Ren nodded and pointed to the ingredients in the corner. "With these?"
Rocks glanced at the rock-hard bread and a few pieces of salt pork that were as tough as stone, then scratched his head in embarrassment. "Ahem, we just set out, so supplies are a bit... simple. Don't worry, the next time we encounter a merchant ship or a Sea King, I guarantee I'll get you the freshest stuff!"
"It's enough," Ren's reply surprised everyone.
He tossed the stone-like bread into a large wooden basin and poured water over it to soak. Then, he took the pieces of salt pork and carefully pounded them with the back of his knife to draw out the excess salt. Ren's knife skills were exquisite. Even when handling the coarsest ingredients, his movements were as graceful as if he were carving a work of art.
Next, Ren started a fire and boiled some water. He crumbled the softened bread and added it to the pot along with the diced, pounded pork. The pot bubbled with plain white foam, looking like a pot of paste and smelling only faintly of salt.
Outside, Gatz craned his neck and sneered. "Tch, I thought it was going to be something amazing. It's just meat porridge. The way he was acting, I thought he was making a grand feast."
Just then, with his back to the others, Ren materialized a small, exquisite bottle in his palm, one that looked as if it were carved from white jade. It was the Endless Spice Bottle from the system.
Ren thought to himself: A basic flavor enhancer, a hint of black pepper spice, and a bit of plant-based oil to bring out the meat's aroma.
At his thought, a single, crystalline drop of liquid and a tiny pinch of fine powder flew from the bottle, silently falling into the pot and dissolving instantly.
The next second, an indescribable, overpowering aroma suddenly erupted from the battered pot!
It wasn't just the smell of meat or wheat, but a complex, multi-layered fragrance. The rich meatiness was infinitely amplified by a unique savory flavor, interwoven with the subtle sweetness of long-boiled grains. A hint of spice danced within it, making everyone's mouths water uncontrollably.
"Gulp..."
Gatz swallowed hard, his eyes wide as saucers, staring intently at the pot. His earlier disdain was completely replaced by shock and craving. The silent Silver couldn't help but glance into the kitchen, his nostrils flaring slightly. Even Dolum, who had been hammering away at the ship's hull, stopped his work and followed the scent over.
"What is that smell... so fragrant?"
The aroma seemed to have a life of its own, drilling into the nostrils of everyone on board and awakening the ravenous beasts in their stomachs.
As if he had done nothing remarkable, Ren stirred the porridge with a wooden spoon and ladled the perfectly cooked meal into several rough pottery bowls. The once-coarse ingredients now had an alluring color. The thick porridge shimmered with a light sheen of oil, and the chunks of meat were plump and exuded a fatal temptation.
"It's ready." Ren pushed the bowls onto the counter at the kitchen's entrance.
Gatz was the first to rush forward. He grabbed a bowl, ignoring the heat, and began to shovel it into his mouth.
"Ow! Hot, hot, hot!" he yelped, fanning his mouth with his hand, but he didn't slow down for a second.
The moment the porridge entered his mouth, Gatz's eyes went wide. The creamy texture gently coated his tongue. The salt pork, having been simmered, was not dry at all but incredibly tender. With a light bite, rich juices exploded in his mouth. The sweetness of the bread and the saltiness of the meat blended perfectly, while that unique savory flavor washed over his taste buds like waves.
A warm current slid down his throat and into his stomach, instantly dispelling the fatigue and hunger of the voyage. It felt as if every pore in his body was opening up in relaxation.
"Mmm... delicious... this is too good!" Gatz praised incoherently, tears and snot nearly streaming down his face. He finished the bowl in a few large gulps, then held it out to Ren with a pleading look in his eyes.
"Another... another bowl!"
Silver and Dolum ate more gracefully, but their quickening pace and the slight glint in their eyes betrayed their inner shock. Especially Silver; after he finished, he broke his usual silence to say to Ren, "Very good."
Rocks held his bowl, leaning against the mast, his face filled with unconcealed pride and ecstasy. He knew he had bet on the right person! This kid had used the worst ingredients to create a delicacy that even a king might not get to enjoy. What terrifying talent!
Laughing, Rocks walked over to Ren and ruffled his hair. "Hahahaha! Kid, well done! I declare that from now on, if anyone dares to disrespect our head chef, they'll have to answer to my fists first!"
By now, Gatz had been completely conquered by the food. He licked his bowl clean and sidled up to Ren, his previous arrogance gone, replaced by a foolish, fawning grin. "Uh... Chef Ren, I was wrong. I shouldn't have underestimated you. See, is there... is there any left in the pot? Even just a little bit of the crispy stuff at the bottom would be great!"
Ren glanced at him and said flatly, "I washed the pot."
Gatz's face fell instantly. He slumped down by the kitchen door like a large, abandoned dog, drawing a round of laughter from the others.
With a simple meal of meat porridge, Ren had utterly conquered this crew of unruly pirates. He had not only proven himself with his culinary skills but had also established his own absolute and inviolable authority on this future hegemon's ship.
Having won over the crew's stomachs, Ren's status on the ship became transcendent. Gatz became his most loyal follower, trailing him everywhere, calling him "Chef Ren" with every other breath, as attentive as a servant. Whenever Ren needed a hand, like chopping wood or carrying heavy loads, Gatz was always the first to volunteer, working harder than anyone. While Silver and Dolum weren't as dramatic, they too showed Ren a newfound, heartfelt respect. The highlight of their day was mealtime.
However, even the most skillful chef can't cook without ingredients. The ship's food stores soon ran dry. Although Ren could turn rot into magic, he couldn't create food out of thin air. For several days, the only thing on the table was grilled fish, lightly seasoned with the Endless Spice Bottle.
"Chef Ren, today's grilled fish is delicious... but..." Gatz mumbled while chewing on his fish, looking pitifully at Ren. "When can we have meat again? I miss that meat porridge you made."
"No ingredients," Ren stated succinctly.
Rocks, sitting nearby, listened to his crew's complaints and looked at Ren's calm face. He suddenly slapped his thigh and stood up. "That's right! How can the crew of Rocks D. Xebec eat only grilled fish every day!"
Rocks strode to the bow, spread his arms against the sea breeze, and shouted with heroic spirit, "I promised to get you the world's finest ingredients! Today, I'll fulfill the first of those promises!"
He turned to Ren, his eyes blazing. "Head Chef, tell us, what prey in these waters is worthy of our attention?"
This question was exactly what Ren had been waiting for. The Grand Line Ingredient Index (Initial Stage) in his mind had already been unlocked, providing him with clear information about the rare ingredients in the nearby seas.
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