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Chapter 62

The apple of his eye

Sanji sighed before kicking in the stomach the fat merchant who had tried to rip him off. Make him believe his sword was a fake, really… The man heavily crashed into the shelves at the back of his shop and the cook picked up his possession from the counter, leaving him half-stunned in the middle of his stuff.

The blond went out into the street and found himself again in the middle of passers-by doing their shopping in the sun already high in the sky at the beginning of the morning. He lit a cigarette and took a long drag while studying his next destination. He had already seen three workshops. The owner of the first had tried to outright steal the blade from him in view of its value, another had just tried to con him and the previous one hadn't noticed the sword was special, wanting to treat it as an ordinary weapon.

Sanji quietly continued his walk through town. When he had opened his eyes in the first light of dawn, he had been surprised to notice that Zoro was already getting ready. And if he didn't remember seeing the swordsman get up so early, he also didn't remember watching Luffy devour his meal so quickly, letting his friends quietly finish as he was dashing outside. Chopper had had a pretty rough night according to the girls and the captain and his first mate didn't want to waste a second.

The cook hadn't even heard them leave. After having helped the innkeeper to collect the dishes, he had gone up to his room and Zoro was coming out of the bathroom at the same time. When he had come out in his turn, the fencer had disappeared into thin air. Only his white sword was still on the desk, prominently, and the blond had understood the message. He had gently seized it and had headed outside for his own mission.

Arriving in front of a new blacksmith's workbench, Sanji glanced out the window. A gray-haired old man was hammering on an anvil in a small back room, looking focused. The cook decided to try his luck and he pushed the door open then placed his possession directly on the counter. The man stopped his motions and stared at him from his workbench as Sanji was pulling the cigarette out of the corner of his lips.

"Can you fix this?"

The blacksmith growled something incomprehensible before getting rid of his hammer and painfully coming closer. He picked up the sword and opened the scabbard with a steady hand. His gaze then widened when he discovered the blade and he suddenly returned his attention to the blond in front of him.

"Where did you get that, kid? For sure, you're not a swordsman."

"None of your business, grandpa. Can you fix it or not?"

"Well…"

The old man carefully examined it under the reflections of the light before sighing.

"It's pretty much bashed up and the cracks are deep. Doing that to such a masterpiece… I guess we'll find out…"

He was about to walk away with the sword when the cook stopped his movement, grabbing the weapon again and crushing his cigarette butt in the ashtray.

"If you can't do it, you don't touch it."

"And what will you do? Sing a prayer hoping it recovers on its own?" the old man retorted. "The longer you wait, the less chance you'll have of getting it back in good condition."

Sanji removed his hand, more confident. The blacksmith seemed to know what he was talking about. He then settled himself against the wall facing the counter and lit a new cigarette.

"You're planning to stand there the whole time?" the man wondered.

"Yeah."

The old man shrugged and grumbled about the stupidity of youth. He then disappeared into his workshop area with the sword and Sanji dragged a little harder on his cigarette butt. He was so hoping this guy could fix it…

Zoro was walking in silence on the stony path he had walked the day before. Fortunately, the trail was practically the only one that existed across the hills, so he had every chance of leading his captain to where he wanted to go. Beside him, Luffy was carefully studying the drawing of the algraé that they needed to find as soon as possible. Usopp had drawn a model for him from the manuscript of the reindeer and with each new flower he was coming across, he was checking it wasn't it.

"I don't think their hut is far away", the swordsman said after a moment.

"Great!" the straw hat boy exclaimed, his eyes glistening with anticipation.

The fencer took an uncertain look around him. Despite his confidence, he didn't really recognize the place. Everything was alike in the midst of these trees, these rocks and these wild grasses. And then… And then he wasn't the best in spatial awareness and he was well aware of it despite all the bad faith he could show. He wasn't stupid. It was even Chopper who had taken care of their itinerary when he was injured for the trip home…

"I'm not sure", he finally admitted, annoyed.

Luffy stared at him for a second before shrugging.

"We'll find out eventually. Anyway, the important thing is the flower!"

