"Are you sure about this, Zoro?" Nami asked once they reached the front gates."I still think we should wait for the police or someone..."

Their ex-clients manor was huge, far beyond what Zoro thought it would be."Are you sure this is the place, Usopp?" he asked, not really challenging his skills but just shocked by the outcome of where they ended up.

"I'm sure," Usopp said."He's the only one with that type of unique character in this city." That was all Zoro needed.

He stepped towards the gates, opening them with an ominous creek."Will you be okay, Zoro?" Chopper questioned with unease.

"Yeah, don't worry," Zoro said back, moving forward without another thought.

This was the person who put Sanji in jail, he was sure of it. The man had thrown him off from the beginning. Zoro knew he should have trusted his instincts and left him alone but he wasn't in the right mind at the time and Sanji was being...Sanji, so he made a mistake.

And now he was paying for it.

"Roronoa Zoro, correct?" The servant at the gate asked. Zoro nodded.

So he had been expecting him?

"If you would come this way please." The servant led him down many corridors, weaving in ways Zoro didn't think possible.

Zoro was growing impatient. He wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible. The man already expecting him made things a bit easier and Zoro was hoping they could just cut to the chase. He hated delving into things that didn't need to be delved into.

They reached a set of double door lined in gold when the servant stopped. He knocked on the door once, no noticeable cue from the other side, but he opened the doors anyways."Please come inside, my master is waiting," the servant mumbled, bowing to Zoro as he passed.

Inside was an office. Not a single window but a large quantity of books and collectables. A man sat at the front on an elaborate chair of gold and ruby, ferret wrapped around his shoulders.

"Welcome, Zoro. I've been waiting for you."

X

The moment Sanji was let out of jail he went straight to Robin, Franky, and Brook."Where's Zoro?" he questioned madly.

"He's still off running around somewhere, we haven't gotten any word back from the others," Robin said.

"More like, we don't have any phones on us!" Brook laughed.

"Sanji!" Luffy suddenly shouted, barging past multiple police officers."You're alive!"

"I was never dead, you idiot." Sanji ruffed his hair harshly, smile on his face.

"He suddenly came banging in here after following after Zoro. Made a super mess of the station trying to get you out," Franky said with a fond smile."But don't worry, the super me - and a few police officers - held him back so he wouldn't also be thrown in jail too."

Sanji turned to Luffy."Thank you." Luffy just laughed, plopping down in the chair next to Brook."Well, I better go get that idiot swordsman back," Sanji grumbled, taking out a much needed cigarette. He pulled out the tracker Franky gave him to track Zoro's earring.

"I'm happy you actually use that GPS." Franky said with a thumbs up.

"Of course." Sanji smiled, holding it up as he moved to exit the police station."Zoro gets lost often." He exited the building and started his search for Zoro.

"Tracker?" Luffy asked, tilting his head to the side in confusion.

Everyone just sighed, thinking the same thing: he was definitely the next one they needed to make one for.

X

"I called you here because of that job I offered you," the ferret man said, getting off his chair to meet Zoro who refused to move a single step from his spot in front of the door."I was hoping would consider doing it again."

"Why would I do that?" Zoro asked, voice cold. This was the man who trapped Sanji, he refused to give him more attention than needed."My answer was clear. Find yourself a proper hitman instead."

The man just smiled."That partner of yours was holding you back, I'm sure even you noticed. But now that he is not here, I'm offering you a way out." The ferret peered at him."Kill for me, Roronoa Zoro."

Zoro just stared at him in silence. Even he would consider such a tantalizing option that easily provided new competition but things were different now. Ever since then, he had barely felt any boredom or desire to seek a fight. It was still there, lurking, but it only appeared when Zoro wanted it, like he was finally in control.

Something had happened in those weeks. Some kind of gap had finally been closed and Zoro didn't feel that heart clenching pain anymore.

"You're an excellent swordsman," the ferret man continued."And if you cooperate with me, that strength will only increase."

Zoro sighed. This was why the man had felt so off. He just didn't understand."A swordsman's blade decides who its loyal to," Zoro murmured menacingly, reaching for his blades."And right now mine are itching to kill you."

The ferret man finally showed some expression, shock quickly running in and out of his features. He composed himself far to fast with a simple huff."Well, I guess I have to move onto the next plan," the ferret man sighed, predatory look suddenly coming into his eyes. He was mad."If you don't kill, then I will just have to dispose of that precious partner of yours."

It was now Zoro's turn to be shocked. Part of him was expecting such a thing but that didn't help the way his heart suddenly skipped a beat. Kill Sanji? Like he would let that happen.

"That look in your eyes tells me you'll agree to my terms," the ferret man hummed, pleased."You chose the right option."

Zoro was still undecided. Keeping Sanji safe was obviously his top priority but if this man kept asking him to kill after this he would have no choice but to raise his hand at him at some point. So it was either kill now or kill later.

But Sanji had told him not to raise his blade against someone unless it was absolutely necessary. Was this that time or would Sanji just get angry at him? His partner was strong, Zoro was sure Sanji would get mad at such a useless killing but Zoro didn't feel like negotiating. That just wasn't his speed.

He got ready to slide his blades out when the door crashed open. In walked Sanji, and Zoro couldn't be more surprised, relieved, and angry at the same time.

So he got out...

"I didn't miss anything, did I?" Sanji smiled, taking a drag from his cigarette.

"You're lonely, aren't you, Zoro?"

Not anymore.