An encounter

"I didn't expect that before I could even attract that gluttonous little brat, I'd already attracted the two of you," Haku said with a laugh.

However, he didn't stop; instead, he stir-fried even more skillfully, filling the entire kitchen with the aroma of food!

Kureha looked at Haku with great interest; she had already recognized Haku's identity!

"I never imagined a dignified Marine Admiral would be cooking in this tiny castle. Are you trying to trade your culinary skills for my secret to Eternal Youth?!"

Kureha's problems were so wide-ranging that even Haku almost strained her back!

However, Haku still laughed and said, "I don't need to know the secret to Eternal Youth, because it's completely useless to me anyway!"

Kureha raised an eyebrow and said, "Aren't you curious?"

Haku waved her hand, indicating that she truly didn't need it; as long as she had the system, things like Eternal Youth and immortality would be within her reach!

At that moment, Chopper quietly said to Kureha, "Doctor Dorei, can I eat the food here?"

Although Chopper's voice was very soft, it sounded like he was speaking right next to Haku!

Haku smiled as she set some food on the table, warmly inviting Dr. Kureha and Chopper to begin their meal.

Kureha and Chopper thanked Haku and sat down to enjoy the meal Haku had prepared. They were full of praise for every dish and couldn't help but express their sincere admiration for Haku's culinary skills.

While enjoying the food, Haku said, "The timing is still alright. I reckon by the time you've all finished eating, that starving ghost from down the mountain will be here soon with his sick person!"

Although Haku said that, he didn't expect that Luffy had already been climbed to the top of the mountain by Nami!

Thanks to Drum Mountain 'Sanji help, Luffy didn't nearly fail to reach the top of Drum Castle like he did in the original story.

However, due to the snowstorm, Luffy and Sanji's hands and feet were frozen purple! And there was a lot of blood seeping from under their fingernails!

After helping Sanji, Luffy and Sanji lay on the snow, panting heavily!

Luffy sniffed his nose, and his stomach rumbled at just the right moment!

"It smells so good!" Luffy felt so hungry that his stomach was sticking to his back, and he followed the aroma towards the castle!

"Luffy, you bastard! We still need to find that Witch Doctor to cure Nami's illness!"

Sanji watched Luffy head straight for the scent and couldn't help but shout loudly behind him.

However, he had no strength left, so he could only let Luffy towards the castle!

However, Luffy was completely drawn in by the aroma. Like a hungry wolf with a keen sense of smell, he followed the scent step by step toward the castle's kitchen.

Upon entering the kitchen, Luffy's eyes lit up as he looked at the delicious food laid out on the kitchen table and exclaimed, "Food! And meat!"

Luffy pounced on the table without any hesitation and began to wolf down his food! Clearly, he had completely forgotten about the patient he was carrying on his back.

"A starving ghost reincarnated!" Haku laughed and scolded as she watched Luffy devour the food on the table like a whirlwind.

Luffy was oblivious to everything else at that moment, wolfing down his food as if trying to stuff it all into his stomach. Seeing Luffy's ravenous appearance, Haku shook her head helplessly and took some more food from the kitchen and placed it on the table.

Kureha and Chopper couldn't help but laugh at Luffy's sudden intrusion and the way he was eating. Kureha said to Haku, "Looks like your cooking skills are really good. This is the gluttonous guy you were talking about, right? He seems to be enjoying his meal quite a bit."

Upon hearing this, Haku smiled smugly and said, "Of course, my cooking skills are pretty good."

Amidst everyone's laughter and conversation, Luffy had already devoured all the food on the table. He let out a satisfied burp, then looked at Kureha and Chopper and asked, "Are you also here to see that Witch Doctor for treatment?"

Kureha's eyes darted around, then she nodded with a mischievous grin and said, "Yes, we've also come to find the Witch Doctor."

Upon hearing this, Luffy became excited. He grabbed Kureha's hand and asked eagerly, "Really? Do you know where she is? Take me to her!"

"So many years have passed, and you haven't changed at all!" Haku Luffy with a smile, propping her elbow on the table and resting her head on her hand.

Luffy realized there was another person there, and he stared intently in Haku's direction.

Then, he opened his mouth wide and stammered, "You! You! It's you, Haku!!!"

Luffy's voice was filled with surprise and disbelief; he clearly hadn't expected to run into Haku here.

Seeing Luffy's surprised expression, Haku smiled and nodded, saying, "It's me, you brat. Didn't expect to run into me here, did you!"

Luffy jumped up from his seat excitedly, walked over to Haku, hugged her tightly, and exclaimed, "Haku! It really is you! I haven't seen you in so long!"

Seeing Luffy's excited expression, Haku couldn't help but laugh. He patted Luffy on the back and said, "I didn't expect to run into you here, Luffy. But are you sure you don't want to hand over the patient behind you to the doctor first?"

Just then, Sanji, having regained his strength, followed the aroma of food from outside and found the kitchen!

However, Sanji's reaction differed from Luffy's; upon seeing Haku, Sanji immediately stood in front of Luffy!

"Luffy, if I'm not mistaken, this guy in front of me is Marine Admiral!"

Sanji stared at Haku, as if ready to respond to any unexpected situation.

"Marine Admiral?" Luffy turned to look at Haku, a puzzled expression on his face. He asked, "What's Marine Admiral?"

Haku couldn't help but laugh at Luffy's bewildered reaction.

He said to Kureha and Chopper, "Since you ate my meal for free, it shouldn't be a problem for you to help cure this patient, right?"

Haku pointed to Nami was still running a high fever, behind Luffy!

Kureha smiled slyly and said, "Don't you know the conditions I set for agreeing to treat others?"

Bang!

Haku took a Gold Brick from her System Space and placed it on the dining table!