Zolu - Blog Posts

old man yaoi posting

headcanon that zoro knows all the sea shanties because during his time as a bounty hunter he would sit in bars and listen to his targets sing and get drunk, and luffy is the only one who knows because while they were a crew of two, luffy would sing whatever he remembered and zoro would laugh and say "that's not how it goes" and now luffy is the only one he's willing to sing for/with when brook comes and sings, sometimes luffy will sit next to zoro because zoro will sing with brook under his breath

also, i think that after the timeskip when zoro smiles less and fights more he also stopped singing, and luffy does what he can to get him to sing again

whether zoro is a good singer or not is up to you

@zoolitsky-fandom this is for you

Luffy really enjoys mocking and annoying Zoro, huh?

- - sudden kiss 😙

I love them more than anything in the world

Cause one piece live action is coming out this week!! some doodles of zoluuuu. i shared previously but here they are again!

He who worships the sun

Settle soft and as pure as snow. I fell in love with the fire long ago.

Do you think about Zoro-Luffy matching rings Oda drew for the 1pc Gucci Collab or are you Normal??

zoro in opla: I guess I’ll join you…………….*goes thru a near death experience where he wakes up to luffy saying he needs him* you are my captain & I am your loyal and devoted first mate I would die for you I will never disappoint you again I will follow you like a weary traveler to a flame I —

zoro in the anime/manga, within a week: ha ha ha you’re the son of the devil! sure I’ll float around in a dinghy with you aimlessly for weeks! yes I’ll carry a cage that took five men to move while bleeding out from a massive wound for you! sure I’d die for you! of course we’ll follow our dreams together!

old man yaoi posting

For Luffy, realizing he loved Zoro didn’t come as naturally as one might think. Luffy loved a lot of people. He loved so much his heart burst with it. He even loved strangers, people who suffered under the weight of cruelty and sought the hope of finding a way out. He loved the broken, the lost, the ones who never gave in, the ones who protected others and needed to be protected themselves. There wasn’t an ounce of Luffy’s being that didn’t love, and yet, the love Luffy felt for the world was always different than the love he felt for his crew and family.

With Ace and Sabo, he loved them like brothers, like parts of himself he could always reach out and depend on, and seek comfort from. With his crew, Luffy loved them like the deepest of friends, the ones he knew he could trust without fear, and be welcomed by without worry of being rejected. He even loved his grandpa to in his own weird way. Garp was scary and mean, but there were times when Luffy was younger, and he thought his grandpa might just be conflicted—restrained by the institutions Luffy now fought against. There was Dadan and Makino, mother like figures who Luffy treated in vastly different ways. Rayleigh worked himself in there somewhere to. Like the always encouraging watchful guardian at his back, nudging Luffy forward when it was difficult to move.

Shanks had his own special love. It was a tad bit of hero worship and admiration, but it was also a deep trust and competitiveness to one day prove to Shanks that his bet on Luffy wasn’t wrong.

So, in Luffy’s mind, everyone was accounted for. His family and his crew, and the strangers of the world he met along his adventures. He loved everyone, and to him, to consider a different type of love was as foreign a concept as going vegetarian.

That is, until Luffy had an…awakening of sorts.

Or rather, it wasn’t so much an awakening as a damn kick to the face.

It started with Luffy being selfish. Selfish for Zoro’s attention, of course. Now this wasn’t as unusual as one may think. Luffy was a naturally selfish person, and the things he liked he wanted to keep. He often felt a hint of possessiveness for everyone of his crew, often chalked up and disguised as misplaced protectiveness instead. Yet, with Zoro, Luffy couldn’t even pretend to feel protective as he watched Law and the strawhat’s resident swordsman laugh it up, jostling each other’s shoulders in a manner too friendly for two men who didn’t like to be touched otherwise.

It was quite the conundrum and utterly baffling. Zoro didn’t take well to outsiders. Not that he was usually mean, but he shied away from those he wasn’t comfortable with or didn’t know well enough, opting to stay out of touch, but still near enough when trouble arose. Luffy didn’t realize how much he had grown used to Zoro’s skulking when unfamiliar people were around until Zoro no longer skulked.

Traffy was the catalyst. An anomaly. While initially, Zoro had been rebuffed to the heart captain’s presence, after Punk Hazadd and the events of Dressrosa, the two were as thick as thieves—or rather, as friendly as two anti-social men could be with one another. Maybe it was their many similarities that drew the two together. Both were strong, silent swordsman who opted to watch from the outside rather than throw themselves into the thick of whatever loud party Luffy concocted. Or maybe they just got along well. Sometimes that happened.

Luffy first noticed their companionship on the way to Zou. Zoro and Traffy could often be seen chatting casually, or not even talking at all, but just being near one another. And then at Zou, they often wandered around by each other’s side, offering their silent judgement whenever the strawhats were up to their usual shenanigans. And now, on the eve of their departure, Zoro and his team to Wano and Luffy and his crew to Big Mom, Luffy watched Zoro and Traffy with a critical eye. He hadn’t missed earlier when Zoro and Traffy were in the woods alone cutting wood. Their closeness. Their familiarity. Zoro didn’t let people get close, but he didn’t seem to mind Traffy at all.

And that, right there, was the beginning of Luffy’s ✨realization✨.

Because it was different when the crew touched Zoro. They were crew after all, a bond that was different, but just as deeply felt as one with family. But, as much as Traffy was a friend and ally, he wasn’t crew, and yet he touched Zoro. Not obviously, nor frequently, but it occurred. A hand to Zoro’s shoulder, nudging Zoro with his hip as he walked by, bumping knuckles, clasping hands in a bro-like manner. All touches that were innocent and friendly. Except.

