"Is it just me, or does that group seem awfully confident in themselves?" Chas said, nodding towards Hangman Lang and his crew a few tables away from them.

It was now the second day of the contest and so far it seems that the Straw Hats were winning the contest so far. But Chas knew that wouldn't be the case for long in Vera was singing that night, which she was. She had a feeling that the thin and fine woman had a trick or two up her sleeves, that's if she wore sleeves. Instead the woman had to run around in a short skirt and bikini top that barely left any imagination. No wonder men were following her around.

"It's not your imagination," Zoro answered, looking at the same group. He knew something was off ever since yesterday.

"You have to remember," Robin said, crossing her legs and looking at Chas, "a lot of people are after this Legendary Treasure we're after. It's no exactly secret after all."

Chas sighed and looked back to the dark stage ahead of her. "Ya have a point. That journal wasn't exactly secret to begin with."

"Hey, where's Sanji?" Usopp asked, finally looking up from his little contraption in his hands. After last night's show, he couldn't stand looking at the people around the bar much more. He just wanted everything to end so they could leave.

"He's-" Before Nami could continue, the lights in the bar dimmed the sound of a piano playing was resounding through the large hall. Each and every person in the room looked to the stage, just as the spotlight landed on the person playing such a lovely tune. Sadly, the only people who were shocked beyond words were the player's own crew: The Straw Hats.

"S-Sanji?!" Usopp, Luffy, Chopper, and Chas shouted in a low whisper, surprised to see the blonde chef playing such a lovely melody on the piano, in which they never knew he played. Then gentlemen opened his mouth and sang the first few words of the song.

The instant the sun set (Tasogare no jikoku wa)

Hmm… Red wine (Hmm…van ruuju mishiranu machi o)

As we walk through the foreign city (Aruki-tsuzukereba)

You made such a lonely face (sabishige na kao shita)

Hmm…vanilla girl, give me your recommendation (Hmm…vaniiyu gaaru boku ni osusume)

Cooking is marriage (Ryouri wa mariaju)

The shocked faces of the Straw Hats immediately left their faces. It was just the song that he turned out to be singing didn't surprise them so much anymore. The group figured it would be a romantic song, from the way it started, but now…they just didn't know what it was.

Sanji stood to his feet, taking the mic up into his hands, and continuing his song without a care in the world.

If my dreams were to come true (Negai ga kanaru nara)

Hmm…so amusing, we'd stop time and go see a rainbow (Hmm…amyuuzu jikan o tomete niji o mi no ikou)

Don't be afraid (Kowagaranaide)

Hmm…blackcurrant girl, this instant will make you happy, marriage (hmm…kashusu gaaru shiawase ni naru shukan mariaju)

We'll scrutinize all the the ingredients, a boy meets girl collaboration (shiri uru kagiri no sozai o ginmi boy meets girl na koraboreeshon)

Tonight's drama starts with you (Kon'ua no dorama no shuyaku wa kimi sa)

Nice and easy, Moulin Rouge (Nice and easy ni muuran ruuju)

"Did you write this?" Usopp and Chas said, looking at Brook.

Brook laughed and soon went serious. "No."

"This a 100% Sanji song…" Nami said, face palming.

"I don't think it's all that bad," Chopper said, swaying from side to side.

"As long as he doesn't bring our points down, I don't care what he sings." Nami eyes shined. "I just want that money!"

"So you were after the money!" Zoro, Usopp, and Chopper said.

"And so does everyone else in the room," Chas said, nodding towards the table that she had continuously kept an eye on. The table was antsy and looking very angry at the moment. It seemed that Sanji's singing was unsettling for Hangman Lang to hear.

"Quit worrying," Zoro said, smirking and leaning back in his chair, "if they decided to make a move, then they'll learn they messed with the wrong crew." Zoro glanced at Chas with the usual confident smile. "Idiots like them won't even stand a chance."

Chas chuckled and smiled. She couldn't help but over think that statement and wonder if they would get beaten so easily. It's not like the weakest of the weak enter contests like this. Anyone does, and that just might include those strong pirates the Straw Hats might have difficulty with. Plus with the rule "No fighting" it would make it rather hard to beat them.

Like that's even possible… Chas thought, laughing to herself. Chas sighed soon after, forgetting her doubt. She soon let out a gasp when she was suddenly grabbed by her wrist and pulled to her feet. Next thing she knew, she was dancing with Sanji in the middle of the open floor as he continued with the song he was performing.

Glaze three days, we'll float through the sky (mikkazuki o gurasse shite sora ni ukabeyou)

I'll wipe away your tears (kimi no namida o konkasse)

Let's spread out into this fortunate night…hmm (guuzen no yoru e makichirasou…hmm)

When you smile, it caramelizes my heart (kimi ga hohoemu toki boku no mune o kyaramerize.

