Gawain scrutinized Sanji with admiration for a while, until Sanji's expression showed slight surprise, at Gawain stopped staring at him.
Gawain raised his hand and gently patted Sanji's shoulder, Gawain.
"I understand, kid. I'm completely at ease with you and Zeff taking care of my meals."
However, I have other requirements for you besides food!
With that, Gawain withdrew his hand and put both hands into his pockets.
You are still young.
He continued.
"At only sixteen years old, while you're constantly improving your culinary skills, you also need to continuously improve your own abilities."
"What, I heard you don't like fighting with knives and your hands, but prefer to use your legs?"
"Indeed!"
Sanji nodded heavily upon hearing Gawain's words.
"As a chef, I only use my knife on ingredients; a knife that kills cannot cook a dish with soul!"
As for my hands, I prefer to use them to handle food. If they get stained with blood, I feel that the dishes I make are very dirty!
In short, sir, if it's a battle, my two legs are enough!
Besides, as your cook, I probably won't have many opportunities to fight, and given the strength of the other adults on the ship, there's no need for someone of my strength to be at the forefront."
As soon as he finished speaking, Sanji looked at Gawain with a hint of stubbornness. He was really afraid that Gawain would say something like, "Go learn swordsmanship from Rayleigh..."
And Gawain.
Looking at the stubborn Sanji, he smiled and nodded, then pointed to Gion in the distance, who was sparring with Hancock.
Sanji's face turned green upon noticing the person Gawain was pointing at. Even without Rayleigh's guidance, this beautiful Gion lady was still an excellent swordswoman!
Fortunately, Gawain spoke up to explain.
"When Gion was in the Navy, she was known as Momousagi, and because of this, she possessed a unique kicking technique."
As for leg techniques, it's really hard to define, since very few people fight on the high seas using only their legs.
But Gion's leg technique once broke through the defense of Diamond Jozu, one of Whitebeard's subordinates, making it one of the best leg techniques in the world!
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain looked at Zeff with a mischievous grin and continued to laugh.
"In short, even when you had both legs, Grandpa Zeff, you probably didn't have the ability to defeat Jozu with your feet, did you?"
"Of course not..."
Zeff rubbed his braided beard with embarrassment and replied with a wry smile.
"When I was young, I could barely be called Supernova, and even then, I failed."
As for my ability to escape unscathed from the Grand Line and the New World...
Honestly, sir, the main reason I escaped unscathed is because of my excellent legwork, which allowed me to run fast.
In short, regarding combat strength...
At this point, Zeff punched Sanji hard in the chest.
"In terms of combat power, although I, an old man, am quite formidable in the East Blue, compared to the Grand Line or even the whole world, I would be far too insignificant!"
If you ever get the chance to learn leg techniques from a prospective Admiral like Gion- san, then you absolutely must work hard, you brat!
After speaking, Grandpa Zeff turned around and looked at Gawain expectantly.
Gawain nodded, and then, under Sanji's expectant gaze, waved to Gion and Hancock in the distance.
Gion!
"I'm here, sir!"
As soon as Gawain finished speaking, Gion's expression changed drastically. She abruptly withdrew her sword and then executed a fierce armbar, locking Hancock tightly in her arms.
"You're dead, Hancock. I'll teach you a lesson next time we dance!"
As for now, the master has something to discuss with me!
As soon as she finished speaking, Gion released Hancock, who was muttering incessantly, and came to Gawain's side. You didn't even need to listen to hear it to know that it was Hancock cursing and swearing.
When she came over, Gawain pointed to the young Sanji.
"Gion, this kid doesn't like fighting with his hands, so I'm asking you to teach him some leg techniques."
"No problem, sir!"
Gion readily agreed, then looked at Sanji's legs.
After glancing at her twice, Gion nodded gently.
"Although this kid's own qualities are not very high, and his height is also quite insufficient."
Overall, however, his leg length is quite good compared to his physique.
He has potential, I will mentor him well!
At this point, Gion casually picked up Sanji. With Gion's height of 2.7 meters, picking up Sanji, who was only sixteen years old and a little over 1.7 meters tall, really looked like picking up a chick.
After swinging Sanji around a couple of times, Gion turned and walked away into the distance.
As they walked, she emphasized this to Sanji.
