Chapter 31: Johnny and YosakuLuffy stood at the ram-headed prow, arms outstretched, shouting into the sea breeze as his voice pierced through the morning mist."Set sail for the Grand Line! I'm going to be the Pirate King!"Nami stood by the helm, her fingertips expertly adjusting the angle of the sails. The sea breeze ruffled her orange hair as she called out with a smile."Hold on tight, everyone! The wind is shifting, we're heading southeast!"Zoro leaned against the mast, his fingertips carefully wiping his three swords. The blades glinted with a cold light as he took an occasional sip of sake, his eyes harboring a deep obsession with becoming the World's Greatest Swordsman.Adam sat by the cabin entrance, adjusting a new physical enhancement serum. The warm light fell upon the test tube, giving it a soft glow.Usopp paced around the newly installed cannon at the stern, his eyes shining as he rubbed his hands in excitement.This was the cannon he had modified in his private workshop over two sleepless nights. The barrel was polished to a shine, and he had even engraved his own little logo onto it; he had been itching to test its power for a long time."Luffy, Adam, move aside! I'm going to test the cannon!"Usopp shouted, deftly loading the gunpowder and cannonball. He squinted one eye, aiming at a black reef protruding from the sea in the distance.Luffy immediately crowded over, grabbing onto the cannon, his head nearly poking into the muzzle, his face full of curiosity."Wow! Fire it! Fire it! I want to see!""Don't get so close! It's dangerous, Luffy!"Usopp hurriedly pushed his head away, took a deep breath, yanked the cannon lanyard, and shouted at the top of his lungs."Captain Usopp's cannon, fire!""Boom—!"A deafening explosion erupted as the cannonball, wreathed in flames, shot out and struck the reef with precision.The reef was instantly shattered, sending stone fragments flying and splashing water several meters high as waves slapped against the surface.Usopp immediately puffed out his chest, hands on his hips, laughing heartily, looking so smug his tail would have been wagging if he had one."See that! My Captain Usopp's cannon never misses! Even if a Sea King came, I could blast it away with one shot!"Before his laughter had even died down, two miserable screams came from behind the reef.Immediately following that, with a splash, a small, battered boat that had been capsized by the shockwave floated up. Two men, covered in soot with hair singed into mohawks, were flailing in the water, clinging to the deck boards in a completely pathetic state."Hey! Who's there! Why are you firing cannons randomly! You almost blew us brothers to bits!"The group froze instantly. Nami clutched her forehead, rolled her eyes, feeling utterly helpless.She knew it; whenever these idiots got together, there would never be a moment of peace."Usopp, look at the mess you've made!"Usopp panicked instantly, his face turning pale. He waved his hands and backed away repeatedly, his voice trembling."I—I didn't mean to! I really didn't see anyone behind the reef! Oh no, I didn't hurt anyone, did I..."Luffy, on the other hand, looked intrigued. He leaned over the gunwale and waved vigorously at the water."Wow! You guys didn't get blown away? That's amazing! Come on up, come on up!"Zoro squinted into the water, his brows slightly raised as he recognized the two men.Adam turned and went back into the cabin to grab a lifeline, threw it into the water, and shouted at the two men, "Grab the rope and get up here first!"The two men grabbed the rope and climbed onto the deck with great difficulty.The man in front was tall with a long, diagonal scar on his face; it was Johnny.The man behind him was thin, his face deathly pale, his lips devoid of color, and he stumbled as he walked; it was Yosaku.Both of them had Pirate Hunter badges hanging on their chests, and their clothes were tattered, clearly indicating they had been drifting at sea for a long time.As soon as Yosaku steadied himself, his legs gave out and he collapsed onto the deck, curling up while clutching his stomach, shivering with cold, unable to even speak.Johnny panicked instantly, crouching down to hold him. Sweat beaded on his forehead from anxiety, and he bowed repeatedly to the group."I'm sorry, everyone! My brother and I were hiding behind the reef to shelter from the wind and blocked your line of fire! Please, I beg you, save my brother! He's been hanging on for days!"Just then, Johnny looked up and caught sight of Zoroleaning against the mast; his eyes widened instantly.With a "thud," he knelt directly on the ground and kowtowed heavily toward Zoro."Big Brother Zoro! I never expected to meet you here! Please, save Yosaku, he's not going to make it!"Zoro lifted his eyes, took two steps forward, and looked down at Yosaku on the ground, his brows furrowed.This was an old acquaintance from his days as a Pirate Hunter; he was a righteous man, and they had shared quite a bit of history."Johnny, Yosaku? How did you end up in such a state?"Johnny looked up, his face full of bitterness, and sighed as he explained."We've been working as Pirate Hunters in the East Blue. A while back, we were chasing a bounty target, but our ship was wrecked in a storm. We've been drifting at sea for nearly half a month, eating nothing but dry bread and salted fish every day—no fresh food at all.""Four or five days ago, Yosaku started feeling weak all over, his gums started bleeding, and he began shivering and feeling cold. He couldn't even stand..."As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes, and he kowtowed to Zoro again."Big Brother Zoro, you have to save him! Our lives as brothers have long been entrusted to you!"Usopp looked at Yosaku's pale face, rubbing his hands in guilt as he muttered softly."I'm sorry... Did that shot just now rattle him..."Just then, Nami crouched down, gently pried open Yosaku's mouth to check his gums, then touched his forehead and wrist, her expression darkening."It's scurvy."Luffy leaned in, scratching his head in confusion, looking puzzled."Scurvy? What kind of disease is that? Is it serious?""Of course it's serious."Nami stood up, hands on her hips, and gave the group a serious explanation."When sailing at sea for a long time without fresh fruits and vegetables, the body lacks Vitamin C, which leads to this disease.""At first, you feel weak all over and your gums bleed. Later on, you'll suffer from severe bone pain and skin ulcers, and eventually, you won't even be able to save your life.""At sea, this is a common disease that can cost a sailor their life."After she finished speaking, she turned and went back to her room, returning with a bag of fresh oranges and a fruit knife. The scent of oranges instantly filled the air.Adam also walked out of the cabin, holding a tube of light orange concentrated vitamin supplement, and nodded at Nami."I have some purified vitamin supplements here; combined with orange juice, he'll recover faster."Nami took the supplement, crouched down, and first fed it into Yosaku's mouth. Then, she quickly peeled an orange, squeezed it into juice, and fed it to him bit by bit.Yosaku's previously tightly shut mouth moved slightly, subconsciously swallowing the sweet orange juice, and a hint of color slowly returned to his pale cheeks.Johnny watched from the side, tears streaming down his face, and kowtowed repeatedly to Namiand Adam."Thank you! Thank you for saving my brother! We brothers will never forget this great kindness!""Stop kowtowing."Nami waved her hand and peeled another orange slice, stuffing it into Yosaku's mouth."It's not a major illness, it's just a lack of fresh fruits and vegetables."
