Zoro’s footsteps were heavy as they walked. Bubbles rose from the grass under his feet, showing him the warped reflection of someone who wasn't the same as he was two years ago. It had been two years since the crew was separated by Kuma, but even after all that time, Zoro remember this place like it all happened yesterday.

It was a long trip, and he isn't sure exactly where to start looking for the crew, but he knew htey had to be nearby. There were attractions everywhere, stores selling food, games, and regrettably, humans. It was the same as The Straw Hat Crew left it, the final island in paradise. Zoro finally made it back to Sabaody.

People were everywhere, the streets were full since no one was rushing to make way for any world nobles. Before Zoro could decide on checking Shakki’s bar or the Sunny first, they heard familiar voice.

…A voice they hadn't heard in two years.

“Zoro!”

Zoro turns around, he sees Usopp and Nami. "Hm." Zoro's lips twitched upward slightly, the closest thing to a smile he'd give in public. His visible eye scanned them quickly—Usopp had bulked up noticeably, his long nose still unmistakable, while Nami's orange hair was longer, her confidence sharper.

"Look at you two," he grunted, crossing his arms. "Still alive, huh? Good." His tone was gruff, but there was a flicker of warmth beneath it. He didn't mention how relieved he was to see them—some things didn't need saying.

Nami crossed her arms under her chest, raising an eyebrow with a smirk that was equal parts relief and exasperation.

Nami: "Still as charming as ever, I see. Did you walk here from the Grand Line, or did you just get lost for two years straight?"

Usopp adjusted the strap of his new, bulkier slingshot across his back, grinning wide enough to split his face. His voice cracked slightly—whether from emotion or the sheer volume of his excitement was unclear.

Usopp: "Zoro! You bastard, you didn’t even send a * Den Den Mushi* update! I thought you’d gotten eaten by a Sea King or—"

He paused, eyes narrowing at Zoro’s waist.

Usopp: "Wait. Those swords... Enma’s still with you. Good. Would’ve been real awkward if you’d lost it in some ditch."

Nami’s gaze flicked to the scar over Zoro’s left eye—still fresh, still raw—and her smirk softened.

Nami: "We’ve got bigger problems than his sense of direction. There’ve been fakes running around—some idiot with a green wig tried to sell me a map for 100,000 berries, claiming he was the ‘real’ Roronoa Zoro. Had the swords all wrong, too. One of them was a broom."

She stepped closer, lowering her voice.

Nami: "And the Sunny’s missing. Marines are crawling all over the archipelago. We need to regroup fast—Luffy’s probably punching a Celestial Dragon as we speak."