Baratie Restaurant!
As the dishes were being served, the room filled with the aroma of delicious food.
"Well, what a feast! But I can't take it anymore!" Buggy slumped back in his chair, his round belly protruding. He had eaten far more than he intended.
"Me too. I can't believe I ate so much!" Nami leaned back with a sigh, her stomach clearly full.
"For the first time, I've discovered the curse of overeating!" exclaimed another, as everyone shared a similar expression of discomfort.
"Leno, how can you still be eating? It's incredible!" Nami asked in amazement.
While everyone else had stopped, too full to continue, Leno kept eating at a relaxed pace. His appetite was astounding, leaving Bell-mère, Nami, and Nojiko wide-eyed in disbelief.
Even Zeff and Sanji were equally stunned.
"What a big appetite!" Zeff marveled. "And no matter what dish it is, he eats it with ease!"
Zeff and Sanji's eyes lit up. A guest like Leno was a chef's dream—a true foodie who never turned down a meal. Inspired, they began experimenting with new dishes, presenting creations that they hadn't even served before.
Leno accepted every plate without hesitation, occasionally offering feedback. As a self-proclaimed foodie, he knew his way around ingredients and seasonings, making his critiques particularly valuable.
Suddenly, a notification echoed in Leno's mind.
[Ding! After training, your underwater breathing talent has been upgraded to D-level. Your underwater activity time has been increased to 2 hours!]
Leno raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. His Underwater Breathing talent had improved, allowing him to stay submerged for longer. While it didn't directly enhance his combat abilities, it would be a useful skill if he ever faced a foe underwater.
After finishing his meal, Leno offered Zeff a five-star compliment on his culinary skills.
Though Luwell could also cook, her skills were solidly in the "delicious" category. However, Zeff's expertise went beyond that—he was a professional.
"Ah, amazing!" Sanji's eyes gleamed with excitement. "He ate an entire Sea King! Isn't that insane?"
Though Leno had brought some of his own ingredients, the service fee would undoubtedly be high. But Leno didn't mind. Although the reconstruction of Elegia had cost him a small fortune, he still had enough Belly for a good meal. After all, the treasure looted by the Pirates had simply changed hands—it hadn't disappeared.
When it came time to settle the bill, Leno turned to Zeff. "Zeff, would you be interested in joining us at the Hunter's Guild?"
"Hmm?" Zeff looked surprised.
Leno explained the reason for his visit. He was there to invite Zeff to serve as the head chef for the celebration banquet commemorating Elegia's reconstruction.
Leno smiled. "After tasting your food, I've become even more interested in you. Have you ever thought about becoming a Gourmet Hunter?"
Zeff crossed his arms.
"I'm not interested in joining any organizations. My only goal is to ensure that no one in the sea goes hungry. We welcome all guests who come here to eat, but beyond that..."
"No, no," Leno interrupted.
"You misunderstand. I'm not asking you to cook solely for the Hunter's Guild."
He leaned forward, his tone serious. "Your cooking skills deserve to be shared with the world. You have a bigger purpose."
Sanji, who had appeared seemingly out of nowhere, jumped in. "Wait, are you saying that if the old man becomes a hunter, he can still run Baratie?"
"Of course!" Leno nodded.
"The Hunter's Guild values freedom. You'd still be able to operate here without any restrictions."
Intrigued, Sanji asked, "Then... have you ever heard of ALL BLUE?"
ALL BLUE—the legendary sea where all the ingredients from the four oceans converge. It was a chef's paradise, the dream of every cook.
Leno chuckled. "I've heard of it."
Sanji's eyes widened. "Do you believe it exists?"
Leno grinned. "Of course. If you believe in something and pursue it, you can make it real."
Sanji, now even more excited, turned to Zeff. "See, old man? ALL BLUE exists, and I'm going to find it!"
Zeff gave his apprentice a sidelong glance before focusing on Leno. "So, what's in it for us if we join?"
Leno appreciated Zeff's straightforwardness. "Good question. By joining the Hunter's Guild, you'll be under our protection. If any pirates attack a location where our flag is raised, we'll take care of it."
"In return," Leno continued, "members are required to complete one or two tasks issued by the guild every month. Completing tasks earns hunter points, which can raise your hunter license level, granting you additional privileges like special training."
"If you're interested, you can take on more missions to rise through the ranks quickly. You can even issue your own missions to the guild. For example, if you urgently need a certain ingredient, you can request help from other hunters in exchange for points or a commission. The guild charges a small fee for handling this."
Leno acknowledged that the guild was still a young organization, with some growing pains and internal issues to work out. But the freedom it offered made it a tempting prospect.
Zeff folded his arms again, deep in thought. Baratie would inevitably face trouble, especially in East Blue. Perhaps joining the guild was a smart move, though it wasn't a decision to be made lightly.
"As for the banquet," Zeff said, "I'll agree to cook, but we need to set a firm date. As for joining the guild, I'll think it over."
Leno smiled and handed Zeff some pamphlets with more information about the guild. "Take your time. I'll leave this with you—an application form, if you decide to join."
Leno wasn't surprised that Zeff hadn't agreed on the spot. It was their first meeting, and no one made such decisions without giving it some thought.
After saying their farewells to Zeff and Sanji, Leno led his crew back to Shimotsuki Village.
Leno led everyone back to Shimotsuki Village, where he and Kuina were warmly welcomed by the dojo's apprentices.
"Leno, did you really beat a Marine Vice Admiral?"
"Is a Marine Vice Admiral that strong?"
"Is Elegia fun?"
"Leno, I want to be a hunter too! Can you take me to sea?"
The chatter of the apprentices made Leno and Kuina feel a sense of homecoming.
