The time shifts back to a little earlier.
Five in the afternoon, steam and aroma fill the castle kitchen.
Zeff stands at the cooking station, managing the banquet ingredients for tonight at a dizzying speed.
Sanji has just finished a full day of training; after showering and changing clothes, he rushes over to help.
Unfortunately, his goodwill is not rewarded. He frequently gets reprimanded by Zeff.
"You brat! The salt grains are ground too finely!"
"Fry the eggs until they're cooked through! No runny yolks; remember, there are two kids on board, and they'll get diarrhea if they eat them!"
"The sauce is too thick; redo it!"
Zeff blows his beard and glares, fiercely twisting Sanji's ear, "Your attention to detail is a disaster! Compared to before I set sail, your culinary skills haven't improved at all!"
"Luckily, the captain dissolved your ridiculous Chef Adventurer Group; otherwise, with your third-rate culinary skills, you'd dare use such a name—hmpf, you're a disgrace to me!"
Just as strict as ever, that old geezer.
Sanji grimaces in pain but doesn't dare to resist, only muttering under his breath while following orders.
No choice, his culinary skills haven't caught up with the old man's level.
The most crucial thing is, he still can't beat the old man; Zeff's Armament Haki is mastered, while he's only learned it for a few days, completely different levels.
Hmm?
He's silently grumbling about not underestimating the youth when he suddenly catches a glimpse of a pink figure darting behind the storage cabinet, a black line appearing on his forehead:
"Hey! Bonney! Give it a rest, this is the third time today you've sneaked in to steal ingredients, can't you wait till evening?"
Bang!
He swats down, snatching the big ham Bonney is holding in an instant.
"Damn it! Give it back!"
Bonney struggles to retrieve it.
But because she's too short, Sanji easily dodges her attempts.
She immediately stomps her feet in anger, glaring fiercely at Sanji, her cheeks puffed like a hamster, "Stupid Sanji, cheapskate! Drink cold water!"
"If I were a cheapskate, I wouldn't have pretended not to see the first two times."
Sanji casually unwraps the ham, beginning to slice it skillfully, snorting coldly, "But enough is enough, your sneaking and eating stops now. Wait until the banquet..."
He continues rambling.
Bonney loses patience listening, pouting and staring at the ham, suddenly eyes twinkling mischievously, her body starting to emit peculiar ripples.
Bang!
The next second.
Standing before Sanji is a graceful and curvy pink-haired lady, pitifully batting watery eyes: "Sanji-kun, let me fill my tummy first~"
"Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho—!!"
Sanji's pupils instantly turn heart-shaped, nosebleed spraying out, his body twisting like noodles:
"It's a super hot beauty! Of course you can! Miss, you can eat whatever you like, I'll make it right now, any requests you have, just say—"
"Idiot!"
Before Sanji finishes his sentence, Bonney seizes the opportunity to snatch back the ham, triumphantly sticking her tongue out:
"Perverted Sanji, you're so easy to fool!"
With a bang, she reverts to her little girl form, clutching the ham and dashing away.
"Damn it! You dare trick me!"
Sanji covers his bloody nose, angrily chasing after her, "You brat, stay right there!"
In the kitchen, they chase each other, creating chaos and racket.
Zeff, irritated by the noise, finally loses his temper, smacking Sanji on the head with a mighty spatula:
"Enough, idiot! Stop fooling around in the kitchen, and how are you so incompetent, easily fooled by a woman!"
Ow, it hurts! Sanji sees stars, nearly fainting, clutching his swelling head, squatting to the floor.
Hehe, Bonney takes a big bite of ham, secretly laughing at his misfortune nearby, but shortly receives a spatula herself.
"And you, Bonney! Abusing your powers at a young age will bring trouble! Kuma is a good man and strong enough, but he can't protect you forever!"
"Wah! So painful!"
Bonney stops giggling, tears streaming, also crouching down, holding her head, "I'm just too hungry, stupid old man, hitting so hard..."
"If you're hungry, just tell me, what's the point in eating uncooked ingredients!"
Zeff scoffs, taking a few coins from his pocket, gently placing them in Bonney's palm:
"Coincidentally, we need more soda for the banquet. Let's make a deal then, Bonney, go to town and buy some. Quick in, quick out, my special dessert is nearly baked, and as long as you hand me the soda, you're allowed to eat five pieces first."
"Five pieces? Really?"
Bonney's eyes light up, pain vanishing instantly, grabbing the empty canister, bouncing outside, "I'll go now, keep your word, Uncle Zeff!"
She cheerfully runs through the castle halls, at the doorway, coincidentally meeting Kuma reading a newspaper on a bench.
Seeing the empty canister in her hand, Kuma adjusts his glasses, surprised, "Heading to town? Can you do it alone, want me to accompany you?"
"No need, Kuma!"
Bonney pulls a face, "It's a deal between Uncle Zeff and me, it'd be boring if you joined, and besides, I'm not a three-year-old anymore!"
Then she petulantly runs out of sight.
True, not three, but a seven-year-old kid.
Kuma chuckles amused, not taking it seriously, and continues focusing on his newspaper.