Zoro forces the bitter blood in his throat back, swallowing and exchanging it for heavy words.
"Let me be his substitute." Here is his defining moment- when everything else can melt away, leaving only duty. Luffy, Chopper, everyone. "Let my life exchange for his. I know it's not worth much at the moment, but eventually it will be the head of the world's greatest swordsman. I'd say it's equal."
"With such a great ambition, how will you ever be satisfied by dying for him?"
Great swordsman don't fail.
"There is already no other way to save the crew. If I can't protect my captain's dream, then whatever ambition I have is nothing but talk." This is right. "Luffy must be the man who will become the pirate king."
A noise behind him. Zoro turns slightly. Sanji.
"Hold on a minute, asshole. What are you going to do if you die? What happened to your dream idiot?"
Dreams fade, he wants to say. So close to the end and still unable to tell him.
"Oi, just ignore the marimo bastard and take my life instead. I know the marines don't give a damn about me, but soon Blackleg Sanji will be the most feared man. Come kill me, I already accepted this."
No. Zoro struggles past his blurred vision to make out Sanji's face. Blood matted hair, limp in his step, black eyes, and still beautiful.
Can't die. He can't die, Zoro knows.
"Tell everyone to take care," Usopp, Nami, Robin, "and that you'll have to find another cook."
He can tell Sanji is prepared, fully ready to lay down his life for their king. Zoro won't let him.
"Bastard," Sanji clenches his stomach where Zoro butts him. I don't want another cook.
Still couldn't tell him. Months and months, and then death shows its fangs. Still.