Chapter 32: Heading to the Baratie"When you're out on the sea, stock up on more oranges and lemons. Don't just gnaw on bread and eat salted fish—do you not care about your own lives?""Yes, yes, yes! We'll remember that!"Johnny nodded hurriedly, helped Yosaku sit up, and finally let out a sigh of relief as he watched his brother slowly recover.Half an hour later, after drinking two large glasses of orange juice and taking Adam's nutritional potion, Yosaku was finally able to sit up on his own. His complexion was much rosier, and he thanked the group repeatedly."Thank you all for saving my life! If you ever need anything, our brothers will go through fire and water for you without a second thought!"Luffy squatted in front of him, his eyes sparkling with the hunger of a true foodie."You've been drifting on the sea for so long, do you know where there's good food nearby? I'm starving to death, I want to eat lots and lots of barbecue!"Yosaku and Johnny exchanged a look, their eyes lighting up instantly, and they spoke up in a hurry."Good food? Not far ahead, there's the Baratie!""That's the most famous restaurant in the East Blue! It's a large ship drifting on the sea, and the dishes the chefs make taste even better than royal banquets!""Barbecue, seafood, delicacies of all kinds—they have everything! Even Marine officers and great pirates of the East Blue go out of their way just to eat there!"Luffy's eyes lit up instantly, bright enough to be blinding, and drool nearly spilled out. He bounced over to Nami and shook her arm excitedly."Nami, Nami! Let's go to the Baratie! I want to eat barbecue! Twenty plates! No, thirty plates!"Nami pushed him away with annoyance, but still spoke to Johnny, her tone carrying the precision of a Navigator."The Baratie? Exact location? Currents along the way? Any reefs or storm zones?""It's on the edge of the Calm Belt to the southeast. Following this wind direction, we can get there in a day!"Johnny hurriedly pointed to the location on the nautical chart, carefully explaining the route, currents, and paths to avoid reefs, and even handed the nautical chart he had drawn over his many years of sailing the East Blue to Nami."This is the detailed nautical chart we drew. It marks all the reefs and supply points. It's for you!"Nami took the nautical chart, carefully checked the route, and after confirming it was correct, she nodded, turned, walked to the helm, adjusted the sail angle, and shouted to the group."Alright, everyone hold on! We're changing course to the Baratie!"Luffy cheered instantly, bouncing around on the deck, chanting "barbecue" and "seafood rice," looking exactly like a starving little monkey.Usopp was also excited, tinkering with the cannon, pondering how he could show off his skills to the restaurant's chefs.Zoro leaned against the mast, tossed a bottle of wine to Johnny and Yosaku, took a sip, and gazed out at the distant sea, his eyes growing more determined.Adam sat by the cabin entrance, watching his rowdy companions, smiling and shaking his head as he put away the potion.He knew clearly that the Baratie was the territory of Black Leg Sanji, who possessed top-tier culinary skills and fierce leg techniques.The fifth member of the Straw Hat Pirates, the golden-medal chef dedicated to feeding the crew, would soon make an appearance.After all, while drifting on the sea, without a chef who understands nutritional balance, they would sooner or later fall victim to small ailments like scurvy.The sea breeze filled the white sails, and the Going Merry broke through layers of waves, speeding toward the Baratie in the southeast.The upgraded the flying (fusion version) cut through the blue waves of the East Blue, its sheep figurehead smashing through crests of waves, speeding along with the wind.The ship swayed gently with the waves, and the salty sea breeze, wrapped in warm sunlight, brushed against their faces, carrying the dampness of the sea and the heat of the sun, leaving even their hair touched with faint warmth.The pirate flag, which Usopp had drawn himself after boarding the ship, flew high on the mast, snapping in the wind.On the white flag was printed a simple white skull, with two crossed bones beneath it, and a tiny straw hat on top of its head. It was simple yet strikingly eye-catching—it was their unique emblem.Luffy hung entirely on the sheep figurehead at the bow, his toes dangling, his nose sniffing the air like a little beagle, drool dripping down his chin onto the deck, creating small wet spots."Barbecue... seafood rice... and fried pork chops..."He muttered to himself, his eyes shining as if hiding two stars, and suddenly turned his head to shout toward the helm."Nami, Nami, how long until we get to that Baratie? I'm starving to death!"Nami leaned casually against the helm, her fingertips flipping through the nautical chart given by Johnny and Yosaku, the pages making soft rustling sounds.Hearing this, she rolled her eyes, pointed to a mark on the chart, and spoke with a tone full of impatience."What's the rush? At this wind speed, we'll arrive by evening.""If you keep complaining about being hungry, I'll throw all your remaining sweet energy potions into the sea and let you starve until we reach the restaurant."As soon as Luffy heard that his precious energy potions were going to be thrown away, he instantly clamped his mouth shut, shrank back dejectedly, and started drawing circles while clinging to the sheep figurehead. His mouth was pouted enough to hang an oil pot on, and he was secretly "cursing" Nami in his mind.Usopp, sitting by the cannon at the stern, was using a file to repeatedly polish the edge of a cannonball. The metal friction made a harsh "shhh" sound. Hearing this, he put down the file and laughed out loud."Luffy, you're too pathetic. You lose all your backbone the moment food is mentioned; you're just a little foodie.""What do you know!"Luffy jumped up suddenly, hands on his hips, chest puffed out, and shouted righteously."To become the Pirate King, first you have to eat all the delicacies in the world! If you can't even eat well, how can you be the Pirate King!""So noisy."Zoro leaned against the mast, clutching a cloth in his hand, meticulously wiping the blade of the wado ichimonji. Sunlight fell on his sharp, angular profile, his jawline pulled tight.He raised his eyes to glance at Luffy, scoffed, and his tone was full of disdain."Instead of shouting, why don't you go practice a few punches so that next time you fight, you won't just be flailing your arms around and holding us back."It was Luffy's own fault for always sneaking Adam's energy potions; every time he snuck one, he'd act like he was on steroids, dragging him into sparring for two days and two nights. Even with his amazing stamina, he couldn't handle such torment.This impatience was written all over his tightened jawline."I do not flail around!"Luffy retorted, stiffening his neck, and clenched his fists, ready to rush over and spar with Zoro.Just then, Adam, who was standing by the ship's rail, suddenly raised his hand, resting his fingertips on the railing. Feeling the subtle fluctuations in the sea breeze, his tone was calm but carried a hint of warning."Everyone stop for a second. There's a ship coming from the front left, flying a Marine flag, and it's moving very fast.""I hope they aren't here for us. After all, we're still 'nameless little pirates' right now. If we get targeted by the Marine, we won't even be able to eat barbecue in peace later.""But then again, pirates being chased by the Marineis just standard operating procedure. Stay calm, stay calm."No sooner had Adam finished speaking than a striking shade of Marine blue appeared on the distant horizon.A Marine warship cut through the waves, moving as fast as an arrow shot from a bow. The ship was painted in a neat Marine blue, and the seagull emblem on the sails was particularly glaring under the sunlight, as it charged full speed toward the flying.
Chapter 33: BaratieA man wearing a crisp Marine uniform stood on the bow deck.His hair was slicked back so shiny that a fly would slip if it landed on it. He held binoculars in his hands, staring intently at the flying. It was none other than Marineford Captain — "Iron Fist" Fullbody."Pirate ship!"Fullbody lowered his binoculars, a cocky, sinister grin stretching across his face. He drew the saber at his waist, swung it fiercely, and shouted to the gunner on the deck."Fire! Sink this pirate ship!""It'll be perfect to use these pirates' heads to liven up my dinner party tonight!""Boom! Boom! Boom!"Three loud bangs exploded in succession, making the sea surface tremble slightly.Three cannonballs wrapped in fire whistled through the air, turning into three fiery red arcs as they flew straight toward the flying. The air was filled with the pungent smell of gunpowder.Usopp turned deathly pale in an instant. The file in his hand clattered onto the deck, and he crouched behind a cannon, clutching his head, his body trembling violently.This was his first real experience in a naval battle, and the roar of the cannonballs was enough to deafen him."Cannonballs! It's cannonballs! It's over, it's over, the ship is going to be sunk! We're done for!"Nami also tensed up instantly, her fingertips gripping the helm so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She tried hard to turn the wheel to change direction, but the cannonballs were too fast and already right in front of them; there was no time to dodge.Just at this critical moment, Luffy took a sudden step forward and took a deep breath.His stomach instantly swelled into a round balloon, his skin stretched until it shone, and his whole body turned into a soft Rubber wall, steadily blocking the front of the flying."Rubber Rubber — Balloon!"The three cannonballs slammed solidly into his bulging belly with three muffled "thuds."They were immediately rebounded by the elasticity of the Rubber, tracing three fiery red parabolas as they flew back toward the distant Marine warship.Fullbody's sinister grin froze instantly. His eyes went wide, and his mouth hung open enough to stuff an egg into. He never expected the other side to have such a move, and he screamed at the top of his lungs in terror."Dodge! Hurry and dodge!"The Marine warship instantly descended into chaos, with soldiers scrambling to escape in a panic.Two cannonballs slammed hard into the ship's side, exploding with a "boom." Huge splashes of water sprayed several meters high, and the ship rocked violently, causing the soldiers on deck to sway unsteadily.Another cannonball grazed the warship's mast and flew straight toward a massive ship-shaped building not far away.It was a giant ship made entirely of steel, painted a striking crimson, with a transparent glass restaurant on the upper level and a gilded sign hanging from the bow.The large characters "Baratie" were particularly eye-catching in the sunlight, and the mellow aroma of food drifted on the sea breeze."Boom —!"The cannonball hit the second-floor glass wall of the restaurant squarely, and the glass instantly shattered into pieces.Shards like hail slammed onto the deck, wooden tables and chairs were blown away by the blast, and smoke billowed, mixing the smell of wood chips, food scraps, and gunpowder into the sea breeze.The few people on the flying