Chapter 46 Sanji's Way of Cooking, "Arrogant" Victor?
Inside the restaurant in Baratie, a "food war" is taking place.
"Wow!! So delicious!!"
Luffy unleashed his full power, his hands blurring as he frantically stuffed all sorts of food into his seemingly bottomless mouth.
Opposite him, Clay, standing on the table, was equally defiant.
As a "Dream Chaser" reserve certified by Victor, it seems to want to prove its worth with its appetite.
"Gurgle, gurgle!!"
Clay snatched up an octopus tentacle thicker than his body and devoured it like a lion tearing apart its prey, his eyes glistening with tears of happiness.
"Waaaaah! It's so delicious! It's worth it even if I stuff myself to death!!"
Nami, Zoro, and Usopp were used to this scene and continued eating and drinking as usual.
Johnny and Joseph, however, were dumbfounded, dropping their forks to the ground.
Johnny stared at the rapidly piling up plates, swallowing hard. "Are these starving ghosts reincarnated?"
The chefs, who were constantly serving dishes, were also covered in sweat, wiping the sweat from their foreheads and complaining:
"What... what kind of monsters are these guys...?"
"Forget it, they did pay, and eight times the amount... just consider it pig feed."
"Gulp."
With a final, loud swallowing sound, Luffy finally stopped moving.
He patted his round belly and let out a satisfied burp.
"Ah! I'm so full! I feel like I've come back to life!"
"Huh? So you do have times when you're full after eating."
Zoro, who was standing to the side, also put down his wine glass and drank the last sip of red wine in one gulp.
He smacked his lips, frowned, and commented, "Ugh, sour, not good. I guess strong liquor suits me much better."
"Um."
Ignoring Zoro's sarcastic remarks, Luffy's gaze was suddenly drawn to a figure.
Sanji, the blond, curly-browed sous chef, was carrying a steaming plate of seafood fried rice.
Instead of heading towards the guests' tables, he walked straight towards the restaurant's main entrance.
Luffy adjusted his straw hat, his eyes flickering slightly.
"The person the uncle was talking about... is that him, right?"
Thinking of this, Luffy immediately jumped off the chair and followed along curiously like a little shadow.
Viktor was wiping the grease from the corner of his mouth with a tissue when he saw Luffy's action and turned around to look at him.
He seemed to have guessed something, then stood up, put his hands in his pockets, and leisurely followed.
Nami watched the two figures disappear into the distance, muttering to herself with some confusion:
"Where are those two going? Haven't they had enough to eat yet?"
"Forget it, never mind."
She sighed, her gaze darkening...
...
On the deck, the sea breeze was slightly cool.
Ah Jin was curled up in a dark corner, pressing his cramped stomach and panting heavily.
"Ha ha..."
He could clearly feel his life slipping away little by little with his body temperature.
The intense hunger that made his internal organs feel like they were devouring him caused him unbearable pain.
At this moment, he would rather that despicable chef have just killed him with a single blow than suffer this torment.
Just then.
An enticing aroma wafted into his nostrils, instantly reviving his dying nerves.
"Smack."
A plate filled with seafood fried rice was gently placed in front of him.
Ajin struggled to lift his heavy eyelids, and through his blurred vision, he saw the figure in the black suit.
Sanji crouched down, leaned against the railing, and lit a cigarette with a lighter in his hand.
Take a deep breath, then exhale a puff of bluish-white smoke.
"Eat." Sanji's voice was calm.
Akin stared at the plate of fried rice, his throat bobbing wildly, but the last shred of pride he had as a pirate officer made him clench his teeth.
"Shut up... Don't underestimate me..."
He roared in a hoarse voice:
"No matter how hungry I am... I will not accept charity from others... Take it away!!"
"Stop talking nonsense and eat."
Sanji didn't even glance at him, but simply looked at the distant sea and said calmly:
"To me, anyone who is hungry is a guest."
"Sorry… I'm not a guest…" Ajin stubbornly turned his head away.
"Gurgle—"
However, his stomach emitted an extremely loud and dissatisfied protest at that moment, completely betraying him.
Sanji glanced at him sideways, a mocking smile playing on his lips:
"See? Your body is much more honest than your mouth."
Then, his eyes became deep, as if he were recalling some unbearable past events.
"The sea is both vast and cruel. I know better than anyone how terrifying it is to lose food and water on this sea, the despair...
So eat. Survival is the most important thing.
After hearing these words, Ah Jin's body trembled.
He looked at the plate of fried rice and could no longer bear it.
"Waaah..."
He pounced on it without hesitation.
With the last bit of strength he had left, he propped himself up, grabbed a spoon, and even used his hands to grab the fried rice, stuffing it frantically into his mouth.
"Waaaaah... Damn it... Damn it..."
Tears mixed with grains of rice slid down his face.
"It's so delicious...it's really so delicious!!"
This was the most delicious thing he had ever eaten in his life.
Watching Gin wolf down his food, Sanji's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile as he lit another cigarette and took a drag.
"Hahaha! We've found a great chef!!"
Just then, Luffy's hearty laughter came from the stairs above.
He and Victor were standing there, having witnessed the entire scene.
Luffy leaned on the railing and shouted down to Sanji below:
"Hey! Chef! Join us! Become our pirate crew's chef! We need you!"
The two people below were stunned.
Ajin stopped swallowing and stared blankly.
Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke, looked up at Luffy, and said irritably:
"Don't joke around. I'm not going to become a pirate. I'm not leaving here; I have things I need to do here."
"Why? Come with us! It's so much fun!" Luffy persisted.
Just then.
Viktor, who had been silent all along, slowly stepped forward.
He put his hands in his pockets, his red eyes looking down at Sanji and Gin.
His face still wore a smiling expression, but there was no trace of laughter in his voice.
"Ah, how gentle you are, Chef-san."
"But if I may be so bold, your behavior is not just gentle, it's also—childish."
Sanji's eyes narrowed as he looked at Viktor.
Victor continued:
"On this cruel sea, those who are hungry are certainly pitiful. But have you ever thought about..."
He pointed to Ah Jin, who was wolfing down his food.
"When a wolf is starving and on the verge of death, it may wag its tail and beg for food."
"But once it has filled its belly and regained its strength, its wild nature will return, and its fangs will not hesitate to bite off its benefactor's throat."
"To put this ship in danger for your own self-gratification... is this what you call the 'way of the chef'?"
Luffy stopped swaying and looked at Victor, seemingly pondering his words.
Ah Jin, who was eating, froze, then suddenly raised his head and loudly retorted:
"No...don't joke around! You jerk! I wouldn't..."
"Shut up and eat your food."
Sanji suddenly interrupted Gin.
He slowly stood up, his back to Viktor, took a new cigarette from his pocket, and lit it.
"Sizzle—"
The firelight danced in the sea breeze, illuminating his one exposed, deep-set eye.
He took a deep breath, exhaled a ring of smoke, and spoke in a calm yet firm tone, without the slightest wavering:
"...So what?"
Victor raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised: "Oh?"
Sanji turned around, raised his head, and looked through the swirling smoke into Viktor's eerie eyes.
"Hey, you red-eyed brat."
Do you know what the most terrifying fear is on this vast ocean?
"Not a ruthless pirate, not a powerful navy, and not some unknown monster..."
"It's hunger."
A painful memory flashed in Sanji's eyes.
"That kind of pain where you can abandon even your dignity, where your stomach feels like it's being corroded by strong acid, and where you crave death every second..."
"You, with your composed, aloof demeanor and that annoying smile, have probably never experienced this before, have you?"
Viktor was stunned.
Sanji flicked his cigarette ash and continued:
"As a chef, anyone who shows up in front of me on an empty stomach is my customer."
"Whether he's a good person or a bad person, a big shot or a scumbag, or even a wolf that bites... as long as he wants to eat, I'll let him eat his fill."
At this point, Sanji's eyes suddenly sharpened like knives, and a powerful aura erupted from him.
"As for whether he'll repay the favor or bare his fangs to bite people after he's full... that's something to consider after he's eaten his fill!"
"If this wolf is truly ungrateful and dares to bare its claws at my restaurant..."
Sanji abruptly threw the cigarette butt on the ground and crushed it out with his shiny leather shoe, exuding a chilling murderous aura.
"Then, I'll just kick all its teeth to pieces myself!!"
"This is how I do it. Got it, you red-eyed bastard?"
The sea breeze swept across the deck, bringing a slightly salty smell.
Luffy looked at Sanji, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.
Victor stared at the blond man, remaining silent for a long time.
A moment later, the coldness on his face dissipated, and his usual smiling face reappeared.
But this time, there was a genuine respect in his smile.
"Ah... I've learned something."
"Viktor said softly."
He smiled and looked up at the horizon where the sea met the sky.
yes...
Although this is the original anime world, everyone here is a flesh-and-blood person with their own beliefs and principles.
It's not an NPC that just follows the script, nor is it game data.
Judging others from one's own "omniscient" and "omnipotent" God's perspective, and imposing one's own "correctness" on others...
"Am I... being too arrogant...?"
Viktor thought to himself with a self-deprecating smile.
but...
He glanced at Ah Jin, who was still engrossed in eating.
Since you've chosen to feed the wolves, I hope your legs are really tough enough.Chapter 47 You two! You have such a good relationship!
"Whoosh—"
Luffy's neck stretched out like rubber, and his head jutted out from the second-floor deck onto the terrace below, almost touching Sanji's face.
"Hey! Chef! Join us! Be the chef of our pirate crew!"
Sanji, who was lost in his own emotions, was startled by the large face that suddenly appeared.
The cigarette in his mouth almost fell out, and the serious and profound atmosphere from before vanished instantly.
"Wow! What kind of structure do you have?!"
Sanji took a step back, looking at Luffy with disdain. "I already told you I have reasons for staying here. Whether it's the old man or this shop... Anyway, give up."
Without any hesitation, Luffy immediately answered loudly:
"Ah, I refuse!"
"Huh? Refuse what?" Sanji was taken aback.
"I refuse you, I refuse you!!" Luffy shouted confidently.
"Are you an idiot?!"
Sanji's forehead veins bulged; he felt completely unable to communicate with this guy. "Were you even listening to me?! This is my decision!"
"I won't listen!"
Luffy stretched out his arms like two ropes and grabbed the railing, then his body shot down with a "whoosh".
He sat steadily on the railing, looking down at Sanji.
"What's the reason? The reason we have to stay here?"
"I have no obligation to tell you!"
