Chapter Text
“Cook, get dow…'' Zoro pushed Sanji out the way before a beam was able to hit him.
“Oi, you stupid swordsman, what do you think you’re doing?” he snarled, he turned to yell more at the swordsman but he wasn't there.
“Marimo, where did you go?” Besides the knocked out marines he didn't see anyone, including the devil fruit user. “Zoro? Where are you?” panicked, he desperately whipped his head around and looked for him. A few meters away he saw Zoro’s swords and his clothes in a pile. In the middle of the pile of clothes there was a small bump.
Sanji's eyes went wide as he crawled over to it “ shit, shit, shit did you get yourself blown up? Why did you put yourself in harm's way for me?"
When he got close to the clothes he took a breath, he was terrified that his Nakama was dead and in pieces. He braced himself as he peeked into the clothes. He was expecting to see a gory sight. Sanji gasped, what he was not expecting was to see a tiny face with brown eyes and green hair.
“Zoro?” Sanji whispered. The baby’s bottom lip quivered and he started to whine. Sanji had no clue what was going on but all he knew was that he needed to protect the little baby Zoro. The baby's whining turned into crying. Sanji was able to see that baby Zoro had blood dripping down his leg. If he'd had to guess, one of Zoro's swords (probably Sandai Kitestsu) grazed his little leg when he transformed into a baby.
"Shit, fuck, shit. You're hurt Marimo." He pulled the baby Marimo out of the clothes and checked him over to make sure there weren't any more cuts. Sanji carefully flipped Zoro around and was horrified to see a bruise on the boy's lower back. Worst case scenarios played through his head. What if Zoro's spine was hurt because of the fall to the ground. He had to get back to the ship. He needed to find Chopper before anything else happened. He wrapped the crying baby up in Zoro's jacket. He carefully placed the baby on the ground and gathered up the swords. He turned to the bags of food him and Zoro just bought. 'Fuck." He whispered. He had no choice but to leave the food. Zoro was more important.
After he sheathed the swords he placed all 3 of them under his arm. He carefully picked up the baby. He made sure that the baby's neck was secured. He had remembered a mom who was dining at the Baratie yelling at her husband for not holding the baby properly. Scolding him for not bracing the neck. Sanji held him tight to his chest. "Shhh baby Marimo I got you. I'll get you help." He made sure the baby was bundled tight and then sky walked his way to the ship.
“CHOPPER!!” he shouted the second he landed on the Sunny. He placed the swords on the ground and scanned the ship. Luffy was kicking the last of the marines off of the Sunny. "QUICKLY SET THE SAILS." Nami shouted. Usopp, Frankie and Luffy jumped into action. Chopper came running to Sanji.
“Sanji what’s wrong? Are you hurt?” Sanji did not have time to explain he was too worried about the baby in his arms. He picked Chopper up with his free arm and darted to the infirmary. “Sanji, is that a baby? Where did you get the baby from?” Chopper asked as Sanji kicked open the door to the infirmary.
“It’s Zoro,.”
“What! What do you mean it’s Zoro?”
“Chopper I messed up. I wasn’t paying attention and Zoro pushed me out of the way and now he is like this. He is hurt, he is bleeding and he has a huge bruise. Fuck, this is all my fault.” Sanji put Chopper down on his chair and carefully laid Zoro down on one of the beds. He carefully unwrapped Zoro from the jacket. The little baby was still pouting. His eyes had big crocodile tears and his lips were still quivering. Sanji's heart broke. His nakama was so defenseless and it was his fault. He ran his hand through the baby's hair. "It's okay baby Marimo, Chopper will help you." He whispered.
Chopper moved next to Sanji with all his medical supplies. “Awe, it’s okay little baby Zoro. Lemme look at you.” Chopper carefully examined the baby’s leg and cleaned the cut. It was a small cut and would heal fine. He wrapped a bandage around the baby's leg. Zoro cried hard the whole time.
“You said he had a bruise?” Chopper asked.
“Yeah, on his bum.”
“Can you lift him please?” Sanji lifted the baby and put him to his chest. He was hushing the crying baby, kissing the top of his head. He did not know why he did that, he just remembered his mom would do that when he cried.
