► You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC (1980)
November 2, 1988. Thursday. 5:56 p.m. Battle Royale Arena.
"Alright, guys, so here's the deal," Usopp started, raising a steady finger and looking at the two with a stern look. "First, you're going to show that guy there your invitation. Then, you have to qualify and prove to him that you won't lose your life so easily out there. Got it?"
"Yup!" Luffy chuckled, hand over the top of his hat as he grinned at Usopp, his eyes shining brightly.
Usopp watched him for a second, very confused as to why this man seemed extremely excited when he was just about to sign up for one of the deadliest matches in the Grand Line.
Usopp couldn't even imagine participating in the match himself, which was why he was strictly the manager for different people competing each year, giving him the right to sit with the crowd and away from the competitors who could very easily kill him.
Giving Luffy one last skeptical look, Usopp ignored his strange answer and turned his attention to Zoro, who was still looking around the room, the man's hand stuffed casually into his jeans pocket, his posture almost relaxed. These men had no care in the world.
"Got it, Zoro?" Usopp stressed, watching Zoro anxiously as he waited for his response.
The green-haired man turned to face him, expression blank. He had been somewhat paying attention, not completely, but he nonetheless nodded his head.
"Mm-hm."
Usopp raised an eyebrow, obviously suspicious that Zoro hadn't listened to a word he said. But he didn't say anything else, only sighed shakily and stretched an arm in front of him, signaling Zoro and Luffy to proceed.
Somehow, he knew that, sooner or later, these two men for whom he was responsible...were going to cost him his job.
The moment Usopp allowed it, Luffy was already setting off in his excitement, more than eager to sign up as fast as he possibly could, much to Zoro's intrigue.
Usopp attempted to yell after him, but only a jabbered mess of incoherent words spilled from his mouth as if he hadn't expected the man to just run off like some child.
As Luffy ran, despite the short distance to the table, he was able to catch the attention of some of the people around him, who turned towards him in question.
"I'm Luffy D. Monkey! Here's my invitation! Hurry and sign me up!" he rambled childishly, holding out the invitation and flailing it.
He stood before the sign-up table, bouncing on his toes, just as he had in the hotel's lobby, Zoro noticed. In the span of a mere hour, he had already come to realize that the man had strange energy welling in him that sure as hell seemed endless.
For some reason, Zoro didn't really have a problem with it, but instead found it rather amusing.
"What a weird guy," Usopp mumbled to himself, seemingly worried about just how he was going to make sure the man didn't get kicked out of the tournament before it even started.
Zoro only nodded in agreement.
The man sitting at the table simply chuckled at Luffy's antics as he accepted his invitation.
He watched as Usopp and Zoro approached him, a smirk making its way onto his face as he focused on Zoro in particular.
Unfazed by the sign-up man's unusual demeanor, Zoro handed him his invitation in a detached manner before once more tucking his hand into his jeans pocket and tightening his grip on his case's handle with the other, a habit he'd formed over the years.
"Zoro Roronoa, Demon of the East Blue. Hadn't been expecting to see you here," the man drawled, his voice smooth and deep. As he talked, his smirk only grew wider. "The Battle Royale will definitely be interesting this year." He ended his remark with a chilling chuckle.
Zoro paid him no mind.
His eyes fell upon the small name tag the man had pinned to his white open shirt. Doflamingo, it read, in sharply slanted handwriting. Not that the tag was very noticeable, the large pink feathered coat enveloping the man's large form obscuring it slightly from view.
The sunglasses he wore glimmered, the bright light in the room reflecting upon them. Why he had sunglasses on indoors, Zoro would never know.
Stepping away from the table, Zoro waited to see who would go first to prove their abilities, him or Luffy. Zoro turned to look at Luffy, as he had been standing next to him, but the black-haired man was nowhere to be found.
"Yo, Usopp," Zoro called, the other man glancing up as he had been checking the watch on his wrist. "Where's Luffy?"
Usopp made a face of confusion and looked around the area, letting out an appalled sound, noticing Luffy's sudden disappearance.
The room was pretty lively, with many things happening. Contestants were spread out, and the audience talked amongst one another.
But suddenly, over the din of the crowds, Luffy's voice boomed from the opposite side of the rectangle-shaped arena, Zoro and Usopp immediately walking over to see what he was doing. From the tone and pitch of his voice, it sounded as though he was laughing and having fun at the same time.
As they walked over, they noticed that Luffy was running and interacting with each contestant he came across. He pushed them and peered over their shoulders, much to their disdain.
"What is he doing!? He's going to get kicked out if he keeps messing around!" Usopp panicked in his spot, clutching his hair and biting his lip.
Zoro made no reaction, only shrugging with a chuckle.
"Guess you gotta go after him."
"I can't! Do you see how fast he is?" he shrieked, watching as Luffy continued disturbing the other competitors.
Zoro smirked. "Shitty manager, aren't you?"
Usopp sent him a glare, hardly menacing in any way. "Shut it."
Luffy then whirred past them, giggling with his eyes closed, flailing his arms, sandal slaps echoing.
"Luffy! Stop running! Or you're going to get us both in trouble!" Usopp called out nervously, arm reaching out to him in hopes to stop him, but to no avail.
