Picture Perfect (Zoro x Reader)

Chapter 1: Sighting

November was always dull. Under the diminishing fall foliage of the mountainside path, you trudged forward. Hikes were never easy, and the twenty pounds of additional weight added on by your camera equipment and survival gear were not helping. Judging by your calculations, you were about two hours away from your destination, a small village tucked away in the mountainous region of this uncharted island.

This island was notorious for its secrets. Over the past decade, numerous adventurers, cartographers, and journalists had ventured to explore the island, but none had ever returned. As a result, all the information you knew about this place was based off incomplete reports sent back before communication abruptly stopped. You wondered if this was an implicit death sentence. You were well aware of the dangers when you accepted this project. However, as your body weakened, your resolve followed suit. Each step, an uphill battle against the biting wind, left you questioning if you were in over your head.

A sudden sting jolted you from your thoughts, and you winced as you spotted a mosquito feasting on your arm. Cursing under your breath, you sought solace by reminding yourself the purpose that had led you to this unforgiving wilderness in the first place – the quest to document this island, however dangerous, could propel your career to new heights, if successful. You had everything to gain, and not much to lose.

In the distance, you heard rustling... footsteps?

You crouched behind some nearby trees and pointed your lens towards the sound. You steadied your breathing to conceal your presence.

You held in your gasp when you spotted a fleeting glimpse of green amid the dull autumn colours. Your intuition told you that it was some kind of mammal, so you clicked your camera a few times, trying to zoom in. This may be the first time anyone has documented new wildlife on this island!

Suddenly, the green disappeared.

When dealing with wildlife, the only thing worse than seeing an unknown, and potentially deadly animal, is not seeing it anymore. You silently prayed for your safety, as you desperately aimed your camera around, trying to spot it again.

"You there..." a deep voice called out behind you, and you let out an embarrassingly frantic scream. You jerked your head towards the voice and saw a man with sea green hair towering behind you.

"What are you? A fan?" he taunted. He flashed a menacing smile, but his cold eyes were carefully studying your reaction.

"I... uh... thought you were... uh..." you stuttered, caught off guard. "Your green hair threw me off..." He raised an eyebrow.  "I thought you were an exotic animal."

"That's a first," he scoffed. "I've heard marimo and broccoli... but this is a new low."

Unsure of your next move, you cautiously rose, hoping he would leave you alone. You dusted yourself off, while he kept his piercing gaze on you, like he was examining his prey. You felt utterly helpless.

"You here alone?" he inquired, breaking the silence between you.

First rule of solo travel... never let them know you're alone. "My friend is just down the path, I stopped to take some pictures."

The man grunted in response, his face laced with skepticism, "Oh yea? I can't sense anyone for miles."

"...sense?"

He ignored your question. "You'll need more than a camera to survive these parts."

"Are you a local?"

"I'm Roronoa Zoro... swordsman of the Strawhat Pirates." You try to mask your shock, when you finally notice the three swords that he carried alongside him. The man standing before you was undoubtedly Roronoa Zoro – the man who, allegedly, has a kill count over a hundred, especially after the incident at Whiskey Peak. For the first time, genuine fear gripped your core.

He studies your face and smirks, "Judging by your face, I think you know who I am."