A Real Challenge — One Piece
Summary: Zoro’s been holding a plank position for two hours straight to train, Sanji thinks that’s way too easy, and Usopp knows just how to make it harder for him.
Warnings: Tickling.
Other: Lee!Zoro & Lers!Usopp & Sanji from One Piece. 3.1k words.
A/N: I’m challenging myself to have every single strawhat involved in a tickle fic at least once. All that’s left is to write is fics that include Brook, Nami, and maybe Chopper. This is one that includes Zoro :)
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“He’s still at it, huh?” Usopp looked up at Sanji who had just entered the deck from the kitchen, motioning towards Zoro who was currently training his strength. “How long has it been now? Two hours maybe? I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone hold a plank for that long.”
The chef scoffed, rolling his eyes as he handed Usopp a fancy drink he had just whipped up for him, placing two others for him and Zoro on the table Usopp was sitting at. “Whatever, it’s not that impressive, I could do that too y’know?”
“I never said you couldn’t.” Usopp giggled at Sanji’s competitiveness, making the blonde blush a bit at Usopp’s amusement. “Whatever, I just don’t get why he has to do it out where everyone can see, what a show off…”
The last part was spoken quietly under his breath, but Usopp heard it anyway. He took a sip from the drink Sanji had made, and then an even bigger one after his brain registered just how delicious it was. “Mmm! This is so good!” He complimented, Sanji holding back a proud smile.
Usopp whipped his head towards the swordsman, suddenly jumping out of his seat as he set his drink down. “Hey Zoro! Come take a break and try what Sanji made!” The sniper grinned, skipping over to him happily.
Sanji sighed, disappointed that Zoro had been brought back into the conversation. Despite that, he quickly followed after Usopp and stood beside the green-haired man.
Zoro’s form was perfect, his swords discarded just a couple of feet away from him along with his shirt. Sweat droplets trickled down his side, clearly not caused by any exhaustion, as his breathing wasn’t staggering at all. Just the heat of the unpredictable grand line.
“Yeah, yeah… in a minute.” He said to Usopp’s kind invitation, brushing them off a bit. He didn’t look up at them, not wanting to crane his neck.
Usopp shook his head at his dismissive attitude. “Oh come on, you must be at least a little thirsty! It’s been two hours now!” He placed his hands over his hips, eyes trailing over to his green hair that was slightly stuck to his forehead. “The drink is pretty sweet, mix it with some alcohol and you’d love it.”
Sanji laughed a bit. “No need, I already put alcohol in his, I know Mosshead well enough to know he won’t drink something unless it’ll kill his liver.” He joked mockingly, Usopp letting out a small snicker.
“As if your lungs aren’t slowly turning to dust?” Zoro quipped from below him, a comment which also made Usopp laugh.
“Shut up.” Sanji rolled his eyes, holding back his own smile at how clever his comeback was. He’d never give Zoro the satisfaction of a laugh.
Zoro then pondered for only a second at their earlier offer, booze did sound good right now… but training was more important. He could always get drunk later. “Hmm.. just put it away, I’ll drink it later. And don’t worry about me getting thirsty, I could do this for days.” Zoro tried to reassure, but it just sounded like he was hyping himself up, well at least… Sanji heard it like that.
“Pff. Anyone could do this for days!” Sanji started, pointing at Zoro. “It’s just a plank, don’t expect anyone to praise you for it.” Sanji talked in a way that almost made a vein pop out of Zoro’s neck, feeling annoyed almost instantly, that damn cook was always so good at getting on his nerves…
“Oh yeah? I doubt it, you’d get a splinter on your weak chef hands the second you got into position, running to Chopper to patch you up!” Zoro mocked back, his tone just as infuriating for Sanji. The cook went to bark back at him, but Zoro was quick to speak up again. “Usopp, come here, sit down! You could stack bricks on me and I’d still be fine!”
“W-What?! N-No.. I think I’d rather not get involved…” Usopp immediately felt on edge, taking a few steps back as a nervous smile happened upon his face. He was just trying to get Zoro to take a break, was he really about to be dragged into another stupid argument by these two??
Sanji looked over at him expectantly, eyes glaring for Usopp to do as Zoro said. Usopp felt himself quickly shrink under his gaze, seeing no option but to comply and directly involve himself in this dumb dispute.
