"Hey, old man!"
Sanji was a little annoyed by what Zeff said. He flicked his cigarette ash and responded with a disgruntled sigh.
"The fact that we serve food to any diner is clearly the best quality a chef can have!"
And you taught me all of this!
As a result... how come the way you've described it now makes us seem so pathetic!
As soon as he finished speaking, Sanji threw the cigarette into his mouth and glared at Zeff with displeasure.
Zeff, faced with the gaze of this brat, froze for a moment before shaking his head helplessly.
"I... sigh..."
He said with great melancholy.
"The reason I taught you the way I did before was partly because I was teaching you principles of being a good person."
On the other hand..
Zeff then gently punched Sanji in the chest.
"On the other hand, hehe, with your small frame, you don't have the right to be willful!"
Think about it carefully, kid. I was once a pirate who roamed the Grand Line. Even if I've retired from the pirate life now, I can't possibly live the life of a farmer.
My nickname is Red-Leg Zeff. I am Red-Leg, and the reason my feet are red is because they are soaked in the blood of countless people!!!
I've forgotten exactly how many people I've killed; I've plundered more than a hundred ships!
Even if I had to give up the life of a pirate to become a cook, I would still be a cook who roams the high seas. That's why I designed the Baratie Restaurant to be a ship, rather than placing it in a town!
But there's something very important to this: restaurants like mine, floating on the sea, rarely get any regular diners!
Think back, kid, since our restaurant opened, haven't the customers been mostly pirates and marines?
Occasionally, a few merchant ships will stop at our restaurant for a short while, but these ships set sail to make money. They might stop by for a meal once in a while, but they will never get too close to us!
"Because our customers are either pirates or marines, the pirates will rob their merchant ships, and the marines will collect taxes from them!!!"
At this point, Zeff rubbed his beard in frustration; his long, braided beard was exactly what he used to vent his frustrations.
While rubbing his beard, Zeff continued speaking to Sanji.
"You probably understand now, kid!"
Compared to other ordinary restaurants, our restaurant caters exclusively to dangerous customers!
When I was alive, it was fine. I'm a man of experience. Even without a leg, I could still easily defeat those so-called Supernova every year!
Because back in my day, I was Supernova too!
But what about you?
Zeff gave Sanji a hard slap on the head.
"Compared to me, whether it's the ship's cook or you brat, you're all too weak!"
I'll die someday, and when that happens, you lot will have to deal with those troublesome customers yourselves!
In this situation, I must teach you to treat your diners properly. This ocean is too deep; who knows, some shabby, unpleasant diner might be a monster hiding in some nook or cranny!
Just like Blind Tiger Yixiao under Gawain, who was a monster qualified to fight Whitebeard, but before he joined the Dark Bird Ship, wasn't he just an old gambler who frequented various casinos?
"And it's the kind of gambling where you can't win!"
"Well..."
Sanji was stunned by what Zeff said. It turned out that all the life lessons he had learned in the past were taught by Zeff to protect him.
This reality made Sanji even more frustrated. How could anyone be like this?!
"Old man!"
Sanji immediately spoke up, clearly displeased.
"That's going too far! Do you think I'm a child who can't change my diapers without you?"
Besides, in addition to teaching me to show sufficient respect to diners, didn't you also teach me leg techniques?
With the skills you taught me, I shouldn't be unable to survive in the East Blue, which is the weakest sea in the world!
"Snort!"
No sooner had Sanji finished speaking than Zeff gave him another sharp rap on the head.
"The weakest sea, the weakest sea, you all love to keep that word on your lips!"
But think about it carefully, kid. The weakest sea in your eyes actually gathers almost every one of the strongest people in the world!
The leader of the Revolutionary Army, the hero of the Navy, and even the only Pirate King Roger, his hometown was the East Blue!
I really don't understand. Countless big shots have risen to prominence from this sea, and yet, just because it doesn't have as many mediocre scoundrels and lackeys as the other three seas, it's been labeled the weakest sea by a bunch of ignorant fools!
At this point, Zeff grimaced, his mustache bobbing up and down.
"Now, kid, do you still dare to say that the East Blue is the weakest sea?!"
This place is simply more peaceful than other seas, but peace shouldn't be a derogatory term!
At this point, Zeff sat up from the ground, patted his butt, and casually pulled Sanji up.
"Come with me, let's go see Gawain. I've made my decision. I will accept Gawain's invitation to become the head chef of the Dark Bird Ship!"
You wouldn't just abandon me, would you? I'm counting on you to take care of me in my old age, you bastard!
So come with me. When you see Lord Gawain, just act normally. He doesn't have that many rules!
"But...?!!"
Seeing Zeff becoming increasingly decisive, Sanji got up from the ground in frustration, and while tidying his clothes, he asked softly.
"But old man, are you sure this place is more suitable for us than the East Blue?"
We operate in the East Blue precisely because it's a weak and peaceful place, so there's less trouble, right?