The taste of the evening is (mayonaka no aji to wa)

Hmm…chocolate noir (hmm shokoro nowaaru)

Sweet and yet bitter, our memories are beginning… (amakute nigai omoide hajimaru…)

Zoro's eye twitched in irritation as he continued to watch the crappy chef dance with Chas. He couldn't stand it. It annoyed him to no end.

Chas narrowed her eyes at Sanji, but he continued singing and dancing with her wholeheartedly. He spun her around a few times, and when he pulled her back, her expression was in a deep scowl.

Don't make that face (Sonna kao shinaide)

Chas's expression turned surprised, and a bit red, when Sanji placed a hand on her cheek. This in turn made Zoro even more angry then he already was, not really understanding why he was so uncomfortable with it.

Hmm…biscuit girl (hmm…bisukyui gaaru)

Parting is always blue marriage (wakare wa itsumo hekushoku mariaju)

Chas's eyes narrowed, along with Zoro's from the sidelines.

"This isn't funny, Sanji…" Chas snarled in a low whisper.

"I'm not trying to be," Sanji answered, spinning her around once more, trying really hard not to show that perverted and lovable side. He didn't want to ruin the performance, or the moment.

Chas sighed and followed along, not really understanding what was going on at all. He seemed different, less flirty and hormonal than usual, but why? Because this was a serious competition and he knew how much they all wanted to win?

As long as I have my wits, I'll find the words, hard to say in this situation (omoi tsuku kagiri kotoba anarabe hard to say no kono shichueishon)

Entrust your wish to the rose in the champagne (shampan no roze no negai o komete)

Bitter and sweet, Moulin Rouge (Bitter and sweet ni muuran rujuu)

Sanji dipped Chas, making her head tip back and looked at the others. They all looked quite confused and shocked at the moment, except Zoro who just looked extremely pissed. Chas couldn't understand why though, but it made her heart jump anyway.

Sanji looked up and to the others, smiling spitefully when he met Zoro's eyes, as if giving Zoro the idea he lost. Zoro's expression darkened as if saying, "You'll pay for this." But Sanji continued smiling as he began to end his performance.

Sugar coat your voice, a beaufitful melody (kimi no koe konfi shite utsukushii)

This one moment, locked in gelatin (kono isshun o asupikku)

Now I'll take you to the ends of time…hmm (eien no Kanata tsurete ikou…hmm)

Don't say goodbye, your long hair adds such a nice flavor (iwanaide sayonara nagai kami de aromatiser)

When Chas was back on her feet, Sanji took a few strands of her red hair and kissed them. He then pulled away and bowed, just as the music was ending.

The bar was filled with claps and cheers once again. Even a few of the women in the room were swooning over the performance.

"That was amazing, Sanji!" Luffy and Chopper shouted, standing from their seats.

"That was quite the performance," Robin said, smiling to the chef as he returned with Chas.

"You're giving me too much credit, Robin-san!" Sanji said, a deep blush on his cheeks as he smiled back.

"For a minute I thought you wouldn't take it seriously," Nami said. "But maybe we won this one after all!"

"There's still two contestants left, so I wouldn't get too cocky yet."

Everyone looked up and saw Vera standing there, a hand on her hip as she smiled calmly towards them. She then walked towards Sanji and tilted her head. "That was quite the performance." Vera looked the chef from head to foot and smiled as if she liked what she saw. "I always liked handsome men who can sing." She placed a finger on Sanji's chest, slowly sliding it down his tie, which made the chef's heart race a bit faster and his nose slightly bleed. "What would you say to-"

Vera was soon cut off when Chas grabbed her hand and glared at her.

"Oh?" Vera said, smirking with a chuckle. "Is he yours?"

Chas opened her mouth, but before she could even say anything, Luffy answered. "No, he's mine!"

Everyone looked at Luffy, Sanji quite angry at the fact Luffy had to say that, and they were all surprised by how serious he was with that declaration.

"Uh, Luffy-san," Brook said, "I don't think she meant what you were thinking…"

"Either way, it fits," Zoro laughed, which soon began the fight between him and Sanji (which continued on for some time).

"Whether he is or not," Chas said, shoving Vera's hand back to her own side, "yer not touching yer filthy hands on him."

"She's right," Nami said, putting her hands on her hips and standing next to Chas. "Now why don't you run along before we get both our teams disqualified."

Vera snarled at both of them and soon looked at Chas. "You'll regret getting in our way, Little Red." Vera then stormed off towards stage, about to get ready for her own performance.

"I don't like her…" Chopper said.

"I don't like her either, Chopper," Nami said, patting Chopper on the head.

"Chas-san!" Sanji chimed, hugging Chas when she turned around. "There's no need to be so jealous of another woman. I'll always be yours!"