“Okay.. I’m sitting down…” Usopp walked over to Zoro and slowly placed himself on Zoro’s back. The swordsman's back was large enough that the sniper could sit across it with his legs criss-crossed, his hands folding timidly in his lap.
Sanji watched closely, trying to find any hint of struggle from his rival. But in a display that made the cook's eyes widen, Zoro didn’t move an inch. It was impressive, almost like Zoro was frozen in place, unmovable.
Zoro grew smug at Sanji’s silence, feeling all the more proud. “See, I told you.” He grinned, his words frustrating Sanji even more. Mainly because… he genuinely was impressed by his friend’s core strength, which is something he’d rather die than admit. Compliment Zoro? Pssh, as if!
“Tch, whatever. Usopp’s not even that heavy anyway…!” He grasped at straws, desperate to restrain the ego boost Zoro was surely gaining by this interaction.
Usopp narrowed his eyes at his words. “Uh. Thank you??” He rolled his eyes a bit, looking back and forth between Zoro and Sanji.
Surely, that should solve this irrelevant back and forth right? That’s what Usopp hoped for, anyways. But he was unfortunately very wrong. Only a couple of seconds after Usopp had spoken, Sanji piped up with another comment about how he could easily do what Zoro’s doing, and more. Which of course was followed by Zoro snapping back with more snarky insults and comments.
Usopp stayed still on Zoro, stuck watching their voices slowly rise in octaves as their insults became more aggressive. He wanted to slip away and leave them to their fight, but he felt stuck for whatever reason. And although he wasn’t the impatient type, their competitiveness was really starting to annoy him.
Maybe he just needed to find a way to lighten the mood… that’s what he does best after all. In the best-case scenario, he needs something that gets them to stop arguing and forces Zoro to take a break. He wracked his brain, looking back and forth between the two…
Suddenly, it hit him. His eyes widening a bit, an impish smile tugging at his lips the moment the idea took form. “Guys!” He interrupted, shouting loudly, which momentarily stopped the two as Zoro shut his mouth while Sanji begrudgingly crossed his arms. “I think I have a way to really test Zoro’s strength.”
Sanji's eyebrows raised a bit, his interest piqued. “Yeah? And how’s that? Start kicking him in the gut while you sit there?”
“Hah, as if your little baby kicks would make me break my form.” Zoro rebutted, Sanji glaring once again and showing Usopp he needed to hurry before an all-out war started.
“No no, not that!” He waved his hands, before leaning forward to look at Zoro’s face. “Say, are you up for a real challenge?” He questioned, grinning from ear to ear.
Zoro grinned back. “Bring it on.”
“Well, since you gave me permission…” Sanji watched intently as Usopp’s hands raised in the air, the motion making his head tilt slightly. “Tell me, does this make things harder for you, Zoro~?”
The snipers hands then reached down as his fingers began to flutter gently against Zoro’s sides. Usopp let out a small, impish giggle, especially when he felt Zoro’s muscles tense up.
Zoro wasn’t sure what Usopp was suggesting when he suggested a real challenge, but it definitely wasn’t that! Tickling?! That’s so.. unfair! “H-Hey!” He yelled out, before shutting his lips tightly. Already feeling giggles start to bubble up in his throat. Only a second later Zoro hid his face in his shoulder, not wanting them to see the smile tugging at his lips.
Usopp looked up for a moment to gauge Sanji’s reaction. Sanji was frozen for a moment, but after realizing what was happening? His eyes that had nothing but disdain for the swordsman suddenly sparkled, and dare Usopp say, softened a bit.
Zoro has always been very ticklish. It was a fact the whole crew knew well, finding any and all opportunities to tease him about it. Right now was no exception.
“Ohhh…” Sanji grinned, narrowing his eyes playfully. “That’s right, I forgot how ticklish you are.” He teased, “knowing you, there’s no way you’ll be able to handle this.”
Zoro blushed brightly, Sanji’s words absolutely cruel, and very effective. “T-This is… n-nothing…!” He said through gritted teeth, trying to act tough.
“Oh really?” Usopp narrowed his eyes before his playful touch became more intentional, fluttering up and down his sides, using a bit more pressure.
Zoro instantly shuddered as he faltered a bit, getting back into position a second later despite the ticklish feeling overwhelming his senses. The swordsman’s competitiveness was about to be his downfall, because despite tickling being one of his few weaknesses, he wasn’t about to back down from a challenge. His pride wouldn’t let him.