"You're the cook, right? From now on, you can spend the hour before meals on your own, and the rest of the time you'll be reporting to the training ground!"
Grandpa Zephyr will teach you the two types of Haki and the Six Powers. I'll take that time to teach you all my leg techniques.
You absolutely mustn't embarrass me!
"I understand, Gion- sama!!!" Sanji replied hastily.
Beside Gawain, watching Sanji being carried away by Gion, Zeff's old face showed a relieved smile.
After he had finished laughing, he bowed deeply to Gawain.
"My lord, thank you for making arrangements for that brat Sanji!"
"No need to thank me, we're all in the same boat. You'll get used to it."
As for now, old man Zeff..."
Gawain raised his hand and glanced at his watch.
"It's already eleven o'clock, sir, you should be preparing lunch by now."
"Indeed, I'll go prepare some food for you right away. Just watch me show off my skills, haha!"
And so, old man Zeff laughed heartily and left the vicinity of Gawain.
As he left, even the sound of his wooden leg hitting the ground seemed lighter and happier.
After Zeff left, Gawain quietly admired the sea for a while on the pier.
About three minutes later, as Gawain mentally went through everything that had happened recently, he suddenly remembered a special person.
So he raised his right hand.
"Kalifa!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Kalifa immediately followed Kaya, who was like a little tail behind her, to Gawain's side to await his orders.
Standing behind Kalifa, the gentle and frail Kaya cautiously glanced at Gawain.
After the Celestial Dragon changed into formal attire, he appeared to possess a far greater, albeit subtle, majesty than he did in newspapers and magazines, making it even harder for Kaya to breathe.
Seemingly sensing Kaya's nervousness, Gawain quickly and directly instructed Kalifa.
"Kalifa, there's no need to have this child studying with you from now on."
This was a bit too difficult for her.
On the one hand, let her spend more time with Dr. Kureha and Chopper to recover from her physical depletion.
Next, let her train a little with Uta, Shirahoshi, Vivi, Isuka, and others, so she can integrate into our team.
After that, you can teach her what you're good at.
After saying that, Gawain tried to wink at Kaya gently, but obviously, it was no use, because Kaya's muscles were still tense all over.
Kalifa nodded in agreement.
Seeing that Kalifa had agreed, Gawain continued.
"The reason I called you here is because I have some special news to share."
Kaya, your current butler Klahadore, was originally Kuro, the infamous captain of the Black Cat Pirates, who roamed the East Blue.
I suspect he's connected to an attack that happened in the East Blue some time ago, so..."
Gawain smiled and waved his hand.
"Kalifa, go and bring Kuro here."
"Yes, sir!"
Upon hearing this, Kalifa's eyes immediately turned fierce. In her opinion, although she had only known Kaya for a little over ten days and had only really interacted with her for a morning, she was still very much in the know.
But Kaya was already personally assigned to him as his disciple by the master!
This guy named Kuro actually lurked in his disciple's house!
This is absolutely terrible!!!
Thinking of this, Kalifa pressed Kaya's shoulder and said Ice-Ice Fruit.
"Kaya, you stay by the adult's side. I'll go and capture Kuro myself!"
This bastard actually went into hiding, infiltrated your household, and became your butler! What is he trying to do? Is he planning to sexually harass you?!
As soon as she finished speaking, Kalifa turned and left, her murderous aura even drawing the attention of Shiryu.
Shiryu raised his hands high in the distance.
"I think I heard something about pirates. What, are they going to use me?"
"No need, Lord Shiryu, I'm just going to catch a petty thief!"
Kalifa responded without changing her expression, then walked further and further away, Shiryu with a regretful look on her face.
Beside Gawain, Kaya's expression was now extremely unnatural.
How can you say things like "sexual harassment"?
After emphasizing it, she pursed her lips in disbelief and whispered to Gawain, "..."
"Sir, how could Mr. Klahadore be a pirate? You are not... are you...?"
At this point, the little girl, who dared not say Gawain was wrong at all, pitifully lowered her head.
Seeing Kaya's expression, Gawain frowned slightly, then laughed.
"I can't be wrong!"
After speaking, Gawain leisurely returned to his seat and sat down.
On her right, Kaya lowered her head and bit her lip. Since the adult was so certain, given his status, he shouldn't be lying to her.