His hand only grazed the sleeze of Luffy's red T-shirt, the man ignoring him as he suddenly shouted, "Anyone know a good place where I can get some meat!? Gotta fill up my belly!"
No one answered him, confused as to why the fool was behaving this way at an event that was supposed to be taken seriously, even if it hadn't begun yet.
But his running spree came to an end when he took a right turn and collided with someone, falling backwards, straight onto his ass, letting out a small, "Oof."
In that moment, the color drained from Usopp's face, seeing as how Luffy had bumped into a person much larger and taller than he was.
In front of him was an overweight man with long, wavy blond hair under a red hat. He wore a sizeable red shirt decorated with swirling designs, and, just like Doflamingo, he had on dark sunglasses.
On his arm, there was a tattoo of a circle appearing to be a smiley face with a line crossing the middle.
This man was clearly no ordinary man. The only ones who sported that odd tattoo were the staff members of the Battle Royale. From Zoro and Usopp's angle, they could plainly see that he had a name tag as well, pinned to the front of his shirt. Machvise.
Machvise formed a sneer as he snickered at Luffy, finding the fact that he had fallen very amusing. He hadn't moved an inch from the impact.
"Finally got you to stop screaming. Huh, twerp," he rumbled, peering down at Luffy, who was still on the ground. "What're you causing such a ruckus for?"
Luffy looked at him, eyebrows furrowed, a small pout on his lips, but he stood up to dust off his jeans. He had a habit of ignoring people, it seemed.
Not answering his questions or reacting to the insult, Luffy crossed his arms seriously and instead asked, "Is there any meat here?"
Zoro let out a quiet laugh upon hearing Luffy's response, shaking his head while Usopp squeaked.
"Meat?" the large man replied, baffled. "D'you know where you are? There ain't any meat here, you damn kid."
Luffy let out a confused noise before closing his eyes and whining.
"But how am I gonna show how strong I am with no meat?" he said, swinging his arms.
Machvise was getting irritated by Luffy's questions and voice.
Placing a bare foot in front of him, he approached Luffy and looked over the smaller man.
"Y'know what. I actually ate all the meat you're talking about, so there ain't any left for you," he teased, raising both of his arms in victory.
Luffy's pout grew further, not liking the 'news' he had just been given.
"That's not fair!" he yelled, swinging his right arm with a clenched fist and aiming blindly in front of him…
...at a target which happened to be Machvise's stomach. His fist connected with the skin, resonating in the small space, and the large man was sent flying directly backwards and into the audience bleachers.
The wind was knocked out of him, his eyes going white for a split second in midair.
Usopp's face turned just as white as his mouth gaped. Zoro grimaced, knowing the impact must've been painful, the punch he'd received from Luffy in the elevator resurfacing in his memory.
Machvise groaned from his position on the ground, unbelievably bewildered that he had just been knocked over by a man of Luffy's size, and into a damn wall at that. He felt the pieces of wood from the bleachers digging into his back and it angered him.
He glowered at Luffy from his sunglasses, as the boy only scratched the back of his head sheepishly, giving a casual apology.
"Sorry about that! Shishishi. I guess I don't know my own strength sometimes."
"Fuffuffuffuffu," Doflamingo suddenly laughed, Zoro looking behind him to see the man standing atop the large rectangle fighting ring, peering at the display that had just happened before him.
A shocked expression came over Machvise's face when he heard Doflamingo laugh, because he was laughing at him!
"Doffy," the man began, sitting up, a vein emerging onto his forehead. "Kick this twerp outta here! He's got no right being in a place like this!"
He strained as he waited for a response from Doflamingo, the man only continuing to grin wickedly for some reason.
"Why would I do that?" Doflamingo asked Machvise in particular, stepping down from the platform and striding towards Luffy, feathered boa flowing all the way.
Looking at Doflamingo with wide and innocent eyes, Luffy only smiled, looking as though he hadn't a care in the world and what he'd just done was a mere walk in the park.
Zoro and Usopp walked over to them, Zoro curious as to what the outcome of the situation would be and Usopp biting his fingernails, hoping he wouldn't have to lose his job.
"You're in, Straw Hat," Doflamingo announced, placing a hand on Luffy's shoulder, and the boy's eyes widened even more than they already were as he let out an audible gasp, along with the audience.
Zoro smirked, finding it ridiculous yet entertaining that this was the way Luffy had entered the tournament, not the least bit mad. He just hoped he'd be able to get in as well.
Usopp felt like he was going to pass out, not believing that any of it was happening at all.
"Really!? Yes!" Luffy exclaimed, pumping his fist and jumping into the air. He then scurried towards his two companions as he giggled brightly. "I did it, guys!" he cheered.
"Yeah, you did," Usopp agreed weakly.
"Way to go," Zoro stated, pushing down the top of Luffy's hat.
Doflamingo emerged before them, not bothering to help Machvise who had finally stood up, grumbling curses off to the side.
"It's your turn, Demon Hunter," he snickered.
Zoro met his gaze sharply and nodded.
The room now a bit more tranquil, it was finally Zoro's turn.
"Show me what you can do, Roronoa," Doflamingo rumbled, an almost eager glint in his eye.
He gestured to a pile of bricks on a table that was put off to the side. They were stacked neatly, one over the other, in three rows, with six bricks each.
