An Incognito Inspection (Part Two)

Lind looked at the fresh-faced server before him and asked a question.

"Huh? How did you know, sir? Our boss used to be an imperial chef for the Flower Country's royal family!"

"The food here tastes amazing, doesn't it? Out of all the restaurants on Oran Island, ours definitely serves the best food."

At Lind's words, the server looked a little shocked, then began praising her boss's cooking.

"Oh, and our boss is really strong, too. Do you know why all our customers behave themselves? It's because of how strong he is. Those small-time pirates wouldn't dare cause trouble!"

As the girl spoke, admiration shone on her face. Clearly, the owner of this restaurant was a genuinely good man.

Perhaps he was much like Red-Leg Zeff, the owner of the Baratie in the original story, someone who could give the homeless boys and girls out on the seas a real sense of security.

"Hahahaha! I could tell from the taste, of course. The Flower Country's cuisine is quite distinctive! The food on other islands doesn't use such complex and varied cooking methods!"

Lind laughed heartily and picked up a piece of Guo Bao Rou with his chopsticks to feed Allison.

"Allison, try some, too. This restaurant's owner really knows his stuff. He's making me want to become his apprentice!"

After all, Lind was self-taught and had never received any formal culinary training. Though his food tasted good, it still fell short in many ways, leaving plenty of room for improvement.

"Mmm, this tastes amazing!" Allison took a bite of the Guo Bao Rou Lind offered her and praised it.

"Hahahaha! Miss, is your boss busy right now? Would there be a chance to meet him?"

After sampling a few more bites of the other dishes, Lind was even more pleased. He really wanted to meet the restaurant's owner and get to know him.

"Hahahaha! If Lord Lind wants to see me, then I'll certainly make time, busy or not!"

No sooner had Lind finished speaking than a deep, resonant voice rang out.

Looking toward the voice, he saw a muscular middle-aged man over two meters tall enter the private dining room.

Clearly, anyone who could open such an unusual restaurant in Oran Port had to possess sufficient strength and sources of information.

Zhang Yang had noticed Lind as soon as he entered the restaurant and had been keeping track of his group with Observation Haki ever since.

After Lind expressed his desire to meet him, Lind had dropped what he was doing without hesitation and come to see Lind.

After all, Lind was a fearsome man who had defeated Zephyr and captured two Marine Vice Admirals. Even if Huck felt he had some strength of his own, he wouldn't dare slight someone of that caliber.

"Lord Lind, I'm Zhang Yang, the owner and head chef of this restaurant. I prepared all the dishes on your table."

"It's a great honor to receive your approval!" After entering, Zhang Yang bowed to Lind and respectfully introduced himself.

"Hahahaha! Mr. Zhang Yang, there's no need to be so formal. Just call me Lind or Captain Lind. Come sit down and have a bite. We can talk while we eat."

Still a little unused to Zhang Yang's respectful manner, Lind quickly invited him to join them.

"Hahahaha! Thank you, Captain Lind. In that case, I'll take you up on your offer." Hearing Lind's words, Zhang Yang didn't insist on further formalities and sat down beside Great Kun, who had already assumed human form.

Clearly, as a former pirate, Zhang Yang wasn't particularly comfortable with all those polite formalities either.

"Mr. Zhang Yang, I'm very interested in your cooking. Would you have time to give the chefs under my command some guidance?"

Lind dispensed with the pleasantries and stated his purpose outright.

As the ruler of Oran Island, Lind might not usually put on airs, but asking Zhang Yang to teach him personally would inevitably put unnecessary pressure on the man.

Besides, with telekinesis at his disposal, Lind could easily learn Zhang Yang's culinary skills by secretly observing nearby while he taught Lind's chefs.

"Hahahaha! Mr. Lind, rest assured, I have the time. The other chefs prepare the dishes for our regular customers."

"I'm free most of the time. I only cook personally for distinguished guests like yourself."

"As for teaching your chefs, I'd be delighted. It would be an honor!"

Upon hearing Lind's request, Zhang Yang agreed without hesitation and didn't bring up payment. He trusted his instincts: Lind would surely compensate him to his satisfaction.

"Hahahaha! Then it's settled, Mr. Zhang Yang. I'll send someone over later to discuss the details with you. I believe you already know the officers under my command."

Lind was delighted by Zhang Yang's answer and nodded in satisfaction.

That afternoon, Lind did not continue his incognito inspection.

During lunch, Lind had also used telekinesis and Observation Haki to listen to the restaurant customers' conversations.

Larry really had done a good job over the years, maintaining a careful balance among all the factions on Oran Island. Through their combined efforts, the island had continued to thrive.

In particular, Oran Island didn't have to pay the heavenly tribute, nor did it suffer oppression from a whole slew of nobles. The common people's living conditions were fairly decent, too.

In this world, an island where ordinary people were guaranteed both personal safety and decent living conditions could truly be called a paradise.

Besides, all the factions were now working hard to keep their subordinates in line and didn't dare cause trouble, so there wasn't much point in Lind continuing his incognito inspection.

Lind felt that Oran Port was quite fine as it was. Once he took over the other cities on Oran Island, he would have a stable home base.

Perhaps what Lind could do now was draw on his previous life's experience and encourage the island's factions to develop technology and the economy, establish modern businesses, and modernize Oran Island.

Above all, Lind had the strength to crush any opposition, so he didn't need to worry about things spiraling out of control. He could use force to balance everyone's interests and create a situation that benefited himself, the factions, and the common people alike.

Still, all of this would have to happen gradually. Lind also needed to discuss and study the matter carefully with his officers first. If possible, he hoped to find someone with economic expertise to oversee the process.

Sitting in his room, Lind kept thinking about his future plans for Oran Island.

"Maybe I could intercept a World Government transport ship and abduct some economic and political prisoners to help develop Oran Island," Lind muttered to himself.

"Ugh, I don't even know where to start. I have absolutely no experience in this area, and I don't even understand the theory. All I can do is go by instinct, based on things I saw in my previous life!"

Lind scratched his head, feeling overwhelmed. For the first time, he realized how troublesome being the boss could be, especially without a top-notch manager working under him to help.

Although Allison, Axel, and Larry were all capable administrators, when it came to managing a major power, the other two still fell a little short compared with Larry.

They could manage Oran Island, but having them develop it according to Lind's wishes into a modern island like those of his previous life would still be far too difficult.