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Sanji Black @mr_prince
Happy New Year everyone! I’m so excited to announce that my first ever solo album drops in just two months! None of this would be possible without the important people in my life, and all of you who gave me a second chance. I hope I can make you all proud 💛💛💛
[Image Description: Sanji smiles at the camera, head tilted slightly, eyes closed and holding up a peace sign. A little ways behind him, caught up in the peace sign and smiling slightly as he looks at Sanji, is a tall muscular man with green hair]
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[Trending For You]
Sanji Black
Yellow Heart
Two Years
Roronoa Zoro
Soft Launch
Industry Plant
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hot hot leg 💛 @SwanFoxx
RETURN OF THE YELLOW HEART WE ARE SO BACK
Makoto Dozo 💛 @Kaimon
The way we haven’t seen his face since things went to shit and now he’s SMILING FOR REAL FOR THE FIRST TIME. HE GREW OUT HIS HAIR!! THE LITTLE GOATEE HELP HE'S SO CUTE
Usopp’s Gallery @SniperKing
Why is my girlfriend’s new gym instructor trending??
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Usopp’s Gallery @SniperKing
oh no
🍊🦢 @tangee
Not him showing up two years late with a boyfriend??? Girl what HAPPENED
Opal Ray @heartbeam
“The important people in my life” chat who is this man
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Ducky Chan 💛 @earthquack
I’ve been seeing people say it’s some thirst trap influencer. Maybe some low tier model?
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Opal Ray @heartbeam
Hmmmm alright I’ll allow it. Sanji can have some arm candy after what he went through
Tinkerhell 💚 @fourthprince
I am so upset and disappointed. I was really holding out hope that the gym guy who posted cool videos would see reason but apparently he’s in 3ji’s newest post. Awful
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Kisumi 💙 @kitsune_kiss
WHAT THE HELL DID HE DELETE HIS OTHER SMOKE VIDEOS CAUSE THEY'RE DATING OR WHATEVER THATS SO GROSS SIR YOU ARE DATING AN ABUSER
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Jaded ❤️ @4embers
Ok there’s more news in the chat but for now mute the name Roronoa Zoro
Simon Says @monkeysclaw
Seeing that Roronoa is trending and hoping everything is alright only to spot bandom drama?? This is the fitness center what are you doing here
Miss Guided 🧡 @compassrose
So after some very quick searching it seems the man in the photo is Roronoa Zoro, a personal trainer and fitness instructor working at a gym in the East Blue. Which is where Sanji moved to. Which could mean absolutely nothing.
Eva @Springly
WHAT DO YOU MEAN HES DATING A GYM BRO. THIS IS NOT SANVI WHAT IS GOING ON
White Rabbit @latedate
I KNEW THAT MAN WAS GAY I KNEW IT I KNEW IT
Yonji Lovers LLC 💚 @Cattails
Is anyone else like super uncomfortable with the fact that this Roronoa guy has green hair. I know 3ji is gross but I didn’t think he was LIKE THAT. Someone please check in on Yonji I can’t image how he’s feeling right now
Stumble Bee 💛 @honeycure
Listen I want my guy to be happy so badly but if this dude is a personal trainer maybe Sanji is just his client and they grew close? I’d be grateful to the person who motivated me to stay in shape after I feel into a depressive episode too
I NEVER LOSE 💛🩷 @SugarglASS
what
Stella Belle 🩷 @brownsugar
I keep swiping to try and get to the next picture where it shows Sanji and Pudding kissing underneath a wedding arch what do you mean this is the only picture
Crystal 💙 @Winter_Jewel
This is the most obvious attempt at PR coverage I have ever seen. Announcing an album (ew) and then posting a new “partner” without giving any details. I can smell the soil from here this is an industry plant 100%
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Jester ❤️ @crowdteaser
Okay I was thinking that too. Because the timing is too perfect. First his weird shit with Koza to “prove” he likes men and now this?? I hope he’s paying this Roronoa guy a ton of money to pose with him
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Crystal 💙 @Winter_Jewel
Maybe if we show him enough support he’ll leak the album early and come forward with how this is a publicity stunt he was forced into. Fingers crossed!
