Chapter 5

'You heard me.'

Zoro didn't know how to respond, and so stood there with his mouth agape, trying to work out exactly what Sanji was implying.

After a few moments he seemed to come to his senses and released Sanji by roughly shoving him backwards. He regarded the cook suspiciously, his eyes narrowing.

'What do you mean?' He asked carefully.

Sanji's eyebrows knitted together as he noticed the swordsman's guarded stance. He rolled his eyes impatiently.

'For fuck's sake, Marimo. Let's just say that it's clear, to me that is, that you've discovered you like pain.'

Zoro winced.

'And,' continued Sanji, 'if you carry on the way you're going then you're gonna do some serious damage to yourself.'

Zoro scowled, avoiding Sanji's gaze.

'And so you want to cause me damage instead?'

Sanji sighed, rolling his eyes for the second time.

'No. I mean I can help inflict pain that doesn't cause any long term damage.'

'Okay,' said Zoro slowly, still not understanding Sanji's angle on this. 'And what's in it for you?'

Sanji's eyes widened fractionally at the question, but he looked away and gave a shrug.

'I just wanna help you. You've looked kinda pathetic the past few days-'

'Fuck you!'

Zoro felt a pang in his chest at the insult, his anger beginning to rebuild in his chest at Sanji's words.

So it was pity. What other reason would the cook have?

Zoro was not going to allow someone to revel in his misery, in how weak he was at trying to keep his urges at bay. Zoro grinned through his anguish.

'You just want to mock me, is that it? Want to feel superior to me? Cos God knows that's the only way that would ever happen,' he spat.

Sanji looked pissed, his eyes narrowing.

'Is that how you see me? You think I'd see it as some kind of one-up on you?'

'Of course you-'

'Shut the hell up you fucker.' Sanji raised his voice, cutting Zoro off sharply. 'You honestly think that I'd be that tied up in our little game of 'who's the best' that I would take advantage of your situation, despite everything we've been through as nakama, and use it against you? Like that'd satisfy me?'

Zoro's stomach twisted. Although he knew Sanji was right, he couldn't help but wonder whether, if the situation was reversed, he'd feel in a position of empowerment. Sanji, on the other hand, had a smaller ego than Zoro did, although Zoro hated to admit it.

And so Zoro had himself wondering: who was the better man? The one willing to let go of his ego for the sake of another, or the one who lets pride get in the way of reason?

He hated that side of himself, and hated that he projected onto other people, specifically Sanji, his motives for doing something.

Zoro shrugged half-heartedly, not really knowing how to say that he overreacted.

'Well, let me tell you.' Sanji hissed. 'I'm not in the least bit interested in trying to make you feel like shit. However, if you keep hurting yourself in reckless ways, and it affects and upsets any other crew member, then I will personally beat the shit out of you so hard that you won't be able to possibly find it to your liking. If you want my watch, you can have it.'

Sanji left swiftly, slamming the trap door behind him and leaving Zoro speechless. What's more, the way Sanji just spoke to him did strange things to his body, leaving him both confused and frustrated yet again. He dragged his hands through his hair roughly and screamed through his teeth, literally almost done with all the shit he was feeling.

Vvvvvvvvvvv

'Zoro, what happened to your hands?' Chopper screeched at breakfast, dropping his fork back onto his plate.

Zoro's eyes snapped to Sanji briefly, who was giving him a blank and unreadable look, before he addressed Chopper as casually as he could.

'It's nothing really, I just thought I'd try practicing some moves with my fists, cos I can't always depend on my swords.'

Usopp frowned as he took in the damage.

'What were you practicing on, a rock?'

Zoro scowled at the sniper. He didn't need anyone making out that it was worse than it was, especially when Chopper looked as worried as he did.

'Zoro without his swords, that'd be interesting,' mused Luffy. 'You can train with me if you want?'

Luffy's eyes lit up at the prospect, but he was ignored as Chopper ran around the table to inspect Zoro's hands.

'Oi, ow! They're fine Chopper!'

'You've definitely broken the left one, look at the swelling! You needed an ice-pack as soon as you did it! Sanji, do you have any ice?'

Sanji was watching the interaction with his arms crossed, obvious annoyance on his features at the fact that it was self-inflicted and causing Chopper to worry, but got up to go to the freezer at Chopper's request. He emptied an ice cube tray into a tea towel and balled it up, handing it to Chopper.

'Hold this on each one for 15 minutes and it'll help to take the swelling down. I can strap up your hand to restrict movement so it heals straight, but there's not really much else I can do,' said Chopper solemnly, making Zoro feel a small pang of guilt.

'And if you do need to practice with your fists, it might be an idea to Luffy up on his offer,' Nami offered. 'At least he's made of rubber.'

'Yes! We can practice now if you want?'

'Luffy, no.' Nami smacked him on the head. 'He'll have to let them heal first.'

'By the way Nami-Swan, did you say we were going to set sail today?' asked Sanji, changing the subject.

'Ah yes, the log pose set this morning so we can leave whenever. Everyone needs to make sure we're stocked up on everything because it's gonna be a couple of weeks before we hit land again.'

Everyone finished breakfast and headed back into town to stock up on supplies.

