kinda incredible to say that you think god isn’t that big a deal cuz u know a guy

Luffy and Zoro in Wano so far (912 - 1010)

The first interaction that Luffy and Zoro had in the Wano arc is their re-union. It may not seem like a big deal cuz Oda-sensei made their hug just one tiny panel but I still think it is. This is the very first time in the manga that these two hug. The way Luffy jumps on Zoro’s shoulders is the same way he did when he saw his brother again in Dressrosa. More noticeably, Zoro’s smile when he recognizes Luffy is huge. He usually only smiles that widely when he gets booze or because of Luffy (examples #one and #two). Still, this is probably the brightest smile Zoro has ever had. Luffy smells the meat Zoro is carrying and when he asks about it, Zoro promptly gives it to him and says that Kuri is full of animals they can easily kill and eat. Luffy then explains to Zoro that the animals are all poisoned cuz they drink the contaminated water — while still eating said meat. The thing is, Luffy had the same thought Zoro did when he saw all the animals in the wastelands. And I find this reminiscent of when they saw all the weird fish around them on their journey down to Fishman Island or when they saw the dragon on Punk Hazard. In the Ocean, on Punk Hazard and also on Wano, the first thought that these two dorks had when seeing giant animals was the same; let’s eat them.

I can’t tell if the bottom left speech bubble is said by Luffy or by both of them. Either way, they continue to be of the same mindset. I think Oda-sensei very intentionally made Luffy share this fight and everything that follows with Zoro — cuz it wouldn’t have worked with anyone else from the Wano group (or from the whole crew, for that matter). They would have tried to stop Luffy from fighting and bringing too much attention to them and therefore, possibly jeopardizing the plan. Zoro is generally more level-headed (and cautious and skeptical) than Luffy but definitely not always. Oftentimes, he and Luffy think alike, mainly when it’s about confrontation or an injustice that they feel the need to correct (there are more examples of this during the Wano arc). I still remember that when this chapter came out, Oda-sensei’s note on top of this last panel was “After too long, a fight side-by-side!” Clearly, Oda-sensei knows how likeable and awesome he made this duo~

Luffy and Zoro’s fight against Hawkins gets cut short cuz Otama’s dog sorta reminds them that they need to get her to a doctor. This moment from the fight is interesting to me. We only find out later (in chapter 924) that the nails are made of seaprism stone but there’s no mention of that in this chapter. For all Zoro knows, those are normal nails that would simply ricochet off of Luffy but of course, he won’t even let the nails touch his Captain. Zoro has been this protective of Luffy since the very beginning. I think protecting/saving his Captain is part of what honor means to him. When he has to and for as long as he is able, he will do anything he can to keep Luffy safe.

I just appreciate how similar their ready-to-fuck-shit-up expression is.

When they go to Bakura town to save Otama, Luffy has got her and is ready to leave but once he notices her cheeks and she tells him what Holdem did to her, he immediately turns around and sends Holdem flying. That’s in chapter 917. Zoro does something similar in chapter 944. Sanji and Zoro save Otoko and Zoro then tries to kill Orochi for what he did to Yasuie and to Ebisu Town. In both instances someone - Otama and Sanji - tells Luffy/Zoro not to fight but they do anyway. Consequences be damned, they both feel the need to enact justice right then and there.

The next moment that I think is noteworthy is this one, from chapter 959. It’s an example of their differences. “If he’s alive.” Luffy’s faith in his friend and crew mate is unwavering while Zoro is simply being realistic/brutally honest.

It’s hilariously adorable that Zoro actually does not get lost. He finds Luffy rather quickly but barely even tries to talk him out of “making things worse” and instead is on board with what he’s doing and helps him. This moment would not have worked if Zoro hadn’t also been at Luffy’s side when they helped Otama. So yet again, I assume that Oda-sensei intentionally made Luffy share this with Zoro cuz I daresay any other Strawhat would have been more reasonable. But Luffy and Zoro are on the same page in this regard.

These are just some of the times when Zoro either protects or saves Luffy from attacks. He also, at one point, has to cut Kaido in order to get him to spit Luffy out. Basically, Zoro has just been an insanely badass First Mate in the Wano Arc so far. I really appreciate that Oda-sensei has put so much emphasis on their similarities and their effortless teamwork. The trust that these two have in each other just hits different imo. In the most recent chapter, Kaido ponders how to kill Luffy — and Zoro then uses his last attack, after saying “Hey! Kaido! That’s my Captain! If you want to crush anyone’s skull, you’ll have to start with mine!” He seemingly loses consciousness afterwards. Maybe this is just me but that declaration took me right back to Thriller Bark. The difference this time of course, is that Luffy was apparently conscious to hear what Zoro said. I don’t expect it to happen any time soon but I can only hope that Oda-sensei will make Luffy acknowledge the weight of Zoro’s words...