After about two weeks, they arrived at the beach on the Gecko Islands at Syrup Village. With his Observation Haki, Zoro sensed the petrified Usopp perched atop the cliff.
"Oi, oi, what do you pirates want here?", Usopp demanded, pointing his slingshot at them. It was surprising that he was able to stand, his knees were shaking more than Zoro had ever seen.
Zoro smirked, anticipating Usopp's usual boast about his imaginary 8000 men.
"Usopp? Is that you?", shouted Yasopp. Zoro pouted internally; he'd have never thought he'd ever be disappointed about not hearing Usopp's childish lies.
Usopp's eyes widened. "Dad?", he asked weakly.
"It's good to see you! I'm sorry I didn't visit sooner", Yasopp said, tears welling up.
"I didn't think you'd ever come", admitted Usopp, but ran towards his father.
Zoro bitterly thought Yasopp wouldn't have come if the circumstances were different and decided to hold onto his resentment.
Usopp didn't share Zoro's feelings. Once he reached the beach, he leaped into his father's arms. "I'm glad you came", Usopp cried.
Zoro's fist clenched, glaring at Yasopp through narrowed his eyes, radiating with fury. He poured every ounce of judgment, anger, and disappointment he felt into that glare, certain Yasopp must feel the burn piercing the back of his head.
At least Shanks seemed to notice the storm brewing within Zoro. He placed a steady hand on Zoro's shoulder, his eyes full of unspoken apologies. Zoro sighed heavily, the tension eased slightly, and he decided to let it go – for now.
.
Usopp was bursting with excitement as he showed them around the village.
As always, the local bar was the first stop for the RedHair Pirates. Usopp was the picture of pure joy, singing and dancing with his father and the crew, regaling them with his fantastical stories.
Zoro had never been someone who liked to be in the middle of a party. Now, that he wasn't drinking in this younger body, not even sitting on the side was appealing. Grumbling, he realized he just couldn't get into it. With a few hours of daylight left, he decided to go train, hoping to either enjoy the party later or simply wear himself out enough to sleep.
As the sun was began to set, he returned to the bar. The party was still in full swing. Do I want to stay here?, he asked himself, feeling his own detachment.
"You're so lucky to be sailing with them", said Usopp, startling Zoro.
"Huh. Yeah", he replied awkwardly, "But it's not going to be for very long."
"I wish they'd take me with them too", lamented Usopp.
Zoro looked at him thoughtfully, "I think you should become a pirate on your own once you're old enough."
"Hm", Usopp rubbed his chin, eyes brightening, "Yeah, I should become the great Captain Usopp!"
Zoro had to bite back a groan, remembering how Usopp used to be at the start of their journey. "I think you should be a sniper", he suggested.
Usopps eyes sparkled with pride, "Well, yes of course, I am the best sniper in the East Blue after all!"
Zoro missed the older Usopp. It would take a long time for him to mature, to bolster and lie less, and become far more tolerable. Seeing him now made Zoro's heart ache with grief.
He quickly pushed those feelings aside, "You know, if you want to be a pirate, and especially a Captain, you need to be a strong fighter."
"I am strong! The strong Captain Usopp!", replied Usopp, proudly placing his hands on his waist.
Zoro rolled his eyes. "Do you think you are able to hold your own in a fight against anyone in this room?"
Usopp looked around, his eyes widened. "No", he breathed, seeming on the edge of an anxiety attack.
"I thought so", said Zoro, ignoring the snipers' emotional turmoil, "If you want, I can show you some exercises to make your body stronger."
"You would do that?", exclaimed Usopp, surprised.
"Sure, but not today. It's getting quite late."
.
The next day, they ventured into the forest.
"Here, this is how you do a push-up", Zoro explained, demonstrating the exercise with perfect form
Usopp tried to replicate it but failed miserably. No matter how hard he tired, he just couldn't manage to do the exercise.
"Try doing it on your knees, like this", Zoro showed him the easier version.
