"Big Brother Xie Wen, is it ready yet, meow?"
Not long after the two Sanjis entered the kitchen, Klee Meow lost her patience, climbed onto Xie Wen, and started pawing at his ears.
Xie Wen reached out and pulled the clingy little kitten off him. As he kneaded her cheeks and paw pads, he soothed her softly. "How could it be that quick? Even making bombs takes you time, doesn't it?"
Klee Meow wriggled about, giggling as she dodged the hand trying to catch her little paws, then stretched her head forward to give it a couple of gentle nibbles in "protest."
The Baratie's chefs all watched Xie Wen with envy.
"Here, kitty~ Come over to Uncle~"
Patty turned his envy of Xie Wen into action and went to tease Meow Jūshirō, who was sitting formally to one side. Most importantly, he was still wearing that bizarre smile as he sidled up to Meow Jūshirō.
Meow Jūshirō was not about to indulge him. He raised the Long Sword in his hands and brought it down on Patty's head and face.
Of course, Meow Jūshirō knew how far to go and had not drawn the blade from its sheath.
Even so, Patty was nowhere near a match for Meow Jūshirō. Before he could even react, Meow Jūshirō had covered his head in lumps, leaving him sprawled on the floor, clutching his head and howling.
"Hmph, how rude, meow!"
Meow Jūshirō set his Long Sword aside and returned to his formal kneeling posture.
Seeing the shocked expressions on his chefs' faces, Zeff stroked his beard and said unhurriedly, "They say the Mink Tribe are born warriors. Even their children have considerable fighting ability... Looks like that rumor was true."
"You should've told us that sooner, boss!" the surrounding chefs shouted at Zeff