were all dumbfounded, their mouths wide open — was this pure accidental luck, killing two birds with one stone?Luffy slowly deflated, his stomach shrinking back down. He scratched the back of his head with a blank look, his eyes full of innocence."Huh? Did I miss? I clearly aimed at the Marineship...""You idiot!"Nami jumped up in anger, grabbed Luffy's straw hat, and gave his head a sharp rap, shouting in frustration."You blew up their restaurant! We're in big trouble now! How are we supposed to go eat barbecue anymore!"Adam held his forehead and sighed helplessly, his tone full of sarcasm."I've finally figured it out; you have a built-in 'Accident Buff.' We just wanted to have a peaceful barbecue, and now look, not only do we have to pay for their restaurant, but we might even have to wash dishes to pay off the debt. It's basically 'causing trouble before we even get to eat.'""But I can't blame you entirely. Who would have thought that the Baratie was hiding behind the Marine ship? This was just a twist of fate.""Alright, stop yelling. The Baratie is already heading toward us."Adam pointed forward, his tone suddenly becoming serious."Prepare for battle. This group of chefs isn't simple — most of them are tough guys who used to be pirates. Since their restaurant was blown up, they won't let it go easily."Sure enough, the Baratie, with a corner blown off, was turning its bow and heading toward the flyingat full speed.The ship cut through the waves, aggressive and imposing, and even the sea breeze turned sharp.After all, they were a neutral organization just trying to do business peacefully on the sea. How could they not seek justice after being blown up for no reason?And that damaged Marine warship also managed to adjust its direction, following behind the Baratie and slowly chasing after them — Fullbody clearly didn't want to let them go.A dozen minutes later, the flying docked steadily at the pier of the Baratie, the wooden planks trembling slightly under the pressure of the ship.As soon as it stopped, a man wearing a snow-white chef's uniform, sporting a long handlebar mustache, and wearing a tall chef's hat, rushed over aggressively with several other chefs carrying kitchen knives and rolling pins.His chef's hat was tilted on his head, his face full of rage. His leather shoes clicked "clack, clack" on the wooden pier. He pointed at Luffy's nose, spit almost flying onto his face, and scolded him sternly."It's you, you brat! You blew up our restaurant?!""Pay up! Compensate us for our glass, tables, chairs, and the ruined ingredients! Not a single cent less!"Luffy shrank his neck, and just as he was about to open his mouth to defend himself, an arrogant shout came from behind.Fullbody rushed over with a dozen Marine soldiers, guns drawn. He smacked his gun butt against his palm with a "thud, thud," pointed at Luffy and the others, and shouted loud enough to shatter glass."These pirates! To dare attack a Marine warship and blow up a civilian restaurant! Arrest them all! If they resist, kill them on sight!"As he said this, he turned his head and smiled ingratiatingly at the head chef, the fat on his face bunching up, full of obsequiousness."Mr. Patty, don't worry. I'll arrest these pirates right now, punish them severely, and give you and Zeff a satisfactory explanation!"Patty glanced at him, snorted dismissively through his nose, his tone full of disdain.He had long found this Marine captain annoying — the guy came to the restaurant every day to act rich, ordered a bunch of food but didn't eat a bite, and wasted food. He couldn't be bothered to give him a pleasant expression right now.Just as Fullbody waved his hand for the soldiers to step forward and make the arrest, the door of the Baratie was suddenly pushed open.A blonde man in a black suit with a cigarette in his mouth walked out, slowly exhaling a cloud of smoke that obscured half of his eyes.
He had a tall, upright figure with long legs. As he walked, his leather shoes clicked against the wooden planks; each step carried a lazy air, yet hid a sharpness that could not be underestimated, radiating an aura of "don't mess with me."It was none other than the sous-chef of Baratie, Sanji.He swept a glance over the chaotic dock, his gaze landing slowly on Fullbody. He spat out his cigarette and crushed it fiercely with his leather shoe, his tone flat but carrying a bone-chilling coldness."Hey, Marine."Fullbody froze for a moment, then turned to look at Sanji. He furrowed his brows tightly, his tone full of arrogance."Who are you? You dare to meddle in this Captain's business? Do you have a death wish?""I am the sous-chef of this restaurant, Sanji."Sanji took two steps forward, his gaze sweeping over the shattered glass and food scraps scattered on the ground, before landing slowly back on Fullbody. His eyes grew a few degrees colder."Also, it's our restaurant's rule: no causing trouble at the entrance, and definitely no dirtying our turf.""More importantly, you just said you wanted to give our boss an explanation?"He let out a scoff, a cigarette pinched between his fingers. He gestured with his hand toward the devastated restaurant behind him, where glass shards glinted blindingly in the sunlight and smoke still hung in the air."The kid here is the one who damaged the restaurant, but that cannonball just now was fired from your Marine warship.""Shouldn't we settle this score with you first?"Sanji was never a person who couldn't tell right from wrong or engaged in unreasonable trouble. He had seen the trajectory of the cannonball clearly; whoever was at fault should be the one to take the blame—this was a principle carved into his bones.Fullbody's face turned bright red instantly, comparable to a boiled crab. Humiliated and furious, he roared, his fists clenching with a cracking sound."You stinking cook! How dare you speak to this Captain like that? I think you're tired of living!"As he spoke, he swung his sandbag-sized fist, bringing with it a whistling wind, aiming straight for Sanji's face. The posture suggested he intended to smash Sanji's face in.The surrounding chefs burst into laughter instantly, their laughter drifting away with the sea breeze. Patty, arms crossed, leaned against the doorframe and pursed his lips at the chef beside him, muttering quietly."This idiot actually dares to throw hands with Sanji; he's just delivering himself to be beaten up."Before the words even faded, Sanji's form suddenly moved.Still biting his cigarette, he tilted his body slightly, moving so fast he left only a blur, easily dodging Fullbody's fist.Immediately after, he raised his right leg violently, his pant leg whipping through the air with a sharp sound, and delivered a fierce kick to Fullbody's face."Bang—!"With a dull thud, Fullbody flew out like a discarded sack, crashing heavily onto the wooden dock. Two of his front teeth flew out on the spot, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted right there.The Marine soldiers who came with him were so scared their faces turned pale; they trembled all over, unable to even hold their guns steady.They hurriedly picked up Fullbody and scrambled back to the warship. The engine roared, and they fled in disgrace, not daring to utter a single threatening word.The dock went quiet instantly, leaving only the soft sound of the sea breeze brushing against the restaurant's sign and the lingering smell of gunpowder on the ground.Sanji retracted his leg, spat out his cigarette butt, and crushed it thoroughly with his leather shoe. He turned to look at Luffy and the others, his gaze sweeping over the damaged restaurant wall. He furrowed his brows slightly, his tone carrying a hint of impatience."Hey, straw-hat kid."Luffy instantly leaned in, his eyes sparkling as if he'd discovered a new world. He stared intently at Sanji; that kick just now had been so fast and vicious, it was so cool that his eyes went wide."Wow! You're amazing! That kick just now was so cool! It's even more impressive than Zoro's swords!"Sanji was taken aback by the blunt flattery, then rolled his eyes and waved his hand dismissively."Enough nonsense. Don't bother with the flattery; it's useless.""You blew up our restaurant wall and the second floor, and destroyed quite a few tables, chairs, and ingredients. How are we going to settle this score?"Just then, a hoarse voice came from inside the restaurant, carrying an unquestionable authority.A bald man with only one leg, leaning on a wooden crutch, limped out. His right leg was a smooth, polished wooden prosthetic. With every step, his crutch thumped against the ground, making a dull "thud" sound.He had a thick, bushy beard and eyes as sharp as a hawk's. It was the owner of Baratie—Red-Leg Zeff.Zeff swept a glance over the devastated restaurant, then looked heavily at Luffy. He slammed his crutch hard onto the ground, causing the surrounding glass shards to tremble slightly."Brat, you blew up my restaurant. If you can't pay for the damages, stay and work for me for a year.""Wash dishes, wipe tables, clean the kitchen. You don't leave until you've paid off the losses."Luffy's face fell instantly, his mouth pouting enough to hang an oil jug on. Just as he was about to retort, his nose twitched. A rich, meaty aroma wafted out from the restaurant, mixed with the fragrant scent of rice, making his stomach growl loudly.His eyes lit up instantly, the previous grievances wiped away. He leaned in toward Zeff and asked with an expectant face."Working is fine! But do you provide meals? The kind where I can have enough, where I can eat until I'm stuffed!"Zeff froze for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter. His laughter was hoarse but bright, making the surrounding air seem to vibrate."Enough! As long as you're willing to work hard, I'll make as much as you want to eat!"No one knew that back when he and Sanji were trapped on a deserted island, they had nearly starved to death.Since then, no matter who the person was, as long as they were truly hungry, he and Sanji would always let them have a full meal first—this was the kindness they hid deep in their hearts."Alright! I'll do it!"Luffy immediately patted his chest in agreement, laughing heartlessly as if he weren't the one who had just been ordered to work.Nami held her forehead, unable to bear watching any longer. She rubbed her throbbing temple with her fingertips, her face full of helplessness.Usopp, Johnny, and Yosaku looked at each other, their mouths twitching, their eyes full of "as expected."Zoro leaned against the mast and simply closed his eyes, pretending not to know this spineless Captain, though his ears were quietly pricked up, listening to the commotion around him.Adam shook his head with a smile and nodded slightly at Zeff, his tone carrying an apology, yet hiding a bit of schadenfreude."Boss, I'm truly sorry for the trouble.""We will pay for the damages according to the price, and this kid staying to work for a few days will serve as an apology.""But I have to say in advance, this kid's appetite is probably enough to match a dozen of your restaurant's chefs; don't regret it."Zeff glanced at Adam, then swept a look at the flying behind him. A strange glint flashed in his eyes, but he didn't say much, merely waving his hand and turning back to the restaurant with the group of chefs.