Except it was somebody else touching Zoro that was the problem. Even if the touches were perfectly ordinary and uncommon. What made it worse for Luffy’s sake was that Zoro didn’t mind touching Traffy back. Zoro would sling and arm over Traffy’s shoulders when they were drinking, knock heads together playfully when they bickered, poked and prodded at the other man and just—there was something irritating about the whole debacle. Absurdly so. Luffy loved Zoro and he liked Traffy, but he didn’t like when they were together. Or no, that wasn’t right. He liked that they were friends because it was necessary to the alliance, he just didn’t like how friendly the two most unfriendliest people on the ship were with each other.

Was it because Luffy felt left out? No, that wasn’t quite right. Was the problem with Traffy? No, Traffy was great and he did save Luffy’s life once upon a time. The problem certainly couldn’t be with Zoro, because Zoro was crew and he was…

Luffy puzzled and puzzled, utterly baffled. Was the issue with Zoro? Luffy seemed stuck on his green haired swordsman, the thought of Zoro running circles in the captain’s head. Yet, no matter how much he toiled over the issue as he watched Traffy and Zoro drink with each other from across the bonfire, he was drawing up blanks. Grasping at straws and steadily slipping.

Maybe he was just worried about Sanji and taking it out on Zoro. That had to be it.

Luffy frowned and pouted at his drink. For the life of him, he was at a loss.

“Are you troubled, Captain?”

Luffy looked up and saw Robin approach. As usual, she was quiet and calming, helping herself to sitting by Luffy’s side without invitation. Immediately, Luffy felt eased by her presence. He shrugged, because of course he was troubled, but he wasn’t going to trouble Robin with something that only involved Luffy.

“You’ve been staring at our resident swordsman for most of the night. Are you worried about us going to Wano?” Robin asked politely, with just a hint of warm concern.

This time, Luffy shook his head. If anything, he felt confident in his crew. If Zoro was the one leading them, then it would be alright in the end.

Robin hummed, “Perhaps…” she started off slowly, thoughtfully, glancing between Zoro and Luffy with that ever calculating gleam in her blue eyes. She trailed off, humming to herself once more, content to keep silent about whatever thoughts plagued her. Luffy was grateful. As much as he loved Robin’s brain, he didn’t want to think anymore. All he had done since sitting down was think.

Think about Zoro and Traffy, traveling together to Wano, probably touching more. Maybe they would share a room on Law’s ship because it wouldn’t be able to fully accommodate everyone traveling on it. Would they be closer after this journey? Even more friendly than they already were? What if the touches started to change? Luffy was an idiot, but he also knew that sometimes, people liked to touch in not-so-innocent ways that were better left done behind closed doors. Zoro said once he didn’t have an interest in doing stuff like that, not because he didn’t want to, but because he had other things on his mind. But, wouldn’t an opportunity with Traffy be easy? They were friends. They looked good together. Shared the same interests, and maybe…

Luffy didn’t realize he was crushing the drink in his hand until it spilled all over him. Robin made a soft, startled noise before quickly sprouting some hands and helping the Captain clean up. The small commotion triggered both Traffy and Zoro into glancing over at Luffy. The captain met Zoro’s eye briefly, the intensity and worry in it making Luffy’s stomach twist. The feeling forced Luffy to turn away first. He focused on getting himself another drink, standing tall as he waddled over to where the drinks were being served. Yet, upon turning back to the party, Luffy really didn’t have a desire to rejoin, and so, following a newfound whim, he wandered into the surrounding woods, lingering in the quiet as his troubled mind continued to think and think and think.

It was getting rather irritating.

“Stupid brain. What’s the big idea, huh?” He said to no one in particular, smacking himself on the head in the process. “It’s just Zoro!”

Except, Zoro was never just Zoro to Luffy, was he?

From the beginning when Zoro was strung up in a courtyard, half starved and sunburnt, he wasn’t just a stranger. He was the future. Luffy’s right hand. More than that really. He was the one Luffy depended on just as Zoro depended on him. Zoro was the one Luffy trusted in a way that was different than the others, that felt more give and take rather than just give. Zoro wasn’t just Zoro. He was more than that, always had been.

He wasn’t like a brother, even if Luffy often sought Zoro out for comfort. And he was like the crew, but different in that regard to. Luffy felt a need to protect his crew from everything, but with Zoro, Luffy felt that need to be protected himself. Zoro certainly wasn’t a Rayleigh or a Shanks. He definitely wasn’t a Garp or Dadan. He had his own category separate from everyone else.

And he was leaving. Tomorrow. With Traffy.

The thought of it made Luffy’s heart clench.

Was it yearning? Was it jealousy?

Probably a little bit of both.

And oh.

Oh dear.

As stated before, Luffy’s realization was much like a kick to the face. He felt the air in his lungs leave him in a single, audible gasp. Felt the gut punch epiphany deafen him, drive him to his knees. His cheeks heated up, hell, even his ears turned red.

It made sense, in a way, that Zoro would be different. That Luffy would feel such conflicting emotions for him. Of course Luffy loved Zoro, but he was also in love with him.

Or rather, had such a deep and encompassing love for Zoro that the mere thought of him and Traffy together in a certain sense made Luffy ache and want to throw a fit.

Zoro didn’t fit in with the others in Luffy’s heart, because Zoro was meant to be on his own. A portion of Luffy only he could claim.

Unfortunately, Luffy didn’t have long to revel in this newfound revelation. Before long, Zoro wandered into the woodland, obviously in search of Luffy.

And how was it the swordsman never got lost when it was Luffy he was searching for?

Feeling with his Haki and that weird sense freakishly in tune to Zoro, Luffy watched as Zoro emerged from the trees cast in the shadow of the moon and the stars, so proud and regal and beautiful as he approached with a drink in hand.

“There you are.” Zoro greeted, a small breath of relief only someone like Luffy could catch, “Finally found you, Captain.”

Luffy tore his eyes away from broad shoulders and grinning lips, an eye that sparkles even in the night. His stomach twisted and fluttered, his heart hammering at an alarming rate. He didn’t have enough time to settle his emotions with himself, and now Zoro was here, as calming as ever even when he set Luffy’s blood on fire.

