down on her knocking her out with the force and the shock of the wound he inflicted on her shoulder.
Zoro let her fall down on the ground and looked at the handful of villains left as they watched their—what he thinks to be their last bastion—collapse to his feet with despair. To Zoro's shock, the ones left all drop their weapons and raise their hands in surrender. Well there only about five to seven of them left so they didn't really have of a choice anymore.
He approached them and took out restraints he has on him, and to his convenience, it was enough for them. He sat them down in a corner and headed for the cage.
Zoro sliced the lock in half and the cage's door swung open freeing its occupants. "Th-thank you." The girl said stuttering from surprise at he display of his power.
"I thank you too. It brings me comfort that a hero came when we truly needed it." Igaram said bowing to him. Zoro held his hand up to say for him not to do that.
"It's in the job description." He said sheathing all his swords. "Now I'd prefer it if you were to not be near these guys, but I need to keep watch on them and I can't leave you three on your own outside, so you'll have to stay here for a while more."
The girl walked up to him "To be perfectly honest we feel more safe in your company, and again thank you." She said with the duck on her side quacking in agreement. "My name's Vivi, this right here is Carue." She petted the duck and it nuzzled her.
"I'm Igaram."
"Roronoa Zoro."
During their conversation, the door was kicked open and in came a hero "Alright! Where's the action…" she looked around and saw the carnage from Zoro's earlier actions along with the restrained ones "at?"
"A little too late for the action you've been craving." Zoro commented.
The rabbit hero looked at him and smiled "Hey, you're that kid!" she said totally forgetting about her hunger for action.
Zoro walked up to her "Yep that's me. Thanks for that by the way." He said as nonchalantly as he could.
Miruko waved him off "Ah, don't worry about it." She looked around again "So what happened?"
"I basically got spotted while waiting for backup." Zoro said looking away a little shy.
Miruko cackled "Rookie mistake! Better luck next time!" she said patting his back quite aggressively. Vivi, Igaram and Carue watched in concern with how hard she's patting him.
Zoro ate all of it though "Everyone makes rookie mistakes." He insisted through gritted teeth.
"Keep telling yourself that kid!" she said still cackling. She reached up and patted his head "Don't mind it kid."
Zoro pulled away from her petting but she managed to pull him in a headlock. As he struggled away from her, an officer walked up to them. "Zoro…" he looked around and to him "Did you do this all on your own?"
He managed to pull away from the older hero and faced the officer "Detective Tsukauchi!" Zoro looked at what Tsukauchi was looking at "Uh yeah, they didn't put up much of a fight really."
"That's good—AH!" he shouted in surprise seeing the blood running down his face from his forehead. "M-MEDIC!" he pulled out a handkerchief from his coach and put it on his forehead applying pressure. "Miruko why didn't you immediately get him help?!"
"Oh come on, I've seen this kid handle worse. This is nothing! Right?!" she gave another rough pat on his back.
"Head outside, get that treated we'll handle things from here."
Zoro looked at the people he just rescued "We'll be fine, go ahead." Vivi claimed. He nodded before walking off.
When he got out of the 'convenience store', he was greeted by flashes of cameras and multiple reporters in front. He could see some of them trying to get near him but the police blocked their path giving him way to medical attention.
When he was wrapped up, he sat down far from the press. But the press are quite persistent so since they couldn't get near him for their questions, they started shouting their questions.
"Roronoa Zoro, what was it like facing a hundred or so of Baroque Works members singlehandedly?!" Zoro looked at them in surprise confused how they already knew that information "So you did handle that much members singlehandedly!"
He got played. Zoro groaned and stood up to get away from them more. Zoro only wanted a light snack maybe a drink before clocking out, except he came across a criminal organization's secret meeting, intercepted and basically apprehended every single one of them, all in one night. His night just became longer.
