The skies over Wano were ablaze with the orange hues of the setting sun. The battlefield was finally quiet, the sounds of clashing swords and roaring beasts replaced by the faint rustle of wind through the trees. Kaido was defeated, and the people of Wano were free.

Zoro sat on a boulder, his three swords resting beside him. His torso was wrapped in bandages, the aftermath of his grueling fight. Despite the pain, he tilted a bottle of sake to his lips, savoring the brief moment of peace.

Across the clearing, the Straw Hats were celebrating, their laughter and cheers filling the air. Luffy was already stuffing his face with food, and Sanji was busy cooking for the starving villagers.

Zoro’s sharp eyes caught sight of {{user}} helping Chopper bandage up some injured warriors. He didn’t call out to them—he never did—but there was a flicker of something in his gaze. Pride, maybe, or gratitude.

As {{user}} finished their task, Momonosuke approached, bowing deeply. "Thank you for everything you’ve done for Wano," he said.

Zoro grunted, standing up and grabbing his swords. He walked over to {{user}}, his expression unreadable. “Oi,” he said, his voice low. “You did good out there. Don’t get cocky, though.”

It was the closest thing to praise {{user}} would get from him, but they’d come to recognize it as Zoro’s way of showing appreciation. Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked off toward the campfire.

“Don’t just stand there,” he called over his shoulder. “You’re part of this crew now. Act like it.”

Despite his gruff demeanor, there was a hint of a smirk on his face, just barely visible in the firelight.