Chapter Text
The world knew him as the Pirate King.
The man who abolished the World Government and its allies, singlehandedly chasing away the dark, thunderous cloud they cast upon the people of the world.
The men and women of old, who whispered tattered legends of the Void Century and its cruel obscurity, would remember him as the fated Sun God, Nika. A being of righteousness and brilliance. Of misty and dreams, a crown of light immortalizing him as a symbol that would grace the pages of many a storybook for centuries to come.
The New Era of Pirates knew him as a model. The face of unbound freedom, every scar and sunburn a testament to the wondrous path that lay ahead of each of them. A path of endless opportunity. Infinite islands, battles, and spectacular tales of an unimaginable journey that would be passed down through generations to come.
The Marines would remember him as the catalyst of a profound change in their systems. In their reason. The very person who posed a glaring question with his very presence. A drop that rippled and garnered enough traction to spill over into an unstoppable wave that crushed their ideals and moral concepts. “What truly is justice?” Commander Coby had screamed in the throes of the final battle, his voice scraped raw with desperation, his muscles aching with strain. The question had not been answered with words, but simply by action. A pirate, the epitome of what every marine had stood against, fought not only for the dreams and legacies of his comrades, his fellow pirates, but for the marines, the common people, the gyojin, fishmen, and sky people. For every beating heart that had suffered the pain of true injustice. The man who shook the establishment to its very core. Turning it inside out and eventually changing it for the better.
The man who liberated Skypeia, Alabasta, Fishman Island, Dressrosa, and countless other lands, earning the unbridled gratitude and loyalty of their citizens for eternity. The man who had ended Arlong’s reign of terror and pulled Nami and Cocoyashi Village out of the fate that threatened to drag them through the undertow and to the ocean floor.
He who discovered the Straw Hats one by one, and gave them a reason to keep going, to uncover things undiscovered and chase their dreams. Rescuing them from the ghosts of their pasts and their relentless persecutors. Fighting for them and refusing to let them sink back into darkness, no matter the obstacle.
The one who eventually proved that Roger’s elusive challenge could be overcome. Dragging himself and his crew to Raftel, eyes glazed over with debilitating fever, refusing to be beaten by an island of all things. He who discovered the legendary One Piece and carved his name into history.
Monkey D. Luffy.
And yet, even in the end, when all had been said and done…wars fought, battles won, scars earned, and dreams achieved— Zoro could only ever remember him as his captain. The impertinent boy who’d invaded a Naval Base in Shells Town and asked if a stranger would join his crew. The rubbery, little fiend he’d scoffed at and turned down multiple times before being softened and won over by his warmth. The brat he’d sailed with on a little dinghy that first week, whining over the lack of food and overwhelming heat in the middle of an endless blue. The man he’d fought alongside at every turn, who he’d spilled blood for, and he for Zoro.
The snotty little kid who’d sobbed and cried as Zoro bled out from the injuries Mihawk had inflicted upon him in their first encounter. Who had tearfully pleaded, “Zoro, please don’t die…” as Sanji explicitly explained to him that Zoro wasn’t dying. The man whom he’d shared his meals, his fears, and half his life with. His best friend. His only captain.
And as Zoro stands alone on a dock, on an island he hasn’t cared to ask the name of, it's as if the life begins to seep out of him. The very soul that makes him a man seems to dissipate into cold blankness as he tries to process the words on the newspaper in his hands. The ink doesn’t stay on the paper. It seems to lift, dancing in curves and drifting unpredictably in Zoro’s vision. He feels a strange…floaty— like he suddenly weighs absolutely nothing.
A dead man standing.
And then it all comes crashing down on him with a crushing finality.
“THE LAST LAUGH OF THE PIRATE KING: Monkey D. Luffy Executed at Dawn.”
Following their discovery of the One Piece, the Straw Hat Pirates were quick to embark on a triumphant journey to every island that had played a part in their prolific journey. Despite the fact that their main goal had been achieved, Luffy had been determined to see each of his crew’s dreams through till the end. And so, it began with an incredibly emotional reunion between Brook and Laboon the whale. Half the crew had messily wept aloud as Brook serenaded his loyal friend who’d remembered him through the decades, and though Zoro vehemently denied the accusations, he’d been a little teary-eyed too. Brook had parted ways with them, promising to reunite with them soon enough after some time was spent with Laboon.
