Ryne Kong: “If Ryne weren’t a cook, his bounty would probably be even higher than Rocks’!” Monkey D.
Garp: “One of these days, I’m dragging that brat Ryne back to Marine Headquarters and making him cook for the Marines!” On a tiny island, only a few dozen square kilometers in size and surrounded on all sides by the sea…
Inside the slightly run-down kitchen of the island’s only restaurant, oil crackled in a cast-iron pan as rich aromas of sizzling meat and fragrant spices filled every corner of the room.
A few brave villagers hid behind nearby trees, cautiously peeking toward the humble restaurant at the entrance to the village.
Seated outside was a tall man with wild black hair, rhythmically tapping the table with his knuckles.
Every plate before him had been licked spotless—not even a drop of sauce remained.
“Hey, kid.” His voice was rough and commanding, carrying the unmistakable aura of someone accustomed to giving orders.
“Your cooking…
is excellent.” Eight-year-old Ryne calmly wiped down the blade of his chef’s knife.
Reflected on its polished surface was the face of a child whose composure far exceeded his years.
“Thank you.” “Hahahahaha!” The man burst into booming laughter, startling the seabirds perched beneath the eaves into flight.
“Become my cook!” It wasn’t a request.
It was a declaration.
“Come sail with me.
My name is Rocks…
Rocks D.
Xebec.” Rocks.
Ryne’s hand paused for an instant .
That name would one day become the world’s greatest nightmare.
He had come closer than anyone to becoming King of the World—a legendary pirate whom only the combined forces of Gol D.
Roger and the Marines could finally defeat.
But that was still the future.
Right now, Rocks was only a young pirate who had just set sail, commanding nothing more than a handful of crewmates aboard a battered ship.
〈Key Choice Detected〉 Invitation from the future ruler of the seas.
Option 1: Refuse Rocks.
Reward: 500 Cooking Points + Iron Body (Tekkai) (Beginner).
Option 2: Join Rocks and become the cook of the Rocks Pirates.
Reward: 2,000 Cooking Points + Unlock Ingredient Encyclopedia: Grand Line (Early Region) + Exclusive Item: Endless Seasoning Bottle.
God-Tier Culinary System Host: Ryne D.
Xebec Cooking Rank: Top Tier (45,000 / 200,000) Medical Skill: Excellent Cooking Points: 8,500 The system notification echoed clearly inside Ryne’s mind.
His cooking had been stuck at Superior rank for quite some time.
Memories surfaced one after another.
It had already been eight years since he had reincarnated into the world of One Piece.
He was an orphan.
No one knew who his parents were.
An elderly villager had found him as a baby and raised him as his own.
Fortunately, this body possessed exceptional talent.
Ryne had been born with Observation Haki, and by the age of eight, he had already defeated a pirate worth 8,000,000 Berries who had attempted to raid the village.
More importantly…
He possessed the God-Tier Culinary System.
The system ranked culinary skill into seven levels: Ordinary → Fine → Excellent → Top Tier → Master → Peerless → God-Tier Each time he cooked, he earned Cooking Experience and Cooking Points based on the taste, quality, and difficulty of the dish.
The better and more challenging the meal, the greater the rewards.
Every time his cooking rank advanced, he received an exclusive reward.
Cooking Points could also be exchanged in the system shop for countless items: Martial arts…
Weapons…
The three forms of Haki…
The Six Powers (Rokushiki)…
Meito-grade swords…
And countless other treasures.
The system would also periodically issue missions related to improving his culinary skills, rewarding him upon completion.
Unfortunately…
The ingredients available on this island—and even throughout the surrounding seas—could no longer provide enough experience for him to continue improving.
If he wanted to grow stronger…
If he wanted to reach the next level…
He had to venture into the wider world in search of superior ingredients.
For a chef…
The sea was the greatest pantry imaginable.
And Rocks’ ship was undoubtedly the fastest vessel toward that dream.
