Twist of Fate

12. Brotherly Bonds

Happy Valentines Day everyone! Sorry about this being a short chapter! The next one will be longer, I promise!

Anyways, I hope you couples out there have fun on Sunday. And if you're single like me, embrace your singleness! Treat yourself to a meal at a fancy restaurant! Pay a violinist to play "Bink's Brew" at your table, and finish the day with a One Piece marathon! You don't need a significant other to feel validated on this holiday! Buy yourself a bouquet of roses and a box of chocolates! Love yourself if no one else will!

On another note, I hope you enjoy this chapter. And apologies again for it being so short!

I do not own One Piece.

Marco walked alongside the master of the Isshin Dojo and his student. He was amazed that someone was so directionally incompetent that they thought the island moved. He shook his head slightly. The kid had better not sail off to sea, otherwise he'd never find this island again.

"I can see why the Whitebeard pirates are interested in those three kids." Koshiro said, catching Marco's attention.

"You do?" Marco raised an eyebrow.

"They're young, but they have amazing potential. They're going to be a force to be reckoned with when they grow up." He said and Marco nodded in agreement.

"What? Even that annoying one with the straw hat?" the green haired kid asked in outrage.

"Especially the annoying one with the straw hat. He may be weak now, but give him a few years and he'll start catching up to you in strength." Koshiro explained.

"Okay, the other two, I can see. But, really? That guy?!" he asked in bewilderment.

"Yes, that guy. He's already stronger than most kids, but is very weak when compared to you and his two brothers." Marco explained.

"I don't believe you. There's no way a weakling like that can ever become strong." He said and crossed his arms in defiance. Koshiro stopped, and faced his pupil with an unreadable expression.

"Zoro, your dream is to become the world's greatest swordsman. Is that correct?" he asked.

"Well, yeah. But what does this have to do with-"

"Do you think you can fulfil that dream right now?" Koshiro asked and Zoro looked confused.

"What?"

"Do you think you can beat the current greatest swordsman as you are now?" he asked again.

"Of course not! I still need to get stronger!" Zoro answered.

"So you'd say you were too weak?"

"Yeah."

"And that all you need is time to become stronger?"

"Duh. That's how training works."

"So why is this true for you, and not Luffy?" Koshiro asked, and Zoro opened his mouth to answer. He left it open for a few seconds before closing it. He got a thoughtful look on his face as he tried to think of a reason why Luffy would always be weak.

"It's true that he's small and weak now, but he will become strong in due time. Just like you or anyone else who puts forth time to train." Koshiro said, and turned back to the village.

They walked in silence as Zoro appeared to be lost in thought. Marco kept a close eye on him just in case he strayed off, and got lost again. He did try to veer off a few time, and Marco quickly corrected him. How was it even possible to get lost in a straight line?