Ata the Cook, Thirty Years Old

Ata, is thirty years old. Although she has entered her thirties, time seems to have left few marks on her. She has a graceful figure, a beautiful face, and exudes a unique charm in every gesture. However, don't underestimate this seemingly delicate woman. She was once the captain of a Might-Shaker Cook God Pirates, wielding Two Sword Style swords with fierce swordsmanship, a true Swordmaster. Moreover, her superb culinary skills are truly astonishing.

Back then, Ata, with her superb culinary skills and formidable strength, won first place in the culinary competition held on Chef Island. This should have been the highlight of her life, but unexpectedly, on that very day, a conspiracy quietly descended. Someone plotted against her and her pirate crew, resulting in heavy casualties among the crew members, with only she surviving by sheer luck.

After that harrowing, near-death experience, Ata seemed to have become a completely different person. The gentle, kind woman she once was had vanished without a trace, replaced by a fiery, easily angered shrew. Even the slightest inconvenience would prompt her to unhesitatingly raise her clenched fists, as if to vent all her resentment and rage through this violent act. In this simple, direct, and even somewhat barbaric way, she displayed to the outside world the uncontrollable emotional turmoil deep within her heart.

Surprisingly, despite Ata's frequent outbursts of temper and Fudō to resort to violence, she remained steadfastly on the island of Chef Island, never budging an inch. The reason for this lay deep within her heart, where a burning, unwavering obsession resided. This obsession convinced her that the person who had painstakingly plotted against her was hiding on this seemingly ordinary island!

In that instant, time seemed to freeze. Moke stood motionless like a statue, his entire attention drawn to the slightly tattered and yellowed piece of paper in his hand. The paper looked weathered and worn, with even some scratches on the edges, but the densely written text on it was still clearly legible. These words meticulously recorded various trivial yet detailed information and data related to Ata.

Suddenly, like a bolt of Inazuma ripped through the night sky, Moke's gaze was drawn as if by a magnet, fixed firmly on a line of exceptionally striking and dazzling numbers—"One Hundred and Thirty Million Beli." In an instant, his eyes widened, as if his eyeballs were about to pop out of their sockets; his mouth opened uncontrollably wide enough to fit a fist; and an indescribable expression appeared on his face, a mixture of astonishment, doubt, and disbelief, making his face extremely distorted.

He simply couldn't believe his eyes. How could this be? The ordinary, unremarkable cook standing right in front of him was carrying such an astonishingly large bounty! 130 million Beli! That was no small sum; it was almost comparable to the bounties of those renowned, world- Might-Shaker Supernova! Moke couldn't help but re-examine this seemingly ordinary woman, pondering to himself: Who exactly is she? Why does she have such a high bounty? Could there be some earth-shattering secret hidden beneath her simple and unadorned exterior?

What's even more surprising is that, because Ata has been single-mindedly pursuing the truth and finding the real culprit on Chef Island for the past few years, she has had no time to attend to anything else, so her bounty has remained unchanged.

"Interesting..." Moke paused for a moment, seemingly deep in thought. After a short while, he continued, "Then, what about the specific information about who plotted against her back then? If you have any related clues, please bring them all out! I'd be happy to buy all of it..."

Upon hearing Moke's words, the waiter standing nearby was slightly taken aback. Then, his eyes narrowed slightly, a sly smile appearing on his face, and he slowly said to Moke, "Sir, considering this is your first time working with us and your great potential to become a valued customer, I'll make an exception and kindly remind you that anyone who chooses to buy this information about the murderer will also have their own information fall into the murderer's hands in the same way. So, are you really sure you've thought it through? Do you still want to buy this information?"

Upon hearing this, Moke's body trembled violently, and an expression of disbelief appeared on his face. He never expected things to develop this way; it was completely beyond his expectations. However, his shock lasted only a moment before he quickly regained his composure, taking a deep breath and trying to calm himself down. He slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, the somewhat panicked look in his eyes had disappeared, replaced by a pair of sharp and deep eyes like those of a hawk.

At this moment, Moke's mind raced, meticulously analyzing every word the waiter had just uttered. Those few words contained far too much information, far too important! First, it was certain that he wasn't the first to attempt to obtain information about the killer from the Underworld. This meant the secrets hidden behind this mysterious killer were likely far more complex and dangerous than imagined. Furthermore, a killer who could instill such fear in so many, making them hesitant to even investigate his true identity, must possess an extremely powerful and chilling background...

However, in that instant, as if time itself had frozen, a turbulent struggle and conflict surged within him. A torrent of thoughts rushed in, leaving him feeling somewhat lost. On one hand, he knew that what lay ahead might be enormous risks and unknowns; on the other hand, his thirst for the truth burned within him like a raging fire, irresistible.