Zoro nodded and tried to focus on that goal. This didn't prevent him from thinking he was useless once again, yet he tried to suppress the feeling of helplessness that was suffocating him. Chopper wasn't well and while he wasn't responsible for it, his current condition was also due to the fact that he had decided to go get his sword. And that he had then lost time. Because he had made that choice. And because he had got lost before he had found Chopper again…

"It's all yellow, about twenty centimeters tall and a rough stem!"

Luffy pulled him out of his thoughts as he was rereading Usopp's sheet and Zoro focused harder. He had to redeem himself. He had to find this flower as soon as possible.

Twenty minutes later, the straw hat boy spotted the now shaky thieves' hut at the top of a fork and rushed over. Zoro followed him at a slower pace, recognizing the aged wood of the walls and the tall grass that almost invaded it. He knew the three individuals wouldn't be there. The attack he had launched to get his sword back had frightened the men and considerably weakened the frame. This hideout was now too damaged for them to take refuge in it and they were probably far away today.

"Look, Zoro!"

The swordsman came closer and felt his heart sank when he discovered in a corner the vise and the anvil that had tried to reduce his blade to dust. The huge roaring fire that had been used the day before was now completely extinguished, but the smell of burnt wood and metal was still in the air.

"What were they firing in there?" Luffy wondered, examining half-melted objects left on the floor.

"They're metal dealers", his first mate automatically replied. "They steal precious objects and then melt them in order to retrieve the value without being spotted."

"Ah."

The straw hat boy picked up an old gold pocket watch that hadn't had time to go through the oven. He opened it to find a picture of a woman, her husband and their little girl. His gaze darkened.

"Is that why you only have two swords today, Zoro?"

The fencer straightened up imperceptibly and noticed the angry eyes of his captain a few feet away. He knew what that question really meant. Luffy had guessed what had happened but he was waiting for his confirmation.

"They damaged Wadô", he admitted. "Deeply. The cook's gonna see what he can do in town…"

Luffy slowly nodded before carefully setting the pocket watch down on the wobbly desk against a wall.

"Let's go get that flower. Then we're gonna kick their asses!"

"The flower! Look, that's it!"

Luffy excitedly pointed at a beautiful solitary flower with heavy yellow petals not far from the side of the path. As the captain was rushing towards it, the swordsman checked the drawing the straw hat boy had given him earlier.

"Looks like it is", he confirmed.

Luffy dug it up as gently as possible before placing it in the bag the little doctor had given him. He then put it back in his pocket, a sparkling smile on his lips.

"Chopper's gonna be much better now!"

Zoro nodded, smiling in his turn. They hadn't found the thieves but they had got their hands on what was important and that was enough.

After coming out of the hut, the captain and his first mate had continued the only path and they had almost walk around the island over the hours since they could now see below the village through which they came from the other side.

"Let's just go through the city, we'll go faster!"

The fencer nodded and they quickly started walking again. However, as they were reaching the edge of the houses, Zoro abruptly stopped. He then pulled down a notice from a wall and Luffy leaned closer to him with curiosity.

"Who are they?" he asked, pointing at the three men on the wanted poster, whose bounties totaled thirty million berries.

"It's them", the swordsman growled.

The straw hat boy took the piece of paper in his hands and stared at his new enemies with determination.

"We need to bring the flower back to Chopper but we'll be back."

He stuck the poster in his pocket and they resumed their walk.

A few minutes later, as they were turning the corner of a narrow, seedy street, Zoro froze again, his hand on his blades. Luffy gave him a questioning look and his first mate pointed out his target.

At the end of the street, a tavern was offering a few outdoor seats for its customers, and three of them immediately caught the captain's attention. Fate could be a good thing and the three thieves were lazing peacefully in front of them. The clatter of the swordsman's blades made them looked up and they recognized him in a flash. Trembling with fear, they gave up their drinks and belongings to make off under the inquisitive gaze of the rest of the customers and walkers.

Zoro immediately grabbed his two swords to rush after them but Luffy beat him.

"Gum-Gum Stamp!"

