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“Zoro. There's something I wanted to ask long time ago, ” Usopp said, walking over to where Zoro was napping.
“Yeah?” Zoro opened one eye lazily.
“ Where did your cat come from?” Usopp asked, glancing at the golden-furred feline curled on Zoro’s lap.
“I met him when I was a kid, and he just followed me ever since, “ Zoro explained.
The cat’s ears twitched, and he opened his eyes, clearly awake from the mention of his name.
“For a cat… he’s kind of strange,” Robin added, sipping her coffee.
“What do you mean?” Franky asked, curious.
Robin looked at the cat. “He understands everything we say. That’s not something most animals can do.”
“Yeah,” Nami agreed. “And he doesn’t act like a normal cat either. He’s way too calm… and smart.”
“I remember when I went to find Zoro to join my crew,” Luffy said suddenly. “The cat led me straight to him, like he knew I was looking for Zoro.”
“Oh yeah!” Usopp snapped his fingers. “And back at Water 7, after we escaped Enies Lobby, remember when we couldn’t open that locked door? The cat vanished, and then somehow the door was open.”
Franky blinked. “I forgot about that!”
“And during that ambush from those bounty hunters in Alabasta…” Chopper frowned. “Your cat fought off three guys on his own. He moves better than me in heavy point!”
Brook nodded seriously. “Zoro-san, are you sure this cat is just a cat?”
Everyone now turned to Zoro. The golden cat looked up at him too, tail flicking.
Zoro looked down at the feline on his lap… then looked back at the crew.
“…Yep,” he said. “Totally normal.”
The crew groaned.
“Liar!” Usopp said.
“Zoro, come on,” Nami crossed her arms.
“Stop messing with us!” Chopper whined.
Zoro shrugged. “You asked.”
The cat yawned, stretched, and nestled back down like none of this concerned him at all.
Robin’s eyes narrowed. “Something’s not adding up.”
And somewhere deep in Zoro’s tired mind, he knew… this secret wouldn’t stay hidden much longer.
Later, the ship docked at a peaceful little town, where they could resupply.
Nami handed a pouch of berries to Zoro. “Here’s the money for food. Don’t screw this up.”
Zoro snatched it with a nod. “Got it.”
He left the ship with the cat curled on his shoulder.
Once deep enough into the jungle outskirts where no one could see, Zoro stopped under a tree.
“Okay, Curly. You can transform now.”
The cat leapt from his shoulder. In a blink of golden light, fur shimmered into skin. Limbs stretched, and standing before Zoro was a tall, lean man with tousled blond hair, sharp cheekbones, and striking blue eyes.
Sanji, barefoot and shirt half-buttoned, cracked his neck. “Ah, finally. Took you long enough to find a damn spot.”
Zoro crossed his arms. “A thank you would be nice.”
“Thank you, dear,” Sanji smirked, stepping forward and kissing Zoro on the cheek. “For letting me out of cat jail.”
Zoro flushed slightly but grunted. “Let’s go buy the food, idiot.”
Sanji grabbed his hand without hesitation. “Let’s go then, Marimo.”
Meanwhile, the rest of the crew had gone to a local café for drinks and shade.
“Hey,” Robin said, sipping her tea, “Isn’t that Zoro?”
Usopp squinted across the plaza. “Yeah. Wait... Who’s that with him?”
“Some tall blond guy,” Franky added.
“They’re walking really close,” Chopper said.
“They’re holding hands,” Brook added with surprise.
“They are?” Nami jumped up. “No way—Zoro hates people touching him.”
They all ducked behind a pillar.
Zoro was walking with a stranger, casually, like he wanted to be next to him. Their fingers were laced. Zoro didn’t look angry. He looked… normal. Almost soft.
“Who is that?” Usopp whispered.
“They’re too close to have just met,” Nami said.
“I’ve never seen Zoro let anyone touch him like that,” Robin murmured.
“Where’s his cat?” Usopp blinked. “It’s not with him.”
“Maybe it wandered off,” Franky offered. “It does that.”