Sanji's eyes turned cold, and a gleaming kitchen knife appeared in his hand without him even noticing, which he viciously pressed against Luffy's forehead:
"If you say another word, I'll chop you into mincemeat, you persistent straw hat brat!"
Facing the sharp blade, Luffy defiantly widened his eyes and stared intently at it:
"What did you say?! You dare say bad things about this straw hat? I'll beat you to a pulp!"
Their foreheads met, sparks flying, neither giving an inch.
"Ugh...you two idiots, shut up, you're so noisy."
Just then, a helpless voice came from above.
Viktor used one hand to brace himself against the railing, and with a light and graceful movement, he flipped and jumped down, landing steadily and breaking the tense atmosphere between the two.
The two snorted coldly, ending their standoff, and both looked at Viktor.
Viktor ignored them and turned to look at Akin, who was struggling to get up from the ground.
"You're the captain-commander of the Krieg Pirates, aren't you?"
Akin, clutching his still slightly aching abdomen, looked warily at Viktor and assumed a defensive stance.
"Ah...that's right. While I appreciate the meal, I'm happy to oblige if you'd like to fight."
"I will not back down for Chief Creek."
"fight?"
Viktor's lips twitched, revealing his signature smirking expression:
"I have no interest in fighting with a nobody like you."
"However... if you give me a chance to kill your 'Admiral' Captain Creek, I might be able to reluctantly accept it."
"What did you say!!"
Arkin instantly flew into a rage, his eyes turning bloodshot as he glared at Viktor. "How dare you insult the leader! Leader Creek is the overlord of the East Sea!"
"Crick? What's that? Is it delicious?"
Luffy, standing next to him, tilted his head and picked his nose with a blank expression.
"..."
Sanji stared at this straw-hatted idiot with a black line on his face, and couldn't help but retort:
"You don't even know this? How did you become a pirate? He's an admiral with a fleet of fifty pirate ships."
Akin glared at Viktor with hatred, then took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and looked at Luffy with a complicated expression:
"You guys are pirates too, right... What's your purpose in being a pirate?"
Luffy immediately flashed a bright smile, his eyes resolute:
"Ah! I must find One Piece and enter the Grand Line!"
"Oh, that one."
Viktor, who was standing to the side, suddenly nodded and replied in a serious tone:
"Ah, that's right. I'm Luffy, the man who's going to become the Pirate King."
"Hello!!!"
Luffy instantly bristled, stretched out his arm, grabbed Victor's collar, and shook him wildly:
"You bastard Viktor! Don't steal my lines! I am the Pirate King! You are the Pirate King's first mate! First mate!!"
"Okay, okay, stop shaking me, I'm going to throw up." Viktor was being shaken around like a rattle-drum, but he remained calm.
Ajin watched the two bickering, but there was no smile on his face.
On the contrary, upon hearing the words "Grand Line," a deep fear appeared on his face, and his body even began to tremble slightly.
"Since Sanji saved my life, I'll give you some advice..."
Ah Jin's voice was hoarse, as if he were recalling some nightmare:
"You'd better not go to the Grand Line. That... is not a place for humans at all."
"That's just a part of the world's oceans. If you just want to be a pirate, the sea is so vast, you can go anywhere. There's no need to go and die..."
Luffy stopped shaking Victor and looked thoughtful:
"So... what do you know about the Grand Line?"
"Stop asking!!"
Ajin suddenly clutched his head in pain and squatted down on the ground.
"No, I know nothing... I understand nothing... It's hell... It's hell..."
Viktor looked at his distraught state, smiled, and said nothing.
They had only been on the Grand Line for a few days when they encountered the world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk, who was out blasting fish ponds. Fifty of their large ships were instantly reduced to a single, wrecked vessel.
What's the difference between this and a bunch of bronze and iron-tier players being matched with the top player in the Chinese server?
Should we say the Krieg Pirates were lucky to survive, or that their luck was extremely bad...?
...
The scene changes.
After all, Ah Jin was the captain, and his mental fortitude was quite strong; he quickly adjusted.
With Sanji's help, he boarded a small shopping boat that Baratie had reserved.
"Goodbye, everyone." Akin untied the rope.
Luffy stood on the railing, laughing loudly, and said:
"Ah, goodbye! But I'm still heading to the Grand Line!"
"Just like the chef said, although it's dangerous there, I have a reason to go! Hehehe!"
Sanji leaned against the railing, looking at Luffy's fearless and determined expression, his eyes slightly moved.
"call--"
He took a deep drag of his cigarette, tilted his head back, and exhaled a large cloud of thick smoke.
"Cough cough..."
Viktor, his face streaked with smoke, frowned, waved his hand, and gave the curly-browed man a hostile look.
"Hey, Curly Eyebrows. Can't you smoke in the sea? It pollutes the air."
Victor strongly suspected that the guy was doing it on purpose.
"ha?!"
Sanji, a cigarette dangling from his lips, looked over defiantly. "Smoking in the sea? Are you out of your mind? And who else has curly eyebrows? You red-eyed bastard, wanna fight?"
Viktor's smile widened.
"Sure. Don't be shy, you'll soon experience what it's like to smoke in the sea."
"Huh?" Sanji's face darkened.
Does this mean he will be thrown into the sea?
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Seeing the two men on the verge of fighting, Luffy not only didn't try to stop them, but instead slapped the railing and burst into laughter.
"Oh, you two are such idiots! You two have such a good relationship!"
"You're the idiot!!"
