After Sanji left, everyone immediately focused their attention on Gawain and the fish.
Although there are no rules, social etiquette and interpersonal skills sometimes don't need to be taught.
Everyone was waiting for Gawain to take the first bite.
Gawain understood everyone's thoughts, so he put down his wine glass, picked up his chopsticks, and reached out towards the big fish.
But just as Gawain's chopsticks were about to touch the fish head, Garp suddenly interrupted Gawain.
"Hey kid, the Five Elders are here!!!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Garp completely disregarded whether Gawain had been fooled or not. He swiftly reached out and grabbed a piece of the sea bream's head with his chopsticks.
Garp ripped out the fish's eye and threw it into his mouth, then burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, you all ganged up on me today and beat me up, so I'll take your first piece of fish, hahaha!"
This fish really looks like Kaido in his transformed form, and it also resembles the legendary Heavenly Dragon!
Gawain, as Celestial Dragon, it's unlucky for you to eat this stuff, so I'll do it for you!
You're welcome!!!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Garp laughed and swallowed the fish eye in his mouth. When his Adam's apple bobbed up and down, everyone at the table suddenly exploded!
Keep in mind, this is where the high-ranking officers of the Dark Bird Group eat; even Ace was squeezed onto the children's table.
This group of people were truly Gawain's absolute supporters, especially Lucci, who almost overturned the table in front of him!
Seeing Lucci's furious expression, Gawain almost wondered if he usually kept crows instead of Crow...
Suppressing his anger, Lucci growled coldly at Garp.
"Marine Vice Admiral Garp, you've really gone too far!"
Gawain, out of consideration for your advanced age and your title of hero, granted you a courteous welcome, but you dared to challenge his authority in such a disrespectful manner in this setting. You..."
"Cough cough."
Before Lucci could finish speaking, Gawain quickly stopped the young man, waving his hand at Lucci.
"Lucci, and everyone else, sit down, sit down, haha~."
At this point, Gawain gave everyone a funny look.
"What kind of occasion is this tonight? It's a banquet, isn't it?"
Without Garp's antics, could a banquet even be considered a banquet?
Please sit down!
"But that old man is really infuriating, Captain!"
No sooner had Gawain finished speaking than Rayleigh, his face wrapped in bandages, emphasized to Gawain.
As soon as he finished speaking, Rayleigh sat down unhappily and then picked up the wine jug.
"Although you old man are not very polite, our captain is very polite. We'll let you off the hook for now regarding the fish head!"
However, since it's a banquet, there will inevitably be drinking!
"Garp, you old scoundrel, come and have a good drinking contest with me! I'm going to beat you at the table!"
"Haha, are you afraid of me, Rayleigh!"
Garp stood up abruptly, brandishing a wine jug and yelling at Rayleigh. The two of them started drinking heavily, even ignoring the food that was coming up!
In an instant, the atmosphere of the banquet spread rapidly from the two old men, and a few minutes later, accompanied by Uta's beautiful singing, the Dark Bird Ship was completely enveloped in enthusiastic cheers.
The scene was beyond description; Gawain, sitting in the main seat and looking around, felt that the way his group of people were behaving resembled the way domestic fans celebrated all night after the Chinese national football team won the World Cup.
In short, it's a lively scene that you would never see in real life...
It felt like a dream.
Just as Gawain was beginning to feel a sense of fantasy, the person next to him pulled him back to reality. It turned out that Hancock had placed a piece of Gawain's favorite orange flesh in front of him.
"Sir, ignore that lazy old man, here, have a piece of orange."
As she spoke, Hancock gently fed the orange to Gawain.
As Gawain chewed the cool, tangy orange pulp, Gawain lips brushed against Hancock's fingertips. For a fleeting moment, Gawain couldn't help but think that it was better to stay grounded.
After all, if this were just a dream, it would be such a pity for the beautiful woman.
Seeing Gawain eat with a smile on his face, Hancock lowered her head and pursed her lips contentedly.
"It's good that you're happy, my lord. I'll find a time to teach that old bastard Garp a lesson!"
Although I cannot defeat them alone, I will ask my friends to help.
Here, sir, is fish.
Ah~~~."
Hancock seems to be enjoying the feeding activity more and more...
Seeing Hancock coaxing a child like this, Gawain took the fish and said with amusement.