I have a feeling that if we board the ship, the trouble will increase along with the Dark Bird Ship!
"Hey, you little rascal!"
No sooner had Sanji finished speaking than Zeff puffed out his beard again, glaring at Sanji and roaring.
"Young people like you always overthink things and accidentally forget the important points!"
When you told me we shouldn't necessarily join the Dark Bird Ship, you forgot that we didn't have the right to refuse!
I've been telling you all about the benefits of joining the Dark Bird Ship, but even without those benefits, would we have the right to refuse the Celestial Dragon' invitation?
Remember what I said, kid: don't think you have the right to argue with someone just because they're nice to you!
As they were talking, Zeff grabbed Sanji's arm and pulled him out of the cabin.
The moment Sanji stepped out of the cabin, the deafening noise on the deck instantly snapped Sanji.
Facing the faint sea breeze of midnight, Sanji gently patted his face.
"Yes, I lost my temper. We really didn't have the right to refuse."
At this point, Sanji seemed to have figured something out, and he turned to Zeff, revealing a relaxed smile.
"Speaking of which, old man, joining the Dark Bird Ship was really a good idea."
The ship had so many condiments, and the rare ingredients were dazzling.
I even feel that with the ship's abundant supplies, even the ingredients in Laugh Tale might not be as plentiful as here!
Thinking about it this way, this really is a paradise for excellent chefs, haha!
Having said that, Sanji emerged from his anxious state of mind and gracefully and easily walked towards Gawain in the distance.
The old man has done so much for him in the past, so he should do something in return, like not causing the old man any life-threatening trouble!
But just as they were passing through one round table after another, Sanji suddenly stopped!
He awkwardly pointed to Gawain's table in the distance and yelled at Zeff in disbelief.
"Old man, isn't it inappropriate for us to go there now?!"
"Of course it's inappropriate!"
Having Gawain seen Zeff had happened at Gawain's table, Zeff nervously pushed Sanji behind him.
"This is unbelievable! Why is that old man Garp arguing with Saint Gawain again!"
Let's wait a bit until they finish arguing before we go over. Otherwise, if they start fighting, we might not be able to withstand a punch or a kick!
Not long ago, after Gawain enthusiastically drank more than a dozen glasses of wine with Zeff said that he would give Gawain a definite answer after inquiring about his godson's attitude.
Although Lucci, Shiryu, and Spandam were extremely displeased with this, they couldn't stand the way a mere cook acted so arrogantly in front of Lord Gawain.
But for Gawain, his investment was in the future, in destiny, in Sanji...
Gawain, on the contrary, was quite optimistic about Zeff's question to Sanji.
What Gawain is doing now is stealing the support from the Chosen One.
He wants to steal Xiao He and Han Xin from Liu Bang, and he wants to steal Qin Qiong and Yuchi Gong from Li Shimin!
If luck really exists, then Gawain has practically drained the luck of the Pirate King world bare!
And so, Gawain enthusiastically permitted Zeff's actions, allowing Zeff to leave the table to contact Sanji.
Just after Zeff left, Garp, who was quite drunk and dizzy, blurted out something to Gawain with his mouth Gawain.
"Kid, tsk tsk, the way you look at Zeff always gives me the feeling that you have some ill intentions!"
"Ha ha!"
Hearing Garp's words, Gawain chuckled and innocently shrugged.
"Garp, what do you mean by 'ill-intentioned'? I'm a good person, and my opinions are well-intentioned!"
"Hello?"
Garp gave a cold laugh, then patted his chest.
"Even I, an old man, wouldn't dare call myself a good person, yet you, young man, dare to speak so arrogantly."
At this point, Garp snorted loudly through his nose, then pulled Rayleigh down a large gulp of wine.
After a few drinks, he picked at the onion rings garnishing his steak and reminisced to Gawain.
"In my life, I... humph, I originally had the chance to be a good person!"
But, damn it, I still made a terrible mistake that I'll regret for the rest of my life!!!
Garp suddenly stood up and slammed his hands on the table.
"This is unbelievable, kid! You actually dragged Ace onto your ship!"
This is really... really..."
Garp was miraculously stuck, stammering as he looked at Ace with a wistful expression.
Noticing Garp's gaze, Ace, who was arm in arm with Sabo, stuck out his tongue at Garp in confusion.
"Old man, why are you looking at me like that? The uncle pulled me onto the boat because he admires my potential, haha!"
Okay, fine, "Young Master" for a name, this kid's really drunk...
Not to mention the Byakugan- rolls and laughter from the group of senior figures around him when he called himself "Young Master".
After Ace finished speaking, Garp stood there blankly for a moment, lost in thought.
After a moment of stunned silence, Garp forced a smile and said softly.
"Yes, that Gawain admires your potential, so much so that he directly used his own status and position to vouch for you!"
Did you know that the fact that you're Roger's son has already spread throughout the entire Navy, and it probably won't be long before it's known all over the seas?!
"Huh? So what?"
Ace asked in confusion, having long since come to terms with his current status.