Chapter 35: GinSanji also turned to leave, but Luffy suddenly rushed forward, spreading his arms to block him, his eyes incredibly serious and his tone filled with sincerity."Hey, cook, join our pirate crew!"Sanji paused in his tracks, looking down at the Straw Hat in front of him who had a bright smile plastered across his face. He raised an eyebrow, placed a new cigarette between his lips, and lit it. The smoke rings drifted up slowly, obscuring half of his eye."Huh? What did you say?""I said, join us!"Luffy smiled even more brightly, his eyes filled with longing."Our ship just happens to be missing a cook!""Your cooking must be super delicious, and you're super strong at fighting too! Come with us to the Grand Line! I'm the man who's going to become the Pirate King!"Sanji sneered and reached out to gently push him aside. He walked straight toward the restaurant, throwing back a cold response filled with rejection."Not interested.""I'm doing perfectly fine as a cook here, with plenty to eat and drink. There's no need for me to become a pirate with you and live a wandering life."Luffy didn't give up. Like a little tail, he followed him inside, constantly chattering about the invitation, making a racket even noisier than Usopp.Zoro and the others also walked into the restaurant and found a table by the window to sit down.Nami picked up the menu, her fingers flipping through it quickly. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at the delicious food, her smile stretching almost from ear to ear.Usopp, on the other hand, marveled at the restaurant's decor, running his fingers over the smooth dining table, his eyes full of curiosity.Adam sat at the table, his gaze slowly scanning the entire restaurant.It was exactly as he remembered. In the bustling hall, cooks dressed in white chef uniforms bustled back and forth. The sound of footsteps, the clattering of pots and pans, and the chatter and laughter of customers intertwined, full of lively energy.However, he couldn't help but complain inwardly: This ship was clearly floating on the sea, neither docked at a pier nor on a fixed route, so how could there be so many customers? They must have some sort of "foodie magnetic field."But he knew in his heart that this lively atmosphere wouldn't last long. Before long, a bloodbath would arrive here—the Krieg Pirates would be coming very soon.Over the next few days, Luffy stayed in the restaurant to wash dishes.As expected, he broke over a dozen plates every day, the crisp sounds of shattering echoing one after another.Patty chased after him and scolded him every day until his voice was almost hoarse, yet Luffyremained completely unfazed. The thing he was most persistent about every day was chasing Sanjiand inviting him to join the crew over and over again.Sanji rejected him ruthlessly every time, his tone as cold as ice, yet whenever Luffy washed dishes until midnight and his stomach rumbled with hunger...he would silently bring over a plate of steaming fried rice from the kitchen, topped with a golden fried egg, smelling absolutely delicious.What drove the restaurant's chefs to despair the most was that the amount of food Luffy ate in a single meal was equivalent to what dozens of normal people would eat.He often devoured more than half of the restaurant's ingredients, leaving the other chefs to work on empty stomachs, grumbling with resentment.Adam and the others stayed on the flying, coming to the restaurant to eat every day. Along the way, they watched Luffy's antics and used the opportunity to interact more with Sanji, gradually closing the distance.After all, abducting this gold-medal cook was an important goal of their trip.Moreover, the key plot had not yet unfolded, so they couldn't possibly leave early.Aside from practicing his swordsmanship on the ship, Zoro spent his days drinking in the restaurant. Occasionally, his terrible sense of direction would kick in, and he would wander around the restaurant several times without finding the exit, earning him days of teasing from Usopp, which made him so angry he almost drew his swords to slash him.Nami, on the other hand, spent every day hunched over the table with a sea chart, studying the route to the Grand Line.Occasionally, she would accept the juice and desserts Sanji handed to her, offering him a sweet smile that left Sanji completely dazed, to the point where he almost burned his cooking.That evening, a strong gale suddenly blew up at sea. The howling wind and fierce waves slammed violently against the restaurant's hull, making loud banging noises. The ship shook violently, causing even the cups on the dining tables to rattle continuously.The customers in the restaurant had long since fled in fear, leaving only Luffy and his crew, along with Sanji and Zeff, who were cleaning up the kitchen.Just then, the restaurant door was slammed open, hitting the wall with a loud "bang" that made a harsh sound.A man covered in wounds and wearing tattered clothes stumbled inside.The wounds on his body were still bleeding, staining his worn-out clothes red. After taking just two steps, he collapsed heavily onto the floor, and the two axes in his hands fell with a loud clatter.He was so thin he was practically skin and bones, his eye sockets deeply sunken, and his lips chapped and bleeding. He barely had the strength to lift his eyelids, his breathing as faint as a candle in the wind.It was none other than Gin, the combat commander of the Krieg Pirates.Patty rushed over with a frown, kicking his leg with a tone full of impatience."Hey! Who are you? Our restaurant is already closed, get the hell out of here!"Gin opened his mouth, a hoarse "he-he" sound coming from his throat. Straining with all his might, he managed to squeeze out two words, his voice so weak it was barely audible."Food... give me some food...""Food?"Patty sneered, bending down to grab him by the collar, his eyes full of disdain.He had seen plenty of penniless wretches like this, but they were a restaurant, not a charity. Besides, this guy was covered in wounds and clearly looked like trouble."Do you have money? You want to eat without money? Get the hell out! Don't die in our restaurant, it's bad luck!"As he spoke, he grabbed Gin's leg, preparing to drag him out with enough force to almost break it.Just then, Sanji walked over carrying a glass of warm water. Without a word, he kicked Patty aside, sending him stumbling back several steps, nearly falling over."Get lost."Patty grew anxious and shouted at Sanji, his voice full of confusion and anger."Sanji! Are you crazy?! This guy clearly isn't any good. What if he's a pirate?! We can't invite a wolf into our home!""So what if he's a pirate?"Sanji stood up expressionlessly and turned to walk into the kitchen, his tone flat but carrying an unquestionable firmness."To me, anyone who is starving is not a bad person."Before long, he walked out carrying a plate of steaming egg fried rice. Every grain of rice was golden, coated in a rich sauce, and wisps of steam rose from it, instantly filling the entire restaurant with its aroma.He also brought a glass of warm water, squatted down beside Gin, gently handed him the spoon, and softened his voice slightly."Eat."Gin stared at the egg fried rice in front of him, his eyes instantly turning red and bright. His hand, knuckles white, trembled as he gripped the spoon.Ignoring the scalding heat of the rice, he wolfed it down, swallowing the grains along with his muddy, salty tears, even licking the sauce off the bottom of the plate completely clean.
