Fic: Choices
“You’ll never be more than a second class swordsman, Roronoa,” the marine called out as he slowly walked backwards putting distance between the two Straw Hat pirates that remained on the wet and bloodied road. Zoro clenched Wado between his teeth, while he tightened his grip around his other two katanas. How dare the bastard think he was good enough to do what he did and then call Zoro second class.
Taking a step forward Zoro had every intention of going after the man to show him what a true, honourable swordsman he was when the shuffling sound behind refocused him. Not turning around, the pirate remembered the reason why the marine’s sword dripped with blood. The stupid cook had been fighting him and took a few low blows. Zoro saw him fall to the ground before he immediately stepped in between the marine and Sanji.
Removing Wado from his mouth, Zoro made a choice.
Sheathing all three katanas he turned his back on the marine who took the opportunity to run while Zoro approached Sanji and kneeled down next to the cook who was hunched over.
“Oi,” Zoro started, not touching the cook, but in his personal space.
“Fuck off shitty swordsman,” Sanji said between clenched teeth, the cigarette lying in two pieces on the ground. Zoro noticed the slight rocking in the other’s form as he moved with the pulses of pain that rang through his body; a gash along the cook’s back; two short, but deep slices under the thighs, and one on the palm of the cook’s hand. “Why aren’t you going after the asshole?” Sanji questioned despite his situation.
The swordsman grunted in response before standing and hoisting the cook on his back despite the swearing protests.
Zoro chose not to honour a disrespectful request.