Chapter 30

All bets are off

Robin didn't take her eyes off the man in front of her and with her left hand, she elegantly placed her cards in full view in the center of the table.

"Flush. The lady wins the game."

The dealer pushed the chips towards Robin and the young woman sent a smile of thanks to her disappointed opponent. The man sighed before leaving the table while the spectators congratulated her. Nami and Jinbei sat down next to her again and other players joined them for a new game.

"Well done, Robin," the redhead whispered to her friend. The archaeologist gently inclined her head. "It seems that your technique worked," she replied. Nami agreed, assessing their next opponents who were sitting while the dealer shuffled the cards.

The six friends assigned to the poker tables had divided into two groups to increase their chances of winning when they had arrived an hour earlier. The presence of the crew had immediately attracted attention and many curious people crowded around the tables, if only to observe the pirates who had challenged two Emperors. A sort of wary admiration had immediately set in and they had been welcomed as exceptional guests, to the great satisfaction of the navigator.

Their entrance had been particularly theatrical. Before they even entered the casino, word of their presence had spread to patrons and staff alike, and everyone had rushed to catch a glimpse of them. Indeed, they were world-famous now and when they were wearing their impeccable outfits and with their weapons at their waists, no one could miss the aura of power and confidence that emanated from the ten members of the Straw Hat crew.

Immediately, they were offered to go to the VIP rooms without even paying, while a fairly well-known pirate crew in the region was refused right in front of them because of their unkempt appearance. Yet Nami knew that appearances weren't going to last all evening when she had seen Luffy rushing towards the slot machines, his eyes shining. His presence had plummeted when the guests had discovered his childish smile and big playful eyes and the navigator had seen some eyebrows furrow while others were amused.

She had decided to take matters into her own hands then and she had gently batted her eyelashes to be shown the room. With her red muslin dress with pleats slit up to the thigh, she had flipped her long hair and immediately, a crowd of suitors had offered to guide her and Robin while Sanji, Jinbei, Brook and Franky had followed them as best they could. In the main room, Zoro, Usopp and Chopper had walked towards the roulette and the sniper and the doctor had seemed very focused on their roles. Nami had simply hoped that the fencer would keep a low profile because he was as good as his captain to have his own way.

As the dealer dealt the cards, the navigator focused on their next opponents. The casino was famous and attracted professional poker players who proved to be much tougher competitors than the booze-soaked pirates they used to beat in the taverns. The berries were accumulating far too slowly since the beginning of the evening and she knew that Sanji, Franky and Brook were in the same situation. The young woman had decided to use a completely different tactic then.

As soon as her game wasn't exceptional, she tried to distract the other players with a lascivious sigh, a movement of her shoulders which revealed her bare skin or a flirtatious look. For their part, Robin and Jinbei took the opportunity to keep an eye on their every move and the distraction usually made them lose their concentration.

Glancing at the cards that the dealer had just laid out for her, she immediately offered a falsely troubled smile to the fat man who had been devouring her with his eyes for several games already. If she had the chance, she would rob him when he bought her a drink in a few minutes.

"All bets are off!"

Zoro barely watched the ball roll across the board at full speed. He had grown tired of this game approximately ten minutes after they arrived because it was just luck and if he got a fair amount himself, the lack of challenge and stimulation made him lose all appeal. The swordsman had studied the gestures of the dealer and the game itself: an unusual movement, a number that would come up more than the others, the weight of the ball, the tilt of the table. Yet nothing had seemed suspicious to him and Usopp had confirmed it quickly. Since then, the fencer had been playing his chips sullenly, absentmindedly reviewing the casino patrons and his gaze drawn towards the bar in the annex room.

On the other side of the room, Luffy had long since spent all his berries without winning a single game in return and he was taking advantage of the crowd of curious people who were offering him dishes in the hope of learning more about his adventures or simply to gain his favor. All members of the crew benefited from increased attention and the swordsman felt the more or less suspicious glances directed towards him since they had entered the casino. Unlike the captain, people weren't rushing to offer him drinks and no one had even made an attempt to approach him until now, his closed face and swords probably deterring the most reckless of them.

The ball finally stopped on the black nine and Chopper screamed with joy. He picked up three more chips while Usopp lost all his own but that didn't stop the two friends from immediately betting for the next game with enthusiasm.

