Eyyyyyy, I'm Sharique (pronounced share- eek) and I'm doing intro duties for my main man Levi this time! Today, I'm going to answer a very good question for all y'all!
If you've come across some of Levi's other stories, you may notice that he's given himself the nickname "The Crooked Man." How'd this happen?
For those who don't know, Levi's the halfback for our Uni's varsity football team. A few months ago, he sprained his calf when he got hit going for a touchdown. The dude had to go around in crutches for a week, so the team gave him the nickname "Crooked, old man." Guess the fucker turned it into his fanfic persona after that.
More deadass stories about our favourite Indian-Turkish-American tribrid (more like tryhard lmao) in the footnotes :D
Chapter 11: The Catch-up (3)
A few seconds turned into a few minutes which turned into a few hours of complete silence. Night had come and both men merely sat cross-legged on the floor next to each other, leaning against the wooden wall in their room on board the Baratie.
No one really knew what to say. Rather, each comrade's thoughts could be read without a single word being said. Both men had sacrificed for each other enough blood, sweat, and tears to fill the North Blue. And that was without considering the entirety of the Straw Hat Pirate crew.
"So I guess we're really back then, huh?" Luffy finally said, breaking the silence between him and his First-Mate.
"Mmm," came Zoro's response. "It seems that way, Luffy. How much do you remember?"
It was Luffy's turn to be completely silent. "Everything," he finally answered with his head tilted up and his eyes unmoving from the ceiling. From the very moment Zoro agreed to join his crew to his dimming vision shortly before his death at the hands of the Navy, Luffy recalled it all. His hand slowly moved to the new amber scar on the center of his chest, barely a finger in length.
"We won't lose this time, Zoro."
A few more seconds of silence passed before Zoro chuckled lightly. "It's good to have you back, Cap."
The Catch-Up (1)
"The Straw Hat's alive!" Patty shouted, among the many chefs tossing Luffy above their shoulders. "The bastard is really alive!"
"Alright, put him down, you fuckers," came Sanji. "He's barely been back for 3 minutes and you guys are already throwing him around like pizza dough! Give him some rest!"
"Yes, chef!" the Baratie staff roared in unison, causing Luffy to fall on the deck with an audible "oof."
Sanji's well polished shoes clicked as he strode towards the downed form of Luffy who sat up right away.
A warm smile crossed the head chef's face and an open hand was extended to the cross-legged Luffy. "Thank you for your assistance in fighting off Kreig and Mihawk. Please join us for dinner. On the house."
With a grin mirroring his counterpart, Luffy took the hand.
"Will do, head chef!" he shouted. "It's good to see you again, Sanji!"
The Catch-Up (2)
"The All-Blue?" Nami asked in curiosity. "What's that?"
The most genuine, excited, and sincere smile instantly appeared across Sanji's face. All the waiters loudly groaned and audible sighs of the cooks could be heard from the kitchen. Nami looked on with a smile as Sanji enthusiastically explained the mysteries of the world's greatest fishery.
"And you can find any type of fish there? Even from the North Blue?"
"Not just the North Blue! East, South, West, Grand Line, you name it! It's truly the most wonderful place on all the oceans!"
Luffy and Zoro exchanged grins as Sanji continued to fascinate the Straw Hats with his words, hand gestures, and vibrant personality. Only Usopp seemed… off. Zoro quickly took notice.
"Usopp." The sniper's eyes instantly perked up. "Can I talk to you for a second?"
Usopp nodded and Zoro lead him outside of the restaurant. There was no one there on the cool, gentle night of the Baratie deck but them.
"Alright, Usopp. What's going on?"
Usopp remained silent.
"You can tell me whatever is on your mind. It'll stay between-"
"Useless," Usopp suddenly interrupted. Zoro shot him a quizzical look, but that did little to change the sniper's demeanor.
"I was fucking useless when Luffy fought Mihawk. Our Captain almost died and I couldn't do a fucking thing!" Usopp shouted angrily.
"Ahhh, so that's what this is about, isn't it?" Zoro answered.
"You couldn't get involved because of your swordsman's code and Nami is too weak to face people on Mihawk's level. I understand that. But I'm the strongest after you and it is my duty to protect my Captain and I let you all down…" Usopp said, nearly on the brink of tears.
"Guardian of Syrup Village? What the fuck was I thinking deluding myself like that? I couldn't protect my village from the Black Cat Pirates, I could barely protect my Captain when he needed me the most!" Usopp vented as he threw the seastone rifle off his back several yards away from himself. He then let out a long sigh before whispering, "I'm a fucking joke..."
Zoro sympathized with him. He felt the same way when Kizaru attacked the crew at Sabaody only to be "saved" by Kuma. He knew what Usopp was going through.
"Where are we going?" Zoro asked in a challenging tone.
Usopp took notice. "The Grand Line," he responded. "The most dangerous place on the planet."
"Right. Mihawk came from the Grand Line. All strong people come from the Grand Line. We can either accept that fact and wallow in self-pity as they crush us like the tiny ants we are to their wolves."
Zoro paused. He slowly stepped towards the fallen rifle of his comrade.
"Or we can challenge that notion and stand up to whatever force of nature stands our way. As the enemies grow stronger, we will grow stronger, and then they will grow weaker. Soon enough, we'll be the only ones standing at the peak of that mountain as the wolves, looking down at the ants who will challenge us."