Chapter 36: The Krieg PiratesHe hadn't touched a bite of hot food in nearly half a month. Chased all over the sea, he even had to ration the muddy seawater he drank, having long since reached his physiological limit.The piping hot fried rice slid down his throat, soothing his empty stomach, while also burning away the days of pent-up grievance and despair. The tension holding his body together instantly collapsed.In the blink of an eye, the plate of egg fried rice was empty. Having regained a bit of strength, Gin propped himself up against the cold floor and sat up.He kowtowed heavily to Sanji, his forehead hitting the wooden floorboards with a dull thud, his voice as raspy as if it had been rubbed with sandpaper."Thank you... Thank you... I, Gin, will never forget this kindness for the rest of my life."Sanji bent down to pick up the empty plate, his fingertips brushing against the grease on the rim. He then turned back to the kitchen and grabbed a large bundle of bread and dried meat wrapped in oilpaper, tossing it gently into Gin's arms. His tone remained nonchalant, yet it hid an imperceptible warmth."Take it and eat it on the way. Don't go dying out at sea."Gin clutched the food tightly in his arms, as if holding onto a life-saving straw, and bowed deeply to Sanji once more.He turned and limped out of the restaurant, his figure quickly vanishing into the pitch-black night, leaving behind only a trail of uneven footprints.Patty hopped madly with rage, shouting at Zeff with a trembling voice, his face full of frustration at Sanji's lack of sense."Boss! Look at Sanji! He gave food to a pirate again! It was the same last time, we almost lost the entire restaurant! This kid is going to cause big trouble sooner or later!"Zeff leaned against the bar, his fingertips tracing the rim of his glass as he threw his head back and gulped down some liquor, the liquid trickling down the corner of his mouth.He glanced at Sanji, who was walking into the kitchen, and said nothing, though a complex warmth flickered in his eyes.He knew better than anyone why Sanji acted this way—that despair of being on the brink of starvation was something both he and Sanji had experienced.Someone who has never truly experienced starvation would never understand how precious a single hot meal can be.Luffy sidled up to the kitchen door, clinging to the doorframe. His eyes sparkled with pure admiration, his voice filled with persistence."Wow! Sanji, you're so cool! You're gentle and you can fight, you really are a good guy! Now you definitely have to join our pirate crew!""Shut up, there's no way I'm joining your pirate crew."Sanji rolled his eyes at him and turned back to pack up his kitchen utensils, but the tips of his ears flushed slightly red, and his movements slowed down a bit.His heart had long since wavered; working as a chef here for the rest of his life meant he would never find the All Blue of his dreams. Yet, Zeff's kindness made the choice difficult, binding his feet like an invisible thread.Adam sat by the table, holding a glass of orange-red fruit juice. He took a sip, the sweet juice sliding down his throat. Turning his head toward Zorobeside him, he lowered his voice, speaking with a certain predictive confidence."They're coming.""The largest pirate crew in the East Blue, Krieg's fleet—a 'material pack' delivered right to our door. Now we have the funding to upgrade the flying."Zoro raised his eyes, a sharp gleam instantly flashing in them. His grip on the flask tightened, his knuckles turning white, his tone filled with an eager, cold anticipation."Oh? Perfect. My hands have been itching for a sword fight these past few days. It's time to stretch my limbs.""I just don't know if this so-called number one pirate crew in the East Blue is worth even two slashes from me."Early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking, a deafening roar suddenly echoed across the otherwise calm sea. The waves instantly turned turbulent, and the ship rocked violently, causing the tableware on the dining tables to clatter loudly.Everyone in the restaurant rushed onto the deck, clinging to the ship's railing and looking out into the distance, their breathing instantly freezing.On the horizon, a massive pirate ship was sailing toward them, its hull completely battered and in ruins.It was covered in sword slashes and axe marks, with gaping holes blasted by cannonballs. The sails were torn like rags, drooping limply in the wind, looking as though it had just survived a brutal, bloody battle.No one knew that the only reason this ship had ended up like this was because of a single man carrying a black blade on his back.He had single-handedly slashed them all the way from the Grand Line back to the East Blue—an absolute crushing defeat delivered by the Worlds Greatest Swordsman.Painted on the sail was a menacing skull emblem with bared teeth and fierce eyes—the flag of the East Blue overlord, the Krieg Pirates, looking exceptionally glaring in the morning light.This flagship, which could accommodate over a thousand people, was the sole remaining vessel of Krieg's fleet.Adam stared at the battered ship, his eyes instantly lighting up. He rubbed his fingertips together, secretly calculating in his mind."If I extract all the wood elements from this ship, condense them into a potion, and apply a coat to the flying, its durability will at least double. It will go straight from a 'gentle lamb' to a 'King Kong Barbie', and we won't have to worry about cannonballs ever again."Just as the ship docked, a tall man clad in golden armor led hundreds of pirates armed with swords and guns, rushing off the ship aggressively. The clatter of his armor resounded as he moved—it was none other than Krieg.His face was as pale as paper, his lips cracked and bleeding, and his eyes were filled with madness and malice. He exuded a violent aura on the verge of collapse—clearly, he had also gone hungry for a long time.Gin followed behind him with his head hung low, his hands gripping the axes in his grasp so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His expression was terribly complex; he didn't dare look up at Sanji at the restaurant door, his eyes filled with guilt and internal conflict.Krieg locked his gaze onto the sea restaurant, his eyes instantly lighting up like a hungry wolf spotting its prey. Waving the spear in his hand, he shouted at the restaurant, his voice hoarse yet arrogant."Food! Water! And the ship!""Hand over all the food and water in your restaurant! This restaurant ship belongs to me now, too!""Anyone who dares to resist will be killed, and I'll throw you all into the sea to feed the Sea Kings!"The pirates behind him instantly began to howl, brandishing their weapons and rushing toward the restaurant with murderous intent, frightening the chefs inside into gripping their kitchen knives tightly.Zeff took a step forward, leaning on his cane. He slammed it heavily onto the ground, causing the floor to vibrate slightly. His gaze was icy cold, and his tone carried an inviolable authority."If you want to run wild in my restaurant, you're still a bit too green, Krieg."Just then, Sanji walked out with a cigarette in his mouth, slowly puffing out a ring of smoke. His gaze fell upon Gin, his brow instantly furrowing, his tone carrying a hint of confusion and disappointment."It's you?"Gin hung his head even lower, his shoulders trembling slightly. His grip on his axes tightened further, and he couldn't make a sound, with only the guilt in his eyes on the verge of overflowing.Krieg looked at Sanji, then swept his gaze over the bustling restaurant. He suddenly burst into loud laughter, his voice coarse and crazed, making the surrounding air seem to tremble."So you're the one who gave my Combat Commander something to eat?""Consider yourself sensible. Now hurry up and bring out all the food, or I'll tear this ship apart and throw every last one of you to the fish!"
