The Promise to Board the Ship

About an hour later, breakfast was served.

A small place like Shimotsuki Village naturally didn't have many ingredients. Uncle Zeff had already sent Zoro to buy everything available at the market, so there were only a few varieties to choose from.

Yet after passing through Uncle Zeff's hands, the ingredients seemed to have been enchanted, instantly turning the ordinary into something extraordinary.

The enticing colors and rich aromas of the dishes filled the room as plate after plate was carried to the table.

The little brats from the dojo crowded around the long wooden table. Before they had even started eating, every one of them had already widened their eyes.

Amid the clinking of bamboo chopsticks against bowls came exclamations like, "It smells so good!" "Wow, I can't take it!" and "I can't control my drooling anymore!"

Once Uncle Zeff announced that they could start eating, the scene became even more chaotic.

After all, they were only half-grown children. At first, they could still remember the table manners Koshiro had taught them, but the dishes were simply too delicious, instantly awakening their instinct to protect their food.

They fought over every bite, all of them turning into starving beasts pouncing on their prey.

For a moment, Xia Nuo was even squeezed out of the way. Too embarrassed to fight with the little radishes, he went to the corner and served himself a bowl of fish porridge, the dish nobody seemed interested in.

He swallowed a mouthful. The milky-white porridge carried the translucent fish slices smoothly down his throat, while the scallions and ginger perfectly dispelled the fishy saltiness. The texture was smooth and wonderful, fresh enough to make his eyebrows fly off.

He picked up some side dishes as well. They were crisp and refreshing, making an excellent accompaniment to the porridge.

He couldn't help narrowing his eyes in enjoyment.

Even plain porridge and side dishes could be made this delicious. Is this what a professional chef can do?

Bellemere's cooking was already excellent, but compared with Uncle Zeff's, it was simply the difference between heaven and earth.

Perhaps I should... Xia Nuo glanced thoughtfully at Uncle Zeff.

Nearby.

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

His resentment over being ordered around to do odd jobs had long since vanished. If he could eat such delicious food every day, he wouldn't mind washing and cutting vegetables every day!

"Uncle!" Unable to hold back, he turned and called out, "Stay here! If I can't taste your cooking anymore, I won't know how to live!"

"That's right!"

"Stay, chef uncle!"

The other little brats in the dojo began shouting along with him.

These brats who knew nothing of the hardships of life. Koshiro shook his head helplessly. How could a master chef of this caliber be affordable for his little dojo?

"All right, stop making a fuss. Don't make such unreasonable demands again."

Koshiro had just spoken gently when he suddenly turned in astonishment. He had abruptly remembered that before cooking, Uncle Zeff had specifically asked whether the dojo still needed a chef.

"That's exactly what I mean," Uncle Zeff said with a smile. "Mr. Koshiro, it seems the children really like my cooking. Why don't you take this old man in for the time being? Of course, this child as well."

He gently rubbed the head of Sanji, who was beside him.

"You little brat, you say you want to find ALLBULE, but right now you're still only fit for odd jobs. How can someone who isn't even a chef have the qualifications to pursue that dream blue sea?"

"Stupid old man..."

Sanji pushed his hand away disdainfully, then suddenly realized what he meant and looked up in delight. "Huh? Does that mean you're willing to teach me how to cook, old man?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself." Uncle Zeff curled his lips. "I'm very strict with formal apprentices. If you can't make anything of yourself, I can kick you out at any time."

"Don't underestimate me, stupid old man!"

At that moment, Koshiro coughed and said, "Lord Zeff, for someone of your stature to be willing to lower himself to stay at the dojo is truly an honor. We couldn't welcome you more warmly, but..."

At this rate of consumption, Isshin Dojo will probably go bankrupt in less than a month. If this had been a year ago, we would still have had quite a stockpile of food. But on that night not long ago, I donated all of it to Dragon.

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

But Uncle Zeff saw his predicament and laughed heartily.

"Don't worry. This old man still has some savings. There's no need to worry. From now on, I'll cover all the ingredients for Isshin Dojo!"

"How can we allow that?"

Koshiro was utterly shocked. He had never heard of anyone paying out of pocket to go to work.