Viktor and Sanji moved in unison, turning to Luffy and roaring at each other.
"Huh? Is that so?" Luffy scratched his head, looking completely innocent.
"hehe..."
Having rowed a distance away, Ajin couldn't help but smile after a long time when he saw this vibrant scene.
"Hello--!!"
Gin interrupted their playful banter, stood up, and bowed deeply to Sanji:
"Sanji-san, thank you so much. You are my benefactor. That fried rice... is the most delicious food I have ever eaten in my life."
He raised his head, a hint of hope in his eyes:
"If I have the chance in the future... may I come and eat here again?"
Sanji paused for a moment, then a smile appeared on his lips.
The cigarette between his fingers flickered, and he waved his hand dismissively, saying:
"Ah, anytime. Whenever you want to eat."
"Thanks!!"
Ajin turned around and steered the small boat away into the distance.
Viktor stood by the railing, glanced at Sanji, and then kept his eyes fixed on Gin's departing figure.
He hesitated.
Now, a single kunai can be thrown over and precisely take down Akin, even saving us from a lot of trouble later.
but...
He glanced at Sanji, who was still smoking beside him and looked somewhat forlorn.
If we kill Gin now, it would negate Sanji's earlier act of saving him, and might even completely enrage this future ally.
"Smack."
Viktor put away the kunai and held it in his palm.
never mind.
Let him bring that Creek along, and we'll deal with him together.
It's just a matter of putting in a little more effort, and it's a good opportunity to earn some Ninja Points.
"Sanji, you have your principles, and I have mine."
"When it's time to wield my sword, I will show no mercy!"
Viktor thought to himself, then turned and walked toward the restaurant with a smile.
"Hey, you with the curly eyebrows, are we your gods now?"
"I'm hungry, I'll have another plate of fried rice."
"Ah!" Luffy looked annoyed. "He looked like he was enjoying his food!"
"Thanks for reminding me! Viktor! Sanji! I want a game too!"
"Go down and drink seawater, you two bastards."
Sanji stubbed out his cigarette and headed towards the kitchen.Chapter 48 Swords Draw! Sanji and Viktor Stand Off Against Each Other!
On the deck of the Going Merry, the thick fog showed no signs of dissipating.
"Ah—! We've been here all day already!"
Usopp yawned widely, bored out of his mind, and tears welled up in his eyes.
He leaned against the gunwale, gazing at the vast expanse of white mist before him, and sighed:
"When will this fog finally disappear... I can't see anything, it's so boring."
"have no idea."
Zoro rested his head on his arms, leaned against the mast, and closed his eyes to rest, too lazy to even lift his eyelids. "What does it matter? Isn't it great? It's rare to have some peace and quiet."
"That's true."
Nami sat on a chair to the side, counting the few coins she had left, and casually said:
"Anyway, we have plenty of money now, so taking a short break is not a bad idea."
"Yeah, we have a lot of money anyway…" Zoro chimed in.
"Wait... money?"
Nami's hand, which was counting coins, suddenly stopped.
The next second, she suddenly raised her head, blinked her big eyes, as if she had realized something terrifying.
"I completely forgot!! We're spending money right now!!"
Nami instantly transformed into fangs and roared towards the restaurant:
"That bastard Victor! And that bottomless pit Luffy! And that fat crow Clay!"
"When are they going to finish eating?! That's a fancy restaurant that charges per person!!"
...
Meanwhile, at the floating restaurant Baratiene.
A war called "gluttony" continues.
"Waaaaa! Waa...
Luffy and the crow named Clay are enjoying their lunch.
Although their eating manners were far from elegant, they could even be described as wolfing down their food.
This visually striking way of eating has left the restaurant's chefs somewhat numb to it, and they've become accustomed to it, even betting on who will die from overeating first.
At that moment, Paddy rubbed his hands together, a signature fawning smile on his face, and jogged over to Victor, who was elegantly drinking tea.
"Hehe, God, although I really don't want to interrupt your enjoyment, but..."
Paddy pointed to the mountain of plates piled up in front of Luffy and said with some regret:
"The money you paid for yesterday has all been spent. You see..."
"Oh? It's all gone?"
Victor put down his teacup and raised an eyebrow. "They're using it faster than I expected."
He glanced sideways at Luffy and Clay beside him, who seemed like two bottomless pits.
Looking at the astonishing number of plates, it didn't seem so bad.
"Okay, that's all for now. Thank you for your hospitality."
Hearing this, Paddy breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a little regretful.
For a chef, encountering such a voracious eater is truly a thrilling battle!
Since he was out of money, Paddy's fawning expression vanished instantly, his face changing as fast as turning the pages of a book.
He straightened his back and said calmly:
"Okay, sir. Welcome to visit us again."
After saying that, he turned and left without any hesitation.
Viktor watched his retreating figure, and the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.
"No, you're being way too realistic..."
Then he stood up and patted Luffy on the shoulder.
"Hey Luffy, we're out of money, we should go."
"Ah! Wakata (I understand)!"
Luffy was very obedient and immediately stopped eating.
He casually picked up one of Clay's feet, who was still engrossed in eating at the table, and lifted him upside down.
Clay's mouth was still full of a whole roasted chicken, his cheeks bulging like balloons, and he was still chewing it heartily.
"How did you manage to eat so much? Can you even fly?" Luffy shook the crow in his hand.
"Glug."
