Pen Pals
To persun in hospitul
I am riting becuz sensa sez I ned to lern to spel beter. It is dum. I dont ned to spel to uz sords. Rit bak.
刀
Dear Katana,
I was exsited to get your letter even if you are really bad at spelling. How old are you? I am 10. I did school only until I was 8, but I was axs exs really good at it. I liked reading and writing best. I used to use swords too but I was not very good at it. I hope you write back again. Being in the hospital is boring.
Signed, サンジ
Helo 3:00
I am riting bak. Sensa sez a pen palz is wat I ned. I am 10 to. I wento skol onle 1 yer. I lik maf best. And sords. Why ar u in da hospitul? I had brokin noz wons. And cuts dat nedid stichiz. Rit bak.
Katana
Dear Katana,
You need lots of practus if you only went to school for one year! I am happy to be your pen pal. It is great that we are the same age. I don’t know anyone my age here.
I am in the hospital because I got ship-recked! It was scary. I ended up on a rock and nearly starved to death. I have to be in the hospital for two more months to make sure I am better. The food is bad but the old geezer said he was going to take over the kichen soon.
I think it is funny that you write my name as 3:00. I think it is cool that your name is katana and you like swords.
Signed, 3:00
Helo 3:00
Ship-reked! I haf nevr ben of mi iland. I liv at a dojo. I practus sords evre da. No wun but mi best fren evr bet me. She is ded now tho. It stil maks me sad. We mad a promis to becum da best sordsmans in da hol wurlda and I am gona do it for hur. Rit bak.
Katana
Dear Katana,
Guess what? I am out of the hospital now! And the old geezer said I can stay with him and learn how to be a cook. I am going to be the best cook ever! Maybe one day I will get to cook for you.
The mail bird will bring your letters to the restrant so we can keep being pen pals. I hope we get to be friends forever!
Signed, 3:00
Deer 3:00,
Did you get that big storem that went thru with the green clowds? It made a tornado! It nocked down a buncha bildings and trees. No one got hurt tho. Me and the uders in the dojo are gona help re-bild things.
Did you reed that storee on that Mihawk gie? That is the gie I have to beet to be the best. Sensay says I need to go thru pubertee first. Do you know what that is? Its grows.
Rite back.
Katana
Dear Katana,
Gross! I can’t believe you made me find out what puberty is! I don’t want hairy balls.
No, we didn’t get a storm, though we did see a waterspout the other week. It’s like a tornado on water made of water. It was really cool. The old geezer said they can suck up a ship and spit you out in the South Blue!
I read the story. He sounds scary. I can’t believe you want to fight him. You better get really, really, really good first.
Signed, 3:00
Dear 3:00,
I’m doing this new thing where I use three sords. I put one in my mowth and the other two in my hands. I call it three-sord stile. Duh. It hurts my jaw. But no one else does it and mabe that will make me the best.
I can’t beleeve you started smokeing! Gross! Your gonna smell and hurt your lungs. You aren’t gonna be able to fite good.
Rite back.
Katana
Dear Katana,
There’s hair growing in my armpits. It itches. Do you have hair growing too?
I made my first souffle today. That’s a baked egg dish that gets all puffy. It fell. The old geezer said I need more practice. But at least I get to cook more things now instead of only doing the basics. Even though the basics are important too.
One of the new cooks isn’t very nice to me. Says I don’t belong in the kitchen with the grownups. That I should only be washing dishes. If he keeps doing it, I’m going to kick his ass.
Signed, 3:00
Dear 3:00,
I got some hair you know down there. It’s green like on my head. It’s kinda weird. And itches.
There’s this guy at the dojo who is 14 and he has a full mus-tash and beard. He acts like he’s a grownup but I can easily kick his ass and then he cries. I make grownups cry too sometimes becuz I can beat them. Sensei says I need to be careful of soar lozers.
I learned how to make eggs and rice this week. It probibly isn’t as good as your cooking.
Write back.
Katana
Dear Katana,
There was this dumbass marine that came to the restaurant and tried to pick a fight with the old geezer. The old geezer kicked his ass clear off the ship. He sailed so far you couldn’t see him anymore! I want to learn to kick as good as him. I already don’t use my hands when fighting because I need to protect them to be able to cook.
