Promise to Board the Ship

About an hour later, breakfast was served.

Shimotsuki Village was a small place, so the ingredients weren't exactly abundant. Zeff had already sent Zoro out to buy everything available at the market midway, and the variety was limited to just a few types.

But after passing through Zeff's hands, it was as if magic had been cast, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary in an instant.

Appetizing, fragrant dishes were served one after another.

The brats at the dojo crowded around the long wooden table, their eyes wide even before they started eating.

Amidst the clatter of chopsticks hitting bowls, exclamations like "It smells so good!", "Wow, I can't stand it!", and "My mouth is watering already!" filled the air.

And when Zeff announced they could start eating, the scene descended into even greater chaos.

After all, they were mostly growing children. At first, they could still remember the dining etiquette Koshiro had taught them, but the food was simply too delicious, and their primal instinct to protect their food was instantly ignited.

They scrambled and fought for it, turning into ravenous ghosts pouncing on their prey.

Xianuo was momentarily pushed aside and couldn't get close. He felt too embarrassed to compete with these little sprouts, so he went to a corner and got a bowl of the most overlooked fish porridge.

He took a sip. The milky white porridge coated the translucent fish slices as they slid down his throat. The ginger and scallions perfectly balanced the salty, fishy taste, and the texture was smooth and wonderful, unbelievably delicious.

He also took some of the side dishes next to it. They were crisp and refreshing, excellent accompaniments to the porridge.

He couldn't help but squint his eyes in enjoyment.

Even simple congee and side dishes could be made this delicious. Was this the work of a professional chef?

Bellemere's cooking was actually quite excellent, but compared to Zeff, the difference was like that between heaven and earth.

Perhaps he should... Xianuo looked at Zeff thoughtfully.

Beside him.

Zoro was also wolfing down his food, as if he wanted to swallow the entire table.

His resentment from being ordered around to do chores had long since vanished. If he could eat such delicious food every day, he wouldn't mind doing dishes and chopping vegetables every day!

"Uncle!" he couldn't help but turn back and call out, "Stay! If I can't taste your cooking anymore, I don't know how I'll live!"

"Yeah, yeah!"

"Stay, Chef Uncle!"

The other brats at the dojo chimed in.

Koshiro shook his head helplessly at these clueless children. A top-tier chef like this was not something his small dojo could afford.

"Alright, stop making noise. Do not make such unreasonable requests again."

Koshiro gently spoke, then suddenly turned his head in surprise. He had just remembered that Zeff had specifically asked him if the dojo needed a cook before he started cooking.

"That's right, that's what I meant."

Zeff said with a smile, "Mr. Koshiro, it seems the children really like my cooking. How about you temporarily take me in? Of course, and this child too."

He gently ruffled Sanji's hair beside him.

"You little brat, you say you want to search for the ALLBULE, but right now you're just a laborer, not even a cook. How can you be qualified to pursue that dream blue sea?"

"Stinky old man..."

Sanji pushed his hand away in disgust, then suddenly realized with pleasant surprise, looking up, "Huh? Does that mean you're willing to teach me cooking now?"

"It's not certain yet," Zeff pouted. "I'm very strict with formal apprentices. If you don't show any promise, I can kick you out at any time."

"Don't underestimate me, old man!"

Koshiro cleared his throat at this moment. "Esteemed Zeff, it is truly my honor to have someone of your caliber willing to stay at the dojo. We would certainly welcome you, but..."

But at the current rate of consumption, Isshin Dojo would likely go bankrupt within a month. If it were a year ago, he would still have plenty of accumulated food, but on that night not long ago, he had donated it all to Dragon.

He felt embarrassed and couldn't bring himself to say the words.

But Zeff saw his predicament and laughed heartily.

"Don't worry, I still have some savings. Don't worry, I'll handle all the ingredients for Isshin Dojo from now on!"

"How can that be!"

Koshiro was greatly alarmed. It was the first time he had heard of someone paying to work.

"Enough said! It's settled!"

Zeff burst into laughter. He couldn't be bothered to waste any more words. He clapped Koshiro's shoulder forcefully, making the latter swallow the words that were about to come out.

Xianuo watched with amusement from the side.

The scene of these two getting together was quite peculiar.

Koshiro, Zeff, tsk. If only Rayleigh were here too... The teachers of the Straw Hat Pirates' three main forces would all be present.

"By the way, Mr. Xianuo."

Zeff pulled Xianuo outside again and, from somewhere, brought out a large bag of treasure.

"Take this. It should be worth at least fifty to sixty million Belly once exchanged for money. I've kept some here, enough for regular ingredient purchases."

Fifty to sixty million Belly?

Xianuo glanced at the large bag of treasure.

On the deserted island, Zeff had used this bag to trick Sanji into thinking it was all food.

And in the original timeline, Zeff used this money to open the Baratie Restaurant, right?

Recalling the massive sum of four hundred million Belly he still had in the Loguetown bank, he thought for a moment and shook his head.

"No need, Uncle Zeff, you can keep it all. I really don't lack money. Consider it my contribution to help these kids at the dojo eat well and stay nourished for the next few years."

"Especially those two."

Xianuo pointed at Kuina and Zoro, smiling.

"They might be my crewmates in the future. You can show them a little extra favoritism, Uncle. I hope when they set sail with me, they'll be as strong as oxen... no, as strong as me."

Zeff glanced at Xianuo's exaggeratedly muscular physique and was immediately amused, laughing heartily.

"Alright! Don't worry, with me guarding the kitchen, I'll return two crew members as robust as you when you set sail!"

"Or perhaps, more than two?"

"Hm?" Zeff blinked.

Xianuo winked, grinning. "Uncle, being a chef is ultimately just your second choice, isn't it? Your biggest dream has always been to continue exploring the Grand Line and pursue that dream blue sea, hasn't it?"

"You mean... you want me to join your ship then?"

Zeff paused slightly, a hint of longing in his eyes.

But his gaze fell to his prosthetic leg, and he sighed.

"Let's forget it. The future Grand Line belongs to you young people. I shouldn't be a burden with my remaining strength."

After all, he had been a captain before.

Following them wouldn't be the issue, but if he became the weakest link on the ship again, unable to help in battles –

His pride couldn't accept that.

"I understand how you feel, Uncle, but what if..." Xianuo tapped his chin. "I could find a way to completely heal your leg?"

"..."

Zeff froze, then his eyes blazed with excitement, his voice trembling slightly with emotion.

"Really? There's a way? I lost my entire leg, what kind of medical skill could achieve that..."

Xianuo shook his head. "It might not be medical skill, and I can't do it right now, but I definitely will in the future. How about this, Uncle Zeff, let's set a deadline."

He held up four fingers. "From the day I set sail, roughly four to five years from now. I'll come to Isshin Dojo. If I can completely repair your leg, you'll come aboard with us. How about it?"

He was very confident in fulfilling this promise.

After all, the things that could appear in the system's trading market were truly varied.

When even planetary engines could be found, fixing a leg was nothing.

He was only thirteen now.

He didn't need to wait until he was an adult to venture out, but he should at least be seventeen or eighteen.

With so much time in between, the trading market refreshed once a month. Unless he was incredibly unlucky, how could he not find a solution!

"Okay, it's settled then!"

Zeff finally made up his mind, extending a pinky finger and grinning. "Let's pinky swear?"

Xianuo: "?"

Wait.

Why are all the locals from the East Blue, regardless of age, so fond of pinky swears?