In the bay of the nameless deserted island, the sea breeze swept away the stench of gunpowder that had lingered for days, replacing it with an intoxicating fragrance so rich it was almost maddening.
The enormous outdoor kitchen hastily set up on the beach was ablaze with fire.
Wearing a heavy, dark-brown leather apron, Leona moved effortlessly between dozens of pots and grills, like a female general commanding a battlefield.
"Buggy! Flip that deep-sea swordfish over! Sabo, help me pluck those big birds!"
Leona directed everyone as the silver boning knife in her hand became a blur.
There was an abundance of ingredients today. A gigantic swordfish weighing several tons, caught offshore, was roasting to a golden crisp on an enormous iron rack, its fat dripping into the fire with a sizzling sound. Several birds of prey with wingspans of over ten meters had been cleaned and stuffed with the island's distinctive spices and wild ginseng, and were slowly roasting over another fire. In the huge iron pot at the center, the bones of ferocious beasts and fresh Sea King meat churned in boiling water, simmering into a rich, milky-white tonic soup.
"Food's ready!"
At Leona's command, the Eclipse Pirates immediately descended on the long table like a pack of starving wolves.
"Whoa! This grilled fish is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and every bone's been removed! And this big bird's meat is even firmer than beef!" Buggy stuffed a fish steak in his left hand and a bird leg in his right, eating so voraciously that his mouth glistened with grease and he nearly swallowed his tongue.
Ace sat at the head of the table, empty plates piling up before him at an astonishing speed.
The intense Seastone training of the past few days had