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"The taste is really good, Baratie restaurant certainly lives up to its reputation…"
Although it was still a bit lacking compared to the food produced by the system, it offered a wide variety and all were local specialties.
[World Exploration Value 5.52%]
Having just finished eating, Yang Tao looked at the suddenly surging exploration value and directed his gaze towards the restaurant's kitchen. Sure enough, Sanji appeared at the kitchen entrance.
The guy put on a beaten-up expression, as if he had been freeloaded, and flicked a cigarette from his pocket into his mouth.
[Health 400 / 400]
Sanji, who hadn't grown yet, was a weakling, but as a chef, he was already very competent.
'After Luffy defeated Alvida, he went on to defeat Captain Morgan, Zoro joined, then he met Nami… heading to Syrup Village, defeating Kuro of the Black Cat Pirates, Usopp joined… It seems I came too early.'
Even if he spent some time modifying the ship and clearing out pirates, it would still take at least ten more days for Luffy to arrive at the sea restaurant.
'I still need to find something to pass the time. I wonder if the Luffy protagonist group can gather enough exploration value for the first mod…'
Just as Yang Tao was considering whether to earn some extra money at sea, Sanji's voice rang out beside him:
"This beautiful lady, let me introduce myself, I am Sanji, the vice chef of Baratie restaurant. Your arrival makes Baratie shine."
Sanji's eyes had already turned into red hearts, and he pulled out a red rose from somewhere and handed it to Alvida.
"Beautiful lady, would you mind marrying me?"
Alvida: "..."
Alvida, whose thoughts were entirely on Luffy, had no intention of responding to Sanji.
Looking at the lovesick Sanji, Yang Tao lightly coughed twice, stood up, and said, "Mr. Blond, is harassing female customers part of Baratie restaurant's service?"
"Bl-Blond??"
When Sanji looked at Yang Tao, his lovesick expression reverted to the one of being freeloaded.
His face-changing speed was almost comparable to Yang Tao's, which left Yang Tao stunned.
"Who's harassing female customers? I just fell in love with this lady!"
"Oh? Is that so?"
Yang Tao looked at Sanji and then shouted towards the kitchen, "Boss, your chef is harassing my female crew member, are you going to do something about it?"
His voice immediately drew the attention of other customers in the restaurant, who all turned their gaze to Sanji.
"You…"
Before Zeff could come out, Patty, who heard the commotion, appeared from somewhere.
Thump…
Patty landed a heavy punch on Sanji's head, grabbed his collar, and with a fawning smile, said, "Customer, I am truly sorry. I will personally send over some desserts later as our restaurant's apology."
Sanji struggled as Patty dragged him into the kitchen. Seeing that his subordinates had also eaten their fill, Yang Tao took some Berries from his backpack and placed them on the table.
These were still the money he had 'borrowed' from the previous pirate captain, only without the need to return them.
"Alvida, we're full, let's go."
Alvida nodded gently: "Captain, where are we going next?"
"Nowhere, we'll wait here for Luffy to arrive."
Hearing Luffy's name, Alvida's face showed a complex expression. She wanted to defeat Luffy, but she also greatly admired his strength.
In Yang Tao's words, she was a pure masochist.
"Captain, will Luffy really come here?"
"Of course."
Yang Tao turned and walked outside. Alvida and the crew also got up and followed him back to the ship.
...
"Can't you move at all?"
Yang Tao looked down at Alvida, who was lying on the deck. Her originally vibrant face was devoid of color, as pale as if she had been dead for two days.
Large drops of cold sweat seeped from her forehead.
"I… I feel so uncomfortable…"
"If you're bad, practice more. If you can't, you can't. What do you mean by uncomfortable?"
Yang Tao spoke sarcastically without any psychological burden, making Alvida want to kill him.
"Don't worry, there will be no danger to your life. I will save you before you die."
It was unclear whether it was because the Sea stone Yang Tao refined was too pure, or because Alvida's strength was too weak. Just a single Sea stone ingot pressing on her made her feel breathless.
The main goal was sensitivity training.
However, Yang Tao didn't know if it was effective, but looking at Alvida's current state, it could at least deplete her stamina.
"Cap… Captain, I will remember… remember your kindness to me."
Alvida said through gritted teeth, looking as if she wanted to bite off two chunks of flesh from Yang Tao.
"Oh? Still have the strength to speak? Then hold on for another ten minutes."
Sipping his Seer Tea in small sips, Yang Tao looked at the pirates watching the show on the deck, a gentle smile on his face as he said, "To survive in this dangerous world, you must become strong, stronger than everyone else!"
"You don't need to rush either. I'll find a way to properly train you."
The pirates trembled upon hearing Yang Tao's words, after all, Alvida was currently 'wishing she were dead' on the deck.
Half an hour later.
Yang Tao removed the Sea stone ingot pressing on Alvida. A magical scene unfolded; her previously pale cheeks began to regain their color.
"Quite miraculous…"
"I… I'll fight you!"
Alvida jumped up from the deck, looking as if she was ready to fight Yang Tao.
"Stop messing around, Alvida."
Yang Tao's hand holding the Seer Tea didn't even move. He simply leaned slightly to the side, dodging Alvida's outstretched hand.
"It will take at least ten days for Luffy to arrive here. In the coming days, I'll train you, and you'll train them."
He sidestepped again, dodging Alvida's long leg.
Alvida said, somewhat exasperated, "Let me hit you once, and once I'm done, I'll go train them!"
As she said this, a hint of slyness flashed in the depths of Alvida's eyes.
"Alright!"
With that, Yang Tao stood still, waiting for Alvida's attack. Seeing that he truly stood motionless, Alvida smiled and said, "Since you agreed, don't go back on your word."
Alvida ran to the side, picked up her two-meter-long spiked club, blinked, and asked, "Captain, you wouldn't go back on your word, would you?"
The dark spiked club was covered in protrusions. While it wouldn't necessarily cause instant death upon contact, breaking a bone was certainly normal.
Looking at Alvida, Yang Tao still wore a faint smile as he glanced at the formidable weapon and said, "Of course not. You can… Wait, let me get something first…"
A thin wooden board appeared in his hand.
Alvida saw the wooden board emitting a purple light and smiled, saying, "Captain, are you planning to put a wooden board on your butt?"
"Don't worry, I'm just holding it. I'm ready, Alvida, begin your performance."
Alvida looked at the confident Yang Tao, lightly swung the spiked club in her hand, and said to the pirates watching on the ship, "Don't forget to fish our Captain out of the sea later!"
With that, Alvida raised the spiked club in her hand and swung it towards Yang Tao's body. A whistling sound filled the air. Yang Tao merely slightly adjusted the direction of the Battlesign.
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