Did you know that girls aren’t allowed in the restaurant kitchen because you're not supposed to hurt them? The old geezer said if I ever hurt a girl, he’d cut off my balls and then slit his own throat. I definitely won’t! I like my balls attached to my body. (And I like my father too.)
Signed, 3:00
Dear 3:00,
I went fishing today and I cawt a swordfish! It’s bigger than me! I didn’t get to battle it with my swords tho. I used a fancy fishing pole and net that Kenso-san let me use on the boat.
There’s a festival coming up that Sensei is making me wear a yukata for. He got me one in red. I don’t really like it, though it does hide blood well. I’ve been dooling for money at the port and made over 300 beli, so maybe I’ll buy my own in a better color.
Did you finish that original sawce you were trying to create? I hope your old man liked it.
Write back.
Katana
Dear Katana,
I can’t decide if I like or hate doing waiter duty. The old geezer says it’s important to learn how to be nice to the customers, but about half of them treat you like crap. It’s annoying. I keep getting in trouble for kicking their asses. (But not the girls. I don’t hurt girls.) You’d think people could learn some proper manners and use them when they go to a restaurant.
I clipped out the article in the newspaper about the Seven Warlords of the Sea. It mentions Mihawk. Thought you might want it.
Signed, 3:00
Dear 3:00,
I think I might like guys. Like them, like them, I mean. I keep having these dreams about doing stuff with them and I wake up hard. Is that weird?
Write back.
Katana
Dear Katana,
Yes, it’s weird. Even though I think I like them too. But that’s not good. I don’t want to be different again. I’m going to pretend that I don’t.
Signed, 3:00
Dear 3:00,
I totally kicked some ass today. There was this group of bandits who came into town and tried to steal things from the market stalls. I was there picking up some new choji oil when they started roufing people up and breaking things. I confronted them and they laughed at me. They weren’t laughing once I kicked their asses! My three-sword style can’t be beat. I can’t wait until I can finally go after Mihawk and take his title from him.
Sensei is calling me. Maybe he wants to give me a reward for kicking ass. (Tho it’s probably because I didn’t do my chores.)
(See, I can use these () things too.)
Write back.
Katana
Dear Katana,
I accidentally dyed everyone’s chef’s whites pink. Everyone’s furious at me. The old geezer kicked my ass from one end of the restaurant to the other, but I thought I caught him smiling so maybe he’s not as mad as he sounded. We look pretty silly. The new whites won’t come in for a week.
We’re also all wearing pink underwear. Don’t laugh! But maybe now I’ll get out of laundry duty.
Don’t forget to try and find that book I recommended. I really think you’ll like it.
Signed, 3:00
3
M hrt bad. In hosp. Rit me.
Katana,
What the hell? Why are you in the hospital? How bad is bad? Your island is too far from here or else I would come and see you. Did you get hurt dueling at the docks? Or was it someone from the dojo? Or was it something else? Are you going to be okay?
I’m sending you ginger cookies in case it’s your stomach from eating that bug you were dared to eat. I’ll use less sugar and more spice so that they’re not so sweet, since you think chocolate is too sweet.
Signed, 3:00
Katana,
I haven’t heard from you. Are you still in the hospital? Are you okay? You’d better not be dead. I will kick your ass if you’re dead. You’re my best friend. I don’t want to be alone you to be dead. Please write me back.
Signed, 3:00
3
Cant. hrts. Rit me.
Dear Katana,
I’m glad that you’re still alive. You scared me. I told the old geezer and he told me maybe you hurt your hands and that’s why you can’t write more than what you did. If that’s true, I’m sorry. I know your hands are important, too.
I’ll write to you often while you’re in the hospital. Your letters to me made my stay there bearable. Don’t worry about writing back. Do it when you can. I’ll be waiting.
I have to go now because I’m on duty, but I’ll write again later tonight.
Get better soon.
Signed, 3:00
Dear 3,
Got the bandages off my hands. I can write again. Thank you for all your letters. They made being stuck recooperating less boring.
