One piece: A Tale Before the Wind

Lying on the beach, listening to gentle waves, Zoro reflected.

What a mess. Left his village to chase his dream, only to get caught by the Marines, cross paths with a troublesome guy, and end up a pirate. Not the plan. He chose piracy, but still, it's bizarre.

His new crew was troublesome too. Luffy, stubborn—free-spirited or selfish, depending. Silk was better, but occasionally airheaded and reckless.

The worst was the last one: Kiri, the vice-captain, Zoro's nemesis since they met. Unreadable, calm yet thoughtless, or perceptive when you least expect. Short time together, but Zoro knew he was a hassle.

Kiri, who didn't follow Luffy like Zoro, stood at the shore, barefoot, ankles in seawater, smiling at the waves. He looked content, odd for a Devil Fruit user who should avoid the sea. Instead, he played, splashing water like a kid.

Zoro heard Kiri was a long-time pirate, despite his unassuming look. Seeing him so carefree, Zoro called out, "Go too deep, and you'll drown. No strength, right?"

"I'm fine. Stay alert, and I can manage," Kiri replied.

"Crazy to want to wade in like that," Zoro said.

"I'm usually relaxed, so it balances out," Kiri joked.

"That's a problem itself," Zoro retorted.

Kiri just giggled, unrepentant. But something was off—his tone and expression were the same, yet he seemed fragile, different from recent days. Zoro pressed, "Why follow Luffy? You're skilled, smart, a navigator. You could be captain. Why serve him?"

Still lying down, their eyes met. Kiri looked skyward, pondering.

"Not about serving. More like camaraderie," Kiri said.

"That's not an answer," Zoro snapped.

"It's boring. Luffy invited me, so I chose piracy again. Never planned to start my own crew."

"Why quit before?" Zoro asked.

"Couldn't continue. My crew all died," Kiri said flatly.

Zoro was startled. Kiri's mature expression stemmed from that loss. He didn't pry, just nodded. "Got it."

"Yeah. Luffy's persistent," Kiri added.

"Agreed. Almost feel bad for you," Zoro said.

"First time?" Kiri teased.

"First time," Zoro confirmed.

Kiri chuckled, kicking water playfully, sparkling in the light.

Silence fell, only waves and Kiri's splashing audible. Luffy's voice was absent, the forest whispering faintly.

The chaos at the Marine base felt distant. A peaceful moment, though Zoro wondered why he was here. Not bad, though.

Kiri spoke, "Zoro, you want to be the world's greatest swordsman, right?"

"Not want. I will," Zoro corrected.

"Why?" Kiri asked.

"What?"

"Curious. That ambition needs a big reason," Kiri said.

Zoro frowned. "Got one, but I don't feel like sharing."

"Really?" Kiri said, surprised.

"It's nothing. I swore to become the greatest, no matter what—death, enemies, I won't quit."

"Sounds like a strong guy. That's reassuring," Kiri said.

"Don't worry. As a crewmate, I won't drag you down," Zoro added.

"Appreciate it. Luffy could learn from you," Kiri quipped.

Looking at the water, Kiri murmured, "Don't push too hard. Maybe take a page from Luffy."

"What's that mean?" Zoro asked.

"You'll get it on this ship, dealing with Luffy," Kiri said vaguely.

Zoro's face hardened. "Stress won't help. We're free pirates. Relax and laugh."

"Nothing to laugh about," Zoro grunted.

"You can laugh without reason. Luffy and Silk do," Kiri said.

"Don't lump me with those airheads. Or you," Zoro shot back.

"Your face scares kids," Kiri teased.

"It's natural," Zoro growled.

"Tickle your sides, would your glare soften?" Kiri grinned.

"Try it, and I'll slice you," Zoro warned.

Typical Kiri—same attitude, childish grin despite the shift in mood. Zoro sighed, no longer sleepy, and sat up, gazing at Kiri's back.

He recalled Shells Town, dueling Morgan. Kiri's agile steps, leaps, and bizarre fighting style—using paper as weapons—changed Zoro's view. Not just carefree, but a true powerhouse. Zoro wanted to test him.

Could his skills match a Grand Line veteran? He needed to know his standing.

Zoro grabbed his sword, stood, and approached the shore. "Wanna fight?"

"Huh?" Kiri blinked.