Clay swallowed the food in his mouth with difficulty, his eyes rolling back, his round belly trembling as Luffy swayed.
"Gurgle...quack...Grandpa...I really can't eat anymore...Don't feed me anymore...I'm going to explode..."
As it spoke, it rolled its eyes and blissfully fainted.
Who's feeding you? Are you hallucinating from the food?
Viktor stared at this pathetic "sky overlord" with a dark expression.
Just then.
A woman sitting by the window, sipping red wine and admiring the sea view, suddenly widened her eyes as if she had seen something incredible.
"Smack."
The wine glass slipped from her hand and shattered on the ground with a sharp sound.
"What's wrong, darling?" the man opposite her asked, puzzled.
He followed the woman's horrified gaze, and then his jaw dropped to the ground.
This unusual reaction attracted the attention of those around, and other diners in the restaurant also looked out the window in confusion.
In the distance, on the sea where the mist had dissipated, a massive, breathtaking three-deck pirate ship was breaking through the waves and slowly approaching.
The sails were tattered and the hull was covered in scars, but the huge skull and crossbones symbol still exuded a terrifying sense of oppression.
"Absolutely, absolutely no mistake!!"
Someone recognized the flag and screamed in a trembling voice:
"That's... the ship of that overlord of the East Sea! Admiral Krieg's ship!!"
"Ah, pirates! Pirates are here!"
"boom--"
The restaurant instantly descended into complete chaos, filled with screams and the clatter of tables and chairs.
"Huh? What's wrong with these guys? What happened?"
Luffy wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth and looked blankly at the panicked crowd around him.
Then, the enormous shadow gradually enveloped Baratie, blocking out the sunlight.
"Oh! Is it dark?!" Luffy exclaimed, looking up in surprise.
Victor looked at the dilapidated giant ship and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
"No, it's not because it's dark. It's just a bunch of... defeated soldiers."
"W-why...why is the Krieg Pirates here?!"
"We're doomed! We're going to be killed!"
In the midst of panic, the cook named Nelf, covered in cold sweat, suddenly rushed over and roared at Paddy:
"Hey! Paddy! It's all your fault for beating up his men yesterday! Now that admiral is definitely here for revenge! What are we going to do?!"
Paddy was also terrified, his face turning pale, and he covered his head, screaming:
"I...I don't know either! Why would such a big shot come to take revenge for a mere subordinate?!"
"What a huge ship!"
Luffy ran to the window, opened his mouth wide and exclaimed, then added, "Ugh, it's so shabby."
As they got closer, the others gradually noticed the anomaly.
The ship was enormous, but it was lifeless, like a ghost ship.
"What...what's going on?"
"Could it be a naval battle?"
Zhefu stood on the second floor, looking at the ship, his brows furrowed.
"Squeak..."
As the giant pirate ship docked, the restaurant's doors were slowly pushed open.
Two figures, supporting each other, walked in with faltering steps.
It was none other than "East Sea Overlord" Creek and Captain Akin.
But at this moment, where is the slightest trace of a domineering figure in Creek?
His once imposing golden armor now appeared tattered and worn, his face was sallow, his eyes were sunken, and he looked extremely weak.
She could barely stand up because she needed the support of the equally weak Ah Jin.
The scene was deathly silent.
Everyone held their breath, unable to believe that this was the fearsome admiral.
"I'm...sorry..."
Creek spoke weakly, his voice hoarse, his head bowed:
"Could you...give me some food and water...and money...I have as much as you need...please..."
Ah Jin gritted his teeth, supporting his captain, his eyes filled with pain and shame.
"What's wrong with this guy?"
"Lacking both authority and courage, is this the overlord of the East Sea?"
The surrounding diners whispered among themselves.
"thump."
Seemingly having used up his last bit of strength, Creek's massive body collapsed onto the floor with a dull thud.
"captain!!"
Akin was horrified, then desperately shouted to everyone in the restaurant:
"Please...please save our captain!! He's starving to death! He'll die if this continues! Please!"
Seeing this dramatic scene, everyone in the restaurant was somewhat at a loss.
To save or not to save?
That's the infamous Crick!
"OK."
In the midst of this deathly silence, a gentle voice suddenly rang out.
"Clang—"
Then came the sound of a sharp blade being drawn.
Victor drew his longsword from his waist, the tip pointing diagonally at the ground, and walked slowly and deliberately toward Krieg on the ground.
The footsteps sounded particularly clear in the quiet restaurant.
"Please don't kill me! Please let me go! You must have heard this kind of pleas many times, Captain Creek, right?"
"And what did you do? You killed them without any mercy, didn't you...?"
Viktor looked at the man on the ground with a smile, his scarlet Sharingan slowly turning.
"How does it feel to say this yourself now?"
As Akin watched the approaching red-eyed demon and the gleaming sword in his hand, a profound fear welled up within him.
But he gritted his teeth, suddenly stood in front of Creek, and opened his arms to try to refute and stop him.
"Stop!! Don't go any further! We just...want to buy some food!"
Creek on the ground seemed to sense the threat of death.
He struggled to lift his head and said, trembling:
"No...no...I won't do anything...just give me food...after I eat...I'll go back obediently...really..."
How humble, how pitiful.
"Since we're pirates, we have to be prepared to die at any moment."
"I'm sure the mighty pirate lord won't disappoint me in this regard."
"Um?"