Zoro sighed, his gaze once again fixed on the sparkling bar between the doors. With no stakes or way to influence the outcome, there was no point in staying here any longer.

"Chopper, take this."

The swordsman pushed the majority of his chips towards the little reindeer who looked at him questioningly. "You don't want to play anymore, Zoro?"

"I'm gonna take a break and have a drink."

"But you're the luckiest," Usopp pointed out to him.

"I won't be long."

"Two pairs. The gentleman takes it all."

"Yohohohoho!"

Sanji sighed. Only Brook found it funny when they were heavily defeated every time, and the skeleton warmly congratulated their opponent while cleaning his pocket watch to better check his reflection, even though he had no eyes to do so as he happily pointed out to them. His good mood was probably explained by the fact that the musician was the only one to get by. Indeed, his dead face was absolutely clear of any emotion and he managed to bluff without his muscles betraying him since he didn't have any. Franky had trouble not letting himself be overwhelmed and everyone could see his annoyance. Although the cyborg was naturally cheerful, he didn't like the serious atmosphere of these professional games and he would have preferred to join Luffy at the slot machines so that he could simply have fun.

For his part, the cook had also decided to hide his eyes using the Raid Suit's sunglasses, but that didn't prevent their fiasco. Moreover, the blond knew that he really wasn't helping his two companions since he had his eyes and mind much more attracted by the pretty ladies in evening dress who regularly came to approach him. But was it really his fault? How was the blond supposed to resist when they asked him details about his pirate life and raved about his feats?

Most of them dreamed of an adventurous and exotic life with a beautiful Apollo who would be entirely devoted to them and Sanji had no doubt that he would be the best to do it. He treated them to anecdotes but above all to compliments highlighting the unparalleled contribution that they wouldn't fail to make if they chose to join a crew well behaved enough to welcome them. When one of them, better informed than the others, had mentioned the dishes she would like to taste from the chef though, Sanji had felt his smile freeze on his lips for a moment. Seduction was a game that he had always associated with his cooking since it was his main asset but he couldn't cook like before and his confidence had suddenly vanished.

Still, he didn't want to appear rude or even give any indication of a weakness. Beyond himself, it was the entire crew who could suffer if their enemies learned that one of them wasn't in the best shape, so he had started up again and recited a classic recipe for egg cream that he knew by heart. The young woman had seemed delighted and she had left with the certainty of having almost tasted the dessert that the blond had depicted to her.

Sanji had lost the game and Franky had sighed wearily but the experience had still been positive. Indeed, the next young woman who had approached had been treated to a description of a sumptuous cake and the cook had been surprised to regain his ease at the same time as the words had come more and more easily to him. Now he barely paid attention to the cards and even though he knew that Nami wouldn't appreciate his attitude, he was also aware that he had no chance of winning against all these professional players anyway.

He was wondering if he wasn't going to ask Franky to move to the black jack table when he met the redhead's gaze. She pointed to the adjacent room with an urgent look and Sanji noticed that loud voices were reaching them from there. He then grimaced when he recognized Zoro's among others and he left his cards to rush in his direction.

Of course, the room in which the fencer was had a bar and the man already had a drink in his hand instead of watching the roulette, but the most worrying part remained his tense face. A bartender and another member of staff crowded around him and the blond only understood their presence when he discovered his own white tie around the swordsman's neck stained with whiskey drops.

He lowered his sunglasses and immediately glared at the fencer who pointed to the two men at his side when he saw him. "Relax, cook, it ain't my fault. It's a guy who pushed me without paying attention."

"We are terribly sorry, sir," the manager repeated, as sorry as he was worried about the possible reaction of such a customer.

"I'll offer you another drink," the bartender decided.

"Allow us to take care of the cleaning," the manager added, eager to make amends.

At these words, the swordsman looked at the blond, who shook his head in return, his glasses back on his nose. They wouldn't stay on the island long enough and if Nami blackmailed them, he'd probably never see his tie again anyway.

"Fine with the drink but we'll manage the rest."

The bartender hastened to do so but the manager caught the dark look of the cook who had approached and he bit his lips. "Perhaps some compensation for the costs incurred would please you?" He tried.

Sanji sighed. He knew his tie was ruined. The alcohol had instantly soaked the pristine silk fabric and it could never regain the original color.

