It wasn’t merely the aroma of roasted meat—it was a rich, multilayered fragrance unlike anything they had ever encountered.
The naturally bold umami of a Sea King had been completely awakened by some mysterious force, then perfectly intertwined with the fresh scent of herbs and wild plants.
A faint hint of liquor and exotic spices lingered beneath it all, striking everyone’s senses like a powerful punch.
“W-What…
what is that smell?!” Brogy’s eyes widened like saucers, his enormous Adam’s apple bobbing uncontrollably.
Drool streamed from the corner of Dorry’s mouth, forming a miniature waterfall.
Gatz’s reaction was even more dramatic.
Clutching his stomach, he looked so blissful he nearly rolled around on the ground.
“Ah!
It’s the Head Chef’s cooking!
It smells like heaven!” Ryne remained expressionless as he sliced the braised Sea King meat into several thick portions.
The fish had been transformed completely.
Its surface had taken on a beautiful caramelized sheen, while the inside remained moist, tender, and pale pink-white.
Distinct fibers glistened beneath the rising steam, radiating an irresistible temptation.
Ryne handed the largest piece to Brogy and another to Dorry.
The two giants hesitated as they accepted the tiny slices—barely enough to wedge between their teeth.
Gazing at the shimmering juices and breathing in the intoxicating aroma that made even their souls tremble, they finally opened their mouths and swallowed the meat in a single bite.
The moment it touched their tongues…
Both giants froze.
Their eyes widened to the absolute limit.
They had never experienced a texture like this before.
Despite being cooked a second time, the meat wasn’t dry in the slightest.
Instead, it was astonishingly tender and silky.
The instant their teeth met, rich juices burst across their mouths.
The perfectly awakened sweetness of the Sea King’s flesh crashed over their taste buds like a tidal wave.
First came the smoky char.
Then the fragrance of wine.
Then the fresh herbal notes.
Each flavor built upon the last before melting into a comforting warmth that flowed down their throats and into their stomachs, like a bolt of lightning splitting apart a world of taste that had lain dormant for over a century.
“…Mm…” “…Oh…” The two towering warriors now resembled children tasting candy for the first time, letting out wordless sounds of pure delight.
Without warning, tears rolled down Brogy’s weathered face.
Each drop hit the ground like a pebble.
“This taste…
reminds me of Elbaf…
my mother’s Sea King soup…” he murmured through a thick, trembling voice.
Dorry wasn’t faring any better.
His eyes remained tightly shut, his massive body trembling ever so slightly as he savored every lingering trace of the unforgettable meal.
Only after a long while did he open his eyes and look at Ryne.
His expression was impossibly complicated.
Shock.
Shame.
And…
genuine reverence.
“We…
lost.” His voice came out hoarse.
Brogy nodded heavily.
He looked at the now-empty piece of meat in his hand, then at the charred remains they had mangled earlier.
For the first time in his life, disgust appeared on his face.
“So everything we’ve been eating for the past hundred years…” “…really was garbage!” Rocks burst into booming laughter, his voice echoing across the clearing.
“Hahahaha!
Looks like my Head Chef has gained two more loyal diners.” Ryne showed no sign of pride.
He merely glanced at the Sea King’s remains before shifting his gaze toward the depths of the perilous prehistoric jungle.
“That was only the appetizer.” Chapter 10 — The Rockhorn Tricerasaur “That was only the appetizer.” Ryne spoke calmly.
“This Sea King had just gone through a fierce battle before it was caught.
Its muscles were saturated with lactic acid, which affected the texture.
Besides…” “…it was old.” His gaze swept across the two giants before settling on Rocks.
“There’s a species on this island called the Rockhorn Tricerasaur.
It feeds on volcanic rock year-round.
Because of that, its meat is dense and rich in trace minerals, while its marrow is as smooth as premium butter—perfect for making an exceptional stock.” Everyone fell silent.
Even their breathing stopped for a moment.
Stars practically sparkled in Gatz’s eyes.
The smile on Rocks’ face widened.
He knew the true feast was only beginning.
“You heard him, didn’t you?” He looked at Dorry and Brogy.
“My Head Chef has taken an interest in your island’s dinosaurs.” The two giants exchanged a glance before grinning eagerly.
.
“Wahahaha!
The Rockhorn Tricerasaur isn’t an easy catch!
Its hide is thick, and its strength is incredible!” Brogy declared.
“That’s right!
Even back in our prime, catching one wasn’t easy!” Dorry added.
“Perfect.” Rocks stepped forward.
An invisible wave of Haki slowly spread from him, making the surrounding air noticeably heavier.
“How about a hunting contest?” “My crew against the two of you.” “Whichever side captures a Rockhorn Tricerasaur first and brings it back wins.” “The victors get the finest cut of the meat.” The proposal instantly ignited the giants’ competitive spirit.
“Deal!” “Don’t wet yourselves before you find it, humans!
