If he didn't like serving you, you'd know it! [Said SO PLAINLY... Granted, it's not like tsukumogami without a physical body can do much even if they do disagree with their wielders, but it seems like Zoro's attuned enough to be able to pick up on any vague discomfort or disapproval that might have been happening anyway.]

...What's it like, anyway? [That's kind of out of nowhere, but he'll quickly add:] Being a pirate. The stories about you guys aren't real nice, but the stories about the Shinsengumi weren't nice either.