56 Chapter 55

"Zoro."

In an uncharacteristically emotionless voice, Luffy called out Zoro's name.

Zoro sighed, knowing well why Luffy was acting this way, without needing it to be said. Zoro had died once, and even now, he was close to death. This was the exact opposite of what Luffy had hoped for Zoro.

—Live as you wish.

In the end, what Luffy wanted for Zoro was life.

Zoro looked at Luffy's unusually determined face and then scratched his head.

"It couldn't be helped."

He never wished for death, nor did he intend it. But death always followed Zoro. After all, he was a swordsman. There were numerous instances where he barely survived the brink of life and death, whether it was his opponent dying or himself.

Once, he actually did die.

And in living, there were times when 'living as you wish' and 'living' itself were in conflict. In the world of his previous life, and even in this current world, it was natural for Zoro to risk his life to achieve what he wanted.

There are ambitions to pursue.

There are people to protect.

There are dreams to continue.

There is an era to advance to.

...Knowing full well that defending these things would certainly lead to death.

Those who ventured into the sea all had one or two of these things. Of course, Zoro did too.

Above all, Luffy had no right to reproach Zoro for this.

Because...

"You did the same."

Luffy said nothing to Zoro's words. Then, he opened his mouth to ask.

"Did you want to protect it?"

"Of course."

It was the end of your dream.

I remember Luffy's face, the brightest smile I've seen, on the day when all adventures came to an end.

There were great drinks, lively songs and dances, and many people we had met along the way, but the smile on Luffy's face was what struck Zoro's sole eye the most.

The look of Luffy showing the end of his dream.

"Zoro, look! This is the end of my dream. Cool, isn't it?"

"...Yeah."

It was ridiculous, laughably hilarious, and dazzlingly bright...

Truly, a magnificent end.

The moment Luffy's dream ended, the world also changed. It had to change. The old, rotten world did not have the strength to bear its end. The era of great piracy, which had overripened to the point of bursting, came to an end, and a new era began. It was a ridiculous, bright, and laughable era.

Just like the dream that Luffy had opened the curtain to.

So, I protected it.

...With everything I had.

"Did you protect it because it was the era I opened?"

Zoro looked at Luffy with a gaze as if looking at the greatest fool, then sighed.

"Idiot."

Zoro said to Luffy in a haughty tone.

"I don't do things I hate."

Even if it was the era Luffy had ushered in, if he had hated that era, he would have let it fall apart. Luffy hadn't ordered Zoro to protect that era or the world.

Not turning a blind eye and standing up to protect was all Zoro's choice. It was a splendid era, an improved world. He liked it. So, he protected it.

It was the same when he stood up to cursed spirit for Tsumiki and Megumi. It was all decided and acted upon by Zoro. He was not swept away by the situation, nor did he take it on reluctantly.

He has no regrets. Not then, not now.

And certainly not in the future.

"So, I must go."

He couldn't die hesitating in a place like this. He couldn't leave his father with the pain of thinking that if he had been there, if he had been stronger, he could have protected him. That was the least Zoro could do as a son for his father.

Luffy's expressionless face broke into a smile, a smile that Zoro knew too well, one that resembled the sun.

"Then, go!"

At those cheerful yet firm words, Zoro couldn't help but smile.

"Right."

He must go. Now was not the time for them to meet.

"It was nice, Luffy."

"Me too!"

Zoro, looking at the bright smile, forcibly turned away his gaze that didn't want to part.

It's a farewell. Just like before.

He drew his sword and swung it. A tremendous sword wind caused the wisteria petals to fall like a snowstorm. Luffy's figure, too, was obscured by the rain of purple petals.

—Live as you wish.

Shackles, past, good and evil, era, world.

Don't care about any of it.

Zoro nodded to Luffy's voice lingering like an echo.

"Ah."

Indeed.

After all, it's a waste to be caught up only in the past.

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