| Hunting Grounds | Zosan Angst 🪓|

2 | A Deal.

"Go on. Make a bet."

Taro was known to be the best at poker in the entire club, so why was he getting so nervous? 

With a flick of his wrist, Taro tossed his chips into the pot, his gaze never leaving Robin's. She met his bet with a calm tone that sent a ripple of a whisper through the now gathering crowd.

Sanji's heart beat faster, how come he had never seen this woman before? And who the hell was Mr.  0?

The cards were dealt, each one landing on the table with a soft thud. Taro's heart bounced with fear as he assessed his hand, his mind racing through the all the damn possibilities. Sweat beaded on his brow as he tried to maintain his composure, but the weight of the moment bore down on him.

Nico, however, remained unfazed, her expression betraying nothing as she looked at her own cards. With a flick of her fingers, she placed her bet.

Taro hesitated for a moment, his instincts fighting within him. In the end, he decided to raise the stakes, his eyes locking with Nico's in a silent challenge. Others held their breath, waiting for Nico's response.

To Taro's surprise, Nico Robin merely smiled, a faint glimmer of amusement in her eyes. With a small motion, she matched his bet, her confidence unwavering as she prepared to reveal her hand.

The final card was dealt.

...

...

...

"Fuck."

...

...

...

Taro slammed his fist onto the table, sending cards flying.

Nico Robin chuckled, letting the cards fall from her hands.

Sanji almost crumbled. Taro had lost, for the first time. Sure, he was think that the woman was going to be good, but not good enough to beat Taro.

"Hmm, what an exciting game."

Sanji turned on instinct, meeting eyes with a tall, broad shouldered man. He had slicked black hair and a suit to match it. A long scar ran over his face from ear to ear, covering his nose with stitches.

"What a shame, you betted so carelessly."

Taro straightened up and gritted his teeth.

"Who the fuck are you?" 

The man smiled as he walked toward the table.

"Me? Crocodile, Mr. 0. I own this place."

Nico Robin smiled as she held out a hand to Taro, who stood frozen in shock. He's never been beaten before, he had betted too high, he could never pay that much.

"So? Payment is due kid, you gunna pay up or not?" She asked with a sly voice. Taro backed away.

"I-...I don't have the money.." he sighed, lowering his head.

"Hm? Then why put so much on the line? Why bet when you have no money to bet with?" Robin stepped closer to him, trailing her finger up his neck, pressing her red nails deeper and deeper into his skin.

"Hey. I'm sorry to tell you this pretty lady, but we don't have the funds. I know you may be angry, but let's talk it out instead of fighting," Sanji stood, still trembling his he gently pushed Robins hand off Taro's neck.

"Hm? How come I didn't notice you earlier?"

The deep voice gave Sanji another fright, the words snaking up his back and wrapping around his neck.

Crocodile had began walking forward, getting closer and closer to Sanji and Taro.

"Step down Nico Robin, I think I like this one." 

Sanji gritted his teeth.

"What the fuck do you want?" Sanji barked, stepping in front of Taro, the others seemed to have disappeared off, abandoning them to be cornered by whoever the hell these people were.

"How about... I strike a deal with you?" 

Sanji clenched his fists tighter.

"I would neve-,"

"Not you, the one who lost the bet."

Sanji stopped and looked behind him, Taro was staring Crocodile dead in the eye.

"I'm listening."

Sanji's eye's widened.

"Wha- huh? Taro, no we-!"

"So, with this deal you will not pay us money, we will pay you. A good amount. You will have to do nothing more than hand over the blonde. It's simple, I buy him off of you and he joins my programme. It's a bargain really. So, what do you say?"

Taro wouldn't say yes,

No.. he wouldn't 

Would he?

"Taro, don't-!"

Taro frowned and grabbed Sanji by the shoulders before pushing him away and into Yamato's arms, who had showed up on Crocodile's command.

Before Sanji could say anything, he heard those words;

"Sounds good. Deal."