"Hancock, calm down. The way you're acting right now makes it seem like you're raising me like a child."
"Why?!!"
As soon as Gawain finished speaking, Hancock was suddenly startled.
"An adult wants to raise the child with me?!"
Hancock then hastily made her exit, her face flushed as she repeatedly fanned herself with her hand.
Hancock's actions left Nami, who was standing nearby, somewhat bewildered...
After staring at Hancock's blushing face for a long time, Nami couldn't help but move closer to her sister and whisper something.
"Sister, why are all the women on this boat acting so strangely?"
"Well..."
Hearing Nami's question, Nojiko hesitated, because everyone at the table was sharp-witted.
The men didn't care about any of that; they were focused on finding Garp to drink with. They had long since reached a consensus: fight Garp during the day and drink Garp at night, and they were having a great time.
The women, except for Hancock who couldn't hear anything at the moment, all rolled their Byakugan at Nami.
After rolling her eyes, Gion leaned over Gawain and punched Hancock on the head.
"Snake Princess, can't you control yourself? You're disgracing this ship!!!"
Time passed slowly, and accompanied by the sounds of clinking glasses, the lights on the Dark Bird Ship did not go out until late into the night.
However, in that place untouched by the glittering lights, Sanji, a cigarette dangling from his lips, as if shutting out all the hustle and bustle.
He was seen leaning against the wine barrel, lying there lazily, flicking cigarette ash and muttering to himself.
"Cooking so many meals has really made me feel tired."
However, the atmosphere on this ship is quite nice.
Sanji glanced at the loudest voice, Garp, in the distance, and Rayleigh and his group who were frantically chugging drinks around Garp, and suddenly smiled.
"Each of them is clearly more powerful than my Pops."
But why are their emotions so rich?
Haha, who says that the strong must sever their emotions? Only ruthlessness can unleash the Lineage Factor?
"If you're so strong, you should be happier than ordinary people, just like the people on this ship!"
At this point, Sanji rubbed his face and then lay down completely.
But he had only been lying down for a short while when the sound of the wooden leg hitting the ground grew closer and closer.
"Hey kid, hahahahaha!!!"
From a distance, Zeff shouted at Sanji, and when he got close to Sanji, he even sat down on Sanji's lap.
"Hey kid, why aren't you going for a drink? You really don't understand what a man should be like!"
Did I teach you to be this hypocritical person when you were young?
As soon as he finished speaking, Zeff tapped Sanji on the head, making the helpless boy sit up.
Seeing that Sanji had gotten up, Zeff quickly moved away from Sanji's lap and sat down on the ground to the side.
It wasn't that he was afraid of crushing Sanji; although Sanji's leg techniques weren't strong, he could still take on dozens of adults.
The reason for changing locations is simply because of this thing about sitting on someone's lap...
If the person is lying down, it's fine, but if the person being sat up...
Alas!
I can't bear to look at this!
In short, after sitting down, Zeff tossed the sake bottle into Sanji's arms.
"You know what, kid? Gawain and I just drank for over half an hour, haha!"
My culinary skills were originally just a hobby. I always believed that status and identity were earned through hard work, and cooking was just a side job.
But, what the hell? I never expected that my iron legs would make me a complete failure, while my cooking skills would make me a seat at the table of those damn Celestial Dragon...?"
"Wait, are you out of your mind?!"
Just as Zeff finished speaking, Sanji jolted awake and quickly covered Zeff's mouth with his hand.
"You've really had too much to drink, old man. How dare you say such things? Do you think you're Garp, saying whatever you want!"
This is the Dark Bird Ship. Didn't you tell me to be careful? You've had a couple of drinks and you're completely out of your mind. What you just said was extremely disrespectful!
"Uh, haha!"
Hearing Sanji's reminder, Zeff chuckled awkwardly.
"Indeed, I got a little carried away, but I'm genuinely excited!"
Just now, you know what? I was drinking with Celestial Dragon, and Dark King Rayleigh, invited me to join his pirate crew! I freaking...!
"Hello!!!"
At this moment, Zeff was truly a little drunk, or rather, he was so drunk he was almost floating on air.
Sanji understood immediately.
"Old man!"
Sanji spoke to him seriously.
"What did you just say? Rayleigh invited you to board the ship?"
My God, this isn't the pirate crew of the vice-captain of Pirate King that you're dreaming of!
