Zoro had never been one to place his hopes in others. After what had happened with Kuina, he had felt completely drained. Overwhelmed with grief and hopelessness, emotions that had once been unheard of to him. He believed himself to be too weak. Too weak to protect anyone.
When Luffy, a naive boy who strived to become the next pirate king, walked into his life, things changed. Why was this boy he barely knew protecting him? Why did this boy demand Zoro become part of his crew? Why? This strange boy, wearing a straw hat, was risking his own life for Zoro’s. How could a kid blindly place his faith in someone like him?
Luffy; his actions. They decided Zoro’s future. A mere swordsman, once lacking belief, vowed to become stronger for the sake of this kid. A kid he could place his hopes in.