Zoro watched the pile for a moment, thinking to himself which sword he should use.
A brief second passed and, having decided, he carefully set down his case, then swiftly took off his jacket and held it out for Usopp to grab, leaving him in his ragged black shirt, double red stripes on both shoulders leading to the end of his sleeves.
He then lowered himself, moving to open his case.
"No."
Doflamingo's voice halted his movements.
"Use this," he instructed and held out a small blade, its length no longer than twelve inches. It had no hilt, but instead was wrapped in a roll of cloth. It was clear the point of the blade was frighteningly sharp.
Usopp let out a small screech at the object and hid himself behind Luffy, who watched in composed awe.
But Zoro, accustomed to using any type of blade, wasn't afraid and received it with ease, grabbing its dull end with his left hand. He grasped it upside-down with steady fingers.
He once again watched the bricks, this time with concentration as he furrowed his eyebrows, narrowed his eyes, crinkled his nose, and pursed his lips. He brought out one leg beside him, bending the other at the knee just slightly. He lifted his arm up towards his face, the edge of the knife centimeters away from his right ear.
And finally, with a swift movement of his robust legs, a sturdy torso, and a flick of his wrist, he swung his arm in the direction of the bricks.
In the span of a millisecond, a powerful flying slash, along with a strong gust of wind, shot from the blade, before the sound of crumbling rocks overcame the room.
Where the bricks had just been remained merely small particles of rubble, along with a pile of red dust, a smoky effect drifting in the surrounding air.
The room was silent, until Luffy suddenly yelled, arms over his head. "That was so cool!"
A small amount of applause, cheers, and whistles suddenly echoed, following Luffy's shout, particularly from the people seated on the sidelines, the non-competitors. Meanwhile, those who were competing watched in silent astonishment and seriousness, as they realized that this man could very well be their opponent.
Zoro was still in his stance, but soon enough stood up straight nonchalantly, until he was knocked forward by a heavy weight, also known as Luffy, as the man draped his arms over Zoro.
"Zoro! You're so awesome! We for sure have to spar now!" he screamed in Zoro's ear, making Zoro cringe and push him away gently.
"After what you just saw, I think I might already know who the winner's gonna be," Zoro mused with a cheeky grin, a sudden fondness over the dark-haired man subduing him.
"I felt like I was gonna die there for a moment," Usopp sniffed shakily beside them, his hand placed over his heart dramatically. "I don't know if I'm happy to be you guys' manager...or super unlucky."
"Just be glad I'm not your enemy," Zoro smirked at the long-nosed man, gratefully taking his jacket from him.
Usopp was in mid-response, until a voice cut him off.
"Very interesting," Doflamingo interrupted with a small cackle. "The both of you. I accept your invitation," he said with finality.
Zoro felt like the wind had been knocked out of him.
A broad smile overcame his features instantly at the words as his body relaxed completely in relief as if he was about to fall.
He turned to face Luffy and saw they had matching smiles.
Both men raised their hands and gave one another, and even Usopp, a high-five, extremely happy they were able to enter the tournament.
After that, the try-outs continued as other contestants arrived, one by one presenting their abilities and strength in their own way.
The three men walked over to a corner of the room, away from where the audience was
mostly gathered, and continued to watch.
Luffy had calmed down quite a bit, but was still jumpy on his feet, pointing and hollering
in Usopp's ear about each contestant that he thought looked 'awesome.'
And there were some rather bizarre looking competitors, Zoro observed.
Men and women alike, different shapes and sizes. Some of them would be sliced in an instant if he were to go against them, he knew.
He gathered the noticeably strong ones in his mind, in no way doubting their strength.
His line of sight fell upon a younger-looking boy with pink hair and spectacles, standing in front of Doflamingo with a stiff and straight posture, almost like a soldier.
But it was obvious that he was afraid, beads of sweat on his forehead, and his mouth trembled as he spoke, that much was clear even from a distance.
Still, Zoro figured he must have some type of skill if he was offered an invitation. And though Zoro could predict the outcome-whether the boy would be his opponent or another's-he'd respect that skill, whatever it may be.
Behind the boy was another man who Zoro already concluded would be a worthy opponent. There stood a tanned man with long, thin limbs and fingers. He was towering and very muscular, head shaven.
Zoro was curious as to how this man would fight, as well as every other competitor.
Eyes flickering towards his swords case gripped in his hand, he couldn't wait for the moment to draw them out.
His eyes continued to roam the room, a figure, dressed in black, walking past him. But just like everyone else, he thought nothing of it.
7:23 p.m. Flower Hill Room
Try-outs done, Usopp stealthily led them away from the hidden arena, and back out onto the streets, thankfully less crowded now with nighttime approaching. He might've failed at controlling Luffy earlier, Zoro calling him a shitty manager at the time, but he seemed to have his tactics planned when it didn't involve much physical movement.
The trio walked together with Usopp leading the way back, to Zoro's relief.
The honking of cars had died down, and a quieter lull filled the locale, or at least as much as it could, considering the type of dangerous area they were currently walking through.
The words 'Flower Hill Room' on a sign grabbed Zoro's attention as he realized it was a bar. And in that moment, he felt parched.