"You know swords. Let's test it. Can I beat a Grand Line pirate?" Zoro challenged.

He knew East Blue was the weakest sea. As a bounty hunter, he never struggled. He craved a real challenge, grinning eagerly, hand on his hilt.

Kiri blinked, unfazed. "No way."

"What?" Zoro barked.

"Duels between crewmates cause grudges. Bad idea," Kiri said.

"I won't hurt you. Just a spar," Zoro insisted.

"Too much hassle," Kiri admitted.

"That's your real reason," Zoro sighed, lowering his hand, exasperated.

Kiri was unlike anyone Zoro met—evasive, dodging commitment with laziness. Frustrating.

Kiri waded deeper, enjoying the cold water, then turned to Zoro. "Aiming for the top's fine, but rushing's pointless. Test the Grand Line there. I'm a loser from that sea."

"With your ability? You're strong," Zoro said.

"Trained for reasons. Would've been wasted without Luffy," Kiri replied.

"Better than losing?" Zoro asked.

"Didn't lose. Wasn't allowed to fight," Kiri said cryptically.

Zoro tilted his head, about to ask, when Kiri's gaze shifted past him.

"What's that—" Zoro started.

"Look," Kiri pointed.

Zoro turned. A creature approached from the forest—a wild boar with a lion's mane. Oddly, it resembled a pig otherwise.

"Weird lion," Kiri muttered.

"It's a pig," Zoro corrected.

"But the mane. Doesn't that make it a lion?" Kiri argued.

"Everything else is pig. Pig wins," Zoro said.

"Such a strange beast sparks debate," Kiri mused.

"No debate. It's a pig," Zoro insisted.

As they bantered, the boar passed Zoro, entering the sea to bathe, unperturbed by humans.

Kiri, an animal lover, wanted to interact. He approached slowly.

"Careful," Zoro warned.

"It's fine. Doesn't seem dangerous," Kiri said.

"You called it a lion," Zoro pointed out.

"I'd approach a lion too," Kiri said.

"That's not a flex," Zoro muttered.

Kiri waded, unsteady—water was a Devil Fruit user's enemy. Zoro frowned. Why risk it?

Predictably, Kiri tripped, splashing loudly, vanishing underwater. He thrashed in the shallow sea.

"What an idiot. Told you to stay back," Zoro grumbled, unaware of the danger.

Kiri's movements weakened, alarming Zoro. He wasn't faking. Rushing in, Zoro yanked him out, lifting him by the neck. Kiri gasped, coughing, barely alive.

"What were you thinking!? Trying to die!?" Zoro yelled.

Kiri coughed, too weak to stand, face pained from swallowing water. He tried to speak but struggled, yet smiled faintly.

Why smile after nearly dying? Not from a fight, just carelessness. Luffy wouldn't forgive him; Silk would cry. Why laugh?

"I'm… bad with water. No strength," Kiri wheezed.

"Even a hammerhead should stand here," Zoro snapped.

"Worse than most. I'm a paper human. Water, even rain, saps me," Kiri explained.

"You knew and still went in? Moron," Zoro said.

Kiri's weakness shocked Zoro, given his combat prowess. Playing in water was insane—suicidal, almost.

Holding Kiri's neck, Zoro clutched his head. More troublesome than Luffy.

"Pathetic way to die," Zoro scolded.

"Haha… you saved me," Kiri said.

"What?"

"I wouldn't do this alone. I trusted you'd save me. You're my crewmate," Kiri said.

"Based on what?" Zoro demanded.

"We're crew. That's enough," Kiri smiled.

Was he testing Zoro's loyalty? Risking death for that seemed unlikely, but with Kiri, possible.

Zoro's head spun. He scratched it, giving up on understanding. "Why get close to your enemy?"

"I like it. Never saw the sea as an enemy," Kiri said.

"Even after losing your crew?" Zoro asked.

"Part of the journey. Sad, made me quit, but I never hated the sea," Kiri replied.

"Weird guy," Zoro said.

"Get that a lot," Kiri grinned.

The boar approached, licking Kiri's face. He yelped, and Zoro smirked. "It agrees."

"Mean guy for a cute face," Kiri pouted.

A new expression. Zoro dragged him to the shore, ignoring his protests, smirking as Kiri flailed.

"Zoro, I'll die! Carry me!" Kiri begged.

"Shut up. It's shallow," Zoro said coolly.