"I'd appreciate it if you turn the compensation into chips and give them to the beautiful red-haired lady at the poker table. And if you add any extra, consider the incident closed."

"With great pleasure, sir!"

The manager rushed to obey as the bartender handed the fencer a new drink. Zoro gulped down the one he had in hand to replace it with the second and Sanji looked at him wearily. "You can't stay like that, mosshead, you have to take it off at least."

The swordsman nodded, his lips still glued to his glass, and he pulled on his tie to get rid of it but it resisted. Sanji kicked him in the shin.

"Have some class, stupid musclehead. You're in a casino, not a zoo."

The swordsman glared at him but the blond gestured for him to follow and Zoro finished his whiskey with a grumble before putting his glass down with a satisfied bang on the counter. The cook rolled his eyes but refrained from any comment because the fencer followed suit.

A minute later, the blond's expert fingers untangled the tie knot that he had tied himself a few hours before. The washroom was just like the casino, sparkling clean and as large as the front deck of the Sunny. In front of the magnificent gold-edged mirrors, the oil-rubbed bronze faucets and the shiny porcelain, the stained garment looked even more shabby and the cook looked at it sadly before resigning himself to throwing it in the trash.

"Why didn't you ask for money to buy another one?" Zoro asked him.

The cook shrugged his shoulders. "I won't find a tie like that on any island. Besides, extra chips won't be too much, the poker players are really good."

The swordsman nodded while glancing down at his clothes. The navigator had approved of his outfit when they had met on deck and he didn't understand why. Sanji had certainly found a trick so that he could breathe and he had allowed him not to completely close the black shirt he was wearing but to compensate, he was wearing a fitted white jacket and that famous tie of the same color. The chef had tied it loosely around his neck to guarantee a "chic but casual" effect. Zoro didn't know if the blond really knew what he was talking about but at least, Nami hadn't yelled at him even if he had made a point of tying his bandana over his jacket.

"Looks like the rest didn't suffer, that's something," the cook finally commented. He then raised the collar of the swordsman's black shirt to try to hide his muscles. "By the way, how are things going with the roulette? Anything suspicious?"

"Nothing, I think they're honest."

"Just our luck… How much did you win?"

"I picked up a few bets but Usopp tends to lose everything. Chopper still has a few chips left and I gave him mine."

At that moment, Sanji glanced towards the door where exclamations of surprise and applause could be heard. Surely a guest had won good money and he shook his head.

"Are they focused? I got the impression they were having a blast when we passed by." Zoro confirmed and the cook sighed. "I thought we could try our luck at Black Jack with Franky. How does that sound? You know how to play?"

The fencer wrinkled his nose while the blond took the opportunity to check his own image in the mirror. The pale pink tie and white suit he had chosen looked great and unlike his crewmate, it was still immaculate. Moreover, with his black glasses, he had added a mysterious side he didn't hate even if their presence invariably reminded him of Stealth Black.

"I don't like these stupid games," the swordsman finally grumbled at his side.

"I know but we need money. Also, it'll make Nami-san happy."

Zoro growled again before tugging on his jacket which tended to get in the way of the sheath of his swords when he walked.

"White is a good color for you, mosshead, I had an excellent idea. The reminder with the color of your sword is a detail that makes all the difference."

The fencer looked blankly at the blond who was observing him with satisfaction through the mirror.

"Only you pay attention to this kind of thing, cook. And the girls."

"So what?"

Sanji was frowning now, clearly defensive, and Zoro turned to face him. "So that proves that it's really you who's here tonight and not this guy in a suit," he quietly pointed out. "I heard a bunch of girls giggling about the blond pirate singing their praises at the bar. Sounds like you."

Sanji stared at him for a moment, realizing at the same time the truth of these words. "Yeah, it's… It does," he admitted after a few seconds.

"Seems like you're being more yourself again, cook. I like that better."

At these words, the swordsman took off Sanji's sunglasses to finally meet his gaze and the cook felt his breathing quicken. Zoro's gesture seemed particularly intimate to him and the symbol it represented increased even more his frantic heartbeat. The fencer shoved the glasses into the blond's hand then.

"You won't need it now."

Sanji didn't know what to answer and his crewmate smirked, probably pleased with his reaction. Yet Zoro chose not to insist and pointed to his clothes with his chin. "If it's okay, I'll go get Franky."

