Pixel had made some trips to different vendors selling herbs, spices and fresh fish or sea food then had everything carried along with her.
The many scents were picked up until she found one that was not so pleasant among them.
Upon following her nose, Pixel had arrived in front of a small stall that was cooking most things on either a flat metallic surface or a part that was shaped like a barbecue.
The prices were very cheap but there were few customers that visited.
There was a strong smokey smell that came from within which meant that a lot of the ingredients were overcooked and the chef in charge of it was not that skilled.
There was a hint of panic on the owner's face as he rushed around trying not to leave the customer he had waiting too long.
He finally finished serving when the customer bit into it then spat it onto the ground. "What is this garbage? This is not even worth the berries I have paid! I want it back."
The owner lowered his head when he was scolded and seemed to be used to it. "I am sorry customer.. I… I.. cannot afford to do so. Please. I am struggling as things are. Please let this go."
The customer shrugged. "If you are no good then why bother? Your families recipe is useless in your hands anyways. You lack the real talent as a cook. You should hurry to pay up and hand over the recipe to the boss while the boss is being patient with you."
The owner grit his teeth as he thought to himself. 'If only mother was not sick and father did not leave us then I would not be in this mess.'
There were other stalls that did similar businesses and were competitors with each other.
Some had their own unique recipes that let them stand out and have their own attracting point for their regulars.
The owner was just like any other person that inherited the family business and recipes under dire circumstances so he was forced to pursue a path that he was not talented in.
He was not good at it but so long as the business was still up and running then he could earn some berries for pay for expenses of living and for his mother's medicine.
When there were difficulties with the business, others started to pay attention since they knew the previous owners and coveted those recipes for themselves.
Some would approach like old friends and would offer favours or offers towards him but he did not intend to sell them.
There were others that had been impatient and chose to resort to harassment or disruption of his business so that he would have to eventually give in when things became too hard for him.
He was approaching a point where he was about to break down when there was a strange yellow mouse girl standing in front of the stall with several others behind her carrying pots, pans, kitchen knives, skewer sticks and many bags of fresh ingredients.
Pixel spoke up to catch their attention. "How about I cover that meal for you if the chef would allow me to make use of your stall for the next couple of days? I am a chef and I would like to work with you while I am here."
The owner hesitated. "Why would you want to work with me? Can you not go anywhere else? Can you even cook?"
Pixel sneezed then answered. "I just need to use your space to cook and will not interfere with your business or get in tour way. How about I solve your problem then that will prove my abilities?
Not everyone would be so willing to work with me and you seem to be in a little trouble. The smell coming from here… I think that you could really use some help to make some improvements if you wish to survive as a chef."
The owner sighed. "Survive as a chef? I can hardly be called a chef at this point. Just look at this situation and it is enough to know that I am failing. Do what you want but do not bother me."
He was already very disheartened and cared less about the family business so he was ready to leave things to Pixel who had shown up and was a complete stranger.
He did not have the confidence to be someone to judge her cooking and just left it to her to handle even if she was going to fail since it would no longer be his problem.
The customer's curiosity towards his stall had died some time ago and only those that visited were there to cause problems.
Once he opened up the stall to let Pixel enter, he found a place to sit in the corner and closed his eyes like he had given up.
Pixel asked him. "What did he order so I can solve this quickly?"
The owner pointed towards the board in a depressed voice. "Fish skewers. Do what you want and do not mind me."
Pixel started to remove the knives and other cooking utensils then started to clean everything quickly before preparing the ingredients. "I will not keep you waiting for long my dear customer."
She flashed a business grin that had a slight layer of Conqurors Haki effects that could disarm the customer and make him less difficult to deal with.
The customer turned his head away and said. "Fine but do not keep me waiting. I do not know why anyone would want to help this loser."
Once the fish had the right amount of chopped herbs and spices added to them, they were placed on wooden skewers before being placed on the barbecue to cook as Pixel kept a close watch over them and picked up on the subtlest changes in the smells produced by the cooking fish skewers.
Extra ingredients were finely chopped and sliced so that there was additional ingredients ready so that additional preparation did not need to be made for later orders.
When they were at the right temperature and timing needed, they were turned over one after another until a fragrant smell spread from the stall that attracted the attention of those visiting the other stalls.
She placed the serving of the customer that had been thrown down onto the ground previously and said. "Eat up!"