When Zoro noted Luffy didn’t answer him, he came to a stop just in front of the captain and crouched down until they were eye level. His body exuded natural heat, his hair was a mess, a product of running his fingers through it and never brushing it properly after a shower. The golden earrings glinted, catching a stray ray of moonlight on occasion. Everything about Zoro was breathtaking, and Luffy fidgeted where he sat, unable to cope with the other’s nearness.

“Something wrong, Luf?” Zoro asked, softer and oh so gentle.

It was like this between them. There were sides to themselves they only really showed each other, and this side of Zoro, the caring and gentle one, was only every reserved for Chopper and Luffy. The thought only spurred a greater sense of panic in the captain.

How could he be so silly? Falling for Zoro of all people, his first mate. As a captain, he should be ashamed. Yeah, so what if Zoro was handsome and kind, gentle and strong, proud and honorable, humble and sexy, funny and adorably lost at any given point in—okay, so it really wasn’t Luffy’s fault. He couldn’t be blamed. Not when Zoro understood Luffy so intrisicately that it only felt natural to love him in a way that went beyond what words could describe.

“Nothin’ much.” Luffy lied, though it was obvious. Even if Luffy wasn’t already a disastrous liar, Zoro knew him best. Knew him most thoroughly. He could spot a hidden truth between Luffy’s lips like pointing out an island in the sea.

“Luf,” Zoro urged, setting his drink aside to crowd the captain, “Come on, tell me…before I get it out of you forcibly.” His words came with a funny and lighthearted threat, a touch to his side that warned of a tickle of Luffy didn’t comply. The fleeting touch sent shivers through Luffy’s entire body, his cheeks burning hotter than ever before. He wanted to hide, but he also wanted to test his limits, to see if Zoro really would tickle him if he didn’t answer. Luffy knew he would.

“It’s nothing…” Luffy lied again, but then he saw the worried look in Zoro’s eye. So genuine.

With a sigh, the captain decided to offer something as close to the truth as he could manage, “Just really going to miss you.”

Zoro raised his eyebrows, “Oh. I guess I get that. The crew will be separated again and—“

Luffy shook his head, feeling a bit braver than before as he faced Zoro fully, “No. I mean, yes, I’ll miss the crew, but I know they’ll be safe and protected with you. It’s…I…” Luffy hesitated to say anything further, mostly because this was still so new and it felt like he was on a rollercoaster. First he was jealous of Zoro and Traffy, but couldn’t figure out why, and then he figured out why, but still hadn’t fully come to grips with it, and now Zoro was here and making everything worse and better by twisting up Luffy’s insides and making his heart race.

Of course, the swordsman wouldn’t know any of this. His head was tilted slightly, inviting Luffy to explain what he met in a way that was both patient and curious.

Luffy never really took notice before now just how sharp Zoro’s jaw was, or how piercing even a single eye of his could be. The muscled plains of his scarred chest were inviting and smooth, and Luffy knew the older’s arms were warm and protective—more so than even his brothers when they were all young and sleeping in the same treehouse. People often spoke about how handsome Zoro is. How sexy the pirate hunter was even if all he did was glare, grunt, and drink in public. To their closer allies, Zoro was admired less for his looks and more for his unwavering character. The solid strength propelling Luffy from behind, keeping the crew grounded even when they wanted to cave to their baser impulses. He was still called handsome and good looking. Nami admitted one night when drinking (much to the horror of Sanji) that if she were more into guys than girls, Zoro would be her type. Even Robin spoke briefly on how Zoro’s looks, as strange as they may be, were appealing (however, cyborgs were what really got her gears going).

Zoro hadn’t given a damn of course. He didn’t exist to be admired, but looking at him now, Luffy could understand. More than understand, actually. He didn’t think there was anything better looking than Zoro, even a buffet of meat couldn’t compare (though it was definitely runner up).

Zoro was just so Zoro. It was a more profound explanation than most would ever realize.

“I meant,” Luffy said slowly, cautiously, “That I’m going to really miss you. Zoro.”

Because that was true. He would miss his crew while they were in Wano, but they were safe with Zoro. Zoro, who Luffy probably relied on a little too much sometimes. Zoro who spent two years training with Mihawk because he never wanted to let his captain down again. Zoro who would follow Luffy into the depths of hell, even if Luffy didn’t want him to. Luffy would miss that. Would miss that steady and reliable strength as they snuck into an emperor’s home.

He would just miss him. Terribly.

Zoro frowned a little at the confession, his brows drawing together in slight puzzlement. Then, he opened his arms, a gesture that couldn’t be missed.

“Then bring it in, Captain. If it’ll make you feel better.”

It would, and Luffy didn’t hesitate to bury his face and his body in Zoro’s arms, crawling into the older’s lap shamelessly as the swordsman scooped him up and held him close without question. A nose buried in Luffy’s hair. Hands settled on the captain’s waist and back, and everything felt better, so much better than before. Warm. Home. Safe. Everything he had ever associated with Zoro wrapped around Luffy until he couldn’t be bothered to worry anymore.

“By the way,” Zoro said softly, murmuring into the shell of Luffy’s ear, “Robin said you might be jealous.”

Luffy stiffened. His hard earned peace shattering in an instant.

Naturally, Luffy went to pull away, but Zoro kept him close, laughing kindly under his breath as he smushed Luffy deeper into his chest.

“I’m guessing, by your reaction, she was right. Robin usually is.”

“I—“ Luffy started, trying to think up an excuse. But his voice was muffled and Zoro ignored him anyway.

Zoro sighed thoughtfully, propping his chin up on Luffy’s head as he rocked them gently from side to side, “Dunno what you would be jealous about.”

You. Traffy. Luffy wanted to say, but didn’t.

“S’not like anyone is more important to me than you and the crew.”

Luffy knew that, but that wasn’t the issue. Luffy knew the crew and himself would always take precedence in Zoro’s heart. It was the thought of Zoro and Traffy, and the possibility that there could be something more there, even if the likelihood was slim. It was in the way Zoro didn’t mind Traffy bothering him, or touching him. It was when they laughed together, looked good together, and really Luffy’s jealousy was so ridiculous—

“Luffy.” Zoro nudged him, “Traffy is just a friend. Someone I trust.”