The straw hat boy's leg stretched and his foot landed in the face of the tall blond running ahead, leaving his sandal imprint on his face. His other two companions underwent the same treatment a second later and they all collapsed on the pavement, blood spurting from their mouths.

The captain got closer to his already crushed enemies, short of breath and eyes shining with rage as the rest of the onlookers were standing cautiously aside from the sudden settling of scores.

A few steps behind him, Zoro sheathed his swords. As much as he would have liked to take care of them himself, he was grateful to his captain at this point. Luffy wasn't letting anyone get away with attacking his friends and he was aware of the importance of his blades for his first mate. So he probably was considering him hurt just like Chopper, and he wanted to deal in person to make them regret their actions.

"W-We're sorry!" the blond stammered, shrinking as the pirate was coming closer.

"We-we didn't know what we were doing", the fat brown man added, visibly scared.

"We won't do it again, I swear!" the third begged.

"You're just trash!" the straw hat boy spat above them, pale with fury. "You don't have the right to steal people's property in order to destroy it, these are their treasures!"

The culprits trembled even more at these words before whining in fear. Luffy had indeed wrapped one of his elastic arms around them and he stuck in the mouth of the tall brown man who was hiccupping their wanted poster. Gaining momentum, he threw them violently forward and the men flew into the sky.

As a landing, they went through the roof of the Marine base a few hundred meters away and crashed directly to the ground. The officers alerted by the noise immediately surrounded them before recognizing them thanks to the wanted poster that the man had spat out. Satisfied, they dragged the haggard thieves along to the nearest cell.

Sanji examined for the thousandth time Wadô Ichimonji's scabbard. He had turned it around and around so much for hours that it felt like its image would remain etched on his memory forever. Its dazzling line whiteness, its gliding, its delicate finishes.

It was all he could do unfortunately. Staring at it and praying with all his might for the sword to find its half as soon as possible. He had no room for error. If he was bringing back a destroyed blade, he wasn't sure Zoro would forgive him. And even if he did, the worst would be to see the swordsman break just like his sword.

He didn't even want to think about it. The blades of the fencer were undoubtedly what mattered the most to him and this one had value beyond simple sentimental attachment. Kuina's will and presence were hovering around that blade, connecting the swordsman with his dream and their promise.

Sanji shivered. He knew Zoro would defeat Mihawk one day or another. His only uncertainty was about the presence of the Wadô by his side that day now…

"Well…"

The blond jumped and raised his only visible eye toward the old blacksmith who had finally reappeared, dreading his words. The guy had been in his back room for hours without giving him any news…

"That's a sword that has seen trouble…"

The cook didn't answer and quickly approached the counter to retrieve it.

"You got the cash for this I hope?" the old man growled when he was in front of him.

"Let me see."

He handed him the sword and Sanji eagerly examined it. At first glance, the cracks were less visible and the blade had been sharpened but he was far from being an expert in this field. The only thing he could certify was that it was in one piece.

"I have to take it back to its owner to find out if you've done a good job."

"What?" the man got indignant.

"You have my word you'll be paid up to your work, but I can't judge it myself as you had noticed."

"You better not con me, son! 'Cause I'm warning you, member of a pirate crew or not, I'll report you to the first patrol if you're not back by tonight!"

The cook stared at his interlocutor in amazement. How had the man recognized him when all his friends hadn't even gone into town?

"You really think that kind of blade isn't hard to find?" the blacksmith retorted in an obvious tone, noting his confusion. "The Marine regularly makes public a reminder of the weapons used by pirates to recover them and this one, I can tell you, is one of them. The Straw Hat Pirates, if I remember correctly."

Sanji sighed and put the Wadô back in its sheath.

"No need to get so worked up, old man. We'll be here by tonight."

When Sanji entered the small garden of the inn, he noticed that all his crewmates were gathered around the little reindeer. This one was sunbathing with the end of the day and the atmosphere seemed joyful around him. The blond deduced Luffy and Zoro had managed to recover the flower and he felt relieved.

"How are you, Chopper?" he softly asked, coming up to him.

"Much better since I was able to take my potion", the doctor smiled, turning to him in his little chair.