“So why should I sail with a pirate like you?” Ryne finally spoke.
His tone was calm and composed—not like a child, but like an adult negotiating terms.
Rocks grinned, revealing a savage smile.
“Because your food deserves to be eaten by the future king of the seas—not wasted on villagers who can barely afford meat.” His blunt words immediately filled the watching villagers with humiliation and anger.
“Ryne!
Don’t listen to him!” An old but powerful voice rang out behind him.
The old man who had raised Ryne slowly stepped forward with the support of a wooden cane.
His weathered face was filled with unease as he spread his arms protectively in front of the boy.
He glared at Rocks.
“Pirates are nothing but heartless scum!
They rob!
They kill!
I won’t let you take away our village’s hope!” He had watched Ryne grow up.
Just one month ago, the eight-year-old had defeated a pirate carrying a bounty of 8,000,000 Berries.
A child with such talent shouldn’t throw his future away aboard a pirate ship.
Rocks’ smile faded slightly as he looked at the old man.
Rather than anger, amusement flickered across his face.
“Old man…
that’s not your decision to make.” He looked past him at Ryne.
“Kid.
Give me your answer.” “Come with me, and you’ll see the rarest ingredients in the world.” “You’ll challenge the mightiest Sea Kings…” “…and taste flavors that exist only in legends.” “Stay here…” “…and you’ll spend the rest of your life grilling fish for these poor fools.” Silence fell.
Even the sea breeze seemed to stop.
Every eye was fixed on the eight-year-old boy.
Ryne stepped out from behind the old man.
He first looked up at his adoptive grandfather.
The old man’s eyes were filled with worry…
and desperate pleading.
Then Ryne turned toward Rocks.
His gaze was completely different.
Steady.
Resolute.
“I need some time to prepare.” The old man’s body trembled violently.
His cane nearly slipped from his hands.
“Ryne!
You…” “Grandpa.” Ryne gently interrupted him.
The simple form of address softened his voice.
“When you found me, I had nothing.” “You—and everyone in this village—raised me, one meal and one drink at a time.” “I’ll never forget that kindness.” He paused before continuing.
“But this island is too small.” “My dream is to create dishes so extraordinary that even the gods would be captivated.” “And to achieve that…” “…I have to go out to sea.” There wasn’t a trace of hesitation in his voice.
The determination that surpassed his age left everyone present speechless.
Rocks laughed heartily once more.
This time, it was genuine admiration.
“Hahahaha!
Well said!” “Now that’s someone worthy of becoming a crewmate of Rocks D.
Xebec!” The old man’s lips quivered.
He wanted to say something.
But in the end, all that escaped was a long sigh.
He knew Ryne.
Once the boy made up his mind…
No one could change it.
Without another word, Ryne turned and walked into the small room behind the restaurant.
Endless Seasoning Bottle Ryne’s luggage was simple.
A few changes of clothes…
And a long bundle wrapped carefully in cloth.
Inside was the chef’s knife he treasured most.
When Ryne stepped back outside, the villagers had already gathered together.
No one was hiding anymore.
Their expressions were complicated.
There was reluctance…
Concern…
And beneath it all, a faint trace of hope.
“Ryne, take this.
It’s the best dried fish our village has.” “Here, my wife made this charm for you.
May it keep you safe.” “You little brat!
Don’t embarrass our village once you get out there!” Each honest face…
Each heartfelt farewell…
Ryne accepted every gift before bowing deeply to them all.
“Thank you, everyone.” He then walked over to the old man and placed a small wooden box into his hands.
“Grandpa, this is the money I’ve saved over the years.” “Keep it.” “You don’t have to work so hard anymore.” The old man gripped the box tightly.
His eyes had already become red with tears.
“Out there…” “…take good care of yourself.” “I will.” Ryne nodded firmly.
He took one final look at the village he had called home for eight years.
One last look at the familiar faces.
Then, without looking back…
He strode toward the shabby pirate ship waiting at the shore.