Luffy knew that. He did.

The captain said nothing.

Zoro nudged him again, “Traffy also has a thing for blondes and not green haired swordsmen.”

That…managed to get Luffy’s attention. He jerked his head upwards, eyes going wide.

“Huh?”

“Yep.” Zoro grinned, toothy and mischievous, “He may or may not have had an eye out for our resident cook, but with everything going on…you know. Things happen. It’s nothing serious. Just thought I might let you know.”

“Wait.” Luffy said, trying to get the facts straight, “Traffy likes Sanji?”

“Wouldn’t say like, but…appreciates his looks or whatever shit like that. Don’t ask me, I don’t see what Traffy would even like about the cook. His goatee is stupid.” Zoro gave a shudder for emphasis.

Luffy was still reeling from the revelation, “But he seemed nicer to you.”

“Yeah, well, we did save a country together, but trust me, I’m the farthest from Traffy’s type.” Suddenly, Zoro’s gaze turned sly and cocky, “You seem very interested in this conversation. That’s not like you at all.”

Feeling like a deer struck scared, Luffy’s eyes went wide and his cheeks renewed their blush at the realization that he was being found out. Leave it to Zoro to find a way to make Luffy reveal what he was thinking or feeling without even meaning to.

The time for denial was rapidly coming to a close, but Luffy strove for it anyway, “It’s just funny!” He insisted, “Because…because Sanji hates dudes and Traffy is…he’s Traffy. So it’s funny. Ha ha.” He tacked on lamely. The urge to flee was strong, but Zoro held him firm.

Zoro also looked at him like he didn’t believe a word coming out of Luffy’s mouth.

“Uh-huh.” He agreed, though it was obviously done to appease Luffy and not because Zoro actually believed Luffy’s crappy lie.

Needing to escape before he embarrassed himself further (and wasn’t that such a strange thing? To feel embarrassed. Luffy had never felt an ounce of shame in his life), Luffy started wiggling around in Zoro’s hold, silently insisting that he be let go.

Zoro didn’t.

Because Zoro was mean.

And he was teasing Luffy at this point, playing with the captain in a way only someone who knew Luffy better than Luffy himself could do.

“Let me go…” Luffy whined, frustrated, shy, yearning, and annoyed all at once. “I take it back. I’m not going to miss Zoro. Not one little bit. Jerk.”

“Oh really?” Zoro had the gall to laugh, chuckling a deep, reverberating tone that could make a mountain shiver. The sound was enough to get Luffy to still, gasping under his breath because he never realized just how nice and deep Zoro’s voice really was.

It was enchanting.

Seeing that he had Luffy’s attention again, Zoro made a point of taking one of his hands and fondly pinching Luffy’s cheek with it.

“Am I really a jerk?” He asked, and the way he said it, cocky, yet sweet, imploring and oh so deeply.

Luffy was like putty in the other’s hands, and he melted.

“…no.” He squeaked, nearly breathless. He certainly felt like he couldn’t breathe, not with Zoro looking at him like that.

Looking at Luffy like…like he was the most important thing in Zoro’s life. Like Luffy was simultaneously precious and damning, like Luffy could crush and remake Zoro’s entire world.

That was another realization that left Luffy reeling, because suddenly, the thought occurred to him that these very troubling emotions might not be as one sided as he might believe. There was no denying the way Zoro looked at him, the way he held him. It made sense in a way. What sort of man devoted themselves to their captain so wholeheartedly, and didn’t precede to give their heart away in the process?

Horrifyingly enough, Luffy felt the urge to cry. He hadn’t cried since Ace died, but he wanted to now. Something about the tenderness of Zoro, the wordless understanding between them—of course Luffy didn’t have to confess, and of course his lies would never be believed. Zoro would always know Luffy better than Luffy knew himself, after all.

“You know, if you were going to have a meltdown about how much you love me, the least you could have done was invited me to watch.” Zoro teased, but it was less a tease and more of a confession, whispered between the charged air between them. Zoro uttered his words with such confidence and knowing, like he was almost daring Luffy to refute him.

Luffy couldn’t. Not anymore.

“I…” he started to say, but words eluded him. A lot of things eluded him at this moment, like what little sense he usually had. That sense evaporated into thin air, leaving Luffy with such strong and potent desires that it was difficult—no, impossible to resist against them.

All it took was Zoro’s hand pinching his cheek to instead cradle his face, a thumb smoothing over Luffy’s jaw in a way that was both inviting and comforting. Luffy released a shuttering breath, wondering how he could have missed these feelings before when they were so loud in his head and heart now.

“I love you.” He said, without even meaning to. Then again, there were a lot of things Luffy didn’t mean to do in his life that he did anyway, so blatantly confessing his love only after he just realized he felt it shouldn’t have come as too big a surprise.

For his part, Zoro didn’t look all that surprised. Just fond, and maybe a bit amused.

“Captain. Luffy,” Zoro said, still smiling. Then, Zoro kissed him.

Luffy kept his eyes open at first, mostly because he was startled, and then he shut them, propelled by the pressure of Zoro’s mouth against his own. They kept it sweet and gentle, nothing more than what Luffy was ready for, and when they parted, Luffy settled his own hands on Zoro’s chest. Feeling his strength, his confidence, and the rapid beating of the swordsman’s heart.

“When we find each other in Wano,” Zoro whispered, “I’ll kiss you for real.”

“That…wasn’t a real kiss?” Luffy uttered, still in some form of shock.

Zoro chuckled, kissed his cheek, then drew him in for another hug, “More like a sample kiss, than anything else.”

“We’ll I don’t want the sample. Give me the real one now!” Luffy pouted, because how dare Zoro hold back?

Of course, Zoro didn’t give in, because Zoro was a big jerk.