This time Usopp managed to perform one wobbly repetition before collapsing on the ground.
"Good try!", encouraged Zoro, "let's try something even more basic. Come over here."
Zoro led Usopp to a nearby tree with a large trunk. "Stand a few feet away from the tree, lean towards it and push yourself away", instructed Zoro.
Finally, they had found an exercise Usopp could manage!
"Well done! If this gets easy, you can move a bit farther away from the tree, then progress to the knee variation, and finally to regular push-ups."
"Wait, I need to write that down!", Usopp quickly fetched his notebook and a pen.
He meticulously recorded Zoro's instructions, even with little diagrams that illustrated how to perform each step.
Other exercises like squats and sit-ups proved much easier for Usopp.
Pull-ups, however, were another challenge entirely. It was clear Usopp couldn't do them yet. Zoro mostly just demonstrated it for future reference and advised Usopp to climb up trees regularly to build the necessary strength.
.
Over the following week Zoro trained with Usopp intensely, while Yasopp showed him some tricks with marksmanship. He watched Usopps form when he did exercises, then trained by himself. For him, Usopp's training regime was barely a warm-up.
On the second day of their stay, Zoro couldn't help but eavesdrop on the father-son interaction, while pretending to meditate close by. Yasopp had arranged a series of targets at varying angles and distances. Crouching next to Usopp, he watched his son intently.
"You're already an amazing marksman", praised Yasopp his son's near perfect performance after Usopp had only missed one shot, "Now, try to hit them blindfolded. Start with one directly in front of you."
Zoro's curiosity piqued, and he opened his eyes to observe more closely. Yasopp tied a cloth around Usopp's head, completely obscuring his vision. With a mix of determination and uncertainty, Usopp tried to follow the instruction. He fired five shots. Only one found its mark.
"Watch closely", declared Yasopp. Blindfolding himself, he demonstrated his extraordinary skill by hitting every targets flawlessly.
Usopp's eyes sparkled with admiration, "You're amazing, dad!"
"I could do this with ants as targets", Yasopp boasted with a confident grin.
Usopp's shoulders slumped. "How is that supposed to help me?", he whined with a mix of awe and frustration.
"It takes a lot of practice,", Yasopp said patiently, "but you need to stop relying only on your eyes when aiming. Use all your senses. Feel the world around you. When you do, you can zero in on any target perfectly with your eyes closed, as if it's the only thing that exists."
Usopp furrowed his brows, visibly puzzled over what his father's advice. His face showed clearly that he didn't understand how he was supposed to sense targets hanging so far away from him. Not even hearing would work. He'd just hear the rustling leaves from where the targets were hanging.
Zoro, watched, his mind flashed back to the day Koshiro told him about the ability of cutting anything and nothing the first time. The confusion on Usopp's face mirrored Zoro's own from that day. Was this how marksmen perceived Observation Haki? Zoro had noticed that Usopp's Observation Haki was unique, different from everyone in the crew.
Maybe he could forget about his grudge against Yasopp and ask him about that later. But for now, Zoro let the matter rest. Deciding not to pry anymore, he closed his eyes again and resumed his mediation.
.
On the third day, just as Zoro completed his training with Usopp, Shanks approached him, a mischievous grin spread across his face. "Care for a spar?",
Shanks asked, his eyes glinting with curiosity.
"I don't know…", answered Zoro hesitantly.
Shanks expression turned into a small pout, "I was hoping to see how you fight."
Zoro chewed on his lips. Sparring with Shanks, to see what Mihawk's former rival could do, was very intriguing, but the promise he made to Luffy was at the forefront of his mind. He would lose, that meant breaking that promise.
Sensing his inner turmoil, Shanks added, "I want to see what you can do before I contact Mihawk."
