Chapter 99: G-8 Fortress – Kitchen Showdown & Old Bonds
"What's going on? Why's the kitchen so noisy?" The Navy soldiers in the mess hall crowded against the glass windows to peek inside. "Looks like the cooks are having a cooking showdown!"
"Is it a match against those two chefs from Headquarters?"
Inside the kitchen, at Jessica's command, the counter was quickly covered with all kinds of ingredients. "Well? Pick whatever ingredients you like and cook with them." She stood with hands on hips and announced the rules: "The competition is simple—each side makes one hundred servings. The winner is decided by the soldiers who eat."
Sanji didn't reply, but Luffy beside him was already bouncing with excitement at the sight of the full table. "I don't really get what's happening, but this looks super fun!"
As the starting horn sounded, the G-8 cooks sprang into action. They skillfully portioned out the finest cuts of meat and freshest vegetables. "Quick! Use only the best ingredients—prepare extra!" the lead cook shouted.
Jessica noticed Sanji still standing motionless and thought: This guy isn't even moving his hands… is he giving up?
Before long, the Navy cooks had completed one hundred beautifully plated, fragrant dishes. The tempting aroma made Luffy drool instantly: "Wow! Looks so delicious!" He reached out to grab one, only to be stopped by Jessica in time.
At that moment Sanji finally moved. He scanned the leftover scraps and trimmings and sighed softly: "What a waste." Then he picked up his dual knives and began working on the discarded ingredients.
"That guy… he's actually going to cook with the stuff we threw away?" The Navy cooks stared in disbelief, eyes wide.
Sanji deftly chopped tuna heads and bones into mince, ground the innards and mixed them with diced vegetables to form meatballs that went straight into the fryer. He stewed the leftover meat trimmings into a thick sauce; burdock root and potato peels became a refreshing salad in his hands; even cauliflower cores were turned into fragrant seasoned bites. Finally, he elegantly drizzled sauce over everything and declared loudly: "This is cooking filled with love and nutrition!"
"This is a battlefield." Sanji lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. "Sure, food should taste good—but wasting ingredients is the deadliest sin. Whether it's worth ten thousand berries or a million, as long as there's even one scrap left, it can't be thrown away. Cooking every single ingredient with care—that's the true way of a chef. That's what a stubborn old man taught me."
The watching soldiers could no longer hold back. They surged forward to taste Sanji's dishes. "This flavor… it's amazing! I feel full of energy all over!"
"Yeah! My fatigue just vanished in one bite!"
The soldiers' nonstop praise echoed through the kitchen while Sanji stood quietly to the side, a faint smile on his lips.
"Damn it… we were so focused on not losing to a famous chef that we did something like this…" The Navy cooks lowered their heads in shame. "We only cared about using the best ingredients and completely forgot what Jessica always taught us!" One by one they bowed deeply to Sanji in apology.
While everyone was busy with self-reproach, Luffy had already devoured all the neglected dishes in a whirlwind. "…97, 98, 99, 100!" With the last plate emptied, he patted his swollen belly and let out a satisfied burp: "Burp—delicious!"
Sanji turned to call Luffy so they could leave, but Jessica suddenly stopped them: "Wait! Are you planning to leave me carrying this shame forever?" She stood with hands on hips, admiration shining in her eyes. "I really like you—your cooking, and your spirit. Starting today, you two are part of our kitchen!"
"Really?! Jessica-san!" Sanji's eyes instantly turned into hearts; his whole body seemed to float.
The Navy cooks erupted in cheers; thunderous applause filled the mess hall. Luffy grinned at Sanji and gave him a knowing look. The two nodded in silent agreement—they would stay here for now, using the time to slowly gather information about where the rest of the crew had gone.
Morning sunlight poured through the cafeteria windows. Vice Admiral Jonathan walked in together with the disguised Sol. Jessica personally served them two completely different meals. Jonathan stared at the plate piled high with vegetables in front of him, then glanced at the "mountain" of pure meat in front of Sol, falling into silence.
"Um… Jessica," Jonathan poked at the green salad with his fork, hesitating. "Isn't this just your usual 'healthy cooking' you always make me? And why is this kid's meal the one made by the new cooks—and it's all meat, not a single leaf of vegetable in sight?"
"Any problem with that, Commander?" Jessica stood with hands on hips, looking down at her husband from above. "This was personally prepared by the head chef—doesn't suit your taste?"
"Yeah, exactly!" Sol's cheeks were stuffed like a hamster's, meat juice dripping from the corner of his mouth as he fanned the flames. "Jessica-neesan's cooking—and you're still being picky, you old geezer!"
"Hey! I didn't say that, you brat—don't make things up!" Jonathan's eyes bulged; his mustache bristled in anger.
"What are you trying to do to little Sol?!" Jessica immediately stepped protectively in front of Sol like a mother hen guarding her chick. "Finish your food right now!"
Jonathan instantly deflated. Like a scolded child, he sullenly started tackling the "healthy" plate. Only then did Jessica turn back, gently ruffling Sol's hair: "Eat slowly. Your table manners are exactly the same as when you were little."
Sol grinned and kept devouring.
He and Jessica really did have a deep bond. During the two months he stayed at G-8 back then, this clever little rascal would often sneak into the kitchen to steal food.
But his honeyed tongue always melted Jessica's heart—not only did she never punish him, she frequently made him special treats. Whenever Sol brought back rare sea king or wild beast meat from hunting, Jessica happily cooked it for him.
She genuinely adored this child. Not just because he was handsome and cute, or because he had a sweet mouth—but because at such a young age he was already fighting vicious pirates on the front lines. Every time she saw a starving Sol sneak in, her heart ached and she would cook him a lavish meal.
In her eyes, this seemingly naughty boy carried far too much weight for someone his age.
"So, little Sol," Jessica gathered the plates, suddenly leaning close and lowering her voice. "You and that old man Jonathan have already made plans to cause a big commotion in the fortress, right?" She winked, then couldn't help asking: "But seriously… you really don't plan to return to the Navy?"
Sol chugged a large glass of water and wiped his mouth: "Yeah, I've decided to be a pirate. All those Navy rules…" He made a choking gesture around his neck. "…too suffocating."
Jessica sighed and stacked the empty plates: "Fine then. But big sis knows—even if you become a pirate," she suddenly reached out and pinched both of Sol's cheeks, pulling them sideways, "you won't turn bad!"
"Ow ow ow! Jessica-neesan!" Sol protested muffledly, though the corners of his eyes were crinkled with laughter.
At that moment Jonathan finally swallowed the last bite of vegetables, his whole face twisted like a bitter melon. Jessica's attention immediately shifted: "Forget it—I'm not getting involved in you men's business." She picked up the stack of plates and stood. "I need to prepare meals for the injured. If the fortress fills up with wounded, it'll be too late."
At the door she suddenly turned back and gave Jonathan a sly smile: "I'll have the kitchen send you something nice later—as a reward for finishing your vegetables." Then she left humming a tune, leaving Jonathan stunned.
Sol burst out laughing: "Uncle Jonathan, you're still the same as ever—hating vegetables, completely dominated by Jessica-neesan!"
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