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Chapter 33: Baratie Restaurant
After chatting for a few minutes, they learned that the Straw Hat Pirates were recruiting a cook. Johnny seemed to remember something and said:
"I know a place with the best cook in the East Blue, but I can't guarantee he'll be on a pirate ship."
Luffy and Usopp were overjoyed at the news and hurriedly asked, "Where?"
"It's a restaurant that sails on the sea, its full name is the 'Baratie' Ocean-Going Restaurant. They usually anchor near the Grand Line, so dignitaries and villains from all walks of life often frequent the place."
Johnny then looked at Zoro and said, "I heard that Hawk-Eye, the man Big Bro Zoro has been looking for, has also appeared in that area."
"Hawk-Eye..." Zoro's expression froze, his pupils dilating slightly.
He hadn't expected to hear that name so soon.
If it had been a month ago, he would have chosen to go straight for that name without hesitation.
But now, he had joined a pirate crew, made partners, and learned from one of them about the desperate gap in strength between himself and Hawk-Eye.
A hundred times!
The gap was so large it was almost despairing.
However, he still couldn't suppress the desire in his heart.
Sometimes, if you don't see it with your own eyes, how can you know how vast the world is?
He glanced in a certain direction and found that the blue-haired girl was also looking at him with a frown. He couldn't help but smile.
"Luffy, let's go to that sea restaurant to find a cook. I also want to verify for myself if it's really a hundred times more exaggerated than the rumors."
Luffy paused for a second, then laughed. "Alright! Next destination, towards the sea restaurant. Let's go!"
...
Two days later.
After sailing for two days and two nights, they finally arrived in front of a giant ship on the sea.
The Ocean-Going Restaurant "Baratie."
It was a huge merchant ship, more than ten times larger than the Going Merry. The ship had three decks. A wooden plank extended from the entrance on the first deck, allowing guests to enter the restaurant.
"Woooow."
"Amazing!"
The members of the Straw Hat Pirates were like country bumpkins visiting a grand garden, exclaiming in amazement as they got off the ship and stepped onto the wooden plank.
"I'm not feeling well, so I'll rest on the ship for a bit before coming over."
Before disembarking, Nami clutched her forehead, feigning weakness.
No one suspected anything; they just reminded her not to sleep too long and to remember to bring money to pay for the meal before leaving.
Only Ganyu gave her a deep look, a look that made Nami shift her gaze away guiltily.
"Welcome to the Ocean-Going Restaurant, please come in..."
Walking into the restaurant, a blond waiter with curly eyebrows greeted me.
He first routinely greeted Luffy, Zoro, and the others who were walking in front, but when he saw the blue-haired girl walking gracefully behind them, his body suddenly stiffened, and the menu in his hand fell to the ground with a thud.
"You... you..." The blond man stared blankly at Ganyu, as if frozen, motionless.
"What about me?" Ganyu raised her hand and gently brushed her hair back, a blush rising on her cheeks. Her legs, clad in black stockings, rubbed together lightly as she smiled at him.
Normally, she would never make such a "flirtatious" gesture.
But she recognized the person in front of her and thought that if she acted more charming, it might make it easier for Luffy to invite him to join the Straw Hat Pirates.
If I remember correctly, in the original story, Sanji was initially reluctant to leave Zeff, who had saved his life.
"This... this very beautiful lady, may I invite you to dinner?"
It's hard to say whether her graceful figure was too alluring or if the blond man's charm was too strong.
He swallowed hard, his eyes filled with excitement and eagerness, and knelt on one knee before Ganyu.
"His move is more than just inviting someone to dinner, it's practically a marriage proposal!"
"It's not evening, is it? Wasn't it daytime when we got off the ship?"
Usopp and Luffy chattered excitedly, their eyes filled with shock and surprise.
What's with this waiter? Is this a unique service feature of this restaurant?
"You two shut up! Don't interrupt my date with this lady!"
The blond man turned around angrily, pointing at Luffy and Usopp, his expression completely flipped.
"Huh? It's a date now?" Usopp shouted in surprise.
"Hey, hey, never mind whether Ganyu is eating or not, I'm starving right now!" Luffy said, dissatisfied.
"Oh... so your name is Ganyu. What a beautiful name, as charming as your appearance." The blond man once again showed an enchanted expression, pulling a rose from who knows where, about to present it to Ganyu.
Ganyu found the scene quite amusing and was about to reach for the rose when.
"Sanji! Stop bothering the customers!"
A figure shot out from the kitchen.
The next second, the blond man kneeling in front of Ganyu was severely injured and suddenly flew backward, hitting the wall with a bang.
The rose fell to the ground and was trampled.
"Sorry, the little guy's old habit flared up again. I hope he didn't disturb you guests?"
Ganyu looked at the long-bearded old man who appeared before her, slightly stunned.
He was disabled, with only one leg, the other having a wooden prosthesis below the thigh.
He was tall, with two long, braided mustaches that twitched amusingly when he spoke.
Seeing Ganyu remain silent, the old man thought Sanji had frightened the little girl. He thought for a moment and said, "Guests, please sit at this table first. A new waiter will be with you shortly to take your order."
The members of the Straw Hat Pirates, including Johnny and Yosaku, sat down at the table he indicated.
Then, they watched as the old man dragged Sanji back into the kitchen.
Everyone looked at each other, completely baffled.
"That guy is pretty interesting, why don't we recruit him?" Usopp raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm..." Luffy also showed an interested expression, but quickly shook his head. "But he's just a waiter, we need a cook."
"That's true..." Usopp shook his head regretfully.
"Hehe, you don't know, do you? Although Sanji isn't very reliable, he's actually the assistant head-chef on our ship!" A burly waiter passed by and interjected, having overheard Luffy and the others.
Zoro was somewhat incredulous. "Assistant head-chef, that guy?"
For some reason, he felt annoyed just looking at that blond man.
"I wouldn't lie to you. If you don't believe me, you can have him make a dish for you later. It's best if this young lady asks." The chubby waiter chuckled and turned to leave.
Not long after the chubby waiter entered the kitchen, Sanji came out again.
He held a menu, his eyes fixed firmly on Ganyu, and walked straight over. "Miss, I'll take your order now."
As he spoke, he placed a beautifully designed ice cream sundae in front of Ganyu.
"This..." Ganyu's eyes lit up; the ice cream looked truly tempting.
"Wow. That ice cream looks delicious! I want one too! Give me one!"
Luffy shouted excitedly.
Sanji turned and glared at him. "This is a dessert I specially made for this lady. It's not for sale, and it's one of a kind in the shop!"
(To Be Continued)...
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