So, in the past two weeks, my family actually rescued a vicious pirate and even made him the family's butler?!
For a moment, lingering fear replaced disbelief and took over Kaya's mind.
Seeing Gawain sitting upright reading various intelligence reports, she actually felt somewhat fortunate.
Even she knew what would happen if pirates infiltrated her home.
In particular, their family is very wealthy; at least in the villages and islands near the Goa Kingdom, they are practically the richest commoner family outside of the nobility!
As for Kuro...
This guy, known as Hundred Plans, had planned to escape as early as when Gawain first arrived on the island.
But later, upon learning that Gawain was in a coma and that all of Gawain's men were too preoccupied to attend to anything else, he finally decided to take a chance and do it once!
Kuro felt that as long as he could hold out until Gawain and his group left, his plan would be completely secure.
Besides, unless absolutely necessary, Kuro really didn't want to give up his plans!
Leaving aside the fact that he had been planning this for many years, let's just talk about his current situation.
Keep in mind, he just attacked an entire warship, killed many sailors, and while confronting the navy, he also faked his own death...
How could someone who has even given up his identity, wanting only to complete his plan, easily abandon a plan that is only halfway through?
He's invested so much, to the point where he simply can't stop!
This gives us an idea of just how agonizing his recent days have been under these circumstances.
Even in Kuro's dreams, he had considered simply revealing his identity, thinking that he wouldn't have to suffer like this now...
Of course, people are always hypocritical. When faced with pressure, many people feel that failure might be a good thing, at least it would make things much easier.
But if they really fail, most people won't be able to bear the consequences.
As for Kuro...
As he was leading his men to clean the courtyard, he saw Kalifa, the Celestial Dragon's personal secretary, walking towards him with an Ice-Ice Fruit expression.
He knew then that his identity had been exposed.
But he... he actually smiled with relief.
He actually let out a long sigh of relief, and his whole expression turned relaxed!
Directly in front of Kuro, Kalifa stopped and coldly glanced at Kuro's much more relaxed expression.
"What, even you know that you've been exposed to the adults' sight? Captain of the Black Cat Pirates, Kuro of a Hundred Plans!"
"Ha..."
As soon as Kalifa finished speaking, Kuro smiled and let out a sigh of relief.
"They even managed to find out my identity. The Dark Bird Ship truly lives up to its reputation as a team led by Celestial Dragon."
While that Celestial Dragon was unconscious, you were all like people without a backbone, completely oblivious to everything else.
"The Celestial Dragon have only been awake for a morning, yet you guys are so professional that you even managed to spot me, this guy who just happened to run into you!"
At this point, Kuro looked at Kalifa with great admiration, and suddenly bowed gracefully to Kalifa.
"Thank you so much, Miss Kalifa. Your visit has not only made me feel much more relaxed, but also shown me what true excellence is."
Compared to you people who frequently appear in newspapers and in legends passed down by word of mouth, I am indeed as shallow as a stubborn rock that can be found anywhere.
Even so, I still want to know, how exactly did you manage to see through my deception?
Was it because of Mr. Rayleigh's special instinct for pirates?
It was former Marine Admiral Zephyr's professional expertise in the Navy that led to this achievement.
Or perhaps my identity was uncovered by Mr. Lucci, that cold-faced man from the Black Ice Terrace Platform of the Dark Bird Ship, through a meticulous and painstaking process?
After all, you haven't mentioned my identity at all in the past twenty-odd days.
Today, after your adults woke up, I was diagnosed in less than five hours.
I know that since you've decided to deal with me, I'm unlikely to survive.
"In that case, would you allow me, a dying man, to witness the pinnacle of strategy on this vast ocean, Miss Kalifa?"
After saying everything that was on his mind, Kuro looked at Kalifa with elegance and anticipation, showing no panic in her eyes.
His behavior actually elicited a hint of admiration from Kalifa!
So, facing Kuro's pleading eyes, Kalifa for a moment.
She really couldn't reveal information about the adults, but she was actually quite tempted to grant Kuro's request...
After a moment, Kalifa confused, said to Kuro.
"Your identity was personally chosen by the adults."
As for why Gawain could see through you...
Because he has eyes that can see into people's hearts and see into the past and the future!
Those eyes glanced at you briefly, so, by Kuro of a Hundred Plans.
Please feel honored at this moment!