Sanji had already forgotten about their bickering, way too focused on his friend’s smile that was so wide he couldn’t even hide it in his arm anymore. Their stupid mosshead was undeniably cute, if he were always so giggly and shy like this, Sanji probably wouldn’t be so pissed at him all the time.
The cook’s amusement grew as Zoro’s eyes closed shut, the tickles slowly wearing him down. “What’s wrong? Already about to break?”
Usopp snickered at Sanji’s words, looking at the blonde with a smug grin. “Don’t even, Sanji. If you were Zoro right now, you would’ve already been screaming with laughter.” He teased, leaving Sanji to blush as he glared at Usopp.
“S-Shut up?! I would not!”
Zoro let a small giggle slip when Usopp scribbled at the bottom of his ribs, catching their attention as both of them smiled brightly at the sound. “Yohohou would s-so!” He struggled to speak, voice trembling as it took all his willpower not to break out into a fit of giggles.
Despite his position, he was still sassing Sanji, and there was no way the chef was gonna let that attitude slide. Especially not when Zoro was so vulnerable. “What was that Mosshead?” Sanji snickered, kneeling next to Zoro and playfully sneaking a hand in between Zoro, and the wooden deck. All before slowly trailing his fingers against his tummy, wearing a shit-eating grin as he watched Zoro’s shoulders start to tremble uncontrollably.
Zoro's form crumbled just a little bit, unable to fix it this time. His stomach sucking in instinctively, as his core tightened defensively. He fought against the ticklish sensations as much as he could, somehow remaining in a plank position, despite his body wanting nothing more than to curl up in a ball and laugh.
“Still holding up?” Usopp giggled, his ticklish touch had travelled up his sides, to the tops of his ribs, stopping right before his worst spot. Zoro knew what Usopp was planning, and the anticipation was killing him. All he could do was puff up his cheeks to hold back his laughter, the sight only encouraging the two to continue.
“U-Usohohopp!” He tried to speak, unable to stop the giggle that came with it.
Sanji looked up at his friend mischievously. “I think Zoro wants you to get it over with.” The chef instigated, which brought butterflies to Zoro’s tummy.
“Well, who am I to deny him that?” Usopp laughed, before going for the kill, his fingers burrowing their way under his arms as he scribbled his brute nails endlessly against the spot.
That’s when Zoro reached his limit, falling against the deck and breaking out into loud boyish laughter. “Dahahamn iHIHIT!” He cursed, hating that he lost to something so silly. The sniper fell down with him, somehow remaining on his back, which worked to unintentionally pin the man. “O-Okahahay! Yohohou wihihin! Yohohou wihihihin!!” He rushed to admit defeat, even if it made shame rush through his bones.
Even though they had managed to make Zoro fall, ruining his plank— the tickling didn’t seem to go away, his elbows tightening to his sides.
“Oh come on, it can’t tickle that bad.” Usopp giggled, knowing full well that yes, it did in fact tickle that badly for Zoro.
Sanji winced in pain when Zoro's heavy body fell harshly on the hand that had been scribbling against his tummy. Usopp’s added body weight only made it worse, his hand crushed underneath Zoro’s toned muscles. “H-Hey! I need this hand to cook!” He scolded, trying to pull his hand out from under him. When that didn’t work, he resorted to digging his fingers harshly into Zoro’s stomach.
Though… not purposefully, Sanji had hooked one of those fingers into Zoro’s belly button, and the swordsman absolutely lost it at how ticklish it felt. “AHAHAHaha! B-BAHAhahastard!” Zoro’s eyes shot open before he screamed with laughter, his legs starting to kick wildly behind him.
Sanji realized quickly why Zoro was laughing like a madman, growing an evil smirk as he started to more intentionally swirl a finger around his navel, relishing in how much more frantic it made Zoro’s laughter. “Heh, who knew Mosshead was so sensitive here?” He teased, his other hand starting to squeeze at his hip.
Roronoa Zoro, the pirate hunter, feared swordsman across the seas, let out the loudest squeal ever, blushing a bright red as he pounded his fist against the deck. “YOHOhohou’re bohohoth dehEHEHEAD!” He threatened through squeaky laughter, neither of them took him seriously.
Zoro thrashed as much as he could, his legs kicking in the air uncontrollably, feet stomping against the deck. After Sanji started massaging deep circles into his hip, Zoro jerked away from the touch harshly enough that he was able to knock Usopp off of his back, the sniper falling onto the deck as his hands slipped out from under Zoro’s arms.
