“What I want…
is a Floating Gourmet City capable of carrying all of my ambitions!” Rocks listened quietly, the smile on his face growing wider until it erupted into booming laughter.
“Wahahahaha!
Good!
A Floating Gourmet City !
That’s exactly what I’d expect from the Head Chef I chose!” “I approve of your dream!” He strode over and placed a massive hand atop Ryne’s head, his eyes burning with excitement.
“You focus on pursuing your culinary path.” “As for the stage you need…
the ingredients you seek…
and anyone foolish enough to stand in your way…
leave all of that to me.” “The Ghost Ship is only the beginning.
One day, I’ll build you a true City of Gourmet Cuisine—one that sails these seas, where the entire world will come to worship your cooking!” One man dreamed of conquering the world.
The other dreamed of reaching the ultimate pinnacle of cuisine.
Two souls who should never have crossed paths had become inseparably connected through the weight of their ambitions.
By evening, the Ghost Ship had finished resupplying.
Most of the cargo consisted of edible plants and unusual minerals gathered from the Island of Whispering Shadows.
As for the two Cipher Pol prisoners, Rocks simply knocked them unconscious, tossed them onto a lifeboat found aboard the Ghost Ship, and left them to fate on the open sea.
With Dorum eagerly starting the engines, the black vessel slipped silently out of the harbor.
Like a true ghost, it vanished into the darkness.
Life aboard soon settled into a comfortable routine.
Inside the spacious dining hall, Ryne prepared dinner.
Now equipped with a proper kitchen and a wider variety of ingredients, he could finally unleash his full talent.
He simmered a rich soup using naturally salty moss found on the island along with several varieties of wild mushrooms.
For the main course, he roasted the meat of a giant lizard whose texture resembled free-range chicken, producing crisp golden skin and juicy, tender flesh.
The moment the food reached the table, Gatz’s eyes nearly fell into the soup bowl.
“Whoa!
That smell!
Head Chef, I swear my soul’s about to be lured away!” “Eat.” Ryne spoke calmly.
“This ship consumes a great deal of energy.
You all need to replenish your strength.” The lavish dinner left everyone thoroughly satisfied.
With superior ingredients enhancing the Way of Food, its effects became even more pronounced.
Each member could feel their body gradually becoming stronger.
After dinner, Rocks gathered everyone together.
He spread an enormous nautical chart across the table.
It was the latest internal World Government sea chart recovered from the Ghost Ship—far more detailed than any map available on the open market.
“Our next destination.” His finger traced across the chart before stopping firmly on an island in the first half of the Grand Line.
Island of Splendor.
“According to those two idiots, Saint Garumarco’s vacation estate is located here.” “He spends every summer enjoying delicacies and treasures collected from all over the world.” A cruel smile spread across Rocks’ face.
“He wanted the Soul Echo Fruit as a toy.” “Then let’s pay him a visit and tell him…
his toy has already been eaten.” Gatz slammed the table excitedly.
“Yeah!
Time to beat up some Celestial Dragons!
I’ve hated those idiots dressed like giant light bulbs for ages!” Dorum looked worried.
“Captain…
that’s a Celestial Dragon.
The World Government will have heavily guarded the place.
There could even be a Marine Admiral stationed there…” “So what?” Rocks interrupted.
A terrifying aura flashed through the room.
“All the better.” “It’ll make both the World Government and those self-important Celestial Dragons remember our name.” He turned toward Ryne.
“Head Chef, ready?” “Let’s see what kind of treasures the kitchens of the so-called World Nobles are hiding.” Ryne paused while wiping down his chef’s knife.
He looked up, expression perfectly calm.
“I have no interest in their kitchen.” After a brief silence, he added, “I just want to find out whether meat roasted over Celestial Dragons burns a little more fragrant.” Silence.
The room fell completely still.
Then Rocks burst into the loudest laughter anyone had heard from him yet.
The Ghost Ship sailed through the unpredictable waters of the Grand Line for nearly half a month.
Its performance far exceeded Dorum’s expectations.
Not only was it incredibly fast, but its sturdy hull handled even the harshest weather with ease.
Dorum practically lived between the engine room and the bridge, lovingly polishing every component as though caring for his beloved.
“My precious…
my beautiful treasure…” His constant muttering gave Gatz goosebumps every single day.
Life aboard also became far more enjoyable thanks to Ryne.
Every meal had become the crew’s favorite event.
Making full use of the ship’s advanced facilities and the ingredients they gathered during the voyage, Ryne demonstrated the full extent of his culinary mastery.
Exploding octopus balls made from giant deep-sea squid.
Crystal aspic crafted from flying fish fins.
Smoked ham prepared from wild island boar.
Every dish completely redefined the crew’s understanding of delicious food.
With the combined effects of the Way of Food and the Soul Echo Fruit, their strength improved at a remarkable pace.
Gatz could now lift his enormous anchor with one hand while throwing punches powerful enough to create shockwaves.
Silver’s spearsmanship had become increasingly elusive.
Without even firing a shot, he could lock onto the left eye of a seagull several hundred meters away simply by sensing its presence.
Dorum’s durability had likewise reached astonishing levels.
He once tested himself by charging headfirst into a reef.
The reef shattered.
He didn’t even suffer a scratch.
The Rocks Pirates, this newborn beast of the seas, continued accumulating power with terrifying speed while awaiting the moment they would shake the world.
