Baratie

The Holy Land Mary Geoise Pangaea Castle

Hall of Authority, beneath a dome made of cold-colored marble, the Five Elders sat around a long ebony round table, the atmosphere solemn and quiet.

Thick intelligence files were spread out on the table, densely filled with information on the New Generation of Navy Elites.

The sun was shining brightly outside the window, but there was no warmth at all inside.

Saint Shepherd Ju Peter lowered his head to flip through the documents, his fingertips lightly tapping the table. "What are your thoughts on the assessment report regarding the New Generation of naval personnel?"

Saint Nusjuro closed the file in his hand, his eyes cold and stern. "Law— Sengoku's adopted grandson, Devil Fruit User."

He paused, his tone slightly wary. "Sengoku had already submitted a report on him; that fruit is too dangerous, especially the possibility of the 'Perennial Youth Operation'... Keeping it in the Navy is at least manageable."

Saint Saturn sneered, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest of his chair. "Hmph, the Op-Op Fruit... you and I both know how much bloodshed it has caused."

"If it falls into the hands of the 'D. Clan,' the Revolutionary Army, or 'them'..."

The words were barely out of their utterance, yet a chilling intent was already palpable.

Saint Warcury flipped through another document, his gaze sweeping over the names at the top, and said softly, "Ace and Luffy... Garp's grandson."

He scoffed, "Garp's bloodline is not to be underestimated. Now, with Roy personally training them... those two brats will grow into Admiral- level fighters sooner or later."

Saint Shepherd Ju Peter's brow twitched slightly, his tone tinged with caution. "Did Ace eat the Logia Flame- Flame-Flame Fruit?"

Saint Nusjuro snorted coldly, "It seems Roy stole it from Doflamingo. Since he gave it to us, we don't need to worry about it too much."

Saint Saturn's lips curled slightly, his meaning ambiguous. "At least for now, he's just a normal navy officer."

A moment of silence followed.

Saint Warcury placed the documents back on the table, glanced at the last page, and muttered a summary, "Zoro and Kuina —swordsmen up for grabs from the East Blue."

"He has good potential, but he's still a bit too inexperienced compared to Roy and the Three Admirals."

His tone was calm, without any hint of disdain; rather, it was more like a cold statement of reality, followed by a long silence.

Saint Saturn spoke slowly, his tone like a final pronouncement. "For now, these brats are worth observing closely, but they are still not a cause for concern."

"The true core of the Navy remains the Three Admirals: Kizaru, Akainu, and Aokiji, and... Roy."

Saint Shepherd Ju Peter nodded slightly, his tone cautious yet probing. "As long as Roy doesn't cross the line, there's no need to antagonize him over a few juniors."

Saint Nusjuro sneered, his gaze carrying a certain meaning. "And so far, Roy hasn't shown any 'improper' behavior."

"Suppressing Pirates, quelling rebellions, Purge corruption, and even proactively destroying smuggling networks in the Underworld..."

"He is the perfect embodiment of Justice in the eyes of the public."

Saint Shepherd Ju Peter gently set down his Feather Pen, his tone indifferent. "Observe, but do not interfere for now."

His gaze was sharp as a blade as he surveyed the crowd. "But if there is any unusual movement..."

Before he finished speaking, a cold glint flashed in the eyes of the other four men.

That is a will that will never tolerate 'getting out of control'.

The sunlight streaming in through the window could not dispel the shadows that permeated the Hall of Authority.

Meanwhile, the East Blue Sea remains calm.

The sea was calm, and the sunlight shone on the azure surface, creating a shimmering effect.

A small, snow-white Warship cuts through the waves, seagulls circle and cry around the mast, bringing with them the unique tranquility and peace of the East Blue.

On the deck, Ace and Luffy, the two brothers, were leaning on either side of the ship's railing, their heads almost huddled together, their eyes shining with excitement.

"Roy! Didn't you say you were going back to see your grandparents?!"

Luffy, clutching Roy's cloak, chewed on a snack he'd pulled out from somewhere and asked curiously.

"Yeah!" Ace chimed in, his eyes brimming with anticipation. "You said you were going to take us to eat 'something good'? What is it?!"

Roy stood at the bow of the ship, his cloak billowing in the wind.

A faint smile played on his lips as he gazed at the distant horizon.

In the distance, a strangely shaped ship slowly emerged, its hull resembling a giant predatory fish leaping out of the sea, with flags fluttering high on its deck.

"The sea restaurant, Baratie," Roy said casually, a hint of teasing in his voice.

"I've heard the food there... is so delicious it'll make Pirates give up on raiding it!"

"What?!!"

Ace and Luffy stared wide-eyed, drooling instantly, their eyes seemingly coated with starlight.

"I want to eat meat!!"

Before he could finish speaking, Luffy had already transformed into his Human-Beast Form, and with a sudden leap, he flew forward like a cannonball!

"Hey! Luffy, wait for me!"