Usopp and Kaya had exchanged letters regularly during their five-year voyage. Upon docking at Syrup Village for something of a holiday, Usopp had been quick to bend the knee and ask for her hand in marriage. Kaya had been delighted, of course, her cornsilk hair blowing in her face as she blubbered and grinned the widest she’d ever grinned. The rest of them had cheered and shouted as they embraced, exchanging a chaste kiss for the crowd and laughing together sheepishly, their hands loosely intertwined. Their stay had been extended, as they helped prepare for the wedding, which had certainly been just as sweet. Usopp had declared they’d honeymoon for a year, and so his adventure as a pirate would temporarily come to a halt.
It was Chopper who spilled off next as they circled back over the Red Line and dropped anchor at Drum Island. It had been five years since he had last seen the witch doctor, Kureha. He wished to share the countless things he’d learnt. To tell his stories and share his wealth of knowledge. Luffy had affectionately fluffed his brown fur and squeezed him tight to his chest before letting him off. He’d shouted they’d meet again soon enough as the ship sailed away from the island’s chill and into the sun.
Upon reaching Alabasta and reuniting with an ecstatic Vivi, Nami decided she was well-deserving of a staycation. She’d taken down a multitude of notes and ship logs, not to mention countless drafts for what would eventually become her much sought-after Map of the World. She just needed the time to put it all together. Of course, what went unsaid was that she wanted some alone time with Vivi, who, despite returning her feelings all those years ago, was unable to stoke the flames as they were destined for two different paths. That wasn’t the case anymore, however. They now had the time to rekindle the fire at their own pace. And so, another see you later was bid, for Luffy was never one for goodbyes.
Franky and Robin had sparked their own romance, not long after the Straw Hats’ throwdown on Elbaph. Of course, the chemistry had always undeniably been there, but now time had slowed down for them. There was no race to get to where they wanted to be, and that allowed space for other dreams to take root. Shortly after their stay in Alabasta, it was announced that Robin was pregnant and would be due at the end of the year. They all were unquestionably excited. Robin and Franky had always wanted their own family, and the exciting prospect of pursuing this new dream was shared with the rest of the crew. They’d sailed at their own pace for three months, taking extended time to explore islands they’d visited before, and finally, at the beginning of her second trimester, Robin and Franky got off the Sunny at Water Seven. Luffy had oohed and aahed at the slight swell of Robin’s belly before lightly patting the unborn baby goodbye. The Sunny was docked at Water Seven’s port. It was decided that it would be impractical for only four of them to sail on such a large ship. Luffy boisterously kept insisting that they’d all be back for a second trip around the world.
They borrowed a smaller boat, just enough for the four of them, and resumed their little adventure. Zoro grudgingly will admit that the discovery of the All Blue was one of the most exciting parts of their journey. After many months of walking in circles and retracing steps, they eventually stumbled upon the endless expanse of aquamarine blue, riddled with thousands of colourful fish, plant life, and coral. A delicious expanse of delicacies pulled straight out of your wildest dreams. Immediately after, they’d concocted a plan and sailed toward the Saboady Archipelago, where they’d met with Rayleigh and Shakky. Sanji had long decided what he’d do once he found the All Blue. It seemed rather obvious. He’d launch his very own restaurant smack dab in the middle of the world’s most exclusive food paradise. Jinbe was happy to help with the logistics— after all, he wasn’t in a rush to get back to Fishman Island. And so, Sanji started on floor plans and menu drafts, coming up with at least a million new ideas with Rayleigh, Shakky, and Jinbe. Luffy had stuck around for a bit of taste testing, but eventually, it came time for him to leave.
The four of them shared a rather quiet drink before the dawn of their departure. It was much more subdued than the farewells that had come prior.
“So what now?” Sanji asked, as he exhaled a long, gray wisp of cigarette smoke.
Shakky and Rayleigh had long retired for the night, leaving them to their own devices.
Zoro takes a long swig of his half-empty beer. He’s on his seventh drink already, and a pleasant buzz has settled over his form. “Now…we live.”
“That’s fucking stupid, Marimo. We’ve lived this whole time.”
Luffy just giggles from the barstool next to Zoro. He drinks at a much slower pace tonight. Usually, he’d be chugging down whatever alcohol they threw at him with a mildly disturbing gusto, challenging everyone to drinking games and singing sea shanties especially badly.