Probably getting Mihawk to even consider meeting him, wouldn't be possible without Shanks knowing how he fought. Zoro turned his eyes skywards. Luffy… I'm sorry, he thought, before letting out a bitter breath and turning back to Shanks, "I usually fight with three swords though…"
"Three?", Shanks repeated, raising an eyebrow, clearly confused.
"Yeah. I invented the Three-Swords-Style."
"That sounds interesting", Shanks scratched his chin intrigued, "Maybe one of my men could borrow you one."
"Can I watch?", asked Usopp exited, his eyes wide and pleading.
"Sure, why not?", chuckled Shanks, "Just sit down a bit farther away, so you don't get hit by accident. Let's go ask Hongo and Snake."
.
Hongo, the crews' doctor, offered a saber, but it wasn't suited for Zoro's fighting style. Snake, however, had two katana, and handed over both. He recognized that Zoro's worn swords wouldn't withstand a duel with Shanks. Both men were eager to watch them as well.
"Let's spar on the beach", suggested Zoro, "Then you can watch from the cliff."
As they moved to the beach, Zoro's anticipation rose. Usopp and the others took their positions on the cliff, eyes glued to the scene below.
The waves crashed behind them. Zoro stood ready, gripping the borrowed katana, his third clutched between his teeth. His heart pounded in his chest; this was more than a spar – it was a test. He steeled himself, eyes locking onto Shanks.
"I won't use Haki", declared Shanks, "You can use it. I want to see what you can do."
Zoro nodded, swallowing his pride, he had to admit, he was glad about Shanks' conditions. Shanks could blast him away with his Conqueror's Haki in a heartbeat. And considering Shanks' crazy future sight… Zoro knew, he was in no condition to keep up. The borrowed swords already felt heavy in his small arms.
"Ready?", grinned Shanks, exuding excitement, as they took their positions a few meters apart.
Zoro responded with a feral smirk, charging at Shanks. The clash of their blades echoed across the beach. In that moment, Zoro got a feeling for the difference between their strengths.
It was not surprising that Shanks was way stronger. Apart from his Haki, he wasn't holding back, immediately countering Zoro's attack with a swift slash.
"Three-swords-style: Streaming wolf swords", Zoro gritted out, parrying with two of his swords at the last second. He twisted, narrowly dodging Shanks' next assault. He retaliated with his own attack, "Oni Giri."
Shanks dodged and blocked Zoro's slashes without too much effort, but Zoro felt a flicker of pride when he noticed Shanks begun to breathe harder. Zoro was panting and his muscles burning, as he prepared to block the next onslaught. Each clash sent vibrations up his arms, straining him even more, but he pushed on, determination blazing in his eyes
Shanks leaped into the air; his sword was a blur as he executed a powerful flying slash by doing a fast downward motion. The force of the attack soared through the air with a menacing hiss.
Only his Observation Haki allowed Zoro to quickly jump aside. Using the few moments before Shanks landed, he muttered, "One Gorilla. Two Gorilla." The instant Shanks' feet touched the ground, Zoro surged forward. "Two Gorilla Cut!"
The added strength of the attack momentarily caught Shanks off guard, but he blocked it with a swift motion. Zoro grinned despite the strain. The thrill of the battle was exhilarating, even if he knew he had no chance to win. It had been far too long since he faced an opponent who pushed him to his limits.
The clash of steel rang out as they exchanged blow after blow until Zoro's arms stared to lose strength. The weight of the borrowed swords and Shanks' relentless attack wore him down. His form crumbled; he couldn't keep up with Shanks' speed anymore. In that split second of vulnerability, Shanks' saber slipped past Zoro's defense.
With a resounding crack, the unnamed sword shaped under the force of the strike. The blunt edge of Shanks' saber slammed into Zoro's chest and face, sending him flying backwards. He crashed into the sandy beach; the impact shook his entire body.
For a moment, there was silence, the world reduced to the sound of his ragged breath and the pounding of blood in his ears.
