Facing the three towering figures who had shown up in his restaurant—each now set to judge his daughter—Flare's father looked like he was on the verge of tears. Forcing a smile, he quickly tried to smooth things over.
"Uh... This really isn't necessary, is it? The whole cooking contest thing was just Flare joking around… Right, Flare?"
He tugged at her sleeve in panic, hoping she'd take the hint and drop the idea immediately.
With Yemu, the captain of the Sky Pirates; Vice Admiral Kuzan; and the Marine traitor Dragon all showing up in his little restaurant, this wasn't a friendly food competition anymore—it was a disaster waiting to happen.
Any one of these men was far more than his humble shop could handle. If word of this spread, his peaceful days would be over.
Sure, he was a businessman and welcomed more customers. But that didn't mean he welcomed trouble.
Flare, on the other hand, didn't seem particularly afraid. Instead, she tilted her head and asked curiously.
"Old man, who's that guy?"
"Shut it... This is all your fault, you little brat..."
Despite scolding her, Flare's father leaned in and explained in a hushed voice.
"His name is Dragon. Because of his... unique status, there's no bounty on his head. But just know this—he's every bit as dangerous as the captain of the Sky Pirates..."
Flare's face went pale as realization hit.
The reason she had suggested the cooking competition in the first place was because it felt like a rare opportunity. She'd always believed she had surpassed both her father and mother in cooking. She'd been the head chef at the restaurant for years. But her father never acknowledged her skills—always saying she didn't understand the spirit of their craft, never giving her a real chance.
But this time was different.
If she could get a Great Pirate like Yemu to judge, her father would have no choice but to acknowledge her—whether he liked it or not.
Still, things had spiraled far beyond what she had expected.
First a Vice Admiral showed up. Now another fearsome figure had entered the scene.
Flare wanted to prove herself, yes—but she wasn't reckless. By all logic, she should back down and agree with her father.
But she couldn't help thinking...
Yemu had been left waiting since he arrived. Not only that, she'd crashed into him twice—and almost slapped him once.
And she had launched this whole cooking contest idea on her own, yet he had agreed to it. If she backed out now...
Repeated rudeness like that would test any customer's patience—let alone someone with a bounty like Yemu's.
Even if the Marines were present, it was clear these three weren't exactly allies. If things really turned violent... would she and her father make it out alive?
After all, pirates were infamously unpredictable and dangerous.
Just as Flare's mind was spinning in confusion, unsure of what to do, Yemu, seated between the two men, seemed to read her thoughts.
"What's wrong? Starting to waver?"
Flare's expression turned stiff.
"Don't worry. If you're worried about these two, there's no need. They're not here for you anyway. Hahaha. Isn't that right?"
Kuzan replied lazily.
"Ara ara... I'm just here to keep an eye on you—and maybe get something to eat."
Dragon added with a deep voice.
"I just wanted to meet the captain of the Sky Pirates who's been making so much noise lately."
After the two of them finished, Yemu looked at Flare and smiled.
"As for me, you've got nothing to worry about. Honestly, I kind of admired your confidence and pride earlier."
Hearing that, Flare looked at the three overwhelming presences before her and finally felt the tension leave her body.
A Great Pirate like Yemu didn't have any reason to lie to her.
If that was the case, there was no way she'd let this opportunity slip by.
Under her father's increasingly anxious gaze, Flare finally spoke her true feelings.
"I want to go through with it."
"I want to prove that my cooking has long surpassed yours and Mom's."
At that, her father could only groan, rubbing his temples in defeat.
"Alright, fine. But if that's how it's going to be, then I won't go easy on you. I'll show you just how far you still are from understanding what life's cooking is really about."
"Then according to our restaurant's tradition—for the next three hours, we each prepare eight dishes: an appetizer, soup, fish, meat, main course, salad, dessert, and drink. The winner will be decided by the overall performance."
"Bring it on, old man."
...
As the father and daughter headed into the kitchen to start preparing their dishes, the restaurant, now quiet, took on an increasingly strange atmosphere.
A pirate, a Marine, and the future leader of the Revolutionary Army—sitting together.
Though each wore a different expression, they were clearly sizing each other up.
In the end, it was Dragon who broke the silence.
"Before I came here, I had all sorts of guesses about what kind of person Captain Yemu might be. But I never expected you to be this interesting."
"Oh?"
Yemu raised an eyebrow, intrigued, and looked at Dragon.
"So, what kind of person did you think I was?"
"A lunatic," Dragon replied flatly. "Aside from a madman, I can't think of anyone else who'd make their very first target a Celestial Dragon—and actually kill him."
"And now?"
"Now? I think I was wrong. Captain Yemu's definitely not a madman. If anything, you might just be someone like me. Someone with similar ideals."
Yemu didn't answer—he just chuckled.
But for Dragon, that reaction was enough. He glanced over at Kuzan, who looked like he was napping with his eyes half-closed, and said:
"I wonder if you'll have some time after tomorrow, Captain Yemu. Maybe we can find a moment to talk in private."
At that, Kuzan finally opened one eye and couldn't help but speak.
"Oi oi... You two dangerous bastards, talking about a private meeting like this right in front of a Marine—isn't that a bit inappropriate?"
Yemu and Dragon completely ignored him.
"It's still too early," Yemu replied.
"Let's meet again when we've both carved out our places in the world. Until then, why don't you leave me your Den Den Mushi number? Who knows—we might end up working together."
"Oi oi... Aren't you two going a little too far?"
Completely brushed aside, Kuzan now eyed both of them with clear caution. Two dangerous men, getting chummy—that couldn't be good.
But Yemu didn't care in the slightest. In fact, he turned his attention to Kuzan and burst into laughter.
"Well then, Kuzan—I asked Kizaru this before, and now I want to ask you the same thing..."
"Any interest in joining my pirate crew? I could really use some reliable partners right about now."
...
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