Tajio 🥚💛 @little_chef
I’m so glad Sanji seems to be doing better. And we’re getting NEW MUSIC IN JUST TWO MONTHS???? I’m so excited I haven’t sat down since I saw his post ahhhhhh
Nagisa Lemon 🩷🧁 @DewDrop
Charlotte Pudding is the original industry plant and she’s gonna make her way to wife status mark my fucking words. Caramel Pudding won’t die like this!!
zoroshigi 👓 ⚔️ @love_in_threes
WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE ZORO LITERALLY HAS A GIRLFRIEND AND THEY WORK TOGETHER?? DO SOME FUCKING RESEARCH MUSIC FREAKS DAMN
Sanji Defense Squad @SDS
Mmmmmmm feels so good to be back.
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Zoro had a bad habit of not locking the front doors when he stayed late after closing. The lights up front would be out, but the room where he practiced his sword forms had no door, so sometimes a faint glow could be seen by those peering in through the windows. Most people beat a hasty retreat out of embarrassment when they realized it was after hours, and the assholes who pitched a fit about the door being open never stayed long once Zoro gave them his full attention. Needless to say he wasn’t worried about the footsteps in the hallway, nor did he pause in his formations to address them.
“We’re closed,” he said to the presence in the doorway. “Place opens at six tomorrow morning.”
“Are you Roronoa Zoro?”
His left arm faltered, making his next swing too wide. Zoro grit his teeth and sucked in a deep breath, reminding himself that the swords in his hands, for better or worse, were just made of dulled wood.
The last three days have been hell on his notifications, to the point where he had to turn his phone off whenever he wasn’t using it. During his short career as a fitness influencer, if that’s even what he was, only a handful of his videos have gone viral. The typical cycle was a few days, maybe a long weekend if other people reacted to him, but the most that he ever aimed for was a consistent viewership. Now there were total strangers trying to track down where he lived, demanding he make statements about someone he’s never met.
“I really need to speak with you.”
“We’re closed,” he repeated, not answering one way or another. “Take a pamphlet from the front desk on your way out.”
The man—because who else would have the arrogance not to take the hint a second time—heaved a great sigh of annoyance. Zoro could relate, and almost told the bastard to walk out or get thrown out, when suddenly the sound of charging footsteps approached him. He turned just in time to see a foot flying towards his face, and quickly brought up his swords to block, holding them in an “X” formation above his head.
He had a good look at the intruder now. Curling blond hair down to his chin, a stupid looking goatee with the smallest hint of a mustache, and mostly all long legs. His heavy blue gaze was less offputting than his weird, swirling eyebrow, and the rest of his face was obscured by his bangs, like some eighth grader going through an emo phase. He looked ridiculous with his heavy coat bunched up around his waist, but despite that he impressively kept his balance.
“My name is Sanji Black,” he said, not looking or sounding the least bit winded. He kept his leg extended, pressing down with just enough force to let Zoro know he wasn’t a one trick pony. “I’m sure you’ve heard of me by now.”
Zoro sneered, shoving against that leg with all his might until Mr. Black went stumbling backwards. He advanced with a low growl, leveling the business end of his sword right in front of his stupid face.
“Nothing but the worst.”
Sanji Black was a liar, a manipulator, an attention seeking abuser who wanted to see his innocent family rot. At least that’s what the general public thought of him. To Zoro he was just some idiot who was too stubborn to delete a picture and admit he accidentally caught a stranger in the background. It was a common mistake, and Zoro was certain his defenders would praise him for caring about the privacy of others. Instead he was here, demanding Zoro’s attention with all the confidence of a man who thought death could never touch him.
Zoro slashed at him again, a rather unprofessional and potentially job ending move, but the man dodged on agile feet and shot his heel out at his shoulder. His winter coat gave him a disadvantage, but even when he lost his balance he kept coming back for more, matching Zoro blow for blow when he could, and evading to catch his breath when he couldn’t.