Zoro groaned, starting up at the sky, he felt like he'd been hit by a truck. Though there was no cut, his entire body would be bruised the next day for sure. Especially his face was throbbed like shit. Despite everything, a sense of satisfaction filled him.
Shanks approached and extended a hand, helping Zoro to his feet.
"That was fun", said Zoro, gritting his teeth to ignore the pain.
"If you weren't in a child's body, you would have given me a run for my money", Shanks relied with a grin.
"Only without Haki", grumbled Zoro, limping to the shattered pieces of his sword. He picked them up, jaw clenched in frustration. Well shit. Now he only had one worn-out sword.
"I think Mihawk will have fun teaching you", Shanks said, an odd look crossing his face, "Let's get Hongo to check you up."
Zoro waved him off, "I'm fine."
"That was awesome!", yelled Usopp from the cliff.
"Don't lie", said Ben dryly. Apparently, most of Shanks's crew had joined Usopp to watch the fight, "You were scared for Zoro the whole time."
"But now that I know he is okay, it was really cool!", protested Usopp with a pout, causing the pirates to roar with laughter.
.
The next day, Shanks put his foot down, "Zoro, don't train today. You have bruised ribs, and your torso and face are black and blue."
Zoro grumbled and clenched his fists in frustration. Normally he would have ignored such orders, but every breath sent a wave of pain through his battered body. Once again Zoro was deeply annoyed by the weakness of his current form.
To lift his spirits Usopp decided to introduce him to his friend Kaya. She was the only child their age in the village, though she was quite frail and lived in the mansion with her parents. Khaladore, also known as Kuro, hadn't arrived yet, so she was still free to go to their garden and meet others.
Kaya gasped when she saw Zoro's injuries, shrinking back in fear.
Usopp quickly reassured her. "Don't worry, Kaya. Zoro's not dangerous. He sparred with the pirate captain yesterday. It was scary to watch, but Zoro fought amazing!"
To distract her, Usopp told her about his father's visit, how incredible it was and what Yasopp had been teaching him. Soon he launched into a tale about having sailed before and found an island made of the poop of a giant goldfish.
For the first time Zoro wondered if there was more to Usopp's stories than what met the eye. They seemed like fantasies and lies now, but Zoro knew that at least some of them would turn into truths along their journey. Kaya, however, enjoyed them as they were, her eyes lighting up at Usopp's vivid imagination.
Zoro remained mostly silent, until Kaya asked his to share a story too. Hesitant at first, he began to recount tales of Luffy and their adventured in the Goa Kingdom. Usopp listened in awe, especially when Zoro mentioned that Luffy made him his Vice-Captain.
When Zoro finished his story, Usopp eagerly took over with another one of his wild stories. Zoro didn't mind. Listening to Usopp's ramblings was surprisingly relaxing, and for a while he was able to forget the pain wracking his body.
.
By the end of the week, Zoro felt a pang of sadness as they prepared to leave. The initial annoyance he felt towards Usopp was gone. He had seen the boy's dedication, and how seriously he took his and Yasopp's instructions.
Usopp had tears streaming down his face as he begged to come with them.
Yasopp's voice cracked as he hugged his son tightly. "I'm sorry, but you're not ready."
Zoro could see the pain in Yasopp's eyes. Leaving Usopp behind for the second time was undoubtedly one of the hardest things the pirate had ever done. Zoro understood that this was why he hadn't visited before. Despite this, Zoro didn't regret persuading Yasopp to visit. Usopp had been so happy the whole week.
"Keep up the training, and when you're grown up, follow me out to sea!" Yasopp's voice was filled with hope and sadness.
"Yes! I will! I promise!", cried Usopp, determination shining through his tears.
When it was Zoro's turn to say goodbye, he hugged Usopp. "In eight years, I will set sail with my captain. I'm pretty sure Luffy would be thrilled to have you join our crew to, if you wait for us here."
Usopp nodded and his eyes lit up. "I want to meet him! The stories you and the others have told me about sound amazing!"