He dropped Kiri at the shore, where he collapsed. Zoro sat beside him, letting waves touch his feet. Kiri, lying back, smiled at the sky.

"Been a while since someone saved me," Kiri said.

"Not something to celebrate," Zoro replied.

"Haha, true. Felt nostalgic," Kiri said.

"When'd you eat the Devil Fruit?" Zoro asked.

"As a pirate. Weakest and youngest, so I ate it. Took years to use in fights," Kiri said.

"Paper body, huh?" Zoro said.

"Like Luffy's rubber. Light, can flatten like paper. But water's worse for me. Rain saps strength too. Fire's tricky," Kiri explained.

"Trade-offs. Being a user's tough," Zoro said.

"It's fun once you adjust. Luffy says so," Kiri replied.

"Pass. Won't stop being human," Zoro said.

"Even called a beast?" Kiri teased.

"Shut up," Zoro snapped.

The boar joined, resting its chin on Kiri's stomach. He groaned under its weight.

"Liked you?" Zoro smirked.

"Rude for a stranger," Kiri complained.

"You're worse. It's cuter," Zoro shot back.

"Mean, beast," Kiri said.

"Stop calling me that, paper man," Zoro retorted.

Zoro grinned, easing into Kiri's rhythm. Their banter was rough but relaxed, tension gone. Kiri smiled, saying nothing. Luffy chose well—Zoro'd be a great crewmate.

Kiri's eyes widened, spotting something. "Zoro, a panda's flying."

"Pandas don't fly," Zoro said.

"Look," Kiri insisted.

Zoro glanced. A bird with black eye patches and white feathers flew unsteadily, like a panda.

They agreed it was a panda. Exhausted, it crashed onto the beach, unhurt but spent.

Curious, they approached, Zoro first.

"Zoro," Kiri called.

"What?"

"Help me up," Kiri said, extending a hand, still weak.

"Stand yourself," Zoro scoffed.

"Water sapped me," Kiri pleaded.

"Kid, huh?" Zoro mocked.

"Fine if you baby me," Kiri grinned.

Zoro sighed, pulling him up. The boar followed, growling like a lion. Kiri wobbled but stood, thanking Zoro, who ignored him and walked ahead.

"Thanks," Kiri said.

"Don't do it again," Zoro warned.

"Can't promise. Swimmers wanna swim," Kiri said.

"Learn first. Stay away till then," Zoro ordered.

"Never, then," Kiri pouted.

"Exactly," Zoro said.

They reached the bird, sprawled out, breathing heavily, too tired to react. A strange creature—bird, but panda-like. This island was full of oddities.

"What is it?" Zoro wondered.

"Dunno. Doesn't seem dangerous," Kiri said.

"Migratory? Or hunting?" Zoro guessed.

"Too exhausted. Breathing's off," Kiri noted.

"Fleeing something—" Zoro paused, spotting a ship on the horizon, approaching.

Kiri crouched, stroking the bird's soft fur. "So fluffy! Like a blanket, Zoro!"

"No time for that," Zoro said grimly.

"What? Oh, your face—always scary," Kiri teased.

"Shut up. Look," Zoro pointed.

Kiri saw the ship. "It fled that."

"Maybe just tired," Kiri suggested.

"Timing's too perfect. Exhausted bird, ship heading here. It's no normal bird," Zoro said.

"True, it's weird," Kiri admitted.

They stood side by side, serious. Pirates meant possible fights. Marines, maybe not. Other ships, situational. Combat wasn't off the table.

Zoro grinned eagerly; Kiri looked annoyed. Their readiness differed, but alertness matched.

"Trouble. Captain's not back," Kiri said.

"You're here. Give the order, I'll cut anyone," Zoro said.

"Bloodthirsty. Could be good people," Kiri countered.

"Ask the bird. Its face says enemies," Zoro said.

"Such a charming beast," Kiri sighed.

Zoro's battle-hungry glare screamed beast. His aura was fierce, fitting the nickname.

Kiri sighed, checking his soaked parka. "My paper's wet. Useless."

"Scared? I'll protect you," Zoro offered.

"Alright. You can handle fifty alone, right?" Kiri teased.

Zoro clicked his tongue but felt their rhythm sync. Not just irritation—camaraderie.

With the boar and bird, they stood on the shore, awaiting the ship's approach.