Write back.
Katana
Dear Katana,
I have fucking missed reading your letters. Are you out of the hospital altogether? What happened? I’ve been really worried. I tried to convince the old geezer to head that way, but he said the summer storms would cause problems.
How bad did you get hurt? Don’t lie. I know you don’t usually care about your injuries, but I do.
Also, are your swords okay? Especially Wado? I know they’re important to you.
Signed, 3:00
Dear 3,
You were right about liking guys not being good. I told someone that I liked him and he and his friends jumped me in the dojo bathroom. I didn’t have my swords on me because I was showering.
They hurt me really bad. Broken bones, punctured lung, and a fractured skull. Hurt my brain. I can’t find my way around anymore and I’m having trouble talking. Reading and writing is fine, which I’m grateful for, because you’re the only person I’m friends with and I don’t want to lose that too.
Promise me that you won’t tell a guy that you like them, unless that guy is me. Because you know that I like guys and that I already like you back.
My swords are fine.
Write back.
Katana
Dear Katana,
I promise. I’ll start flirting with the girls an extra amount to make sure no one finds out about me liking guys. And if we ever get to finally meet, then I can stop pretending, because I like you, too.
How do you mean that you can’t find your way around anymore?
I’m sending you sour lemon drops. They’ll make your lips pucker.
Signed, 3:00 – I’m going to shorten this to 3 since that’s what you did
Dear 3,
I’m telling you this because you are my best everything and you won’t tell anyone else. I don’t want the doctors to know because then they’ll stick me back in the hospital and if Sensei knows he won’t let me keep practicing at the dojo.
When I walk out of a room, I don’t know where I am. Like, in my head, I know that the bathroom is down the hall to the left. But when I leave my room, I don’t know which is left or right. And if I walk away from my room, I can’t go back to it. Like it moves. I have to wander around until I find it again. I’m terrified. I don’t like it. It makes everything harder.
And I have to go to this speech helper lady to learn how to talk right again. I lied to Sensei and told him that unless someone made me, I wouldn’t show up, so now Sensei walks with me to her door every day and I don’t get lost. She has a little kid and I pay him in candy to get me back to the dojo after. He thinks we’re racing every day and he always wins.
I’m going to focus on strength training for a while so that I can beat people even if I don’t have my swords. Then I’ll be able to protect you, too.
Write back.
Katana
Dear Katana,
That sounds horrible. I promise that if you ever get lost, I will come and find you. Every time. Any time.
I’m also going to work on strength training so that I can protect YOU because you’re MY best everything.
This is short, because I’m making the mail bird wait. I’ll write again later.
Hugs, 3
Dear 3,
I can break rock. It’s kinda cool. I’m working my way up the sizes. I want to get to boulders. I’m pretty good at using No Sword style too. I can top most trees except the thickest ones. I want to be able to do the big ones and then also use it on the rocks. I know I’ll get there.
Suzuki-sensei has me doing R-words again, because I’m still making the W-sound I guess. I can’t tell. She’s still trying to get me to talk normally, even though she knows being angry gets the words out correctly. Otherwise, I still stutter and stumble and sound like an idiot. Who apparently says Wabbit and Wight.
Did you finish the latest Sky Walker book yet? I finished it yesterday. It was so good. Let me know when you do so we can talk about it.
Write back.
Katana
Dear Katana,
The old geezer took me clothes shopping for my birthday and got me a suit! I really like the way they fit and make me appear much older. I can fight in them, too, without any problems. I’m going to save up my pay and buy some more the next time we visit an island. I hope one day when we finally get to see each other you think I look good!
Patty made me a cake, and Carne took on my chores for three days as my gifts. The cake was dark chocolate with cherries. It was delicious. I’m sorry that you don’t like chocolate because you’re missing out!
I also finished reading that Chef biography you got me. It was interesting to read about Mary Geoise. Did you know it’s considered to be on top of the world? Too bad I’m never leaving the East Blue, because it sounds like an interesting place to visit.