“I know there are a lot of rumors flying around,” Black hooked his knee around one of the swords, holding onto it with a death grip.”But if you could just hear me out—“
With a roar of frustration Zoro swung the bastard across the room, letting go of the sword to send him flying. Black landed on his side with a surprised yelp, quickly rolling out of range of Zoro’s next attack. If Tashigi knew he was attacking a stranger she would tear his head off; it was clear this guy wasn’t trained in any kind of combat no matter how fancy his footwork was.
“You really don’t get it, do you?” Sweat dripped down the back of his neck, soaking his shirt. “I’m not a celebrity. I post videos online because it’s another way to make money. Being linked to some washed up pretty boy with an army of weirdos tracking his every move is gonna ruin all of that.”
His comment section was filled with teenagers fighting about irrelevant shit he couldn’t care less about. People who he considered normal fans of his content were now sharing conspiracy theories he didn’t even know they had. Zoro was not built for the spotlight, not anymore, and every dent to his wallet was another blow to his pride. He couldn’t blame anyone but himself for his lot in life, but he didn’t need anyone making shit harder, least of all people like him. Sanji Black had an album dropping in less than three months, a loyal fanbase that stuck by him through all the rumors and his hiatus, and enough brains to track Zoro down in person. But not enough humility to delete a stupid picture?
“Why the fuck should I care about anything you have to say?!”
The sword struck the floor so hard it cracked, just a little bit, but the sound was enough to pull Zoro back to reality. Sanji Black gazed up at him with eyes as wide as saucers, a few pieces of wood on the training mat by his ear. Zoro couldn’t tell if he was more shocked or horrified, but just like that all of the rage left his body, leaving him hollow and worn out. He snatched up the other sword still tangled around Black’s leg and forced himself to walk slowly and calmly back to the mount on the wall. He could already hear the lecture in both ears, scolding him about his temper and the proper maintenance of a weapon and how it was dishonorable to fight someone unarmed and—
“I can pay you.”
Zoro hadn’t heard Black leave, but he assumed the man scurried out the second his back was turned. Instead he stood tall as he fixed his hair, dusting off his jacket as if some freak didn’t just try to decapitate him with a wooden practice sword. Still, he didn’t look at Zoro for more than a few seconds at a time.
“What?” Where were the threats of calling the police or getting him fired? News articles with headlines about the Thirst Trap Gym Rat was actually a killer in disguise? Why was he acting so…normal.
“You’re a personal trainer, aren’t you? I doubt you offer that service for free.” He brushed off more invisible dust on his pants, tight jeans that seemed impossible to move in, let alone ick his leg above his chin. “You help me out, and I pay your membership rates.”
This guy couldn’t be serious. Zoro had half a mind to grab him by the scruff and toss him out on the street like a cartoon character, footprint on the ass and all, but something gave him pause. He took a closer look at Black, bypassing his general obnoxious aura. His hair looked oily and clumpy, like it hadn’t been washed in a few days, and his skin was dry in a way that had nothing to do with the winter chill. His lip was bitten raw, and heavy eye bags sat under the one visible eye Zoro could see. He looked like shit, but three days of fumbled social media wasn’t enough to send someone spiraling that fast.
Right?
“Just how fucked are you if you’re willing to put yourself at the mercy of a stranger?”
He grimaced, the worst attempt at a smile Zoro had ever seen. “You’ll find out soon enough, won’t you?”
Sanji Black was a manipulator, lying to the masses in order to gain sympathy and avoid his crimes. But money was real and tangible, and would be the first true test of his character. Zoro didn’t want to be involved in any pointless drama, but he never had a choice to begin with. He might as well get something out of it while he could.
“I’m not signing any contracts after work hours.” He hated reading legal shit, and he wasn’t in the mood to explain anything to Tashigi this late at night. “If you wanna make a deal it’s gonna be during the day, preferably with booze.”