Stopping in his tracks, he called out to Usopp.
"Hey."
Usopp turned around, Luffy as well as they waited for him to tell them why he stopped.
"Before we go back, wanna grab a drink?" he suggested, motioning his head towards the small pub.
It was as though Usopp suddenly felt parched as well.
"Why not! Let's go," the long-nosed man agreed.
Zoro smirked with some relief, desperately needing a well-deserved drink.
The three men walked through the doors of the nearby decent bar and made their way towards the counter.
Zoro felt exceedingly reassured and rather… proud that he'd been able to make it into the competition. The feeling lingered as he sat on one of the stools.
Indeed, anyone who made it in was surely happy...
But to Zoro, it was different. It meant more to him than to any of the other competitors because he hadn't entered only for himself.
He'd entered for Kuina. The girl who had and still did mean more to him than anyone else.
She had been his close childhood friend, someone who'd helped him grow as a person and as a swordsman. They had shared one interest, but it was enough to make them the best of friends.
He remembered them loving to train together and against each other, Kuina winning each time, Zoro never given the chance to defeat her. She'd enjoyed teasing him about it, annoying him, but he'd never gotten angry.
And even despite his compliance, it had still been his goal at the time, to beat her.
He'd been shocked to see that she was so strikingly skilled at using a sword at the young age of twelve, it was almost unbelievable.
She had been older than him by just two years, but it seemed she was ten years ahead of him when using a sword.
Her father, Koshiro, had been one of the reasons why she was so adept, being a talented swordsman himself. But it was mostly due to the fact that she alone had wanted to be a powerful swords-woman, to defeat any man that were to cross her path, and that included Zoro.
He understood that passion, that desire,
to want to defeat someone else, to be the best.
She'd trained long before she'd even met Zoro.
She would often tell him of the sword she'd wanted the most, that would guide her to become a strong swords-woman.
It was the Wado Ichimonji.
It was a beautiful sword.
A sword with a white hilt, decorated with gold diamond patterns and a circular handguard, the sheath painted white with a straight blade.
Wado was one of the known twenty-one O Wazamono grade swords, each one very powerful and durable. They weren't the highest grade, but were, nonetheless, amazing swords.
He and Kuina hated the snotty rich man that had the sword at the time, Saint Charloss, who owned it for its history, but never used it.
He remembered that fact frustrating Kuina to no end, more than it did him. She had been capable enough to go and fight the man for it, but she never had, despite how much she'd wanted to.
Eventually, the man died and the sword was free for anyone who wanted it, and since then, it was sold and bought by countless people, never having a proper owner. Kuina was excited and vowed that when she grew older, she would stop at nothing to retrieve her desired Wado.
But that dream had been taken from her the day she died.
"Bartender! Two drinks for the gentleman and I."
Usopp's voice snapped Zoro out of his thoughts. He watched as Usopp slumped himself in one of the bar's stools, draping himself over the counter tiredly, his head facing away from Zoro.
After a brief minute, he turned towards Zoro, his cheek pressed against the counter. He seemed to be softly sobbing, making the green-haired man raise an eyebrow in confusion.
"Thank you both for not killing me. Some guys I've been assigned to in the past have been so scary-looking, I was ready to quit my job," he explained, trembling slightly in fear at the memory.
Zoro merely looked at him, sort of perplexed, his drink midway to his mouth.
He chose not to answer the man and instead downed more of his booze, burning his throat in a satisfying way while Luffy spun on his stool, paying no attention to the man, lost in his own little world.
Usopp suddenly sat up straight, chest flared and arms flexed. His curly hair swayed a bit as he did so, and he smirked proudly.
p"That was a lie! For my name is Usopp, dammit! I'm tougher than any guy out there! I can even take you down, Zoro!" he yelled out with confidence./p
pZoro laughed this time and set down his glass./p
p"Are you willing to follow up on that statement? Because I'll take you on right now," Zoro threatened teasingly, his smile getting wider as he watched Usopp visibly stiffen up at his remark./p
p"Right now? You know what? I think I'm coming down with a cold," he said, suddenly changing his mood and letting out a fake hack, hitting his chest repeatedly./p
"Uh huh," Zoro hummed in amusement.
"Gimme something strong," Usopp told the passing bartender and slouched in his seat, hand on his chin.
"Another one for me," Zoro called out too, already craving another glass.
He wasn't planning on drinking too much that night; he didn't want to get drunk. He still planned to train for a bit; the night was still young.
He really wanted to meditate.
"Luffy, how long do you plan to spin in that chair?" Usopp asked, leaning back in his seat so that he could get a better look at said man from beside Zoro.
"Don't know. It's pretty fun though," Luffy laughed, his voice a little wobbly due to the spinning, but he nonetheless stopped his chair.
Setting the side of his hand down against the counter, Zoro swiftly caught the glass of booze the bartender sent his way and immediately took another large gulp.
"So, how the hell does a guy like you end up with this job anyway?" Zoro questioned Usopp, quite curious as to why a man that appeared to be afraid of seemingly countless things had ended up as a manager for frightening entrants.
Usopp paused at his question, setting down his drink and letting out a sigh.
"Well, it's kind of a funny story really."
