Noyer removed the fish scales, innards, and bones with clean, efficient movements that were oddly comforting to watch.
His knife work was swift — rows of scallions and garlic quickly fell into the pot. He lit the fire, brought the sauce to a boil, added sake, then placed the sliced fish into it.
As Noyer worked through this sequence, the initially furious cooks gradually relaxed. The further along he got, the more shocked they became.
His knife skills, cooking techniques, and attention to detail revealed the level of an experienced chef who had spent years in the kitchen.
As the aroma spread throughout the kitchen, those in the back sniffed the air with fascinated expressions. The dish wasn't even finished, yet from the fragrance alone they could tell this person's culinary skills far surpassed their own.
Sanji smelled the aroma with a startled expression, while Zeff's weathered face broke into a smile. A swordsman who carries a blade, yet can cook such excellent food — truly impressive.
For Zeff and Sanji, a chef's hands were precious tools that must never be harmed or tainted by battle. Yet Noyer's culinary skills were this exceptional — they couldn't help but marvel.
Sanji's expression shifted from indifference to solemnity.
When the dish was ready, Noyer scooped it out. He gently picked up a piece with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth.
His mood instantly became blissful — this was exactly the taste!
The fish was tender and fresh, with a smooth texture that melted in his mouth. It tasted rich but not greasy, completely different from what he'd eaten before.
Sanji stepped forward hesitantly, "May I try some?"
Noyer, who was wolfing down his food, was now quite generous. He pushed the plate over, "Eat! Don't hold back on my account."
"Pardon me." Sanji bent down, took out a spoon, and gently scooped up some fish soup to taste.
The dish Noyer made was different from this world's cuisine. He used Chinese cooking methods from his previous life, whereas the pirate world mostly featured Japanese and Western cuisine.
When Sanji first saw the dish, he was puzzled.
But his confusion was quickly swept away by the taste. The cooking method was slightly different from their restaurant's, but why was the taste so vastly different?
After just one taste, Sanji put down the utensils and sighed, "Our guest is truly impressive."
His expression was complex. He had thought his culinary skills had reached perfection after studying cooking since childhood and receiving meticulous training from master chef Zeff.
But today, Noyer's arrival had given him a resounding slap in the face.
At seventeen, Sanji was at an age where he thought himself invincible. But after this incident, his pride was humbled.
Zeff felt deeply gratified. This boy was nominally his apprentice, but in reality, he had long treated him as a son. His culinary talent was exceptional — he might surpass Zeff in just a few years. Today's blow could help him settle down, which was a good thing.
Noyer finished his meal contentedly, let out a satisfied burp, and said, "Thanks for the meal!"
The cooks lowered their heads shamefully. Zeff stepped forward, "No, we're the ones who didn't take proper care of our guest. We apologize."
Noyer casually waved it off when suddenly a shout came from the kitchen door.
"Mr. Noyer, someone's targeting our ship!"
It was Skull's voice. Noyer's expression turned serious as he rushed out.
Sanji and Zeff exchanged glances and followed.
◇◆◈◆◇
Noyer ran outside the restaurant and gazed at the distant sea. A ship flying a pirate flag was heading straight for his vessel. Numerous pirates were using the ships' proximity to jump onto his boat.
Noyer flew into a rage! All his money was on that ship!
He was about to rush over when a hand pressed down on him — it was Ace, whose mouth was stuffed full of food.
He swallowed and said, "Don't worry, Mihar's on the ship!"
Mihar? Noyer was taken aback. That tsundere sniper?
Just as Ace said, the pirates who rushed onto the ship were struck in the forehead by lead bullets the instant they set foot on deck!
No aiming seemed necessary. The bullets found their marks with deadly precision. The pirates couldn't locate the source and mysteriously collapsed in droves!
Noyer gasped. That guy who hardly ever spoke — his marksmanship was this good?
Ace said proudly, "Mihar possesses sniping skills that make it impossible to determine his location. No matter how far away or well-hidden the enemy is, he can hit them."
This kind of sniping ability probably involved Observation Haki, right?
Noyer was secretly alarmed. Anyone who could become Ace's crew member was no ordinary person.
