Hey everybody^^

I'm not at work today (because my parents aren't at home, but have some craftspeople there, so I'm at their place in case something's happening), so I thought I use my time wisely and update the next chapter. It's a small interlude for things to come, and I'm so excited about the upcoming chapters.

Have a great weekend and may you have the time to do one little thing you enjoy ;-)


Chapter 24 - Friendship

-Zoro-

"I still dislike this plan." The tall man by his side sighed heavily.

"Of course. After all, it's not your plan," Zoro replied coolly.

"That may be the reason," the Shichibukai agreed.

"It's ten days, damn it. Somehow you will manage to survive."

"My concern is not my well-being, Roronoa."

"Well, then everything's good."

Mihawk took a deep breath but said nothing while they waited at the island's landing place.

In front of them blocked a huge Marine ship – fuzzy by the fog - the rising sun, but since the bay was not deep enough, a small boat had been sent off to collect Zoro.

Slowly it got closer.

"Where is Perona by the way?" Zoro asked, holding a hand over his eyes as the first rays of light made it harder for him to observe the boat.

"I told her that she had to take care of all this sweet stuff. If she bakes it, she is also responsible for ensuring that it does not rot in the kitchen."

Zoro did not respond, but only slightly shook his head. Sometimes the other seemed to have really strange priorities.

"Are you really sure you want to do that?"

"So now it would be a little too late, wouldn't it? Besides, it took an eternity to put on this damn corsage. So yeah, we're going to do this."

"You surprise me, Roronoa." Doubtingly he looked up to the other. "One could almost think you enjoy this costume."

"What do you think about shutting the hell up?"

The elder laughed quietly but remained silent.

Seconds later, Perona showed up and the consensual silence was over. She complained loudly about the things she still had to do, that no one had been waiting for her, that she had to walk through the woods on her own, and that she had to wear such horrific clothes.

"Did you take care of the pastry?" Hawk Eyes interrupted her nagging, skillfully ignoring her hateful gaze.

"Yes," she hissed almost like an injured cat.

Nobody said anything anymore.

By now, the small boat had finally docked.

The two swordsmen exchanged glances and Zoro could not prevent a small grin. It wasn't as if he was looking forward for what was to come, but Mihawk's reaction was almost worth it.

The three Marines came closer in a hurry, bowed as they walked, and greeted them politely.

Mihawk couldn't resist making it clear to each and every one of them who they would be dealing with if something would happen to Lady Loreen and Zoro didn't even have to pretend that the situation was embarrassing him.

The Marines had quickly stowed the necessary luggage and together they walked to the boat.

Somewhat surprised, Zoro looked at the hand offered to him by the Shichibukai, and only then did he notice how seriously the elder looked at him, with his lips pursed and even deeper wrinkles on his forehead than usual. Mihawk seemed genuinely concerned about him.

Eye-rolling, he accepted the help of the other this time.

But when he had crossed the small distance between the dock and the boat, the elder held his hand for a second longer than necessary. Mihawk said nothing, but his cold gaze and serious facial expression spoke volumes.

With a smirk, Zoro raised both eyebrows, but said nothing as well, before the other finally let go of him.

Zoro adjusted his bothersome dress while sitting down next to Perona and decided not to look at the island behind him, showing obviously that Mihawk's behavior was rather annoying than anything else. This unnecessary concern, this paternal fuss, which unfortunately could only too easily be misunderstood by strangers. All this was unnecessary. He had been able to cope well without the Shichibukai for the last twenty years, and now he would as well.

"He's really worried," Perona muttered next to him.

Zoro nodded only because he couldn't say what he thought without the Marines listening.

However, they were busy with other things. Two of them rowed like it was a matter of life and death to get them to the warship as quickly as possible. Yet, they did not seem to be very experienced and Zoro was convinced that he would make better progress on his own in his current body.

The third soldier sat opposite him and Perona, allegedly working on documents to make sure Lady Loreen's luggage was not lost, but his eyes did not move and Zoro could see that he was completely enchanted by his guests.

Zoro couldn't really blame him. He was used as Lady Loreen to be stared at by strangers; he didn't like it, but he knew it was going to happen. The dress chosen by Perona did the rest.

Peron, as well, had dressed up. She wore the same dress as she had when Eizen had visited and instead of her ridiculous braids she wore her hair open, only a few strands held back by clips. She looked much older than usual, more mature. But it could also be because of her unmoved face, which was without of the usual colorful make-up. She seemed to enjoy her role as Lady Loreen's court lady. At least one of them had fun.

Minutes later they had finally reached the huge warship, but instead of climbing up a ladder, as Zoro had expected, the entire boat was attached to two hooks and with united forces the Marines pulled on heavy ropes and hoisted the boat up. At the height of the deck, some unseen safety bars snapped in and the boat swayed slightly in the air.