Hearing Ace's question, Garp slammed his hand on the table.
"So what? Hmph, with Gawain vouching for you, of course nothing will happen to you!"
But let me tell you, even with Gawain as your guarantor, there will still be people on this vast sea who have designs on you!
Even within the Navy, opinions on you are divided, with most young Navy personnel believing you should be arrested and publicly executed!
Strangely enough, Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino actually reached an agreement on this matter. I don't know how Gawain managed to fool them, but with their help, your identity at least didn't cause any trouble in the Navy!
But you should know that this sea doesn't just belong to the Navy. Guess what those legendary pirates forgotten by time will think once your identity is exposed?!
As for Roger's crew, needless to say, that old bastard Rayleigh has already started calling himself your godfather.
As for the others, your presence is bound to get them moving!
Besides Roger's crew, let's not forget that Roger also had enemies!
I can't think of anyone else, but I'm sure that once your identity is completely out in the open, that damned bastard Shiki will definitely show up to see you!
That bastard destroyed almost half of Marineford! Sengoku and Sengoku regret not killing him on the spot. Ever since he escaped Impel Down, he's been floating in the sky, hiding and making it impossible for Sengoku and Sengoku to hunt him down!
But you, hehe, I don't know what others think, but Sengoku and Tsuru have already started to formulate a plan against Shiki based on you!
And this was just the beginning, because even Shiki couldn't pose a problem for Gawain.
But you should know, the people on this high seas who care about you the most aren't pirates or marines, but the Five Elders!!!
At this point, Garp raised his large hand and slapped it hard on his head!
"I've regretted it my whole life. Why did I agree to Roger's damn request back then!"
Why should I be loyal to pirates and keep your relationship with Rouge a secret?
Because your birth wasn't tracked down by the Five Elders, they ordered the killing of all eligible children in the South Blue in the year you were supposed to be born!
That's over twenty million newborn babies!!!
By this point, Garp was already nearly delirious. He had been seriously injured in the fight with the others and had been drinking strong liquor for over five hours.
He was truly drunk; he wasn't even Seimei Kikan to control the alcohol in his system.
Completely dazed, he slumped into his chair in frustration. Facing the dumbfounded crowd around him, especially the dumbfounded Ace, Garp raised his hand to cover his eyes.
"Twenty years ago, I considered myself a hero, whether it was defeating Rocks or Roger, and especially refusing the promotion offered to me by the Five Elders."
But after you came into my life, I no longer dare to call myself a hero. I am just a stubborn devil, so stubborn that I have become a scoundrel in the eyes of the young navy!
You know, even though they didn't say it, I could see the incomprehension in the marines' eyes.
Once they find out that I raised you, they will never be able to understand me again!
Throughout the entire South Blue, how many families haven't lost a child because of my protection of you?
That's a debt I owe to the entire ocean!
Boom!!!
Suddenly, Garp stood up abruptly, stretching his arms with all his might, causing the bandages covering his entire body to burst open from his massive muscles.
At this moment, his body was covered in wounds, and blood and pus dripped down his skin.
With such a muscular physique, Garp roared at Gawain!
"Perhaps you don't know, but I have already submitted my resignation to the Sengoku."
Although he still won't pass, because he needs me to sit in the position of naval hero!
The Five Elders won't approve it either, because they also need me to keep my troublesome, unruly son in check!
But I am no longer qualified to be a general. I want to be an ordinary instructor like Zephyr, bearing the sins to train a successor who is more qualified than me for justice and the Navy!
But those were all my old ideas. After seeing you today, I have an even better idea!
Kid, Gawain, stand up!!!
For some reason, I really want to kill you, or be killed by you!
I'll kill you! Why didn't you appear eighteen years earlier, you bastard? Why are you so young? So young that you can't help this old man change that sinful past!
"And you beat me to death..."
Garp, covered in wounds, looked at Gawain, whose face was solemn, and tears streamed down his face. He remained silent for a long time before finally continuing to speak to Gawain.
"Even if his sins are grave, I must declare that this brat Ace is my family!"
In any case, I must thank you for protecting my Sun Tzu!
Whether it's providing him with a safer environment or freeing him from having to live in hiding any longer!
Especially since you've allowed Ace to hold his head high, I must give you a generous reward!!!
At this point, Garp raised his right hand and clenched it into a fist.
Feeling the last bit of strength left in his body, he spoke to Lucci, who was watching him nervously from a distance.
"You lackeys of Gawain, hurry up and fetch the Photo Den Den Mushi!"
For many years I have lived alone, without treasure or Famous Sword, all I have are my skills and the reputation others have bestowed upon me!
Gawain, let's have another good fight! This time it'll be just you and me, and we must decide the winner!
Your actions have always been aimed at gaining greater fame. Although I cannot guess how you intend to use that fame, since you need it, the fame is right here, right here on my Iron Fist!
Look at my fist, Gawain!
"You dare take this fame, you bastard!!!"