Stella's Talent

Guanhao Floating Archipelago, main island kitchen.

The place was bright and spacious, even suffused with a warm, homey atmosphere.

The steady chop-chop-chop rang out crisp and clean, a sonata played by a sharp kitchen knife and a hard cutting board in intimate contact.

Under Adams's movements, so fast they nearly left afterimages, a huge pile of vegetables and meat was swiftly broken down into evenly sized, perfectly shaped chunks, slices, and shreds, then sorted and arranged neatly on large silver platters beside him.

Not far away, Stella stood before a giant stockpot large enough to hold several adults, carefully pouring the prepared ingredients into the bubbling broth.

Beneath the pot was a simple stone stove, where the island's uniquely long-burning wood blazed. Dancing flames licked at the bottom of the pot, tinting her cheeks faintly red.

The two were preparing a victory feast—a banquet being arranged before the battle had even begun. Such near-arrogant confidence came from absolute strength.

Adams's hands never stopped moving as he casually asked,

"By the way, what exactly did Stussy say to you before?"

He was genuinely curious about it.

"N-Nothing!"

Stella's reaction was unexpectedly intense. As if she had been scalded, she vigorously shook her head, her cheeks instantly reddening like the flames beneath the pot. Wisps of white steam even rose exaggeratedly from her head; it was impossible to tell whether it was steam from the pot or heat from her own embarrassment.

"Really! It was just... just some private girl talk! Really!"

Adams's chopping paused slightly. He glanced sideways at her, and seeing that she was practically steaming, knowingly raised an eyebrow. A faint trace of amusement flashed through his eyes.

"Alright, then I won't ask."

He refocused on his work, his tone calm and natural, as though the awkward exchange had never happened.

Soon, the last piece of meat was precisely sliced thin, and all the ingredients had been prepared.

"Is this enough?"

Adams asked evenly.

Stella hurriedly snapped out of her embarrassment, glanced at the mountain of ingredients, and nodded vigorously.

"Enough, enough! It's definitely enough! Leave the rest to me!"

She tried her best to make her voice sound calm.

Adams picked up a cloth from nearby, wiped his hands, and headed for the kitchen door.

"I look forward to tasting your cooking when I get back."

After bringing Stella back from the slave auction house, the kind and gentle girl had always wanted to do something to repay him.

So he had Stella study medicine and cooking. After all, those were the only two essential roles still vacant on his team.

Then, he unexpectedly discovered that Stella had a certain talent for cooking, so he went with the flow and put her in charge of the kitchen.

It seemed to have helped her find her own place and value.

"Mm!"

Stella nodded heavily, clenching both fists as if encouraging herself.

"I definitely won't disappoint you!"

Adams gave a slight nod, pushed open the kitchen door, and walked out.

Watching the silver-haired youth's back vanish from sight, Stella patted her chest and let out a sigh of relief.

The moment Adams stepped out of the kitchen and into the island's uniquely gentle light, a faint explosive crack sounded in the air beside him.

Whoosh!

Lucci, dressed in a black suit, appeared like a ghost, landing at Adams's side with Soru.

"I just received an urgent report from our infiltrator."

Without any pleasantries, Lucci got straight to the point, his tone entirely businesslike.

"There has been unusual activity from the Colombo family. Avery acquired two new weapons. According to the description, one is a heavy machine gun capable of easily piercing thick steel plates;

the other fires blue energy beams that cause violent explosions upon hitting a target, powerful enough to shatter solid iron blocks."

He paused briefly before offering his judgment.

"Although the infiltrator doesn't recognize them, based on his description, I believe they are most likely a specially made heavy machine gun from a factory under the Beasts Pirates, and a beam weapon in Germa 66's technological style."

"Oh? A last desperate struggle. This is a little more interesting than I expected. He actually managed to get his hands on those things. It seems Avery dug out every last bit of his hidden money."

A nearly mocking interest appeared on Adams's face. There was not the slightest tension or concern in his voice, as though he had not heard about powerful weapons capable of threatening him, but rather that his opponent had prepared a somewhat novel sideshow.

"Unfortunately, it's still not enough."

He gently shook his head, his silver hair glinting coldly in the light.

After a brief pause, he continued with an unquestionable tone.

"The plan remains unchanged. Go notify the others to prepare for departure."

"Understood."

Lucci answered crisply. With another flash, he vanished from where he stood.

TO BE CONTINUED