The two rowers immediately started unloading the luggage while number three helped Perona to get out.

Zoro also got up and went to the edge. From the corner of his eye he could see Kuraigana and when he looked up, he noticed that there was still a single person standing there at the small jetty.

Suddenly the boat jerked to the side and Zoro lost his balance.

Needing something to grab on, his hand paddled blindly through the air as he clung to the railing of the warship with the other. But then someone pulled him almost effortlessly to the other side of the railing.

"You don't seem to be very experienced in this." He looked up in surprise. Bright green eyes, half hidden under blond curls flashed at him, only to be overshadowed by a broad grin that could rival Luffy's.

"Jiroushin?"

"I'm happy to see you again."

And before Zoro knew what was happening, the blond giant hugged him like they were old friends.

Half an hour later, Perona and Zoro were in their cabin, but that word did not quite match the huge room with the two adjoining bedrooms that had been made available to them.

It was a great surprise to meet Rear Admiral Cho Jiroushin, but even more surprisingly was watching him as commander of the ship, ordering his soldiers around. Although the broad permanent grin never left his face, even Zoro did not doubt his authority for a second.

Mihawk's childhood friend had promised to stop by as soon as the ship was on track and the work was done.

"So just that I understand this correctly," Perona muttered as she carried clothes and suitcases from one room to the other, "this blond is Hawk Eyes' and your friend, but doesn't know who you are?"

"And as long as you don't blabber it out, it will stay that way," he murmured. Zoro, too, roamed the rooms, but did not think about helping her, but rather examined picture frames and lifted up carpets.

He didn't know if it should surprise him or not, but he didn't actually find any bugging devices. Sighing, he slummed down on an expansive sofa. It would take them about two days to get to Mary Joa; he never thought he would ever return there.

Sighing for another time, he took the small briefcase that Perona handed him wordlessly and opened it. Eizen had sent him all the documents in advance, asking him to prepare for the conferences, and although he could really imagine better, he began to read.

At the same time, however, he took to heart what Mihawk had told him and opened his spirit. Ten days of training would go to waste because of this. Maybe not much compared to two years, but for him it was a small eternity, so he did what Mihawk had advised him.

His skin began to tingle.

He breathed deeply, only in the last few days they had begun to use the simultaneous use of Kenbunshoku and Busoshoku Haki. Zoro did not know why his teacher had already decided to combine both variations, even though he had hardly mastered his armor, but he found that it was relatively easy for him.

Although his armor was still weak and he was not really sure how hardening worked, he felt that both abilities were supporting each other. It felt almost more natural to use them together than separately.

Time passed as he read the files. At some point, Perona brought him something to drink before she went into her room. He didn't mind, because it was easier to concentrate when he was alone. Unlike Mihawk, she could not shield her mind, and whenever Zoro applied the Kenbunshoku Haki, he could hardly ignore her annoying thoughts. A wall between them made it much easier.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but then it knocked on the door and Rear Admiral Cho Jiroushin came in.

It wasn't surprising to Zoro that he could not hear his thoughts. Even as a newcomer to Haki, Zoro knew how important it was to hide his own thoughts from unwanted listeners. Fortunately, according to the Shichibukai, he basically had always a wall around his mind. Whether it was due to his daily meditative exercises or whether he was simply a very closed person, Zoro didn't care, he just didn't care for strangers were rummaging through his thoughts, just as he didn't care about hearing the annoying voices of others in his head. So he was glad that he was able to continue his inconspicuous training without Jiroushin necessarily noticing.

Zoro liked this Marine with whom he had already fought one or the other practice fight and was all the more pleased about the welcome distraction. For a long time, they talked, about Mihawk, about Sasaki, about the war.

Sometimes they laughed enthusiastically, sometimes they were serious.

Jiroushin told him that he would soon become a father and that he was promoted to Vice Admiral. In return, he wanted to know how Mihawk was doing and how Loreen's training was going along.

Zoro willingly told him everything but, of course, did not reveal who he really was.

He was almost surprised how much he enjoyed spending time with the fresh-faced Vice Admiral, and when Jiroushin called them good friends, Zoro suddenly had this unexpected urge to tell him the truth.

But, of course, he didn't. Of course, Zoro could not tell him the truth. Even if he wanted to, even if he wanted to risk the confrontation, there was now more at stake than his own life. Eizen knew who he was, and Eizen had his eyes and ears everywhere.

No, Zoro knew that he probably wouldn't be able to prevent when Mihawk would decide to get involved at some point, but at least he could keep Jiroushin out of his mess.

The Vice Admiral did not seem to notice his inner dispute while he ordered food for them from his subordinates and even while they ate, he wasn't silent for even a second. His laughter reminded Zoro of his captain and yet Jiroushin was so different. At least he could talk about more serious issues.

