ZoSan: The Flower

Chapter 60 - Sanji

Sanji waited on the shore where the Sunny was docked as Zoro stocked the supplies they'd bought and explained the situation to the rest of the Strawhats. It had been easier than causing a scene with his current appearance, but he really wanted to know how everyone was reacting to the news. A shadow appeared almost over him and then Zoro was in the sand next to him, holding out one of Nami's hair ties. Sanji took it and quickly tied his hair into a low ponytail, just enough to contain it.

"Sanji!" Luffy called, standing on his spot on Sunny's head.

"Sorry to cause trouble, Captain," Sanji called out lightly, with a mock salute.

"Shishishi," Luffy laughed. "You really did get old! You sure you don't need any help?"

"What, I age a little and suddenly you're doubting us, Luffy?" Sanji smirked up at the younger male.

Luffy grinned at that. "Nah, I'm just itching for a fight!"

"Zoro and I will be enough to handle this one. We'll be fine."

"Just make sure you both come back, okay? We'll be waiting!"

Sanji grinned right back. "Aye-aye, Captain! Let's go, Zoro. We've got a plant to retrieve."

They made it to the rendezvous bar with about ten minutes to spare. A portly man directed them to a back room with a nod, apparently recognizing them on sight. Bonney was already there, surrounded by a pile of food that Luffy would be jealous of.

"So, what's this plan o' yers, Blackleg?" She asked around a huge bite of pizza.

No greeting, no invitation for them to sit down, and the most atrocious table manners Sanji had ever seen — and he lived with Luffy. It took all his self-control not to visibly cringe as he sat down despite the lack of invitation and held out his hand. "Blueprints, please?" Zoro flopped into a chair next to him, eyeing a tray of sauced chicken legs.

Bonney pulled out the blueprints, shoving a few recently-emptied trays off the table to make space to unroll them, ignoring Sanji's outstretched hand. He shrugged, then scooted closer to better indicate what he wanted.

"So I'm guessing, from your markings, that the plants will be located here, right?" He pointed to a circled room near the back of the complex, and Bonney nodded, tearing into some other dish now. "And that the guards will divide and mostly circle forwards if there were a commotion at the front gate?" Another nod.

"Then we give them a commotion to respond to. Bonney, they already have seen you, so they'll be expecting you to try again. They won't be surprised, then, if you brought reinforcements." Sanji nodded to Zoro at that. "You two raise a commotion, make it loud and showy, but try not to kill anyone since they're just doing their jobs."

Zoro huffed out a laugh, but Sanji ignored him and continued. "While you do that, I'll get over the wall here," Sanji pointed to the wall nearest the room in question, "and make my way quietly in, and get the leaves. Then I give Zoro the signal, and you two get out of there, making a show of a strategic retreat. Or whatever. We wait half an hour, meet back here, coming in the back door only. Exchange the leaves for my youth, and go our separate ways."

Bonney frowned, and swallowed. "Sounds too simple."

"Sometimes simple is the best," Sanji responded.

"It's a good plan. Sanji should have the speed and stealth to get the drop on anyone who might be lingering back there," Zoro admitted. "And he's right that they'll be expecting you."

"How much time'll you need for the commotion, before the half hour? And do we have a backup plan in case they call the Marines? We also need a second rendezvous spot, in case this one is somehow compromised."