He chuckled lightly and glanced at Zoro as he tapped his fingers against his cup, almost as if in embarrassment. His playful mood instantly changed to one that was more restless.
Zoro didn't laugh, only sent him an expression that read he was waiting for an answer.
Usopp slowly stopped chuckling and took a deep breath. His fingers stopped tapping the glass, but he then started dragging his index finger along the rim of it as he contemplated a response.
He looked straight ahead and decided to start his story without looking at his clients turned companions, considering they'd treated him differently than his previous clients, so far.
"Right, so as you guys have seen, I'm pretty scared of things that can kill me," Usopp began.
Zoro smiled just a little. He had definitely noticed. It was ridiculous, but just like with Luffy's wild antics, he didn't have a problem with it. He figured there had to be some reason behind it.
"I don't want to be though. You see, I want to be someone who's strong… and brave, without a care in the world. Basically, I want to be like you guys. Actually, I myself was going to sign up for the Battle Royale."
Usopp's words triggered a small wave of shock in Zoro. His eyes widened as he struggled to swallow his beer, the beverage getting lodged in his throat as he processed what he'd just heard. He recalled the pink-haired boy he had seen earlier in the arena, and mentally compared the two.
"Are you serious? You?" He laughed, his voice sounding a bit choked.
Usopp gave him a deadpan look and blinked once before saying, "Yes, I'm serious."
He let out another sigh.
"I know you're thinking that I'd die the minute I stepped into that arena, and so was I, which is why I didn't bother," he lamented with disappointment.
"Nah, man, I'm kidding," Zoro confirmed with a pat to Usopp's back.
The swordsman's smirk lingered for a moment before he sighed in the face of Usopp's apprehension.
"Look," Zoro started as he turned to look Usopp in the eye. "I didn't start out like this, being a swordsman. It's something I learned, something I trained and worked hard to be. If you want to do something, do it. Nothing's stopping you but yourself."
Zoro crossed his arms against the bar counter and sent him a hard look.
"Yeah, giving up on your dream's stupid," Luffy commented from beside Zoro, and unlike the swordsman, he gave Usopp another one of his widest grins, spinning himself once in his stool, as if in finality.
Usopp looked like he was about to burst into tears, but he didn't.
"You guys are right!" he shouted with a newfound brightness. He took one last large gulp of his drink, finishing it, and then slammed the glass on the counter, but not shattering it.
He stood and pulled on his black leather jacket with haste.
"I'm going to go grab a bite to eat, and then go and hit the gym for a while. Gotta bulk up these babies!" Usopp rambled as he pointed at his bicep.
After being almost completely quiet the whole time, Luffy suddenly perked up.
"You're gonna get food!?" he asked, also standing up. "Can I come with you? I'm starving!" Luffy moaned with a rub to his stomach and a distraught face.
"Yeah, sure! Zoro, you want to come too!?" Usopp questioned hurriedly. His body seemed fidgety, as if the excitement he was experiencing was being held back.
Zoro did enjoy a good work-out, but, with no offense to Usopp or Luffy, he preferred doing so alone. And after that drink, he really wanted to go back to his hotel room.
"Nah. I'm pretty beat from traveling and walking around this damn city, so I'm gonna call it a night," he said, rising from his stool and pulling out a couple of bills, placing them on the counter.
"Understandable." Usopp nodded, putting a hand on Zoro's shoulder. "Thanks for motivating me, man. I really needed it," he said, sounding on the verge of tears.
"Let's go," Luffy begged and tugged on Usopp's arm, huge frown on his face. "I'm hungry."
Zoro looked at the scene in front of him and pondered how odd the two men were, yet he didn't mind being around them. And for him, that said something.
Especially considering the fact that Usopp was currently trying to wrestle Luffy off of him, Luffy grabbing his nose and tugging, causing Usopp to screech.
Glancing up, Zoro caught the eyes of people nearby and only chuckled.
He really didn't mind.
7:00 p.m. Leaving the Battle Royale.
Flipping onto the next page of his journal, Sanji continued to scribble rapidly all he could remember seeing in the past hour. He did so with ease, averaging one-hundred words a minute, with neat handwriting at that, thanks to his years as a reporter.
He ignored the hand at the small of his back, gently guiding him towards the exit. He actually appreciated it, for once.
'He was there!'
Pressing the final period on his last sentence, he flipped his journal closed and clicked his pen before placing them both into the bag on his shoulder, excited smile present on his features.
"This way, Sanji," Gin said, raising his hand to motion Sanji away from the alley and back onto the street.
A few contestants remained inside the arena, resuming their training or hanging around, along with a few people from the audience.
Sanji also wanted to stay and continue watching, but Gin had suggested they leave a little earlier than a few of the others to avoid any sort of suspicion from the cops.
Sanji was reluctant to leave, but eventually agreed. He already had a lot to write about after watching the try-outs alone and wanted to do so while it was still fresh in his mind.
Meaning, he wanted to go back to his hotel room and properly jot everything down in order, and perhaps give a small update to Robin.
It was getting late, but knowing her, she'd still be glad to receive one.
Walking side by side with Gin, Sanji was eager to do all this, almost walking faster than Gin back to the car.
But Gin seemed to have something else planned.
"Pretty sick, right?" he commented coolly, unlocking his car and once again opening the door for the reporter.
