Jaya Island

"I'm just a chef."

Hearing what Long said, Zeff clearly had no interest in continuing the conversation and turned around to wave his hand.

This signaled to the Hell Pirates they could leave.

"No...you're not just a chef, you were One Piece too...I'm doing business with you as One Piece, not a customer... Red-Leg Zeff." Oboro slowly uttered Zeff's name. "To put it simply, I need a team of chefs...I think the people under your command are quite good."

Upon hearing this, many people around looked at each other, their expressions uneasy.

"Then you... shouldn't talk business with me, just talk business with them. They're just restaurant employees. If you can pay them enough and get them to willingly come with you, I naturally have no reason to stop you. But if they refuse, there's nothing I can do."

Zeff said in a deep voice.

Long remained unmoved and was the first to stand up.

Dom and the others also stood up.

As if not understanding the refusal in Zeff's words, Oboro walked up to the old man, looked him in the eye, and said, "How about this, I'll give you time... I won't steal your people. In a year, my crew will come looking for you. In that year, you train a team of chefs for me... Of course, I'll pay the price."

Having said that, Long raised the corners of her mouth, "So? Now it concerns you, right?"

"..."

"I."

Zeff's eyes narrowed, and he was about to speak.

Oboro's hand was already on the former's shoulder. "Think it over before you give me an answer... Right now, you're just a chef, not One Piece! Or... are you planning to communicate like One Piece?"

"..."

Zeff remained silent.

He saw the coldness rising in the God Slayer's eyes.

Although he wasn't afraid of these younger generation members, the Baratie had its reasons for existing, and if it disappeared because of this, it would implicate everyone present...

"You should understand that I'm being polite to you... only because you can't arouse my 'desire'... But we are One Piece, and we will get what we want by any means necessary." After saying that, Oboro patted Zeff's shoulder a few times and led his crew out of the shop.

Oboro's back was bathed in sunlight as she raised her arm to Zeff behind her, "Remember... one year from now."

As soon as he finished speaking, the group slowly rose into the air and flew towards the horizon.

Zeff ultimately did not voice his refusal.

Getting involved with the Hell Pirates is not a good thing.

However, the other party did leave after all... Besides, it was just about training a group of chefs for the God Slayer, which wasn't difficult at all.

Zeff is a tough guy. In the past, no matter how dangerous the situation, he would never bow down to someone like God Slayer. But now the situation is a little different.

The fact that the other person could call him by name clearly meant they knew him to some extent.

Also... is Sanji.

Zeff knew perfectly well that the God Slayer couldn't possibly be Sanji's friend... and judging from the chaos the God Slayer had caused on the high seas, such a person was capable of anything. If he refused, the Baratie and everyone else would disappear from the East Blue —the price was too heavy. Given Sanji's personality, if he knew, he would definitely avenge them and fight the Hell Pirates to the death. And what would the result be? It's very likely that Sanji would also lose his life in vain.

Or, the God Slayer could simply go after Sanji ...

In short, no matter how the plot unfolds, Zeff has no choice but to agree, weighing the pros and cons.

Fortunately, the Hell Pirates' demands weren't too unreasonable.

"What are you looking at? Hurry up and tidy up."

Coming to his senses, Zeff yelled at everyone.

"Yes, head chef!"

Everyone quickly responded and got back to work.

The departure of the Hell Pirates brought a sigh of relief to many, who felt as if they had come back to life.

Oboro's idea was very simple.

While future Hell Pirates might resemble the crews of Shanks, the Straw Hat Pirates, or Blackbeard —leaving a streamlined composition and emphasizing individual strength—they will still need territories or established power bases on the high seas. For example, the Straw Hat Pirates will have a large fleet, Shanks has a fleet alliance, and Blackbeard, who controls Pirate Island, has countless followers. Therefore, when Oboro mentions a smaller number of members, he's referring to the official crew and combat strength, not including the organizations and individuals affiliated with them.

Therefore, having a good team of chefs is essential.

It is to serve the main members of an entire force.

Charlotte Linlin from Whole Cake Island, her culinary team is even more extravagant...

The necessary configurations should still be included.

Anyway, this was something I took care of while passing through Baratie.

A few days later, the Hell Pirates had entered the first half of the Grand Line, which is the 'path' that Straw Hat Luffy and his crew were traveling on.

To this end, they even stole the Log Pose from a One Piece crew.

This time, entering the Grand Line went much more smoothly. There were no naval or government personnel to obstruct them, which further confirmed Oboro's suspicions.

Logically speaking, with Rob Lucci around, the Celestial Dragons would never allow him to easily step into the Grand Line. Entering the Grand Line or the New World would mean potentially causing a more far-reaching and greater impact on this world, acting as an unstable factor... a 'time bomb' right under the government's nose. Oboro didn't believe that the Five Elders would back down after their previous failures.

This little thing... cannot shake the resolve of those old men at all.

Although there was something fishy going on, Oboro didn't investigate further for the time being, as they were in a hurry to get to Jaya Island first.

Today, only part of Jaya Island remains at sea; the other part has been swept into the sky by ocean currents and has become part of the 'Skypiea'.

That is, the Golden City, Shandora.

It signifies a 'glorious city'.

Because of their attempt to steal the Log Pose, the news of the Hell Pirates entering the Grand Line was exposed within just a few days.

Everyone knows that the God Slayer may be about to launch an attack on the New World.

What surprised people was the unusual 'silence' of the Navy and the World Government, with no reaction whatsoever.

Because they were in a hurry, the five of them didn't rest much along the way and soon arrived at Mock Town on Jaya Island.

This small island is currently just a temporary 'supply point' because there is no official force on the island. It has long since become Lawless Area One Piece entertain themselves and gather. However, the relatively chaotic area is only the part of Mock Town. The other areas of the island are still relatively safe.

The main problem is the sparse population.

Furthermore, on their way here, Dom also received information from an informant that the battle on Winter Island had ended, and unsurprisingly... Luffy defeated Wapol. The Straw Hat Pirates has likely already entered the Alabasta Kingdom. Actually, Oboro is quite interested in Wapol because his Gluttony-Gluttony Fruit ability seems to allow him to create Wapometal, a rather precious and rare memory metal. It is precisely because of this that Wapol gained the Celestial Dragons' approval and was able to attend the World Government Summit.

However, Oboro is not in the mood to specifically look for him right now.

The resources on the Skypiea are the top priority right now.

On this day, a light drizzle fell in the sea area where Jaya Island is located, and the sky was somewhat gloomy.

In the dim afternoon light, a group of people, led by Oboro, appeared at the crossroads outside the town and strolled forward.

Heading towards the town.