~Chapter 5: Delivery That Could Change The World~
"AWWW!" Luffy whined. "There's no meat in here." He had just finished crawling through the back of the wagon searching for meat, or any kind of food for that matter.
"Luffy, you're an idiot" Sanji said as he blew out the smoke from his cigarette. "Don't you realize what Robin just told us?"
"This is quite an interesting turn." Brook sang, strumming on his guitar, acting like his character was playing his lute.
Franky and Zoro had just finished unloading the contents of the wagon. They laid every object on the ground for easy viewing. Chopper ran over to them, waving a piece of parchment. "Here! Don't forget this Zoro!"
Zoro took the parchment from Chopper and scanned it closely. "Hmmm. This looks like some sort of instruction chart. But I have no idea what it's for. Robin, you wanna tell us what this is?"
Robin sat coolly with her elbow resting on the table, her chin in her hand. "You are correct that this parchment is an instruction chart."
"But what's it for?" Luffy said eagerly.
"It is for," she paused for dramatic effect. "a powerful weapon."
"A powerful weapon?" everyone yelled in unison.
"Why would the king need parts for a powerful weapon to build another wing of the castle?" Nami questioned.
"Unless…" Sanji spoke up, "The king really isn't adding on to the castle."
"What do you mean Sanji?" Chopper asked innocently.
"The king is a bad guy, right? He's selfish and thrives on the power he feels from being a tyrant. What's to say that he's not secretly trying to become even more powerful that he already is?"
"That's a very astute observation Sanji." Robin complimented
"Do you really think so Robin my love? Oh you're just too sweet."
"Shut up." Zoro growled. "Can we get back to the game?"
"Right." Sanji complied. "So now that we know what the king is really up to, what should we do Luffy?"
"Let's kick his ass!"
"And how exactly, do you suggest we do that, oh great leader." Nami said with an irritated tone.
"Well, if the king guy is at the castle we should go there. Then, we'll kick his ass."
"That seems like a sound plan." Usopp said sardonically.
"Is that what you wish to do Luffy?" Robin asked.
"Yes! To the castle! But first, I'm hungry."
"Luffy, you're kind of taking this character thing too far, don't you think?" Zoro said gruffly.
"What? Not my character. ME! I'M hungry."
"Sanji-san set up some food on that table over there." Brook mentioned. "We can take our turns while you get a snack."
"Yeah, well, I already ate all of that."
"WHAT!" Sanji bellowed. "That was supposed to last us the whole game, you moron! Now what are the ladies supposed to eat?"
"Oops…I thought that was a snack to start the game. It was all delicious. Sorry guys."
"He sure doesn't sound too sorry." Chopper whispered to Usopp.
"He's never sorry when it comes to food. You should know that by now."
"I suppose I'll go make some late dinner if everyone doesn't mind taking a break." No one had realized it, but it had gotten late; later than when dinner usually commenced on the ship. The crew had been so engrossed in their game that time seemed to slip away from them, so no one objected to an intermission.
Sanji retreated to the kitchen while the rest of the crew proceeded to get up and move around. Robin walked over to the railing and stared off into the changing sky. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow on the sea, and the Sunny. It was beautiful Robin thought to herself and, at the risk of sounding corny, quite magical.
Zoro swiftly came up behind Robin and slipped his strong arms around her slender waist. He planted a soft kiss on the side of her face. "That's quite an interesting game you have there."
"Are you enjoying it?"
"It's fun. Luffy cant stay focused on the task at hand though."
"I had a feeling that is how this game would go. He's quite high-spirited."
"Yeah, that's one word for it. You know what would make this game more interesting?"
Robin had a feeling she already knew what he was going to say, but she let him speak anyways. "Oh yeah? Please tell me. I'd love to know."
"You should let me carry three swords. They don't necessarily have to be katanas. I'll take what I can."
"You're bad." She chuckled and playfully swatted his shoulder. "Coming over here and trying to schmoose me up to get your way."
"Did it work?"
"If it were up to me, you could have as many swords as you could possibly carry. But, the rules of the game say otherwise."
"Aw come on. You're the boss of this game. Cant you bend the rules? For me?" Zoro gave her a squeeze and nuzzled his face into her neck. She always smelled so good and he loved that.
"Well," Robin thought.
"If you do it, I promise I wont complain about organizing your books later."
"That is a tempting offer. Answer something for me first. Why are you trying so hard to have three swords in this silly game?"
"I dunno. That's just who I am. I work well with three swords."
"You do realize that were just playing a game? For fun."
"Yeah but if I cant protect everyone in a silly game how can I call myself a great swordsman."
"If it means that much to you, I suppose I can bend the rules."
"Sanji was right about one thing."
"What's that?"
"You really are too sweet."
Robin smiled and savored Zoro's embrace. They stood at the railing, basking in the last moments of the golden sun before Sanji called for dinner.