Finally, after a brief but intense internal struggle, as if he had made a firm decision, his tense body gradually relaxed. He took a deep breath, then gently raised his head, his gaze fixed firmly on the opposite side. Next, he slowly extended his slender fingers forward, the movement as gentle as a breeze across a lake, and nodded softly. At the same time, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, forming a faint smile, as captivating as the first flower blooming in spring.

He spoke in an almost inaudible voice, "Thank you for your kind reminder, but since things have come to this, please send me that invaluable intelligence as soon as possible." Although his tone was very calm, the expectation within it was self-evident. After a pause, as if remembering something, he added, "To be honest, even I myself am filled with an irrepressible curiosity about this mysterious intelligence... It's like a treasure hidden behind layers of fog, constantly drawing me to explore and unveil its mysteries."

Upon hearing this, the waiter, who had been standing respectfully to the side, first politely nodded slightly, indicating that he fully understood the other party's meaning and request. Then, without the slightest hesitation, he responded quickly. He straightened his posture, placed his hands naturally at his sides, and replied in a calm and firm tone, "Yes, sir, please wait patiently for a moment. I will retrieve the intelligence for you as soon as possible and ensure its safe delivery to you." After speaking, he bowed slightly to the waiter, turned around, and walked away with light steps, leaving only a receding figure.

But before that, there's a crucial matter I must tell you in advance: the price listed for this intelligence is truly exorbitant! You've probably heard about it; almost everyone who knows about it understands perfectly well that if we can successfully obtain and utilize this intelligence, we could very well recruit a super-powerful pirate with a bounty exceeding one hundred million into our ranks."

After speaking, a meaningful smile unconsciously appeared on the waiter's face, a smile that seemed to contain endless depths and mysteries. At the same time, his piercing eyes stared directly at Moke without any hesitation, a Dark-Dark Fruit glint in them, seemingly hinting at something unknown—could it be that you're not simply here to satisfy your curiosity, but also harbor the intention of using this information to recruit that powerful pirate?

Upon hearing this, Moke's lips curled into a smile, and he chuckled, "Oh? I see. Then I'd really like to know, just how much is this person Ata worth in your mysterious Underworld?" The waiter quoted a figure without hesitation. "A full ten million Beli!" A glint flashed in Moke's eyes as he pondered to himself. Usually, a higher price meant a more powerful target. Therefore, when he heard this astonishing offer, he felt no frustration or hesitation, but rather a surge of joy. Immediately, he swiftly pulled a dazzling necklace from his pocket, gently placed it on the table, and confidently said, "I think this necklace is worth at least ten million Beli."

The waiter smiled and said to the customer, "Please wait a moment." In that instant, his professional smile seemed to soften with genuine emotion. Just moments before, he had successfully sold a crucial intelligence report worth tens of millions! According to regulations, his exceptionally generous bonus would undoubtedly arrive as promised.

Not long after, everyone saw the waiter, smiling, return to the mysterious guest with light and cheerful steps, as if walking on clouds. His hands trembled slightly as he carefully handed the incredibly precious information he held tightly to the guest, deliberately lowering his voice and whispering, "Dear sir/madam, this is all the information you've been eagerly awaiting. Please take a look."

The guest, with a focused and serious expression, reached out and steadily accepted the intelligence document, which carried countless secrets and values. His gaze swept across the dense text on the paper with Inazuma speed, not missing a single detail. However, when his eyes inadvertently fell on one of the names, he was as if struck by lightning. His body jolted violently, and his eyes involuntarily widened, almost popping out of their sockets. At the same time, an overwhelming sense of shock surged into his heart, causing him to involuntarily let out a gasp from the depths of his mind.

So, the key figure mentioned in this intelligence report is none other than Gladius, a powerful and renowned member of the Doflamingo Donquixote Family under the command of the Might-Shaker Doflamingo in the vast New World! He's an extremely formidable character, his ruthlessness and strength are legendary throughout the entire pirate world. It's no wonder this guest was so flustered upon learning this.

According to intelligence, this Gladius is a powerful Paramecia Devil Fruit User. While his official bounty is only 31 million Berries, his actual strength far exceeds 100 million Beli ... Even more astonishingly, Gladius cleverly used his Boom-Boom Devil Fruit Ability to set an ambush, killing all members of Ata's Cook God Pirates (except for Ata himself, the captain). Furthermore, he successfully stole the incredibly rare Devil Fruit from Ata.

"Holy crap!" Upon seeing this, the guest, Moke, could no longer contain his surprise and involuntarily exclaimed. He never imagined that the mastermind behind this attack would be Gladius of the Donquixote Family. After all, behind this man stood the powerful Doflamingo and the entire Donquixote Family! This made the situation even more troublesome and complicated.

However, what kind of mysterious and powerful Devil Fruit could possibly attract the personal attention of a master like Gladius? Gladius is known for his bravery, yet this time he unexpectedly chose an ambush strategy instead of a direct confrontation. Even more astonishingly, even a meticulously planned ambush failed to annihilate Ata completely and eliminate the threat forever. This alone is enough to reveal Ata's unfathomable strength.

