Chapter 15: Sanji
The next day, the weather was clear, not a cloud in the sky.
On the boundless azure sea, the Going Merry sailed peacefully.
On deck, Reiner, Luffy, and Usopp sat in a circle, expressions grave.
Nami and Zoro sat slightly apart, observing closely.
"Testing the waters... a three."
"A small raise... a four."
"Pass."
"You don't even have a four? You're not doing so hot, Luffy!"
"Cut it out! Don't think you can trick me into breaking my pair!"
Usopp gritted his teeth, looking at Luffy. *This guy... he's gotten smarter.*
Most of the time, sailing was quite boring, especially after Reiner's miscellaneous summons took over all the chores.
So, Reiner taught them how to play poker. When Luffy and Usopp were fishing, Reiner and Zoro would lift weights.
During breaks, they would gather to play cards, with Nami and Zoro often joining in to watch the fun.
As for Reiner's card luck... he was basically a charity player.
He didn't mind, though, considering it like distributing pocket money to everyone.
It's worth mentioning that he was the one managing the crew's funds.
Saving? Not his style.
But acquiring money? He excelled at that, so saving wasn't necessary.
Except when it came to Luffy.
If you dared give Luffy money, he'd genuinely squander it all.
Suddenly, an undead hawk flew down from the crow's nest.
It landed on Reiner's shoulder and pecked gently, its beak pointing towards the ship's bow.
This was one of several hawks Usopp had helped Reiner hunt back in Cocoyasi Village yesterday.
Reiner had turned them into undead specifically to act as lookouts when he wasn't available – which was most of the time.
Seeing the signal, Reiner immediately leaped up to the crow's nest. Following the direction the hawk's beak indicated, sure enough, a small green dot was visible in the distance.
"The sea restaurant Baratie. We can finally have a proper feast."
Reiner jumped down. "Game over, let's settle the score."
"Shishishi! I won five hundred thousand Beri!" Luffy grinned widely.
*Great, another five hundred thousand down the drain,* Reiner thought.
Soon, the group arrived at the Baratie. It was a giant, three-story ship floating on the sea, shaped like a fish with an open mouth at the bow.
"Time to eat!" Luffy clutched his newly won 500,000 Beri and eagerly ran aboard.
"Hey, wait a minute! Is that a pirate ship?"
Reiner looked where Usopp was pointing. The massive wreckage of a pirate ship, broken in two, was half-submerged in the sea, only the bow and stern sections still floating adrift.
"That flag belongs to the Krieg Pirates!"
Usopp recognized the allegiance of the wrecked vessel.
Hearing this, familiar scenes immediately flashed through Reiner's mind.
'Hawk-Eyes, huh.'
Reiner frowned slightly, his gaze shifting to a small boat moored nearby.
The small boat featured a high-backed armchair and several lit candles around it.
It was tied to the Baratie with a rope.
"How did such a huge ship sink?"
"No idea. Maybe it got cut?"
"Don't joke around, Reiner! How could anyone cut a ship?" Usopp laughed, waving his hand dismissively.
The group disembarked and headed straight into the restaurant.
The vast dining hall held at least several dozen, perhaps hundreds, of tables, yet it was eerily quiet, with not a single customer in sight.
No, wait, there were two.
In a corner, a man in a white shirt was dining quietly. A black hat rested beside him on the table, and a black coat was draped over his chair.
His movements were subtle and elegant, making almost no sound.
Reiner glanced at him briefly and paid him no further mind, then looked over at Zoro, who didn't seem to have noticed anything.
This silence was quickly shattered.
*Clang! Clang!* (Sound of Luffy banging utensils)
"Food! Hahaha! I want to order! Order!"
"Coming, coming! Stop making such a racket!"
A blond man emerged from the kitchen, looking annoyed at the shouting Luffy.
The man wore a black suit over a blue striped shirt, clearly having taken care with his appearance.
Reiner and the others walked over and sat down with Luffy.