Chopper examined the baby’s back and then giggled. “Baby Zoro is okay, that is not a bruise. It is like a birthmark. A lot of babies with darker skin like Zoro are born with it, most of the time it fades by the time of childhood.”
Sanji let out a sigh of relief. “So he is okay?”
“Well besides the fact he is a baby and not a 21 year old man, yes he is okay. I will start researching on the type of devil fruit that can turn an adult into a baby. This is different from when I was deaged, I will see if Robin can help me.”
“Thank you, Chopper.” He rocked Zoro in his arms and managed to get him to stop crying. “Do you have any cloth I can use as a diaper and some blankets? He is going to catch a cold if we don't keep him warm. Sanji laid Zoro back down. He used the adult Zoro's jacket to keep him warm. Chopper handed him some cloth. He used the cloth and turned it into a diaper. He booped the baby's nose when he was done. Zoro let out a tiny giggle. Sanji for whatever reason couldn't help but to be soft to baby Zoro. Maybe it was guilt. He wasn't sure, all he knew was that he would protect Zoro with his dying breath.
He saw Chopper had left a fluffy blanket for Zoro, so he wrapped him up nice and warm and snuggled him closer. He turned to Chopper who was writing some notes down in Zoro's very thick medical file.
“Guess, it is time to go tell Luffy and the rest. Chopper, I feel so shitty about this. I should’ve been paying attention.”
“Sanji, I am sure it’s not your fault. You were busy fighting, and Zoro would have jumped in front of that beam for any of us. That is the type of man Zoro is.” Sanji nodded remembering Thriller Bark.
Baby Zoro yawned and closed his eyes. The cuteness and guilt nearly floored Sanji. Him and Zoro are supposed to be tough, they are supposed to protect the others. Zoro should not have to protect Sanji. Sighing, Sanji stood up and made his way to the galley where the rest of the crew were waiting for them.
“Whose baby is that?” Nami asked as soon as she saw Sanji.
“Well, Nami - swan, I guess he is all of ours.”
“Huh?” the straw hat crew said at the same time their mouth hanging open. Sanji sighed again and sat down on the bench still holding the sleeping Marimo. He explained to the rest of the crew what happened on the dock.
“So, Zoro is a baby because of mystery magic.” Luffy stated while nodding. "I see, I see."
“No, Captain, were you even listening?'Sanji snapped. Luffy grinned and shook his head no. Again Sanji sighed, this was turning into an exhausting day.
"He is a baby because of a dumb devil fruit user and we need to go find him so we can change Zoro back. Nami and Robin can watch Zoro while we hunt that bastard marine down."
"Right, let's get Zoro back to normal." Luffy shouted. Everyone shushed him. Luckily he didn't wake the baby up.
“Wait a damn minute.I am not watching a baby Zoro. We will go with Luffy and you can watch the baby.” Nami whispered harshly. Sanji never argues with Nami but he couldn’t just sit around and wait. He had to find the guy who did this to Zoro.
He placed the sleeping baby down on the bench and stood up. “Nami, I can’t just sit around and wait. This is my fault and I need to help Zoro. Besides, I know nothing about taking care of a baby.”
“And what because I am a woman I should know how? How I see it, you’re right, this is kind of your fault. So you should watch the baby. How hard can it be? He can't even sit up.” Sanji was going to argue some more but Usopp got his attention.
“Uh guys, I thought you said he can't get up on his own? Usopp pointed at Zoro.
Zoro had woken up while no one was watching and made his way to the end of the bench before Sanji was able to catch him. He landed on his bum and turned to look at Sanji. He lifted his arms up and started to call out “Mmmmamama” . He had tears in his eyes again.
“Ha, stupid baby Zoro thinks Sanji is his mama.” Luffy laughed and pointed at Zoro.
“Shut up, don’t call him stupid, he is just a baby.” Sanji said while scooping up Zoro. He felt oddly protective of the baby. Although that morning he woke adult Zoro up by calling him stupid and giving him a good kick. It is different now, adult Zoro was able to protect himself. This Zoro needed Sanji. Sanji lifted him up to his face. Baby Zoro seemed different from how he was in the infirmary. Zoro giggled and grabbed Sanji cheeks and blew a raspberry on his nose and then tried to suck on it. Sanji pulled his face away and wiped his nose. God this baby is so cute he thought to himself. The rest of the crew looked like they were thinking the same thing as they watched the two together. Sanji turned to the crew “ We need baby stuff. He is hungry.”