Were you able to get that tar out of your hair or did you end up having to cut it? Let me know so that I can appropriately make fun of you.
Hugs, 3
Dear 3,
I’m getting ready to go searching for Mihawk. I’ve got enough money to buy a small boat from dueling. I’m going to wait until after my birthday, though, so I can get some extra beli for provisions. I’ll keep going to Suzuki-sensei, too, though I don’t think I’m going to talk any better. I’ll just have to yell a lot to get my point across. I’ve been called scary by the younger kids at the dojo for years now so it fits.
I’ll try and come and visit you so we can finally meet in person. I feel like I know everything about you already, though, so this would just be like having an extra piece of sea king.
Write back.
Katana
Dear Katana,
Happy birthday! I hope you like the compass. It should help you stay on course while you’re sailing. I’ve looked at the maps and if you sail south-west you’ll eventually find me. I can’t wait to see you!
Make sure you pack extra food and water, okay? Take it from someone who got shipwrecked and starved – you don’t want that to happen to you!
Be sure that you keep writing to me in between sailing. I want to know how it’s going and make sure you’re alive doing okay. And if you find Mihawk, kick his ass. But don’t die please.
Hugs, 3
Dear 3,
I’m leaving tomorrow. I’m going to explore the islands around mine and see if I can find any rumors on where Mihawk is.
I got my ear pierced today. Three times for three earrings for my 3. I carry Wado for Kuina and now I have you with me, too.
I’ll write to you as soon as I’m back, so that the mail doesn’t get lost.
Don’t write back yet.
Katana
Dear 3,
I got lost. It really sucks. I can’t find my way back to my island. Your compass helped me keep sort of in a straight line, but I also had to sleep and by the second day I had no idea where I was.
I’m going to stay on this island for a while because I need to earn some money because I’ve run out of food. There’s a bounty poster hanging in the mail office for someone on the island. It rewards enough beli for me to get a room for a while. I might go after a few more bounties that are shown here, or do some dueling.
Write back to this mail office.
Katana
Dear Katana,
That does suck. Maybe someone at this new island can help you to get back.
Be careful with bounty hunting. Of course, I’m sure you can kick ass, but if they have a bounty, they’ve done something to deserve it and are extra dangerous.
When you stockpile food, I recommend at least 85 days worth so if you get blown off course again you don’t have to worry about going hungry before you get to your next destination. I told you to stock up before but now you have experience of what life may be like for you at sea.
I still look forward to you coming here, no matter how long it takes.
Let me know how that first bounty goes.
Hugs, 3
Dear 3,
Sorry it took me so long to write. You know why. If it weren’t for your compass, I’d probably be sailing in circles.
Get this – when I got off my boat at this island’s docks, I saw a bounty I recognized and went after him. He squealed like a pig and called me a demon! I know I need a haircut and got two black eyes from hitting my face with the tiller (don’t ask) but I didn’t think I looked that scary.
I’ll be here for a bit while I make money to get my boat fixed (don’t ask) so you can write me back.
Katana
Dear Katana,
I’m holding onto this until I hear from you again but I had to write it today. Remember a while back when you told me someone called you a demon? A group of disreputables stopped by to dine with us today while I was on waiter duty and I overheard them talking about a pirate hunter who brings in a lot of bounties. They were calling him the Demon of the East Blue. I think they were talking about you! You have a reputation now! That’s awesome.
Okay, I have to get back to work. Hope I hear from you soon so I can send this.
Hugs, 3
Dear 3,
I caught a Devil Fruit user! He had a really high bounty, too. I’ll be able to stock up on all my supplies and pay for a room for however long I want to stay here. Maybe even get a new shirt. You’d die if you saw what this one looked like, Mr. Fancy Suits.
This pirate could turn his body into sticky purple goo. Everytime I tried to strike him, my sword would get stuck. He was all ha-ha-ha I have your swords and you can’t defeat me. And I’m like ha-ha-ha I don’t need swords! And I No Sword-style’d his goo head right off his goo body. It was so cool. He turned back into a person once he was dead. My katanas needed a lot of cleaning, though.
Write back.
