About an hour later, breakfast began.
In a small place like Shimotsuki Village, the ingredients are naturally not very abundant. Zeff had already sent Zoro to buy everything available at the market, but the variety was only those few kinds.
However, after passing through Zeff's hands, it was as if magic had been cast, instantly turning the mundane into the extraordinary.
Dish after dish of food, with enticing colors and rich aroma, was placed on the table.
The little rascals in the dojo crowded around the long wooden table, their eyes already wide open even before they began eating.
The sound of chopsticks clinking against bowls mixed with exclamations of "Smells so good," "Wow, can't stand it," "Can't control my drool anymore," rising and falling.
And when Zeff announced it was time to dig in, the scene turned chaotic.
After all, they were all kids. Initially, they could recall the dining manners that Koushirou had taught, but these dishes were too delicious, instantly stimulating their instinct to protect food.
Everyone was scrambling for food, turning into hungry ghosts pouncing on feast.
Shano found himself unable to squeeze in due to the crowd and didn't have the heart to compete with this group of little rascals, so he went to the corner for a bowl of the least popular fish porridge.
As he took a sip, the milky rice porridge enveloped the semi-transparent fish slices sliding down his throat, with green onion and ginger perfectly balancing the salty fishy taste, the texture smooth and delightful, fresh enough to raise his eyebrows.
He picked some nearby side dishes, crisp and refreshing, the perfect complement to the porridge.
He couldn't help but squint his eyes in enjoyment.
Being able to make even ordinary porridge and side dishes taste so good, is this the skill of a professional chef?
Belle-Mere's culinary skills are actually quite good, but compared to Zeff, it's like heaven and earth.
Perhaps I should… Shano pensively glanced at Zeff.
Next to him.
Zoro was also wolfing down food as if he wanted to swallow the whole table.
The resentment from being ordered around doing chores had long disappeared; getting to eat such delicious food every day, he could wash and cut vegetables daily!
"Uncle!" He couldn't help but call out, "Stay here! I wouldn't know how to live if I couldn't taste your cooking!"
"Yeah, yeah!"
"Stay here, Chef Uncle!"
The other rascals in the dojo also chimed in.
These kids who know nothing of life's hardships, Koushirou could only shake his head helplessly; such top-level chefs are not something his small dojo can afford.
"Alright, stop shouting, no more unreasonable requests."
Koushirou had just begun to speak gently, suddenly turning his head in surprise, remembering Zeff had specifically asked him before cooking if they lacked a chef here.
"Exactly, that's what I meant."
Zeff said with a smile, "Mr. Koushirou, it seems the kids really like my cooking, so why not temporarily take me in? Of course, there's also this child."
He gently ruffled Sanji's little head nearby.
"You little rascal, you say you want to find All Blue, but you're still at a handyman level, not even a chef yet. How do you qualify to chase that dream blue sea?"
"Old geezer…"
Sanji pushed his hand away in disgust, then suddenly realized and looked up in surprise, "Eh? So does that mean you're willing to teach me culinary skills?"
"I can't say for sure yet," Zeff shrugged, "I'm very strict with formal apprentices. If you don't learn well, I can kick you out anytime."
"Don't underestimate me, old geezer!"
Koushirou coughed at this moment, saying, "Master Zeff, having someone of your caliber willing to settle at the dojo is truly an honor for me, you're definitely welcome, it's just…"
Just with today's consumption level, Isshin Dojo might be bankrupt in less than a month. If it were a year ago, there might still be quite a bit of saved grain, but it was all donated to Dragon on that night not long ago.
He felt embarrassed, truly unable to voice the preceding words.
But Zeff saw his awkwardness and laughed heartily:
"Don't worry, I have some savings, no need to worry, from now on I'll cover all the dojo's food expenses!"
"How can that be!"
Koushirou was shocked; this was the first time he heard of someone paying to work.
"Don't say anything more! It's decided then!"
Zeff laughed boisterously, not bothering with so much talk, giving Koushirou a firm pat on the shoulder, forcing him to swallow down the words that almost reached his throat.
Shano watched amusedly from the side.
The scene of these two getting together seemed quite interesting.
Koushirou, Zeff, if only they were joined by Law… Kaido, the teachers of the main three Straw Hat Pirates would be all in one place.
"By the way, Mr. Shano."
Zeff pulled Shano outside the door, bringing out a large bag of treasure from who knows where.
"Take these, changing it into money should be at least forty or fifty million Belly. I still have some left here, enough for regular food purchases."
Forty or fifty million Belly?
Shano glanced at the large bag of treasures.
On the deserted island, Zeff had used this bag to trick Sanji into thinking it was full of food.
And in the original timeline, Zeff later used this money to open Baladi Restaurant, right?
Remembering the 400 million Belly fortune he had stored in Log Town bank, he thought for a bit and shook his head.
"No need, Uncle Zeff, you keep them all, I really don't lack money, just consider me doing my part, letting the kids at the dojo eat well and enough for the coming years without worrying about nutrition."
"Especially those two."
Shano pointed at Kuina and Zoro, laughing:
"They might be my crew members in the future, Uncle, you can favor them a bit, hoping when they go to sea with me, they'll be strong as bulls… no, like me."
Zeff looked at Shano's impressively muscular physique and was instantly amused, laughing loudly.
"Alright! Don't worry, with me guarding the kitchen, I promise you two big and strong crew members when you go to sea!"
"Or perhaps, not just two?"
"Hmm?" Zeff was slightly taken aback.
Shano blinked, grinning, "I mean Uncle, continuing to be a chef is just your fallback option, right? Your biggest dream has always been to continue exploring the Grand Line, chasing the blue sea of your dreams?"
"Do you mean… you want me to join your crew then?"
Zeff hesitated a bit, seemingly tempted.
But lowering his gaze to his prosthetic limb, he ultimately sighed:
"Let it be, the future Grand Line belongs to you young people, with the little strength I have left, I'd better not hold you back."
He had been a captain after all.
Following to join the ship is actually no big deal, but if he ended up being the weakest on the ship, unable to help in battles—
His pride simply wouldn't allow it.
"Uncle, I understand your feelings, but if I could…" Shano tapped his chin, "If I could fully heal your leg?"
"..."
Zeff paused, then his eyes gleamed, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.
"Really? Is it possible? My whole leg is gone, what kind of medicine could achieve that…"
Shano shook his head: "It may not be medicine, but for now I can't do it, but in the future, I certainly can. How about this, Uncle Zeff, let's set a timeframe."
He held out four fingers, "Based on the day I go to sea, it'll be within four or five years, right? I'll come to Isshin Dojo then; if I can fully restore your leg, will you join us in setting sail together?"
He was quite confident in fulfilling this promise.
Considering the system trading market offers all kinds of things.
Even planetary engines could be seen, what's fixing a leg compared to that?
He was only thirteen years old now.
Going to sea need not wait until adulthood, but it should be until sixteen or seventeen.
With such a long time to spare, and the trading market refreshing monthly, unless truly cursed with bad luck, how could he not find a solution!
"Alright, let's go with what you said!"
Zeff finally decided, stretching out a pinky finger, grinning: "Shall we make a pinky promise?"
Shano: "?"
No.
Why is it that all you locals of East Sea, regardless of age, love making pinky promises?