"It definitely was," Sanji agreed, getting into the vehicle and clutching his bag to his chest. "Can't wait for the actual event to start."
He was in a good mood and actually didn't mind getting into a conversation with Gin in that moment.
The man let out a lively laugh as he circled to the other side and entered as well.
"Well, I can't wait to spend the next couple days with you to watch," Gin replied. "It'll be a hell of a time."
Peeking at him from the corner of his eye, Sanji only gave a strained smile and focused his gaze on the fuzzy dice instead, finding the comment a little annoying.
"Yeah…"
"The night's still young, y'know? So why don't I show you around the city, huh? It'll be a blast," Gin offered as he pulled away from the curb and drove off, in the opposite direction of Sanji's hotel.
Sanji's tolerance dropped in an instant.
His eyes widened as he turned fully towards Gin, lip twitching as he caught the smirk the man wore.
"M-Maybe another time! I have to go back and write-"
"Nonsense. You can do that tomorrow. Wouldn't kill ya to spend a night with your old buddy, would it?" Gin laughed once more, clearly not taking no for an answer.
Yes, it would.
But, Sanji knew he had to stay on this man's good side. Or else his ticket into the Battle Royale would be ripped right to shreds.
He let out a small laugh of his own, flipping his head and hair upwards to look out the window.
"I suppose not," the blond mumbled in reply.
"Perfect," Gin purred. "I know the finest burger place just a few blocks from here I'd be glad to take you to. Got a couple buddies there too that'll love to meet ya."
Sanji suddenly found the smell of cologne mixed with pine to be suffocating.
It turned out the finest burger place Gin knew was a mediocre joint at the corner of Primula Avenue.
In front was a statue of a fish, standing with a food tray balanced on his fin. But instead of food, there was an iridescent pearl that didn't even shine. Its paint was coming off in tiny scrapes.
Sanji stared at the dull eyes of the thing with disgust.
It was a burger place, and yet its mascot was a fish.
Opening the door to the joint, Gin hastily pushed Sanji inside and guided him to a four-seater table.
Sanji wasn't the type of person to eat out in the first place, much preferring to cook his own meals, the right way. But just the look of this place made him lose his appetite.
And from the looks of it, everyone else had too, since there was hardly anyone inside.
"Gonna call out my friends. Be right back," Gin said excitedly, pointing towards the back of the restaurant before jogging off in that direction.
Sanji merely nodded as he sat uncomfortably in his seat, taking a look around the inside of the restaurant.
The first thing he noticed were the purple fluorescent lights lining all four walls, giving the room a dark but vibrant feel.
Up against one wall, farthest to the right, were more lights, but these were the same color as the pearl outside, pink and blue, reading Pearl Palace in cubed font.
Surrounding the words were more lights that were formed in shapes-triangles, squares and circles-as they blinked on and off almost blindingly.
The chairs, including the one Sanji was sitting on, were supposed to be silver, but definitely weren't anymore, with rust decorating the edges of them. The red cushions attached were hardly comfortable.
But what Sanji couldn't stand was the putrid smell of grease and oil filling the air. He could hear the sizzling coming from the back and glanced in that direction, where he also heard the boisterous laughs of what he assumed were Gin's so-called "friends."
He was agitated and wanted nothing more than to leave.
Maybe a cigarette.
But he instead restrained himself and placed his elbow on the table, tapping his lips impatiently.
Suddenly, the back kitchen door burst open, the laughter Sanji had heard becoming loud and clear as Gin and two men walked out, heading towards his table.
One was rather tall, as he loomed over Gin. He was muscular and had short purple-gray hair and long sideburns. He was dressed in a yellow leopard-print button-up, a gold chain around his neck.
The other was about the same height as Gin and, from what Sanji could tell, the owner of this place, as the man wore atop his head a hat in the shape of a pearl along with matching studs in his ears.
Despite the hat, his black hair peeked through, noticeably shiny from mousse.
Sanji had to bite back a groan.
But he managed to stand up, under some guise of politeness.
They approached, still laughing and making jokes, until Gin finally turned.
"Lads, this is Sanji, the one I was talking to you about. Sanji, this big one here is Krieg, and this fool is Pearl," he introduced, gesturing to the two men.
"So you're the famous Sanji!" Pearl chuckled, instantly slapping his hand against Sanji's back, making the blond tumble forward a bit.
Sanji forced a smile and stood back up.
"That's me," he said smoothly, jamming a thumb towards himself.
"We've heard so much about you! Gin just won't shut the hell up. Pleasure to meet you." Krieg smirked, voice rumbling as he shook Sanji's hand.
The blond let out a soft laugh and glanced at Gin, who gave a "Tch," in response.
"Only good things, I hope," Sanji replied.
The trio all laughed once again, the uncomfortable feeling that Sanji had returning full force as he watched them all carefully.
This would be a long night.
Sanji focused his gaze on the hamburger placed in front of him on a red plastic tray and wrinkled his nose. He didn't even need to take a bite to know that it would not suit his taste just from its appearance.
Wrinkled, smushed buns, the greenest lettuce and the stale, stiff slice of meat.
So, he pushed the tray slightly off to the side and leaned against the table where the three men he'd just met also sat, talking amongst themselves.
