Ren's luggage was simple: a few changes of clothes and a long object wrapped in cloth. It was his most treasured kitchen knife.
When Ren emerged again, the villagers had gathered around. They were no longer hiding, their faces a complex mix of reluctance, worry, and a faint trace of envy and anticipation.
"Ren, take this. It's the best-dried fish in the village."
"Ren, my wife sewed this good-luck charm for you. I hope it keeps you safe."
"You little rascal, don't you dare bring shame to our village out there!"
Simple faces, sincere words.
Ren accepted the items they handed him and bowed deeply to everyone. "Thank you all."
He walked over to the old man and pressed a small wooden box into his hand. "Grandpa, this is some money I've saved over the years. Keep it. Don't work so hard anymore."
The old man clutched the box tightly, his eyes welling with tears. "Out there... take care of yourself."
"I will." Ren nodded firmly.
He took one last look at the village where he had lived for eight years, at all the familiar faces. Then, he turned resolutely and walked toward the crude pirate ship docked at the shore.
Rocks was already waiting by the ship, and the few crewmen behind him curiously sized up the little chef who was about to join them.
"Ready?" Rocks asked.
Ren didn't answer with words. He leaped, his small body tracing a sharp arc through the air, and landed steadily on the deck. The deck, constantly soaked by seawater, was a bit slippery and smelled of a mixture of wood and sea salt.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for successfully boarding the Rocks Pirates' ship. The Endless Spice Bottle has been delivered to the system inventory.]
[Endless Spice Bottle: Can generate any known basic seasoning based on the Host's imagination. Daily usage limit: three times.]
The system's voice echoed in Ren's mind again. He paid it no mind and walked straight to the ship's even more primitive kitchen. It was tiny, with just an old stove and a few pots, but for Ren, it was enough.
Rocks followed him in, leaning against the doorframe. "From today on, you're the head chef of this ship. Everyone's stomach is in your hands."
Without turning back, Ren said softly, "I need ingredients. Fresh, top-quality ingredients."
Rocks laughed heartily. "No problem! On the high seas, whatever you want, we'll go get it!"
"Whether it's a giant Sea King from 10,000 meters deep or a mythical fruit found only on a Sky Island!"
"As long as you can cook it, I can get it for you!"
Rocks's voice was filled with unparalleled confidence and dominance.
A faint smile finally touched the corner of Ren's lips. He knew he had made the right bet.
The ship set sail. The wooden hull creaked in the waves, riding the wind and breaking through the water, heading toward the unknown and vast distance.
Ren stood by the ship's rail, watching the small island that had raised him slowly shrink into a black dot before finally disappearing below the horizon.
Leaving the past behind was necessary to welcome a more magnificent future. His path to becoming a god of cooking had officially begun on this ship, the vessel of a future hegemon of the seas.
The ship was small, and its creaking planks seemed to tell tales of difficult voyages. The kitchen was pitifully narrow, barely allowing one person to turn around. A persistent smell of fish and mildew hung in the air. In a corner were a few sacks of hardened black bread and several barrels of cheap rum.
The Rocks Pirates didn't have many members. Besides Captain Rocks, there were three core crewmen.
One was a burly man named Gatz, with bulging muscles and a laugh as deafening as Rocks's. His weapon was a giant ship's anchor, and he was currently eyeing Ren with suspicion.
"Captain, are you really letting this little brat cook? He's not even as tall as my axe. We'll be lucky if he doesn't burn the kitchen down." Gatz's voice was a low rumble, making no effort to hide his disdain.
Another was a tall, thin man named Silver, who was always leaning in the mast's shadow, polishing his long spear. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, and he was a man of few words, seemingly indifferent to everything.
The last was the shipwright, Dolum, a short, middle-aged man with a stubbly beard. He perpetually held a hammer and nails, constantly banging away at the ship while muttering, "This piece of junk is going to fall apart sooner or later."
Ren ignored Gatz's provocation. He set down his bag and carefully placed the knife wrapped in thick cloth on the only clean cutting board. Then, he got to work.
He didn't start a fire immediately. Instead, he found a rag and a bucket of fresh water and began scrubbing the greasy stove. His movements were meticulous, as if performing a sacred ritual. From the stove to the pots and pans, to the dust-covered dishes, he cleaned everything spotlessly. Under his care, the kitchen, though still simple, looked brand new.
Gatz watched, sneering. "Captain," he said to Rocks, "did you hire a chef or a cleaner? We're starving over here."
