Sanji and Potts, battered and full of resentment, found a shallow area downstream from the hot spring where Renzo was sleeping to tend to their wounds.
The warm spring water washed over their scrapes and burn marks, sending sharp stings that gradually melted into soothing relief.
They cleaned away blood and mud, revealing skin bruised in shades of purple and blue beneath.
"Ugh… that monster's claws are sharp as hell,"
Potts gasped, staring at the deep scratches on his arm that even exposed bone.
Sanji said nothing, quietly inspecting the bruises on his leg and the burns on his back from the steam, brow furrowed in thought.
As a chef, his hands and sense of taste were vital; thankfully, most injuries were to his body.
However, after soaking for about ten minutes, something strange happened.
Potts noticed first: "Huh? Sanji, look! The wounds on my arm… they don't hurt as much. And… the bleeding stopped ages ago, and the edges feel… itchy?"
Sanji immediately glanced at his own injuries.
Sure enough, the large, alarming bruise on his leg was visibly fading and shrinking. The burning pain on his back had lessened dramatically, replaced by a cooling, soothing sensation.
It was as if subtle life energy was seeping through the water into the wounds, accelerating healing.
"This hot spring…"
Sanji cupped a handful of water, examining it carefully.
The water was clear, faintly sulfurous, with an indescribably fresh scent.
"No wonder! The old texts said the hot springs of Warmwae Island have a 'skin-reviving, flesh-healing' effect!"
Excitement began to chase away their exhaustion and resentment.
They submerged themselves deeper, enjoying the gift of nature. Fatigue melted away, replaced by the pleasant tingling of healing wounds.
Half an hour later, most injuries had scabbed over; shallower scrapes left only faint red marks, and the bruises had nearly disappeared. Their spirits lifted.
"Amazing!"
Potts moved his arms in disbelief.
Sanji thought further. "A hot spring with healing properties like this… the ingredients growing nearby must contain extraordinary energy and flavor."
His gaze returned to the soft cloth pouch holding the hot spring egg, eyes burning with intensity.
The soul of a chef, blazing!
At this moment, the sun began to set, draping the entire hot spring valley in a warm golden glow.
Sanji decided to prepare dinner on the spot, using the freshest ingredients in the ultimate environment to create dishes that would best express their flavors.
Potts was in charge of lighting a fire and setting up a makeshift stove using portable cooking tools commonly kept on Renzo's ship, while Sanji began preparing the precious ingredients they had painstakingly collected.
He carefully removed the pink hot spring egg, its shell glimmering with a dreamy sheen under the sunset.
He didn't cook it immediately. Instead, he tapped it gently into a small bowl.
The egg white wasn't completely clear, carrying a faint pink tint, richer and glossier than normal.
The yolk landed in the bowl like a tiny sun, full and deep orange-red, more like a trembling jewel than a liquid, radiating an indescribable fresh aroma.
"Perfect…"
Sanji held his breath, eyes captivated.
Next, he prepared the other ingredients: squeezing juice from Blue Mist Fruit for a seafood dipping sauce, chopping "Ice Crystal Grass" with its lemony, minty fragrance, and arranging several rare mushrooms and wild vegetables with varying textures and sweet-salty profiles.
His movements were swift yet precise. Every ingredient was treated with care, as if this were a sacred ritual rather than a meal.
Rich, layered aromas filled the valley, mingling with the sulfurous steam to form a unique, enticing atmosphere.
The fragrance grew strong enough to pierce through Renzo's Domain of Absolute Sloth, triggering the highest-priority "food alert" in his mind.
His nose twitched twice, eyelids fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes.
First, he noticed the golden-red mist of the sunset. Then he saw Sanji and Potts busy downstream, along with the irresistible source of aroma:
The small pot bubbling with heat, and the meticulously plated dishes.
Renzo blinked, taking a moment to piece together "subordinates," "cooking," and "smells amazing."
He slowly rose from the hot spring, water sliding down his sculpted body.
Without drying off, he put on his wrinkled casual clothes, still wet, and followed the aroma.
He reached the makeshift stove and, naturally, asked while staring intently at the main dish Sanji had just plated.
A perfectly seared, unknown white fish fillet, garnished with green wild vegetables and pink mushrooms. Most striking was a small bowl beside it, seemingly plain yet radiating an irresistible allure… a steamed egg?
"Perfect timing."
Sanji didn't look up, his tone calm, though a subtle note of restrained pride and anticipation could be discerned.
"Sit over there and wait. Potts, give him a dry towel."
Renzo complied, sitting on a flat rock, drying his hair haphazardly while keeping his gaze on Sanji's movements.
Soon, Sanji brought the dinner over:
Each portion included the seared fish with wild vegetables and mushrooms, a clear soup, and the final form of the hot spring egg.
"This is seared using the 'Silver-scaled Fish' from the hot spring valley, seasoned only with sea salt and a touch of 'Aromatic Lemongrass.'"
Sanji explained, emphasizing the small bowl: "And this is the 'Hot Spring Egg Chawanmushi.'"
Renzo's gaze immediately focused on the chawanmushi.
Its surface was smooth as a mirror, with a gentle pale yellow hue, almost reflecting his image.
A pure yet complex egg aroma rose, mingled with an indescribable fresh sweetness.
He picked up a small spoon, barely hesitating, and scooped a portion.
The custard trembled delicately, astonishingly smooth; the spoon met almost no resistance.
He brought the perfect bite to his mouth.
In the next instant, Renzo froze completely.
His eyes widened slightly, and a spark of astonishment crossed the usually half-lidded, indifferent gaze.
The custard melted effortlessly on his tongue, its ultimate softness like the gentlest silk.
Then, a rich, pure, full-bodied egg aroma exploded, instantly occupying every taste bud.
Yet the flavor wasn't one-dimensional. It cleverly combined the mineral sweetness unique to the hot spring with the profound depth of the stock used to steam it.
Smooth as water, yet full and rich; each flavor distinct yet harmoniously blended, creating a stunning culinary experience.
This was a taste that reached the soul, simple yet sublime.
Renzo remained silent, but his eating pace quickened, spoon after spoon, his expression showing unprecedented focus and… satisfaction.
Sanji watched closely, seeing Renzo completely conquered by the food, and all his previous resentment vanished.
For a chef, witnessing the diner's genuine enjoyment is the highest praise.
Potts tasted his own portion, squinting in bliss and mumbling: "Incredible! Sanji! This egg… it's like eating clouds and the sun!"
Renzo finished his chawanmushi quickly, even scraping the bowl clean.
He set down the bowl, paused, then looked at Sanji seriously, saying two words:
"More."
Sanji froze for a moment, then broke into a radiant, almost arrogant smile: "No more. Hot spring eggs of that quality are rare. The rest must be saved for an even more important dish."
Renzo's face instantly showed clear disappointment, like a child whose favorite toy had been taken away.
He glanced at the empty bowl, then at Sanji, seemingly struggling with a mental battle.
Finally, he pointed at the seared fish and soup: "These are good too."
This was the highest praise he could give, second only to "more."
Sanji snorted, but a small smile tugged at his lips: "You know your stuff."
Night fully fell, and a small bonfire rose by the hot spring.
The three sat together quietly, enjoying the thrillingly earned, supremely delicious dinner.
In the valley, only the breeze, water, crackling fire, and faint chewing sounds remained.
Renzo ate with unusual focus, his habitual laziness subdued.
Warm food, healing hot springs, tranquility after danger, and reliable companions nearby… even someone as trouble-averse as Renzo felt that, occasionally, venturing out…
Wasn't such a bad idea.
At least until the next bite of astonishing food.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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