"This is troublesome." Robin looked over her notes as they walked outside of the club. "We're going to need a doctor but this is such a strange case. I'm not sure if they know enough about it to know what equipment they need. If they don't have everything, she could die."

"What do you suggest?"

"I'm going with my instincts. We'll see Chopper."

"Chopper?"

"Young, but something of a genius in the medical field." Robin smiled. She fished out keys from her pocket and unlocked her car. Sanji scrambled over to open the door for her. "Thank you. I'm sorry you're still in that outfit but it'll come in handy during this mission, I guarantee it. Not many people will recognise you, if any at all." The chef shrugged, making his way into the passenger seat.

"At least I got to change my shoes." He happily wriggled his toes in loafers.

"I'm surprised you managed to convince Ivankov about it."

"I didn't. I just… took them." Robin giggled.

"That's one way to do it."

"We're not going through the front door."

"Why?"

"Because I'd be pulling Chopper out of his normal duties and people don't appreciate that."'

"That's ridiculous. He's still saving someone."

"Usually people assume that an assassin keeping someone alive will result in more unpleasant things for the person later, to say the least." They stopped at the back of the hospital. "See that window there? It's almost always unlocked. Sies fluer!" A ladder made of limbs grew on the wall. They took hold of the limbs and climbed. With a gentle nudge, the window creaked open and they sidled in. Robin led the way down a series of halls and stairs before knocking on a door.

"Coming!" a childish voice called and the door opened. Sanji's eyebrow shot up. It was a kid. "Robin!" the boy giggled as he hugged her.

"Chopper, this is Sanji. Are you up for a job?"

"Tell me," the boy said, wide eyes dark and serious. Robin gave a rundown on Hatchan's captured friend and the chef watched the boy looked over Robin's notes to make a few of his own. He pouted. "I've heard a little of people like these. Ages ago, Dr Kureha told me a few stories about mermaids and fishmen. How long do I have?"

"An hour or two before we have to leave."

"I see. Well I'll check with Dr Kureha and then I'll organise what equipment to bring."

"Alright, I will leave it to you." Chopper left the room in a flurry of notes and scrambled steps. Robin glanced at Sanji's impassive face.

"You keep an excellent poker face but let me assure you, Chopper, young as he is, is one of the best here. I'd trust him with my life. He will do everything in his power to save your friend."

"I'm not concerned about that ma'am but rather is he able to handle all of these corrupt things?"

"He's seen and experienced a lot which is also why he has a broader field of knowledge than most normal doctors. It's not the first job he's done and definitely not the worst he's seen."

"I see."

"He patches up the fighters after Friday and Saturday."

"Oh."

"The worst was when he had to sew up a man nearly cut in half. He couldn't sleep for several weeks afterwards." Sanji's heart panged for the little doctor. He could imagine him fatigued from his shift but unable to rest from the traumatising memories.

"He's brave isn't he?"

"He is," Robin hummed, gathering up the shuffled papers. They heard thudding feet echo down the hall and the door burst open again.

"Robin! Sanji! Dr Kureha says that, well…" he paused, "they don't need anything. Apparently they're used to it. It's in their blood."

"Are you sure?" Sanji couldn't resist asking. That girl looked unconscious!

"She says she didn't have to treat them before. Just rest I guess… once I take a look I'll be able to tell for sure."

"What if you do need to go back? There's no guarantee we can return."

"How much space are we allowed?"

"You can walk comfortably but we'll," Robin gestured towards herself and Sanji, "have to crouch or crawl."

"I'll change the stretchers then and bring a few more things, just in case she needs it." The little doctor trotted off.

"I'll go first," said Ms All Sunday, flicking on her headlight and shuffled forward, towing the stretcher. "Chopper you stay on the stretcher and Sanji will bring up the rear." She plunged into the dimness.

The ground was moist. The same dirt walls were crumbly. Sanji had rolled up his dress immodestly to keep it clean. Ms All Sunday had advised him he might be needed to go incognito and cause a distraction. Of what kind, he didn't know. It was laborious, having to travel through the tunnel in an awkward half crawl half crouching position. Chopper sat on the stretcher, clutching onto all his medical equipment. In the unventilated air, sweat form on their foreheads and back of their necks and travelled down their spine. They felt uncomfortably sticky in the cramped tunnel.

"We're nearly there. Be quiet and move slowly." Robin pointed to stone blocks above their heads. It must be the floor of the prisoner's room.