Chapter 37: That Man Has Arrived—Hawkeye!Luffy instantly flared up. He took a huge step forward, shielding Sanji, and stood with hands on his hips as he roared at Krieg, his voice filled with anger and indignation."You bastard! Sanji was kind enough to feed your men, and you turn around to rob and threaten us? I will never forgive you!""Oh? A greenhorn kid dares to challenge me, Krieg, the Overlord of the East Blue?"Krieg sneered, his eyes filled with contempt. Just as he was about to order his pirates to attack, a faint sound of slicing wind suddenly came from the sea—subtle yet carrying a bone-chilling coldness.Everyone instinctively looked toward the sea, and a sudden silence fell over them.A small, single-person coffin boat drifted slowly toward them along the waves. Its hull was pitch-black, gleaming with a cold luster under the morning light.Sitting at the bow was a man. He wore a black trench coat that fluttered in the sea breeze, and on his back, he carried a massive black sword.The cross-shaped hilt was exceptionally eye-catching, radiating a heart-palpitating chill.He had sharp yellow eyes, an aquiline nose, and neat, short black hair. A cold and powerful aura of oppression surrounded him, as if the winds and waves of the entire ocean bowed before him.Though he just sat there quietly, he made the air above the entire sea seem to solidify. Even the sound of the waves grew faint, and a suffocating pressure enveloped the entire pier.He was the Worlds Greatest Swordsman, Dracule Mihawk—Hawkeye!The moment Krieg saw him, his entire body trembled violently. The arrogance on his face was instantly replaced by utter terror. He could not even hold his spear steady, and with a clatter, it dropped to the ground as his voice shook uncontrollably."It's him! It's that man! It's really him! He destroyed my entire fleet of fifty ships all by himself!"The entire pier instantly fell so silent that a pin drop could be heard, and even the sea breeze seemed to stop.The hundreds of pirates of the Krieg Piratestrembled in fear, their legs turning to jelly. Some even collapsed directly to the ground, not daring to move an inch.They would never forget how this man had sliced their entire fleet to pieces like chopping vegetables back then. That despair was carved into their very bones.Only Zoro's eyes lit up the instant he saw Hawkeye, shining with incredible intensity.His blood boiled, and his hands holding his swords trembled slightly—not out of fear, but from sheer excitement, the burning determination of finally meeting his ultimate goal.Pushing Usopp aside, he stepped forward with steady paces to the very front of the pier. He bowed deeply to Hawkeye on the sea, bending extremely low, his tone respectful yet firm."My name is Roronoa Zoro. I am a swordsman."Hawkeye raised his eyes slightly. His yellow gaze crossed the vast sea to land on Zoro, his tone flat without a single ripple of emotion."Oh?""Ever since I was a child, my goal has been to surpass you. I have been practicing the sword without a single day's rest."Zoro snapped his head up, the stray hairs on his forehead fluttering in the sea breeze. His eyes were filled with unquestionable determination as he spoke each word with powerful resonance."I want to duel you. Please fight me in a fair and square match.""My goal is... the strongest!"The surrounding people were all stunned, gasping in shock with disbelief written all over their faces.Usopp's face turned pale. He clutched Adam's arm tightly, his voice shaking violently in sheer panic."Is he crazy? That's the Worlds Greatest Swordsman! How does he dare? This is suicide!"Adam pressed a hand on his shoulder and shook his head gently. Keeping his eyes on Zoro's straight back, he spoke calmly yet powerfully, each word carrying weight."This is a path he must take.""To become the Worlds Greatest Swordsman, he has to cross this hurdle eventually. He must dare to face the strongest.""If he doesn't even have the courage to swing his sword at the strong, he might as well go home early. Being a pirate is not child's play.""Since he chose to become a pirate and embark on this path, he must stake his life on it. This is a pirate's pride and a swordsman's conviction."Hearing Adam's words, the eyes of the onlookers flickered with shock, admiration, and confusion. No one dared to mock Zoro's "foolhardiness" anymore.Out on the sea, Hawkeye looked at the light in Zoro's eyes. It was a familiar light—persistent, firm, and refusing to back down even in the face of despair.He saw his younger self in him, possessing that same determination to swing his sword against the entire world for his dream.He fell silent for a few seconds, then suddenly drew a tiny dagger from the cross-shaped scabbard on his back.The dagger glinted faintly in the morning light, standing in stark contrast to the black sword on his back."I don't have any blade smaller than this."He looked at Zoro, his tone still flat but carrying unquestionable authority."To deal with you, there is no need to use yoru.""For a swordsman, arrogance is the ultimate sin. Let me show you just how vast the gap is between you and the world's strongest."Zoro's face darkened instantly. The air pressure around him plummeted, and a freezing aura burst forth like an unsheathed blade.In his eyes, facing him with a dagger was a blatant insult."Don't look down on me!""If you don't go all out, don't blame anyone else when you lose!"He roared, his foot stomping hard on the wooden planks of the pier. Wood splinters flew as he shot toward the sea like an arrow from a bow.He swung his three swords simultaneously. The flashes of his blades cut through the sea breeze, making a sharp tearing sound in the air as they lunged straight for Hawkeye's face."Three Sword Style: Oni Giri!"Hawkeye remained calmly seated on his small boat, his body completely still. He only slowly raised the dagger in his hand, spinning it slightly with his fingertips, and precisely blocked the combined strike of Zoro's three swords."Clang!"A crisp sound pierced the sky, sharp and ear-splitting. Zoro's full-force strike was blocked completely by this tiny dagger, without even a single tremor.Zoro's pupils shrank suddenly, his eyes widening in disbelief. His hands holding the swords trembled slightly.His full-strength slash was actually parried effortlessly by a mere dagger. Most glaringly, the tip of Hawkeye's blade rested steadily right at the intersection of his three swords, not a millimeter off."How is this possible...""Is this your full-strength slash?"Hawkeye looked at him, his yellow eyes showing no ripples whatsoever, his tone as flat as if he were stating an insignificant trifle."Too weak.""Your sword has only the cowardice of defense, with none of the sharpness of offense.""Only thinking about not being cut, without considering how to cut your opponent—such a sword will never wound me.""Go train for another hundred years."
Chapter 38: A Destined DefeatZoro gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, his eyes swirling with unwillingness and stubbornness. He suddenly swung his swords and charged forward again, the blades cutting through the air and leaving behind afterimages.Tiger Hunt, Three Thousand Worlds, Dragon Twister—he poured out his life's sword techniques one after another without holding back. The flashes of his blades were so fast they almost merged into one, every strike lethal and aimed at Hawkeye's vital points.[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name. For following Taiwanese novels, look for the ultra-convenient...]But Hawkeye still sat calmly at the bow of the ship, gently waving the dagger in his hand. His movements were lazy yet precise, and every parry was perfectly timed, deflecting all of Zoro's slashes.No matter how fast, fierce, or resolute Zoro's attacks were, they couldn't touch a single hair of his, nor could they even ruffle the corner of his clothes in the slightest.After a dozen exchanges, Zoro's breathing was already ragged, his heavy gasps mixing with the sea breeze.The muscles all over his body were unbearably sore, and his hands holding the swords trembled more and more violently. Large beads of sweat slid down his cheeks, dripping into the sea and creating small ripples.Looking at the man before him, he truly felt for the first time what an insurmountable chasm was, and what it meant to be completely out of reach.The height of the world's number one was far, far more distant than he had ever imagined."What's wrong? Is this all you've got?"Hawkeye looked at him, his tone growing a bit colder, as if mocking him, yet also testing him."Giving up?""Give up?"Zoro suddenly laughed—a wild, resolute laugh. The light in his eyes, far from dying out, burned even hotter like a reignited flame.To him, facing someone stronger was not despair, but a mirror to see himself clearly. Swinging his sword at the strong was his only motivation to move forward."How could I ever give up!"He took a deep breath, clamped the wado ichimonjibetween his teeth, held a sword in each hand, lowered his body slightly, and condensed his aura as he assumed the starting stance of the Three Thousand Worlds.This was the strongest technique he could currently unleash. Though it was only a prototype, it was the first time he had poured all his strength into condensing it into form."Three Sword Style Secret Technique: Three Thousand Worlds!"His entire being turned into a green afterimage, charging toward Hawkeye with an earth-shattering momentum. The three swords wove into a dense net of blades, carrying a force that could tear anything apart as they slashed fiercely at Hawkeye.Looking at this strike, a hint of recognition finally flickered in Hawkeye's yellow eyes.It was the most sincere acknowledgment of a swordsman who could create his own techniques and dare to risk his life.He slowly put away his dagger and raised his hand to grasp the massive yoru on his back. The moment his fingertips touched the hilt, a heart-palpitating chill quietly spread.The instant the black blade was unsheathed, a pitch-black flash of light erupted, and a terrifying pressure instantly swept across the area.The waves on the sea seemed to have been paused, and even the sea breeze froze. A bone-chilling cold seeped down everyone's spines and deep into their bones.Everyone around had solemn expressions, not daring to breathe loudly—who didn't know what it meant when the Worlds Greatest Swordsman drew his black blade? That lingering power was enough to awe the entire East Blue."A fine gaze."Hawkeye held yoru, the blade hanging by his side. Watching the charging Zoro, his tone remained calm, but carried a bit more solemnity."I am Dracule Mihawk.""Remember this name, young man.""For the sake of your courage, I shall receive your strike with this, the world's strongest black blade."The moment the blades clashed, a deafening roar exploded, sending shockwaves across the sea and causing the waves to surge.The onlookers instinctively covered their ears, yet their eyes remained glued to the clashing sea. Everyone saw it with absolute clarity.Zoro's three swords were firmly blocked by yoru, leaving him completely unable to fight back.Immediately