Going with the flow, Luffy became a worker at the Sea Restaurant.
If you caused damage, you had to pay for it, whether intentional or not. This was the compensation Luffy was bound to make.
Can Yue suddenly found it rather fascinating. Clearly, his involvement should have changed the course of events, yet Luffy bombarding Baratie had still happened.
Perhaps there were deeper rules governing this world, but Can Yue did not dwell on it.
All he had to do was grow stronger step by step. No matter what predicament he encountered in the future, he was confident he could handle it.
The current point in time matched his memories from before he crossed over.
Next, he would surely encounter Gin and Krieg at the Sea Restaurant.
And Zoro's greatest challenge, Hawk Eyes!
While eating his steak, Can Yue sank into thought.
Naturally, he would not stop Zoro from challenging Hawk Eyes.
But what if the Hawk Eyes of this Pirate World differed from the one in his memories and made a different decision?
Would Zoro get hurt because of it?
With his current strength, facing Hawk Eyes would certainly still be difficult. But if Zoro truly fell into danger, he would save him no matter what.
Hmph, so what if he's the greatest swordsman?
Can Yue's lips curled slightly. His eyes actually revealed anticipation as fighting spirit gradually gathered within him.
As for Krieg's grand fleet, they were nothing but clowns.
Elsewhere, Marine Captain Hody was completely immersed in date mode.
He took a sip of wine and pretended to be a connoisseur as he spoke of the red wine's origin and age.
Only for Sanji, who was serving dishes beside him, to expose him on the spot.
Hody flew into a rage from humiliation, smashed the dining table, and moved to attack Sanji.
"Oh? Is this Marine Captain going to attack a waiter?"
Everyone watched with eager amusement.
Hody raised his right hand, fitted with Knuckle Dusters, and punched at Sanji.
Sanji calmly sidestepped the attack, then raised his "five-foot-eleven" long leg and brought it down from above, stomping Hody's head and sending him face-first into the floor.
Zoro smiled with interest. "That waiter is pretty skilled."
Nami was equally surprised. "I didn't expect even a waiter to be this strong. This restaurant definitely isn't simple."
Usopp analyzed the situation while gnawing on a drumstick. "After all, it's a restaurant bold enough to do business with both Marines and pirates. It must have some real capability."
Hody came from Marine Headquarters. His recent posting to the East Blue was both an internship and a way to pad his resume. Normally, wherever he went, people showered him with praise.
Yet today, he had been beaten by a waiter. Naturally, he was humiliated and enraged.
With a twisted expression, he shouted, "A mere restaurant waiter dares treat me, a great Marineford lieutenant, like this?"
Sanji replied with a smile, "Sir, I am this restaurant's sous chef."
Hody slowly got to his feet and roared at Sanji through gritted teeth, "A sous chef isn't worthy of provoking me either. Just wait. I'll call a warship over and blow this place up immediately!"
Sanji frowned upon hearing that and said angrily, "Then we can only keep you here."
That sudden remark instantly sobered Hody up. Looking at the murderous aura surrounding Sanji, he swallowed hard.
Fortunately, the other chefs in the restaurant held back Sanji just as he was about to attack. Only then did Hody shakily make his way toward the entrance with the support of his subordinates.
By coincidence, Hody, who was fleeing outside, spotted the members of the Straw Hat Crew eating.
Now that he was no longer thinking with his crotch, he suddenly found two of the people at the table extremely familiar.
White hair, green hair, and there was someone wearing a straw hat just now...
At that thought, cold sweat broke out all over Hody's body. At that very moment, Can Yue casually glanced at him.
Hody instantly broke down, fell to the ground, then crawled back toward Sanji behind him.
The other diners began discussing Hody's behavior.
One man said, "What is that Marine Captain doing?"
One woman said, "He was so gentlemanly at first, but now he's completely humiliating himself."
One pirate said, "Why did he get scared and retreat after already reaching the entrance?"
One child said, "I saw that Marine uncle look at the people at the table by the door before he fell."
Everyone turned their gazes toward the table beside the entrance.
When they looked closely, everyone sucked in a sharp breath.
"My God, how could it be them?"
"That green-haired man is Pirate Hunter Zoro. His bounty is a full fifteen million!"
All the women in the restaurant exclaimed, "Wow, that white-haired man is Lord Can Yue! He's even more handsome in person than on his Bounty Poster."