Today, however, something is different. He sips his beer with an uncharacteristic mildness, swinging his feet back and forth gently, a light flush coloring his cheeks. The only addition he’s made to the conversation is a sprinkle of laughter here and there.
If anyone has noticed the oddity, they decide not to point it out.
“If you don’t want stupid answers, then don’t ask stupid questions, pubes-for-brows.”
Sanji sputters with indignation, his face swelling to a blistering red, and the two spiral into their typical scathing banter.
Jinbe watches them with an emotion Zoro can’t put his finger on. It seems a strange mix of warmth, affection, and the heaviest melancholy. It ignites many questions within Zoro, and a “Why are you looking at us like that?” hovers on the tip of his tongue. What was there to be melancholy about? After all, Luffy had promised that they’d sail together soon enough. This was just a much-needed break for all of them. They’d made it out of the final war in one piece (pun intended). None of them had fallen to blade or fist or mystical power.
In Zoro’s mind, that was more than enough.
“I’ll miss you guys.”
It's the first time Luffy speaks that night. The alcohol in his system seems to have turned blood and rubber into honey by the way he slumps bonelessly over the bar counter. The relaxation in his joints and muscles seems almost tangible as he practically melts into the furniture.
Sanji immediately switches his bitchy tone, reserved for interactions with Zoro, to something much kinder. The love cook has always maintained a subtly soft corner for their captain.
“You’ll see us again soon enough, Luffy. And then we’ll set sail again…together.”
Luffy smiles rather mysteriously. He doesn’t respond to Sanji’s words, his eyes blinking languidly as his cheek smushes further into the hardwood.
His silence unsettles Zoro more than it should.
He abruptly stands, his stool scraping harshly across the floorboards. The sound has Luffy raising his head the slightest bit in curiosity.
“Let’s get you to bed, Captain. We have an early start tomorrow,” Zoro says as he gently pries Luffy away from the chair and hooks his rubbery arm around his own neck. Luffy bids a casual “Byeeeee Jinbeee, byeeee Sanjiiii” as he’s half-carried up the stairs to the guest bedrooms.
Warm breaths heat the skin of Zoro’s neck as he drags Luffy down the hallway to the door. He’s grown quiet once more, simply allowing Zoro to move him however he seems fit.
The door is wrestled open with minimal difficulty, and Luffy is unceremoniously dumped onto clean, white bedding. He immediately sinks into the mattress, limbs flopping in all directions like a happy starfish.
His tired eyes bore into Zoro, who eventually gave in and sat at the edge of the bed by Luffy’s feet. It’s rare to see this kind of vulnerability and softness in his captain. He’s almost always doing something or the other, bouncing around like a ping-pong ball on a sugar high and winding his sticky arms and legs around someone in the vicinity. Bearing witness to this still, pliable taffy version of Luffy always felt like it was meant to be a secret. Something that stayed between them.
“Zrooo….”
“Hm?”
“What now?”
“Now…we sleep….and tomorrow we’ll be up and out on the ocean, Captain.”
“And after that?
“....I don’t know. We’ll just have to see.”
“Where’ll you go, Zro?”
“Wherever you go.”
The room falls silent once more. As Zoro contemplates what will come tomorrow, a rubbery hand snakes around his waist and pulls him gently into bed. Luffy’s eyes are dark and wide, twinkling with something that Zoro can’t seem to figure out. He reckons there’s less than three inches between their faces. Each exhaled puff that leaves Luffy grazes the dryness of Zoro’s lips. The sensation has goosebumps dancing over Zoro’s arms and neck.
They stare at each other, breaths mingling, Luffy’s arm warm around him. In the blanket of darkness, Luffy wets his lips and opens his mouth to whisper.
“Night, Zoro.”
Zoro doesn’t question it. He should’ve.
“Good night, Captain.”
There is no grand departure at first light.
No wine-brandished farewell from Shakky or Rayleigh. Or their remaining crew, for that matter.
When Zoro wakes the following day, the sheets are cold and rumpled. There is no sign of Luffy or any of his belongings.
It was as if he had never been there in the first place.
An illusion.
The boat they’d docked at the harbor sways innocently, lulled by the rhythmic lapping of the waves.
Untouched.
Zoro never sees Luffy again.
Six months later, his name appears in the newspaper, and their story comes to an abrupt end.
Luffy was never one for goodbyes.