“Think of it like a reward. If you get to Wano safely, I’ll kiss you for real. Sound like a deal?”

“Sounds like you’re holding out on me.” Luffy grumbled, but after getting pinched in the side, he gave in, “Yeah.” He agreed, a bit softer this time, “I’ll get to Zoro safely.”

“Good.” The older smiled against Luffy’s hair, and rocked them together gently, “Because I love you to, Luffy.”

hold on, luffy is shifting into baby mode

Luffy likes👌

Why Luffy is highly attached to Zoro and why Zoro is highly attached to Luffy, and why the straw hats is aware of this and accepts it.

(some rare rambles of Mine. This is based on my own character studies and observations. COPY PASTED FROM MY X [twitter] )

-------

👒

Firstly, we have to look at how Luffy grew up.

Luffy was given to Dadan by Garp, told her to take care of him. While Dadan introduced Luffy

to Ace and Ace at first was not very... Friendly. And I will not sugarcoat it, Ace did not care about Luffy as first and went through dangerous places that could have killed Luffy, and Ace again, shows how he did not care if that happened. Yet, just like with Shanks, Luffy was doing his best for Ace to accept him and let him join him.

It was always Luffy who was making an effort chasing after people he admires and began to care for, but was always getting denied.

And so being left alone.

Yes, Ace did accept him but not after Ace mentioned, along with Sabo that they should kill him first.

Luffy, being so young back then, and impressionable even, now have it engraved in his mind that if he isn't useful, he will never be accepted by anyone or anywhere.

And so, its become a fear in Luffy deep down, a fear he would push far back in his mind. But would reflect in his actions when he grows up and finds his crew. Luffy is afraid to be useless and abandoned by people he shows interest and care for. Which is why he gets possessive of what is his. That when anyone shows desire to leave, he gets upset and emotional and... angry. That he doesn't want anyone to leave, doesn't allow anyone to leave. And if they still do leave. It deals a blow to his emotional and mental state. He becomes irrational to the point that to bring the person back, he will let himself be walked on like a doormat.

That's where Zoro comes in.

Luffy first heard Zoro's name and immediately felt intrigued. And when he finally met Zoro, who was in obvious predicament, Luffy was hooked especially knowing that Zoro was a good person, and decided that ah. He wanted this man to be in his crew. So being the typical Luffy to do all he can to gain favor towards people he shows clear interest in, he tells Zoro, if I bring back your swords, you WILL join my crew. Because in his mind, if he's useful, people would accept him then! He was sure of it. Since that's how it was with him growing up.

Zoro would find this odd. Even calling Luffy the son of a demon because of how messed up his thinking is. But I think this would be the start of Zoro's observation of Luffy and how Luffy would need someone to correct him in his thinking and actions later on.

So Zoro joins Luffy not just because he freed him and gave his swords back, but because of the strength Luffy showed. One that Zoro acknowledged and respected.

Luffy gaining his first mate would then start to make Luffy be unconsciously more aware of how his crew acts and he would notice how Zoro, unlike everyone else in his life, got his back the most

Zoro chooses to follow him of his own accord. And this would get even more evident when: Nami, betrays Luffy and Zoro told him they should just let her be. Luffy insisted of course, but it shows Zoro's protectiveness of his captain. Sanji favoring Nami and making it almost seem that his reason of joining was her, (this was cleared up later in the crew barrel vows of course), still Zoro did not like him any better as he still thinks Sanji would most likely value women more than their captain.

Usopp leaving the crew and even challenging Luffy for a duel to be captain, which is a huge disrespect to Luffy. Yet Luffy was about to accept him with open arms again as if nothing happened. That's why Zoro stepped in to keep him in check.

This was one of the important moments

Luffy sees how Zoro really truly have his back. Zoro always returning to his side no matter how many times they got separated throughout their adventures. Zoro taking care of his crew, that of which Luffy all recruited himself (Zoro did not trust them all too easily), and now, + 

Zoro giving Luffy a hard life lesson to be a good captain.

Zoro really was looking out for him. So much. Sticking by him all these times no matter how many times his Life got put to danger.

That's why when Zoro mentioned if he fails as a captain, it will be him who will leave, Luffy would panic at the thought and was enough to make Luffy listen and stop desperately chasing after a crew who disrespected him.

Not Zoro. He doesn't want Zoro of all people to leave him.

So Luffy listens. Reflects. Learns how to be a better captain.

but I think one of the most important moment Luffy saw how Zoro will never leave him , like everyone else he cared for in his life did, was when Zoro made his vow to him in Baratie.

That's when he knew, Zoro will not betray him. Will never leave him. That's when he knew, he can trust Zoro with his life and his future crew. He knew Zoro would keep everyone safe.

Luffy felt like he doesn't have to chase after Zoro so terribly desperately the way he did with Shanks or Ace. For the first time in his life, someone CHOSE to stay by his side. Vowed to stay by his side.

It made Luffy happy. Glad. Acknowledged. For some it would seem like the vow was someone serving Luffy. But in Luffy's mind, Zoro made that vow, not because of a master and servant thing, it was because they would be partners, equals in chasing after their dreams. Someone Luffy can face the world with. Give and take.

And this is why Luffy is so attached to Zoro. Because he knows Zoro will never leave him. Zoro will never betray him like what the others did (even if they had their own reasons). Because Zoro chose to be by his side. To be his anchor. His voice of reason when he's washed over with irrational emotions. Why he listens to Zoro the most, becoming silent to listen close to every word that Zoro would say.

Zoro takes care of him and the crew and family Luffy had built.

Zoro stayed and choose to keep staying and returning to him, and because of this, because of Zoro, Luffy learned that he doesn't have to chase after anyone again. That if people wants to stay, they would. That if people wants to stay, they should be the one to ask Luffy. To tell him. To beg him. Because Zoro knows and sees that Luffy is a person worth following and being loyal to.

---

⚔

Now on to why Zoro is attached to Luffy.

I would be lying when I deny the idea of Zoro seeing some parts of Kuina's personality with Luffy.

