"Aren't you going to ask why you're in the deer's body?" Law asked as they walked down one of the long corridors of the building, his footsteps the only sound. Zoro, currently in Chopper's body, was still hanging into Law's shoulders.

"Ah! I totally forgot!" Zoro said, surprised. She looked at one of her hooves and waggled it.

"…Well anyway, I'm assuming your crewmates are going to head for the opposite exit. Let's meet them there and talk." Law said. Zoro reached over and poked Law's cheek with her hoof.

"Whoa, I can't feel anything through this…"

"Stop that."

"It's like my hand is a rock…"

"Stop touching me."

"You could really punch someone with one of these."

"Don't even—ugh!" Law grunted as Zoro punched him lightly with the hoof. Well, Zoro thought it was lightly. Law rubbed his jaw and glared over at her. She stared back, wide-eyed. Law sighed.

"It's difficult to be angry when you have that deer's face…"

"He sure is cute, huh?" Zoro then tried her best to look cute, grinning widely and squinting her eyes. The forced effect made Chopper's face look crazed.

"Don't do that."

"You know… you remind me a little of Sanji." Zoro observed.

"Who?"

"Our cook. The guy who kicks things."

"Black leg-ya? Is he the one you wanted to show off the last time we met?"

"Yeah! I almost forgot about that. You two both can be a bit of a buzz kill at times."

"…"

"But still, good people." Zoro then patted the top of his head with her hoof.

"Don't mistake me, Zoro-ya. I am only using you for my own benefit."

"Oh. Oh." Zoro started to reach for her stomach then realized she didn't have her haramaki around her waist like usual.

"…What?"

"You like me too." Zoro told him, nodding.

"…What?"

"I never thought this would happen. I mean, I know the guys from the island of manly men said it was a possibility…"

"I don't like you." Law had stopped walking and was staring at her, devoid of expression.

"This is so annoying… well, you'll have to wait until I find my notes again."

"What do you mean, notes?"

"I thought you were the directionally challenged one." Law broke the silence as they waited at the only other exit in the large industrial building. It was clearly marked with a large red exit sign. They had arrived quickly and were waiting for the other straw-hat members to come. But, it was taking a very long time.

Zoro had been occupying her time by testing out Chopper's body. She was very upset that no matter what she tried, Law was able to easily push her away whenever she tried to attack him.

"I know Chopper isn't this weak…" Zoro thought out loud, racking her brain trying to figure out how to bring out her true potential in that body.

"Wait, quiet, do you hear that?" Law asked, pushing away from the wall and peering down the long hallway. There was a scurrying sound and the sound of shouting coming quickly in their direction.

"That's it!" Zoro said triumphantly, finding one of Chopper's Rumble Balls.

"The hell—" Law's jaw dropped slightly as he saw Luffy's body crawl-running towards them on all fours, shrieking. Sanji and Nami were running quickly after him.

"There he is, catch him!" Nami shouted, before shrieking as a rat crawled from her shoulder onto the top of her head. She grabbed the rat (Luffy) and threw him onto the ground, trying to stomp him.

"N-Nami stop, that's the captain remember!" Chopper shouted from Zoro's body as he slowly caught up, keeping getting caught in Zoro's long coat and swords at her hips.

"I know." Nami replied, still slamming her foot into the ground as the rat(Luffy) ran around trying to avoid her foot.

Sanji had pulled ahead and was racing for the body of Luffy (rat). Wanting to stay out of whatever this was, Law backed into the corner.

"Got you!" Sanji yelled as he dived for Luffy's body. The rat in Luffy's body was quite smart however, and using Luffy's abilities, sprung out of the way at the last moment. Instead of grabbing Luffy's body, Sanji instead crashed into Chopper's body (Zoro), head first. His face smashed into Chopper's (Zoro) and their lips/snout smashed together.

Sanji pulled back immediately, holding his mouth and cursing from the pain. Zoro gulped.

"S-sanji?"

"Fuck fuck… wait, Zoro?" Sanji looked down at the little deer that he had just accidentally kissed. He wondered why the universe was so unfair. He spat out some fur from his mouth.

"I swallowed it."

"Huh? Swallowed what?"

"Raaahh!" Zoro in Chopper's body suddenly roared, having swallowed the Rumble Ball. Chopper's body suddenly started growing rapidly into his Monster Point form. Sanji stumbled back quickly towards the others.

"She ate one of the Rumble Balls! She's out of control!" Chopper squealed from Zoro's body as the Monster Point grew too big for the hallway and smashed one of the walls open.

"What do we do!?" Nami asked, quickly hiding behind Sanji.