The smile on Viktor's face suddenly vanished, replaced by indifference.
He raised his sword slightly, pointing it at the figure that had suddenly appeared in front of Krieg—Sanji.
"Move aside, chef."Chapter 49 The Chef's Bottom Line, Victor's Sword
"Hey! Sanji! You stinky cook! Get out of the way!!"
Paddy, holding a huge fork and sweating profusely, roared at the blond figure blocking the pirates' path.
"Are you crazy? He's Krieg! That ruthless overlord of the East Sea who kills without blinking an eye!"
"Sanji! Wake up! If you give him food, he'll definitely take revenge on this restaurant once he regains his strength! Get out of the way!!"
Another cook, Carl, gripped the rolling pin tightly, his voice trembling.
The diners in the restaurant also recovered from their initial shock, and the whispers gradually turned into angry denunciations.
"Exactly! That kind of scum deserves to die!"
"Who told him to commit so many evil deeds and rob so many merchant ships!"
"It's only natural that we'd be killed by pirate hunters! Is that curly-browed cook trying to kill us? Get out of the way!"
Chef Zhefu stood with his arms crossed by the railing on the second floor.
Beneath the tall chef's hat, a pair of sharp eyes were fixed on the two people facing off downstairs, but no sound was uttered.
Everyone in the store was denouncing Sanji.
Facing the condemnation of everyone, Sanji bit his lip tightly, his jawline taut.
His face was terribly gloomy, but he did not back down even a little bit.
"Final warning."
Viktor held his longsword horizontally, the blade reflecting the candlelight in the restaurant, the incredibly sharp tip only a centimeter away from Sanji's nose.
"Move aside, chef."
Viktor's voice was as calm as a stagnant pool, and his scarlet Sharingan eyes stared coldly at Sanji.
"The man lying on the ground is Creek, the overlord of the East Sea, with a bounty of fifty million Berries."
"He's a complete scumbag who'll stop at nothing to win."
"Saving him is tantamount to murder."
With a cigarette dangling from his lips, Sanji stared defiantly into Viktor's imposing eyes through the rising bluish-white smoke.
"I don't understand any of your high-sounding principles, you red-eyed brat."
Sanji's voice was deep, with a stubborn hoarseness.
"What East China Sea Overlord, what scum... all I can hear is this man's stomach growling."
"That's enough for a chef."
Sanji slowly raised one foot, the black leather shoe gleaming dangerously under the light.
"Want to kill him? Sure. But before he finishes his meal..."
"...No one can touch him."
"oh?"
Viktor narrowed his eyes, and the tip of his sword moved forward slightly, almost touching Sanji's nose.
"To risk your life for a complete stranger? Is this your code of chivalry?"
Even if it means the restaurant is engulfed in flames, and your benefactor Zhefu is put in danger?
"This is not chivalry."
Sanji did not flinch, letting the sword energy pierce a small patch of skin on the tip of his nose, and a drop of blood slowly slid down.
He simply looked calmly at Viktor and said, word by word:
"This is just the bottom line for a chef who has been hungry."
"If I can't even feed hungry people, then I don't deserve to stand in this restaurant, let alone call myself a chef!"
The air seemed to freeze.
Luffy held his straw hat, remaining motionless, his calm gaze fixed on his two companions who were drawing their swords against each other, without uttering a word.
However.
In that tense moment, when both men were focused intently on each other, a tense standoff ensued.
"Gurgle..."
A sound like a wild beast swallowing broke the suffocating silence.
Viktor's Sharingan with its two tomoe suddenly glanced downwards.
In his dynamic vision, the massive body on the ground was originally on its last legs, as if it could hardly move a finger.
At this moment, all the muscles in his body suddenly twitched and tensed violently, like a dying wild beast.
That was adrenaline triggered by extreme hunger.
Viktor curled his lips into a smile, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.
"Damn it...that's mine...!!"
Creek, who had been lying on the ground, had somehow raised his head.
His eyes were bloodshot and his pupils were dilated. He didn't look at the sword in Viktor's hand, but stared intently at the steaming seafood fried rice in Sanji's hand.
He sensed the terrifying killing intent emanating from the red-eyed boy—a gaze that truly threatened to sever his head without hesitation!
If he doesn't fight desperately, he really will die here!
If I don't eat soon... I'm really going to die!
"Give it to me!!!"
Accompanied by a hoarse and frantic roar.
Krieg's massive body suddenly unleashed an astonishing speed completely inconsistent with his weakened state.
Instead of attacking Viktor, who posed the greatest threat to him, he chose to target the "benefactor" who had turned his back on him to protect him.
"Bang!"
"Varied...?!"
Sanji was completely focused on defending against Viktor's sword, never expecting that the "guest" he was supposed to protect would suddenly attack from behind.
Ah Jin, standing next to him, stared wide-eyed, wanting to shout but unable to make a sound.
"Hmm!"
Sanji felt a tremendous force slam into his waist, causing him to lose his balance and stumble to the side, the plate slipping from his hand.
"Splash—"
Creek pounced on him like a vicious dog, snatched the plate in mid-air, and then scrambled to a corner of the restaurant.
He didn't care about the dignity of being an "admiral" at all, nor did he pay attention to the disdainful looks from those around him.
He grabbed the scalding hot fried rice with his dirty hands and, ignoring the high temperature, frantically stuffed it into his mouth.