Kuina did her best to get stronger and prove herself as a great swordsman despite being female, because Kuina believes that, just because she's female, she was weak. Unless she works hard, but still she still have such thoughts buried in the back of her mind. This is why she desperately pushes herself so much. To make people acknowledge her for her own skills and efforts, because she's afraid to be disregarded, left behind. To be not be taken seriously. To be useless.

Who else have this unspoken desperation to be acknowledged and fear of being useless?

Luffy.

Zoro most likely saw the similar personality traits, and seeing how Kuina is important to Zoro, how their shared dream is what pushes him forward, it may have helped him to somewhat lower his guard, even a bit slightly, towards this funny rubber boy.

Humoring him by joining his crew. And eventually, Zoro being able to see the strength Luffy has, and if there's anything that would gain Zoro's favor and respect? It's strength and heart.

Reason why despite seeing him as his enemy, Zoro respects Mihawk, and even the opponents he had hard time defeating.

And towards Luffy, Zoro sees that endless pool of potential And power.

Making him accept Luffy more and more, not just as his captain or the person he dedicates his loyalty to, but as his equal. Just like he did once with Kuina.

He saw her not just as his goal, but also as his equal.

Zoro's treatment and view of Luffy as a simple naïve pirate became something more and was solidified when he saw how Luffy truly valued his dreams at Baratie. How Luffy took it very seriously even knowing that Zoro might die. Zoro took that as full serious acknowledgement and felt that Luffy DID respect him. That Luffy was serious after all.

The way Luffy stopped Johnny and Yosaku from interfering in Zoro's fight Gained tons respect from Zoro. Because that dream of his, isn't just his. It was Kuina's too, and Zoro felt as if through that, Luffy respected Kuina's dream too, Why Zoro was thankful to Luffy. That's why Zoro began to follow Luffy. Because he knows, if anyone can help him accomplish his dream, a dream he shares with his old childhood friend, If anyone can help him reach his goal, it would be Luffy. His dream is safe with him.

Along the way, Zoro would also see how Luffy is reckless. That his kind - and at certain times naive - heart was also going to be his downfall, that's why Zoro keeps Luffy in check, at first Zoro was doing all of his caring for Luffy as means to reach his goal, but spending time with him and understanding him, Zoro saw something more about Luffy, saw his potential quality for greatness and Zoro wants to.. NEEDS to see it.

The way Luffy carries burdens of others and liberates them.

It's something Zoro finds not just as something respectful, but something he admires.

With Luffy by his side, everything and anything feels possible.

That's why as early on as Alabasta, Zoro had already developed a desire to make Luffy's dream, one of his own, his new dream. But still prefer to keep quiet about it when someone asks.

Zoro's attachment to Luffy started as something reminding him of a long passed friend, but as time passed, began to see and understand Luffy more, seeing him as a person/captain worth following, and as well as his most trusted best friend.

Which is why Zoro will do everything he can to help Luffy. Protect what's his and what he built. Help Luffy in reaching his goal, crowning him as king of the pirates, by making Luffy's dream part of his, and is also now his priority as well.

Now on to why the straw hats accepts this.

They all have their own mistakes and majority of the crew, Nami, Usopp, Sanji and Robin, all 'betrayed' Luffy. I say that with a quotation because they all had their reasons. I'm well aware they really didn't do it wholeheartedly and they were just.... In a certain predicament or internal turmoil

They know how Zoro would do everything he could to protect Luffy. How amongst all the older og crew, Zoro was the ONLY one who never even dared to betray Luffy at all. Not even having thoughts about it. That Zoro was EXTREMELY loyal and protective of their captain. Making Luffy favor Zoro the most even if he doesn't notice it himself.

They can see how Zoro and Luffy once at each other's side, can be immersed in their own little world. How when they fight, the silent looks they give one was enough for each other to know what they were planning.

The crew sees this and accepts this. Because deep inside, they have their own guilts. Except perhaps for Franky , Brook and Jinbei but those three are the mature types to already accept that what level of bond that Zoro and Luffy has, None of them can EVER have nor break.

Thus the whole strawhats understands this.

Understands that Zoro and Luffy is inseparable. Is attached at the hip and that's okay. Because they have their whole faith in them, as captain and vice captain. They trust them with their life. Especially with how Luffy gave them a home and Zoro protecting them.

How both Zoro and Luffy would agree to save them

Strawhats is their family and Zoro and Luffy are the protectors of the family

Luffy, the savior and liberator.

Zoro the guardian and protector 

IM GOING!!! TO GO CRAZY!!!! @lunaisanartist’s ZOLU ANIMATIC IS SENDING ME TO THE GRAVE!!!! PLEASE GO WATCH IT FELLOW ZOLU FANS!!!!!

dumbass 4 dumbass, red and green dynamic duo strikes me again

⚔️👒Then vs. Now💚❤️

Let's go lesbians, let's goooo!!!!

I love it when Luffy grabs Zoro and makes him fly around.

After the most recent one piece colorspread, where Zoro and Luffy have fun while competing with each other I was thinking of other official drawings where they compete.

Here are the ones I could find:

1. Zoro and Luffy running ahead of their friends and both are looking at each other on the cover of chapter 254:

2. They look like they are about to fight ( or maybe not) while they ride huge chickens on the cover of chapter 352:

3. They are knights and they are jousting on the cover of 387:

Bonus! One of Oda ideas for the cover of chapter 1047 was Luffy and Zoro fighting:

Dragging your Captain away from trouble should be one of the First Mate's terms and conditions before joining lmao

zoro’s isolation has always been such a huge point of interest for me, specifically how it inspired his dynamic with luffy and the strawhats.

we don’t know much about zoro’s history as far as strawhat pasts go. however, regardless of if he gets a 200 episode whole cake island arc or we learn nothing at all from this day on, the fact remains that kuina is the person in his life who had the largest impact on him. kuina is his brightest memory and for a long time, felt like maybe the only significant one he had.