Black nodded, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Alright. Meet me at the Baratie tomorrow at seven. I promise not to waste your time.”
Zoro highly doubted that. “Fine. Now get lost, we’re closed.”
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Making social media your career might sound like low effort, but constantly putting out content and making yourself perform on a weekly, or even daily basis, wasn’t as simple as it looked. If you wanted to grow big, you had to capitalize on every trend and algorithm that crossed your path. If you were lucky your audience would settle in all nice and cozy, and you could more or less get paid for being yourself. If you couldn’t, or were delusional enough to believe your fabricated personality counted as your real one, then you needed outside help. You needed management.
Which meant meetings. Zoro hated meetings.
During his last year of high school he had to intern at a local business, and growing up in a small village meant there was nothing but corporate suites who sat on their asses all day asking circular questions and pointing at pictures of graphs. It was terrible, mind numbing, and hollow. Zoro vowed then and there that he would do any job so long as he didn’t have to sit through boring meetings. He would spread his cheeks before he agonized over spreadsheets.
So what the fuck happened?
“None of this would be happening if this idiot ran his photos by me like I told him to,” Pudding said as Sanji added another cookie to her plate.
“It’s a pretty common mistake,” Vivi soothed, declining another dinner roll Sanji presented to her. “Besides, people are so quick to take screenshots of stuff like this. Deleting the picture would have only led to even more speculation.”
Nami sat back in her chair and swirled her wine glass, not even looking at Sanji who danced over to refill it. “Sanji knows better than to fan the flames like that. Staying silent was truly the best option.”
It had gone on like this as soon as introductions were over. The restaurant was empty aside from them, and much to his dismay Sanji was actually a very good cook. Zoro had been left to the sidelines stuffing his face while the women talked about him like he wasn’t even there. Apparently they had done their own research, and knew more information about him than he was comfortable with. It was bad enough that entitled teenagers and unemployed people in their twenties were talking shit about him, but now these three who had more money than he would ever see in his life kept asking him questions.
“Did you go to college? What was your major? Do you have any criminal records accessible to the public?”
“How long have you been interested in fitness? Are you good at video editing? Do you know how to handle online harassment?”
“What’s wrong with your eye?”
That last one brought Zoro up short. He looked up from his plate, mostly empty now, and locked eyes with Charlotte Pudding. The look on her face was less curious and more judgmental, like she expected it to start oozing slime and explode all over the table.
From the passing comments he’s seen about her, she was soft and sweet with a hidden “hard core” side, the girl next door who would bravely call out the bullies in the cafeteria or some shit. She was pretty, sure, if you liked women who dressed like dessert, but she had been nothing but cold to Zoro since he arrived. He didn’t know what her damage was, but dinner was over, which meant he didn’t have to hold his tongue anymore.
“What’s wrong with your bangs? Hiding a third eye under there or just a second forehead?”
Something whizzed towards his face and he quickly grabbed the nearest knife to swat it away. A block of ice shattered on the floor, then under Sanji’s feet when he stalked over to loom over him.
“Don’t you dare insult a lady like that!” He got so close to Zoro’s face their foreheads almost touched. “Apologize right now!”
Zoro stood abruptly, making sure to knock his skull against the stupid singing cook’s. “This entire time none of you have said anything that actually matters! What do I care about follower counts and what rumors are spreading? I can fix your fighting stance but I can’t un-fuck your image. So unless you start doing squats and lunges, I’m out!”
This entire meeting was a mistake. Not kicking Sanji out on his ass last night was a mistake. Being too embarrassed to ask Tashigi to come with him was a mistake. No money was worth being stuck with these people, no matter how good the booze was!
“Is that what this dinner was about?” Nami said, sounding both bored yet incredulous. “I already told you what to do, Sanji. A few months of fake dating will solve all of this.”
A brief silence filled the empty restaurant.
“Haaaah?!”
“No way!” Pudding shrieked, and in his shocked state Zoro found himself nodding frantically to her every word. “That’s the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard! Passing off Roronoa as a secret fifth brother would be better than that!”
