"Hey, Zoro. What's with that gold band?" Nami reached slightly forward to point to Wado Ichimonji. "The one on the hilt of that sword, with the swirly engraving. Does it mean something?" Her eyes couldn't help but be drawn to the glimmering ornament as Zoro propped his swords against the railing. The way it shimmered under the sunlight... It had to be worth a fortune.

"Why do you wanna know?" Zoro's grip on the hilt tightened just as he was about to let go, his fingers sitting protectively over the aforementioned trinket.

"Can't a girl be curious without having any sneaky plans?" Nami asked innocently.

"Maybe some girls, but none I've met."

"Hey! What is that supposed to mean?!"

"It's not worth anything, if you're thinking of swiping it," The swordsman's ear twitched. He could almost hear the shrill retort of a certain woman from the other side of the New World.

Nami stuttered, the thought of taking it only fleeting in her mind. "It's not like that! I just knew someone who had one! They said it was a sign of their marriage or something. I just wanted to know why you had one!"

"Why bother me if you already know what it is?" Zoro retorted in his typical gruff manner; his voice laced with a hint of annoyance.

"Oh. So, it belonged to the person you got the sword from?" Nami barely framed it as a question, of course it was that. How silly to even entertain any other idea.

"No."

"Eh?!" She paused. "S-Something you picked up at a store or something?"

"No."

"Well, where the hell did you get it?!"

"Where does any man get a wedding band?" Zoro's response was filled with a mixture of sarcasm and amusement as he reveled in Nami's stunned reaction. He continued, unable to hide the mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh yeah, Nami, I'm a married man. I have a secret wife tucked away in some hidden corner of the Grand Line."

Chapter One, "Hidden Promises: The Mystery of Zoro's Gold Band"

The humid sea air caressed Nami's skin as she leaned against the Thousand Sunny, her muscles relaxing. What had started as a passing curiosity had now ensnared her in the suffocating grip of intrigue. She should have left it alone. It had seemed insignificant at first, but now it loomed before her as an enigma demanding resolution.

Zoro could not have actually meant that the gold band signified his own marriage. He was definitely being sarcastic. Nami thought but stopped herself. Was he being sarcastic?

Maybe it was something like marriage—but a symbol related to his swordsmanship, or perhaps it held no particular meaning and she had simply given him an opportunity to tease her. Nami slammed the door shut with more force than intended, her frustration evident.

"My sweet beautiful Nami! I hope that pesky door didn't hurt your delicate fingers!" Sanji swooned as she entered the kitchen, his eyes fixed on her radiant face. But then he paused, noticing her troubled expression. "My sweet, why do you look so upset?"

"Oh, it's nothing really. I tried to ask Zoro about something on his swords and he blew me off."

"Dumbass Moss Head! Don't you dare disrespect my sweet, kindhearted Nami like some common street trash!" Sanji's protective nature flared, and the navigator gazed towards the now-empty mess hall, her shoulders slumping.

Sanji's feet carried him with fiery determination as he raced to defend his love. The last flicker of joy in his heart extinguished when he caught sight of the swordsman peacefully dozing at the front of the ship.

Zoro, his eyes still closed, reveled in the last dregs of relaxation. Savoring the warmth of the sun and the gentle caress of the breeze. However, his tranquility was abruptly shattered as he swiftly deflected Sanji's unwelcome boot. An exasperated sigh escaped his lips. "What the hell are you ranting about now?"

Sanji's expression twisted with righteous anger, his brows furrowing as he confronted Zoro head-on. "How dare you dismiss the innocent curiosity of a beautiful woman, you lousy marimo!"

Zoro's confusion was evident, his brow furrowing in response. "What are you even talking about?"

With unwavering determination, Sanji continued to defend Nami's honor. "Nami asked you a question! Just answer it!"

Zoro's gaze hardened; his conviction unyielding. "It's none of her business."

"I won't rest until justice has been served for my delicate Nami! SO, FESS UP, JACKASS!"

"I already told her, shitty cook! Are you going to let it go now or keep yelling like a moron!?"

"Who are you calling a moron, metal for brains?"

"Sanji, give it a rest. He told me it's his wedding band, but he has to be joking. It must just be decoration and I gave him the opportunity to be an ass." Nami sighed, but before Sanji could yell at the moss headed idiot for lying to his sweet Nami, the big oaf started yelling first.

