Ensnaring Elegance: Sanji's Accidental Admirers

Chapter 2: Gothic Temptation

Zoro's pov:

Navigating a party wasn't exactly my idea of a good time, especially one where you had to dress like you were attending a funeral in some twisted fairytale. But here we were, the Straw Hats, infiltrating a high-society, gothic-themed soirée on some upscale island, the kind of place where the shadows whispered secrets worth more than gold.

Sanji was sulking as he adjusted the frills on his elegant black gothic lolita dress-a stark contrast to his usual suit and tie. Nami had convinced him again, this time with the promise of underworld contacts and the kind of culinary secrets that chefs would kill for.

"Keep your eyes open and try not to draw too much attention," I muttered to him, straightening my own ridiculously stiff collar.

Sanji shot me a look that could curdle milk. "Easy for you to say, Marimo. You look like every other overdressed buffoon here."

The party was in full swing when we arrived, the estate's grand ballroom a swirl of dark velvets and sharp tuxedos, the air heavy with the scent of expensive perfume and whispered schemes. Sanji, despite his complaints, played his part perfectly, his exotic appearance drawing curious glances and appreciative nods from the crowd. It was like watching a wolf being admired by a flock of fancy sheep-none of them knowing just how dangerous he could be.

As I leaned against a pillar, trying to keep my sense of direction in the maze of conversations, I kept one eye on Sanji. He moved through the crowd with an ease that annoyed me as much as it impressed me. He was gathering information, alright, but he was also gathering admirers. Several well-dressed gentlemen approached him, each more eager than the last to engage him in conversation.

One particularly persistent guy, decked out in more lace than seemed necessary, leaned in close to Sanji, speaking in hushed tones that didn't sit right with me. I pushed off the pillar, ready to intervene, but Sanji just flashed me a quick hand signal that said he had it under control. So I backed off, scanning the room for any other potential trouble.

I didn't like it-not one bit. The whole setup was too smooth, too easy. Every step I took felt like it was exactly where they wanted me to go. I was about to circle back to Sanji when a hand clamped down on my shoulder, spinning me into a conversation with an old man who claimed he knew every story the sea had to tell. I humored him, half-listening, my attention still partly on Sanji.

By the time I managed to extricate myself from what felt like an endless loop of sea monster tales, I found Sanji again. He was alone now, jotting down notes in his little book. I raised an eyebrow as I approached.

"Make any new friends?" I asked, nodding towards where he had been cornered earlier.

Sanji smirked, tucking his notebook away. "You could say that. Got some interesting leads on a few rare spices and maybe a contact or two in the underworld. And a dozen invitations to other equally ridiculous parties."

"Sounds like you're becoming quite the celebrity," I quipped, trying not to let my concern show too much.

He laughed, the sound a bit too forced. "Yeah, well, let's just get the information back to the others and get out of here. These shoes are killing me."

As we made our way back through the party, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were walking away with more than just information. Sanji's stint as a gothic lolita might have been a success in terms of our mission, but it was clear it had also opened a whole new set of complications. Whatever he had gotten us into, I had a feeling it was only just beginning.