Bonney, Be My Cook

South Blue.

Located outside the Calm Belt in the waters of the Grand Line.

The scenery here had always been quite pleasant.

Among the future Worst Generation supernovas,

Kidd, Killer, and Bonney all came from this region.

Tyrant Kuma, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, had once been one of the kings here as well.

According to the Vivre Card, Kidd and Killer's hometown was surprisingly a kingdom occupied by pirates.

That alone showed the situation here.

At this time, Tyrant Kuma had also joined Vegapunk's Pacifista and Seraphim programs.

His daughter Bonney was still causing minor trouble all over this area.

She had yet to truly gain the strength needed to set sail.

After crossing the Red Line.

And passing through the Calm Belt.

Before Ye Zhuo even had a chance to act.

Shirahoshi, who was gradually mastering her own power, had the Sea Kings clear a path.

They also pushed the Demon King forward.

After leaving the Calm Belt.

Ye Zhuo's mood improved considerably.

"Keep training!

The Six Naval Powers, marksmanship, and swordsmanship!

These are all mandatory courses for you!

Awaken your Haki only after you make a breakthrough!"

The vice-captain, Empress, taught Haki, while Kalifa taught the Six Naval Powers.

Rebecca and Tashigi taught swordsmanship as well.

Momousagi could only fake a cough at the sight.

All day long, she could only sit in a corner of the Demon King, waiting for fresh newspapers and news.

Another late night came.

Ye Zhuo was sleeping soundly.

A graceful figure launched a sudden attack.

Bang!

Ye Zhuo sent Momousagi flying with a single punch as she tried to ambush him.

"Damn it, he was this strong even without Armament Haki?"

Momousagi fell angrily onto the Demon King's deck.

Feeling as though her bones were about to fall apart, she could only lean on her sword and slowly recover her strength.

"Have some."

Tashigi placed a serving of roasted meat before her.

The scene looked remarkably like Phoenix Marco persuading Fire Fist Ace.

"The captain is a monster. You can't defeat him."

"You used to be a Marine too. How could you say something like that!"

Momousagi took deep breaths, calming herself down.

"I still am. Many people on this ship have a three-year agreement.

If you want to leave the ship after three years, that guy definitely won't stop you.

But before then, if you dare leave, you have to die. How are you supposed to uphold justice like that!"

Leaning against the wall, Tashigi's words brought Momousagi back to her senses.

"That guy needs you to become one of his Seven Warlords of the Sea."

Tashigi revealed the final piece of information.

"One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"

Momousagi picked up the roasted meat and began wolfing it down.

It looked like she would be the first.

Was that lucky?

What strange fate.

For the first time, Momousagi, dressed in a dancer's long gown, found food delicious.

Three years?

More than a thousand days wouldn't be too long, would they?

What she was more curious about was what Marine Headquarters had encountered.

Why hadn't they dispatched an admiral after the Celestial Dragons were attacked?

Momousagi also hated the Celestial Dragons, but the fact that even the Five Elders had approved made it all the more bizarre.

A tall figure wearing a cloak walked out of the cabin.

He extended one hand and stared at Momousagi.

"Momousagi! Become one of my Seven Warlords of the Sea!

Use the Demon King's name to roam the seas!

Grow stronger to your heart's content, and let your justice resound across the ocean!"

For some reason, Ye Zhuo's words made Momousagi's heartbeat quicken slightly.

"You're a pirate. What do you know about justice?"

Momousagi continued gnawing on the roasted meat.

"Once I destroy the Celestial Dragons.

And take all of the Four Blues, the Grand Line, the New World, and the Red Line.

I will be justice! I will be fairness! I will be freedom!"

Ye Zhuo laughed loudly, making Momousagi's heart race even faster.

"Demon King, as long as I'm here, don't even think about conquering the world!"

"Is that so? Then my Seven Warlord of the Sea will have to work hard.

Also, address me respectfully as Captain."

Ye Zhuo knocked Momousagi on the head again. This time, she did not argue back.

Because Momousagi had fainted.

Ah!

The sea, you were always full of romance!

Sorbet Kingdom.

The kingdom once ruled by Tyrant Kuma.

Ye Zhuo set foot on the island.

The Demon King's pirate flag brought countless disputes to a standstill at that moment.

"What a pity. Tyrant Kuma is in the New World. The Paw-Paw Fruit would be so much fun."

Ye Zhuo swept the kingdom with his Observation Haki, searching for Gluttony's whereabouts.

Bonney was difficult to find. Her Devil Fruit allowed her to shift freely between different ages.

Unless one had portraits of Bonney at every age, finding her would be difficult.

Of course, sufficiently powerful Observation Haki could also memorize her aura.

Unfortunately for her, Ye Zhuo was exactly that kind of person.

Once the Shadowkhan made their move, they swiftly began searching the streets and alleys for Bonney.

One day later.

At the winter port of Sorbet Kingdom.

Inside a tavern.

Gluttony Bonney was feasting greedily.

She looked to be over seventy, yet she ate exceptionally fast.

As she ate, she read a newspaper in her hand.

By rights, her identity could have made her this kingdom's princess.

Yet because of the World Government's slander, she had no choice but to become a pirate.

Just like Tyrant Kuma, an exceedingly gentle man who had been labeled a tyrant.

Looking back, Cobra of Alabasta had been falsely accused of using Dance Powder.

King Riku of Dressrosa had been controlled by Heavenly Yaksha and made to slaughter civilians.

Bartholomew Kuma was likely the same.

"Demon King Ye Zhuo snatched away a noble Celestial Dragon in the Golden City?

Trash. Every Celestial Dragon deserves to die.

But that guy actually came to South Blue.

And he wants to find me? In this vast sea of people, how could he possibly find me?"

As Bonney spoke, the sound of blades rang out behind her.

Ye Zhuo lightly tapped with his Supreme Grade Blade.

It rested against her neck.

"Boss, bring me a crate of your strongest liquor."

The tavern owner immediately began searching after seeing this.

"How did you find me?"

Bonney had changed her age seven times today. No one should have been able to recognize her.

"Nothing much. I just have a lot of informants."

As Ye Zhuo spoke, dark figures emerged from the shadows inside and outside the tavern.

Nine Shadowkhan were enough to cover the heavens and earth.

Together with the Sea Kings controlled by Shirahoshi, they were the strongest force across sea, land, and air.

"Your ability is as freakish as the rumors say.

But I won't submit.

Don't think you can make me your woman!"

Bonney sprang to her feet, moving nimbly as she dodged the blade.

She immediately transformed into a little girl and hid beneath a table.

As she moved forward, she appeared behind the liquor cabinet.

"Damn it, why can't those subordinates of yours in black turn into babies?"

Bonney discovered that her Devil Fruit ability had no effect on Ye Zhuo whatsoever.

"Is that so? I don't know."

Ye Zhuo waved his hand.

Bonney, who had been about to escape through the tavern's back door, was kicked back by the tall Empress.

From every direction.

Figures appeared one after another.

"What exactly do you want?"

Bonney found herself with no way to the heavens and no door into the earth.

"Bonney, sail with me and become my cook!"

Bonney, who had been searching for a chance to survive, froze for a moment.

She had thought he would seize her and make her his bandit wife, but he wanted a cook!

"You think that's possible?"

"No fight, no friendship. Let's start by exchanging greetings!"

Ye Zhuo rubbed his fists and flicked out a finger.