Chopper didn't let Zoro leave until he'd put a splint on his left hand to support the broken bone he had, Zoro contesting continuously as it meant his grip on his sword would be weakened. Chopper gave no shits.

Vvvvvvvv

Whilst in town, Zoro tried not to stray too far away from the harbour as he didn't want to get lost again, and instead decided to go into a bar that was, technically, in sight of the ship, Sunny's bright colours visible from high up the hill. He took up a place at the bar, ushering over the barmaid and ordering a pint of cheap beer.

'Look who we have here, lads.'

A burly man with blond hair and and a collection of gold jewellery and teeth sauntered over and rested his elbow on the bar next to Zoro. Zoro recognised him as the man who broke his nose a couple of days ago.

'So, back for more, eh?' The man laughed loudly.

Zoro took a swig of his beer.

'Not in the mood today, so clear off before you get hurt.'

The man laughed louder still, some of his comrades laughing also, as though Zoro had just told them all a hilarious joke. The man slapped Zoro in the back.

'You couldn't even dodge me last time, yet you're talking big now? I see your nose has straightened up; allow me to fix that for you.'

The man took a swing at Zoro, who swiftly dodged by sliding backwards off of the bar stool. Zoro pulled out one of his swords and blocked as another punch was thrown his way.

'Get him!' The man yelled to the other spectators, who all hesitated for a split second before the entire bar erupted into a huge brawl.

Zoro had no issues keeping them all at bay, and was more annoyed that he had to take a break from drinking his beer in order to defend himself. Piles of unconscious bodies hit the floor one after another as Zoro cut his way through the mass of drunkards. The barmaid was frantically speaking on the den den mushi as she explained the situation hysterically.

The blond man laughed deeply as he stood amongst the groaning and otherwise unconscious men at his feet.

'You'd better be careful,' he grinned, 'the entire town will be after your blood. Ain't that right, Charlotte, love?'

He motioned to the barmaid who in return gave him a look of confirmation.

Shit.

Zoro gave the man a quick swipe of his sword, knocking him unconscious before turning to leave the bar, the sounds of the barmaid shocked scream left behind.

As he ran towards the harbour, groups men started emerging from of the other bars, all looking around. Zoro ran past Franky, who was slightly taken aback, and yelled to him.

'Everyone needs to get back to the ship!'

'What the hell, bro?'

Franky began to run behind him, looking back into the distance to see people point to the green haired man as they caught sight of him.

'I... erm... may have turned the entire town against me.'

Franky groaned, facepalming as he ran.

By the time they reached the ship they'd managed to round up Nami, Robin, Usopp, Luffy and Brook.

'What the hell did you do?' Nami screamed hysterically, as she tried her best to catch her breath, the crowd not showing any signs of slowing down.

'Never mind that, where's Sanji and Chopper? Shit, never mind, we need to leave!' Zoro pulled on the gangway in order to prepare the ship for leaving.

'Hang on just a minute!' Nami cried, flustered at Zoro's order.

'What the fuck is going on?' Sanji and Chopper ran out of the galley to see what the commotion was; obviously they'd returned to the ship early, probably to put supplies into storage.

The mob had reached the harbour now and bullets started whistling past them as they all hit the deck in order to dodge.

'Franky, go!' called Luffy, who was currently fending off the bullets in order to protect everyone.

Franky, who had already made his way to the engine room, nodded as he powered up their emergency acceleration device.

'Coup de burst!'

Vvvvvv

Once they'd gotten a fair distance from the island, Nami rounded on Zoro.

'What the hell did you do? I still had stuff to get! And what were you thinking when you thought of leaving without Chopper and Sanji?'

'We'd have gone back for them when it was clear,' justified Zoro, backing away from the fuming red-head.

'Zoro?' Chopper wailed, the thought of being left behind bringing tears to his eyes.

'Why were they after you?' Sanji asked with a frown, obviously having some inkling of what might have transpired.

Zoro met his eye, but that accusatory look caused him to drop his gaze.

'The guy who punched me the other night... he tried to start something. And, apparently, he's well known.'

Nami sighed, rubbing her forehead.

'Well at least we got away in time. We do not need to draw attention to ourselves by fighting an entire island of drunkards...' she gave Zoro a pointed look. 'Sanji, did you manage to get all the supplies?'

'Yes I did Nami-swan!' Sanji replied in a sing song voice.

'Okay then.' She smiled, 'Good. We can relax from here out then.'

The crew all visibly relaxed at her words, trying to calm their nerves after being chased from an island, everyone going their separate ways to prepare for the journey.

Vvvvvv

Zoro made his way to the galley later on that evening while Sanji was cooking, his stomach turning itself inside out with anxiety.

Sanji heard his heavy boots enter the room, but didn't turn around and continued prepping his food.

'What do you want?'

Zoro pulled out a chair and sat down at the table, putting his forehead on the hard wood, groaning.

Sanji stopped what he was doing and turned to look at the man impatiently.

'Seriously, get to the point or get out of my kitchen.'

Zoro kept his head down, but managed to voice the reason he was there.

'Can I… take you up on your offer from last night?'

To be continued...