“The blonde hair man looks familiar, “ Chopper muttered.
“Maybe…” Nami trailed off. “But something’s off.”
When Zoro returned to the ship later that evening, he was alone again—bags of food in one hand, his familiar golden cat perched on his shoulder.
“You are gone forever!” Luffy whined. “Did you get meat?”
“Yeah,” Zoro replied.
Nami squinted. “Hey… we saw you earlier.”
Zoro didn’t flinch. “Yeah?”
“You were with someone,” Usopp said. “Blond. Tall. Who was that?”
Zoro blinked slowly. “Oh. Uh… just a local guy.”
“You held hands with a local guy?” Nami raised a brow.
“He was guiding me,” Zoro deadpanned. “Didn’t want to get lost.”
“You let someone touch you,” Robin said, watching him closely.
“I was tired,” Zoro shrugged. “Didn’t feel like arguing.”
“Are you sure?” Nami raised an eyebrow.
“…You’re lying,” Chopper whispered, eyes wide.
Zoro didn’t respond.
Days passed.
The topic faded… until the accident.
It happened in the dead of night. A storm had rolled in—waves lashing against the Sunny’s sides, thunder roaring overhead. A bolt of lightning screamed down from the heavens, striking the crow’s nest with a deafening crack.
The mast burst with flame.
“FIRE!” Nami screamed.
The crew rushed into action. Water, ropes, commands shouted over the chaos.
“MOVE!” Franky shouted, already rushing for the emergency barrels.
Zoro had been below deck, mid-swing in his late-night training. Sanji—still in his small golden cat form—was curled quietly beside him, tail flicking lazily.
“Shit,” Zoro muttered, snatching up his swords as the ship shuddered again. “Stay here.”
A second explosion burst above them—another lightning strike, louder and closer.
Sanji’s eyes narrowed. Screw secrecy.
He bolted out of the room, faster than Zoro could grab him.
Up on deck, the fire had cornered Chopper near the sails, embers flying.
“CHOPPER!” Luffy shouted.
Sanji reached the reindeer first.
A bright golden glow burst through the smoke as the small cat launched itself through the flames, and it transformed.
By the time he hit the deck, Sanji was human.
Strong human arms grabbed Chopper and twisted away from the collapse. Sanji landed hard, shielding the doctor with his body as flaming wood crashed beside them.
The crew stood frozen in shock.
The storm calmed just enough to hear the wind.
Zoro burst onto the deck seconds later, sword drawn—then stopped.
Sanji stood up slowly, Chopper still held protectively against him.
His human form was bare-footed, ash-dusted, hair damp with rain. His eyes glowed faintly gold in the firelight.
The storm left Sunny in chaos. Rain still dripped from the sails, and smoke hung thick in the air. The fire had been put out, but no one moved.
All eyes were fixed on the blond stranger who had just saved Chopper.
He wasn’t a stranger anymore.
“Who… are you?” Nami asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Who the hell—” Usopp’s jaw dropped.
“YOU’RE THE CAT?!” Franky shouted.
Chopper looked up from Sanji’s arms and squeaked. “It’s… you?!”
Sanji exhaled. “Hi.”
“Explain. Now,” Nami snapped, stepping forward, hands on her hips.
Zoro sighed. “This is Curly—”
“I have a name,” Sanji cut in, dusting ash from his shoulders. “And I’m not your damn cat.”
The crew gaped.
Sanji straightened up, his golden eyes gleaming as the flames behind him flickered low.
Sanji slowly let go of Chopper, helping him to his feet.
“I’m Sanji. I’m the same guy who’s been sleeping in that sunny spot near Zoro’s hammock for the past year,” he said casually, brushing ashes from his shoulder. “The same guy who curls up on your pillow when you’re all off shopping. The same one who slapped Luffy’s hand when he tried to steal midnight snacks.”
“You’re… the cat?” Usopp said, blinking hard.
“Not just a cat,” Sanji corrected, standing up straight. “I’m a hybrid. Half-human, half-cat. I can switch forms. ”
There was a long, stunned silence.