“For someone who says they don’t know how to take care of a baby, you sure know a lot.” Nami stated. Sanji shrugged
“Zoro didn’t eat before we left hours ago and now he is a baby with a tiny tummy.” He tickled Zoro’s tummy and the baby squealed with joy. The whole crew melted at the sight.
“Sanji, you make a pretty good mommy.” Chopper giggled. The crew busted out laughing, if it was anyone but Chopper or one of the ladies they would have got a Mouton shot across the galley. “ Yeah ya, you’re all so hilarious." He rolled his eyes and looked away.
He promised himself after the whole cake island incident that he'd be a little more honest with his feelings and right now he was drowning in his guilt "I really feel bad about this. If he didn’t push me, I’d be the baby, I just want to do the right thing.” Nami sighed and moved closer to Sanji and Zoro. She patted Zoro on the head and looked Sanji in the face. “ All right, we will stop bugging you. What do you need?” Nami asked.
“ Awe, Nami- swan you are too good to me." Except while he praised Nami for being Nami like he normally would have it was not the same he was more focused on the baby. "I will watch Zoro but I need you guys to find the bastard that did this to him. We also need some baby stuff. He needs a bottle and we need cloth diapers, maybe clothes I don’t know. Oh shit." Sanji said he just remembered all the food he left on the dock. " I had to leave the food I just bought behind. Someone will have to replace all that too." He did not notice the annoyed look Nami shot him for leaving the food, instead he watched the baby Marimo as he reached for Sanji's face again. Sanji moved Zoro away from away from his face and made him stand on the table to face Chopper.
"Hey Chopper, does he seem bigger?" Chopper jumped on the table and moved closer to Sanji and Zoro. Zoro did grabby hands at chopper and tried to pet him. Chopper let Zoro grab on to him. He pulled on Chopper's fur but the little doctor didn't mind. He looked very closely at the baby “Ya he is bigger and also he can do more. He was not even able to lift his head a half hour ago. This is very weird. I am going to stay with you and baby Zoro to observe him." Sanji nodded. "Okay, that's a good idea."
It was decided they were going to split up. They anchored the Sunny in a new hidden location. Nami and Usopp went to go get baby supplies and replace the food. Robin, Luffy, Franky and Brook went to find the Devil Fruit User.
The 3 of them stayed in the galley when the others left. Chopper was sitting at the table reading his book on Devil Fruit power. Sanji decided he couldn't wait for the others to come back to feed Zoro. The poor baby was fussy because he was hungry.
"Chopper, you think he would be able to eat solids? Like mashed potatoes?" The doctor nodded. "Ya, that should be fine." So he warmed up some leftover mash potatoes. He sat Zoro on his lap at the table next to Chopper and offered the baby a very small scoop. Zoro happily accepted the food. His little cheeks puffed out as he ate and made a "mmm" sound.
"He is pretty cute, eh?" Chopper said with a big smile. "Ya, who would've thought that the moss head was a cute baby." He scooped some more potatoes and turned to Chopper. "It's like he is 1 now. Do you think he will keep growing?" Zoro got impatient waiting for the scoop so he grabbed the spoon and shoved it in his mouth. "Well judging by his motor skills I'd say he is around that age. Sanji, if he does grow rapidly that could be very painful for him. I don't think that would be a good thing."
Zoro played with the spoon. He was waving it around like he was swinging one of his swords. Sanji tried to take the spoon back but Zoro pulled away and swung the spoon at him. "Me!" The baby shouted at Sanji.
"What do you want to feed yourself?" Sanji asked.
"Meeeee." The baby shouted again.
"Fine you brat." Sanji moved the bowl so the baby could try to scoop his own food. Except Zoro didn't use the spoon. He grabbed a little handful of potato and shoved it in his mouth. "Mmmmmmm.' Zoro hummed as he ate. Sanji smiled and let Zoro shove the food into his mouth. He kept swinging the spoon around. Zoro ended up with mash potatoes everywhere, including in his hair. Sanji ended up taking the spoon from Zoro.