"Enough! It's settled!"

Uncle Zeff laughed loudly. He couldn't be bothered to waste any more words. He slapped Koshiro hard on the shoulder, forcing the words that had reached the latter's throat back down.

Xia Nuo watched from the side with interest.

The sight of these two joining forces was rather peculiar.

Koshiro and Uncle Zeff. Tsk, if Kaido were added as well... the teachers of the Straw Hat crew's three top fighters would all be here at once.

"By the way, Lord Xia Nuo."

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

"Take this. It should be worth at least fifty or sixty million berries once exchanged for money. I still have some left, enough for ordinary ingredient purchases."

Fifty or sixty million berries?

Xia Nuo glanced at the huge bag of treasure.

On the deserted island, Uncle Zeff had used this bag to trick Sanji into thinking it was filled entirely with food.

And in the original timeline, Uncle Zeff had later used this money to open the Baratie Restaurant, hadn't he?

Remembering the four hundred million berries he still had deposited in a Loguetown bank, Xia Nuo thought for a moment, then shook his head.

"No need, Uncle Zeff. Keep it all. I really don't lack money. Just consider it my contribution as well, so the children at the dojo can eat well and stay properly nourished over the next few years."

"Especially those two."

Xia Nuo pointed at Kuina and Zoro and smiled.

"They might become my crew members in the future. You can favor them a little and take extra care of them. I hope that when they sail with me in the future, they'll be as strong as bulls... No, as strong as me."

Uncle Zeff followed his gaze and looked at Xia Nuo's absurdly sturdy build. He was immediately amused and burst out laughing.

"All right! Don't worry. With this old man keeping watch over the kitchen, by the time you set sail, I'll return two crew members to you who are just as plump and robust as you!"

"Or perhaps more than two?"

"Hm?" Uncle Zeff froze.

Xia Nuo blinked and grinned. "Uncle, continuing to work as a chef is really just your second-best choice, isn't it? Your greatest dream has always been to continue adventuring across the Grand Line and pursue that blue sea from your dreams, hasn't it?"

"You mean... you want this old man to board your ship with you when the time comes?"

Uncle Zeff paused slightly, a hint of eagerness appearing in his eyes.

But when his gaze dropped to his prosthetic limb, he ultimately sighed.

"Forget it. The future Grand Line belongs to you young people. With what little strength this old man has left, I'd only hold you back."

After all, he had once been a captain.

Boarding the ship itself would not be a problem. But if he ended up being the weakest person aboard again, a burden who couldn't contribute in battle—

His pride simply couldn't accept that.

"I understand how you feel, Uncle, but what if..." Xia Nuo rubbed his chin. "What if I could completely heal your leg?"

"..."

Uncle Zeff froze. Then a brilliant light erupted in his eyes, and his voice trembled faintly with excitement.

"Really? There really is a way? My entire leg is gone. What kind of medical skill could accomplish something like that..."

Xia Nuo shook his head. "It might not be medical treatment. In any case, I can't do it yet, but I definitely will be able to in the future. How about this, Uncle Zeff? Let's set a deadline."

He held up four fingers. "Let's use the day I set sail as the deadline. In about four or five years, perhaps? I'll come to Isshin Dojo then. If I can completely restore your leg, you'll board our ship and sail with us. How does that sound?"

He was highly confident that he could fulfill this promise.

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

Even planetary engines could appear there. What was a leg compared to that?

He was only thirteen years old now.

He didn't necessarily have to wait until adulthood to set sail and adventure, but he would have to be at least sixteen or seventeen.

With so much time in between, and the trading market refreshing once a month, how could he fail to find a solution unless he was unbelievably unlucky?

"All right, we'll do as you say!"

Uncle Zeff finally made up his mind. He extended his little finger and grinned. "Then shall we seal it with a pinky promise?"

Xia Nuo: "?"

No.

Why do all of you East Blue locals, regardless of age, like making pinky promises so much?

P.S. Thanks to "I Have a Billion Little Ideas" for the 500-point reward!

There will be another update this afternoon. Before the book goes premium, the new-book period has restrictions, so I can only maintain two updates a day. Please bear with me. Once it goes premium, I'll add more updates.