"Mmm! Mmm! Delicious!!!"
"This is food!! This is life!!"
Rice spilled onto his golden beard and his mud-covered armor.
But he didn't care at all, like a hungry wolf that hadn't eaten meat for hundreds of years, making a chilling swallowing sound from his throat.
"Haha...I'm alive...The power...is surging up..."
The scene fell silent instantly.
Sanji steadied himself by holding onto the railing, looking at the man in the corner who had abandoned his humanity for food. Instead of anger, he showed a relieved expression.
He dusted himself off and relit the cigarette in his mouth.
"Hmph, I knew it... Doesn't he look quite energetic?"
However.
Before Creek could even swallow his second bite, a killing intent even colder and purer than before instantly enveloped him.
His whole body stiffened instantly, as if the Grim Reaper's scythe was at his neck.
Viktor naturally wouldn't give him the chance to recover his strength, put on his gear, and wreak havoc again.
"Instantaneous Movement Technique".
A dark shadow flashed by.
Krick looked up in horror, only to see Viktor's eerily swirling red eyes.
"Illusion Technique: The Technique of Seeing Naraku".
Victor whispered.
"boom!"
Crick's mind exploded instantly.
The real-world scene has disappeared.
Instead, there was that raging Grand Line, and that hawk-eyed man who had destroyed fifty of his warships, a nightmare to behold!
That was the deepest fear in his heart.
"No...don't..."
Creek's body froze instantly, his pupils dilated, and the grains of rice in his hand fell to the ground.
"Die."
In reality, Victor was already by his side.
He raised his foot and slammed Creek's head against the hard wall without mercy, rendering him unable to move.
Then, he gripped the longsword tightly with both hands, unleashed his chakra, and used all his strength to slash fiercely at his thick neck!
"Pfft!"
"Snap!"
That was the sound of a sharp blade cutting through muscle and severing cervical vertebrae.
Everything ended in the blink of an eye.
Krieg's enormous head, filled with terror and resentment, was cleanly severed by Victor's sword.
"Thump...thump..."
The head rolled to the ground, all the way to the center of the restaurant, and stopped at the feet of the stunned Paddy.
Paddy felt uneasy looking at Creek's unseeing eyes staring at him.
So... he secretly used his toe to kick it, sending it flying towards Luffy's side.
The remaining blood from Creek's body gushed out like a fountain, instantly staining the surrounding walls and floor red.
"brush."
Viktor flicked his wrist, sending a spurting trail of blood through the air, drying the blood off the blade.
He sheathed his sword and stood beside the headless corpse, his expression as cold as ice.
"When it's time to wield my sword, I will never hesitate."
This sudden turn of events stunned everyone.
Ajin's hands trembled as he braced himself against the floor, then he collapsed to the ground, powerless.
He murmured, but could not utter a sound. He clutched his head in anguish and sobbed softly.
The restaurant was deathly silent, with only the sound of the waves echoing outside the window.
That overlord of the East China Sea... that Admiral Krieg who commanded a fleet of fifty ships...
He died just like that?
He didn't even have time to resist before he was beheaded like a dead dog.
Just then, a pleasant notification sound rang in Viktor's mind.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for defeating the special target: East Blue Admiral Krieg (bounty 17 million Berries).]
[Battle Rating: S.]
[Reward received: 1500 Ninja Points.]
[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have slightly altered the original plot.]
[Reward received: 1000 Ninja Points.]Chapter 50 Demonic Slash
The restaurant reeked of blood.
But that suffocating sense of oppression dissipated with Creek's death.
Viktor slowly withdrew the chilling killing intent emanating from his body.
Turning her head, her eyes, now back to their original black color, smiled as she looked at Sanji, who was still smoking.
"How do you feel, Mr. Chef? This is the person you risked your life to protect."
Victor pointed to the headless corpse on the ground:
"When faced with me wanting to kill him, he was so scared that he didn't dare to move and even begged for mercy like a dog."
"But when faced with you, who wanted to save him and give him food, he did not hesitate to attack and rob you."
"In other words, it's often said that they bully the weak and fear the strong, and repay kindness with enmity. This is the true nature of pirates, and this is the taste of reality."
Sanji remained silent for a moment, without showing any of the expression Viktor wanted to see.
"call..."
He took a deep drag on his cigarette, then slowly exhaled a ring of bluish-white smoke, his eyes remaining calm, unmoved by the perilous situation he had just faced.
"As long as he eats, this is no longer a joke."
"For a chef, there is nothing more satisfying than watching a customer lick the plate clean."
At this point, Sanji glanced at the corpse on the ground, then looked at Viktor, his tone softening slightly:
"But I agree with your approach. After all, if it's a wild animal that bites when it's full, it's only right to get rid of it. Thank you."
Hehehe!
Luffy, who had been watching from the sidelines, suddenly tilted his head, looked at the two of them, and a bright smile appeared on his face.
"What?! Aren't you two supposed to be on good terms? I thought you were really going to fight! You made me worry for nothing!"
"ha?!"
Viktor and Sanji exchanged a glance, then simultaneously turned to Luffy and roared:
"Who's on good terms with him?! Are you an idiot?!"
Luffy shrank back at the shout, but still scratched his head and said with a matter-of-fact expression:
"Look at how well we get along! That's what it means to have a great relationship!"
Beside the railing on the second floor.
Zhefu crossed his arms and gazed intently down below.