At last, following the chart’s guidance, a dazzling island appeared on the horizon.
Island of Splendor.
The entire island looked as though it had been built from gold and precious gems.
Its extravagant architecture reflected the sunlight with blinding brilliance.
The harbor overflowed with luxurious ships of every description.
Even the air carried a sickeningly sweet mixture of perfume and wealth.
“Tch.” Gatz stood at the bow with obvious disgust.
“This place hurts my eyes.” “Doesn’t look like the kind of place decent people live.” Silver observed the harbor through a telescope.
“This is the capital of the Kingdom of Prospar, a member nation of the World Government.” “It’s famous for luxury trade and tourism.” “Security is tight.” “There are Marines stationed at the harbor, while the city itself is full of royal knights and undercover Cipher Pol agents.” “So how are we getting in?” “Just smash our way through?” Gatz was already cracking his knuckles.
“Easy.” Rocks waved dismissively.
A playful smile appeared on his face.
“You deal with a place built on hypocrisy…
using a more civilized approach.” They anchored the Ghost Ship beneath a concealed cliff before changing into civilian clothing confiscated from the CP agents.
Then they boarded a small boat, blended in among ordinary merchant vessels, and quietly entered the island.
The moment they stepped ashore, extravagance assaulted their senses.
The streets were paved with gleaming white marble.
Every storefront displayed priceless jewelry, designer clothing, and works of art.
The pedestrians were either wealthy or nobility, each dressed impeccably and wearing expressions of arrogant superiority.
“I really want to smash this place flat with my anchor.” Gatz muttered under his breath.
They entered the grandest restaurant they could find, intending to gather information first.
The interior glittered with gold.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling.
Every piece of cutlery was crafted from sterling silver.
The waiters, dressed in immaculate tailcoats, served each guest with flawless etiquette.
Then the menu arrived.
The expressions around the table immediately became rather strange.
Golden Baked Snails — 800,000 Berries Diamond-Garnished Caviar — 1.5 million Berries Rainbow Crystal Soup — 3 million Berries Gatz’s eyes nearly popped out.
“Are they robbing people?!” “Is that soup made of solid gold or something?” “Why’s it so expensive?!” Unlike Gatz, Rocks paid no attention to the prices.
He casually ordered several of the restaurant’s most expensive dishes.
The dishes soon arrived.
Their presentation was undeniably spectacular.
The Golden Baked Snails were covered in edible gold leaf that glittered brilliantly beneath the lights.
The caviar was decorated with tiny diamond fragments smaller than grains of rice.
The Rainbow Crystal Soup was served in an elegant crystal bowl, shimmering with dreamlike rainbow colors.
Visually…
It was breathtaking.
Unable to wait any longer, Gatz scooped up a spoonful of soup.
The instant it entered his mouth— His expression froze.
He chewed twice before immediately spitting everything back out.
“What the hell is this?!” “Isn’t this just plain hot water with seven kinds of vegetable coloring mixed in?” “It doesn’t taste like anything!” He stabbed one of the golden snails with his fork and stuffed it into his mouth.
Moments later, his face twisted in agony.
“The meat’s tough as rubber!” “I can’t taste anything except the gold!” Silver and Dorum each sampled a bite.
Both frowned.
Aside from looking expensive and beautiful…
The dishes had virtually nothing else going for them.
Ryne never even picked up his utensils.
One glance was enough for him.
“The ingredients aren’t fresh.” “The heat control is disastrous.” “The seasoning is completely misguided.” “The chef pursued visual extravagance while completely abandoning flavor.” “This is an insult to cooking.” Just then, a commotion spread through the restaurant.
A tall man entered, surrounded by an entourage.
He wore an immaculate white chef’s uniform trimmed with gold.
His slicked-back hair gleamed under the lights.
Pinned to his chest was a chef’s insignia crafted entirely from pure gold.
“It’s Master Chef Bakara!” “My goodness!
Lord Bakara actually came to a restaurant for commoners!” “I heard he’s Saint Garumarco’s most trusted personal chef!” The surrounding diners immediately rose to their feet, bowing and flattering him.
Bakara ignored every compliment.
Walking straight to the restaurant manager, he brushed an imaginary speck of dust from the table with a white-gloved finger.
“Saint Garumarco will be hosting a grand banquet tomorrow.” “He requires additional kitchen staff.” “Choose several capable assistants from your restaurant and have them report to the estate on the mountaintop.” “Yes!
Of course!” “It would be the greatest honor of our lives!” The restaurant manager bowed so deeply his forehead nearly touched the floor.
Bakara nodded with satisfaction.
As he turned to leave, however, his eyes drifted toward Rocks’ table.
He saw the expensive dishes—barely touched.
He recognized them as creations prepared by one of his former apprentices.
Then he noticed the undisguised disgust on Gatz’s face.
Bakara’s brow immediately furrowed.
“Do you have a problem with my cuisine?” His voice was cold, carrying unmistakable anger.
No one on this island had ever dared question his culinary skill.
The restaurant fell silent.
Every diner looked at Rocks and his companions as though they were already dead.
Gatz was about to explode.
But Rocks smiled and casually raised a hand to stop him.
Standing up with a warm, courteous smile, he looked directly at Bakara.
“Master Chef…” “I believe you’ve misunderstood.” “We’re not dissatisfied with your cooking…”