Just as Gustave, Po, and Tom completed the installation of the Gate of All Worlds, a mechanical voice resonated directly in their minds—the system's familiar tone cutting through their thoughts with crisp authority:
"First: The Gate of All Worlds connects disparate realities. At random intervals, it will select guests from alternate dimensions and extend invitations."
"Second: Once selected, guests may enter the sea restaurant. Each primary guest may bring up to five companions through the Gate simultaneously."
"Third: All beings within the restaurant's vicinity will understand each other perfectly, regardless of their native languages. The Gate provides universal translation for seamless communication."
"Fourth: Companions may earn permanent passage rights with unanimous approval from all three hosts, though they cannot invite additional friends."
"Fifth: Any guest or companion may be permanently banned and stripped of Gate privileges through unanimous host decision."
"Sixth: The Gate operates daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Those with established passage rights are exempt from these time restrictions."
"Seventh: The three hosts may visit guest worlds with—"
The announcement cut off abruptly as the Gate's ornate doors swung open with a resonant chime. All three hosts startled, their attention snapping to their first interdimensional visitor.
Through the swirling portal stepped a young man who appeared to be seventeen or eighteen years old. His black hair was neatly styled, and his handsome features carried an almost stern composure that seemed unusual for someone his age. He wore simple but well-fitted clothes—a white t-shirt, black casual pants, and basketball shoes with distinctive metal studs.
The newcomer's dark eyes swept the room with curiosity that quickly transformed into surprise when they landed on Po.
"Panda?" he said, his voice carrying a note of genuine bewilderment.
Obviously, he'd never encountered a panda who wore linen shorts, cloth shoes, and stood upright like a human being.
Hearing his words, Po's face lit up with that same endearingly goofy smile he'd worn when first meeting Gustave. He extended one large, fuzzy paw in greeting.
"Hello! My name is Po!" he replied warmly.
The young man's composure cracked slightly at hearing the panda actually speak, though he found himself understanding perfectly.
"Are you Po from Kung Fu Panda?" he asked suddenly. "The main character from that animated movie?"
"Kung Fu Panda?" Po tilted his head, genuinely confused. "What's that supposed to mean?"
A distant memory stirred—something Gustave had once mentioned about their origins, though Po had dismissed it at the time, preferring to focus on their present reality rather than dwelling on abstract concepts.
Recognizing the need to make their guest feel welcome, Gustave stepped forward with his characteristic friendly smile, extending his hand.
"Hello, my name is Gustave," he said warmly. "What's yours?"
The teenager studied Gustave's outstretched hand, then examined his face carefully. Perhaps Gustave's sunny disposition and genuine warmth helped lower his guard, because after a moment's hesitation, he clasped the offered hand.
"Hello. I'm Chu Zihang."
The name hit Gustave like a lightning bolt. Chu Zihang—the stoic mixed-blood from Dragon Raja! Memories from his previous life flooded back: the mobile game he'd played sometimes when he still studying eastern culinary, the tragic backstory of the young man who'd lost his father to dragons, his legendary sword skills and his burden of being unable to get close to others due to his dangerous bloodline. This was the same Chu Zihang who wielded the deadly blade Murasame and carried the weight of his father's mysterious disappearance. His grip unconsciously tightened around Chu Zihang's hand.
"Ah!" Chu Zihang hissed in pain.
Months of training in the One Piece world had transformed Gustave's physique considerably. What had been meant as an unconscious reaction nearly crushed the teenager's fingers.
"Sorry! I was distracted," Gustave quickly apologized, releasing his grip. "Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine," Chu Zihang replied stoically, though he flexed his fingers to restore circulation.
"Tom could take a look at your hand if you'd like," Gustave offered with genuine concern. "I'm afraid I don't know my own strength sometimes."
"It's nothing serious," Chu Zihang insisted with deliberate emphasis. "My body is quite good."
Of course it is, Gustave thought. Mixed-bloods were renowned for their enhanced physical capabilities.
"Tom?" Chu Zihang's attention shifted to the cat, who had been watching their exchange with typical feline curiosity. "As in, the Tom I'm thinking of?"
"Yes, exactly the Tom you're thinking of," Gustave confirmed with a nod.
What kind of world have I stumbled into? Chu Zihang wondered silently.
Tom, hearing his name mentioned repeatedly, padded over with characteristic animation. He tugged at Chu Zihang's sleeve, then pointed to himself and began an elaborate pantomime routine—gesturing wildly with exaggerated expressions.
Fortunately, Chu Zihang had watched enough Tom and Jerry cartoons to understand the universal language of slapstick. Despite Tom's silence, the meaning came through clearly.
"Yes, I know who you are, Tom," Chu Zihang nodded. "And I know about your complicated relationship with a certain mouse named Jerry."
At the mention of Jerry's name, Tom froze mid-gesture. The name seemed familiar, yet distant. Suddenly, a small white cloud materialized above his head, playing out memories like a cartoon thought bubble—scenes of endless chases, elaborate traps, and countless defeats at the hands of his diminutive nemesis.
The recollections were predominantly of Tom on the losing end of their eternal conflict. He shuddered dramatically, and the cloud above his head exploded with a comical POP!
Chu Zihang's composure finally cracked at witnessing actual cartoon physics in action. While his expression remained carefully neutral, his mind reeled at the impossibility of what he'd just seen.
"By the way," Gustave said, pulling himself back to more practical matters, "how exactly did you arrive here? The Gate mentioned random selection, but not the specific mechanism."
"Me?" Chu Zihang paused to organize his thoughts. "I was preparing to leave my dorm when a door suddenly appeared in my mind's eye. A voice explained that it was an entrance to... a mysterious place."
He seemed almost embarrassed by his next words. "Out of curiosity, I decided to open it. And here I am."
Gustave shook his head in amazement. That's rather impulsive, even for someone like Chu Zihang. Most people would be terrified by such an experience, not curious.
In truth, Chu Zihang's decision made perfect sense given his circumstances. He'd been desperately searching for any trace of Cassel College when the Gate had appeared in his consciousness. Faced with mysterious supernatural phenomena, he'd approached it with the mindset of someone who had nothing left to lose.
"So," Chu Zihang asked, finally voicing his hope, "is this connected to Cassel College somehow?"
"I'm sorry, but this isn't Cassel College," Gustave replied gently. "This is the Bamboo Staff—a restaurant that sails the seas."
The disappointment in Chu Zihang's eyes was subtle but unmistakable. "I see. Thank you for clarifying."
"Don't look so discouraged," Gustave said, throwing a friendly arm around the teenager's shoulders. "I promise this place is far more exciting than you might imagine!"
Chu Zihang immediately stiffened at the physical contact, carefully but firmly extracting himself from Gustave's embrace. His condition made close contact with others... complicated.
"Then perhaps you could show me this world?" he asked, maintaining his polite but distant demeanor.
"Don't be so formal with us," Gustave grinned, deliberately maintaining a casual, friendly attitude despite Chu Zihang's obvious discomfort with physical contact. "Come on, let me show you something spectacular."
He led Chu Zihang toward the second floor, where Shipwright Tom's masterful craftsmanship had installed massive panoramic windows. The reinforced glass could withstand cannon fire while providing crystal-clear views of the endless ocean.
Gustave understood Chu Zihang's reserved nature perfectly—which was exactly why he was determined to gradually break through those carefully constructed walls. Sometimes, people who'd been alone too long needed someone persistent enough to remind them what friendship could feel like.