zoro, before the strawhats, always felt eerily quiet to me.

luffy, in countless ways, is his saviour. he saved him from his captors, from bullets as he was tied to a cross. they both save each other as much as they breathe. but i think it’s as fundamental as luffy was probably the first person who ever outright looked for and wanted zoro’s company long term, at least in many years.

luffy wanted zoro, luffy saved zoro by giving him something as simple as an anchor, which is himself. he alleviated a decade long aimlessness. ironically, i don’t think it’s inaccurate to say that zoro was lost before the strawhats.

zoro’s protectiveness and devotion have always made such sad sense to me because i would protect the only thing in the world that is truly mine with teeth and claw too. the strawhats are everything to zoro, literally. his constant training to be strong, him laying down his head for luffy’s life, it all makes sense to begin with but it aches even more with the loneliness that encompasses his whole character.

what is zoro’s life without luffy? without the strawhats? it is probably as simple as that to him. he betrayed his lifestyle and became a pirate with the attitude of what the hell, sure, and finally, finally has something to protect, something to lose and not let go. zoro’s isolation is bone-deep, it is years long. i don’t know if anything could shake me from the person who saved me from that, and i would understand if he was the same.

Partners in Crime ever since

"What now? Doesn't look like they'll hear us out..." (smiles) "RUN!"

an atheist tied to a cross being saved by a god and becoming his right-hand man is very poetic ngl

Every so often I recall the funniest blink-and-you-miss-it moment on Dressrosa, when Luffy picks up Zoro and Law and is about to jump off a plateau. Law is panicking but Zoro is calm and steady, his captain’s arm around his neck in a chokehold, ready to go wherever his captain chooses to take him. (CHAPTER 746) (Ep 682)

Remember how much Zoro hated being hauled around by Luffy pre-timeskip? Pepperidge farm This ZoLu shipper remembers! Zoro used to hit Luffy, yell at him, threaten to cut him for physically manhandling him (usually with a Gomu Gomu no Rocket). Look at this fool now! His damn face is horizontal and he’s just, like, “Cool.” This 180 was so out of character that I remember pausing in my reading out of surprise. Over time, I realized this is just part of a growing pattern of behavior:

Post-timeskip, Zoro got soft.

Okay, yeah, post-timeskip Zoro is more muscular, has a prominent facial scar, doesn’t smile or laugh as much anymore, and spouts these tough-guy one-liners. But when it comes to Luffy, Zoro got sooooo soft.

Pre-timeskip, Zoro scolded Luffy often for being impulsive, for rocketing people around, for blowing their cover, etc. He was mostly on the same wavelength as Luffy, but there were frequent moments of exasperation where he would threaten to cut Luffy (jokingly?) or yell at Luffy for being an idiot.

But post-timeskip? Those two years clearly did a number on our swordsman because compared to before, he is a complete pushover when it comes to his captain.

Luffy is quiet because he senses something is amiss? Zoro immediately notices and asks “What’s wrong” like a worried mother hen.

Luffy needs to get across a frozen lake? Zoro is already stretching.

Luffy is fighting in the coliseum despite being on an undercover mission? Zoro laments not being there fighting alongside him.

Luffy wants to cause a ruckus over Otama/red bean soup? Zoro draws his sword and is ready to tag-team this mess.

Luffy jumps Zoro and nearly suffocates him face-hugger style? Not only does Zoro not reprimand Luffy, he is over the moon smiling like a moron and offering up food.

A lot can be said about WHY Zoro is now so tolerant of Luffy’s antics, way more than before. But setting aside “why,” it’s clear that Zoro is officially Luffy’s number one enabler. He will indulge Luffy’s every whim. He will lay all their enemies at his captain’s feet. He will follow Luffy into disasters and celebrations alike. He will forgive AND defend all of Luffy’s wrongs.

This man is so whipped. This man is so soft for his captain. This man is a fucking marshmallow.

seeing posts/content about “zoro and luffy’s last meeting” almost makes me laugh sometimes bc what exactly do we think is going to happen……..zoro is going to be the worlds best swordsman, luffy is king of the pirates, and they just look at each other, shake hands, and say “ok see ya!” not only does this negate the fact that the whole point of being a pirate to luffy is freedom and his FRIENDS (he doesn’t want to adventure alone), and zoro has gone from a lone wolf to pack protector. the only thing that could potentially separate them is death and even then I’m pretty sure zoro would March into the afterlife and drag luffy back by the scruff of his neck

i just really, really love the idea of zoro having no real "survival skills" because he had a much more traditional (if atypical) childhood/youth than most of the crew. bandit heritage aside, he was raised in a tight-knit and relatively peaceful community with (at best) agricultural outskirts. he doesn't leave until he's much older, at which point he becomes a bounty hunter as a way to make money (to pay for food, shelter, etc. presumably in villages, towns, and cities). we know from the non-canon johnny and yosaku backstories that he "hunted" for bounties in cities/towns, at least partially.

meanwhile luffy has been running around the wilderness since he was like seven years old, securing his own food, building fire and shelter, and just generally toughening up/learning how to live in nature. we know he had a pretty extensive knowledge of bugs and how to catch them, so with that + his childhood i don't think it's a stretch to assume he also has an understanding of edible plants and non-monstrous wildlife (even if its not all applicable outside the East Blue). he's survived on his own in the wilderness for years at a time at least twice in canon.

i think it's fun to think of them having... some sort of "zoro is lost in more ways than one" kinda vibe early on in their journey, especially since they're constantly broke pre-timeskip and we know that at least by little garden the crew has started hunting and foraging to supplement their stores. you could absolutely rope the rest of the east blue grew into this, but zoro is still sort of the outlier with his background.

i dunno. maybe i just like the image of luffy trying to teach zoro how to hunt or fish and both of them just having the dumbest time with it. luffy would be really earnest but impatient--and zoro would be stubborn about admitting he doesn't know shit but would still listen and absorb anyway.