"Ocho fleur! Clutch!" Robin muttered and Sanji heard the multiple cracks of necks from the soldiers above. "I left one but he won't do a thing," she said, pushing up on a stone and heaving herself up. Sanji lifted Chopper through the hole after tedious manoeuvring with shifting the stretcher up the hole and then got out himself. The little doctor immediately began inspecting his patient.

"I'm sure we can just get her out of the water and she'll be fine," he affirmed, nodding. Robin was busyng herself with some pipes and Sanji watched, spellbound as she pulled out various instruments from the depths of her clothes, although how she managed pipes was a case beyond him, and set to draining the water from the tank. She lifted another stone block and the water drained in another hole she must have dug out. Robin pulled out what looked like a pen, drew a small circle on the tank and pushed it, the glass piece popped inwards and allowed the water to flow, pooling into the second hole. It wasn't a pen at all, Sanji realised. It must be one of those glass cutting tools. His partner really was a first class assassin, Sanji appreciated, admiring her cautious and thorough approach. The mermaid began sinking with the draining water and was slowly regaining consciousness. Hatchan's friend gasped and opened her eyes as soon as the water level reached below her chin. Sanji lowered his face to the hole in the tank.

"Hello?" he whispered. The woman looked at him, striken. "We're here to rescue you. I'm Hatchan's friend."

"You're here to rescue me? Is Hatchan okay?" the woman bent over to the hole. Sanji nodded.

"He's fine but he was really worried about you. Just keep quiet so no one will be looking for us." The woman leaned back, flashing Sanji a thumbs up and a broad smile.

"The water is all drained out," Robin reported, stowing away all her things. She took out her glass cutter and ran it across all four edges of one face of the tank, took the panel down and chopped it up to throw down the water hole. Chopper ran up to his patient and handed her a large towel. Sanji stood back, sighing as the woman stepped onto the floor, a little unsteadily but otherwise fine. The little doctor immediately fired a few questions, just about how she felt and other tests that must serve a purpose unknown to Sanji but there was no panic, rather, the doctor seemed relieved.

"Calling all guards to move the according prisoners to their designated areas. The show will begin in a minute."

"Sanji, go!" Robin started suddenly. "Buy us time!"

"What? I thought we had more time than this."

"They must have changed something! Quickly! Go!"

"How will you carry her back?" Sanji stammered, hesitating at the door.

"It doesn't matter. Chopper can help. Just go!" Hands sprouted from the wall and pushed Sanji along the hall. He heard the rumble of the audience as he pounded down the stone floors, desperate to find the presenter of the night. The pounding brought the attention of guards standing at were brought to attention.

"Hey! What are you doing?"

"Ma'am stop!" Metal armour jingled as they pursued, heavy shoes thudding against the floor. There was no time to waste.

"Fuck! Come on, come on!" he rasped, sliding around the corners. At last he was awarded with what he was searching for. He was just on time too, the man was gathering a microphone and climbing the stairs. There was no time to waste. He lunged, kicking the man into the stairs and knocking him unconscious. Then he spun around and conjured the most innocent look he could, lifting his eyebrow and widening his eyes.

"Why are you chasing me?" he flicked his fringe. The guards stuttered.

"Well my lady, orders are orders."

"Whose orders?" Sanji inspected his nails and blew some dirt from under them. He put his hand on hips and looked expectantly at the stunned guards. "Who am I? Well?" he prompted and seeing no reply, he continued, "I am the presenter for the night. I noticed some of my things were missing and chased after this man." He nudged the unconscious man with his foot. "I'm sure he's one of the escaped prisoners or something of the like. I've heard he's the boss of the prison breakouts that have been happening recently."

"Is that so-"

"Next time, don't question my authority." Sanji thrust his face in the guards. Satisfied with the sweat that beaded on the man's forehead and his wide eyes, he leaned back. "Take this man to one of your cells. Secure him and gag him. Later I will question him. Now, if you're done annoying me, head back to your posts." He began to climb the stairs, sweeping the microphone and programme off the floor and stepping over the unconscious emcee.

"But my lady-" Sanji held up a finger without turning.

"Hush." He pushed through the curtain. An ocean of faces in front looked up expectantly. Ladies and men, all dressed with their respective styles. Some classic, some bizarre but all immaculate. Ironic, being that this place was a dirty gathering. So these were people who dabbled in the underground. He swallowed, clearing his throat before beginning his act.

Thanks for reading! :D Feel free to review and say what you see fit!