Katana
Dear Katana,
You know how you have a reputation? Apparently, I have one, too, as a Ladies Man. I’ve managed to flirt and fawn over enough women at the Baratie that it’s expected of me and if for some reason I don’t do it, the other cooks ask me if I’m sick.
I should be happy about it because no one suspects the truth. So why does it feel wrong?
I hope you come soon.
Hugs, 3
Dear 3,
You once told me that starving sucked. Well now I can agree with you – it fucking sucks!
That’s the reason I haven’t answered any of your letters here at Shells Town. This fucking marine was going to hurt some kid and her mom and I stopped him and his dog and then agreed to be tied up and starved for 30 days so he’d leave them alone and atone or whatever. I figured if you could go for a lot longer than that when you were 10, I could do it easily at 19. It was hard! Like really hard. It made me all weak and dizzy and shit. The only benefit is that I stopped messing my pants – those fuckers didn’t give bathroom breaks. I don’t shower unless I have to, but even I was offended by how bad I stank.
Obviously I didn’t starve because I’m writing you. This crazy kid named Luffy and his friend Koby found out that the marine was going to break his word and execute me, so I let them free me and we kicked the guy’s ass and, like, most of the marines at Shells Town. Which means the marines are probably pissed off at me and might stick a bounty on my head. Which considering I’m now a pirate makes sense.
We’re leaving as soon as I send this. I’ll write you again once we get to another island.
Pirate Katana. Ha!
Dear Katana,
What the everloving fuck? A pirate! How the hell did you become a pirate? You’re a pirate hunter!
Also, I’m glad you didn’t starve to death and get executed. I’d really be pissed off if either of those things happened.
You’ll get this letter with my next one once you write to me again.
Hugs, 3
Dear 3,
We’re going to be leaving Syrup Village soon on a new ship called the Going Merry. Usopp (that long-nose guy I told you about) was gifted it by his girlfriend and staff for us saving them from that stupid cat guy. So now our pirate crew is me, Luffy, Nami, and Usopp.
Now we just need a cook. Which is you! I know you said no the last three times, but I’m not gonna stop asking you. And with the amount of food Luffy eats, we need a good cook and I know you’re a good cook and you need to say yes. I really want you with me. It’ll be fun. Katana and 3, Pirates of the Sea! It even rhymes.
Don’t write back until I get to the next island with your YES.
Katana
3
I’m here. I’m really here. I’m hiding in the galley writing this because Nami said I started talking like I was drunk. We’re going to be coming aboard the Baratie, which means I’m going to finally SEE you. I’m so fucking nervous excited. I’m going to give this to you in case I sound stupid when I talk and you can’t understand me. I don’t want our first actual conversation to be me having to argue with you in order to talk right. Fuck, I wish I spent longer with Suzuki-sensei.
I’m really, really, REALLY happy to finally be here.
Your Katana
Dear Katana,
I’m sorry. I was terrified. I didn’t want to watch you die in front of me after finally getting to see you in person. I shouldn’t have told you to give up on your dream of becoming the best. I’m so glad that you’re still alive, even if you’re cut up. I almost jumped in to protect you, but that Luffy kid held me back.
Be safe, okay? Keep your promise to never be defeated again. I wish I was coming with you, but I owe the old geezer everything and he needs me.
I’m giving this to Usopp before you leave to go after the redhead. Please don’t stop writing to me.
Yours always, 3
3
You’re outside the clinic right now waiting for me. I had the nurse bring me paper to write to you while the doctor gets more stitching thread because he doesn’t have enough. She said she’d give it to you when I was done.
I wanted to tell you that you fight beautifully. And that you are beautiful. And that I’m so glad that you’re with me.
Your Katana
Katana,
The nurse said she’d give this to you when you woke up. I had to go help cook and I didn’t want you to wake up alone. Even if this is just a note, because writing to each other is our thing.
You are my best everything and I’m glad that I’m with you now, too.
I promised you years ago that I wouldn’t tell a guy that I liked them, unless that guy was you.
I like you.