luffy having no clue how to start small and work up to new skills, so they end up going after massive wild boars or something as a first or second lesson and zoro just rolls with it because sure, yeah, thats normal. what the hell does he know? (and also hes fucking. zoro. so.)

or luffy teaching zoro to fish normally but also like a bear fishes (standing knee-deep in the water and catching fish with his bare hands) because it looks more fun that way and he cant. and zoro just fucking up soooo bad but getting really competitive anyway, even though luffy is just, like, sitting on a nearby rock yelling (frankly terrible) directions at him or something. zoro catches nothing and luffy tells him he looks stupid getting angry at the river so of course zoro is going to master fucking. bare-handed fishing because the man's got one braincell and its 99% stubborn pride.

he fucking sucks at starting a fire, wouldnt even consider building proper shelter, and in general would not make it 0.2 seconds outside a populated environment without his captain--a guy raised by the jungle and ace, who was basically a wild animal himself.

idk. survival-competent luffy is very near and dear to my heart.

I've been thinking about the Whiskey Peak Luffy vs Zoro fight and how nothing is truly finished or contained within just one arc in One Piece - where the themes and character development always overlap and span over many later arcs as well.

It's an interesting scene, and I feel it's almost impossible to dissect that fight just within that arc alone - like it wasn't meant to be taken seriously by itself at that time, but later with more context of what's to come after that.

A short version: It's a great set up of how the trust between Luffy and Zoro would develop after this fight.

Specifically, how it gets to this in Skypiea:

And a longer version under the read more:

To start at the beginning again - Luffy knew about Zoro's reputation by the time he reached Shells Town and heard about him as Demon Pirate Hunter of the East Blue, and decided to see if he's a good guy to have on his crew.

Once Luffy freed Zoro and they took down Morgan together, they could see how the other was similary strong, as well as they were able to fight in sync and well together, but maybe they still didn't understand how much they could depend on each other.

With Luffy, anyone who offers him food becomes something like his hero. If they offer him hospitality, he would protect them with his life.

With Zoro, he's always looking out for the danger, used to travel alone (or with just Johnny and Yosaku), he does what's needed, and usually without telling the others.

And this is, I think, that crucial moment when they realize this about each other -

Luffy wakes up and sees the people who helped him lying on the ground, and telling him that Zoro was the one who did that. Luffy goes berserk without needing to hear why, because there shouldn't be a reason why. Whatever Zoro tells him must be a lie, right? He must have gone mad.

Maybe if Zoro didn't fight back, Luffy would see something was wrong, but Zoro isn't one to back down from a fight, especially when being falsely accused, and if he saw that Luffy was fighting him for real, he in turn would give him the same courtesy. They're both very stubborn in the same way.

The misunderstanding trope can be a bit annoying, but I think it's all just to see them actually fight together on equal footing. It was one of the first examples of what they can do together.

After this fight, where they defeat the two Baroque Works agents together, and after everything is explained, Luffy understands, in his own way.

When rereading this part of "I thought you got mad (...)", I had a feeling that Luffy might have even think Zoro could become a danger to others and was ready to just.. contain him. He heard about him as a demon pirate hunter - of course, those where a lot of talking from the Marine's side of the story perpetuating the myth of him, Zoro never called himself that and Luffy knows it, but part of me thinks maybe Luffy wouldn't care about that - he just wanted Zoro on his crew no matter what, and would deal with the consequences after that. Like in Whiskey Peak.

But what's even more interesting is, since this fight, they began to understand how they work separately.

I kind of like that they don't come back or talk more about this fight, because once it's done, they're past that. But both take it as a learning experience, Luffy still has a long journey to go as a captain, and I feel with knowing what Zoro does without saying, Luffy began finding the footing as captain with putting this specific trust in Zoro - learning he can fully depend on him to protect their crew when something would be amiss, when some danger would be nearby.

And that despite the sudden fight, the bad communication and the immediate resolve, Zoro sees another most important part of Luffy's character - how far he would go to help someone who offered him food or helped Luffy and his crew. And this knowledge has helped Zoro many times since this arc, in situation where the rest of the crew might not understand Luffy's thinking, Zoro's usually the first one who does understand.

On Jaya, that trust takes the main role when Luffy orders Zoro not to fight Bellamy's crew:

Later on Skypiea Luffy says it out loud how much he trusts Zoro to protect the rest of the crew:

It goes on each arc more and more, subtle but with that trust between them deepening.

With Zoro letting Luffy know being their captain is hard but he cannot falter,

in Post Enies Lobby it's Zoro telling him what rules need to be followed, otherwise the crew would fall apart,

It feels since that Whiskey Peak fight, Zoro really took it onto himself to protect the crew without having to say so, and Luffy understood that's what he does. It's Zoro's instinct to do that - Skypiea protecting Robin and Chopper, Thriller Bark - protecting Brook, saving Sanji and of course Luffy from Kuma. On Punk Hazard, while Luffy is against Ceasar, Zoro fights Monet so Nami and Robin could get away. On Dressrosa his final fight against Pica is to protect Usopp and Kinemon.

I also like this bit on Zou, where Zoro doesn't enjoy the Minks' attention on him, and Luffy reprimands him that it's rude to talk back to someone who's hosting a feast for them. Again, kind of a callback to Whiskey Peak, ch. 807

And then there's whole Wano, with Zoro protecting Tama, Otoko and Yasuie, Hiyori, and it gets very personal when they're hurt.

During Onigashima Raid he keeps reminding Luffy that he would go with him up to the rooftop to fight Kaido, because this time the enemies are too dangerous and he needs to protect Luffy as well. And they both protect each other there:

Conclusion: I love the Whiskey Peak fight now, because it brings up many small details that are so important over the span of many arcs later, slowly showing just how different these two are built and how much trust they learnt to put in the other.

bonus:

On their way to Enies Lobby on the train, this scene looks very similar to their Whiskey Peak fight, except this time they're intentionally using their strengths together against the Aqua Laguna.

Whiskey peak, ch. 112

Water Seven, ch. 367