They'd insisted Sanji eat one of Pearl's burgers, despite his constant declining, and practically shoved the tray onto him. They then gathered around Sanji and Gin, collecting a couple beers. Every now and then, they would include Sanji into their conversation about who knew what.
"The last time I was with a woman was just a couple nights ago. So I'm still getting some action. Nothing's gonna change that," Pearl bragged with a sleazy smirk, blowing away the black curl that hung loosely over his forehead as if to finalize his statement.
Hearing this, Sanji quickly turned his head to face the three men, who weren't looking at him, giving him free opportunity to send a semi-pissed glare in their direction. He prayed they weren't going where he thought they were going with this conversation.
"Still got the looks. Can't say the same for this big lug over here," Pearl continued, sticking a finger towards Krieg, who was leaning back in his chair, expression unamused.
"Shut the hell up, you greasy bastard," he grumbled, sitting up straight again and taking a swig of his beer messily, drops of it falling down the side of his mouth. He slammed the glass down on the table and looked at his two friends.
Gin sat next to Sanji, but his chair seemed to inch closer with every passing moment, which Sanji clearly noticed.
The air felt tighter, the room much brighter. Sanji looked outside one of the tinted windows to see that it was definitely nighttime now, and his damn patience had lowered right along with the sun in the sky.
Cigarette-deprived, he fidgeted with the end of his shirt sleeve, buttoning and unbuttoning his cuff repeatedly.
"I been seeing this woman. Alvida's her name," Krieg slurred. "She's got the finest hips and legs that go on for days." He made a motion with his hands to reference an hourglass shape, making Sanji's eye twitch.
"And she's with me. So that's saying something, Pearl. You don't know jackshit about how to satisfy a woman," he taunted, swinging the gold chain around his neck in circles, toothy grin in place.
Pearl's face flushed red, apparently not knowing what to say.
"F-Fuck off! Course I do!" the owner eventually shot back. "If anyone doesn't know how to satisfy someone, it's Gin!" he stammered, everyone's eyes turning to Gin.
Elbow resting on the back of his chair in a somewhat cocky way, his other arm placed between his legs, position relaxed, Gin let out a small drunk cackle.
"You fellas don't know what the hell yer talking about." His voice was raspy, his eyes beady as he stared the two men down.
Sanji glanced at him from his peripheral, and that small movement caught Gin's full attention.
Quickly grabbing the back of Sanji's chair, he scooted it closer and pulled the blond directly into his side, arm draping over his shoulder for a squeeze.
"I know how to satisfy people really fucking good," the man drawled. "And if Sanji here gives me a chance…"
The blond's breath froze, and this time, not because of the man's cheap cologne. Instead, his entire world seemed to twist and hang on Gin's pause…
Until it came crashing down around him when the man leaned closer still to murmur in Sanji's ear, "He might just be the star of the show."
Those words sent a sharp shiver down the blond's entire body, a shiver that brought with it complete and utter dread and disgust.
Of course he'd known. He'd known Gin's feelings. He'd have to be fucking blind not to notice the man's sorry attempts at flirtation.
Sanji had managed to control the situation always, tolerating, yes, but controlling, first and foremost. Gin could try all he wanted, but Sanji hadn't let the man advance, kept him at arm's length and made sure he was the one calling the shots, even if that meant some subtle manipulation.
But he could do that quite easily, and he could do that without qualms when it kept the road paved for his goals without interference from this fool.
But there was a key difference in that moment, in Gin's low voice dripping so close to his skin, in his warm, alcohol-laden breaths that seemed eager to slide, if not more sleazy innuendos, than surely something else down Sanji's throat.
The careful control that Sanji so valued-needed-in every situation, was slipping away from him as quickly as his companions' sobriety.
The moment he felt the first brush of lips against his neck, Sanji snapped.
Practically choking on the smell of that cologne, Gin's prickly stubble grazing his forehead, and tolerance long fucking gone, Sanji wrenched himself away and stood up.
"Don't touch me with your filthy hands! I've had enough of you," Sanji growled, wracked with a shiver.
"I'm walking back," he declared, catching a final glimpse of the two shocked men, along with his cold forgotten hamburger, before he stormed past them towards the front doors, the night air instantly a better feeling than the inside of that restaurant as soon as he stepped outside.
Sanji turned left then, speed-walking past the dumb fish outside the restaurant's entrance, down the street towards where he remembered the Battle Royale had been.
He'd go there, ask a nearby store for directions on how to get back to his hotel, and be on his way.
He had to get as far away as possible.
He was still trembling with rage and disgust as he reached over his shoulder into his bag, scrambling for his cigarette pack and lighter.
Feeling the familiar box and metal, he pulled them out and held the cigarette towards his lips.
But suddenly, a blur at his side, and his wrist was grabbed, turning him around forcibly to face the man he currently wanted to get away from.
His cigarette fell from his fingers, angering Sanji further.
Gin's short hair was tousled and he was panting, eyes pleading.
"Sanji," he said simply, holding onto the blond's wrist for dear life.
"Don't go. I'm sorry for what I did back there, honest. Come back and we'll-" Sanji cut him off.
