Kael naturally understood why Gon was angry.
No one enjoyed being looked down upon with contempt.
He picked up the menu and smiled calmly.
“The strong look down on the weak, and the weak look down on those even weaker than themselves.
Since we’re young, it’s only natural that they underestimate us.”
“But there’s no need to get angry over it.
Once our names resound across this sea, those looks will naturally turn into awe—or even fear.”
“Strength is the fastest way to earn respect.”
Killua rested his chin on one hand, the corner of his mouth curling into a dangerous smile.
He spoke quietly enough that only the three of them could hear.
“I think it’d feel pretty satisfying to send those blind idiots flying.”
His gaze swept across several diners who had been looking at them disdainfully.
Those people shuddered involuntarily, as though a venomous snake had suddenly fixed its eyes upon them.
The contempt immediately vanished from their faces.
After they sat down, a restaurant waiter approached with a menu.
Kael looked over the beautifully illustrated dishes.
Unable to tell which ones would taste best, he followed the principle that appearances were everything and chose whichever dishes looked the most attractive and appetizing.
In one breath, he ordered more than twenty dishes.
The waiter looked at Kael, then at the other two boys, who were clearly even younger, and kindly reminded him, “Young sir, you’ve ordered quite a lot.
I’m afraid—”
“Don’t worry.
We can finish it.”
Kael interrupted him and patted the bulging money pouch at his waist.
“Just bring the food.
Money isn’t a problem.”
Seeing this, the waiter said nothing more and hurried toward the kitchen with their order.
“So this is the floating restaurant you mentioned?” Killua asked, stretching lazily as he looked around.
“It looks pretty good.
I wonder how the food tastes.”
“It definitely won’t disappoint us,” Kael replied confidently.
His gaze casually drifted toward the kitchen.
The restaurant served its dishes at an astonishing speed.
Only a few minutes later, one delicious-looking and fragrant dish after another was placed upon their table.
A blond chef with curled eyebrows, dressed in a black suit and holding a cigarette between his lips, moved elegantly and efficiently as he delivered the food.
Whenever his gaze passed over the hungry diners, a faint trace of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.
It was Sanji.
Killua’s powers of observation were exceptionally sharp.
He immediately noticed the flash of recognition and interest in Kael’s eyes when he saw the chef.
That was certainly not the look one gave a complete stranger.
Lowering his voice, Killua asked, “Kael, do you know that curly-browed chef?”
Kael picked up a piece of fragrant roasted meat and placed it in his mouth.
“I wouldn’t say I know him.”
“But that guy won’t remain just a cook forever.
He’ll become very strong—and one day, he’ll be one of our most formidable opponents.”
“A future opponent, huh?”
Killua licked his lips excitedly.
Kael nodded.
“How about we test ourselves against them later?
If we defeat them, we can officially begin making a name for ourselves in the East Blue.”
According to Kael’s understanding of the original plot, Luffy had only received his bounty of thirty million Berries after defeating Buggy, Kuro, Don Krieg, and the Arlong Pirates.
Since they had encountered Luffy’s crew at the floating restaurant, there could only be one explanation.
The Baratie had happened to travel to waters not far from Loguetown.
Sanji had merely come here to help out.
“I’m in,” Killua said, revealing a wicked grin after hearing Kael’s proposal.
“Wouldn’t that be a little wrong?” Gon asked hesitantly.
“What’s wrong with it?” Kael replied with an equally mischievous smile.
“If we’re going to become pirates, we naturally need some fame.
It’d be pretty pathetic if no one had ever heard of us.”
“Kael’s right,” Killua said as he pulled up his sleeves, clearly ready for a fight.
“Leave the guy in the straw hat to me.”
Once Gon heard that Killua intended to fight, he immediately refused to fall behind.
His previous reluctance vanished without a trace.
“No.
Let me fight him.”
Seeing that they were about to start arguing again, Kael immediately interrupted them.
“Are you two trying to mutiny?
I’m the captain.
Naturally, I should be the first one to receive a bounty.”
Although Kael’s words made sense, neither Gon nor Killua showed the slightest intention of backing down.
“Kael, I don’t agree with that,” Killua said, analyzing the matter with unusual seriousness.
“If a crew member receives a bounty, the captain’s value naturally rises as well.”
“So my suggestion is that the captain watches from the sidelines while either Gon or I fights.”
Gon hurriedly nodded in agreement.
“Exactly!
Killua makes perfect sense.
Kael, you can just watch.”
After saying that, Gon even shot Killua an impressed look.
“No,” Kael insisted.
“I have to be the first wanted criminal among us.”
“It should be me.”
“No, me.”
The tempers of all three instantly flared.
They had been eating peacefully just moments earlier, so how had they suddenly begun arguing?
Their commotion attracted Sanji’s attention.
At that moment, the Straw Hat crew also entered the restaurant.
When Luffy saw Kael and the others arguing, he excitedly came closer to watch the show.
Unable to settle the dispute, Kael suddenly came up with a good idea.
He pointed directly at Luffy, who was happily watching them.
“How about this?
We’ll let Luffy decide which one of us will be his opponent.”
Nami, Usopp, and Zoro stared at the three boys in disbelief.
Had they heard that correctly?
Those three were actually asking their captain to personally choose which of them he wanted to fight?
Luffy himself looked completely confused.
Killua and Gon considered the proposal for a moment before accepting it.
This seemed like the best way to resolve the matter.
“Then I’ll go first.”
Gon immediately walked up to Luffy and smiled.
“You heard us.
The three of us are trying to decide who should be your opponent.”
“I can tell that you’ve grown stronger.
How about we fight again?”
Gon looked at him with eager anticipation.
Luffy was just about to agree when Killua pushed Gon aside.
“What’s the point of fighting?” Killua asked seriously.
“It’s to face different people and understand your opponents’ abilities.”
“I’m the newest member of the crew, so fighting me and learning what a new opponent can do is clearly the best choice for you right now.”
After hearing Killua’s reasoning, Luffy felt that it made a lot of sense.
He was about to agree again when Kael pushed Killua aside.
“Don’t rush.”
“I’m their captain, and you’re a captain too.
Would a captain choose to fight an enemy crew member instead of fighting the enemy captain?”
Those words struck directly at Luffy’s heart.
All three of them had made convincing arguments, but Kael’s reasoning clearly made the most sense.
Luffy was the man who would become the Pirate King.
Naturally, his opponent should be the strongest person aboard the enemy ship—the captain.
How could he choose an ordinary crew member instead?
Killua saw the determination replace the confusion in Luffy’s eyes and immediately understood his decision.
Kael’s argument had been an absolute checkmate.
Just as Gon and Killua were beginning to look disappointed, Zoro and Sanji stepped forward.
“Your opponents are us.”
(End of Chapter)