Zoro took advantage of his current day off and decided to oversleep this time. But his he couldn't get back to his peaceful sleep, not when he could feel the intense staring at his back. Zoro opened an eye and saw two kids staring at him intently with wide grins on their faces.
He groaned and pulled the cover over his head "Go away." He grumbled to the two.
"Zo-nii come on, tell us how you kicked a hundred asses!" Katsuki demanded with Izuku nodding along.
"I already refused to tell you the last a hundred times you asked, what makes you think I already changed my mind?"
Katsuki tried to pull the covers off him but he kept his tight grip on the blanket keeping it on him. But that didn't stop Katsuki and he kept tugging it off "Zo-nii, Zo-nii tell meee!"
He tried to ignore the kid's begging by trying to go back to sleep, he's slept through worse. But it seems his body clock decided that he had enough sleep. So he just decided to just get up. As he went to the living room, he ignored the noisy kid jumping around him.
Zoro proceeded to cook himself a light breakfast with the little blond still pestering him, but he has mastered the art of ignoring the Bakugo Katsuki so it didn't really hinder him from doing anything.
When he sat down to eat, he noticed Izuku turning the TV on and tuning in the morning news showing hero activities. He looked and choked when he saw his face from the night he came across that organization.
"Are you kidding? It's been a week!"
Izuku looked back at him "Nii-chan you almost took down Baroque Works singlehandedly. Of course they'll keep talking about it." The twelve year old informed.
He looked at the segment and the reporter proceeded to cover him as a hero more rather than the event. "Zo-nii's been on the news a lot. Hey maybe you'll be on the top 10!"
"Doubt it."
Izuku's eyes sparkled "They are announcing the new rankings of the hero billboard charts soon! I bet Hawks will move up again this year!"
"He's already in the top 10?"
"Huh, yeah." Izuku paused before he realized "YOU KNOW HIM?!"
Katsuki scoffed "He's probably not even as good as All Might."
Izuku ran to Zoro's leg and hugged him "Nii-chan why didn't you tell me?!" he wailed and Zoro looked at him with an uncomfortable face.
"M-my bad." He said trying to shake him off his leg, but his grip sure has improved. He lifted his leg but Izuku remained attached. And soon enough Katsuki occupied his other leg "Oi!" the next few minutes were spent with just Zoro trying to shake them off.
When he was able to break away from the spawns, he rushed off outside with the excuse of checking the mail. And since he's already outside, that's what he did. He carefully went back in, peeking at the living room to check if they're gonna do that again, but they were just sitting down and watching the new that's covering All Might.
He sighed in relief, thanking All Might from distracting them. He sat down on the couch next to them and started sorting the mail. Most of them were just bills so sorting them didn't take long. But one was addressed to him.
Curious, he quickly opened it and checked it the contents and found himself gaping at the letter and the invitation it came with.
"What's that?" Katsuki looked over to sneak a peek but Zoro quickly hid the letter.
"It's hero stuff." He pocketed the letter away.
"I'm gonna be a hero! Lemme see!" Katsuki tried to reach for his pocket but Zoro put his hand on his face and gently pushed him away.
"I said no kid, go watch the TV with Izuku."
"Tch" Katsuki pouted and crossed his arms.
When he was alone in his room, Zoro looked at the letter he received looking at it with disbelief. He sighed to loosen himself up from the news he's received. This is definitely not what he expected.
A knock on his door has him scrambling to hide the letter, "Zoro, dinner's ready!"
"O-okay, I'll finish up here!"
"Ok sweetie."
Zoro deflated from the sudden surprise. Best to just let them find out the usual way instead of breaking the news to them during dinner.
Zoro got dressed in his hero costume in his room before going out to the living room where Inko and Izuku were in front of the TV waiting. Much to Zoro's confusion "Isn't the hero ranking announcement in another two hours?"
"You know how Izuku is…"she paused and gave him a once over "You have work?" at her question, Izuku looked at him and realized he's leaving.
