Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“So you’re a swordsman too? That’s pretty cool,” Luffy had said shortly after they’d left Punk Hazard. “Do you want to be the World’s Greatest Swordsman too?”

“No,” Law’s flat answer didn’t mask the irritable twitch to his eye. Such ambition sounded more dangerous than he was prepared to deal with, but he immediately worried that this Zoro character would demand to challenge him. Law wasn’t inclined to hold back should it come to that, after all he did have his pride as a Pirate Captain. But making a fool out of Luffy’s crewman would be a terrible way to start off this alliance.

The first time he crossed casual paths with Zoro, he couldn’t help but tense up.

The future World’s Greatest Swordsman was taking a nap on the deck, apparently giving his ambition a day off. Even with his relaxed slouch with hands rested back behind his head, Law could sense a degree of wakefulness just beneath the sleepy surface. It was the warrior within that recognized another.

Zoro’s eye opened and glanced up without bothering to raise his head. “Need something?”

“No,” Law shook his head but his grip on his sword tensed as he waited for the challenge. One that never came as his eye closed, and he breathed out a sigh that soon shifted to a snore.

Law just stared now, surprised for a change to see this swordsman so easily relax in his presence. They were allied, but everyone knew it was temporary. There was no reason to trust each other enough to freakin’ RELAX.

He’d seen Zoro in action before, back on Sabaody, and knew what he was capable of. But this? This ability to relax so completely, so carefree? Law couldn’t relate to that at all.

Chapter Text

A few days later

Law was used to running through sword drills on his own. His crew felt that he was too intense to practice with on a regular basis, but his habits felt restricted on the Thousand Sunny though. He felt confined to training in his room because the only other place to practice was in Zoro’s training room, and Law wasn’t keen on intruding in his space. So he kept to himself in his small room, feeling stifled.

One morning, over breakfast, Zoro called out to get his attention. “Hey Torao, have I showed you the training room yet?”

Law frowned warily. “No, but I know of it. It’s your training space.”

“Yeah, it got all sorts of targets, practice swords, and weights. Really, anything you need to train with.”

Nodding along absent-mindedly, Law wasn’t really sure what he was getting at. Bragging maybe?

“How about we go a round or two?”

Law frowned in confusion. “A round or two…of what?”

“I do believe he’s challenging you to a duel,” Brook teased with a soft yohohoho!

“It’s not very often I get to spare against a worthy swordsman,” Zoro grinned with a greedy glint to his eye. “I’m curious if you’re as good as the rumors say.”

Something about the way he said it made him bristle defensively. His jaw set stubbornly as he bit down his retort. Zoro’s face split into a gremlin grin as if he knew just how much he’d riled him up. His hand drifted down to his waist, with his fingers teasing the trio of hilts.

“So…whaddya say?” He drawled.

“Later,” Law sniped as he turned away. “Maybe,” he tacked on for good measure. He couldn’t rise to his challenge, even if the invite was tempting. But it would be a refreshing break from practicing in his room.

Zoro grumbled a bit bitterly and soon the conversation at the table shifted and the subject changed, leaving the challenge unmet.

An hour later, when Law was crossing the deck, he heard Zoro calling from the Crow’s Nest. “Oi! Torao! Ya ready?”

Law ignored him and kept right on walking.

“Oooooohhhhh I get it,” he continued to shout after him. “You’re scared, aren't ya?”

Law’s tattooed hands curled into tight, trembling fists. His stroll turned into a sharp march, with his heels stomping down the stairs at his flustered retreat. He went straight to his room and decided to work out some battle plans. Punk Hazard had nearly been a wash-out when Straw Hat deviated so terribly from the plan. Clearly, Law hadn’t explained the plan well enough. He had just assumed that Straw Hat could follow simple directions, now he knew better. So he took a seat at his desk, grabbed some paper and got to work sketching maneuvers. He stayed in his room for as long as he could, until Luffy burst right on in.

“Ah! Here’s where you’ve been hiding!” He cheered as if he’d won some kind of game.

“I’m not hiding,” Law insisted but Luffy wasn’t listening.

“Zoro wants to fight you.” He went on but Law was inclined to ignore him now, turning his back to him as he worked at his desk.

Law felt pressure on his back as Luffy leaned over. “Didn’t you hear me?” He huffed in his ear.

Law growled irritably. “Yeah,” he grumbled. He tried to elbow him off, but Luffy didn’t budge.

“So why won’t you fight?” He whined. “He really wants to, and you’re supposed to be really good and all so why—?”

“Stay out of it, Straw hat-ya,” Law cut him off as he gathered up his papers and set them aside. Luffy tugged impatiently on his arm and Law shoved him off. “Enough!” He snapped.

“Fight my swordsman! That’s an order!”

“I’m a Captain too, remember? So I don’t take orders from you,” Law reminded him, but it was clear that Luffy wouldn’t leave him alone about this. He stood up, determined to find a different place to be. He reached out for Kikoku and just before his fingers could wrap around her hilt, Luffy snatched it and TOOK OFF!

“Hey! That’s MINE!” Law snarled as he gave chase.