"Maybe we can get her to come to her senses!" Chopper suggested.

"How do we do that?" Nami questioned.

"She's close to you Sanji, you try!" Chopper said, pushing the cook in the monster's direction. Sanji nodded and followed after the monster that was now crashing through the walls randomly. He placed himself in her path.

"Zoro, it's me, Sanji. Stop! Get ahold of yourself! You remember me, right?" Sanji placed his hand on his chest and tried to catch her eye.

The monster (Zoro) slowly turned towards the cook and stared him down. Then she batted him into the wall with her arm.

"Huh, well that didn't work.." Chopper muttered.

"That's your body, you figure it out!" Nami yelled, grabbing Zoro's body's (Chopper's) shoulders and shaking him.

"Shambles." Law muttered, holding out his hand.

The crew felt a familiar leaping of their hearts from their chests.

Chopper, now in his original body, gasped and ran over to pull Sanji out of the wall. Sanji groaned but recovered quickly and walked back over as Chopper shrunk back down to his Brain Point form.

"So this was your fault…" Sanji said, walking up to Law and staring the man down. Law stared back, unwavering.

"I need to speak to your Captain." Law replied simply.

"Hey, I'm me again Law-guy!" Zoro announced, walking over to him, unaware of the tension between the two men. "Look at this!" She planted her hand against his cheek like she had when she was in Chopper's body.

"What are you doing?!" Both Sanji and Law said at the same time. Zoro, surprised at their outburst, looked between the two.

"Just showing—oh right, I almost forgot!" Zoro dropped her hand and reached into her haramaki, pulling out a piece of paper.

"Why are you getting that out now, Zoro?" Sanji asked, frowning.

"Oh, Law-guy is in love with me too. I remember reading something about that." Zoro replied, moving her finger down the list. Sanji turned a murderous look towards Law. Law held up his hands and shook his head quickly.

"Not even a little bit." He told the cook, who didn't look convinced.

"This is the second time you've pranced into our lives and started screwing around…" Sanji stepped up to Law, face to face. Law, slightly taller than the cook, shook his head again.

"I don't want your woman, black leg-ya. There are more important things to discuss."

"Oh! Here it is! Huh… I guess that woman really was right before…" Zoro shrugged and stuffed the paper back into her haramaki. Both Zoro and Law had turned to look over at her worriedly.

"Meatbrains… what did that stupid piece of paper say?" Sanji asked.

"To make you jealous." Zoro replied. Sanji pinched the bridge of his nose. Law started edging away from the group.

"Wait!" Nami said from the sidelines, scurrying over to her. "Zoro, remember what happened last time?"

"Yeah, I made a huge mistake." Zoro admitted. Nami and Sanji sighed in relief.

"Exactly."

"So that's why I'm telling him this time. Got it dumbrows? So pay attention." Zoro said, pointing at the cook. Sanji stared at her in disbelief.

Law raised his hand to teleport himself away from the group but before he could say the words, his arm was gripped by Zoro with a devious look on her face. Law looked back, horrified. A flaming kick came out of nowhere aimed at their arms. It was blocked however by one of Zoro's swords.

"This is stupid, you don't have to make me jealous, you already have me!" Sanji told her. His face was a bit red when he realized he was saying this in front of everyone.

"But the list says—"

"Shut it with that goddamn list!" Sanji suddenly burst out in anger. Startled, Zoro took a step back.

"San—"

"Do whatever the hell you want with him." Sanji continued coldly, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. He looked between the two, then turned abruptly and headed back down the hall. "I'm going to find the kids we lost."

"I'll help! Zoro lets talk later!" Nami said, giving her a sympathetic expression then following quickly after Sanji.

"What's he so mad about?" Zoro asked, frowning.

"Where did straw-hat-ya go?" Law asked, avoiding Zoro's look and realizing Luffy had disappeared during the drama.

"I wasn't lying to him this time…" Zoro pulled the list out again and looked it over, then held it out for Law to see. Law ignored it and headed down the hallway as well, in search of Luffy. Zoro looked at the list again, and squinted at it, thinking.

Then, she understood.

I must face Sanji's feelings. And my own. She thought. She followed after the others.

Zoro got lost for a good hour or so. The building was just too confusing for her. She had stopped and asked for directions a couple times, but the people she stopped were determined to capture her, so she had to defeat them, and after that they weren't able to give her directions anymore.

However, when she finally heard shouting, she found herself running into a large open warehouse type room. Her crewmates, minus Luffy, Brook and Law, were in front of her, staring down at the large group of marines they had fought against earlier. They were a bit battered from before but didn't seem to have any major injuries. Their leader, Kuino, looked unharmed and was standing in front of his soldiers.

