I mean what I said.

( zoro is hopeless at this.

he can feel the way that his words aren't enough to convey what he's feeling, as told by sanji, apparently, just not getting it at all. it's only because they're not those kinds of people. Luffy is the one who says what he means without fear, with his whole heart, no matter how asinine or genuine they might be. zoro leaves that sort of thing to Luffy, and it works out for him. their thoughts and beliefs are in alignment so often that zoro doesn't have to worry about his feelings being misconstrued. He's the sort of captain who understands when it's important, and they always understand each other when they need to.

for a while, zoro had assumed he and sanji were the same way. they both just get it, so there's no reason for them to have moments like this where they say it out loud. when did that change? was it before those years apart? after he left the crew? when he returned? )

What I do has nothing to do with you, so it doesn't matter. I don't need your permission, or your blessing. I'm only telling you this as a courtesy, not because I owe it to you...

So, focus on things that make you happy while we're here. I'll take care of Lady Pheme.