"What the hell, witch woman?! It IS my wedding band!" Zoro retorted with complete sincerity. He couldn't possible be lying this well. He was a bumbling idiot and, to be fair, painfully honest. Sanji truly couldn't believe his ears; he was completely taken aback.

Zoro, seizing the moment, effortlessly pushed the curly browed chef aside and leaned against the railing, ready to pounce at the slightest attack.

The heated argument between the two Straw Hat crewmates had piqued the curiosity of their fellow pirates. One by one, crew members crept closer, their ears pricked, eager to catch every word.

Sanji, still reeling from the revelation, launched an accusation in disbelief. "Did you steal that from some poor dead man? I knew you were a classless brute, but that's just cold-hearted."

The first mate flew into his face, fueled by an undeniable surge of rage. "What part of 'Its MINE,' don't you understand, shitty love cook!"

Sanji refused to back down, his incredulity evident in his voice. "No way! Are you seriously trying to tell us that you're married and you've been able to hide it all this time? Don't insult me, you fucking oaf! That's the most outrageous load of crap I've ever heard!"

Eager to deliver another kick, Sanji found his attack thwarted once again by the hilt of Zoro's sword. Zoro, now leaning even closer to Sanji's shoe, radiated an unwavering resolve. "Do you wanna fight?! And let me make it clear—I'm not hiding anything! Nobody asked!"

"What's going on?" Usopp asked Chopper as they sat nearby fishing over the railing of the thousand sunny.

"I think Sanji accused Zoro of lying, but that doesn't really seem like something he'd do." Chopper looked apprehensively in the direction of the fight.

Usopp nodded in agreement, "You're right. He's not very creative… or smart."

"Hey!" Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a sudden shout that sent shivers down their spines.

"You're trying to make us believe that YOU, of all people, are married?" Sanji exclaimed, his frustration reaching its peak. He shifted his weight onto his foot, preparing to dismiss the absurdity. "To a woman? Do you even know what to do with a woman?"

Zoro, unfazed by Sanji's incredulity, shot back with unwavering confidence. "Apparently, I know better than you, you pervert bastard!"

"Zoro... is... Ma..Ma..Ma-Married?!" Chopper and Usopp's stomachs returned to their rightful places only to continue straight into their throats. A tall skeletal man peered over their ghostly faces.

"Oh my! A secret romance! It warms my cold, dead heart!" Brooke laughed. "Or it would if I had one! Yohohoho!"

"If she managed to catch Zoro's attention… Sh-shh-she must be a monster!" A sense of dread washed over Usopp. His heart raced, and a dark cloud of imagination descended upon him. In his mind's eye, he pictured a towering, muscular woman, with broad shoulders and a menacing aura. She wielded a large weight in one hand and a battle axe in the other, ready to unleash her fury.

Chopper his knees buckle under the weight of his vivid imagination. A sinister smile adorned the face of his imagined femme fatale—a tall and alluring figure with long limbs, brandishing a tight whip.

"I bet she's a super badass swords-babe and this shmuck couldn't resist her bouncing, passionate bosom. Super!" Frankie entered the conversation as he turned the corner, his super Franky hearing allowing him to eavesdrop from the engine room.

Sanji, realizing they were going around in circles, decided to take a moment to clear his thoughts. He stopped and lit a cigarette, attempting to regain his composure. But the mounting frustration pushed him to the brink. Forget about calming himself down—he was ready to strike again. With his foot poised for another attack, he questioned Zoro with a mix of concern and accusation. "If you are married, why isn't she with you? Did you abandon a beautiful maiden somewhere, all alone?"

As Sanji prepared to deliver his next blow, his leg was caught once again by the hilt of Zoro's sword, frustratingly blocking his intended strike. The swordsman's annoyance was palpable, and it seemed there would be no easy resolution to the argument.

A small, timid tug at his shirt drew Zoro's attention to Chopper, whose eyes glistened with worry. "She didn't die, did she?"

The innocent question reverberated through the air, causing Sanji to screech involuntarily in response. "YOU LET A BEAUTIFUL MAIDEN DIE!?"

Startled by the outburst, Zoro quickly regained his composure. His mouth closed for a moment before he firmly stated, "She isn't dead. I didn't abandon her..."The suspense lingered as everyone watched Zoro, hanging on every word. "...And she is not a maiden."