Yours always, 3
My 3,
You’re out cold and so is everyone else on the crew, and I’m sitting here waiting for you to wake up so I can brag to you about the hundred Baroque Works guys I defeated. And I didn’t get lost doing it. Not that I left sight of the bar you’re in, but you know how it is.
I have a taste for Okonomiyaki. Think you can make it tomorrow? Shit, before I forget, I left your ties drying on the aft rail. Hope they didn’t blow overboard. I’m gonna owe you a bunch of ties if so. Be sad if you lost that yellow one. You were wearing it the first time we kissed.
Two new Baroque Works people just appeared. Gotta go.
Your Katana
My idiot Katana,
I’m writing as I talk to this guy on a den den mushi in a building I found on the island, wondering where you disappeared to. I figured I would’ve seen you by now. I totally won, by the way. Guess I’m going to have to find your ass. No marimos will ever be lost for long when you have me.
Yours always, 3
My 3,
Don’t know where you ran off to, so I’m leaving this in the kitchen.
Franky is building that new ship and I’d like to tell him that we only need one bed. Is that okay?
Your Katana
If you fucking die, I will kill you. You need to wake up. You need to tell me why you didn’t let me protect you. You need to explain why you thought it was okay to leave me. I’m so angry with you right now that I have to write this before I start screaming. I can’t do this without you.
I love you so fucking much. You know I didn’t think I’d ever get to have this with someone, that I’d have to pretend to be interested in girls forever, and now you might die and I’d have to go back to that fake shit again. You can’t do that to me. We made a promise that we would only ever be with each other and I don’t want to lose you! WAKE THE FUCK UP!
Please. I need you.
My 3,
I don’t know where you are right now or what you’re doing, but I’m sure you’re working hard to get stronger while waiting for us to be together again. I’m going to write to you every day and keep all the letters to give to you once the time is up. I miss you. Funny how I wrote to you for years and didn’t mind us not being in the same place, but now it feels like I’m missing a limb.
Shit, I’m bleeding again. Gotta go. I’ll write again later.
Your Katana
My Katana,
I’m wearing a fucking dress. And a wig. And makeup. I hate it. Is this ever going to end?
Miss you, 3
My 3,
I’m writing this down so that I get it right and clear and don’t stumble over my words.
We’ve known each other since we were 10, and have been together since Arlong Park. Being apart from you for two years really made me realize how much I love you. That’s what I wanted to tell you. I love you. More than anything. And I promise never to leave you again.
Yours forever,
Katana
My dumbass Katana,
I’m stuck in this bed getting a transfusion because of YOU. How many nosebleeds can a man get? Chopper said I’m going to die if it keeps happening. Keep your new and improved self away from me until Chopper can use picture desensitization to get me used to you.
I expect you to smile for the camera. And maybe flex a little.
Yours, 3
My 3,
When you see this, I’m hiding from Law and his annoying Devil Fruit power, not lost on the Sunny. Come find me anyway.
Your Katana
My dearest Katana,
I’m stuck sailing for Totto Land to try to get out an arranged marriage to a stranger and to tell the Vinsmokes to go fuck themselves. I wouldn’t even have left if they hadn’t told me that Big Mom would kill someone I care about if I didn’t show. Sorry about the vague note, but I didn’t have enough time to get into it. You better not think I’d actually leave you for some woman.
I doubt I’m going to be able to send this, but writing to you whenever we’re apart (and sometimes when we’re together) is always a balm to my spirit. It’s hard to believe that we’ve been pen pals for over a decade. I’ll never forget how happy I was to receive that first letter. Your spelling was atrocious and it took me forever to figure out what it read.
You became my best friend through letters and I’m sure I fell in love with you long before I met you or realized it. When this stupid side-trip is over, I’m going to make sure no one can try to marry me off again, because I’m going to marry you.
Yours always, 3
3
Fuck you for leaving. Fuck you for not asking for help. Fuck you for running off to marry some girl.
If you come back married, I will hate you forever.
If you come back not married, I’m going to fucking marry you so you can’t fuck off and do this to me again.
Fuck you.
Fucker.