Ace transformed into a ball of flame and followed closely behind, leaving a burning trail in the air.

Roy sighed helplessly, then Flash and Teleportation to catch up.

Baratie, a restaurant on the sea

At midday, the Baratie is bustling with activity and filled with enticing aromas.

Guests from all over chatted and laughed, while chefs moved back and forth between the Kitchen and the dining room, spatulas flying and flames leaping.

Fourteen-year-old Sanji, dressed in a snow-white chef's uniform, held a tray in one hand and the other behind his back, looking like an elegant nobleman.

He smiled and handed a glass of red wine to a lady, his eyes gentle. "May this glass of wine be worthy of your beauty."

The woman blushed slightly and smiled shyly.

However--

"Bang!!"

The restaurant door was suddenly kicked open, and everyone turned around in surprise.

A boy burst in like a cannonball, his eyes gleaming, shouting, "Meat!! I want to eat meat!!"

Immediately afterward, a ball of flame burst in, coalescing into another black-haired boy who gritted his teeth and yelled, "Luffy! Don't you dare steal my share!!"

The entire restaurant fell silent instantly, and all the guests and chefs stared in disbelief.

Sanji frowned, his lips twitched, and veins bulged on his forehead. "Where did this brat come from?! Daring to cause trouble in Baratie?!"

He had just taken a step when he suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of oppression rushing towards him.

Right behind the two boys, a tall, black figure appeared silently, his aura as steady as a mountain.

Sanji's pupils contracted, his steps faltered instinctively, and he looked warily at the newcomer.

The man simply smiled slightly, his voice low and polite. "I'm sorry, my two younger brothers got a little too excited."

His words were gentle, but his presence was undeniable.

Sanji's gaze swept over the man's epaulets, and his pupils immediately contracted—"Marine... Vice Admiral?!"

Standing behind the bar, Zeff squinted, slowly puffing on his pipe, his sharp, eagle-like gaze scrutinizing Roy for a few seconds.

Then, he grinned, revealing a set of perfectly white teeth. "Heh, that's interesting."

He waved his hand and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Sanji! Stop standing there, greet the guests!!"

Sanji, still in shock, reflexively turned and replied, "Y-yes!!"

Roy gently sat down and nodded to Zeff: "The signature set meal for three, please."

Ace and Luffy were already squatting on their seats, chopsticks held high, their faces full of anticipation.

A moment later, the table was piled high with plates and dishes, and the aroma of food had not yet dissipated when Luffy and Ace devoured the food with great gusto, their faces glistening with oil and rice grains still clinging to their lips.

Sanji walked over carrying a steaming plate of grilled Barbecue, staring incredulously at the "empty plate mountain" in front of them.

Are you reincarnated starving ghosts?!

He placed the large plate of Barbecue on the table while complaining.

With Luffy mouth full, Luffy mumbled, "This is delicious! Sanji! Join us!"

Sanji was taken aback for a moment, then rolled his eyes speechlessly. "... Who wants to join you guys!"

Ace wiped his mouth with a tissue and smiled brightly, "We're the Navy, you know! How about it? Want to be the Navy's personal chef?"

Sanji snorted, crossed his arms, and leaned against the wall, his tone disdainful. "Serving you brats who treat eating like a battle? I have no interest."

Just then, Roy picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and suddenly looked up at Zeff behind the bar. "Mr. Zeff... you used to be the captain of the 'Cook Pirates', right?"

Sanji hardened, and he turned his head sharply, his gaze piercing. "What do you mean?"

Zeff grinned and patted the bar without any hesitation. "Hmph, Navy kid, you've done your research pretty thoroughly."

Roy shook his head, his tone still gentle. "I'm just curious... why would Pirate like you, who can escape the Grand Line unscathed, live in seclusion on a restaurant ship in the East Blue?"

Zeff's smile gradually faded, and after a moment of silence, his gaze fell on Sanji was not far away.

He said calmly, "Some things are more important than ambition."

A brief silence fell over the restaurant. Roy nodded slightly, no longer asking questions, as if he understood something "more important."

At that very moment--

"Boom--!"

A loud bang came from outside, followed by panicked shouts from the crowd.

"Oh no! It's the Krieg Pirates!!"

"They've come to rob us!!"

Everyone was startled by the sound and stood up to look out the window.

On the sea, dozens of Pirate ships had surrounded Baratie, their black flags flying high and their cannons loaded.

In the center of the fleet, on a heavily armored ship, Don Krieg, clad in Golden Armor, stood arrogantly at the bow, laughing wildly with his arms outstretched, "Ha ha ha! This restaurant ship, today I, Don Krieg, am taking it!"

"Hand over all the food and treasure!!"

The restaurant erupted into chaos as guests screamed and hid, waiters fled in panic, and dishes rolled all over the floor.

Sanji his teeth and stood up, veins bulging, anger burning in his eyes. "Damn Pirates... how dare they cause trouble here!"