#overanalyzing stuff

Part 1

Honestly, this arc drives me a little bit crazy. I love it so much that I actually went back to OP fandom, but it also seems like trying to sink my perfect ZoSan ship.

So I was making excuses  thinking, why exactly Zoro didn’t rushed to save the love of his life went on “Rescuing Sanji” mission (except obvious narrative reason “he got enough focus in last arc”).

Reason one: Zoro dosen’t fit for this type of mission and he knows it well

They didn’t come to Whole Cake Island to fight. And, to be honest, fighting is the only thing that Zoro really good at. And Zoro knows that. He knows, that he one of the least sutiable members of the crew for that “stealth” kind of mission.

Hell, with his nonexistent sense of direction and magical ability to get lost Zoro would be liability. And I’m sure that he dosen’t want to be one.

So of course he didn’t join rescue team, but went to Wano instead: he is where he needed to be.

Reason two: Zoro trusts his nakama

Zoro knows Luffy well and he knows that if anyone could bring Sanji back it’s gonna be Luffy.

Zoro knows, that if someone would get hurt, Chopper would be there and would save their life.

Zoro knows, that Nami would stop those kids from doing stupid irrational things, because that what she always does.

Zoro knows, that Brook is capable of standing up for himself and for his nakama, that he wouldn’t lose anyone he care about ever again.

Zoro trust them. 

But most importantly, he trusts Sanji the most. I think, that Zoro may actually believe that Sanji can deal with his problems on his own. That he actually would return to them no matter what. He wrote so in his note and Zoro have no reason to think that Cook is lying.

Yes, I actually think that Zoro trusts Sanji that much. Because he is. 

Zoro see Sanji as his equal. As someone who dosen’t need to be saved.

I’m pretty sure that Zoro think it would’ve been insulting for Sanji, if Zoro actually had joined the rescue party.

Of course Zoro worries, of course he cares. But his trust is stronger than that.

Extra reason totally canon from shipping prspective: Zoro don’t want his feelings to break through

In my own head I see this situation this way: Zoro totally in love with Sanji, but dosen’t want Sanji to know that, because he dosen’t want to be rejected. He’s okay with their relationship as they are and he dosen’t want to risk them.

Being a part of rescue team and actively trying to break Sanji’s marrige isn’t exactly a “safe zone”. Zoro knows that. He understands that in this situation he could lose controle of his feelings and actually do something stupid (like confessing his love) and lost Sanji forever because of it.

THIS IS TOTALLY CANON AND YOU CAN’T PROVE ME OTHERWISE

Part 3

Part 2

Honestly, now I think that Sanji was staying in Baratie (instead of sailing to search All Blue) not just because he felt obligated to Zeff. I think he was also afraid to leave East Blue, afraid that he might meet Vinsmokes once again.

And then he saw Luffy fighting Don Krieg. Don Krieg, man obsessed with power and considered that compassion is a weakness. Man, who relied heavily on his arsenal to be stronger. Man with a fucking spear as his ultimate weapin. Sounds reeeealy familiar, right? 

And Luffy defeated that man no matter how impossible it should’ve been. He fought an enemy who should be stronger than him, but he won.

And I believe that this is the reason why Sanji decided to join Luffy. He was no longer afraid. He saw that Judge’s ways were wrong all along. He saw that “power” dosen’t matter as long as you have conviction, as long as you have a dream to fight for. Just look at these pages. Those words sounds way more important when you know what Sanji’s childhood was like.

Luffy didn’t just inspire Sanji to keep following his dream and fight for it. He showed him that real strenght comes from your gut, from your heart, and not from your weapons or even physical abilities. 

This arc really, really much more heartwarming in hindsight.

Another thing that I also noticed (and why I sure that Oda put those paralells on purpose), is how Sanji’s kindness plays major roles in both Baratie and Whole Cake arcs.

In Baratie arc, Sanji showed kindness towards Gin. End result: Gin refusing to kill Sanji and disobeying his captain’s orders because of this.

In Whole Cake arc, Sanji showed kindness towards Pudding. End result: Pudding refusing to kill Sanji and disobeying her matriarch’s orders because of this.