Izuku frowned "You're going out?" he felt a little bit saddened since they never missed watching the ranking announcement since they were younger.
Zoro ruffled his hair to comfort him "Don't worry Izu, I'll be sure to make it up to you." He said with a wink.
The little brother decided to take his word for it and smiled a little from that. "Take care then!"
"I'm off then."
Izuku stared at the door after he left still feeling a little sad. Inko wrapped an arm around him "Don't worry, Izuku. Maybe he'll be able to get you some hero autographs and information."
Izuku perked up at that and smiled "Mn!" he nodded before looking back at the TV and continued shaking in excitement. Now since the program won't be starting for a few more hours, he took to his notes and started organizing his notes and cleaning up his sketches. He opened up his phone and looked up different clips to review again.
Two hours has passed and his nose is still buried in his notebook it was only the voice of the announcer that took his attention from his notebook his eyes zeroing in on the TV. Inko giggled at her son's intense look.
"Welcome to the Hero Billboard Chart JP! I'll tell you right now there were some major changes this time, and maybe a new name." Izuku vibrated at the mention of a new hero being in the top 10. He prepared a blank page for the new hero that would make an appearance. He wished Zoro is here to see this with him. He'll just fill him in later.
"In the number 10 spot, he's managed to keep his rank from last time: Gang Orca!" and out came the hero waving at the crowd and reporters.
"Occupying the number 9 spot is our very own, Dragoon Hero: Ryukyu!" The blonde hero walked up to the spotlight and gave a wave too.
Izuku looked at her with fascination "I want to see more of her in her dragon form!" he said to Inko and pointing towards the screen that's displaying her. Izuku started to jump up and down since there are only a few more rankings until All Might makes an appearance.
"And now, announcing a very new addition to the top listings."
That took Izuku's attention and sitting down and opening his notebook with his pen at the ready.
"A UA graduate that's shown promise all the way from his first year, some of you might have remembered him as the sole survivor of 1-A" the announcer hyped up.
Izuku gasped at the familiar name, his brain going a mile a minute with speculations but discrediting them and going back to speculating again. Izuku shook his head to get those thoughts out of his head and focus on the new number 8 hero.
The announcer continued "I present to you, the master of the Three Swords Style: Roronoa Zoro!" the young hero stepped into the spotlight with a smirk on his face his right hand resting on one of his swords. He proudly stood straight allowing the scar his chest to be on display for the crowd. The crowd gladly applauded welcoming the new hero in the top, with a few more high pitched voices squealing.
Izuku and Inko gaped at the screen looking at their family member standing proud in the TV. Izuku was too stunned that he dropped the pen he was holding. His mouth started to open wide along with his already wide eyes, and not long after tears were already falling on his cheeks "Nii-chan"
Inko has her hands covering her mouth and stared at the screen. Izuku and Inko looked at each other and quickly hugged each other.
"Nii-chan!"
"Zoro!"
They both said at the same time and crying their eyes out. "Nii-chan, this is better than any autograph!"
"A heads up would've been nice, Zoro!"
The announcer continued to name heroes and their respective number. But Inko and Izuku were too busy trying to collect themselves from the sudden news of their family member being part of the best of the best of the industry.
Izuku blurred out the rest of the announcer's words with the exception of the name because he's still curious. "Miruko…"
"… …Crust"
"…Edgeshot…"
"Best Jeanist…"
Izuku started to focus again since the top 3 is about to be announced. "We have a new top 3 in our rankings ladies and gentlemen. It's none other than the fastest man alive going from a young budding hero and flew his way to the top 3 spot in such a fast manner that he's set the record for the youngest hero to be in the top 10 last year!"
"Let us welcome the Winged Hero: Hawks!" Hawks flew from the back of the crowd to the stage a few of his feathers floating around him. Everyone looked up and cheered the new top 3 hero and has shown great promise since his debut.
