Gin's face showed hesitation, but he knew that no matter what he said, his Captain's decision would not change.
Thinking of the bounty hunter who seemed like a demon incarnate and the mantis monster that had wreaked havoc, Gin silently prayed.
"I hope we don't run into another overwhelmingly powerful enemy."
After passing on Krieg's orders, Gin tried to muster his resolve as he watched the silhouette of a large ship slowly appear on the horizon.
...
Meanwhile, at the sea restaurant Baratie...
As a dish of beef stew in Burgundy wine was served, Sanji and the Torchic bowed together like performers, acknowledging the applause of the surrounding crowd.
The aroma was intoxicating, like a delicate hand teasingly brushing your senses. The spectacular cooking show and the mouth-watering dish had the audience cheering as if they were witnessing a grand spectacle.
However, despite the excitement and cheers, Sanji felt a sense of emptiness in his heart.
A simple beef stew in Burgundy wine was hardly a challenge for a chef of his caliber.
Sure, the enthusiastic applause from the ladies nearby, whose mysterious fat reserves jiggled enticingly, could still provoke a bit of excitement within him.
But as time went on, a month later, Sanji was thoroughly tired of this scene where all he could do was watch but never touch.
The soul of a "lover of beauties" was burning within him, but he couldn't move forward.
What he saw only made him feel more restless.
If it weren't for the fact that the little Torchic seemed to enjoy being in the spotlight, he would have long abandoned this cooking show marketing model.
But when he looked at the Torchic hopping on the stove with boundless energy, a gentle smile appeared on Sanji's face.
His life had changed completely since he got this little guy.
Before, although Sanji had a dream of finding the "All Blue," he had never intended to actually pursue it. He was content to stay by Zeff's side and live in the East Blue.
But since acquiring the Torchic, Sanji has been filled with energy every day.
Even the blood flowing in his veins felt more alive.
Perhaps it was his growing body or the close connection with Torchic's fire power, but now Sanji felt like there was a volcano inside him, ready to erupt at any moment!
A simple cooking show could no longer satisfy his restless spirit.
"It would be nice if something could spice up this peaceful life," he mused.
But then, he smiled to himself.
In the entire East Blue, there were still a few who didn't read books or newspapers, who didn't know how powerful Pokémon were...
So who would dare attack their sea restaurant?
Boom! ! ! !
As soon as Sanji finished his thought, the sudden roar of cannons echoed from the deck outside.
Immediately, a waiter who had been greeting guests outside rushed inside, breathless with a mix of fear and excitement on his face.
"Bad news! Pirates are firing at us!"
Looking at the menu in the waiter's trembling hands, the diners in the lobby were momentarily stunned.
This... is this the reaction you should have when encountering pirates?
...
"Captain, we've fired our remaining shells, but they don't seem to have any effect…"
"Should we keep moving forward?"
After a round of bombardment, Gin looked at the unharmed sea restaurant and his face grew increasingly somber.
But seeing Krieg's greed-filled eyes, he swallowed the words of caution he wanted to say.
"Keep moving forward! I didn't expect a restaurant to have such a large ship!"
"It looks like besides the Pokémon and supplies, there's a lot more here that we need!"
Krieg licked his lips greedily, already picturing himself with a Pokémon, ready to exact revenge on that green-haired bounty hunter!
As for taking over the sea restaurant Baratie?
Krieg didn't give it a second thought.
How much resistance could a place full of cooks possibly put up?
The large warship, with its deep draft, moved swiftly toward Baratie.
Krieg tightened his golden armor, checked that everything was in order, and then grinned cruelly.
Although they had lost many comrades and two ships in the previous battle, there were still hundreds of them on this ship. Taking over a small restaurant should be a piece of cake.
With a command, the massive warship docked alongside Baratie.
Standing at the bow, Krieg, his golden armor gleaming, raised his arms and shouted:
"Men!"
"The world's treasures belong to those with power!"
"If we get that Pokémon, we'll be the strongest pirate crew in the East Blue!"
"Let the Krieg Pirates teach these ingrates a lesson!"
"Except for the Pokémon... take whatever treasure or women you want!"
"OOOHHHHHH!!!"
Krieg's words ignited the pirates' lust for destruction.
Chaos and destruction were second nature to them.
With a single command, countless pirates swarmed off the warship like a horde of wasps.
Meanwhile, on the deck of the Baratie...
The waiters and chefs, who had been preparing for this moment, wore eager expressions.
"I never thought anyone would dare to provoke us with Torchic on our side!"
"Hold on! I haven't had a decent challenge in over a month, and my sword is itching for action!!!"
The employees of Baratie, not known for their peaceful dispositions, were already itching for a fight after a month of uneventful work!
Seeing the enemy charge, they grabbed whatever they could—pots, pans, and any available weapons!
"Charge!!!"
"Don't underestimate the cooks on the sea, you scumbags!!!"
"Don't come to Baratie if you can't pay!!!"
...
Boom! ! !
In an instant, the two sides clashed.
Blades flashed, guns fired, blood flowed, and screams echoed...
The sightseeing deck of Baratie transformed into a brutal battlefield.
The diners, upon hearing of the pirate attack, had already taken their escape boats and fled from Baratie.
So now, only warriors remained at Baratie—warriors and no one else!
And what was surprising...
Despite the overwhelming numbers, with only dozens of restaurant staff against hundreds of pirates, the battle seemed entirely one-sided!
Almost every chef and waiter could take on dozens of pirates!
...
"It seems like the situation is under control."
A bit away from the battlefield, Sanji silently lit a cigarette he picked up from the ground and watched the fight in the distance.
"Hmm..."
Zeff grunted. Seeing that the chefs could handle it, he didn't feel too anxious. He simply reached out and plucked the cigarette from Sanji's mouth.
"Minors shouldn't smoke!" Zeff warned.
"..."
(End of this chapter)