All of Sanji’s anger melted into a puddle as he flailed and sputtered, making whimpering noises of disbelief as he gestured wildly at Zoro and gave Nami the most pleasing, heartbroken eyes Zoro had ever seen in real life. He looked like an edit of a cat, only more pathetic. It would’ve been funny if Zoro wasn’t feeling the same type of blindsided disbelief. Pretend to date this loser?!
“It makes perfect sense,” Nami continued, as if uninterrupted. “Nobody knows what happened while you were away from the public eye. What better way to start taking your life back than a romance where you can finally be “the real you”?”
Pudding, again, yelled what Zoro was thinking. “I can think of several!”
Vivi pursed her lips and rested her chin in her hand. “It would be a good way to cut off any invasive questions. You have a right to privacy, Sanji, and while you don’t need any excuses, wanting to keep a new flame out of the spotlight is a great cover.”
“I’m not doing that!” Zoro finally unstuck his tongue from the roof of his mouth. “Is there a gas leak in here? Why can’t it just be an accidental picture he was too stupid to take down. Why are you making this more complicated than it needs to be?”
Helpless, confused, and more than a little frustrated, Zoro finally turned his attention to Sanji. The fallen star was chewing on his lip like it was a piece of bubblegum, a bright spot of red at the corner like he had already made himself bleed. When his eyes met Zoro’s they held that same pleading look from last night, only this time it felt different. He was asking for help, no doubt, but the way his hands clenched at his sides made it seem like he had something to say. Was he nervous about interrupting the others? Was this some stupid self imposed rule about putting the women above himself? The guy who sent a flying kick to the back of his head needed reassurance to speak his mind?
Whatever the reason he was seeking out Zoro to back him up, and he wouldn’t be a very good trainer if he didn’t rise to the occasion. With a heavy sigh he picked up his chair then slammed it on the ground; the reaction was immediate. All three women turned to him with varying levels of pissed off, ranging from Vivi’s startled eyes to Pudding’s glower. When he had Nami’s full attention, Zoro jerked his chin in Sanji’s direction.
“Go ahead, curly.”
Sanji huffed at the name, but quickly plastered on a smile as he walked around the table, hands clasped to his chest. “Nami, dear, sweet, beautiful, intelligent friend of mine. I hope you’ll forgive me, but I really don’t think this is the direction I should go in.”
Nami tilted her head and cast a quick glance at Zoro. “Why not?”
“First and foremost I want to avoid the obligatory fake breakup. They always happen so suddenly, and very publicly. If we’re all cuddled up now before my album release, but fizzle out by the summer, then those who suspected it was fake will have ammunition for their arguments. Worst of all, any of my fans who were happy to see me with someone might lose faith in me if word gets out it was all an act.”
Zoro couldn’t help but notice that all of Sanji’s reasoning surrounded himself and his career, and didn’t take into account that maybe the innocent bystander he dragged into his bullshit didn’t want to play pretend for his benefit. But he bit his tongue and stayed quiet. It wasn’t wise to interrupt the enemy when you had the same goal.
“Second, I truly don’t have the energy to do coupley things for views.” He looked distraught just thinking about it. “It took me two years to show my face again, and while I plan on being more active with my fans now, anything outside of my music would feel too forced. I’m not that good of an actor.”
Pudding huffed, yanking on his little apron to pull him down to her level. “There you go doubting your abilities again! You put up with unfair treatment with a giant smile on your face. Surely you could have some arm candy and pose for a picture every week or two!”
Vivi giggles behind her hand. “It almost sounds like you want to be his fake partner, Pudding.”
The young woman turned as pink as the bow in her hair, and Zoro had to find some scrap of food to shove into his mouth so he didn’t laugh. If he were more of a scumbag he would snap a picture and sell it to the highest bidder. Well, if he were a scumbag and had the money to flee the area, since it wouldn’t take long to figure out who had taken the picture in the first place. But wouldn’t that just make him and Sanji even?