"Brats!" Buggy muttered under his breath, standing in the corner with his arms crossed. He was clearly uncomfortable with being ignored by the children, considering himself the great Buggy.
Uta, however, was curious and enjoying the atmosphere. The scenery of Shimotsuki Village, with its quiet mountains, birds singing, and the simple life of the people, was a stark contrast to the elegance of Elegia. The misty rain over the rice fields created a peaceful, rural setting.
"Is this your home, Sister Kuina?" Nami asked, her voice soft as she observed the serene surroundings.
Bell-mère took in the scene too, glancing at the children training in the dojo and feeling a wave of reassurance when she saw Koushirou's gentle demeanor. Still, she knew it would take time for Nami and Nojiko to adjust to this new environment.
Leno noticed the situation and soon Koushirou stepped forward, agreeing to let Bell-mère and the others stay at the village.
"By the way, where's Zoro?" Leno asked, just as the door to the dojo creaked open.
"Hey, Kuina! You're back? I want to challenge you!" Zoro, now slightly taller after a year, stepped in with a familiar eagerness. His development, though, was still dwarfed by Kuina's rapid growth.
"Zoro, are you sure you want to fight me again? You'll lose, as always," Kuina teased with a confident smile.
Zoro, never one to back down, puffed his chest and wiped his nose. "You'll see, Kuina! I'm stronger than before. I've mastered the three-sword style!"
"Three-sword style?" Kuina glanced at Leno with a smirk. "Did you really feed Zoro that nonsense?"
"It's not nonsense! The three-sword style suits me perfectly!" Zoro insisted.
"Alright, let's see what you've got," Kuina said, picking up a bamboo sword. They moved outside to an open space, preparing for their sparring match.
Nami, blinking in disbelief, looked up at Leno.
"That green-haired guy... is he really strong?"
"He's pretty good," Leno admitted, nodding. "But Kuina's still better. Zoro's always losing to her."
Zoro bit down on one bamboo sword while gripping another in each hand, his strange stance drawing everyone's attention.
Kuina held her bamboo sword firmly, ready to counter Zoro's attack. The clash of bamboo rang through the air as Zoro charged at full force. His swords blurred into afterimages as he launched a fierce barrage of attacks.
Bell-mère, Nami, Nojiko, and Uta watched, astonished by Zoro's determination and skill.
"You've got some skill, kid," Buggy said, rubbing his chin in admiration. "Uncle Buggy is impressed."
Meanwhile, Koshiro, observing carefully from the sidelines, asked, "Kuina, have you awakened your Observation Haki?"
Leno nodded, knowing Koushirou was witnessing something remarkable in Kuina's abilities. Despite Koushirou's old-fashioned beliefs that girls couldn't surpass boys in swordsmanship, Kuina's talent was undeniable. Women in the Pirate World like Charlotte Linlin and warriors like Momousagi and Tsuru had already proven such notions wrong. Even CP agents like Stussy excelled.
Now, Kuina's growth and mastery of Observation Haki would likely challenge Koushirou's thinking.
Under Kuina's precise Observation Haki, Zoro's attacks seemed slowed down, making it impossible for him to land a hit. He panted heavily, his strength waning.
"Is that all you've got, Zoro?" Kuina asked, still focused.
"Hmph, not yet!" Zoro yelled, standing firm. His body took on a strange aura.
Leno's eyes narrowed. "Is he finally tapping into his potential?"
Zoro lunged forward with his "Three Swords Style Demon Slash!"
Kuina, having faced numerous opponents and gathered vast experience, stood her ground. She took a deep breath, releasing her [Sword Heart] talent, which allowed her to see Zoro's movements in slow motion.
In an instant, Kuina stepped forward, her bamboo sword tearing through Zoro's defense. The next moment, Zoro was sent flying.
Kuina stood victorious, once again.
"The 2,314th win," she said, a smirk tugging at her lips.
Zoro picked himself up, undeterred. "Next time, I'll find an even stronger move to beat you!"
Koushirou smiled at the display. He respected Zoro's indomitable will, though Kuina had managed to impress him as well. Perhaps Leno's words about not holding children back were more true than he had originally thought.
As the duel ended, Leno called out, "Hey, Zoro, Kuina, everyone, come eat! We brought back a feast this time!"
The group gathered in the dojo, sharing stories and laughter. Buggy, showing off his Devil Fruit ability, entertained with his comedic dismemberment. Uta sang, while Nami displayed her talent for drawing. It felt like a true family gathering.
Later, Kuina, Zoro, and Saka took Bell-mère, Uta, Nami, and Nojiko to explore the village, while Leno went to meet Kozaburo at the lighthouse, bringing him gifts and enjoying some wine together.
As the others enjoyed their time, Buggy found himself left alone in the dojo, grumbling. "Those jerks didn't even take me along! Hmph, how dare they abandon me!"
Suddenly, Buggy realized something. "Wait... isn't this the perfect chance to escape? With everyone gone, I can steal the ship and make my grand exit!"
Buggy, plotting his escape, quietly slipped towards the ship. However, just as he was about to open the door, the ship's doctor, Cole, rushed out of the cabin, knocking Buggy off balance.
"Huh? Buggy!" Cole exclaimed, out of breath and clearly alarmed.
Buggy, furious, grabbed Cole by the collar. "What's the big idea, you idiot?!"
"Buggy, something huge just came in... look at this!" Cole thrust a newspaper into Buggy's hands.
Buggy's anger faded as he quickly skimmed the front page. It was an exclusive interview with Morgans, featuring a shocking headline about former Marine Vice Admiral Aokiji.
"Kuzan's decision? Why did he leave the Marines?!"
Buggy's eyes widened as he read the interview. "Aokiji... joining the hunters?!"
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+30 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg
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