The morning mist around Warmwave Island always carried a hint of laziness.
The pale golden sunlight had just spread over the coral reefs of the bay, but Renzo's Domain of Absolute Sloth quietly softened it into a gentle glow.
It wasn't glaring, nor did it make anyone uncomfortable, just perfect for him to comfortably sprawl on the rocks by the hot spring, cradling a freshly peeled onsen egg.
The egg white shimmered with a faint pink hue, and the runny yolk trembled. One bite, and the warm yolk mixed with the salty aroma of the sea melted on his tongue.
Renzo squinted in satisfaction, too lazy to even move his fingers, letting Potts take away the empty eggshell.
"Commodore, cleared three more waves of pirates today," Potts reported, wiping sweat from his brow while carrying an empty rope bag, originally meant to tie up pirates, though now the rope was entirely unnecessary.
The pirates either snored away on the beach or had just dropped anchor, only for their ships to "be too lazy to stay steady" and drift back into the sea with the currents.
Renzo didn't open his eyes, giving a vague "hm" while focusing entirely on the new dessert Sanji brought him.
It was a piece of Onsen Moss Mousse, emerald green mousse sprinkled with silver leaf, layered over crisp, baked cookies. A bite revealed a subtle sulfur aroma mingled with creamy sweetness, made from the "deep-sea cream" Sanji had salvaged from yesterday's pirate ship.
"These East Blue pirates really waste such fine ingredients," Sanji muttered, squatting by the temporary stove. He tapped the spatula against the pot in frustration.
"Half a box of South Sea butter in that ship yesterday, and they spilled it all in the sea. I only managed to salvage a tiny jar after fishing around for ages."
He busied himself with the new "spoils", a small pirate ship that had drifted into the bay. Besides three pirates asleep and unaware of the world, the ship carried a crate of fresh volcano oranges.
Sanji planned to make jam from them for breakfast bread.
Potts followed Sanji's gaze at the three pirates sprawled across the sand, one clutching an oar, drooling onto his shirt. Their ship listed and floated in shallow water, sails drooping like a deflated fish.
"Tell me about it," Potts sighed.
"A pirate crew the day before yesterday, with their captain yelling, 'We'll take all the treasure,' but as soon as they hit the sand, your domain kicked in; they just plopped down and napped. Didn't even bother to pick up their fallen weapon."
As they spoke, a sputtering engine noise suddenly came from the distant horizon.
Potts looked up. A small, tattered ship flew a skull flag, swaying toward them. Rusted hull, sails full of holes, clearly a makeshift pirate vessel.
"Another one," Potts muttered, picking up the rope bag. Just as he moved, the ship suddenly stopped over 200 meters from the bay.
Its engine sputtered twice, struggling, then cut out completely. The ship began drifting back with the current, like an abandoned toy.
"No need to go."
Renzo finally opened his eyes and glanced at the ship. "The domain made their engine 'too lazy to run.' They won't drift far."
Sure enough, the ship soon stalled. The pirates on board scrambled to restart the engine, but no matter how they pulled the levers, it refused to respond.
Finally, a tall, thin pirate jumped into the water to push the ship ashore, but after just two steps, his body went limp. With a splash, he fell face-first into the water, soon snoring, unable to resist the "laziness" of Renzo's domain.
Sanji shook his head while filling jars with the newly made volcano orange jam. "At this rate, soon the bay will be full of sleeping pirates and drifting ships."
"Let it pile up."
Renzo reclined further into the hot spring, letting the warm water lap over his shoulders.
"Potts will clean up. You just focus on your kitchen."
Potts grimaced but didn't argue.
Since a month ago, someone had spread the news that Warmwave Island held treasures and strengthening hot springs. East Blue pirates flocked like sharks sensing blood, wave after wave.
But what they didn't know was that Renzo's Domain of Absolute Sloth had already tightly covered the island.
These "low-tier pirates" of the East Blue couldn't even approach the shore, let alone plunder treasures.
Some ships drifted off course immediately upon entering the domain, the compass "too lazy to point in the right direction."
Others finally paddled to shallow waters, only to feel sleepiness overtake them before even touching the sand.
Potts' daily tasks, besides serving tea, arranging chairs, and tidying the hot spring, consisted of moving these "sleeping beauties" to empty spots along the bay, letting them float away once they woke.
A few faster sleepers, too lazy to bother with treasure, would wobble away in their boats, not even speaking a harsh word.
"Commodore, Sanji used deep-sea fish from a pirate ship yesterday to make 'Onsen Fish Soup.' Want to try some?"
Potts' eyes lit up. He had sneakily tasted a spoonful yesterday; it was so fresh it nearly swallowed his tongue. The fish flesh was delicate, the hot spring broth flavorful, and with Sanji's special spices, it was divine.
Renzo's ears twitched. He opened his half-closed eyes: "Fish soup? Hot?"
"Hot! Sanji kept it warm on a small stove!" Potts nodded eagerly.
Renzo slowly stood from the hot spring, letting droplets slide down his skin, taking the robe Potts handed him. "Then let's try it."
The two things Renzo couldn't tolerate in life: noise and cold food.
Seeing Renzo approach, Sanji immediately brought a white porcelain bowl of creamy fish soup, sprinkled with green scallions and bits of orange volcano fruit. The aroma filled the entire beach.
"Careful, it's hot," Sanji said, a trace of anticipation in his tone.
"The deep-sea fish is flavorful. I added some onsen moss for aroma. Try it."
Renzo took a small spoonful.
The warm soup slid down his throat, first the faint freshness of seafood, then the delicate aroma of onsen moss, and finally the slight tang of volcano fruit. The layers were so rich he couldn't help squinting in pleasure.
"Not bad," he gave a rare compliment, and the second spoon went in noticeably faster.
Sanji smiled proudly and returned to preparing breakfast bread.
Potts, watching Renzo enjoy his meal, couldn't help swallowing. Sanji promised to save him a bowl once Renzo finished.
At that moment, a small black dot appeared on the distant horizon.
At first, Potts thought it was another small pirate ship, but it quickly grew larger, revealing the outline of a massive ship.
It dwarfed all previous pirate ships, painted black, with a fierce "Iron Spine" emblem carved on the bow, like a dormant beast, slowly approaching Warm Island.
More terrifyingly, the ship's speed showed no signs of slowing. Even inside Renzo's Domain of Absolute Sloth, it sailed steadily toward the bay, with no drift or deceleration.
Potts' face drained: " Co-Commodore! That ship… something's wrong!"
Renzo, lowering his spoon for the last bite, glanced up.
Sunlight glinted off the deck, showing dense figures and a few black cannons.
He furrowed his brow, setting the empty bowl aside, his tone serious for the first time: "Oh? Finally, one that's 'not afraid of trouble.'"
Sanji also stopped his work, eyes wary: "That ship's scale… It's not an East Blue pirate crew…"
The massive ship drew closer. The "Iron Spine" gleamed coldly in the sun. Pirates on deck were clearly visible, uniformed in black combat suits, armed with various weapons, with fierce eyes. Not the type to fall asleep at the drop of a hat like the previous pirates.
Renzo leaned against a coconut tree, slowly wiping his mouth, muttering: "Looks like no proper nap this afternoon."
'Troublesome!'
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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