At noon, sunlight bathed every corner of the Kingdom of Bernia. But hotter than the sunshine were the invitations sent out from the royal palace, each bearing head chef Joel's personal seal. Like boulders hurled into a still lake, they sent towering waves through the kingdom's culinary world.
Keller, a master chef among the common folk, was working up a sweat, bare-chested in his small, bustling eatery.
When the postman handed him the gold-embossed envelope, he roughly wiped his hands on his apron and tore it open with a trace of dismissive contempt on his face.
"Hmph, that old fool Joel, who only knows how to please noble palates, actually stooped to writing for help? The true meaning of fine food lies in nourishing everyone, not becoming a plaything for the powerful to flaunt..."
He muttered as he quickly scanned the letter.
Then his complaints stopped short. Those hands, so accustomed to judging the weight of ingredients, began trembling slightly beyond his control. His pupils contracted sharply in disbelief, and the contempt on his face had long since given way to utter shock.
Every name on the guest list exploded like thunder in his mind:
Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Borsalino, code name "Kizaru"!
Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Onigumo!
Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral Gion, code name "Momousagi"!
Rear Admiral Raymont of the Marines' G-101 Branch!
Caiyi, thirteenth leader of the Flower Country's Happo Navy!
Joining them would be the kingdom's powerful prince, Locke Hall!
And at the heart of the banquet, Aaron Ball, the "White Monster" whose fame was rising throughout the kingdom, would personally serve as a "human stove," providing precise heat for every stage of the cooking!
What a lavish lineup! Simply attending and serving these guests would be a tremendous credential in any chef's career!
Keller's gaze moved farther down. When he saw the list of ingredients, he felt as though his breathing would stop.
An overlord of the coastal waters-an Oarfish over sixty meters long!
A lively, thrashing Super West Blue Lobster, its enormous claws capable of snapping a mast!
A Manatee Sea King whose flesh contained immense life energy!
There were also absurd quantities of premium seafood, enough to form a small mountain-oysters, scallops... along with rare birds and exotic beasts that the kingdom's logistics department had invoked special privileges to procure urgently from across the land...
"C-could this be... the legendary 'All Blue'?" Master Keller's voice choked with tears. Scalding tears spilled uncontrollably from his eyes, falling onto the precious letter. "Joel... you old bastard... this is wonderful! If I can take part in a feast like this, my whole damned life will have been worth it!"
He sprang to his feet and roared at the bewildered apprentices in his shop, "Close up! We're shutting down! Get a carriage ready, now! I'm going to the palace! This is a battle worthy of going down in West Blue culinary history!"
The setting sun cast its final glow across the sea like molten gold, staining the bay a magnificent reddish gold.
On the rooftop of the Private Club, which occupied the finest viewing spot, the sea breeze brushed gently past, carrying a briny scent mingled with enticing aromas drifting faintly from the distant kitchen.
Seven enormous solid-wood tables had already been neatly arranged, their polished surfaces reflecting the brilliant, fiery clouds on the horizon. Prince Locke Hall was personally showing the honored guests to their seats.
"Mr. Borsalino, please take the seat of honor." Wearing an appropriate smile, Locke led Kizaru to the principal seat.
With the club's main building behind it and the sea ahead, the seat offered an excellent view. It allowed him to admire the sunset's molten-gold beauty while befitting his status as the highest-ranking officer present.
As languid as ever, Kizaru slouched into his chair and crossed his legs, his gaze drifting over the sea behind his sunglasses. "Oh my~ What a lovely place. Even eating here would put you in a good mood~"
Gion was given the first seat on the right, facing Kizaru, reflecting her special position as a representative of the Marines' core decision-makers.
She sat gracefully, the Famous Sword Kompira at her waist brushing the chair back with a faint sound. Next came the stern-faced Onigumo, who sat with his arms folded, followed by Rear Admiral Raymont, his back straight.
The first seat on the left remained empty. Locke occupied the second, leaning forward slightly as he apologized to the Marine officers. "My deepest apologies. Ball is currently in the kitchen, making the final preparations for dinner with the chefs. He will be joining us a little later. He specifically asked me to convey his apologies."
He paused, turning his gaze toward the composed young man sitting upright in the third seat on the left,
"Additionally, we have specially invited Mr. Caiyi, the current leader of the Happo Navy from the Flower Country, an affiliated nation in West Blue, to join our Marine colleagues at this banquet, in the hope of fostering understanding and easing... well, some unnecessary tension."
Honest and straightforward, Caiyi immediately stood and gave the seated Marine officers a proper fist-and-palm salute, his voice ringing out. "Caiyi of the Happo Navy greets the Marine officers!" His bearing was neither servile nor overbearing, carrying a warrior's forthrightness.
The Marine officers present wore differing expressions, but all gave slight nods of acknowledgment. The grudge between the previous leader, Chinjao, and Garp was no secret among the Marines' senior ranks.
Officially, however, the Happo Navy remained a legal armed force under one of the World Government Member States, a local power that required careful handling. As long as they did not openly break the law, the Marines generally would not deliberately make trouble for them.
Their nods now were more a courteous acknowledgment and tacit acceptance of their host's arrangements.
