Chapter 10: Baratie and Sanji
At this moment, the brawl in Baratie was at its most intense.
The chef crew had gained a certain advantage, but they couldn't completely suppress their opponents for a while.
The most eye-catching among them was a young man in a black suit, with a cigarette dangling from his mouth, and blond, curly eyebrows.
Vinsmoke Sanji!
Kaya watched, dumbfounded.
In her more than ten years of life, she had never witnessed such a wild scene.
"Consider yourself lucky!"
Apollo pouted unhappily, pulling Kaya to sit at one of the few tables that remained intact.
The scene was too chaotic; it was impossible to tell who threw that chair.
Kaya's small face was tense: "Teacher, it's... it's too dangerous here. We should leave."
"Hmph, don't worry, Kaya! If they dare to harm a single hair on you today, I'll tear Baratie apart!"
Sanji, in the middle of a fight, actually noticed the commotion over here and shouted unhappily: "Hey! You, I can't pretend I didn't hear that!"
"I said it for you to hear, Curly Brows!"
Apollo raised an eyebrow and retorted.
Curly Brows... Sanji's face instantly darkened, and he roared: "You, just you wait! I'll never let you off!"
"Then hurry up, I'm still waiting to eat!"
Apollo leaned back in his chair, saying with a chuckle.
He had seen it many times in the manga, but he never thought he'd personally be able to provoke Sanji into a rage. This novel feeling put him in a great mood.
Just then, a pirate was sent flying, coincidentally heading straight for Apollo.
He didn't even blink, kicking out a foot.
Thud.
The pirate flew back even faster, crashing into the crowd, directly knocking down a large group of people—mostly pirates, but also a few chefs, including Sanji.
"I'm going to kill him!"
Sanji roared as he got up, then paused slightly after seeing the situation clearly, rejoining the fray.
About ten minutes later, the pirates were finally completely subdued.
Immediately after, the waiters and chefs began to clean up.
Sanji, meanwhile, stomped towards Apollo.
"Who exactly are you..."
As the question left his mouth, he suddenly saw Kaya, and his eyes instantly turned into heart shapes: "Ah, hello, beautiful lady. My name is Sanji, and I am the sous chef of this restaurant. May I have the honor of knowing your name?"
Clang, clang.
Apollo tapped the table, looking at him with a half-smile: "You'd better stay away from Kaya, understand?"
Sanji looked at Apollo, then at Kaya, who was covering her mouth and chuckling.
His gaze shifted back and forth between the two of them a few times, and his previously straight back suddenly became hunched, his demeanor turning gray, looking utterly devastated: "So the fair flower already has an owner, and it's this kind of scoundrel. Damn it! I'm so envious!"
The fair flower has an owner... Hearing this phrase, Kaya's delicate face turned rosy, even her crystal-clear earlobes were tinged with a blush, making one want to pounce and give them a peck.
"Good, you're sensible." Apollo nodded in satisfaction.
Although Sanji was an incorrigible pervert, he wasn't vulgar.
"Order food."
He snapped his fingers.
Sanji handed over the menu, looking at him with a deeply resentful expression.
Apollo ignored him, and after discussing with Kaya, they quickly chose their dishes and handed the menu back to Sanji.
"That's all. Go prepare it quickly."
"This guy!"
Sanji glared unhappily at Apollo, but didn't say anything.
After he left, he didn't go to the kitchen immediately, but instead went straight to the top floor of Baratie, which was Zeff's residence.
"What's wrong, you brat?"
Zeff was resting on his bed, looking at Sanji strangely.
Normally, this kid would never come here. What's gotten into him today?
Sanji lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled: "Old man, a very formidable guy has come to the restaurant!"
He recalled the feeling of being targeted by Apollo, a terrifying threat like a mountain pressing down.
He considered himself not easily scared, but at that moment, his body almost lost control, completely unable to move, and his legs, capable of kicking through steel, were unconsciously trembling.
"Very formidable?"
Zeff frowned. He knew Sanji's strength all too well. To be described as 'very formidable' by him... "Could it be a monster from the Grand Line?"
Sanji turned to leave: "However, I don't think he has any ill intentions. I just came here to warn you not to let anyone else provoke him, or your restaurant will be gone, you smelly old man!"
"This brat!"
Zeff looked at Sanji's retreating figure, his gaze subtly shifting, lost in thought.
Apollo didn't have to wait too long; the dishes they ordered arrived quickly, and they were personally delivered by Sanji.
"I remember, we didn't order any drinks."
Apollo looked at the opened red wine in Sanji's hand and asked, puzzled.
"This is complimentary, thank you for your help earlier."
Sanji said, putting down the glasses and pouring wine for both of them.
Apollo's kick had helped them a lot; it was the turning point that completely shifted the situation in their favor.
Otherwise, at least a few more people would have been injured.
"Alright, then I'll accept it."
Apollo picked up the wine glass, swirled it, and drank it all in one gulp: "It's sour and bitter, not very good."
"That's not how you drink it!" Sanji's forehead twitched with a bulging vein.
Kaya giggled.
After half a year of acquaintance, she already knew that her teacher was talented and incredibly knowledgeable, but he was also free-spirited, unconventional, and often had unexpected words and actions.
Apollo raised an eyebrow: "Do you want to sit down and eat with us?"
Sanji was startled, then shook his head: "No, no need, I still have things to do."
"Then what are you still standing here for!" Apollo said irritably: "Hurry up and go, you're an eyesore!"
Sanji left with a darkened face, his teeth grinding: "This scoundrel, why is he so strong!"
Watching his retreating figure, Kaya asked curiously: "Teacher, do you know him?"
Talking so much to a stranger wasn't like her teacher's usual style.
Apollo smiled: "Sort of. He's a rather interesting fellow."
Seeing that he didn't want to say more, Kaya didn't press the matter.
Her teacher had always been mysterious, and she had no intention of prying.
The two began to savor the food.
It must be said, the Baratie certainly lived up to its reputation as the best restaurant in the East Blue.
The dishes were primarily seafood, and not only was each dish incredibly delicious, but they were also distinctly different from each other yet completely harmonious, preventing any sense of palate fatigue.
"The taste is indeed very good, Teacher."
Kaya drank a glass of wine, her cheeks flushed, and her tone became sweetly naive.
"Then we'll come often."
Apollo wiped his mouth and stood up. Kaya walked over and linked her arm through his.
As they reached the door, the sea breeze invigorated them both.
Apollo looked at Sanji behind them: "Curly Brows, we're leaving!"
"Hurry up and leave! And never come back!" Sanji gnashed his teeth.
"Hahaha, that won't do!"
Apollo laughed heartily as he and Kaya boarded the small boat.
"Strange fellow!"
After watching their retreating figures for a while, Sanji tossed his burnt-out cigarette butt and turned back into the restaurant.