Why Zoro Has Been On-edge Since Wano

i adore how zoro and luffy are oftentimes put on an equal level.

like initially, their main parallels exist in shanks and mihawks. even if you remove their connections to zoro and luffy, both interpersonal and as their heroes/fated rivals/some indescribable in between, and how eventually both of zoro and luffy’s narratives will circle back to them respectively; they are blatant parallels to one another on even a character trait level. mihawk and shanks, who were always equally matched in combat, are zoro and luffy's counterparts.

next is how they are each other's weaknesses. luffy is famously, and terrifyingly, susceptible to cutting attacks. after the strawhats have achieved their goals, in concept, luffy's ultimate weakness would be zoro; the world's greatest swordsman. luffy's first mate is his achilles heel. but of course that will never matter, because what would have been his ultimate threat is his strongest companion, his most devote follower, of whom there is no one he trusts more to eternally stand by his side. zoro is equivalent; he is a power focused fighter, strong and fatal, and luffy is agile and inventive, his natural opposite.

additionally is how their dreams balance. luffy, the captain, and his dream that yearns for unparalleled freedom. zoro, the swordsman, who's dream aches for untouchable power. zoro facilitates and protects luffy's dream of ultimate freedom, using his drive of power to be his dearest soldier. while luffy catalysed zoro's direction and puts him in positions to closer attain ultimate strength every day, whereas he existed in limbo without him. luffy's drive of freedom rid zoro of his aimlessness.

lastly, there are so many small moments where they are intended to be viewed as coequal, something closer to partners. them both dying in onigashima then waking up in the same moment, them both being supernovas, kuma accepting zoro's life instead of luffy; equating them in value in thriller bark, them both having supreme king haki, etc. is there nothing more indicative of being equals than two conquerors, harmonious together?

i think a lot of it stems from how zoro's devotion is an outlier. zoro's devotion, at it's foundations, is something so precious because he doesn't need to be luffy's follower, but he wants to be. every enemy pre-timeskip is confused that zoro is the one taking orders, his sheer power and 'kingly qualities' could make him an infamous captain in his own right, and that's a constant theme in his worship. zoro wants to follow, he loves answering to and trusting luffy to make the decisions that's best for them. if zoro had the gnaw for leadership he would thrive doing so, and that makes his loyalty all the more momentous. they could be equals, and there are so many subtle moments where they are shown to be as such, but zoro doesn't want that. he happily stands on the stair beneath luffy just to have the privilege of being allowed to look up at him.

i adore how zoro and luffy are oftentimes put on an equal level, but zoro chooses to revere and follow regardless.

hunt or be hunted 🌆

not really active with one piece but every time i see a single fucking screenshot from the manga or the anime its always zoro calling luffy captain bitch u got a captain kink or something

Ace

old man zolu and the contrast between their combat and domestic life. i adore it so dearly.

the king of the pirates and the world's greatest swordsman; something so regularly mentioned yet something i never sit with and truly dwell on how powerful that is. to be incomparable in the one piece universe, to sit atop every enemy without question, and to sit there together? that’s unquantifiably strong. powerful in the way rayleigh's name alone evokes a fear and respect that shakes whoever hears it, causes even the most spontaneous and arrogant characters' movements to halt, to re-question their decision to fight. they will be that and so much more.

but then, the domestic side. days spent in each other's arms on the sunny's deck, bedtimes spent grumbling about sore backs and muscles. reaching for reading glasses on the bedside table, zoro asking luffy to grab something from the highest cupboard because he doesn't feel like doing so himself. zolu who can no longer spend hours uncomfortably wrapped around each other or else zoro’s ankles will begin to ache unbearably, so they found new positions to accommodate it, and they wrap around each other in different ways instead. the baffling opposition, terrifying and idyllic, i can't get enough.

luffy, with salt & pepper hair and encompassing hugs that remind everyone of a bear, who could near slaughter a man with a targeted glance. zoro, with gentle peace and happiness in his eyes, who's kill count got lost in the thousands many years ago. luffy and zoro who spend their days adventuring, soft, relaxed, but they can switch so uncannily and destroy world renown figures without an hour’s planning. covered in blood and looking forward to that evening's sunset together. just so sinister and so softly sweet, they’re perfect

zoro as a mellowed old man brightens my day. him silently opening his arms for chopper and luffy to jump into whenever he sees them, drinking a little less alcohol because it seems to get to him a bit quicker these days. zoro who smiles so gently and so often.

zoro as an old man who just seeps appreciation and gratitude in his own quiet way; for the life he’s been blessed with, and for meeting luffy at that barren marine courtyard. zoro who’s fights with sanji have no bite behind them, insults ranging from ‘cook’ to ‘idiot cook’ like they aren’t just age-old nicknames. his eyes gently watching nami approach to hit him over the head, complaining with only softness as she scolds him, full of unending fondness. laughing with complete adoration as he watches usopp’s legs shake in fear, hoping they never have to be apart and thanking their fates that they get to be together.

old man zoro who is still quiet, gruff, and rough around the edges but gosh, so soft in the middle. he looks at luffy like he strung the stars, like he always has done, but with a sweetness only age and many decades together can bring. he reaches for him often, unashamed physical contact, just because he wishes for the closeness and loves him so much. he relishes in watching chopper grow up, terrified and gleeful on the day the strawhats noticed he’d grown taller than him. zoro who still trains, god knows he won’t stop, but when robin, jinbe and franky ask if he wants to join them on the deck, he says yes instead of continuing without pause. zoro who sits next to brook and is lulled into tranquility, hearing his soft violin and noticing the brush of brook’s blazer against him.

zoro who accomplished his goal to be the world’s greatest swordsman, and doesn’t settle (never settles), but his tenseness eases. knowing his strength is unparalleled and looking around, his crew’s strength is too. he can relax, and he naps belly up with pride each passing day.

zoro who takes more naps and complains about his muscles aching because old age lets him do that, despite the fact he’s been tired and sore since he was seventeen. mellowed old man zoro, you are perfect.

Finding your horizon

his chiropractor

welcome back egghead 🍳🍾

They'll die if they don't do the same thing