He laid there on the deck, not rushing to continue teasing Zoro. Instead, Usopp felt himself starting to giggle loudly at the whole situation, which made Sanji crack up a bit too.
Zoro squirmed onto his side still in a hopeless laughing fit, foolishly thinking the tickling was over when Sanji who was finally able to slip his hand away from his tummy, simultaneously removed the hand on his hip. “My gohohod…!” Zoro wheezed, curling up with the brightest smile ever.
His eyes, which had been squeezed shut, tears of mirth hanging on his eyelashes, opened for a moment only to see Sanji raising both of his hands teasingly into the air. “Just because you got Usopp off, doesn’t mean I’m done with you yet!” He threatened playfully, his hands diving back towards Zoro who was already laughing in anticipation.
“AHAHAHAHA!” Zoro screamed, squirming wildly as Sanji hovered over him. The chef’s touches were sporadic, which left Zoro unsure of how to defend himself. One second Sanji was at his tummy, the next he was reaching for his neck, then his hips, sides, sometimes he’d even reach down and squeeze his knees. All of it had Zoro lost in his own laughter.
He chose to wrap his arms around his waist, legs still kicking as he threw his head back in hysterics. Sanji wore the fondest grin ever, and Usopp continued to giggle from the sidelines. Zoro was way too ticklish for his own good, and it was both hilarious, and adorable.
“OKAHAHAHAY! OKAHAHahahay! E-EnohohOHOUGH!” Zoro finally pleaded, grabbing tightly onto Sanji’s wrists. Which signalled to Sanji that the fun was unfortunately over. Sanji stopped tickling Zoro immediately, reaching up to ruffle Zoro’s messy green hair, still smiling fondly at his friend.
Zoro slumped tiredly on the deck, taking in selfish gulps of the salty sea air, trying to get his breathing in check. Being tickled like that… wears him out more than any plank could. He was undoubtedly exhausted. “Yohohou’re the wohohorst…” Zoro slapped Sanji’s hand away from his hair, before glaring at Usopp. “Yohohou both ahahare…”
The pair giggled at that, all three of them still smiling. “Now that you’re all tuckered out, surely you’ll behave and come have a drink with us?” Sanji questioned, which made Usopp feel quite accomplished. He had definitely brightened the mood, and even managed to succeed in getting Zoro to take a break. Everything worked out perfectly.
He might not be the strongest fighter, but he sure was good at stopping a couple of stupid arguments.
Zoro avoided their lingering gaze and turned his head away. “…Fihihine. I hahahave nothing better to dohoho.” He agreed, a few aftermath giggles still finding their way into his words.
“Woohoo! Let's go! I get to finally drink what Sanji made!” Usopp cheered, jumping up with a smile.
Sanji sighed fondly. “I just hope they haven’t gone warm, they won’t taste as good that way.”
The blonde stood up as well and brushed off his knees, the two of them then looking down at the swordsman and offering him a hand. Normally… Zoro would stubbornly refuse, not accepting help. But these two losers had just tickled the shit out of him, so he wasn’t exactly in the position to decline.
He took their hands and they lifted him up, the three slowly making their way back towards the tables. “By the way… why’d you take so long to tell Sanji to stop?” Usopp questioned, a hint of mischief in his voice.
His words made Zoro’s face heat up a bit. “Because he was having fun, obviously,” Sanji answered for him, grinning, fully intending to set Zoro off.
“W-Wha?! Like hell I was!” He glared his way, but there was no use in denying it. They saw how genuine his smile was, and they heard how happy his laugh sounded. It’s the whole reason Sanji full-on attacked him at the end there.
“Aww, mosshead, don’t tell me you’re embarrassed!” He cooed mockingly, leaving Zoro the sudden urge to slice the cook in half.
“I’ll kill you.” He growled, Usopp gazing over to see how serious his face was despite the pink blush on his cheeks proving every word true. He instantly pushed himself in between Zoro and Sanji to separate them, shaking his head frantically.
“Nonono! You guys are not about to fight again! Please!” He pleaded with the pair, giving them desperate puppy dog eyes. After a couple of seconds they caved and dropped it. Usopp sighed in relief… if he had to be stuck in between another Sanji and Zoro fight today, he might just jump ship…