Robin, the ship's archaeologist, had observed the unfolding scene with a few well-placed facial features. She finally made her way up to the deck when she couldn't hold herself back. She approached the group, her chuckle implying that she had uncovered a hidden secret. "Then what, pray tell, is she?"

Zoro looked away with an annoyed, blush tinted expression, "A manipulative harlot."

"Allow me to shed some light on the matter. Zoro's gold band is known as a menuki."

All eyes turned to Robin, eager for an explanation. She continued, her voice smooth and measured. "A menuki is a decorative ornament, traditionally used by Samurai to enhance grip and balance. It is often made of precious materials, such as gold, and can feature intricate engravings or symbols."

Her words resonated with a sense of intrigue and understanding, captivating the crew's attention. Robin paused for a moment; her gaze fixed on Zoro's sword. "In Zoro's case, the menuki serves not only as a decorative element but also as a symbol of personal significance."

Nami's brows furrowed, "What do you mean?"

With a small, knowing smile, Robin leaned in, her voice lowering slightly. "You see, Nami, a menuki can hold deep personal meaning for a swordsman. It can represent a connection to a significant person or event in their life. Perhaps it serves as a constant reminder of a mentor's teachings, a cherished memory, or even a vow of commitment."

Zoro's grip on his sword tightened, his gaze fixed on the golden band. The weight of Robin's words sank in, stirring a mix of emotions within the surrounding crew.

Robin continued with gentle encouragement. "Our First Mate's menuki, adorned with its particular engraving, holds a story known only to him. It is a tangible testament to his journey, his growth, and perhaps a bond he holds dear?"

The survivor of Ohara was known for her astute observations and penchant for uncovering the hidden truths of her crewmates, delved deep into her research during her time with the Revolutionaries. She meticulously combed through records, searching Zoro's bounty hunting past. Yet, her findings yielded no evidence to support such claims as an unknown marriage.

Zoro's childhood rival, a formidable female warrior, had long since passed away. During those same two years- Zoro dedicated himself to relentless training under the tutelage of the legendary swordsman, Hawk Eye Mihawk. It seemed unlikely that their moss-headed friend had entertained any romantic entanglements during his arduous journey.

As the crew waited in suspense, their curiosity growing, Chopper couldn't contain his infatuation and asked with stars in his eyes, "What's her name?"

Usopp chimed in, his imagination running wild, "Yeah! What does she look like?"

Nami, always quick to spot a potential opportunity, jumped in, "Is she rich?"

Sensing the collective eagerness to unravel the truth, Robin stepped forward, her voice dripping with intrigue. "Please, Zoro, do tell us more. When did this marriage happen?"

Zoro slumped, seemingly defeated, before taking a deep breath.

Usopp, caught up in the web of his own overactive imagination, stumbled over his words, blurting out, "Zoro just said he was married!"

Luffy's eyes widened in disbelief. "Really?!"

Robin, thoroughly amused by the unfolding drama, couldn't resist teasing the swordsman further. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she added, "It does appear as though the gold band on Zoro's Wado carries the symbolism of a union."

"Oh, that's pretty!" Luffy squinted at the engraved symbol on the band, his face lighting up with recognition. "Hey! I've seen that picture before!"

The crew leaned in with their curiosity piqued even more. Zoro, taken aback, stammered, "Wh-What?"

Luffy's excitement bubbled over as he attempted to recall the memory. "Yeah! I was kind of out of it, but I think I remember seeing it on a big hunk of meat! Or was it a pillow? A meat pillow?"

"OWWW!" The Captain yelled as he clutched his newly bruised abdomen. The crew erupted in laughter, their curiosity momentarily satisfied, as they watched the rubber man recover from Zoro's well-placed kick.

~One visit to Fishman Island later~

"I have another guess about how Zoro ended up married," Nami leaned forward, her voice laced with anticipation. A glint of determination in her eyes as she addressed the swordsman sitting across from her at the galley table. She had to take a break during their time on Fishman Island, but now she could dedicate herself to unraveling Zoro's mysterious marriage. When he remained silent, she seized the opportunity to press on. "She's a daughter from a noble family, held hostage by a notorious criminal syndicate. By a stroke of fate, you stumbled into their secret hideout, unknowingly becoming her savior. Overwhelmed with gratitude, they offered her hand in marriage and even named you heir to their vast fortune."

