The Greatest (Zoro x Tashigi)

Chapter 20: Canvas Bag

Hello! I've been meaning to give this recommendation for a while, but if you're looking for other ZoTash content, check out LuaSen! They have several ZoTash fics and that are amazing! The reason I started this Fic was because I couldn't find a lot of ZoTash content to start with, so I know I always love it when I come across new stuff to read:) Anyways, totally worth checking out if you've got some free time you wanna fill with fic;) 

Back to the story!

Floor 29, room M9, aisle of shelf 56

Tashigi POV:

I stare at the canvas drawstring bag sitting on the shelf in front of me, several items all glowing with the presence of a woman I haven't seen in 4 years inside the cloth. This placement, these extra things that used to be hers- it's too purposeful. What if someone changed the description in the index? What if all of these are wrong? No, it's the right thing. It has to be! Please... I shake my head clear, deactivating my Haki and I reach for the bag with urgent expectation. Pulling open the top, I look down to see several aged books, a poorly made dagger, and a log pose. Seeing the top of the glass ball, my gut twists in a way that just feels, right.

"Finally," I whisper, for once not caring that tears are streaming down my cheeks again as my heart practically bursts with hope. "I'm coming guys, I'm coming." Snaking my hand in I grab the log pose and pull it out, eyes wide as I place the bag back on the shelf and hold the pose in both hands- the little glass ball seamlessly melded into a 6 inch wood cube. The mahogany wood has a beautiful, shining finish, with two small swords burned into the surface towards the top, under the words "The Greatest Challenge- Sword". Eager, I read the inscription underneath the bold declaration. 

"First the horde

then that which cannot be cut

defeat that which lies within

to become The Greatest

Forget the future

the past invisible

only the moment matters

to become The Greatest

Dedication rewarded

stand on continued accomplishment

not this single achievement

to become The Greatest"

I re-read the words, my forehead bunched together in consternation as I try to link the words to some magical medicine that will save everyone from some doctor hellbent on their death. "Whaaaa?" I mumble under my breath as I reach for the bag again and turn the books to read their titles.

 "10 sword styles to change the world, Sword Styles, Captain's Log Kajiya- wait." I mutter, picking the log pose back up and glancing between it and the books. "Maybe- the books have info on how to decode or use the log pose?" I pause, and give the canvas bag a suspicious look. Okay what the actual heck. I spend a month trying to get into this place and once I find what I'm looking for I get the full package? "Oooh why can't this ever just be simple!" I groan, before contemplating the navigational tool. "Clearly it has a destination, which means I'll need to find another ride."

"So you are working with the Straw Hats." 

"AAEEHK!" I shriek at the voice, jumping and spinning to face Commander Eiji, his imposing figure blocking light from the middle of the room as he stands at the start of the shelf aisle. My hand immediately goes to Shigure's hilt, the bag dropped and forgotten, blood chilled, vision fogged with panic.