By Duzzie
Word Count: 100
The Optimistic Pessimist
...
Tashigi has to beat Zoro to become the best, but she denies herself the truth. She wants Zoro to acknowledge her, but passes it off to be something that she just must do.
She ignores the fact that when letting the Straw Hat Pirates escape, her eyes lingered for a bit longer on the form of the swordsman, the curve of the heroic, enticing, enemy.
Tashigi may deny or ignore many things, but there is one thing in which she cannot deny, and that is the undeniable feelings she holds for Zoro, and the determination he holds for their dream.