He looked intently at the black-haired boy and murmured to himself:
"That red-eyed brat... is decisive and ruthless, with a more pirate-like decisiveness than a real pirate."
"And... that straw hat kid..."
Zhefu's gaze lingered on the three playfully fighting, a subtle, almost imperceptible smile curving his lips.
Immediately, his face hardened, and he let out a thunderous snort at the group of chefs downstairs who were still stunned and at a loss for what to do.
"Hmph! Hey! What are you bunch of good-for-nothings still standing there for?!"
Zeff roared, making the ceiling tremble, "Go clean this up right now!"
"The blood on the floor, and that pile of garbage! How am I supposed to stay in my restaurant?! Do you want to scare all the customers away?!"
"Yes, boss!!"
The chefs reacted instantly. Although they were still a little nervous, the boss's authority was clearly more intimidating.
They immediately got to work, righting the collapsed tables and chairs, comforting the frightened guests, and cleaning up the leftover food.
As for the corpse...
"You…you go move that head!" Paddy's face turned pale, and he poked Kanev next to him with his fork.
"Damn it! Why me?!" Kanev was so frightened that his sunglasses were askew, and he shoved Paddy frantically.
"Come here! Don't you always brag about being the bravest? Hurry up! Otherwise, the boss will get angry!"
"I...I'm not going..."
Just as the two were blaming each other, a weak voice rang out.
"Please... leave it to me..."
Ajin, trembling, struggled to his feet.
He looked at Creek, whose head was severed from his body, his eyes filled with both grief and confusion.
As a subordinate, he should avenge the captain.
But as a human being, he couldn't blame Viktor, because he had witnessed Krieg's despicable and ungrateful nature, as well as Sanji's kindness.
Moreover, it would probably be effortless for Viktor to kill him.
"This... is my last responsibility."
Gin turned around, faced Luffy and Sanji, and without any hesitation, kowtowed deeply.
His forehead struck the floor with a dull thud.
"I'm sorry... and thank you."
Then, under the complex gazes of the crowd...
Lost in thought, he gathered up Creek's head, dragged the massive, mutilated body, and staggered step by step toward the restaurant's door.
The last rays of the setting sun cast a particularly desolate glow on his back.
Sanji leaned against the railing, watching Gin's dejected figure. His lips moved, but he ultimately remained silent.
"call..."
He exhaled another puff of smoke, his eyes becoming somewhat melancholy.
"Ugh... I hate this world..."
"Cough cough..."
Viktor had just turned his gaze away from Akin's retreating figure when a thick cloud of secondhand smoke hit him in the face, causing him to yelp and cough twice.
He waved away the smoke and glanced at the curly-browed man next to him with a hostile look.
"Looks like you really want to go for a smoke in the sea, you bastard with curly eyebrows, you're definitely doing it on purpose, aren't you?"
Sanji's previously melancholic and artistic expression instantly vanished, replaced by a wide, exasperated stare:
"Hey! Stop ruining the mood!"
Just then, the restaurant door was pushed open again.
"Hey! Luffy! What's going on here? There's a huge commotion!"
Usopp, carrying several bags, peeked out from the doorway.
When he saw the shocking spray of blood on the wall, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
"Whoa!! So much blood!! Is someone dead?!" Usopp screamed, clutching his head.
Zoro, who was following behind him, was not flustered. He glanced around the messy restaurant, his hand still on the hilt of his sword, and finally his gaze landed on Viktor.
"I heard some noise over here, so I came to check. Looks like it's over?"
"Ah, Zoro! Usopp! You're here!" Luffy waved and greeted them.
...
at the same time.
On the sea outside the restaurant, on Krieg's huge, wrecked pirate ship.
The scene here is like a living hell.
Hundreds of pirate crew members, starving and emaciated, lay sprawled on the deck, too weak to even lift a finger.
"Ah... I'm so hungry..."
"Water...give me water..."
"Why hasn't Chief Creek returned yet... If he doesn't come back soon, we'll really starve to death..."
A pirate, clinging to the side of the ship, mustered his last bit of strength.
He gripped the railing with both hands, trying to peek out and look for Creek, hoping to spot some food.
However.
When he looked up at the distant sea, his pupils contracted sharply, and his withered hands trembled violently.
On the sea where the fog was gradually dissipating, a small boat resembling a coffin was slowly approaching.
On that small boat sat a man carrying a huge black sword, with eyes as sharp as an eagle's.
That demon who once single-handedly destroyed their fifty-ship fleet on the Grand Line!
"Uh...uh..."
The pirate let out a desperate roar, using the last of his strength to shout to his companions on deck:
"Run!!! That...that demon!! It's coming!!!"
But it was too late.
The man slowly drew the black knife from his back.
It was just a casual wave of the hand.
"Whoosh—!!!"
Two breathtaking green slashing waves sliced through the sea like cutting tofu, heading straight for the giant ship.
There were no obstacles.
"Bang!!!"
With a deafening cracking sound, the massive three-deck pirate ship was neatly sliced into three pieces almost instantly!
Huge waves surged forth, and countless weakened pirates, along with the broken planks, fell into the icy sea like dumplings being dropped into a pot.
"The ship has been cut in half!!"
"Ah!! Help!!"
"Why! Why are you chasing us all the way here?!"
That man, the world's greatest swordsman—Hawkeye Mihawk—has arrived.