Gourmet Competition

"Bored, bored. Why hasn't a single pirate crew set their sights on us? We're a rookie pirate crew with no bounties on any of us, you know."

"Exactly. Uh, wait—could it be that we've already killed off all the pirates in these waters?"

"Probably, maybe, perhaps... not very likely."

"Let's count them. The pirate crews we could name were the Black Water Pirates, the Blazing Flame Pirates, the Thunder Pirates... what else was there? Wasn't there also one called the Hurricane Pirates?"

"Yeah, that's right. Just those crews. The captain only made a move himself once; the rest were dealt with either by Lord Patch or Lord King."

"The news has probably spread already. Last time, I saw a pirate crew turn tail while they were still miles away from us. They even thought the wind wasn't fast enough and had everyone on board pull out oars to row. It nearly made me laugh myself silly."

Pirates in the North Blue were as numerous as carp crossing a river; they simply could not be killed off. After Roy and the others had crushed dozens of fleets, the remaining pirates finally learned their lesson. They knew there was an utterly terrifying pirate crew nearby that had no bounties, and as a result, most pirates fled the moment they saw an unbountied crew approaching.

This made some rookie pirate crews swell with confidence, thinking their own names had already become mighty enough to shake the North Blue.

Roy had gained quite a bit as well. Among the fleets they encountered were several skilled swordsmen. The swordsmanship experience Roy pulled from their dreams was not especially useful, but it served well enough as reference material, broadening his horizons and furthering his swordsmanship.

After all, every Master Swordsman was someone who had forged their own path in swordsmanship. Those who learned from me would live; those who imitated me would die. Having reached Roy's level, he needed to begin comprehending his own swordsmanship. But that did not mean the swordsmanship experience of others was useless—one could use another mountain's stones to polish one's own jade.

Roy decided to challenge every renowned swordsman in the North Blue, carve out his own swordsmanship with invincible momentum, and then set foot upon the Grand Line to begin his path of conquest.

Just as Roy was still indulging in his fantasies, Patch's bell-like voice interrupted him. "Captain, we've arrived at Fallen Leaf Town."

Roy had been somewhat annoyed at having his fantasies interrupted, but the instant he heard they had arrived at Fallen Leaf Town, he immediately rushed out without caring about anything else. The cooks on his ship did not possess any miraculous culinary skills, and after eating the same few dishes day after day, Roy had long since grown sick of them. Now that he had arrived in this famed city of food in the North Blue, he was incredibly excited.

Roy and the others' arrival caused a slight stir in this peaceful town. Although many pirates came here for its reputation, a fleet as massive as Roy's was rarely seen. After all, this was not Flavie Arena, and powerful people who pursued fine food like Roy were relatively uncommon.

Roy, however, had no intention of causing trouble. Before disembarking, he had specifically restrained everyone, telling them not to provoke trouble first. This place was a holy land in his eyes, after all. Of course, if anyone dared to start something, they absolutely could not back down, or would that not tarnish his reputation?

After disembarking, Roy walked together with Patch and King. The two of them were Senior Executives, and ordinary pirates would feel too restrained around them.

The three soon arrived at the most famous restaurant in town and began feasting to their hearts' content. Their arrival drew considerable attention. Of course, most people were looking at Patch. His nearly four-meter-tall body was quite imposing within the restaurant.

Moreover, Roy and the others clearly did not look like people to be trifled with. Many customers who had been chatting loudly immediately lowered their voices, afraid they might accidentally bring trouble upon themselves.

"What? The Gourmet Competition starts in a few days?" someone exclaimed in a low voice.

"Huh? You didn't know that? I thought everyone who came to the island recently was here for the Gourmet Competition."

"Haha, better to arrive at the right time than early. I never expected to catch the Gourmet Competition by chance. Looks like I'll have to postpone my return trip by a few days."

"That's right. By then, all the famous chefs in the North Blue will gather here. If you miss such a feast, how can you still call yourself a foodie?"

Although they spoke quietly, Roy's senses were incredibly sharp, and he instantly caught the key information.

"When does the Gourmet Competition begin?" Roy could barely contain himself and directly spoke to ask them.

The group reluctantly turned around. Upon seeing Roy's deep, star-like eyes, they immediately seemed to fall into a dream and blankly answered, "Tomorrow. The competition starts at Gourmet Plaza in the center of town."

After Roy and the others had eaten their fill and left, the few men finally shuddered back to their senses.

"Wh-what just happened? Why did I feel like that man was the master of my life? Even if he had told me to die, I would have been willing."

"Damn it, I felt the same way too! Wuwu, but that person was a man... could it be that I've... turned gay?" one man said with a terrified expression.

The others were horrified upon hearing this. They hurriedly reached their right hands down below, their minds constantly imagining certain forbidden adult scenes. Feeling the ** of a certain something, lewd smiles finally appeared on their faces. Quite a few people in the restaurant looked at them as if they were perverts and quickly moved away.

As a famous food city known far and wide, Fallen Leaf Town naturally had a large number of Marines stationed there. After Roy and the others docked, the Marines naturally received the news.

"Colonel Kakarot, a large pirate fleet arrived in Fallen Leaf Town today, and it has already caused widespread panic. Should we take the necessary measures?"

The Marine officer seated at the head of the room was somewhat overweight. He did not look like a Marine at all, but more like a merchant.

"Hm? A large pirate fleet? Let's observe for now. It wouldn't be good if we brought the flames of war upon the civilians," he said with a sorrowful, compassionate expression.

"Yes!" Just as the soldier was about to leave, Kakarot thought for a moment and called him back.

"Right. What is the name of the pirate crew that arrived here?"

"They seem to be called the Phantom Sword Pirates."

"Hm? Why haven't I heard of them? What are their bounties?"

"Uh, it seems I haven't found any registration records for their fleet. In other words, their bounties are zero."

"Pfft, cough cough. Wait, well... right, I've thought it over. For the safety of the people's lives and property, we should take the initiative. But to be safe, send some Marines to gather intelligence today. Tomorrow, we'll wipe them out in one fell swoop."

"Yes!"

After the messenger soldier left, Kakarot took a black Den Den Mushi from his drawer.

"Hello, hello. It's me."

"Boss, what are your orders?"

"A group of rookie pirates has arrived on the island. They seem to be a very fat sheep. You understand what I mean, right?"

"Haha, no problem. Boss, just wait for my good news."

Meanwhile, atop a gigantic Den Den Mushi, a large number of elite soldiers stood ready in tight formation. These were all technological products of the Vinsmoke Family—clones characterized by their fearlessness of death and absolute obedience.

"Oh, the group that defeated Flavie Arena and King has already appeared in Fallen Leaf Town? Hm? King wasn't killed in battle, but joined that pirate crew instead? Hmph, I knew that guy couldn't be relied on either. Forget it. I'll personally put an end to you all. A rookie pirate crew dares to stir up waves in the North Blue? Little do you know, waves that grow too large can capsize a ship."