My Katana,
You are unconscious. Again. And nearly died. Again. And I’m sitting at your bedside. Again. And writing so I don't fret. I’m getting annoyed by it. Chopper said you should be fine, we just need to wait for you to wake up. Luffy’s out, too. I’m barely hurt and most of that came from Black Maria. The fight with Queen triggered the Vinsmoke genetics and that hurt me in a different way.
I’ll tell you once you wake up, but I was fucking scared that I wasn’t going to be me anymore. That I was going to turn into my psychotic brothers, just like Judge wanted. That I would hurt you and wouldn’t even care. Fuck, just the thought of it makes me want to puke.
Thank you for agreeing to kill me, even though I know it must’ve killed you to agree to it. But I knew you would understand, knew that if I came back wrong you’d notice it right away, knew you would take that step if it came down to it. It was unfair of me to put that on you but I didn’t know what else to do.
Thankfully, my emotions have remained intact and I doubt they’re going anywhere now. It’s been several days since the fight and, even if it was slow, it would’ve been noticeable. Instead, I’m an emotional wreck because of everything that happened and if Hiyori-san comes in here one more time to fawn over you I’m going to blow my shit even if she’s a lady.
I love you. Wake up, you stupid marimo, because I still haven’t proposed to you.
My 3,
I’m just going to give this to you because if I pronounce my Rs like Ws, I’m going to sound stupid and you’ll laugh and this is really important.
Will you marry me?
Your Katana
Dear Old Geezer,
Here are some pictures from the wedding. Zoro said thanks for the booze – which he drank immediately – and kick everyone with my thanks for the apron the cooks sent. Your shitty recipe box was okay, too. Wish you could’ve been there in person instead of den den mushi.
Don’t get mushy. I’ll do that enough for the both of us.
Your son,
Roronoa Sanji
End
Omake
Sanji stared at the man standing in the entry to the Baratie, who was gripping the hilt of one of three swords strapped to his waist. He’d gotten the note a minute before, which caused his heart to start jackrabbitting in his chest.
Katana was here. He was really here.
The late sunlight highlighted the green hair on his head and glinted against the three gold earrings dangling from his ear. Three earrings for his 3.
Sanji had been waiting for this moment for nine years. Nine years of continuous letters back and forth, sharing hopes and dreams and daily life. Nine years of friendship that had created an indelible mark on Sanji’s heart. Nine years of having someone who understood him completely, that he didn’t have to hide from, who made him whole.
Sanji straightened his tie and his cuffs, then crossed the Baratie’s dining room. Katana shifted on his feet, his eyes growing wider as Sanji approached. There were two others with him, a redhead and a guy with a long nose. Nami and Usopp, Sanji’s mind supplied. But Sanji only had eyes for Katana.
“Three?” Katana said with a hopeful voice, nervous excitement painted clearly across his features.
“Katana,” Sanji said, trying to keep his own tone blasé. “About time you showed up.”
Katana grinned crookedly. “Got lost. But I finally made it anyway.”
And then Sanji was being hugged – hard and in front of everyone. But he didn’t care. This was Katana. His best everything. He hugged back just as hard.
“Are you going to introduce us to your friend?” Nami said with amusement.
“Oh, uh, yeah,” Katana said, letting go of Sanji only to curve his arm around Sanji’s shoulder. “This is my best friend, Three. Three, this is Nami and Usopp. I wrote to you about them.”
“It’s Sanji, actually,” Sanji said. “Katana here used to call me Three O’Clock. He shortened it to Three.”
“Katana?” Usopp questioned.
“That’s me,” Katana said. “I sign my name like that.” He looked at Sanji. “It’s actually Roronoa Zoro.”
Sanji could hear a W-sound underscoring his name. Wowonoa Zowo. It wasn’t pronounced, but it was there, and Sanji didn’t realize his heart could feel like this.
The Baratie seemed to shrink around them, until it was only Sanji and Katana. Sanji noticed they were the same height and that Katana had grey flecks in his otherwise black eyes.
Sanji felt the floor beneath him shift as the last piece settled into place. “It’s good to finally see you in person, Zoro,” he said.
Zoro’s eyes crinkled when he smiled. “Likewise, Sanji.”
End