"No," Sanji huffed, pulling his hand free. "I'm tired. I want to go back and write, dammit. But I can't do that with you in my way, so go back to your buddies and leave me alone," he seethed, nearly biting his tongue.
Gin looked frustrated, as if his life was hanging on a thread.
"That's fine!" he assured. "You can go do that, but we're still cool, right? Gonna see you again tomorrow night for the first Battle Royale round?" he asked desperately.
"I don't need it. I have my own way of getting in without you, so we're done here, Gin. Goodbye," Sanji finished resolutely with as much control as he could muster, stepping on the dropped cigarette and turning back away from him.
But, once again, Gin's wrist clamped onto his.
Only this time, the man dragged him. Hard, his grip forceful and insistent as he yanked Sanji between two shops and into a back alley, right next to a large dumpster.
A shove sent the blond's shoulders slamming into the wall, a grunt and a wince escaping him. Still, he found the strength, or perhaps the bravery, to glare at Gin's now pissed face with a scowl.
Gin roughly slipped a knee between Sanji's legs and held both of his wrists above his head with one hand, while his other flew south and grabbed Sanji's ass.
"I've always wanted to do that," he sneered lecherously, alcohol-stained breath fanning Sanji's face.
In a flash, Sanji lunged for him, seeing nothing but crimson.
8:07 p.m.
Waving goodbye, Zoro watched Luffy and Usopp walk away down the street before finally turning around to head back to his hotel.
He shoved one hand in his jacket pocket, his other securely holding his swords case.
Feeling the crumpled paper that was Nami's map in his pocket, he pulled it out to examine once more. Though he hated to admit it, he knew that without it, he'd be lost, perhaps for the entire night.
He stopped under a street lamp, which illuminated the paper perfectly, allowing him to find out that he wasn't that far from the Dressrosa Hotel, about three blocks or so.
He needed to just head straight until he reached Smiley Street and then make a left. Seemed simple enough.
Puffing out a breath of air, he continued to walk.
It was definitely strange being in a new city, but the first day was always tiring. He knew this, considering the many times he'd traveled as the "Demon of the East Blue."
But this day was definitely the strangest and most eventful. The train ride, the encounter with Luffy and then Usopp, the rush of the try-outs.
But despite all this, he wouldn't change anything about how the day had gone. And the days that were to come, no matter what, he knew he wouldn't change those either.
His jean jacket wasn't particularly the warmest thing, but it was enough so that he wasn't shivering. But it was becoming a chilly night, the November breeze running through the open seals of his jacket.
With each step, he wished he had his cassette player with him, listening to his various albums. He usually did bring it with him, but he supposed the Battle Royale had been the main thing on his mind.
To fill in his musical void, he flipped through his mind for songs to quietly hum to and thought of a recent favorite, 'You Shook Me All Night Long' by AC/DC.
He began to hum the song, recalling its exact beats and rhythms. And for a moment, he could swear he was actually hearing it, as a distant thudding filled his ears.
Stopping in the middle of the semi-crowded sidewalk, he paused to listen to make sure he wasn't crazy. But with the sounds of cars passing, people talking, and restaurant music, he was unable to. So, he moved away from the crowd just a bit and pressed himself against a laundromat's wall.
And he heard it.
Between the laundromat and restaurant, there was a long and narrow gap, where he was sure the sound was coming from. Except, it wasn't the sound of a song. He'd heard it many times before, in multiple fighting arenas.
Pained groans and spaced out thuds.
Curious, he examined the narrow gap and estimated that he could fit. He turned himself sideways, entered the opening, and began to slide himself, doing the same thing with his swords case.
Why he was doing this, he really didn't know. He just knew he wanted to find out who was at the end of it. If it was a Battle Royale competitor, he'd be fucked, because he wasn't supposed to get into fights or make any sort of enemy.
If Usopp was here…
But he continued anyway, even as his sneakers squelched in leaking sewer water and garbage, scrunching his nose in distaste at the smell and sound.
It felt like hours until he reached the end, but he finally did, peeking out slowly to find himself in a much larger alleyway behind some buildings. He glanced left and right, but the thudding had stopped, he realized.
Instead, it was replaced by the fresh scent of cigarette smoke.
The scent was strongest coming from his left, so Zoro walked in that direction.
And sure enough, behind a dumpster, he saw what appeared to be two figures, one standing while the other was slouched against the wall.
Not hesitating, Zoro approached them and upon closer inspection, he was able to make out the figure that was standing, who swiftly turned around to face him.
He was a tall, lean man, hunched a bit forward as he held a cigarette between his fingertips. He was dressed in a yellow striped shirt, now stained red here and there, with a couple of buttons missing from the top.
He had blond hair, which was disheveled, most likely from beating the shit out of the man before him. Glasses perched at the tip of his nose, another stain of blood smearing the one eyeglass that was shown.
And behind those glasses were blue eyes that stared at Zoro with the coldest stare, merciless and slightly hooded. Zoro held his gaze on the man, refusing to look away or make a move.
The blond did instead, as he stood up straight and took a drag from his cigarette, blowing out the smoke upwards. He didn't so much as glance at the body beside him, or brush away the bangs that were sticking to his sweaty face.
When he spoke, it surprised Zoro, the deep baritone stating nonchalantly, "I'm a news reporter. He wasn't giving me the information I needed."