Zoro watched as Hawks made his grand entrance. And when he landed on stage his feather scattered around the rest of the top 10 heroes. A feather landed on his shoulder which he brushed off of him. But the feather floated up and was placed on his shoulder again. He looked at Hawks and brushed it off again, but it made its way on his shoulder. So he gave it up and let it be there.
When Endeavor was called on, he appeared with his usual scowl on his face looking like he doesn't want to be there in the first place. Zoro noticed his scowl deepened when All Might appeared with his usual smile.
"HA! HA! HA! NEVER FEAR CITIZENS! WHY? BECAUSE I AM HERE!"
The rest of the top 10 heroes clapped at the presence of the symbol of peace. Though it wasn't a surprise when Endeavor refused to do so.
Announcing the top 10 heroes are usually done as fast as it could since they are heroes and they need to go back to duty ASAP. So on their way out, a lot of reporters were waiting for them looking to snag some interview. And one of them was able to corner Zoro into one.
There were classes in UA when it comes to handling the press but he'd rather avoid it whenever he could. And it looks like this time, he couldn't avoid it.
"Roronoa Zoro, what do you think about you shooting up the rankings that would rival even Hawks."
"I'm mostly surprised, never really expected this outcome."
"Yo!" Hawks flew towards him and slung an arm on his neck "You made it to the top 10! I knew you could do it!" Hawks said patting his shoulder.
"Are you and Hawks acquainted?"
Hawks leaned on him and said "Heck yeah! We took our provisional license exam at the same time and now here we are!" Hawks held his hand in a peace sign "I dub ourselves the 'Youth Duo'! Nice to have someone my age in the top 10." He said patting his back again.
Zoro took the feather still on his shoulder "You dropped this."
"Oh come on Zoro, I thought we'll be doing some missions as partners? Consider that as a fast dial for me."
All the cameras near them flashed in an even more rapid rate "Are you two going to be cooperating in missions?"
"From time to time."
Zoro pocketed the feather "I did promise."
Hawks laughed having fun with his new ally.
Inko and Izuku watched yet again with jaws wide as they watched Zoro get comfortable with the number 3 hero.
Zoro was now walking away when Mihawk and Perona met him on his way out. Mihawk nodded at him "A congratulation is in order. Good job Zoro."
"For someone working under an underground hero you sure attract a lot of attention." Perona commented.
He turned to Mihawk and asked "You don't mind?"
"Not at all." He looked at his employees "Let me treat you two to dinner, I have some proposal and discussing it with a meal wouldn't hurt."
"Ooh! Can we do fine dining?" Perona suggested.
"It'll be Zoro's call."
Zoro shrugged "I don't know much places, fine dining would be fine."
"Finally making some sense." Perona mocked as she took the lead of walking the three of them to a place she's been meaning to eat at.
Mihawk got them a private room to eat at with the high end looking restaurant and Zoro didn't mind it one bit, it's Mihawk's treat he'll gladly take it. He took the liberty of ordering multiple dishes for himself and was on his way into finishing the last plate while Mihawk sipped on his tea and Perona watched in disbelief.
"Men and their appetite."
"Excuse me for trying to refuel myself from tiresome hero work."
Before the two could start bickering, Mihawk placed his cup on the table with a 'clink' getting their attention. "Next month, I'll be setting out to sea and doing operations there."
They both looked at him in surprise "You're leaving?" Perona asked her voice had a hint of sadness in it.
"I am"
Zoro observed him and said "I'm sensing a 'but' that will follow."
Mihawk looked at Zoro and nodded "I am leaving, but…" Mihawk took a sip of tea and set it down "I'm planning on taking you two with me."
"Eh?" Zoro and Perona said at the same time.
"I'm asking you two if you want to go with me." Mihawk reached down and took out papers "I should inform you that we'll be at sea for a couple of years so if you want to go with me, return that paper signed. I'll give you two until the end of the week."
Zoro picked up the paper and read it over. He read it over and over as his way of thinking it over. On his way home, he read it again. He looked at it one last time before he entered his home.
