The outcome unfolded exactly as Captain Markel had predicted. Kirk outclassed numerous renowned culinary masters to seize the championship, while Saff, unable to surpass her elder brother, secured second place with dignity.
Ash Thalos sat comfortably among the honored gourmet guests, savoring each exquisite dish prepared by the city's finest chefs. He tasted slowly and critically, appreciating the balance of flavor, texture, and presentation. The only inconvenience was the overwhelming number of gourmets crowding the venue, which made it impossible for him to enjoy the meal in absolute peace.
Still, that hardly mattered. An after-party was about to begin.
After receiving the November championship trophy, the explosion treasure chest containing the Devil Fruit, and the ceremonial key from the President of the Chef Association, Kirk politely declined the invitation to join the association. His refusal was respectful but firm.
In the crowd, Hodge watched as the Kirk siblings stood victorious. His initial shock quickly twisted into a look of contempt when he spotted his former crew members lurking among the spectators.
What use is culinary talent? What value is a championship title? In this world, only strength matters. As long as I am powerful enough, everything will belong to me.
Hodge's thoughts swelled with arrogance, until a sudden voice nearly stopped his heart.
"Ah, Kirk, why not eat the Devil Fruit right now?"
Kirk noticed Ash subtly glance toward the stage and immediately understood. Pretending to be tempted, he replied, "Eat it now? Fine. Better to avoid unnecessary trouble."
He reached for the explosion treasure chest. Saff instantly stepped forward to stop him.
"We do not know what changes might occur after eating a Devil Fruit. It is too dangerous out here. Let us return to Uncle Markel's farm in the southern suburbs first."
"She is right," Ash said calmly. "It will be safer once we are back. Uncle Markel and I can watch over you. Let me carry the box."
The three left the venue together.
Only after they had walked a considerable distance did Hodge finally breathe again. If that brat had eaten the Devil Fruit on the spot, he would have been forced to reveal himself and move prematurely. Even if he succeeded in obtaining the Mera Mera no Mi, he would have had to flee Gourmet City.
And for a chef, even one sailing with pirates, what place could be more suitable than Gourmet City?
Southern suburbs.
The trio deliberately slowed their pace.
Kirk muttered impatiently, "Why are those bastards not here yet?"
"They are already here," Ash replied calmly.
He stopped walking and turned around.
"Since you are here, why linger in the shadows? Planning to escort us home?"
From alleys, rooftops, and behind abandoned structures, a group of rough, ill-tempered pirates emerged. Their grotesque appearances and cruel expressions made their intentions obvious. They formed a wide circle around Ash and the siblings.
"Hodge, you said there were only two siblings. Who is this brat?" a burly pirate growled.
"Haha, Captain, just a few kids," another pirate laughed.
"Indeed. This is not the New World. There are no monsters here."
Their captain smirked confidently.
"Boy, hand over the Devil Fruit and we might spare your lives. You should know, we are..."
Click.
Before he could finish, Ash opened the explosion treasure chest.
Silence.
Hodge and the pirates stared inside.
It was empty.
"Where is my Devil Fruit!" Hodge roared.
"Yours?" Ash sneered.
Then he turned to Kirk.
"Do you only want that fat man, or would you prefer to handle all of them yourself?"
Before his words fully settled, a blazing ring of fire carved a perfect circle around the pirates at astonishing speed, sealing them inside.
The pirate captain's face drained of color.
"This... this is the Logia-type Mera Mera no Mi!"
They had once ventured into the New World and survived. Their strength might not have been extraordinary, but their experience had sharpened their instincts. They knew at once they had misjudged their opponent.
There was no room for retreat. Blood feuds could not be settled peacefully.
The captain immediately coated his arms in Armament Haki and lunged at Ash, recognizing him as the greatest threat.
Kirk's gaze was fixed solely on Hodge.
"Captain, leave the small fry to you," he said.
Captain.
Hearing the word for the first time from Kirk amused Ash.
"Small fry?" the surrounding pirates shouted angrily.
Ash's expression turned cold.
"Do you object to my chef's words? Even if you do, swallow it."
Without another warning, the ring of fire collapsed inward. In an instant, it became a towering pillar of flames that surged skyward.
Screams erupted from within.
With Ash's mastery over flame, he could have reduced them to ash instantly. But revenge required spectacle. Justice demanded resonance.
Moments later, he flicked his fingers, dispersing the inferno.
The battlefield was left with only the Kirk siblings, protected behind him, Hodge drenched in sweat though untouched by the flames, and the pirate captain, his body charred black despite resisting with full Armament Haki.
"As expected of someone who survived the New World," Ash said calmly. "You endured longer than I anticipated."
He extended his hand.
The captain sensed death approaching but could not react in time.
Space itself tightened.
Having exhausted his Haki resisting the flames, he had no defense left. Invisible pressure crushed him from every direction. His body twisted unnaturally, then burst apart in a grotesque spray.
Flames ignited instantly, erasing all traces.
Ash frowned slightly.
Spatial compression was effective, but aesthetically unpleasant. In the future, slicing would be preferable. Or better yet, pure incineration. Control the temperature and reduce the enemy to nothing.
The minor players were gone.
Only the main culprit remained.
Kirk attacked Hodge without mercy, fists raining down in a relentless storm until the man collapsed. Saff stepped forward, kitchen knife in hand, and stabbed Hodge more than a dozen times. When she could no longer hold back her emotions, she walked aside with Ash and wept silently.
Kirk's vengeance was far more brutal.
After his sister finished, he retrieved his chef's toolbox. From it, he drew four slender kitchen knives and nailed Hodge's limbs to the ground.
Then, standing over him with Ash as witness, Kirk unleashed a barrage of punches so fierce it resembled a relentless storm.
Ash's expression shifted slightly.
Spatial compression killed in an instant. This, however, was prolonged. Hodge remained alive, protected deliberately.
Through his own spatial perception, Ash could clearly sense it. Kirk was using his ability with precision, shielding Hodge's vital organs while destroying everything else. The damage was external, horrific, deliberate.
Hodge had a long suffering ahead of him.
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Patreon = _Zeph