"He still needs to rest", Nami chimed in, asking him not to fuss.

"The effects of the poison are wearing off but it's exhausting for the body", Robin explained.

"Usopp-san and I are in charge of the infusions!" Brook showed him, pointing to a teapot. "Chopper-san must take it very regularly for two more days."

"And that thing looks disgusting", the sniper whispered towards him, wincing.

"It's very bitter but vey effective", the doctor replied in a professional tone.

"I'm really glad you're better, Chopper", the cook added. "You scared us, you know…"

"Don't worry, it was more impressive than really dangerous!"

Sanji smiled at his crewmate's obvious urge to reassure him, then he moved away to turn to the last three crewmembers a few feet away.

"What about these guys?" he said, coming closer. "Did you get them?"

"Luffy smacked and dropped them off directly at the Marine!" the cyborg proudly told him.

"I see. It deserves a little party, don't you think, Captain?" his cook offered him.

At these words, the eyes of the straw hat boy lit up.

"A party, awesome! What are we eating?!"

"Let me think about it. I got something to do first."

The blond finally turned to the swordsman and pointed to his blade he was holding in his hand. The fencer seemed to silently question him in return and Sanji motioned for him to follow.

Arrived in their small room, Sanji silently handed his sword to his partner, his heart pounding in spite of himself. He then walked away toward the window to keep himself busy during the necessary time of examination.

He immersed himself in the observation of the outside environment and heard Zoro release the blade from its scabbard with a characteristic noise. Silence then spread in the room and the cook quickly forgot to focus on the landscape. Unable to hold it any longer, he ended up turning round but the swordsman had his back turned and Sanji couldn't see his reaction. Biting his lip, he had to wait a long time before the fencer put his sword away and fastened it to his hip beside the other two.

"Not bad."

"You're gonna be able to use it?" the blond wanted to know.

He saw Zoro freeze for a second before he finally turned to him.

"Yes. I think it'll be okay."

The cook couldn't help but breathe a little easier and he gave him a provocative smile to conceal his previous apprehension.

"Of course. Now we need to go pay him."

Zoro entered the workshop with a confident step and the old blacksmith smiled when he saw him come closer, the blond by his side.

"You're the fencer, there's no doubt about it. Satisfied?"

"You did a good job", the swordsman replied.

"I advise you to take more care of it in the future", the old man warned him. "It's a very beautiful blade, it deserves more consideration."

"I got money but not enough", Zoro cut him short, emptying his pockets.

"No big deal", the other chuckled. "I said that because I was curious to know who it belonged to. And then, having the opportunity to work on this quality, it's not every day."

"That's why I took the other two."

The old blacksmith watched him put his other two blades down on the counter with unfeigned curiosity. He then examined them in an attitude of respectful appreciation before finally grazing the Sandai Kitetsu.

"That's a dangerous choice but it must be fine with you if you're still standing. How long has it been?"

"A good while", the swordsman approved.

"Surprising."

He turned his attention away from the sword and grabbed Shuusui, whose scabbard he examined carefully. He then took the blade out and observed the reflections of the black sword for several minutes, clearly in admiration. At last, he nodded and put the blade away before handing them back to the fencer.

"You must be a very good swordsman to have such a blade", he said.

"She remains difficult to handle", Zoro honestly answered.

"We rarely have the opportunity to see someone walking around with such artworks", the old man resumed. "Moreover, three of them. Anyway, weird association. Three sword style?"

Sanji listened to them talk for a moment without understanding a word. Finally, he gave up and walked away to smoke absently his cigarette, staring out the window.

"Let's go", Zoro suddenly said in his back.

"You paid him?" the blond asked, turning around.

"It's not as much as I expected but I was entitled to compensation", the old man approved behind them.

Zoro greeted the old blacksmith and they quickly walked to the exit.

Once outside, the cook questioned his partner with a look.

"What's the compensation he was talking about?" he asked.

"The other two swords."

"It's a compensation?" he wondered.

"A true connoisseur is honored when he can observe some of the best swords in the world."

"Oh. Of course."

Sanji put his cigarette butt back between his lips and they quietly turned into the way home.