Zoro paused in the back of the room, watching the man who had influenced her entire life, walk up towards the straw-hat pirates.

"Look, we're just trying to save some kids. If you want to fight us, you'll be digging your own grave." Sanji told the man as he lit one of his cigarettes.

"Saving kids? Seems like a weird thing for a pirate to do." Kuino replied.

"Well you are welcome to save them yourself." Sanji said, crossing his arms.

"Done." Kuino gestured to a few of his soldiers who immediately nodded and turned back around to help the children.

"Well, aren't you an agreeable marine! I don't suppose you'll just let us be on our way now too, would you?"

"Not exactly. I'm actually here with a message." Kuino reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope, showing it to them.

"What kind of message?" Robin asked, stepping forward. Kuino glanced over at her and smiled.

"Not for you, Nico Robin. But for our little prince." He replied, turning back to Sanji and waving the envelope. The blood from Sanji's face drained and he stiffened.

"What the hell are you talking about?" The cook asked, biting down on the stub of his cigarette.

"Surely, you're not that stupid, eh, Vinsmoke-san?" Kuino taunted as Sanji started to visibly shake with anger.

"Who the hell are you..? And how do you know that name?" Sanji asked, reaching out and grabbing the man's collar.

"His name is Kuino." Zoro spoke up from behind. Everyone turned and looked back at her.

"Zoro?" Kuino looked surprised as he pulled himself away from Sanji's hand, then sniggered. Zoro pulled out her swords and walked up beside Sanji, pointing one of her swords at him.

"Kuino. What the hell are you doing here?" Zoro asked, her voice cold. Sanji looked between them for a moment before comprehension dawned on his face and he looked at Kuino warily.

"Relax girl, you're not even worth my time." Kuino turned away from Zoro and looked back at the cook. "Read this. My ship is at the pier. Come after you've said your goodbyes." Kuino reached over and slipped the envelope into Sanji's coat then turned on his heel. He gestured to his soldiers who followed after him. Zoro was practically vibrating with rage but she lowered her sword, watching the man leave.

"We should just take them down…" She growled.

"They're going to help the kids…" Nami replied, frowning. "As much as we don't like the marines, they have better resources to take care of them than we do. Do you know that guy, Zoro?"

"Hmph." Zoro grumbled and instead looked to Sanji. Sanji's face was still pale and a slightly shaking hand reached into his coat and pulled out the letter. The others were watching as well, and when Sanji noticed he put it back in his coat and cleared his throat.

"Let's find the captain." He suggested. The others nodded but were watching him carefully.

The entire crew and Law met back on the Thousand Sunny later that day. The crew had found Law and Luffy shortly after. Apparently Law had originally wanted to make an alliance with them, but after realizing how stupid their entire crew was, simply asked them for a ride back to his crew instead. Brook was already on the ship, having been thought of as a dead body and therefore had never been kidnapped.

When they arrived, Sanji immediately went to the men's quarters and locked the door. Assuming he wanted some alone time while he read whatever was in the letter, the others gathered in the dining room. Robin made some tea while they discussed what had happened.

"Alright, you obviously knew who that guy was Zoro, so spill." Nami said, looking over at the swordsman. Zoro shrugged lightly.

"His name is Kuino."

"Well obviously. Who is Kuino? Besides being a marine, we also know that." Nami replied, rolling her eyes. Zoro frowned and sighed.

"Fine. Kuino is the son of the Fleet Admiral of the marines. We… we grew up together. We trained together as kids." Zoro said, looking down at the table.

"There seems to be more to that story…" Franky said. Zoro shrugged again, looking uncomfortable.

"I've never been able to beat him."

"He must be strong then…" Robin noted.

"I'm sure Zoro could beat him if they faced off now. She's super strong now." Luffy said, grinning at her. Zoro looked at him surprised then grinned back.

"Yeah."

"You guys mentioned something about a letter?" Brook asked.

"Yeah, that guy gave Sanji a letter." Franky said.

"We don't know what's in it?"

"No, Sanji didn't tell us. Though, that guy called Sanji something. Vin.. venison?" Usopp added.

"Vinsmoke." Robin said, "I think that's his surname. He started acting weird after hearing it… it sounds familiar actually, but I can't put my foot on it…"

"Vinsmoke!?" Brook asked, surprised. Law also looked up from his tea, suddenly paying attention.

"What's Vinsmoke?" Chopper asked, looking between the two.

"An old family…" Brook said, looking concerned.

"Blackleg-ya is a Vinsmoke?" Law asked, looking at Luffy.

"What?"

