21: Chapter 21 Mission: Challenge HawkeyeOn their journey to their next destination, the Straw Hat crew met Joseph and Johnny, whom Zoro had known from his days as a pirate hunter, through the cannon.Watching the Sword God and Sword Saint, who had just regained their energy, immediately put their arms around Usopp's shoulders and danced a nose dance, even inviting him to join in, Luffy covered his face, declaring he would rather die than participate in such an embarrassing dance.Through the Joseph incident, the group realized their immediate priority was finding a chef who understood nutrition.Luffy, whose past life's wisdom was instant noodles (which no longer existed in this world), and Zoro, who only knew how to chop and hack, whose best dish was sashimi, all contributed to this.While the others had some culinary skills, they lacked understanding of nutrition.On Joseph's recommendation, the group decided to first visit the Baratie, a sea restaurant, to find a suitable chef.Luffy's system then issued him a new mission: "Mission Initiated: Defeat Pirate Admiral Krieg, successfully protect the Baratie, Sanji joins the crew, Mission Success Reward: Wind God Leg"
Wind God Leg: A martial art from the fantasy martial arts comic "Wind and Cloud" featuring Nie Feng.It is an extremely fast and fierce leg technique, consisting of six forms, each with different effects."Side Quest Unlocked: Challenge one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk.Endure him for ten minutes.Successful completion rewards the host with the Injury Gate, one of the Eight Gates, and random elemental power."
Luffy stared speechlessly at the system panel.The first mission was quite easy; with his current strength, he could easily defeat Krieg.But this second side mission was practically sending him to his death!He was to withstand the world's greatest swordsman for ten minutes.Even with all his power-enhancing techniques and Uta's assistance, he might not last five minutes against Mihawk.Yet the system wanted him to last ten minutes!What kind of death was this?It was practically a death sentence!After several days of sailing on the vast ocean, Luffy and his crew finally spotted a unique building—the Baratie, a floating restaurant.The restaurant's shape resembled a giant fish head, giving it a comical appearance.As they approached, they saw a sign hanging at the entrance, with the three large characters "Baratie" painted in bright colors, standing out prominently in the sunlight.The restaurant was surrounded by railings adorned with colorful flags that fluttered in the wind, as if welcoming guests from afar.
After mooring the ship, Luffy and his crew went inside to order food.Just as they were choosing their preferred dishes, a man with round eyebrows appeared before the three women.He elegantly poured each of them a glass of red wine, then gave a gentlemanly bow, saying, "Beautiful ladies, I am Sanji, the head chef of this restaurant.What would you like me to make?"
Nami politely smiled and declined Sanji's offer.Uta snuggled closer to Luffy with a hint of disdain, giving Sanji a look that suggested he was a pervert.Kuina subtly moved closer to Zoro.Only then did Sanji notice the other men he had ignored, and said somewhat irritably, "What do you guys want?"
Zoro, who had been annoyed by this guy all along, finally spoke up and retorted, "You lecherous, bushy-browed devil, don't you know we're guests?Is this how you treat your guests?"
Sanji, seeing Zoro's moss-like hair, was also furious and rolled up his sleeves, ready to teach Zoro a lesson.Just as the two were about to fight, a calm figure came from above in the restaurant: "Sanji, how many times have I told you not to be rude to the guests?Hurry up and go to the kitchen to prepare the food for the guests."
Sanji angrily slashed himself, but still obediently turned and went back to the kitchen.The one who made the sound was an old man with only one left leg.The old man smiled apologetically at Luffy and the others: "Sorry, guests, I am Zeff, the owner of this restaurant.My stupid apprentice has caused you a lot of trouble." Luffy and the others didn't take it to heart, but Zoro scoffed in annoyance.For some reason, whenever he saw Sanji, he always had the urge to chop him up.Sanji, in the kitchen, had the same thought.
"One day I will definitely cut/kick him twice."
Soon, Luffy and his crew's meal was served.Sanji, wanting to please the beautiful women, took it upon himself to waive the bill for the three women, while Luffy and his crew, being men, didn't receive the same treatment.Just as Luffy and his friends were complaining about Sanji's favoritism, a weak man with dark circles under his eyes walked in, immediately demanding the chef bring him food."Esteemed guest, I can serve you food, but do you have any money?"
Upon seeing the newcomer, Luffy couldn't help but think of the "everything is Gin" meme.Meanwhile, Gin impatiently pulled out a gun and pointed it at the fat chef who was questioning him.The chef's smile remained unchanged as he continued to ask Gin if he had any money.Gin, however, revealed a fierce expression, seemingly intending to force the chef to serve him food.The chef's face instantly turned cold, and he punched the weakened Gin to the ground, dragging him away.This scene was witnessed by Sanji, who was coming out of the kitchen.He said nothing, simply returning to the kitchen to prepare something.A short while later, Sanji returned with a plate of fried rice and water, saying, "Eat up, you must be starving."
Sanji leaned against the railing, lit a cigarette, and said, "Gin glanced at it, swallowed hard, and stubbornly insisted that he wouldn't eat the food offered as charity." Sanji calmly said that he knew what it felt like to be hungry.Under the temptation of food and words, Gin picked up the fried rice and wolfed it down, saying as he ate that he would never forget the kindness of today's meal.
Sanji expressionlessly tossed the plate into the sea, as if to declare his indifference to the ocean.The plate floated in the air.It drew an arc in the middle and then disappeared into the waves.
As Gin sailed away in his small boat, Sanji watched him go in silence, a complex emotion in his eyes.Then, he lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and smoke swirled around his head.Just then, Luffy arrived, breaking the tranquility.
"Sanji, you're here.I need to talk to you about something."
As Luffy spoke, he casually picked up the cigarette case Sanji had placed aside, took one out, lit it, and took a deep drag.He hadn't smoked a single cigarette since arriving in this world; in his previous life, he'd been a heavy smoker."Your cooking is delicious.My pirate crew doesn't have a chef, so how about joining me?"