Rocks leaned against the kitchen doorway, arms crossed, watching with interest. Hearing Gatz, he just grinned. "Wait."
After cleaning the kitchen, Ren turned to face the three men at the door. His young face was calm, but his voice was clear and firm.
"From this day forward, this is my territory. First, no one is allowed to enter the kitchen without my permission."
"Second, do not bring anything that is not an ingredient into the kitchen."
"Third, and most important, do not waste a single scrap of food."
Gatz was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Hahahaha! Kid, are you laying down the law? Do you know who you're talking to?" He took a step forward, his massive shadow nearly engulfing Ren completely.
Ren looked up, meeting Gatz's eyes directly. His gaze wasn't that of an eight-year-old but of a seasoned captain, calm and sharp. "I'm talking to the people who are going to eat my food. If you can't follow the rules, you can go back to gnawing on your hardtack."
"You..." Gatz's face instantly turned red, his fists clenching so hard they cracked.
"Gatz."
Rocks spoke quietly, but his voice made Gatz freeze. Rocks walked into the kitchen, patted Ren's shoulder, and smiled at the men outside. "He's right. From now on, the kitchen is Ren's domain."
"His rules are the ship's rules. Anyone who dares to break them..." Rocks's gaze swept over them, his smile turning dangerous. "I'll throw him overboard to feed the fish."
Dolum the shipwright shrugged, indicating he didn't care. The silent Silver gave a slight nod, seeming to agree with the rules. Only Gatz looked indignant, but he didn't dare to argue with Rocks and could only snort angrily.
"Alright, Head Chef." Rocks turned to Ren, his tone slightly teasing. "Can you show us what you've got now? My crew is about to mutiny from hunger."
-------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!
Find me at My : pat*eon*com/RuneA
I, Herta's Fiancé, the Universe's Number One Male Fist (114 Chapter (Simulpub-Full) )
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Succubus in Sixth Street (320 Chapter)
Reborn in Type-Moon, My Sister is Aoko Aozaki (250 Chapter)
MyGO!! A Story Voiced by Me (120 Chapter)
BLEACH: Blade of Purification (130 Chapter)
Konoha: Starting the Game as Yoriichi (320 Chapter)
My Real Job is Spying on Konoha, but I'm Also its Hokage (130 Chapter)
The Pinnacle of the Navy! Starting from Being Captured by Garp (150 Chapter)
Watching Yu-Gi-Oh! short videos is making the veteran players lose...(75 Chapter)
Uma Musume : The Trainer Who Just Wants to Live (196 Chapter)
Zenless Zone Zero The Random Kamen Rider (160 Chapter)
Genshin Impact: It All Began With Me Being Stepped On by Arlecchino (110 Chapter)
Naruto: I Can Synthesize Summoning Beasts (80 Chapter)
Demon Slayer: The Great Swordsman's System, Disciple of Yoriichi (120 Chapter)
My Wife is a General, but I'm an Emanator of Abundance! (130 Chapter)
Type-Moon: My Nine-Fold Path (130 Chapter)
Uma Musume: They're Peeking at My Diary, and All of Tracen is Panickin (87 Chapter)
The Wild History of Type-Moon world (60 Chapter)
Reborn in Conan, But I Refuse to Be the Bad Guy (70 Chapter)
Ruan Mei is begging me to go back? But there's no going back anymore (130 Chapter)
Just a Slacker at Tracen Academy (130 Chapter)
Survival in Blue Archive (60 Chapter)
Kimetsu no Yaiba: Doma Wasn't Hated Today, Either (90 Chapter)
The Vibe of This Chat Group is a Little Off (90 Chapter)
Heartbreak Simulator: I Broke Them and Made Them Cry (70 Chapter)
The Talentless Trainer Doesn't Want to Restart (70 Chapter)
A Journey Starting as a Quincy (70 Chapter)
Uma Musume: The Master of Romance Obstruction (70 Chapter)
Uma Musume: You Can't Be a Hero Without a Little Chemical Enhancement (30 Chapter)
Honkai Impact 3rd Your Boyfriend is Really Amazing (30 Chapter)
Warhammer 40K: My Fiancée, Fulgrim (70 Chapter)
Classroom of the Elite: Trying to Capture Me! (70 Chapter)
Genshin Impact My Named Senji Muramas (70 Chapter)
A Chef, the Vice-Captain of the Rocks Pirates? (30 Chapter)
If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.