"The Vinsmokes are the royal family of the Germa Empire." Brook explained to the confused crew.

"They rule a large part of the North Blue and have been conquering more and more of the lands there. They've become a bit of a problem these past few years." Law added, sipping his tea.

"Wait, does that mean that Sanji is… royalty?" Nami asked.

"Wow, we really have the best crew!" Luffy grinned.

"That letter must be a big deal then, if it's from his family." Robin said.

"That's such a big thing to hide from us though…" Usopp said, frowning.

"I'm sure he has his reasons…" Zoro spoke up.

"Right, I'm sure he'll tell us what's going on when he's ready." Nami smiled. Franky and Robin exchanged worried looks, Law seemed lost in thought, and Zoro kept glancing at the door.

Sanji didn't join then that day, and when the others went to turn in for the night, he was already in his bunk.

"Can't sneak anything past you, eh, Zoro?" Sanji asked as he walked out onto the deck deep in the night. It was very cold and a fine dust of snow was covering the wood and silencing any sound of footsteps. The light of his cigarette lit his face slightly as he walked over to the railing to stand next to the swordsman who was watching him carefully.

"You were acting weird." She responded, turning to face him.

"Couldn't take your eyes off me, huh?"

"Sanji." Zoro reached over and touched his arm. He smiled slightly but kept his eyes out at the sea.

"I have to go." Sanji finally said. Zoro tightened her grip on his arm.

"Why?"

"Reasons."

"Sanji." Zoro shook his arm slightly, frustrated. "What's going on?"

"It's a personal problem, I've got to take care of this myself." He replied. Zoro stared at him for a moment.

"I grew up with that guy, Kuino. He's who I've always wanted to defeat. Ever since we were kids he would always be able to beat me so easily." Zoro admitted.

Sanji didn't look at her but a slight nod showed he was listening to her story.

"It wasn't just his strength though… it was how he made me feel." She continued. Sanji tensed slightly at that wording.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"Hmm… like I was a piece of shit." Zoro laughed bitterly. "He was always going on about how a girl could never excel in swordsmanship. He said we were biologically weaker and one day I'd just get knocked up and have to put my training behind me anyway."

"That bastard…" Sanji growled, finally turning towards her and looking down into her eyes. "You're one of the strongest people out there. People, not women. He obviously hasn't seen you fight—"

"It's okay Sanji, I know. Thank you." Zoro smiled up at him. "It used to bother me a lot, that's why I hid who I was. I thought that one day I would be the world's greatest swordsman and then do like a big reveal and shove it in his face. Like, look what a woman can do. Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to be the best, and I still plan to shove it in his face… but I'm not going to hide it anymore. If anyone has a problem with who I am, I'm just going to punch them in the face." Sanji laughed and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a hug. She slipped her arms around his waist as well and hugged him back tightly. They stayed like this a few moments, warm from the snow from the embrace.

Finally, Zoro pulled back slightly and looked up at him.

"Sanji… the letter…"

"It's weird…" Sanji shook his head. "I also don't know what's going on… with my family. I have to go back and figure out what's happening. I've also never known them to use a marine as a messenger either."

"What did it say?"

"…For now, I just need to get back. Look, I'll explain everything when I return."

"Sanji."

"…The letter mentions my mother… I just.. I don't know, I have to go. I'll send a message as soon as I know more…" Sanji finally said, his face twisting and his voice rough.

"Okay… well just be quick about it." Zoro said. Sanji's face lightened slightly.

"Yes sir!"

"Oh, and Sanji…"

"What?"

"I'm sorry. You know… for everything." Zoro looked away, his cheeks slightly pink. "For trying to make you jealous, and well, for… running away from you."

"If I recall correctly, you were trying to seduce me, not run away…"

"Shut up! Just.. ugh!" Zoro's face was red now, and she rubbed her cheeks. Sanji laughed and reached over, taking her hands. When she looked up at him he swooped in and kissed the top of her nose.

"Just promise me one thing, moss head."

"W-what?"

"Don't ever try to seduce me again."

"Shut up!" Zoro pushed him back, glaring at him. He took her hands once again and pulled her into another hug. He squeezed her tightly for a moment before letting go and climbing up onto the railing.

"Wait!" Zoro gasped. Sanji paused and looked back at her.

"What?"

"There's something I want to tell you!"

"Hmm, it's more romantic if I wait until I get back. It'll be my motivation to return quickly." Sanji replied with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. He jumped off the side onto the dock and headed off towards the marine ship.

Zoro leaned forward on the railing and watched as the cook slowly disappeared from her sight.

AN: Thanks for reading! Thus begins our final "arc" of this story :) Please leave a review to let me know what you think!