Chapter 19: Huh, Red Nose
Chapter 19: Huh, Red Nose
"Better go check it out—it’s a classic scene."
Kuro grabbed his saber, straightened his coat, and strode out with a cigar dangling from his lips.
"Kuro! Let’s grab some food!"
Just as he stepped outside, Lida bounded up, her eyes sparkling.
"Ugh, fine! Pest."
Kuro ruffled her white hair roughly, shooting her a sideways glance. "Where’s Klah?"
Lida stuck her tongue out at him, smoothing her hair with exaggerated pride. "Dunno who upset him again, but he vanished saying he needed to ‘cool off’ after finishing the snacks. If you’re not coming, I’ll just eat alone—my treat!"
"You know damn well who’s paying for that ‘treat’!"
Kuro rolled his eyes.
She’d recently nabbed two low-level pirates with bounties, and Smoker had handed over the rewards. Add in the bounty from Captain Krieg and Ajax—Headquarters had skimmed 30% but still left Kuro and his crew with a cool 10 million Beri. Almost all of it had trickled down to Lida.
Now flush with cash, she’d been indulging daily in Loguetown’s restaurants, leaving owners grinning from ear to ear.
"Try not to blow it all at once. Go stuff your face by yourself."
Kuro mussed her hair again and vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Kuro! One day, I’ll drain you dry!!!"
Her furious scream echoed behind him.
...
"Miss Linda, welcome! Please, take your seat!"
At a bustling restaurant, the owner practically bowed Lida to a prime table. Moments later, dishes overflowed the surface.
"Who’s that?"
"That girl? A noble?"
"Nope. She’s part of the Navy. They call her ‘Lida’ in the ranks. Legend says she’s a food demon—chefs line up to feed her to prove their skills, but no one’s ever filled her plate alone."
"Such a tiny frame… how does she do it?"
Patrons whispered as Lida devoured her feast.
"Whoa, meat! Meat!"
Two figures burst in. The one with a straw hat shielded his eyes like a monkey, then gaped drooling at Lida’s table.
"Dude, why’s everyone drooling at that table?!"
Luffy pointed dramatically, his eyes starry.
"Coming right up!" the owner chirped.
Luffy and Zoro sat nearby. Zoro smacked Luffy’s head. "Stop drooling, idiot!"
"Can you blame me? It smells awesome."
Lida’s appetite had ignited Luffy’s—his stomach growled louder as she carved through her meal.
"Whoa, this is good!" Luffy dove in, matching Lida’s pace bite for bite.
"Huh?" Lida paused, stunned. No one ever matched her!
She sped up. Luffy’s eyes narrowed—he’d picked up on her challenge.
The restaurant fell silent except for clattering cutlery and plates stacking.
"Another table!"
They shouted in unison.
"Two!" Lida declared.
"Three!" Luffy roared.
"Four!"
"Five!"
"Ten!"
"Twenty!"
Luffy slammed the table, howling.
Lida and Luffy locked eyes—recognition flashed. Both grinned. Food war!
"Twenty tables! Serve it!" Lida huffed.
The owner practically danced with joy.
"Are you nuts? We’re leaving soon! You’ve got money for this?!" Zoro groaned, massaging his temples.
"Money?" Luffy tilted his head, "You broke?"
"Of course I’m broke!" Zoro’s vein throbbed.
"Fair point!" Luffy laughed, turning to Lida. "Guess we’re calling it quits—no cash!"
Lida’s eye twitched. "No money and you’re laughing?!"
She’d been ready for an epic food duel!
"Will the owner take pity on me?" Luffy grinned at Zoro.
"Stop ignoring me!!!" Lida screeched.
Nearby, two hooded figures ate quietly. One drummed his fingers angrily.
"That damn Luffy! Moneybag!" He punched the table, sending his coin purse flying onto Luffy’s head.
"Gift?" Luffy cheerfully pocketed it, handing a gold piece to the owner.
"Thanks for the meal!" Zoro clapped the man’s shoulder as they left.
"Wait—"
The hooded figure froze.
"Ah, Luffy again?" The other chewed calmly.
"Mucki?! You idiot, chase him!!"
He tore off his cloak, revealing a massive red nose. "Luffy! I won’t let you ruin my day!!"
Captain Buggy, leader of the Buggy Pirates, roared.
"Who called me Red Nose?!"
Mucki paled—Captain’s biggest taboo!
Buggy turned—and froze. He pointed at Lida, voice trembling. "Y-You! Here?!"
"Red Nose", Lida swallowed a bite. "Fancy meeting you in Loguetown. Headed to the Grand Line?"
"Captain! It’s the demon!" Mucki yelped.
"Shut up, I know!"
Buggy’s only defeat in the East Blue was this girl—White Phantom. He’d chased White Phantom’s Treasure, only to crash on an island where she’d crushed his crew, looted their loot, and nearly handed them to the Navy.
He gritted his teeth. "White Phantom… why now?!"
"Captain, what do we do?"
Buggy yelped suddenly, pointing behind her. "Look! A dragon!"
Lida turned—nothing there.
She spun back, but Buggy and Mucki were gone.
Fork in hand, she grinned darkly. "Tricking me, Red Nose? You’re dead meat."
(End of Chapter)
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