An East Blue Restaurant, Daifuku's Provocation!

East Blue · Baratie

The restaurant was bustling with delicious aromas and rising steam during lunchtime.

However, all the diners' eyes were now focused on the same man—

He was devouring the food on the table like a whirlwind, with bowls and plates piled up like mountains. His chopsticks were almost constantly in use, and every bite was accompanied by hearty laughter, as if he were making up for two years of hunger all at once.

"Glug--Crack--Burp--Haha!"

His unrestrained and hearty eating style left the surrounding guests speechless.

Some even whispered, "Is this... really human? It looks more like a ravenous beast..."

At the Kitchen doorway, Zeff stared intently at that familiar yet unfamiliar face, his beard trembling slightly, his heart filled with shock and emotion.

"That man... he actually came back?"

Roy glanced up, sauce still smeared on his lips, and flashed his signature wide grin:

"Haha--It's been a long time since I've had such delicious food!"

He casually wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and waved at Zeff: "Did I disturb you, Mr. Zeff?"

Zeff snapped out of his daze and quickly waved his hand, his tone filled with heartfelt respect. "It is an honor for Baratie to have you here... Vice Admiral Roy."

Since Sanji joined the Navy, Zeff has occasionally received replies informing him that his apprentice is doing well and his strength is growing rapidly.

And the man in front of them— Roy —is Sanji's direct superior.

Zeff, who had returned from the Grand Line, knew perfectly well that Roy's reputation had already resounded throughout the New World!

--At this very moment.

"Bang!!"

The heavy door was kicked open, splinters of wood flew everywhere, and the violent Impact made the entire restaurant tremble slightly!

As dust billowed, an enormous black shadow slowly entered, its chilling shout booming through the hall like thunder:

"Who's Zeff?! Show yourself here!!"

"This godforsaken place, the East Blue, actually requires me to personally come all the way here to arrest someone?!"

His voice was filled with disdain and tyranny, as if the entire Baratie was nothing more than a dilapidated wooden shack in his eyes.

Everyone held their breath instantly; the air seemed to freeze.

The newcomer was nearly five meters tall, with shoulders as broad as a wall, short and neat blond hair, a thick mustache that gleamed coldly, and earrings that jingled with each step.

He was wearing a heavy blue cotton-padded coat, and the round ornaments on his shoulders resembled two large pieces of mochi, swaying slightly in the wind;

A yellow cloak draped over his shoulders, and a thick belt adorned with the symbol of "magic lamp" was tied around his waist.

The immense aura instantly oppressed the entire area, as if the air itself had thinned out.

--It's Charlotte Daifuku, a member of the Big Mom Pirates!

Daifuku looked around the entire restaurant, his gaze finally settling on Zeff was wearing a tall chef's hat.

A slow, sinister grin spread across his face, his voice low and chilling. "Oh? You're that Red-Leg Zeff?"

"Mom said she's inviting you to visit Totto Land Hotel and Casino."

"Come with me obediently, or you'll suffer physical pain!"

The diners in the restaurant were trembling with fear; some of the more timid ones even crawled under the tables, too afraid to even breathe.

Zeff's face was grim; he stood firmly on one leg, his voice heavy as iron. "The Big Mom Pirates... why are you targeting an old cook like me who has long since retired?"

Daifuku scoffed, his fingers stroking the magic lamp belt around his waist, his eyes gleaming with arrogance. "Enough nonsense! It's your honor that Mom has taken a liking to your cooking skills!"

"Either you leave on your own, or I'll 'ask' you to leave!"

His final roar echoed throughout the restaurant, the terrifying pressure making the air feel stifling. The diners turned pale and lowered their heads, unable to look him in the eye.

However, from the corner came a discordant voice—

"Mmm~ This Barbecue meat is cooked to perfection... crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and juicy."

Daifuku's forehead veins were bulging!

He turned his head sharply and saw the man in the corner still eating with his head down, as if he didn't pay any attention to him at all.

"You bastard!!" Daifuku roared, approaching step by step, his heavy footsteps like the beating of drums.

"You're just a nobody from the East Blue, how dare you be so arrogant?!"

"I'm Big Mom Pirates--!"

Before he could finish speaking, his enormous hand slammed heavily onto the other man's shoulder.

"Bang!"

The other person's shoulder was as hard as steel, and Daifuku's palm was shaken and hurt.

Roy slowly turned his head, and the moment that face came into view, Daifuku's pupils shrank and his breath caught in his throat!

"Roy... Roy?!" Daifuku's hair stood on end, his legs went weak, and he collapsed to his knees!

Roy glanced at him indifferently, his voice utterly calm. "What do you think you are?"

Daifuku's arrogance vanished instantly, cold sweat soaking her back, her voice trembling. "I... I am... Charlotte Daifuku..."

"The Big Mom Pirates-- "

"Smack!!"

Before the words were even finished, an invisible slap suddenly came!

Daifuku's head was instantly slapped to one side, half of his face swollen high, blood and saliva mixed with teeth spraying onto the ground.

Its massive body crashed to the ground, smashing several dining tables to pieces!

"Clang!!"

The entire restaurant was completely silent.

The guests stared wide-eyed, almost unable to believe what had just happened.

The once arrogant BIG MOM executive was now lying on the ground like a dead dog, without even the courage to resist.

Roy simply put down his chopsticks as casually as if he had swatted a fly.

"It's so noisy I can't even eat in peace..."

After a moment of silence, Roy put down his chopsticks, picked up a napkin, and slowly wiped his mouth, his expression indifferent.

"So..." His voice was calm and unhurried, yet it made Daifuku's heart skip a beat, "You called Sanji back, and you also wanted to kidnap Zeff as insurance?"

Daifuku covered his swollen cheek, knelt on the ground, sweating profusely. He dared not refute and could only nod with difficulty.

Zeff's eyes widened in shock, his expression changing drastically. "W-What?! Sanji... is the prince of the Germa Kingdom?!"

"That child... is he in danger?!"

Zeff turned around, knelt down on one knee, and said in a hoarse but extremely pleading voice, "Mr. Roy! Please... please help Sanji!"

That child may be awkward, but he has a kind heart and shouldn't be dragged into this mess!

Roy lifted Zeff up with a flick of his wrist, casually swaying him as he interrupted him.

Don't worry.

"Now that Sanji has joined the Marines, he's one of mine."

"The mere Big Mom Pirates..."

Roy's tone was calm, yet as unyielding as divine authority, "We're not qualified to touch him."

Thump!

Daifuku felt his legs go completely weak, and he collapsed to the ground, trembling uncontrollably.

Roy's words were more terrifying than any threat.

His mind was filled with the terrifying rumors about Roy in the New World, each one enough to send chills down his spine.

Zeff stared blankly at the man before him, then bowed deeply, his voice trembling with emotion. "Roy, Mr. Roy!"

"Sanji... it's the luckiest thing for him to have a superior like you."

Roy smiled slightly, "That kid may be a bit of a womanizer, but his cooking skills and character are trustworthy."

He stopped smiling and walked towards the door.

As he reached the door, he suddenly remembered something and turned back to casually add, "Oh, right, put today's meal and takeout on Sanji's tab."

"Tell him to pay next time he comes back."

"Sanji really is something, he never goes home to visit more often~"

Zeff was taken aback, then nodded with a wry smile, "... Okay."

The door creaked shut.

Roy and Daifuku disappeared from sight, as if they had never existed.

But the people in the restaurant remained silent for a long time, their hearts pounding. The invisible pressure only slowly dissipated after they left.

Zeff gazed at the distant sea, his eyes filled with complex and heavy emotions, and murmured softly:

"Sanji... you must stay safe."