Chapter 519: The Chef and the Pirate, Each with Their Own Fruits of Labor
Chapter 519: The Chef and the Pirate, Each with Their Own Fruits of Labor
For a feast of this caliber, it would be a shame to start with a martial arts tournament right away, at least that's what Renetia thought. She wanted to take a stroll, after all, once the fleet arrived, the lively atmosphere would undoubtedly change.
Marika also wanted to experience the culinary delights of the feast, so she brought them here early.
As for the fleet, it was estimated that it would take another two to three hours to reach Delta Island.
"Sage."
Lily frowned, "After the selection, we'll head straight to Wano Country. Shouldn't we refine the plan a bit more?"
"Plan?"
Sage shrugged, "The plan is perfect—selecting subordinates, storming Wano, and taking down Kaido. What more is there to refine?"
Lily's silence spoke volumes.
"Alright, Lily."
Sage patted her shoulder, "Preparation is never-ending, so take this time to rest. Otherwise, you'll be exhausted later. Take a break!"
"Sage!"
In the distance, Renetia waved with a cotton candy in hand, "I see Baratie! The Baratie from the East Blue!"
Not far from her, in the nearby docking area, was a restaurant ship bearing the distinctive mark of the sausage-mustache blonde. The flag above also displayed the Baratie's emblem.
"Baratie?"
Sage was taken aback and headed in that direction, "That's indeed rare. I haven't had the chance to taste their cuisine yet. Let's give it a try. Lily, let's go eat."
Lily sighed softly and followed Sage, "The Baratie from the East Blue? I didn't think they'd make it to the New World. I assumed the East Blue and South Blue were unreachable."
"They're legitimate businessmen. It's not impossible to apply for permission, and as an old pirate, they must have the connections." Sage chuckled.
"Old pirate?"
"Of course. The captain of Baratie, Jep, has a bounty of 60 million Beli. Converting that to the current era, it should be worth over 200 million now."
Sage looked at the Baratie ship, "It was once my target too."
Before becoming a pirate, he was a bounty hunter, collecting bounty posters not only of those active in the East Blue but also of the old-timers.
Jep was once on his list, but he had retired and been running a restaurant at sea for so long. Considering the Navy might not recognize him, he ultimately chose Arlong instead.
And then... he became a pirate.
As the two of them left, the people around them gaped in astonishment. One of them trembled as he took out a stack of bounty posters from his pocket, and on top was Sage's face, brimming with arrogance.
"It's, it's really true! Four, Four Emperors! Norton Sage of 'Cataclysm'!"
The commotion behind them failed to catch their attention. Sage didn't bother hiding here; he was always so conspicuous. A small disturbance like this was useless with so many people around; it was impossible to identify him at first glance in such a crowd.
Even the Four Emperors ruling the seas were no exception. After all, Sage wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary; he was just playing like a tourist.
As for being truly discovered... even if he was, could he let these pirates escape?
Sage didn't bring them inside Baratie. This ship was open to the shore, doing business along the coast. There were some chairs around, and by the time he got there, Marika had already found a seat.
"Here, Sage."
Marika waved at him with a smile.
"It's really Baratie!"
Renetia's eyes lit up, "The most famous restaurant in the East Blue. I've always wanted to try their food. I never thought I'd get the chance, but here I am!"
"Oh, I haven't tried it either. I'm curious about the taste of this famous restaurant." Marika smiled.
As East Blue natives, everyone was well aware of Baratie's reputation. Lily, however, had been less familiar with the outside world back then, but after following Sage in the East Blue, she caught up on the region's news and later learned about it.
And as for the others, they each had their reasons for never having been there.
Marika was once the royal chef of the Deep Forest Kingdom in the East Sea, always cooking for the king and nobles. Later, she spent two years in the Sand Shallow Kingdom, but she never visited the restaurant.
Renetia was too young, and with limited time, she was busy building ships and drawing blueprints, so she never went either.
Later, even though they were free, Sage's plan was urgent. They had only raided a few countries in the East Sea before they were discovered by Garp, forcing them to head to the Grand Line. There was no time to linger in the East Sea.
As for this famous restaurant, they naturally missed it. Otherwise...
"If I had passed by here in the East Sea, I would have robbed them!" Sage said with a fierce smile, taking a sip from the cup Lily had filled with water.
The price was not low, and after arriving in the New World, they would need to change ships, replenish ingredients, and cover the expenses of the journey from the East Sea to the New World, which was no small cost.
"Huh? Are we going to fight?" Renetia blinked her eyes, "If so, can I eat without paying?"
"You still have to pay for your meal. That's a basic rule." Sage spoke with righteousness, "Don't disregard other people's hard work! The chef's cooking is also labor!"
"But we're going to take it back later, right?"
"That's because I can't disregard my profession as a pirate!" Sage exclaimed, "The chef cooks, and the pirate robs; both are professions. This is also my labor!"
"Yes, but if possible, I hope you'll be kind and spare our little restaurant."
At that moment, an aged voice sounded from beside them.
An elderly chef with a braided beard and a wooden leg stood nearby, bowing his head, "For this, we are willing to offer you the most sumptuous feast to thank you for your generosity."
As he spoke, the pirate tourists sitting nearby saw Sage, and they all showed looks of disbelief. Some wanted to shout but were quickly covered by others. There were also those with eyes full of admiration, but no matter who they were, they all silently retreated, not daring to approach Sage.
"You're Jep," Sage glanced at him and nodded, "Your spirit is impressive. Are you interested in becoming a chef in my crew?"
"I'm sorry, but I have my own business, and I've been fighting for it for many years."
Jep lowered his head further and then looked at Marika, "I also greatly admire what you did in the East Sea, and I've heard of your principles and will. But we're just a restaurant, and we have no right to interfere with the king's decisions."
The royal chef of the Deep Forest Kingdom would undoubtedly be well-known among the chefs in the East Sea.
Marika smiled back, "I've also heard of you. Baratie is not bad."
The restaurant's reputation was not bad. Although it was primarily commercial, they would always help those hungry and poor people they encountered.
"Let's serve the food."
Sage waved his hand, "I'm not interested in robbing you now. We have a connection, and our combat captain was once a guest here. For that, I'm willing to give you this face."
"Yes! Thank you for your generosity. I'll go and prepare!"
Even the oldest of pirates would show respect to the Four Emperors.
Moreover, Sage was the one who directly took down a Four Emperor; he was undoubtedly the Pirate Emperor!
But just as Jep left, an angry voice rang out from the side:
"Who! Who said they were going to rob? Who dares to talk about robbing in the territory of my master, Bakki!"
Bakki?
Sage's eyebrows rose as he looked in the direction of the voice, his eyes gleaming. He grinned, "Isn't this my good brother, Bakki?"
(End of Chapter)
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