This is the Celestial Dragon's Dark Bird Ship!!!
Why would they invite you? What makes them think they can invite you? Do you think you're Beli, loved by everyone?!
At this point, countless schemes flashed through Sanji's mind. He felt that none of this had anything to do with Zeff, and that this invitation must be Gawain and his group against him.
After all, although Sanji greatly admired Zeff, he knew that Zeff was ultimately just an ordinary cook from the East Blue, and he had no status worthy of this ship.
And myself...
Although his status couldn't compare to that of the Celestial Dragon, he was still the third heir to the Vinsmoke Family, born with the sacred right to rule the North Blue...
Well...
Thinking about this, Sanji couldn't help but slap his forehead hard. What was he even thinking?!
Wasn't I always ashamed of being born into that kind of family? Why is it that after encountering someone far more powerful than myself, I'm now inclined to uphold that detestable identity?
When Sanji patted his forehead, Zeff couldn't help but tug at his own beard.
He grumbled at Sanji with slight dissatisfaction.
"Kid, you're underestimating me too much. Tell me, why would I be invited by such a big shot as the Celestial Dragon? Just because I'm a chef!"
In the entire East Blue, is there any chef whose culinary skills surpass mine?
I don't know anything about the whole world, but after today, I'm definitely much better than that Celestial Dragon's cook!
So, kid, even those high and mighty Celestial Dragon politely invited me to join their fleet!
This is all thanks to my culinary skills that I have such a brilliant destiny!!!
As soon as he finished speaking, Zeff put his arm around Sanji, who was standing next to him.
"Look at this ship, kid. Don't you think it's some kind of pirate crew?"
No, let me tell you, when you look at something, you have to look beyond its appearance to study its essence!
Who is the first mate here? It's Dark King Rayleigh!
Who is the boatswain here? It's Blind Tiger Laughing!
Who are the combatants here? They are the Shichibukai of the Sea, who, despite being vilified by their peers, are all at the top in terms of strength and status!
Although there are a few marines on board, the crew is basically made up of the most elite pirates on the entire ocean!!!
As soon as he finished speaking, Zeff gave Sanji head.
"Take a good look at Saint Gawain, who is only about ten years older than you. Although he has the identity of Celestial Dragon, he was full of pirate airs when he invited me!"
Back then, Red-Haired Shanks also ate at our restaurant, and Gawain's style actually surpassed Red-Haired Shanks's in some ways!
I can't believe I was invited by such an extraordinary pirate! Haha, I can't believe I'm where I am today!
This is absolutely incredible!
"Hello!"
Seeing Zeff's expression, Sanji's displeasure grew, and he slapped Zeff's thigh hard.
"Old man, don't say such silly things. This is just something you say to comfort yourself and me."
I understand you. People like us can't refuse the Celestial Dragon. I never expected him to recruit us. We...
"Hehe!"
Zeff grabbed Sanji's hand and squeezed it tightly. Amid Sanji's cry of pain, Zeff laughed and said...
"You're overthinking it, kid. Do you really think I'm being threatened?"
How could that be!
Before today, I had been worrying about the rest of my life, and also about your future, kid.
Although our chefs are doing a great job, as I said before, being a chef on this vast ocean will always just be a side job!
Only power reigns Four Blues!
In the past, I could only try my best to make powerful friends like Garp through my cooking skills. With their occasional help, I was able to lead you guys to barely survive on this cannibalistic sea.
But now, haha, a broad road has opened up before me!
Do you think I, an old man, would be unable to let go of my identity as a pirate?
From the moment I decided to retire from the pirate life and cook with you, I ceased to be a pirate. I will not question the Celestial Dragon's identity or the Dark Bird Ship's stance!
On the other hand, don't you think the atmosphere on this ship is great?
Although Rayleigh and his group of officers each had their own tempers, they got along exceptionally well, and their attitude towards their subordinates, the ordinary crew members, was far better than that of other powerful figures on this sea!
This kind of atmosphere is something that guys like you and me should definitely join!
Even though we are chefs, and we have to prepare carefully dishes for every diner, even if they are verbally abusive or even physically violent towards us, we will still make sure they are full!
But if our diners could show us the same respect as the people on this ship, they would certainly be much better than those who speak ill of us.
After all, treating bad people equally is a matter of personal quality for both of us!
But we're not cheap, kid!!!