The scent of seared fish and garlic butter filled the air as Zoro leaned back against the wall, arms crossed and one hand lazily gripping his chopsticks. Before him, steaming plates of food were laid out—perfectly grilled fish, crusted bread, and bowls of hot rice. Kagaya and Amane sat nearby, speaking in low tones, their presence graceful even in the rowdy clamor of the restaurant.
Baratie was unlike anything Zoro had seen ,the atmosphere was infectious, its deck alive with the laughter of travelers, merchants, and wandering swordsmen. The sound of mugs clinking together echoed across the hall, mingling with the cries of waiters delivering plates stacked high with food.
He tore into his food with blunt efficiency, already on his third plate, when a pair of loud, familiar voices cut through the chatter.
"Hey—HEY! That looks like big bro !?"
Zoro froze mid-bite. He turned slowly, chopsticks still dangling from his mouth, to see two figures gawking at him across the dining hall. One was lanky, with spiky hair and sharp eyes—Johnny. The other, shorter and stockier with a square jaw—Yosaku. Both were staring at him like they'd just seen a ghost.
"Friends of yours Zoro?"Amane asked as she looked at duo
Johnny walked up to their table and slammed his hands on the table. "IT IS HIM! Zoro, big brother, where the hell have you been!?"
Yosaku followed, stomping over until the two of them loomed above Zoro's table. "We were traveling together, and then you just… VANISHED! We thought you'd gotten lost—or killed!"
Zoro scratched his cheek with the end of his chopsticks, unfazed. "...It was you who got lost ."
'I somehow doubt that ...' Amane and Kagaya both thought simultaneously. They knew about Zoro's condition. His lack of direction. The village had to search for him for an hour because he got lost going a straight path that lead to the carriage.
The two nearly toppled over. "YOU'RE THE ONE WHO GOT LOST!!"
Their shouting turned a few heads in the restaurant, though most quickly returned to their meals, used to rowdy customers. Kagaya, serene as ever, simply smiled softly while Amane covered her mouth to hide a quiet chuckle. They both concluded that maybe it was a condition that zoro was born with , a lack of direction. Amane decided that once she got back home she would buy books for Zoro to teach him basic navigation.
Zoro chewed, swallowed, and then finally spoke. "Ran into some people. Things happened. Now…" His hand rested briefly on the hilt of Wado Ichimonji. "I'm joining the Demon Slayer Corps."
"This is Kagaya and Lady Amane , be respectful. " Zoro said .
The laughter of the hall seemed to quiet, or maybe it was just Johnny and Yosaku who froze, eyes wide.
Johnny blinked. "...Demon Slayer? You're telling me those scary bedtime stories about man-eating monsters were real!?"
Zoro nodded once. "Real enough. Ive seen one a few years back."
Yosaku leaned in, dropping his voice. "And you're seriously joining them? That's… dangerous, Zoro."
"That's the point," Zoro said flatly, tone carrying no hesitation. "The only way to get stronger is to keep facing things stronger than me and besides facing ronin and bandits is just as dangerous and i made a promise that i intend to keep ."
There was silence for a beat, before Zoro added: "What about you two? Wanna join as well? , you'll definitely make more money this way "
The question caught them off guard. Johnny nearly spat out his drink, while Yosaku scratched at his head, torn between fear and pride.
"You're insane," Johnny muttered, though there was a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "But… damn it, thinking about now qns realizing that these monsters actually exist and they are out there preying on the weak . I left home and became a bounty hunter because i wanted to fight for those who couldn't fight for themselves and defend them from bandits and ronin but now... im joining you big bro "
Yosaku groaned. "Man-eating demons, huh? Sounds like a one-way ticket to death , you two are crazy , if I die my spirit will come back just to hunt you two , i guess I'll be joining as well."
Kagaya looked at the Johnny and Yosaku and smiled . " Thank you for putting your lives on the line so others can be safe "
Johnny and Yosaku looked at Kagaya and felt a kind of peace they have never felt touch their hearts
"Wow , so graceful. It is our pleasure"they both said in unison
"Anyway what were you two doing here ?"Zoro asked
"We chasing this group of bandits . The Krieg bandits. They are injured so we planned to finish them off once they left the restaurant. "Jonny said as he looked at the direction where the supposed bandits were sitting . Zoro , Kagaya and Amane looked in that direction and saw a massive man with blue hair and sideburns wearing goold armor underneath a cloak .
This man was Don Krieg the admiral of the krieg bandits
"He looks like a formidable person , who could've done this to them "Amane asked
"From what we've overheard from them is that they had a run in with Musashi Miyamoto "Yosaku . Zoro's fork paused midway as he looked at Yosaku
"Miyamoto Musashi as in the greatest swordsman " Yosaku nodded already aware of Zoro's dream .
Don't krieg after had great ambitions, he gathered up a large number of bandits and band them under one banner , the don krieg bandits. He planned to take over all the other bandit camps and stand at the top as king but fate had other plans because just when they were moving to their next big score they came across a man named Mushashi Miyamoto, he was the greatest swordsman. Don't krieg didnt care who the person in front of them was , they had numbers there was no way they'd lose . How wrong he was , not only did Mushashi kill over half of them he followed them back to their camp and killed everyone there , Don Krieg had barely escaped with just a few men
"I'll run into him one of these days and I'll fulfill my promise " Zoro said with determination.
They all finished up eating and after paying took their leave . This time Johnny and Yosaku would be coming along to and would be dropped off with Zoro
Just as Zoro was going to the carriage a man who was passing by him bumped his scabbard. They both paused and looked made eye contact with each other . The man had flowing unkempt black hair reaching all the way to his neck , he carried two swords a normal katana and a small sword known as a nodachi .
"You bumped my scabbard " Zoro and the man said in unison.