Ace flexed his arms and said fiercely, "Leave it to me — I'll sink their ship!"
Noyer reached out to stop him. Under Ace's confused gaze, he smiled faintly, "Let me handle it. I want to test out my new ability."
Ace tilted his head. New ability?
Noyer leaped into the air. Suddenly, blazing orange-red flames burst forth from his body!
Ace's eyelid twitched violently — isn't that my Devil Fruit ability?
Noyer mimicked Ace's movements. Massive flames gushed out, dyeing half the azure sky red. The flames flowed like a tide, converging toward his arm. They compressed, making his arm glow red-hot and golden. He swung his fist fiercely at the pirate ship, imitating a certain someone's tone and roaring,
◆ Hiken ⥤ Fire Fist ◆
Ace: Huh???
The knockoff Fire Fist was equally formidable. The explosive orange fist-shaped flame blasted toward the pirate ship.
A massive explosion rang out. The pirate ship instantly shattered into pieces. The pirates aboard were either dead or maimed, and the ship's fragments still burned with blazing fire.
One Fire Fist to destroy one ship. Yep, very impressive.
Noyer retracted his fist with satisfaction, completely ignoring Ace's resentful yet puzzled expression.
Ace couldn't contain his curiosity, "Noyer! Why can you use my ability?"
Noyer replied honestly, "I copied you."
Ace was stunned. Copy Devil Fruit abilities?
He quickly caught on and said in shock, "You can copy fruit abilities — what kind of power is this? Did you also eat a Devil Fruit? A Copy Fruit? Amazing, what an incredible fruit."
{T/N: Mosha Mosha no Mi…}
Faced with his speculation, Noyer was quite bewildered.
Noyer (with sweat drop): "Huh? Oh… um… yeah, you're right."
While the two young men goofed around, they didn't notice the uncontrollable fear and shock on Zeff and Sanji's faces behind them!
Even Zeff, who had entered the Grand Line, trembled as he said, "Is this guy a monster?"
Sanji watched a large ship get instantly destroyed right before his eyes, and dread arose in his heart.
Just who is this guy?
The wreckage of the pirate ship burned wildly as Noyer and Ace stood at the entrance of the Baratie restaurant.
The cooks inside were startled by the commotion from the Fire Fist and came running out. Several tough-looking cooks brandished rolling pins and sticks, surging out aggressively as if ready for a brawl.
The Baratie was built on the sea, and countless pirates coveted their restaurant each month — these cooks had fought their share of battles.
But as soon as they came out, they were dumbfounded.
Sanji and Zeff stood trembling in the corner, while Ace and Noyer enthusiastically exchanged something incomprehensible like "Was I awesome?" "You were super awesome!".
More importantly, in the distance, a thick column of smoke rose into the sky, and large amounts of ship debris floated on the water.
The fight was already over?
Shouldn't pirates these days first laugh a couple times like idiots to show respect, make a threatening remark as a formality, then toss out a few tough words before drawing their swords to fight?
You're not following protocol!
Ace patted his belly with satisfaction and said to Noyer, "I'm full. Time to head out, right?"
Noyer nodded and bid farewell to Zeff and the others, "Thank you, head chef. We're leaving now."
Sanji snapped out of his shock and hurriedly asked, "Leaving? Are you pirates?"
Ace smiled proudly, "Of course! We're…"
"They're pirates." Noyer interrupted him, "I'm a bounty hunter who catches pirates."
The expressions on the cooks' faces suddenly became very strange.
A bounty hunter and pirates sailing together? What kind of arrangement was this?
Ace didn't mind his words. He cheerfully bowed to thank the cooks, while Noyer tossed over the entire bag of Belly as payment for the meal.
Noyer said meaningfully to Sanji, "My name is Noyer, and he's Ace. We might see each other again in the future."
They jumped onto their ship, raised the anchor, hoisted the sails, and set off, leaving behind a group of bewildered cooks.
These people were definitely the most peculiar customers they had ever served. They could eat like a herd of animals, yet one had surprisingly exceptional culinary skills. And their fighting prowess was ridiculously fierce.
Sanji held the bag of Belly, watching the departing ship with a complex expression, "Are they going to the Grand Line too?" he murmured.