The baby scowled at Sanji. Sanji laughed. "That's a face I recognize. Did I make you mad baby Mario?" Zoro waved his little arms up at Sanji trying to reach for the spoon. Sanji grabbed an extra spoon off the table and gave it to the baby.He fed the rest of the potatoes in the bowl to Zoro. Once baby Zoro was done eating he gave the baby the other spoon. Zoro squealed. Sanji chuckled to himself. "Even as a baby you're playing swords."
As the baby played happily with spoons Sanji bounced his knee and patted Zoro’s back until he let out a big burp. "Good job baby Marimo. That was a big one." Sanji praised the baby lifting and turning him so they could face each other. "Look at you, you're covered in food." The little marimo smiled and then blew another raspberry at him and swung the two spoons. Sanji smiled big and pulled Zoro into a hug. He didn't care that his shirt got dirty. "You're one cute baby Marimo."
Chopper was watching Sanji closely. "You know, it does seem like you know how to take care of a baby."
"I don't. He is the first baby I have ever taken care of. I am just doing what feels right."
"You're a natural caregiver."
"Too bad for Zoro I wasn't a natural protector like him."
"Sanji, I am going to say this for Zoro because he can't." Chopper jumped on the table and went behind Zoro, he cleared his throat. "Hey, dumb cook." Chopper did his best impression of adult Zoro. " Get out of your feelings and stop acting like you're the baby. You would've done the same for me. Now take me for a bath before the potatoes get stuck in my chubby arm rolls and I get a rash."
Sanji busted out laughing at Chopper's impression. "Alright, you're right he would say that. The not acting like a baby part. That last part about the bath doesn't sound right though."
Chopper laughed, "Ya, okay, I threw that last part in."
Sanji listened to Chopper on how to wash a baby. As Chopper explained the importance of cleaning in between the baby's chubby arm and neck rolls he removed the bandage off of Zoro's leg to see how it looked. He was surprised the cut was gone. "Sanji! The cut is gone."
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"I don't know. It's concerning and I am not sure what it means. If he grows again. Come get me." Sanji agreed and then he went and got fresh clothes and took baby Zoro for a bath.
"Alright, baby Marimo. We're going to have a bath." Baby Marimo started shaking his head no. "No, no, no."
"No? Really even as a baby you don't want a bath."
He placed the baby on the ground. Zoro crawled away as Sanji undressed and wrapped a towel around his waist. He turned to see Zoro making his way to the door. Sanji laughed and picked up Zoro who was trying to escape. "No." The baby shouted again.
"Too bad. I can't believe I am arguing with baby you about a bath." Sanji untied the baby's diaper and tossed into a hamper. He made his way to the bath. He turned the tub on and let the water fill. While he was waiting for the tub to fill, he brought baby Zoro to the mirror.
"Look, who's that? Is that baby Marimo?" Zoro looked at their reflection and then back at Sanji. He laughed at the mirror and then hugged Sanji. He grabbed onto Sanji's face and gave him a slobbery baby kiss on the cheek.
"God, you're a cute baby." Sanji laughed. "I think I like baby Marimo." He made faces in the mirror that got Zoro laughing. His goal was to distract him until the tub was full.
Sanji checked the water temperature. It was warm but not too hot. He stepped into the tub and the baby clung on tight to Sanji's neck. "No." Zoro started to fuss "Shh, it's okay. I got you."
He sat down in the tub. Zoro’s feet dipped into the water. Zoro held on tight to Sanji. Zoro was fussing but not crying. Sanji sat there humming the song that his mom used to sing. With one free hand he soaked a cloth and gently cleaned Zoro. Zoro lifted his head and looked at Sanji. "See baby Marimo, it isn't that bad." He pulled Zoro off of him and dipped him more in the water. Zoro looked down at his legs and then backed at Sanji. Sanji will swear that the baby smirked at him and then he started kicking the water at Sanji.
"Oi, you little brat." Sanji laughed and he held Zoro there to let him splash and play for a while. They didn't have shampoo for babies so Sanji carefully wiped the potatoes out of his hair using the cloth. Once Zoro was clean Sanji got out of the tub. He drained the tub and let Zoro crawl around as he got dressed in sweat pants and t-shirt. Once he was dressed he picked up Zoro and dried him off. He made sure to dry off in between Zoro’s little rolls as Chopper instructed so he didn't get a rash. He wrapped Zoro up in a towel and made his way back to the galley.