"What will you gentlemen be having?" Sanji asked coolly, holding a notepad and pen to take their orders.
"Meat! I want ten servings of meat!"
"Ten servings? Can you even finish that?" Sanji looked up at Luffy, his tone sharp. "If you waste food in front of me, I won't forgive you!"
Sanji's attitude took Luffy aback for a moment.
He'd never met such an arrogant cook before.
"Don't worry, his appetite is definitely not a problem," Reiner looked up with a smile, teasing Sanji. "If anything, I'm worried he might exhaust you."
"Oh?" Sanji gave Luffy an interested look.
"This is the first time I've been challenged like this. Go ahead, try me."
"Luffy, eat to your heart's content today. Money's no object."
"Really!?" Luffy exclaimed excitedly, his eyes fixed intensely on Sanji.
"When it comes to eating, I've never lost!"
"And when it comes to cooking, *I've* never lost!"
Sparks flew between the two as their competitive spirits were instantly ignited.
"So, what would the rest of you like to ea—"
Sanji turned to the others, but his words died abruptly as his gaze fell upon Nami.
The fighting spirit instantly vanished from his face, replaced by pink hearts in his eyes. He dropped to one knee before Nami.
"Eh?" Nami was somewhat taken aback, clearly startled by the sudden gesture.
"An angel! An angel has descended!" Sanji fawned, his tone exaggerated. "Please allow me to become your captive!"
Before Nami could even react, a wooden prosthetic leg slammed hard onto Sanji's head.
*WHACK!*
"Ouch!!!"
"Damn idiot! Harassing the customers again!" Zeff scolded, arms crossed.
"Looks like you don't want to work here anymore! Pack your things and get lost! My restaurant doesn't need a cook like you!"
"Damn old geezer!" Sanji glared furiously, jumping up and shouting, "No matter how many times you try to kick me out, I won't leave! I'm staying here until you die!"
"What bullshit! I'm gonna live another hundred years!" Zeff retorted, turning and heading back to the kitchen.
Sanji clicked his tongue, his expression gradually calming. He turned back to Nami with a smile.
"My apologies for my earlier behavior, my beautiful lady. As compensation, your meal today is on the house."
His expression then turned blank as he looked at Reiner and the others. "The rest of you pay as normal."
"Pervy cook," chorused four voices.
Soon, cooks began bringing out dishes one after another.
"Sorry for the wait."
"We heard you're having a duel with Sanji? You've got guts."
"He even forbade us from helping, said he wants to make sure you leave completely stuffed today."
The cooks chatted and smiled, sizing up the crew as they served the food.
A showdown between cooks and customers was a rare sight, even after working there for years.
They were all excited to watch the spectacle.
As the crew ate and drank, they chatted with the cooks.
It was only then that they learned the wrecked ship outside was the flagship of the Krieg Pirate Armada, led by Pirate Admiral Krieg.
Earlier that morning, a pirate named Gin had escaped from the Navy. Near death from starvation, he was saved by Sanji.
However, after returning, Gin brought back the Krieg Pirates. Zeff didn't hold a grudge and gave them food.
But once full, Krieg repaid their kindness with betrayal, intending to plunder the Baratie.
"This Krieg guy is a real bastard!"
"No wonder there aren't any customers here..."
"So what happened after that? You all seem fine?"
Hearing this, the cooks exchanged glances, then spoke cautiously:
"See that man in the corner? He cut the Krieg Pirates' flagship in half with a single slash."
"Krieg and his entire crew were wiped out by him alone."
The cook leaned in, whispering conspiratorially into their ears.
"O-One slash?"
"Cut a ship that huge!?"
Nami and Usopp gasped incredulously, covering their mouths.
"See his eyes? That's the World's Greatest Swordsman... Hawk-Eyes Mihawk!"
Just then, Mihawk, in the corner, slowly stood up. He put on his hat, draped his coat over his shoulders, and casually slung the Black Blade resting nearby onto his back.
He addressed the cooks coolly, "Check, please."
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