Having collected the money, Zyhark was about to head into the kitchen to fetch the freshly fried dough sticks and soy milk prepared early in the morning. However, he caught a glimpse of Aqua crouching in a corner, doodling circles on the floor.
"Aqua, help me fetch three servings of fried dough sticks and soy milk for your most loyal followers from the kitchen."
Why bother himself when there was free labor available? In a sullen mood, Aqua initially didn't want to respond, but the mention of "followers" instantly brightened her eyes, and she dashed into the kitchen filled with enthusiasm.
Zyhark nodded in satisfaction, seeing this.
To save money for wishes, he had always been busy running the restaurant alone. Having an extra pair of hands around could afford him some leisure.
This thought, however, painfully reminded Zyhark of the hard-earned money he had saved over a year, all for summoning such an absurd entity!
His brief moment of relief was soon disrupted by an unsettling realization.
Why was fetching a serving of fried dough sticks and soy milk taking so long?
In Aqua's world, there were chips and TVs, so surely she could recognize fried dough sticks and soy milk?
With deep suspicion, Zyhark stepped around the counter and entered the kitchen.
Upon entering, he saw Aqua with her back to him, making continuous munching sounds.
"Aqua, you wouldn't happen to have sneaked into the kitchen to eat, would you?"
The sudden questioning startled Aqua, who quickly turned around with a guilty look in her eyes.
"No, not at all, I just didn't know, uh, what this fried dough stick and soy milk thingy you mentioned was..."
Her cheeks were stuffed full of food, resembling a frog puffing up its mouth, with crumbs and bits of fried dough sticks hanging all over her face.
"And what, pray tell, is in your mouth right now?"
"I, I don't have anything in my mouth."
With her hands behind her back and fidgeting, Aqua weakly attempted to deny the obvious, lacking any persuasive power.
Remembering that this unfortunate being hadn't eaten anything since being summoned, Zyhark let out a deep sigh.
"You're my partner. If you're hungry, just say it. This is a restaurant, after all. You won't go hungry here."
He couldn't help but soften his heart.
"Wuwuwu, Zyhark-sama!"
Aqua, tearfully grateful, lunged at Zyhark's legs in a dramatic embrace, transferring the crumbs from her mouth to his trousers in the process.
"Sigh..."
Another sigh, filled with bewilderment, escaped him. Since summoning Aqua, Zyhark had lost count of how many times he had sighed.
After finally feeding the gluttonous Aqua, he managed to serve the prepared breakfast.
In the end, he still had to do everything himself...
What a curse!
After successfully sending off the three carpenters and to avoid unnecessary trouble, Zyhark closed the restaurant's door and hung up a "Temporarily Closed" sign.
Having decided on setting out to sea and targeting the bandit Higuma for harvest, there was no longer a need to be overly concerned about the restaurant business.
After a night of contemplation, Zyhark realized that constructing a sailboat with the capability to navigate was the most pressing matter. If they couldn't overpower the bandit group, they could at least escape with Aqua at any time.
On the sea, the Goddess of Water's advantage could have unexpected effects.
Throughout his year in this different world, aside from running the restaurant, Zyhark hadn't been idle. He had studied navigation, ship maintenance, and basic combat skills (novice level), which were barely sufficient for navigating the relatively calm East Blue.
Having borrowed a considerable amount of money from the villagers of Windmill Village for the summoning of Aqua, he couldn't afford to construct or purchase a ship without being labeled a fugitive and blocked at the village entrance.
So...
Was that the only path left to take?
Zyhark's resolve hardened.
He was not one to waver. Once he had set his action plan, he wouldn't allow doubts to hold him back.
"Aqua, I'm going out to make some money and should be back by the afternoon. Just stay in the restaurant and wait for me," Zyhark instructed the idling Aqua with seriousness.
"No problem!" Aqua agreed without hesitation.
Her prompt response did not reassure Zyhark but rather made him feel incredibly unreliable.
"Remember, the world of pirates is much more cruel and complex than the otherworldly realms you oversee. If you cause any trouble in the village, stay calm and just mention my name."
Reflecting on his good reputation in Windmill Village over the past year, Zyhark felt somewhat relieved.
At least the villagers knew Aqua was associated with him and would likely be more accommodating and patient with her.
"I get it, I get it. How could I possibly cause any trouble?" Aqua lounged on the sofa, munching on a chicken leg, waving him off impatiently, "Just go make that money."
Seeing her dismissive attitude, Zyhark left the restaurant without further ado and headed towards the back of Windmill Village, toward Mount Colubo, where the bandit Dan Dan and his family resided.
Based on the current timeline, it wouldn't be long before Garp would bring the rebellious Luffy over, creating the iconic scene of the ASL brothers sharing a drink and swearing brotherhood.
Of course, only young Ace lived with Dan Dan's family at this point.
Zyhark's goal was to target the treasure hidden by Ace and Sabo!
In fact, if not for the urgency of the situation, Zyhark would have been reluctant to consider Ace and Sabo's treasure.
Setting aside their special status in the pirate world, they were just kids full of dreams about the sea.
Deceiving naive children was always a line Zyhark refused to cross.
So, why the change of heart?
Simply put, he had lowered his own moral standards...
Thanks to the frequent activities of bandits, the paths through Mount Colubo were not too difficult to navigate.
Skirting around Dan Dan's household and through small woods, Zyhark reached the area where Ace and Sabo often played.
Having scouted the location before and combining it with scenes from the anime, he quickly pinpointed the exact trees where Ace and Sabo hid their treasure.
Just as he was about to personally check which tree trunk contained the loot, a voice filled with childish hostility suddenly came from behind.
"Hey! Who are you, and what are you trying to do here?!"
Turning around, he saw young Ace and Sabo standing on a large tree root, looking at him warily.
The sunlight reflecting off a shiny pipe added a touch of intimidation.
(End of Chapter)