When he opened the door, the familiar sound of feet scurrying to him and the heavy tackle of his mom and little brother greeted him. Zoro smiled and returned the hug and squeezed as hard as he could. He's going to miss these hugs.
"Nii-chan, why didn't you tell me?!" Izuku whined and looked up at him. He'll miss those big eyes of his.
"Have you eaten yet?" Inko asked. He'll miss his mother's caring nature.
He laughed and pulled them into a quick hug. "I've eaten my fill, mom." Zoro reached for one of his pockets and pulled out two pieces of paper "I only got Hawks' and Miruko's signature." He handed them to Izuku. "Hope I made it up."
"You didn't have to! Your surprise was enough!" Izuku said but he's already hugging the autographs.
"Good to know." Zoro ruffled his hair. He glanced at the two of them. "Hey, uhm," Zoro rubbed the back of his neck. "I need to talk to you guys."
Inko and Izuku looked a little worried with his tone of voice. So all three of them went to the living room and seated themselves there. "So Mihawk said that he'll be setting out at sea."
Izuku brightened up "Are you gonna come with him?!"
Zoro was surprised at his response, he smiled at him "Yeah, yeah I am."
"Your hero career is gonna be so cool! You'll be doing hero work at sea! Will there be pirates?"
He laughed at that "There are not much of those, so I doubt it."
"Zoro, how long will you be out there?" she asked which had Izuku curious.
"A couple of years"
Silence permeated through the room after his statement. Izuku deflated when he found out how long he'll be away. Inko did too, her eldest son is all grown up now, it's going to happen eventually, and now here it is.
"Well, you've already made your decision, yes?"
Zoro nodded. Inko smiled "Go and do whatever you like, honey. You don't need my permission anymore after all."
Zoro smiled and looked down when he saw Izuku walk up to him "You'll stay in contact right?"
"Of course."
"You better tell me everything over the phone!"
"If I get a signal then yes." Zoro teased which earned him a punch from Izuku.
"Go be the greatest swordsman out there at the sea."
Zoro placed his hand on his swords "I will. As for you, work on yourself to be the number 1 hero."
Izuku nodded and returned Zoro's determined look.
As it turns out, Mihawk—along with Zoro and Perona—were to set out the next month. Which was two weeks away from when he asked them to join him. So Zoro hurriedly tried to prepare everything he needed, from luggage to paperwork in a short amount of time. That along with hero work quickly filled up his schedule and before he knew it, it was time for him to leave.
Zoro looked at his now cleaned room. The only visible thing you could see was a made up bed, an empty desk and his work out equipment. He picked up a dumbbell and pumped it a few times.
Izuku entered with a knock and walked up to Zoro's side. It's then that he saw him lifting a dumbbell before stopping. Zoro looked at him and gently handed the heavy dumbbell to him. To Izuku's glee, he was able to handle the weight of it.
"Take good care of these and make good use of them in your training."
Izuku nodded before running to one of his luggage and lifting it with ease. Zoro watched him take some of his luggage before he followed him carrying the remaining luggage with him.
When he got to the door, he saw Izuku and Inko waiting for him. Inko handed him a boxed lunch "Here bring this with you." She handed it to him which he gratefully took.
"I'll see you guys in a few years."
That opened the floodgates for the tears and Izuku and Inko started to cry and hugging him. "I'll miss you nii-chan!"
"My baby's all grown up!"
The two of them sobbed getting his clothes a little wet with their tears. Zoro hugged them back relishing in it. It'll be a while before he gets to experience this again.
He was able to convince them to let go since he has a schedule to follow. And so Inko and Izuku waved him goodbye with teary faces. Zoro gave them a final wave, before going out the door and closing it.
Zoro looked to the horizon and imagined what life would be like for him from this point on. But anything to be the greatest swordsman, and to protect those dear to him.
"Let's go."