The party was in full swing. The crew had decided to come back to the Sunny to celebrate the recovery of the little doctor and the creativity of the cook for the occasion amazed them. Chopper was overwhelmed by candy and sweet treats while the others were feasting on the fish caught the day before and subtly spiced up by the salt of the Aqua Laguna. Luffy was even surprised to discover a juicy haunch venison and he literally drooled over the table and the floor despite his navigator's angry gaze.

The night then stretched to the rhythm of Brook's violin and Franky's dances, who dragged the girls onto the deck. Even Chopper was waddling in his chair but he was still too weak to really participate. So, when exhaustion won him over, his crewmates decided to close the festivities and Usopp put him in his bed before everyone returned to their room.

For his part, the cook quickly washed and put his dishes away, also impatient to find his bed after the emotions of the day.

When he entered it a few moments later, he saw that the swordsman had put his three blades in their places and that he was intensely watching them, sitting on the bed. The blond took off his shoes, jacket and shirt, neatly putting them away before slipping into his partner's back. He then tied his arms around his stomach and rested his chin on his left shoulder, observing in his turn the three swords.

"There's something comforting about seeing them in their place", he whispered after a silent minute.

"Thank you."

Sanji smiled before putting his lips to the corner of his lover's mouth.

"You're welcome."

Zoro grabbed him by the waist to sit him on his knees before taking full possession of his lips, his arms closing possessively along his neck and then his back. Sanji kissed him back passionately and helped him remove his tee-shirt before continuing their embrace for several minutes.

When he finally straightened to catch his breath, he deeply gazed at his partner.

"What is it?" the swordsman huskily whispered.

"Am I not allowed to just look at you?" the blond teased.

Zoro frowned.

"Why would you do that?"

"And why not?"

"It's weird", the fencer said, shrugging.

Sanji then let his right hand venture among the green locks of his partner thoughtfully and Zoro got surprised. However, he didn't try to free himself from it, and he himself began to absently caress his bare back.

"I realized something", the cook suddenly said.

"What?"

"I thought about those sea baths we had to cross and I'm not jealous of girls who can look at you."

"You worry to the point you have to state it again, cook?" the swordsman pointed out with a mocking smile.

"No, seriously. It's not of them that I feel jealous of."

With these words, Zoro stopped his motions along his back and fixed his gaze on his, puzzled.

"You mean you're jealous of guys?" he asked wonderingly. "Like in this club?"

"No."

The swordsman frowned and Sanji slightly turned to nod with his chin at something behind him.

"I think I get jealous of them sometimes."

Zoro shifted and his gaze fell on his three swords. He then returned his attention to the cook who was looking at him distractedly, his hands playing in his hair again.

"Why would you be jealous of my swords?" the fencer finally growled. "That doesn't make any sense what you're talking about, cook."

Sanji had a sweet smile as he was focusing on his partner again.

"At first I thought it was Kuina but in reality it's this art you're so close to that I'm a little concerned. Like when I thought you wouldn't make a commitment about this relationship because your goal was too important or the time you spoke with Tashigi-chan…"

The swordsman frowned again in incomprehension and Sanji placed a light kiss on his lips.

"You know, these blades are such a large part of you and your life, you cherish them more than anything and they'll stay with you until the end, no matter what. So yeah, sometimes I am jealous of your swords…"

Zoro stared at his partner for a long time before sighing and falling back onto the mattress, pulling the cook against his chest with an arm around his shoulders.

"You're so complicated, freaking darts eyebrow. Only you can think of such things…"

Against his warm skin, Sanji rolled his eyes.

"I know, moron. No need to remind me of that…"

"Don't ever change", the swordsman then whispered as sleep made him close his eyelids.

The cook felt his eyes widen and he wanted to sit up, but the fencer's hands were softly caressing his back again and he smiled.

He closed his eyes in his turn and let himself be carried away by the sweetness of the moment.

Zoro's swords are very precious to him and I find his relationship with them interesting and touching. Sanji knows it. And even if he doesn't need to feel threaten, he recognizes the link between Zoro and his blades with his dream.