Sanji, for his part, didn’t seem to acknowledge Vivi’s teasing. Was this a regular occurrence?
“Maybe the most important reason of all, is that I can’t fake love. No matter how much the scenario might benefit my image, I would never be able to do it. I would sooner leave music behind forever!”
Zoro couldn’t help but roll his eyes at the dramatics, but he begrudgingly admitted that his respect for the guy had grown. You couldn’t fake passion, and the fact that he wasn’t willing to give up on his morals in order to save face was admirable. He was still an idiot, but he was now a slightly better idiot.
“So how else are you going to spin this?” Nami asked, brow crinkled a little in thought. “Even if you never posted about Roronoa again, the damage is done. The public will make up their own narrative, and without some kind of statement you’re both doomed.”
While Zoro didn’t agree with her tone, he knew how annoying and persistent people online could get. It would all blow over eventually, once they found a new target to harass, but did he really want to wait that long? If it only took three days for people who were totally unaware of him to comb his entire online catalogue, what could they do in a week? A month? Zoro was fine with ignoring rumors, hardly ever addressing them unless things turned dangerous, but if people still hated Sanji after two years of him being silent, what hope did he have for remaining in the shadows? If he wanted good publicity, if he wanted to keep his side business running, he would have to make this beneficial for the both of them.
“We can be friends:”
Four sets of judgmental eyes swung his way. What a bunch of hypocrites.
“You don’t need to be dating someone in order to be important to them. If nobody knows what you were doing while you went dark, making friends with a personal trainer isn’t that weird. Somebody had to keep you in shape so you didn’t stay glued to the couch.”
Sanji opened his mouth to disagree—Zoro could tell by the way his weird curling eyebrow jumped on his forehead—but then he closed it, and started to pace the floor. Pudding murmured something under her breath as she watched him like a hawk, but didn’t have any outward protests.
“That’s not such a bad idea,” Sanji said at last, though the look he gave Zoro was as if he had just swallowed a lemon.
“So if I understand this,” Vivi said slowly, lips twitching at the corners. “Rather than faking a romantic relationship, your plan is to introduce Roronoa as your very good friend you made during your hiatus?”
“Right as always, Vivi!”
She and Nami shared a look, looking highly amused and exasperated respectively. Zoro didn’t blame them; putting up with Sanji for all these years couldn’t have been easy. But Zoro was never one to back down from a challenge.
“But you’re not skipping out on your workouts.” He walked around the table and planted himself right in front of his new…buddy. “If we’re doing this for real, then you need to get back into shape. If you ever wanna set foot on a stage again, you need to put in the work.”
Sanji scoffed. “I’m in perfect shape, thank you very much. But fine. However, if we’re going to be seen together then you need to update your wardrobe. Just because you’re a trainer doesn’t mean you can exist only in sweatpants and tank tops.”
“Says the guy who probably owned loafers at age twelve.”
“Your one and only sports drink sponsor notoriously looks like piss.”
“So you’re a fan now? Or have you been reading what your stalkers have been posting?”
As the two men traded insults, Pudding rested her chin on her hands and huffed out a sigh, fluttering her bangs. None of this would be happening if Sanji had just agreed to include her in his comeback post. It would’ve been a cute shot in his kitchen, with her holding a handmade sign written in her cutest penmanship. She would’ve promoted him on all of her social medias, would’ve even made a short video for it so the fans could hear his voice after so long without him. Her plan was positively perfect!
But Sanji had spouted some nonsense about wanting to do it alone, not using her as a step stool or some dumb shit like that. Sometimes his acts of chivalry really pissed her off!
“How long until he has to make some kind of apology video?” Vivi asked, only half joking. Pudding wasn’t sure if she meant Sanji or Roronoa. Probably both.
“I dunno,” Nami said, a scheming twinkle in her eyes as she watched the two men butt heads like rivalring ducks. “This idea just might work. With the right marketing, of course.”
Pudding slumped in her seat, outvoted for the time being. If this was where things were headed, then she would play her part and play it well. But that didn’t mean she had to like it!