Catch me
Ch.1
I had true rivalries. Not only did I want to beat my opponent, but I didn't want to let him up, either.
~Jimmy Connors
"So, what of it?"
"The same, Sanji. We ain't gonna catch him anytime soon, I reckon." The blue-haired man stretched and yawned. "I'd call it a day if I were you. Crew's exhausted and had themselves knocked out in the van." He nodded towards the black vehicle outdoors.
The blonde sighed and a puff of smoke rose into the air. "Jeez, you guys are still a bunch of lazy brats."
"We've got no brains to rack for plans like you, Sanji." Franky plopped himself on the sofa and popped open a can of beer, raising a finger to jab at his head. "Mine's made for machines, not humans."
"Your brain functions like a laggy machine," snorted Sanji. "How's boss doing?"
"Stop calling him Boss, he's uncomfortable with the identity, you know that." Franky took a hasty sip and set the can down. "Luffy's not using his brains, as usual. But somehow his brute instincts gets him in trouble then out of it. He's pretty desperate to get Zoro to join us, though."
"I'll never understand how his brain works." Sanji leaned against the wall and stared at the ceiling. "Our reputation's close to being as bad as that shitty swordsman's."
"Fair point. But we're detectives, aren't we?" Franky gave him a thumbs-up. "Gonna track him down one day, make him pay for what he's done by doing all the spying work. He's pretty good at running away, at least. And staying hidden."
"And have a reputation boost?" Sanji sarcastically clapped his hands. "Whoop, what an idea."
"The Straw Hats Detective Agency has never had a great reputation, bro." Franky chuckled and downed his beer in one go. "It's either recruiting or handing him obediently over to the police."
"The second one guarantees a reputation boost."
Franky cleared his throat. "As a matter of fact, the word 'surrender' has had no place in Luffy's dictionary for I don't know, nineteen years?"
"Someone called?" Someone suddenly swung down from the stairs with a swift moment and landed in front of Sanji. "I heard my name."
"Jesus, boss- Luffy!" Sanji growled, pushing the boy away. "Stop trying to give me a heart attack!"
"Cook dinner! I'm starving." The boy with the straw hat gave him a stubborn grin and jumped onto the sofa next to Franky. The blonde was about to protest about them having dinner just about an hour ago but sighed and decided he was not in the mood of debating with his captain today.
"Microwave the leftovers in the fridge." He gestured towards the kitchen. "Nami and Robin's leftovers are enough to fill up your stomach, I hope."
"Nope, but it'll do!" The grin suddenly vanished as Luffy saw the rolled up poster in Franky's hand. "How's it going with the Zoro guy?"
They exchanged glances.
"No progress, sir," sighed Franky. He unrolled the poster. "His bounty keeps increasing. He's gotten stronger, I heard. Got a few new tricks up his sleeve."
Another huge grin split on the boy's lips. "That's good. I like a good challenge. Sanji, it's your turn isn't it?" He got up and headed for the kitchen door, waving without turning around. "Go kick some ass. I look forward to some progress."
"So it's your turn, eh," Franky gave him a thumbs up as the door slammed shut.
A leg slammed onto a wooden stool and snapped it in half. "About time too."
Sanji slung the backpack over his shoulder and grabbed the filed papers while heading out. He'd received news that Roronoa was heading towards Fishman Island, with no purpose and time specified. Luckily, he found out quite easily that it only required two hours of travelling by bus and an hour by boat to arrive at Fishman Island.
He had to either arrive before Roronoa or at the exact same time as him.
Although there was only a mere 30% chance or even less for that result... he was Black Leg Sanji, with the reputation of a monster.
He caught the bus and simply plopped down on the nearest seat to the door and stared at the picture of his prey.
"Aniki, what's the purpose of coming here?" questioned Johnny, confused.
"Yeah," Yosaku piped in. "Fishman Island's got nothing but beaches. Surely Aniki didn't come for that."
The green-haired man chuckled. "Of course not. But I've heard from many that we've finally come across a formidable enemy."
Johnny snorted in disgust. "Please tell me it ain't any of those trashy police departments."
"It's not. Apparently it's a detective agency," said Yosaku, amused as he held up the piece of paper placed on the desk next to the green-haired man. "Looks like it caught Aniki's interest."
"Why? You heard of 'em?" Johnny frowned as he held up the piece of paper with the large words 'WE'VE GOT THE BEST DETECTIVES" and the list of crimes they've solved in smaller fonts scribbled on it. "Whoa, the list though."
Zoro trailed his finger over the second last line. "The Queens' Cruise murder happened approximately two years ago. The police abandoned it and ruled it as suicide simply because it was basically impossible to investigate further. These detectives actually pulled some connections and even got close to several of the victim's friends and relatives so to solve the crime." Zoro drummed his fingers on the desk. "I tell you, this crime was not a simple one. It'd normally take months to solve it for normal people but they did everything in two weeks."
Johnny and Yosaku sucked in a deep breath.
"We're in some deep shit, aren't we Aniki?" Yosaku grinned.
"Seems so." The signature grin never left Zoro's face as he pulled out a picture of a certain blonde in a black suit. "Gonna have fun with one of the, ah, detectives."
Johnny scanned the picture. "Well, doesn't he look decent with a hint of chivalry."
"He's what got me curious in his petty little detective agency." Zoro shrugged. "Fishman island isn't far away from the town I live in nor his."
"It's been a while since we've seen you so fired up, Aniki."
Yosaku nodded in agreement.
"Well." He stroked the picture. "It's been a while since anyone has piqued my interest."
"We've arrived at Fishman Island." The speaker boomed. "Please remember to take all you personal belongings with you-"
Sanji grabbed his bag and hurried out of the boat. As far as he knew, the place Zoro has been to most recently was Shimotsuki. It was his hometown and he'd stayed there for training.
He stopped in front of Dock 19 and peered at the board. Right. It was the ship from Shimotsuki to Fishman Island. The ship had arrived 20 minutes ago, according to the board, and was going to leave for Shimotsuki an hour later due to some technical problems.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for someone. I was wondering if you have seen him or not." He handed the picture over to the nearest information booth.
The woman at the booth frowned. "Sir, I think he's arrived a while ago. Can't remember the exact time or date I'd seen him but I can never forget that sharp green hair of his."
"Thank you, beautiful." He blew a kiss at her and winked, making her sigh affectionately.
"If you're looking for him, I heard a man working at Dock 7 grumbling about having to hand a paper from that boy to someone. Hope that helps!" She yelled after him. Sanji's originally proud expression contorted into shock. Dock 7 was where his ship just docked.
"It helped." He flashed her a charming smile before heading for Dock 7 with a deep scowl on his face.
"So it's you?" the man at Dock 7's counter grumbled. "Take it. He threatened me with a fuckin' long sword that I better help him hand it over to some blonde dude. Twisted shits." He threw him a small bottle with a piece of paper in it and cursed something about teenagers.
"Sorry, and thanks." Sanji hastily unrolled the small piece of paper and gritted his teeth.
Meeting you at Mermaid's Cafe 11 o'clock sharp on Friday the 17th.
That was tomorrow.