Zeff stroked his mustache, "With that kind of strength, they'd probably be rare even in the Grand Line, wouldn't they?"
Hearing this, Sanji clenched his fists, secretly strengthening his resolve!
He must work hard to become stronger! His and the old geezer's lifelong dream — the miracle sea All Blue — might just be somewhere in the Grand Line!
◇◆◈◆◇
Noyer returned to the ship and picked up the sea chart to ponder their next route.
Having eaten his fill, Ace regained his energy. He pointed excitedly at the sea ahead and shouted, "Set sail! To the Grand Line!"
Looking at the enthusiastic young man, Noyer couldn't help but dampen his spirits, "Before entering the Grand Line, we need to stop at Loguetown first."
Loguetown?
Hearing the city's name, Ace's smile slowly disappeared.
The mention of Loguetown made him think of that name he had hated since childhood — Gol D. Roger, his biological father. It was the place where the Pirate King Roger was born and where he died, known as the "Town of the Beginning and the End".
Ace looked somewhat dejected, "Why do we have to go there?"
Noyer understood his feelings and explained, "We need to get you a new ship. You don't expect me to keep following you around forever, do you?"
Ace pouted and muttered quietly, "That wouldn't be so bad…"
Noyer shot him a look, then said, "Actually, there's something more important. We need to buy a Log Pose."
"A pose?" Ace asked, confused, "A navigation compass? Don't we already have one?"
Noyer shook his head. Before he could explain, Mihar, who had been silent beside them, suddenly spoke up.
"I've heard about this. The Grand Line has extremely complex and unpredictable weather — even direction is hard to discern. Ordinary compasses are useless. Only special Log Poses can find the way."
Mihar said all this in one breath. Noyer looked at him with some surprise.
That was correct. In the original story, Luffy's crew rushed into the Grand Line without even a Log Pose — Noyer didn't want to be like them.
He stretched comfortably, "As the gateway from the East Blue into the Grand Line, Loguetown should have both ships and Log Poses."
Since it concerned their Grand Line adventure, Ace had nothing more to say and could only agree.
◇◆◈◆◇
Loguetown.
People walked through the streets with smiles on their faces. Vendors called out their wares while citizens haggled, giving the place a lively, everyday atmosphere. Occasionally, in shadowy places, figures with their faces completely covered moved about cautiously.
Marine patrols regularly passed by in orderly formations. Every so often, Marines could be seen rooting out the rats hiding in the darkness — pirates who had snuck onto the island.
The residents lived in peace and harmony, while pirates kept their tails between their legs under Marine surveillance, liable to be recognized and thrown into prison at the slightest misstep.
Compared to other island towns in the East Blue, Loguetown's public order was much better. The townspeople knew this was thanks to the Marine Captain stationed at the Loguetown branch a few years ago.
Smoker, known as "Smoker the White Hunter".
He stood guard at this gateway like a guillotine, drastically reducing the flow of pirates dreaming of entering the Grand Line.
Inside the Marine base, the door to a smoke-filled office opened. A Marine soldier saluted and looked at his superior with admiration, "Captain Smoker, the new batch of bounty posters for East Blue pirates has been issued."
Smoker had two cigars in his mouth, his brows lowered.
"Got it." He said in a steady voice.
He casually flipped through several wanted posters as the soldier continued.
"The East Blue branch mentioned that a pirate named Ace has been undefeated since setting sail, but since his crew only has four people, no bounty has been set yet."
Smoker raised an eyebrow, "Ace? A pirate crew of four people — nothing special."
The soldier hesitated, "But… that person called the strongest bounty hunter in the East Blue, Noyer, apparently got on his ship too…"
Smoker let out a dismissive chuckle, "Bounty hunter? Nothing but a pack of hounds risking their lives for reward money. The so-called strongest in the East Blue? Hah! As long as I'm here in Loguetown, no pirate will leave safely!"
◈◈◈
T/N: Comment, give me Power Stones, like and favorite, it all supports me and makes me go foward with this. Appreciate my other stories as well, I guarantee the good work!
If you want more chapters of this novel or enjoy a large catalog of good novels with excellent translations: MrBlackWing (you know where to search)
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)