"No."

"That was too specific, Nami. You have to keep things more general, or you'll never figure it out." Usopp, eager to offer his input, chimed in with a wave of his fork.

"I don't know about that, but I have another scenario." Undeterred, Nami shifted her gaze back to Zoro, studying his reaction intently, "You got lost and stumbled upon a woman who was under attack. Without hesitation, you intervened, not realizing she was an undercover assassin. You messed up the whole operation because you're an idiot and she ended up saving your ass. In a twist of fate, she married you out of genuine concern for your well-being."

Zoro paused with an inscrutable expression.

"No, no, that's the most unbelievable one!" Usopp interjected, a drumstick protruding from his mouth. "If she married him because she was concerned for his safety, wouldn't she still be with him? It's not like his sense of self-preservation has improved... At all."

Nami pondered Usopp's words, a flicker of realization crossing her face. "Yeah, you've got a point. Looks like we're back to square one."

Zoro's frustration boiled over, "What the hell!"

~A week later~

The sky transformed from orange into a fiery red horizon in front of her. Robin had let Zoro cool down for the last few weeks but today she'd succumbed to her own insistent curiosity. Eyes blossomed at all points on the large ship, not taking long to spot him tucked between a barrel and the rear railing.

"So, how did you two meet?" Leaning casually against the railing, Robin approached him with a lazy tone, hoping to catch him off guard. Zoro's eyes snapped open, narrowing in response to her inquiry. It was as if he was weighing his options, deciding whether to indulge her or shut her out.

"If I ignore you, will you go away?" he grumbled, his irritation palpable.

"Never," she replied, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. Zoro let out a defeated sigh, adjusting his swords. Resigned to the fact that she wouldn't give up easily, he prepared himself to share a fragment of his story.

"It was before I joined the crew. We were after the same bounty," he admitted, his gaze fixed on the horizon. He silently bargained with any deity that would listen that she wouldn't ask for more details.

Robin raised an intrigued eyebrow. "You've been espoused this whole time? And never said anything?"

"Like I said before. No one asked." He replied curtly, closing his eyes once again and leaning back against the railing. Zoro hoped his brief explanation would be enough to satisfy her curiosity.

Robin couldn't argue with that, even if the idea was absurd. As far as she knew the day Nami asked about the band was the first time anyone had inquired on the first mate's love life. Zoro's unwavering focus on his goals often gave the impression that he had no room or desire for romantic relationships. "So, you went after the same bounty. Did love blossom quickly after that?" she probed, taking advantage of his closed eyes to study his reaction. She noticed his body tense, clearly expressing his disdain for the conversation.

Zoro scoffed, adjusting his swords, "Hardly."

Curiosity burned within Robin as she pressed on, determined to unravel more of the mystery. "Then what led to your union?"

"Booze," Zoro's nonchalant response amused her, finding a touch of romance in the unconventional, but so fitting beginning of their relationship.

"There doesn't seem to be a record of your marriage," she observed.

"I doubt it was legal. It was just the two of us, a weird old man, and a creepy moose," Zoro explained, his tone dismissive.

Undeterred, Robin's smile grew, a warm sensation filling her chest. "Yet, you still carry the ring and consider yourself tied?" she remarked, acknowledging the significance of his actions.

"Whether it's recognized by the World Government or not, I made a promise," Zoro grumbled, the heat rising in his cheeks. The biting cold air offered no respite from his embarrassment.

"That's awfully romantic, Mr. Swordsman," Robin teased, a playful glimmer in her eyes.

"Are we done now?" he asked, his voice laced with a mix of exhaustion and frustration.

"One more," Robin replied, her smile widening. "Have you continued to see each other?"

"She shows up whenever she feels like it. Always has somewhere to be," Zoro responded, his irritation evident. Robin's brows furrowed, a suspicious glint entering her gaze.

"Oh?" Robin asked, as her eyebrows knit together, and her head tilted slightly. A suspicious glimmer appeared in her gaze.

"She deals with some weird underbelly intellect shit." The woman stilled and Zoro stretched his shoulders before letting them fall.

"Do you mean she's an underworld intel broker? Do you know where she is now?"

"She mentioned something about an island that can't decide if it's hot or cold," Zoro replied.