after, crisp snapping sounds rang out one after another, as dense cracks instantly spread across his two ordinary blades.The next second, with two loud snaps, they shattered completely. Shards flew in all directions, falling into the sea and disappearing.The remaining momentum of yoru did not fade; the blade swept lightly across Zoro's chest.Blood instantly sprayed out, dyeing Zoro's white shirt red, as well as the deck beneath his feet. A heavy scent of blood mixed with the sea breeze, hitting them in the face, pungent and hot.Zoro knew clearly that he had lost, utterly and completely.He slowly sheathed his remaining wado ichimonji, then turned around to face Hawkeye, spreading his arms to expose his defenseless chest—he was a swordsman; even in defeat, he would never shrink back, let alone turn his back on an opponent."An interesting young man. I will remember you."Hawkeye Mihawk raised his black blade once more. As the blade cut through the air, two fierce slashes fell, leaving a striking, bone-deep, cross-shaped wound on Zoro's chest.Zoro's body swayed, and he fell backward, plunging straight into the cold sea."Zoro!"Luffy let out a heart-wrenching cry as his arm instantly stretched into a long Rubber arm. A split second before Zoro could fully sink to the bottom of the sea, he grabbed his arm tightly, yanked him violently out of the water, and flung him onto the deck.Zoro lay on the deck, blood continuously gushing from the wound on his chest, staining a large portion of the wooden planks red.His face was as pale as paper, his breath weak. Yet, he still gritted his teeth, pushing against the deck in an attempt to stand up, only to sway and almost collapse again.Usopp was so terrified that tears were on the verge of falling. Crouching beside him, he covered his mouth tightly with both hands, his voice trembling uncontrollably."Zoro, don't die! If you die, who's going to brag with me!"Johnny and Yosaku also fell to their knees with a thud, trembling with anxiety. Completely at a loss, they didn't even dare to touch Zoro's wound, fearing they would worsen his injury.Adam rushed over instantly, his knees hitting the deck hard. He deftly pulled several vials of potions from his robes, their bodies shimmering with different lusters. Though his tone was somewhat complaining, his movements were lightning fast."You kid really know how to wreck yourself! If I knew you were this reckless, I wouldn't have brought out these collector's grade potions so easily. What a massive loss!"First, he drew a deep blue vial of potent hemostatic agent, precisely inserting the needle into Zoro's vein and gently pushing the medicine in.Then, he took out a deep green vial of cell-repairing agent and carefully poured it along Zoro's wound. The moment the medicine made contact with the wound, a faint white mist rose.Finally, he pried Zoro's mouth open and slowly poured in a golden vial of physical recovery agent.This was the strongest trauma-repairing potion he had concocted after pulling several all-nighters and exhausting rare materials. Infused with the active factors of Sea Kings and the essence of dozens of herbs, it could be called a 'miraculous sea first-aid tool'.It could stop massive bleeding, repair damaged muscles and blood vessels in the shortest time possible, and even cause fractured bones to heal rapidly.
Chapter 39: The Foolish KriegNot long after the potion was fed to him, the color slowly returned to Zoro's pale, paper-white face, and the deep, bone-visible wound on his chest stopped bleeding at a speed visible to the naked eye.The damaged muscle tissue slowly writhed and healed, and his previously trembling hand steadily gripped the only remaining wado ichimonji.In the shocked gazes of everyone, Zoro propped himself up with the wado ichimonji and stood up straight bit by bit. His back was straight, and even though he was still weak, there wasn't a hint of a hunch, and the aura around him was even more determined than before.He slowly turned around, facing away from Hawkeye, and raised the wado ichimonji above his head. His arm was taut and straight as he spoke to Hawkeye on the sea, word by word, sonorous and powerful, his voice piercing through the sea breeze and resounding throughout the entire venue."Wounds on the back are a swordsman's shame."Hawkeye watched him, his yellow eyes revealing true surprise for the first time.He had seen countless swordsmen; some, having suffered injuries many times lighter than this, would collapse and fall into despair.This youth had suffered a fatal injury, yet he managed to stand up again in just a few short minutes?What intrigued him even more was that swordsman's dignity carved into his bones, as well as that mysterious and potent potion.His gaze slowly fell upon Adam, who was crouching nearby packing up the potions, his eyes carrying a hint of inquiry and a trace of imperceptible approval.Zoro slowly turned around to look at Hawkeye, tears in his eyes, yet he smiled with incomparable determination. He raised the wado ichimonji toward the sky and shouted loudly, his voice trembling but filled with resolve."Luffy! Did you hear that clearly!"Luffy stood by his side, nodding vigorously, his eyes red-rimmed, yet he smiled with utmost sincerity, his tone firm and unwavering."I heard you!""I! Roronoa Zoro!"Zoro's voice pierced through the wind and waves, resounding across the entire sea, carrying a swordsman's pride, an unyielding stubbornness, and a persistence toward his dream."From today on, until I defeat him and become the Worlds Greatest Swordsman! I will never lose again! Do you have any objections?! Pirate King!"Luffy burst into laughter, bright and fervent, reaching out to pat Zoro on the shoulder with enough force to nearly knock him over, his tone full of approval and pride."Of course not! My crewmate should have that kind of spirit!"Hawkeye watched this scene and suddenly burst into loud laughter, his laugh hearty, breaking the previous chill and oppression.This was the first time he had truly smiled today, and the loneliness in his eyes dissipated a little."Interesting, what an interesting brat!"He slowly sheathed the yoru on his back, looking at Zoro, his tone becoming incomparably serious, carrying the promise of the Worlds Greatest Swordsman."Young man, I will wait for you on the throne of the Worlds Greatest Swordsman.""Surpass this blade, surpass me! No matter how many years pass, no matter how many hardships you endure, I will be here, waiting for your challenge."He had sat on the throne of the Worlds Greatest Swordsman for too long, so long that only loneliness remained; no opponents, no challenges, even the motivation to move forward had gradually dissipated.The appearance of this youth was like a beam of light, piercing through the loneliness surrounding him, allowing him to once again feel the bond and anticipation between swordsmen.His gaze fell on Adam once more, and he nodded slightly, his tone flat yet carrying unquestionable approval."And you, a very interesting young man. To be able to concoct such heaven-defying potions, you are no ordinary person either.""I hope you can safely reach the New World and not fall halfway through the Grand Line—I look forward to seeing your growth next time we meet."After speaking, he turned the ship, and the coffin boat drifted slowly into the distance along the waves. His black figure gradually shrank, finally disappearing at the end of the horizon, leaving only a faint afterimage.The entire dock fell completely silent, and even the sound of the waves became faint.Everyone was still immersed in the thrilling duel that had just occurred, unable to snap out of it for a long time, their faces filled with shock and awe—awe toward Hawkeye, and even more admiration for Zoro.The cigarette Sanji was holding in his mouth slipped from his lips without him noticing and fell onto the deck, yet he was completely unaware.His fingertips subconsciously tightened around the kitchen knife in his hand, his knuckles turning white. His eyes were filled with disbelief, and the lazy curve of his mouth had completely frozen.He had seen countless severely injured people; with a wound as deep as the bone, let alone standing up, even surviving would be a stroke of luck. Yet this green-haired swordsman before him had regained the ability to move in just a few short minutes.His gaze locked tightly onto Zoro's mostly healed wound, then quickly darted toward Zeff's wooden prosthetic leg, his Adam's apple bobbing hard.That potion... could it actually be so heaven-defying? If it could regrow severed limbs... could there still be hope for the master's leg?Sanji's fingertips turned white from gripping, he opened his mouth, a thousand words stuck in his throat, but he ultimately could not ask."This potion of yours is just too outrageous."Nami crouched beside Adam, her fingertips lightly touching the scabbed skin at the edge of Zoro's wound, her eyes wide with shock.Adam smiled and tossed a tube of pale green ointment to Zoro, his tone carrying a hint of a humblebrag."Apply it three times a day, and it will close up completely in three days without even leaving a scar.""However, don't do any high-intensity sword training for the next half month. No matter how strong your muscles are, they can't take you abusing them like this."Zoro caught the ointment, his fingertips gripping the tube tightly, and he nodded heavily at Adam, his tone deep and serious."Thanks, Adam.""But scars are a man's medal; it's better to keep them, as they can constantly remind me of the gap between me and the Worlds Greatest Swordsman.""We're all crewmates, why be so polite."Adam patted his shoulder and added with a smile."If you ever change your mind and want to get rid of the scar, just apply it then. Don't force yourself."Just then, the frozen Krieg finally came back to his senses.Seeing that Hawkeye had completely disappeared from the horizon, the fear in his eyes instantly faded, and his arrogant aura returned. He slammed his long spear onto the ground and roared sharply."What are you all standing around for! Loot it for me!""Take this restaurant ship and all the food—loot it all!"The pirates behind him seemed to wake from a dream, yelling and charging with swords raised, filled with murderous intent.Luffy stepped to the very front, his fists clenching until they creaked, his eyes turning cold."You bastard, daring to cause trouble in front of us, I will absolutely not let you off!"Before he finished speaking, Luffy had already rushed out.His Rubber arm stretched out violently, and he smashed a fist into the face of the pirate in the front row. With a muffled "bang," the man flew backward and crashed to the ground, unconscious.He swung his arms continuously, his fists like rain, and the pirates charging up were sent flying one after another, their screams rising and falling.Krieg watched his subordinates being easily crushed, his face turning red with anger. He raised his long spear with poisonous spikes and charged straight at Luffy.The golden armor he wore was incredibly hard; Luffy's fists smashed against it, only making "clang, clang" muffled sounds, without even leaving a mark.