Though this was not the case as long as Perona was at the table, whom Jiroushin had also invited. She and the blond were discussing whether they could persuade Mihawk to renovate the castle, with their views fundamentally different about what should be modernized.

Zoro took their enthusiastic conversation less seriously and was more surprised that the Marine could stay away from his duties for so long. Every now and then other officials came in to ask him for instructions, but none of them seemed to mind that Jiroushin spent his working time eating with Lady Loreen and her court lady.

After the leftovers of the meal had been cleared, Perona retreated for some rest, and the two remaining ones turned to more interesting topics.

It was only when the day had progressed remarkedly and Zoro could no longer maintain his Haki that the Vice Admiral got up to say goodbye at last. But then he stopped in the doorway.

"Say, Loreen." Jiroushin closed the door again and turned to him, now he no longer radiated this lightness, but seemed much more thoughtful. "Can I ask you something?"

Zoro noticed the change of mood immediately and also stood up.

"Of course," he muttered, meeting the other's earnest gaze.

Jiroushin, on the other side, looked away and folded his arms.

"Are you dragging Mihawk into anything?" He asked, apparently aware of the weight of his words.

Surprised, Zoro raised an eyebrow, but did not respond.

Now the other rubbed his neck.

"I don't want to be rude or something and Mihawk can take really good care of himself. It's just..." Jiroushin still looked to the ground and shook his head slightly before smiling again. "I'm sorry, Loreen. That was thoughtless for me. Please forget what I said."

While he was speaking, he turned to the door and obviously wanted to leave.

"Jiroushin."

The Vice Admiral paused in the middle of the movement.

"You're worried about Mihawk, aren't you?"

It was rare for the other to call the Shichibukai by his first name, and Zoro knew that Jiroushin only did it when he wasn't joking. Mihawk had already told Zoro that his childhood friend was slowly getting suspicious and that it was only a matter of time before he would find out who Zoro was in reality.

"Actually, I shouldn't but…," the other muttered, turning back to him.

"I mean, I don't know how much you've noticed, but since you've appeared in his life, Hawky has changed quite a bit." Jiroushin smiled weakly. "If I'm honest, I have never seen him as happy as during the last few weeks and that's just because of you."

Again, he shook his head while Zoro could not prevent from blushing.

"When I heard about Roronoa Zoro's death, I was really worried about Hawky. You must know that he had taken a great fancy to this pirate. He was almost obsessed." The Vice Admiral shrugged his shoulders. "Be that as it may, that's not important anymore."

Zoro saw the whole matter a little different and would probably have smirked if the other one didn't sound so serious. Now he had something that he could rub on Mihawk's nose if the Shichibukai started to act up again.

"You know Mihawk's and my story, you know what I would do for him. Even if we are not necessarily on the same side of the law, that does not mean anything..."

"Jiroushin", he interrupted the other softly before he could stray away from the topic even more, "why are you telling me all of this?"

The other looked away, deep wrinkles dug into his otherwise carefree forehead.

"During our last meeting, Hawky said something that worried me, and it was about you." The Vice Admiral smiled again, but this time it was almost cynical. "He even thought about becoming my enemy, which is of course total nonsense. No matter what crap this idiot would do, I would never turn on him," the other murmured annoyed. "But just that he's thinking about it worries me a lot. I always thought he knew he could trust me, but apparently, he doubts it because of you. So, I ask you again, Loreen – and please tell me that I am wrong and interpret too much into his words – but do you drag Mihawk into anything?"

By now Zoro leaned with folded arms against the table.

The other's words troubled him as well. Zoro was not an idiot, even he had noticed that the Shichibukai behaved in an absolutely unusual way when it came to him, but he had obviously been unaware of the extent.

"Loreen, tell me that his words had no deeper meaning."

Now it was Zoro who looked away.

"Sorry, I can't do that," he finally admitted.

"What?" The other stared at him with his eyes wide open.

"I don't know why Mihawk told you something like that, but I want to assure you that it was his decision. I didn't know about it and I don't think much of it."

He didn't know what to say. He would never have asked Mihawk to stand between him and Jiroushin. No, on the contrary, he didn't even want him to. It was stupid, childish, and he just really felt the need to rip his idiot of a teacher a new one.

"But why?" the Vice Admiral asked, taking a step towards him. "Why would he say such a thing? Loreen, what..."

"I'm not going to tell you the truth, Jiroushin." He sounded colder than he had intended. "To be honest, I wish I could. But it is not possible, because then we will no longer be friends."

"What are you talking about?!" Jiroushin stood right in front of him and had both hands wide open. "We are friends!"

Why did he remind Zoro so much of Luffy?

"How can you just say that, Loreen?" The other yelled.

Zoro didn't answer and just looked at the other one. He had nothing more to add to his words, even though he knew that he was actually guilty of an explanation.

Suddenly Jiroushin grabbed him by the upper arms and shook him slightly.