“You sound… really familiar,” Usopp said slowly, narrowing his eyes.
Sanji gave a faint, knowing smirk. “Do I?”
Chopper’s ears perked. His eyes widened. “Wait… you’re— You’re Mr. Prince! Aren’t you?!”
Sanji turned to him with a small grin. “Sharp memory, little guy. Nice to finally meet you like this.”
Usopp gasped. “You’re the guy from Arabasta?! The one who called Crocodile’s casino and messed with the Marines? And—”
“—the one who left that note in Water 7,” Nami added, eyes wide. “The one who figured out where Robin was and saved her without any of us realizing.”
Franky slapped his head. “And the one who unlocked the sea train cars! That was you, back then?!”
Sanji gave a lazy bow. “Surprise.”
“You’ve been helping us all this time,” Robin said softly. “In secret.”
Sanji glanced at Zoro, who looked faintly exasperated but not surprised. “Well, someone had to make sure you guys didn’t blow yourselves up before the final island.”
Usopp pointed at him, eyes still wide. “You’ve been with us. This whole time. As a cat.”
“Technically, I’ve been with him,” Sanji said with a side-eye at Zoro. “You lot were just a bonus.”
“You could talk the whole time?” Luffy asked, blinking. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
Sanji shrugged. “Didn’t want to blow my cover.”
“And yet, here you are,” Nami said, arms crossed. “Why reveal it now?”
“I wasn’t gonna sit and watch one of you die in a fire just to keep a secret,” Sanji replied bluntly.
Chopper, still held protectively in Sanji’s arms, looked up at him with awe. “…Thank you.”
Sanji gave a gentle smile. “Anytime, doc.”
The crew stared. Everything they thought they knew had just shifted.
“…So,” Brook said at last, adjusting his tie. “Why were you two holding hands that day?”
Sanji blinked. “Uh…”
Zoro let out a sigh, arms crossing. “Because me and Curly are dating. Happy now?”
“Dating?!” the crew shouted in unison.
Nami’s eyes bugged out. “Wait, what?! You’ve been dating someone all this time?!”
“I thought it was obvious,” Zoro said, unfazed. “I rejected every confession on every island we stopped at.”
“Yeah, but you never told anyone why!” Nami snapped. “You just glared and walked away!”
Zoro shrugged. “Didn’t think I had to spell it out.”
“…Also, Curly isn’t technically a person,” he added. “He’s half-cat, half-human.”
Sanji rolled his eyes. “I am technically a person, moss-for-brains.”
“Debatable,” Zoro muttered.
Sanji kicked him in the shin. “Still your boyfriend.”
“Unfortunately,” Zoro grunted, rubbing his leg.
The crew stared, collectively rethinking everything.
“Well,” Sanji said at last, stepping forward and dusting off his shirt. “Since my cover’s blown, guess I don’t have to sneak into the kitchen anymore.”
“…Kitchen?” Usopp echoed.
“Yeah, I cook,” Sanji said simply.
“Wait—you were the one making our meals?” Nami blinked.
Sanji raised a brow. “What, you thought the mosshead over here was behind those?”
“I did think Zoro was cooking,” Chopper said shyly.
Sanji barked a laugh. “Please. That idiot can’t boil water without setting off a fire alarm. His only job was carrying me to the kitchen and locking the door behind us every night.”
“You locked the kitchen?” Robin asked Zoro, clearly amused.
Zoro grunted. “It was the only way to keep him from getting caught.”
“So all this time… the amazing meals we’ve had—” Usopp began.
“—were made by you?” Franky finished.
Sanji smirked and gave a mock salute. “With love.”
“The food was delicious, Sanji!” Luffy said brightly, stars in his eyes. “You should cook all the time!”
Sanji’s chest swelled slightly with pride. “I plan to.”
Zoro sighed, crossing his arms. “Great. Now they’re never gonna shut up about it.”
Sanji grinned, sharp canines flashing. “Too late for regret, Marimo."