As though confirming Ball's imminent arrival, six metal basins filled with warm, clean water, each with a snow-white towel draped over its rim, floated over through the air and settled steadily before each guest. The water was just the right temperature and carried a faint, fresh lemon scent.
Gion raised her eyebrows in mild surprise as her fingers skimmed the water. Meticulously drying her fair, slender hands with the soft tissues provided on the table, she parted her red lips, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "I never expected Mr. Ball, who can command such violent metal, to be so attentive and considerate when serving guests."
Before she finished speaking, an even more remarkable sight appeared. Oak Barrels fitted with taps flew in single file through the rooftop entrance in a neat procession, as though borne by invisible attendants, landing lightly and precisely beside each guest's seat.
The labels on the barrels were clear: strong vodka, beer rich with malty fragrance, full-bodied rum, sweet fruit wine, and even freshly squeezed juice and warm milk. Every guest's possible preferences had been thoroughly considered.
Just then, Ball slowly descended at the rooftop's edge. He had changed into relatively casual dark clothing, and his face showed a trace of fatigue from his work, but his smile remained composed.
"Sorry for the wait, everyone." He clapped his hands, his voice reaching every ear clearly.
With that gesture, a feast for the eyes and nose officially began!
Enormous metal platters with carved edges bore all manner of exquisite delicacies. Like an honor guard passing in review, they formed a long procession and flew out one after another from the direction of the kitchen, landing lightly and precisely on each solid-wood table.
Fragrance instantly burst through the air!
There were enormous ribs roasted to fragrant, browned perfection with honey and spices;
delicate puddings garnished with berries, quivering like works of art;
Pufferfish Clear Soup served in white jade cups, giving off an intensely savory aroma, said to make those who tasted it see visions;
fiery Oarfish slices with firm, springy flesh, covered in red chilies and emerald-green herbs;
and countless unnamed delicacies from land and sea, whose colors and presentation alone made clear they were anything but ordinary...
Sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty-all five flavors abounded. Things that flew through the sky, ran across the land, and swam in the sea: everything was there. The dazzling array of food nearly covered the broad tabletops, forming a striking tableau of lavish feasting.
Ball was the first to raise his glass-it actually held orange juice-and declared, "Everyone, make yourselves at home! Eat your fill and drink deeply! There's more than enough Sea King meat for everyone today! Make sure you all leave thoroughly satisfied!"
Prince Locke added at just the right moment, his tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of boasting and a display of strength:
"To prepare for this banquet, Ball personally traveled all over the waters of West Blue, carefully selecting and capturing three Sea Kings of the finest size and meat quality, to ensure that everyone could enjoy the ultimate flavor and replenishment of energy."
Kizaru speared a translucent slice of Oarfish sashimi with his fork and slowly brought it to his mouth. After chewing twice, he adopted an exaggerated look of surprise:
"Ooh~ How frightening~ Gion, he can just go out and catch Sea Kings whenever he likes, even picking out particular ones to eat... That's more efficient than some of our logistics departments~"
Behind his teasing words lay wariness. Capturing a specific Sea King was far more difficult than defeating one.
Gion elegantly sipped her fish soup, but her beautiful eyes kept flicking toward Ball. She knew very well that every Marine officer present could drive off or even kill a Sea King. But to capture them precisely as Ball did, keep them alive and fresh, then swiftly deliver them to the dining table...
What this demonstrated was terrifying underwater combat capability, precise hunting skills, and efficient transportation methods. Combined with the intelligence mentioned in Kizaru's report, her threat assessment of this young man rose another level.
A powerful monster who controls strategic resources, owns vast industries, and is extremely difficult to restrict... Gion rapidly weighed things in her mind.
Fortunately, what he has shown so far is an inclination toward order, a passion for building rather than destroying. Perhaps... as Sister Tsuru envisioned, we really could turn him into an important piece for stabilizing West Blue, or even counterbalancing other powers at sea?
Her gaze swept over Caiyi at the far end of the table. This time, it's Caiyi seeking cooperation. Could the next visitor be an envoy from one of the other Four Emperors? I have to submit a detailed report to Headquarters as soon as possible.
At that thought, she could not help feeling a headache coming on. After all, controlling or guiding a "White Monster" who could move at tremendous speed and escape into the deep sea at any moment was simply too difficult.
With fine food and drink as catalysts, the banquet gradually grew livelier.
Ball's efforts had not been wasted. Even someone as stern as Onigumo could not resist helping himself a few extra times to the roasted Sea King meat, rich with life energy.
Several Marine officers even discreetly used Life Return repeatedly to speed up their digestion, absorbing more energy to replenish what they had expended in the day's fighting or during their journeys.
"I have to say," Rear Admiral Raymont remarked to Gion beside him, wiping grease from the corner of his mouth, "the flavor and effects pack more of a punch than even our special-supply mess at Marine Headquarters! This kid really knows how to enjoy himself."
As the night deepened, the lights and laughter on the rooftop only grew brighter. Amid raised glasses and exchanged toasts, this seemingly ordinary banquet quietly accomplished a wordless display and probing of strength.
In his own way, Ball told every "honored guest" present that here in West Blue, he, Aaron Ball, possessed power, resources, and... an art of hospitality that could not be ignored.
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