Clearly, judging from the current situation, Gladius seems to be slightly inferior in strength. But even so, this matter is not enough to alarm the high and mighty Lord Doflamingo to personally handle it. Thus, the current delicate situation has been created.

Moke pondered to himself, increasingly convinced that his money had been well spent. Moreover, he became even more convinced that recruiting the highly skilled culinary expert Ata as his first teammate was an absolutely wise choice. Just then, as if suddenly remembering something important, Moke quickly added, "Oh, right, could you please provide me with a detailed map of the route to Chef Island..."

Upon hearing this, the waitress smiled slightly, then slowly reached into her pocket and carefully took out a yellowed map. With a gentle flick of her wrist, the precious route map fluttered towards Moke like a dancing butterfly.

Moke caught it with lightning speed, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He quickly thanked her, saying, "Thank you so much, young lady!"

Then, he added unhurriedly, "Now, shouldn't we get down to business?" Hearing this, the smiling waitress paused slightly, but quickly recovered, her smile returning as she softly said, "Oh my, you really have a keen eye... you even noticed that!" She exhaled softly, as if releasing her tension. Then, she straightened her posture slightly, carefully straightened her clothes, and solemnly said to the person before her, "Now, on behalf of Baroque Works, let me extend to you our sincerest invitation—to join our Baroque Works family. With your outstanding abilities, if you successfully join our studio, I believe it won't be long before you become a senior agent within Baroque Works."

"Holy crap..." Upon hearing this, the other party couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice. Just moments ago, it was the Donquixote Family, led by Doflamingo, that came to recruit him, but now it's Baroque Works under Crocodile. Both of these forces are renowned, one dominating the New World, and the other awe-inspiring on the first half of the Grand Line. However, he had absolutely no interest in becoming his underling. Just as he was about to politely decline, the waiter preemptively interjected, "Don't be so quick to refuse... Why not listen to the generous terms we've offered you first?"

First, regarding intelligence sharing, we will provide you with all the intelligence you need without reservation, and free of charge. Furthermore, if anyone attempts to harm you, or if someone tries to purchase information about you, we will be informed immediately and promptly notify you. If necessary, we will even dispatch personnel directly to assist you without hesitation, ensuring your safety.

Secondly, once you officially join us, you simply need to complete the tasks assigned by Baroque Works. In the remaining time, you are completely free to arrange your own actions without any restrictions. Furthermore, it's worth mentioning that once you successfully complete these tasks, Baroque Works will give you extremely generous rewards, ensuring your efforts are fully rewarded.

Finally, let's discuss the specific forms of cooperation. The first method involves prioritizing intelligence support and issuing timely warnings if anyone attempts to target you. However, in exchange, you'll need to pay a certain amount of Beli. The second method is more flexible. While you'll still need to complete a certain number of tasks, not every task is mandatory. Specifically, within a year, you only need to select and complete two or three assigned tasks. Admittedly, this third form of cooperation is quite attractive, offering greater autonomy without placing excessive pressure on you.

However, there was no real need for that. Any problem that can be solved with money isn't a real problem. As for intelligence, it could simply be purchased with Beli. After all, no matter how eloquently one speaks, agreeing to join would be tantamount to submitting to Crocodile's Baroque Works. Therefore, Moke refused without hesitation. Seeing this, the waiter could only turn and leave with regret.

Meanwhile, Moke began to carefully examine the map leading to Chef Island. Soon, the names of two small islands caught his eye, instantly striking him. One was Whiskey Peak, and the other was Asuka Island. He had to admit, this route overlapped with several of Luffy's and his crew's routes. The former was a gathering place for bounty hunters, a place Princess Vivi and Luffy's group would visit; while the latter was the island where the Holy Sword resided... The latter, in particular, held immense appeal for Moke. The legendary Holy Sword was truly mysterious and incredibly powerful! It not only possessed the miraculous ability to heal wounds, but also greatly enhanced the strength of its wielder and their companions!

Moreover, this power can even control the inner world of others, achieving the supreme state of perfect fusion between man and sword, which is truly astonishing! Such a powerful ability is simply heaven-defying. If he successfully acquires this power and integrates it, then his own strength will undoubtedly undergo a qualitative leap, reaching a higher level of peak.

However, a trip to Whiskey Peak was also a must. It wasn't so much to catch a glimpse of Princess Vivi or reunite with Luffy and his crew. The real reason he was drawn there was the rumor that a renowned sword— Kashu— was hidden there. If his memory served him right, this sword seemed to be in the hands of a mysterious agent of Baroque Works. In the original story, Kashu ultimately fell into Tashigi's hands.

Now that we've decided to recruit Ata, besides providing concrete information about the killer, we need to prepare a substantial gift! After all, he's a true Swordmaster, and in this world, for a master who pursues the ultimate swordsmanship, there's probably no more satisfying gift than a peerless Meito!