A Legacy's Successor

The Past

The day Zoro was adopted was the day he remembered quite well, he was training with his wood sword outside, he was still barely 14, no one really wanted a teenager son ever since he became a teen, but he didn't care, not really. His focus was to train and become a great swordsman, after Kuina, his childhood friend who he shared the same dream with had died, he only focused on his swordsmanship, and, well, Luffy. Luffy was rather popular with new couples looking to adopt, he was a pretty new teen, but had a baby face and a charming personality, but he refused to come with them, or he was returned rather quickly as he was a loose gun, but Luffy never seemed to mind.

Luffy always hangs around him unless he specifically asks him to leave him alone to focus. This was one of those times where he stood in front of his target, a tree, weights added on his ankles to add in more strength training. While he did, he didn't even hear it when someone got close enough to him to attack him if they could. He only noticed after a deep voice that made him shudder spoke up "Your stance is all wrong." 

Zoro turned his attention to the voice, eyes widen at the sight in front of him, Dracule Mihawk, a kendo champion of over 20 years, the best swordsman in the world, no one has yet to beat him, to surpass his dreams he had to defeat the man, and here he was, piercing gold eyes, standing tall. He was a lot taller than he imagined him to be. He always watched him on tv and tapes the orphanage had and tried copying and learning from it. "Uh? What? I thought it was right-" he said, confused, as soon as he realized what the man had said to him, looking down, he was right. Of course, he was. He shifted his legs, fixing the stance "If you focus too much on your strength with every swing, you won't do your stance right, if you don't do the stance right, you are bound to fail" the man said, crossing his arms "The stance have to come naturally, you have to practice on that" he said, coldly, Zoro couldn't shake off the cold feeling the eyes gave him.

"What is your purpose, brat?" He asked as Zoro huffed and pointed his wooden sword toward him, this was his chance, he trained years for that, he could challenge him, see how far he had come, how far he had to go. "To be the greatest swordsman" he said, which made the elder laugh with amusement. "Alright, I accept your challenge" the deep voice said.

Of course, that resulted in Zoro's defeat, it wasn't even a fight to be recognized and resulted in Zoro being wounded "Don't be so quick to die just yet, Roronoa Zoro, I'll hold the title for as long as needed, come fight me when you see the world and have become stronger" the voice rang, and Zoro could have sworn he heard Luffy's voice before he passed out.

By the time he come to, Zoro was bandaged and on a bad, he was a bit surprised when he was told someone wanted to adopt him, and even more so when Mihawk walked into the room, and those, he was adopted by his goal, Mihawk decided to train him to become his successor as well as raise him as his own son.

The Present

Today would be the day Luffy joins his college, sure, they weren't in the same class as they were studying two different things, but Zoro couldn't help but be nervous. He breathed in and put on gray jeans and a white t-shirt, when Luffy arrived randomly the other day, Zoro was, of course, the first one to know from their group of friends or their "crew" as Luffy likes to call it.

Luffy always had such a unique way to see things. A ray of sunshine who always sees the positive side of things and likes food way too much. Always laughed, always wanted to be around his friends, always was bad at lying, but would keep a secret if it meant he could save his friend or help them. Even when it was obvious and could risk his life, like that one-time bandit beat him up to find out where he and his brothers hide away money they stole and collected all together. In a way, Zoro could admire that, a lot. It was probably one of the many reasons Zoro became to like Luffy.

In a way, Zoro couldn't speak for himself, as he really liked drinking alcohol. Shaking the thought out of his head, he got ready, after going out of his house, he was being tackled by Luffy. "Heyy Zoro!" He said, looking at Mihawk, he waved toward him with a big smile, which Mihawk returned the wave, but not the smile. Mihawk and Shanks, the guy who adopted Luffy, were close friends, so Zoro got lucky for that, since Luffy got adopted not long after him and they lived near each other for years to come. Up until two years ago when Shanks had to move away on a business trip.  At first it was only supposed to be a few months, but then an accident happened, and they had to stay until Luffy recovered.

"I'm so excited to meet the crew!" Luffy said happily at that, Zoro huffed at that "Did you even tell the rest you are coming?" He asked, curiously "Nope!" Luffy laughed at that, as broght as it always was, as bright as he always is.

Well, this will be interesting.