Ever since Can Yue's Bounty Poster had been issued, many women had collected it like fans chasing a celebrity, hanging it at home like a portrait.
Now that they saw Can Yue in person, coupled with his bug-like, heaven-defying buff of "all women lose their minds upon first meeting him"...
Every woman present began losing control.
Likewise, the men in the restaurant who had female companions discovered that their dates were all absent-mindedly staring at Can Yue with lovestruck eyes. Their faces darkened as they clenched their fists, seemingly ready to fight Can Yue to the death.
But when they thought of Can Yue's group's accomplishments and bounties, they held themselves back.
One infatuated woman said, "As expected of a man with a thirty-million bounty. My heart is about to leap out of my chest from how captivated I am. Oh no, I can't control myself anymore."
With that, she charged toward Can Yue.
The moment she moved, all the other women in the restaurant who had still been struggling to restrain themselves unleashed their instincts.
A whole crowd of beautiful women in gowns, stockings, and high heels rushed toward Can Yue.
Seeing this, Nami immediately pulled out her modular staff from the neckline of her shirt and shouted, "You shameless bad women! You aren't allowed to touch Can Yue!"
Then she rushed forward and began grappling with the women.
Faced with a scene as chaotic as an asura battlefield, even Can Yue could no longer remain seated no matter how calm he was.
"Chouchou, transform and scare them off." After saying that, Can Yue turned around and returned to the Merry outside.
I should put on the mask.
Still shaken, Can Yue walked toward the cabin door, intending to take out the Black and White Pattern Half Mask he had prepared a few days ago and put it on.
Inside the restaurant, Chouchou transformed into his dog demon form.
ROAR!
A terrifying roar swept through the restaurant along with terrifying Demonic Aura.
Everyone present was instantly sobered by the giant Chouchou's furious roar.
Even Sanji and the chefs watched Chouchou with wary expressions.
Yet once everyone had quieted down, Chouchou immediately changed back into a harmless little white dog.
The contrast left everyone present unable to process what had happened for quite a while.
The restaurant quieted down, and after calming themselves, everyone understood why Hody had suddenly been frightened back when he reached the entrance.
After all, the Straw Hat Pirates had defeated the East Blue's overlord—Clown Buggy.
Although the method of victory was somewhat controversial, the Straw Hat Pirates were currently the undisputed overlords of the East Blue.
Furthermore, Can Yue, who had the highest bounty, had the same thirty-million bounty as Clown Buggy. This made even more ordinary people believe that the Straw Hat Pirates were no weaker than Clown Buggy.
And this Marine lieutenant clearly did not seem very strong. Suddenly facing the overlords of the East Blue pirate world while isolated and without help, he had naturally been terrified.
Just as the entire restaurant fell into an awkward silence, Zoro suddenly spoke.
"We're only here to eat. Do whatever you were doing!"
Upon hearing that, Hody's eyes darted around, and he hurriedly urged his subordinates to take him away.
When Hody returned to the warship and sensed the familiar Marine atmosphere, he finally let out a long breath.
"Captain, Gin, the Krieg Pirates member we captured earlier, escaped just now. He must still be nearby. Should we search the restaurant?"
Hody had yet to calm down when he received this news, and his face darkened with displeasure.
"Are you trying to make me embarrass myself even more? So what if he escaped? Ignore him and get us out of here immediately."
Hody continued taking deep breaths.
Those were the Straw Hat Pirates. I actually shelled them just now. Hiss...
Before coming to the East Blue for his internship, his instructor had explicitly told him that the one person he absolutely could not provoke in the East Blue was Clown Buggy.
Yet the Buggy Pirates had lost to the Straw Hat Pirates. Strictly speaking, he knew a little insider information.
According to a resident of Orange Town, Clown Buggy had not lost to a scheme. He had lost in a one-on-one fight to that Can Yue.
And Hody had directly ordered the Straw Hat Crew's ship to be blown up.
Luckily, Can Yue and the others didn't pursue the matter. Otherwise, I'd have lost my life today.
At that thought, Hody shuddered hard and uncontrollably looked toward the Merry behind the warship.
By sheer coincidence, he saw Can Yue, now wearing the Black and White Pattern Half Mask, staring at him.
His legs, which had only just stopped trembling, went limp again.
He immediately ordered his men to increase speed and leave.
"Captain, did wine spill on your pants earlier?"
"You little... Yes, wine spilled on them!"
Before you continue