The cook automatically glanced at the swordsman's outfit before nodding and Zoro headed for the door. As he crossed the threshold, Sanji heard the voice of the dealer who was spinning the roulette and his few words hit him even more as the fencer disappeared into the hallway.

He glanced at his reflection in the mirror and saw that his eyes still shone with the same glow of astonishment as when Zoro had taken off his sunglasses. The blond was still squeezing them hard in his hand and they would soon break. He forced himself to uncurl his fingers then. Either way, the dealer's words played over and over in his head.

"All bets are off!"

The cook could only agree.

"This evening wasn't as successful as I had hoped…"

Nami sighed in front of the pile of chips the crew had managed to win. With Robin and Jinbei, they had contributed to more than half of the winnings, Brook had brought a small sum and Franky, Sanji and Zoro another handful of chips they had won playing Black Jack. Usopp and Chopper had lost almost everything with the roulette and the little reindeer was looking at his meager pile with worry, as if unable to realize that it was indeed the result of his actions.

It was late into the night now and it wouldn't be long before the casino closed its doors. Around the navigator, her companions were tired with the exception of their captain who was still chatting happily on the other side of the room despite not having a single berry to bring.

"We were unlucky, the casino is famous and the professional players are hard to beat. In addition, they're perfectly honest and we can't blame them for anything," the navigator lamented. "Fortunately, the compensation we received for the incident with Zoro allows us not to leave completely empty-handed…"

"How long can we last?" Jinbei asked her.

"A few weeks at most," she counted quickly, disappointed.

"Next time, we rob a bank or steal some treasure!" The cyborg decided, "People here are super uptight and we can't have fun!"

"I won't go that far," the sniper tempered, "It's true that it's not a success but we still had a good evening and we brought back a little money. It's not so bad."

"The men were true gentlemen," Brook agreed.

"I think I have a gambling addiction," Chopper sniffed, "I was having so much fun I didn't pay attention and spent it all…"

"I'm sure you'll be more careful next time," Robin appeased him. "After all, it was your first experience."

"At least there was no problem," Sanji pointed out while lighting a cigarette.

"For now," the fencer muttered.

At these words, the crew turned towards the back of the room to follow the gaze of their crewmate who was looking at the captain. Around him, people were starting to shout at each other and the straw hat boy stared at them in amazement, his plate of chicken in his hands while the tone rose between several guests.

"How dare you?! He's a living legend!"

The man in front of him grabbed him by the jacket of his suit, all decency forgotten, and Luffy took a step back so as not to stay between them.

"He's just an opportunist who never did anything!"

"You forget his resounding interventions during the Summit War!"

"Which ones?! We've never seen him do anything concrete!"

"If the World Government asked him to become a Warlord, it's not for nothing!"

"Now that you mention it, I always wondered why he agreed," Luffy chimed in, gulping down another chicken wing, "He was looking for a treasure when I saw him in Impel Down," he added while licking his fingers.

"See?! This guy is a fraud!"

A man grabbed another one beside them and soon, the whole group was throwing chips and chairs at each other. The pirate's eyes widened before he shifted to avoid a game board flying through the air as casino staff rushed to separate their rampaging patrons.

"Luffy, don't just stand there, we have to go!"

In the middle of the fight, the straw hat boy ignored his navigator's order and suddenly bent down to pick up a coin that had landed at his feet. He examined it then turned towards the slot machine behind him, grinning. A man who was coming towards him at the same time ran into him and he crashed to the floor because of the impact but the pirate didn't even notice him. Luffy inserted the coin and engaged the lever.

The images instantly began to scroll before stabilizing one after the other on an illuminated note. A bell started ringing and a light effect fell on the captain, forcing him to protect himself with his arms to avoid being dazzled while the room froze, all eyes on him. Hundreds of berries then began to tumble from the machine before the incredulous eyes of the pirate and he got quickly buried, his plate smashing in the hard cash.

On the other side of the room, Luffy heard Nami's shrill cry among the tumult of the thousands of coins that covered him.

"Jackpot!"

Bonus point for those who guessed which of the Grand Line personality the casino guests were talking about! I love the idea of Luffy starting fights without even realizing it!

Congratulations to all of you who have tried to guess Zoro's outfit! It was from the movie Gold (Sanji's outfit too).