Almost shocked, Zoro looked up. The gesture itself was not unknown to him, whenever Mihawk got really angry, he grabbed him like this to reason with him. No, the gesture itself did not impress Zoro at all, especially since the Vice Admiral did not use half as much force as the Shichibukai usually did.

But this was Cho Jiroushin, one of the most peace-loving people Zoro knew, and the other seemed even more shocked by his own actions than Zoro could be. Almost at the same moment Jiroushin grabbed him, he already let him go.

"I... I'm sorry!"

Panicked, the other jumped back and brought some distance between them, almost simultaneously the door to the other room opened and Perona stuck her head in.

Zoro nodded to her briefly and she closed the door again.

"I really don't want to be mean, Jiroushin, and I understand if you're not happy with the situation. But if the truth has the slightest chance of risking the friendship between you and Mihawk, then it is better for all of us if you do not know anything." The other wanted to say something, but Zoro kept talking. "I can't decide for Mihawk, but I'm not going to risk him standing in-between if you turn against me."

"And why should I do that?"

The Vice Admiral had meanwhile put on a cool face, he seemed highly concentrated.

"You'll know that as soon as you know."

"Uhm, but that's..."

"Don't take it personally, but I'd love to be alone now. I still have to prepare for the meeting."

Zoro turned around and walked over to his briefcase, which stood near the sofa.

"As you wish, Lady Loreen," he heard the Marine behind him. Heavy steps echoed through the room.

"Jiroushin," he said, a little louder than he wanted, as the other opened the door. "I really appreciate you and would like us to be friends, really. But when the day comes, I ask you for only one thing."

He lifted up the briefcase.

"Please don't oppose Mihawk just because of me. By all that will come I wouldn't want that to happen."

The door behind him fell close; the other was gone.

Zoro fell on the sofa with heavy breathing. How it annoyed him, all these complicated interdependencies, these complicated relationships, this politics, and these lies.

Perona stuck her head out of the adjoining room.

"You're alright?" She muttered, less anxiously. "It just got pretty loud."

"Everything is okay," he grumbled, opening the documents.

"Geez, I have to say, there's always a lot of drama going on around you, better than any novel I've ever read."

Although he did not reply, he agreed with her. It was exhausting and yet he always let himself be dragged along. Of course, he could not have told Jiroushin the truth, otherwise he would probably have arrived in handcuffs on Mary Joa, but why had he picked up the subject again? And why hadn't he just told Jiroushin to ask the Shichibukai?

Sighing, he buried his head in the papers.

That was the last time the Vice Admiral visited Lady Loreen's rooms. His officers always let them know that he wished them a pleasant travel, but he himself did not show up.

It was only when they docked at the above-ground port of Mary Joa that he stood there, in front of his subordinates, and saluted in sync with them.

Instead of a hug, he bowed so deeply Zoro could read the lettering on his cape, and he didn't smile as he got up again, and yet he handed Zoro his hand to disembark.

But as soon as Zoro turned away from the other, he left these problems behind. For in front of him stood Eizen.

-Mihawk-

Even if it was childish, he stood at the dock until he could no longer see the Marine ship.

He sighed heavily and turned around. Now he had ten days of this huge island all to himself and he already knew that he would leave for Mary Joa in exactly ten days, should his little frog not have returned by then.

"My goodness," he murmured to himself and brushed his hair out of his face, "even just thinking it sounds pathetic."

In the middle of the forest, he stopped. The primates were not where they were normally, something was wrong.

With swift steps, he hurried along the neglected paths. There was no one else on the island, so he did not have to worry, well, except for the everyday worries he had when Roronoa met Eizen, especially without his presence.

Nevertheless, he disliked the fact that the primates seemed to gather in the backyard of the castle. This was not a place where he allowed them to be. He needed little time to move around the castle and there he met them. They all backed off terrified when they noted that the lord of the island was coming at them, but he was surprised how long it had taken them to do so.

Like a king, he walked between their lines, recognizing what they had gathered around. Directly at the stair heel, which led up to the back door of the kitchen, lay three open bread baskets. As he peered in, he found that they were filled with sweet pastries, the front two baskets already well emptied.

So that was what she did with what Roronoa and he did not eat. She gave it to the primates.

Slowly he turned around, the humandrills shrugged back.

"Tze."

Then he went up the stairs and slammed the door shut behind him.

What was this naive brat thinking?

Shaking his head, he walked through the cold corridors before arriving in the dark fireplace room and settling on his preferred armchair. On the table next to him lay a small, inconspicuous looking pile of tacked papers, the top sheet was blank, like the back of a book.

Slowly he bent down and lifted it up. The many sheets were neatly bound together, not one side stood out conspicuously, but then a folded piece of paper fell out.

Frowning he bent after it.

Don't cut a caper!

"Tze! This brat."

Then he sat down and began to read.