Chapter 40: Sanji Joins"Hahaha! My golden armor is invincible!"Krieg laughed wildly, his spear thrusting straight toward Luffy's heart in a vicious attack.Luffy dodged nimbly to the side, but was forced to retreat repeatedly by a poison gas bomb suddenly thrown by Krieg.The pale green MH5 poison gas spread instantly. The pungent smell was so choking that people couldn't open their eyes, and the pirates who came into contact with the gas collapsed one after another, foaming at the mouth and convulsing all over."Luffy! It's poison gas! Don't breathe it in!"Nami covered her mouth and nose, shouting urgently, her face turning pale.Luffy, however, was not panicked at all. He took a deep breath, exhaled all the air in his chest, held his breath, and charged straight forward.He grabbed Krieg's wrist that was holding the grenade, his Rubber arm instantly wrapping around it, binding his arm tightly so he couldn't move an inch."You guy, to think you'd use such a vicious trick!"Luffy gritted his teeth, his arm exerting sudden force as he swung Krieg around and smashed him hard toward the sea.Krieg let out a shrill scream in the air and hit the water with a "splash."Just as he emerged from the water in a sorry state, a dark shadow descended from the sky. Sanji kicked him hard in the face, directly sending him back into the water.Sanji landed steadily on the deck, brushed the water stains off his pant leg, spat out his cigarette butt, and spoke in a cold tone."Daring to release poison gas in a restaurant, do you even deserve to be a pirate?"Krieg struggled to crawl out of the sea, soaked to the bone, and charged again, looking like a madman.Luffy was already standing in front of him, fists clenched tight, muscles tensed, his aura surging."Rubber Rubber—Bazooka!"His fists, carrying the force of a thousand jun, landed solidly on Krieg's golden armor."Clang!"The hard armor instantly dented and twisted. Kriegscreamed and flew off like a cannonball, crashing heavily into his own flagship and passing out on the spot.The remaining pirates, seeing their Captain defeated in an instant, lost all fighting spirit, dropped their weapons, and scattered in flight.But Gin had already led a few conscious subordinates to block their retreat, not letting a single one escape.Gin walked up to Sanji, bent over, and bowed deeply, his waist bent very low, his tone full of sincerity."Mr. Sanji, thank you for the meal.""I will remember this kindness for the rest of my life.""We will take Krieg and leave the East Blue, and we will never come back to cause trouble again."Sanji waved his hand without speaking, just nodding faintly.Gin paid his respects again, took his men to carry away the unconscious Krieg, and steered that battered flagship, slowly sailing away from these waters.As for the other half of the damaged ship, Adam had already extracted the wood elements, turned them into a strengthening potion, and quietly fused it into the hull of the Going Merry.The turmoil finally subsided.Inside the restaurant, Zeff had people lay out a table full of dishes, fragrant and steaming, to entertain Luffy and the others.Luffy hugged his plate and devoured the food, sauce covering the corners of his mouth, while blurrily trying to persuade Sanji to go to sea.Sanji sipped from his wine glass, still shaking his head in refusal, his tone firm."I said, I'm not going.""I want to stay at this restaurant and keep Zeffcompany."Zeff looked at him, tenderness hidden in his eyes.He knew better than anyone that Sanji couldn't let go of this debt of gratitude, but a young man's dreams shouldn't be trapped in this small sea restaurant.Suddenly, he slammed his wine glass onto the table, the bottom of the glass making the wooden table tremble, and stabbed his crutch hard into the floor, scolding Sanji sternly."You brat! It's time for you to go!"Sanji suddenly looked up at Zeff, his pupils shrinking, his face full of astonishment.He had never imagined that his teacher would say such things."Old man? What did you say?""I said, it's time for you to get out to sea!"Zeff glared at him, his tone still fierce, but his eye sockets were quietly turning red, his voice trembling slightly."Isn't your dream to find the ALL BLUE? Staying here, you'll never find it!""This restaurant doesn't need you anymore! Get out!"Sanji looked at Zeff, his lips trembling, his eye sockets instantly turning red.He remembered that deserted island many years ago, where this old man, in order to keep him alive, gave him all the food while losing one of his own legs.This restaurant was a dream shared by both of them, the attachment he couldn't let go of most in his life."Old man...""Less nonsense!"Zeff turned his head abruptly, not daring to look at him for fear that tears would fall, though his shoulders couldn't help but tremble slightly. "Don't make me wait too long, you must find the ALL BLUE! Do you hear me!"Sanji gritted his teeth, and tears finally hit the floor, blooming into small damp marks.He knew his teacher had already made up his mind.He kowtowed three times heavily toward Zeff, his forehead hitting the floor with a "thud, thud" sound."Old man! Thank you for taking care of me for so many years! I will never forget your great kindness for the rest of my life!"Zeff had his back to him, waving his hand without saying a word, though his shoulders shook even more violently.The next morning, at the dock where the flying was docked, the sea breeze blew softly, and the morning light was warm.Sanji carried his suitcase, standing by the side of the ship, his black suit crisp, a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth, his smile languid."Hey, Straw Hat."Luffy jumped up instantly, his eyes shining like stars, shouting excitedly."Sanji! You've decided to come with us?""Yeah."Sanji nodded, threw his suitcase onto the ship, leaped onto the deck, and after standing steady, spoke loudly to everyone."I've decided to go to the Grand Line with you and find the ALL BLUE.""Also, I am the cook of this ship, and from now on, I'm in charge of the three meals on board."He cast a sidelong glance, his tone carrying a hint of threat. "If you dare to waste food, I'll break your legs."Luffy cheered instantly, pounced over to hug Sanji, and laughed loudly."Great! We have a cook! Finally, we can have roast meat for every meal!"Nami walked up with a smile, extended her hand to Sanji, her eyes gentle."Welcome aboard, Sanji. I'll leave the food on the ship to you from now on."Sanji instantly switched to gentleman mode, took Nami's hand, bowed slightly, and smiled so tenderly it could melt."Rest assured, beautiful Miss Nami.""Whatever you want to eat in the future, I can make it for you."Zoro leaned against the mast, his fingertips caressing the scabbard of the wado ichimonji, the cold metallic touch spreading along his fingertips. He nodded slightly at Sanji, raising his eyebrows, which counted as a greeting—a swordsman's way of saying hello was always concise and neat.Usopp immediately crowded over, grabbed Sanji's arm with quite a bit of force, and enthusiastically pointed out various parts of the ship, spittle almost splashing onto the other man's suit."Sanji, let me show you our ship!""This is the storage cabin, where I keep my slingshot and lead bullets, and that over there is the kitchen, which will be yours to manage from now on!""Oh, and the ship has the preservation potion mixed by Adam, so your ingredients won't spoil no matter how long you keep them; it's all about 'long-lasting freshness'!"Adam walked up with a smile and extended his hand to Sanji, his palm carrying the warmth of the sun, his tone hiding a playful tease."Welcome aboard, Sanji.""I'm the ship's pharmacist, specializing in'saving lives and healing wounds + ingredient preservation.' If you ever break your leg training (just kidding), or if you want a steak to stay juicy after three days, you can count on me."