Robin’s lips curved in amusement. “This explains… a lot.”
“My head hurts, there is too much information we just know, “ Usopp cried.
“First, the cat is a person. Second, the person is the one who saved us many times. Third, he is a cook. Fourth, he is dating Zoro bro. SUPER cool!” Franky shouted.
Nami pinched the bridge of her nose, then looked at Zoro. “We are so not done with you.”
Zoro looked skyward like the world had wronged him. “Figures.”
And just like that, the crew had a new cook, a new friend, and a hundred more questions.
But for now, they were just glad Sanji had finally stepped into the light—tail, claws, and all.
“You know, Zoro,” Nami said, tapping her foot, “you’ve been hiding both a cook and your boyfriend from us this whole time.”
Zoro shrugged. “You guys never asked.”
Nami’s eye twitched. “You—!”
“So how did you two really meet?” Usopp cut in, eyes narrowed in suspicion. “And don’t give me that vague ‘we met as kids’ line again.”
Zoro leaned lazily against the mast, arms crossed. “Didn’t I already tell you this story?”
“Yeah,” Usopp said, gesturing wildly, “but that was before we knew your cat could turn into a human!”
“I’m not his cat,” Sanji muttered with a glare, arms crossed.
“And he’s not mine,” Zoro grumbled.
Usopp ignored the mutual denial with practiced ease. “Come on. We want the real version this time. So? Spill.”
Zoro shrugged. “I really met him when I was a kid. He followed me around after that.”
Sanji rolled his eyes and smacked Zoro lightly on the back of the head. “His version leaves so much to be desired. Allow me.”
“Ow,” Zoro muttered, rubbing his scalp.
Sanji turned to the crew with a casual but fond expression. “Alright, storytime. So, the mosshead and his old teacher stopped by the Baratie for lunch one day. I was about eight. Zoro was too.”
“You were working there even as a kid?” Chopper asked, wide-eyed.
Sanji nodded. “Helping in the kitchen mostly. Anyway, Zoro got lost in the restaurant.”
“I wasn’t lost!” Zoro snapped.
“He was,” Sanji grinned. “And while he was trying to find his way back, he stumbled into the storage room. Where he caught me mid-shift—transforming from a cat back to my human form.”
The crew blinked.
“That must’ve been a shock,” Franky said.
“It was,” Sanji said with a nostalgic smirk. “He freaked out for all of ten seconds before demanding to know how I did it and if I could teach him.”
Zoro groaned. “I did not—”
Sanji ignored him. “Anyway, after that, we kept in touch. Letters, occasional visits. We became friends.”
“And when he said he was gonna set out to find Mihawk, I decided to tag along,” Sanji continued.
“In your cat form?” Usopp asked, incredulous.
“Yep,” Sanji confirmed. “Thought it’d be easier to travel unnoticed.”
“But why go with him?” Robin asked gently.
Sanji hesitated, cheeks turning pink. “…Because I have a dream too. To find the All Blue.”
“And?” Nami prodded with a sly smile.
Sanji cleared his throat. “And maybe because I… liked the moss idiot.”
Zoro coughed loudly and looked away.
“Aww,” Nami beamed. “It is a love story.”
Luffy tilted his head. “So when I first met you two, you were already traveling together?”
“Yep,” Sanji said, leaning casually against the railing. “Zoro had no sense of direction, so I had to make sure he didn’t fall into a ditch before finding you guys.”
“And besides,” he added with a smirk, “in East Blue, people already knew the name Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro… and his mysterious cat.”
“Ohhh, you’re right!” Nami said, eyes widening. “I remember those old wanted posters! There was always a little gold cat in the background!”
“I knew it!” Chopper exclaimed. “You always acted like more than just a regular cat!”
“You were always curled up on Zoro’s chest,” Brook said, nodding. “It was oddly intimate.”
“Alright, alright, cut it out,” Zoro grumbled, ears turning slightly pink. “Let’s not get all emotional.”
Sanji shot him a smug look. “Too late for that, sweetheart.”
Zoro groaned. The crew laughed.