"She's not even yours!" Zoro shouted, pulling Sanji off of Chas.

"Is that because she already has you?" Robin asked, chuckling while she secretly high-fived Brook and Franky under the table.

Zoro's face reddened as he stammered his answer. "W-Where the hell do you get that idea?!" He then had to wonder to himself why he was so defensive over the subject.

"Your face is red, Zoro," Luffy said, laughing.

"Will ya all just shut up?" Chas shouted, her face just as red. "I belong to no one except myself." Chas then angrily sat back down in her chair, waiting for the next performance to begin.

The next performance that started was from one of Candi Red's men: Jake Peacock. He looked around the same age as Franky (which was thirty-six years old) and seemed to be rather dirty. His face was covered in dirt and his hair was ragged and messy.

"I don't think that man has bathed in over a month…" Nami said, wincing when the man smiled at her.

"Disgusting…" Chas said, taking a drink of Sherry.

After Jake's performance, it was Vera's turn. The woman sat on a stole, crossing her long legs, and began singing the song "Tsuki no Taiyo". Her voice was lovely, the Straw Hats had to admit, but the way she smiled irritated Chas beyond belief.

"A beautiful voice for such a beautiful angel!" Sanji said, swooning a bit like the rest of the men in the pub.

"She's our enemy!" Usopp said, angrily.

"Doesn't mean she isn't hot!" Franky said, his dropped just like Brook's was at the moment.

Everyone suddenly stopped talking when Chas stood from her chair, making it hit the back wall with a bang.

"Chas?" Nami questioned.

Chas began walking away from the table, hands in her jacket pockets. She didn't answer the constant calls from Sanji and Nami. But she did answer when Luffy suddenly called her.

"Oi, Teaspoon, you leaving?" Luffy asked, turning his head.

"Just headin' outside for a smoke!" Chas said, waving the packet of cigarettes in her hand. She then disappeared into the crown of people.

"I wonder what's wrong," Chopper said.

"Maybe she's not feeling well?" Brook suggested.

"She would have said something if that were the case, wouldn't she?" Robin said.

"Ah…" Brook said, looking like he finally understood. "I see…"

After Vera's performance ended, the results were given and it seemed the Straw Hats had lost to Hangman Lang's team by ten points. This shocked everyone, which gave Vera the reaction she was hoping for from them, and let her receive a good reward from her captain.

"Chas still hasn't returned…" Chopper said, looking towards the door.

"I'll go see what's she's doing," Zoro said, getting out of his seat. He then walked towards the door and exited before anyone could say otherwise.

Chas was sitting on a bench, under a street light, still smoking as she looked to the ground. She looked a bit angry, but it was hard to tell with the dim light.

"Round's over…" Zoro said, sitting down next to her.

"I know…" Chas said, puffing smoke out of her mouth. "I could hear it from out here. We lost to Hangman Lang…" Chas put the cigarette back in her mouth.

"It's only one round, we'll-"

"In this one round they managed to surpass us in the listings already," Chas said.

"Don't you think you're getting too worked up over a silly competition?" Zoro questioned, leaning back against the bench.

Chas sighed. "Guess the pressure from Nami is getting' to me…"

Zoro soon looked to the ground and noticed about seven cigarette butts near Chas's feet. He knew she had been smoking more than she usually does.

He reached across and grabbed the cigarette that was in her mouth and threw it to the ground, digging it into the sand with his foot.

"Oi, Marimo, what do ya-"

"What's wrong?" Zoro asked, looking at her seriously. "You only smoke when you're thinking about something that really bothers you."

"No I don't!" Chas said, glaring at him. "I do it to occupy my mouth!"

"Then find something else to occupy your mouth with!" Zoro equally shouted as he leaned closer. Zoro's face soon flushed when he realized what he was implying with that sentence. He looked away from Chas, pulling back a lot, which made Chas raise an eyebrow at his strange behavior. "I know because the last time something was really bothering you was when we switched places. You smoked and pretty much started choking."

"And that's your own fault," Chas said, crossing her arms. She soon went silent, serious for a moment, before speaking again. "Don't you find that odd?"

"Hm?" Zoro questioned, returning to his usual self.

"If ya really think about it, Vera shouldn't have gotten as many points as she did," Chas said. "But the judge gave her enough to surpass us."

"Is it really that strange that she's better than that shitty chef?" Zoro crossed his arms.

"I saw her out here, after her performance," Chas said, pointing to a nearby alley way. "She was talkin' with the judge over there. I overheard her bribin' him…"

"That would explain how she won," Zoro said.

Chas stood to her feet. "If we plan on gettin' anywhere in this competition, we're goin' to have to play along." Chas then looked to Zoro and smiled as she held out her hand. "Ya in?"

Zoro stood to his feet and shook Chas's hand, smirking deviously like she was. "Wouldn't have it any other way."


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