Usopp and Nami were back with the supplies. Nami was cooking when Sanji walked in.
"Nami-Swan, what are you doing? I can make our dinner."
"It's okay, Usopp and I are on cooking duty. While you take care of Zoro. It's only fair." She turned from the stove and handed Sanji a warm bottle. " I am sorry for saying this was your fault. Babies freak me out and I get mad when people say I should take care of them because I am a woman."
"I didn't mean it like that Nami, I just wanted you, Robin and Zoro to be safe here. While I hunted that asshole down. "
"I know but we just have to trust Luffy."
Sanji nodded and held the bottle to Zoro's lips. Zoro grabbed at the bottle and started drinking it down. Sanji sat back down on the bench and hummed as Zoro drank.
Sanji felt his eyes getting heavy. The excitement of the day catching up. Zoro was done with his bottle so he brought Zoro up to his shoulder and padded his back until he burped.
"Good job." He said then both him and Zoro yawned at the same time.
"I am tired."
"Ya, being a single mom will do that to you." Usopp responded. Sanji laughed and flipped him the bird.
"Sanji, here we bought Zoro this." Nami held up a white baby nightgown and diapers. "Change the baby in this and then go for a nap. "
Sanji laid the baby down on the table and put his diaper on without a problem. What was a problem was getting Zoro into the nightgown, the nightgown was huge on Zoro. "No." Zoro shouted.
"God, is that your favorite word?" Sanji was starting to get defeated; he managed to get Zoro's head through the nightgown but struggled getting his arms into the sleeves. "No." Zoro shook his head trying to pull away.
"Stop being so stubborn." Sanji accidentally shouted in frustration. Zoro stopped moving. Tears formed in his eyes and he let out a loud wail.
"Oh, no, Zoro, I am sorry please don't cry."
"Wow, way to scare the baby." Usopp teased, except an unimaginable guilt ripped through Sanji. He had tears too. Instantly Usopp regretted teasing the chef.
"Oi, I was just kidding. It's okay Sanji."
Usopp moved next to Sanji and helped him get Zoro’s arms through the sleeves. Sanji picked up Zoro and started rocking him.
"I am sorry, please don't cry. I won't yell again. I am sorry." Sanji pleaded. He felt awful, he also felt exhausted.
"Make him stop, Sanji," Nami yelled, covering her ears.
Zoro kept crying. "Babies like to be wrapped up tight. He will calm down if you do that." Chopper explained.
Sanji wrapped up Zoro in one of the blankets that Nami bought and held him. Sanji rocked back and forth holding Zoro until he stopped crying. "Shhhh, it's okay Marimo."
Very shortly after rocking him for a few minutes Zoro was asleep.
"Sanji, go have a nap with Zoro, we will wake you up when it's time for dinner." Nami instructed.
Sanji listened and took baby Zoro to his bed. Zoro had a full belly and was warm so he stayed asleep. Sanji carefully crawled into bed and hugged the baby close to him. He listened to the little snores coming from the baby. He started feeling more relaxed .Sleep luckily came quickly.
He wasn't sure how long he slept for but he felt a heavier weight on him. The boys room was dark. His stomach growled. They must have let them sleep through dinner. He felt the heavier baby moving on top of him. "Mama, where you?" Sanji's eyes shot open. Zoro was sitting up on Sanji and he just stared at Sanji. Sanji noticed that the nightgown was tight on him.
Sanji sat up. The toddler looked like he was about to cry. "Who you?"
"Hey there, I am Sanji. I am your friend."
" Anji, me want mama."
"Your mama isn't here but I am here. I can help you."
Zoro's lip quivered. "Me want mama. Me huwt."
"You're hurt?" Sanji asked, thinking he understood what the little guy was saying.
Zoro wiped his tears and nodded. Sanji remembered what Chopper said earlier. That if Zoro was aging quickly it wouldn't be good. Zoro rubbed his legs and started crying. "Me huwt." He said again.
"Hey, baby Marimo, please don't cry. Do you want to see a raccoon puppy?"
This question seemed to distract Zoro from his pain.
"Puppy, me want puppy!" He jumped up and down and waved his arms.
"Great. Let's go see puppy."
Sanji picked up Zoro and rushed towards the infirmary.
"Chopper!"