He held the rifle out towards Usopp, daring him to take it back.
"You pick your own destiny," Zoro said as his eyes narrowed.
Usopp chuckled lowly as he took the rifle from Zoro's outstretched hands.
"You'd be pretty disappointed in me if I let you down, huh?"
Zoro chuckled in response. "A little."
"Then it's settled!" Usopp shouted as he held his rifle high into the sky. "I'd be a pretty big embarrassment to the Straw Hat flag if I ever gave up, right? Well never again! I promise you now Zoro, I will never give in again! From now on until the day my heart stops bleeding, even when all hope is lost, I will fight to my dying breath! I will never give up again!"
With every passing word, Zoro's smile grew wider and wider.
"I PROMISE YOU, I WILL NEVER… EVER… EVER… EVER GIVE UP AGAIN!"
A few seconds of huffing passed before Usopp locked eyes with Zoro.
"Got a problem with that, King of the Swordsmen?!"
"None whatsoever."
"Good! Let's head back inside! I'm starving!" Usopp shouted as it was his turn to lead Zoro back within the restaurant.
High above on the crow's nest, unknown to the unseeing eye, sat a man who watched the ordeal with a slight smirk on his face. He replaced the straw hat he set aside back on top of his head and then proceeded to follow his 2 crewmates back inside as well.
The Catch-Up (4)
Sanji and Zoro locked eyes as both had yet to make a move. The atmosphere was tense, but only for Sanji and those spectating the event. Luffy could tell his first-mate didn't take his opponent seriously at all. The apprehensiveness that Zoro once exhibited with his new title had disappeared. Whether he thought he deserved it without a proper duel or not, Zoro had indeed come to terms that he was the world's greatest swordsman. Mihawk's declaration made any debate meaningless and the fact had to be accepted it nevertheless.
But rather than focussing on the fight, Luffy was lost in his own thoughts. He wanted to test something.
Luffy relaxed his mind and the voices of millions poured into his soul. He was once again one with the Voice of All Things and could tap into the language of the universe. As quickly as it was activated, the Voices disappeared into the backdrop of Luffy's mind as he deactivated the ability.
But though his innate abilities were left untouched, the frailty of his body still remained. He remembered that it was merely his soul that was transferred to this reality, not his actual flesh. There was no doubt that he would be as strong as he was the day he planted the Straw Hat flag atop the Red Line, eternally marking his kingdom.
But that had to come with time and patience.
So while Luffy absentmindedly watched the battle about to unfold, his thoughts eventually drifted back to the night before.
The Catch-Up (2.5)
"Join my crew, Sanji!" Luffy shouted as he downed another mug of alcohol. "We'll help you achieve your dream and we're gonna have fun doing it… probably!"
Sanji chuckled at the Straw Hat Captain's antics. "Very well, I've been waiting for a chance to set out again and make my pops proud. There was just nobody that could keep up with me until now."
"YES!" Luffy shouted as he raised both hands in the air. "WE GOT A COOK!" Usopp and Nami both called for a toast to welcome their new crewmate.
"But on one condition," Sanji interrupted, ending the celebration a bit short. His eyes narrowed at Zoro, whose own perked up in response. "I want to fight your First-Mate."
"What? Why Zoro?" Usopp exclaimed.
"I am eternally grateful that you all fought to protect my restaurant and my staff, that man has yet to raise a finger. Not only did he not partake in any of the defence efforts, but he was willing to let his own Captain die for some stupid code. I need to kick some sense into him first…"
The slow screech of a chair sliding backwards attracted all attention towards Zoro, who merely stood up and strolled towards the exit. His hand lazily rested on his katana as customers and waiting staff alike stepped out of his way.
"If you are so willing to throw your life away, I will make sure your body sinks all the way to the bottom of the ocean…"
And with that, the soft click of the restaurant doors closing illuminated the path forward to the Baratie head chef.
"Oh come on!" Patty shouted in disbelief. "The deck was destroyed just yesterday!"
The Catch-Up (Prime)
Zoro merely drew his sword, feeling its familiar black energy flow through his veins as he expected. This time, rather than actively trying to suppress his sword's power, he let the thoughts in his mind roam free.
The result was similar to the damage he caused earlier in Shelltown. Wisps of tangible black wind openly flew through the air as everyone watched in amazement and an invisible air of tension released held enough gravity for all to physically feel it.
Everyone except for Sanji.
"Another swordsman, huh? Your crew is just filled with them..."
"Show some respect, little tadpole," said Zoro ominously. "You're not facing just any swordsman, you are facing the greatest swordsman in the world."
Sanji responded with his left arm dissipating into smoke and his right arm formed free floating dust particles.
"If you want a taste of what the New World has to offer…" Zoro said, causing murmurs among everybody. Two phantom aspirations formed from the wisps and began circling the body of the swordsman. A wolf and a lamb.
"...Then consider this a baptism."
A/N: A Mclaren 720s and a 2009 Dodge Caravan drag raced down 21st Street, New York. Guess which car was Lorenzo's? Now guess who challenged who.
Anyways, our favourite little brown boi is working on his other projects (med school is kicking his ass too) so unfortunately, the Sanji and Zoro fight coming up next chapter MAY have to be written by me.
Don't worry, my little blueberries. I got an exceptional 840 on my SAT so I'll be gucci.