Wahahahaha!” Thus began a prehistoric hunting competition centered around the ultimate ingredient.
The rules were simple.
The two teams would split up, enter the jungle from different directions, and whoever returned first with a Rockhorn Tricerasaur would be the winner.
“Wahahaha!
We’ll be off first, little humans!” “Don’t let the mosquitoes carry you away!” Laughing loudly, Dorry and Brogy charged into the jungle with earth-shaking strides.
Trees toppled in their wake as the ground rumbled beneath every step.
“Captain, what do we do?
We can’t compete with giants in a race.” Dorum frowned.
Rocks didn’t seem concerned at all.
He simply glanced at Ryne.
“Head Chef.” “Lead the way.” Everyone turned toward Ryne.
Since he knew about the Rockhorn Tricerasaur, they trusted he also knew where to find one.
Ryne slowly closed his eyes.
His Observation Haki, far beyond that of an ordinary person, spread across the island like an invisible web.
The wind.
Rustling leaves.
Buzzing insects.
The distant roars of dinosaurs.
Countless streams of information poured into his mind.
He filtered out the meaningless noise, focusing only on the pulse of the land and the presence of powerful lifeforms.
A few moments later, Ryne opened his eyes and pointed in the direction opposite the giants.
“Over there.” “The underground mineral deposits are unusually concentrated.” “That’s where they nest.” “Let’s move!” At Rocks’ command, the four of them immediately set off.
To ordinary people, this prehistoric jungle would have been a death trap.
To the Rocks Pirates, however, it was simply another thrilling playground.
“ROAR!” A Velociraptor burst from the bushes at blinding speed, its razor-sharp claws aimed straight at Gatz.
“Perfect timing!” Rather than panic, Gatz grinned.
Ever since eating Ryne’s cooking, he felt as though endless strength coursed through his body.
He didn’t even bother using his ship’s anchor.
Instead, he met the beast head-on with a single punch.
Boom!
Fist and claw collided head-on.
The Velociraptor cried out before being launched backward, crashing through a massive tree.
Gatz shook out his hand and laughed.
“That felt great!
Head Chef, can we eat this thing?
Looks like there’s plenty of meat.” “The meat is too tough and the fibers are too coarse.” “It’s only suitable for jerky.” Ryne answered professionally.
“Eh, never mind then.” Gatz instantly lost interest.
That was the subtle influence of the Way of Food.
Ryne’s cuisine didn’t merely heal the crew’s exhaustion and lingering injuries from their voyage.
It was steadily strengthening every member’s physique.
The effects became especially obvious during intense combat and physical exertion.
Silver moved along the flank of the group, his footsteps as silent as a cat’s.
Suddenly, his wrist flicked.
His spear shot upward like a striking serpent.
Thwip!
A soft sound rang out.
A brilliantly colored giant snake that had attempted to ambush them from the treetops was pierced cleanly through the head and nailed to the trunk.
Silver’s movements had become noticeably faster.
His senses had also sharpened, allowing him to detect even the slightest trace of hostile intent hidden within the jungle.
“The gallbladder is excellent.” “It can be used as medicine…
or as a seasoning.” Ryne evaluated after a brief glance.
Silver nodded.
With another flick of his wrist, he expertly removed the snake’s gallbladder without damaging it, wrapped it in leaves, and handed it to Ryne.
Along the way, they encountered all manner of prehistoric creatures.
Packs of Dilophosaurs.
Giant venom-spitting toads.
Even a roaring Tyrannosaurus Rex that charged straight toward them.
Unfortunately for the apex predator, it never had the chance to display its might.
Annoyed that it was blocking the path, Rocks casually threw a punch.
The shockwave blasted away half the dinosaur’s skull.
Its enormous body crashed to the ground.
“So noisy.” Rocks flicked his hand as though he’d merely swatted a fly.
Gatz, Silver, and Dorum weren’t surprised in the slightest.
Their captain had always been an unreasonable monster.
Ryne, however, crouched beside the Tyrannosaurus and carefully inspected the carcass before shaking his head.
“What a waste.” “Captain, that punch destroyed the brain and shattered the spinal meat—the finest parts.” “The integrity of the ingredient has been compromised.” Rocks’ mouth twitched.
For once, he actually looked embarrassed.
Scratching the back of his head, he asked, “I’ll keep that in mind next time.” “How about I punch it in the rear instead?” Guided precisely by Ryne, the group soon arrived at a vast field of jagged boulders.
The rocks were a strange dark crimson and radiated faint heat.
The air smelled of sulfur mixed with metal.
“This is the place.” Ryne pointed toward an enormous cave resembling the mouth of a mountain.
From deep inside came heavy chewing sounds accompanied by low, rumbling growls.
“Ready?” Rocks’ eyes gleamed with excitement.
“Let’s see what this beast my Head Chef can’t stop talking about is really capable of.” The group silently approached the cave entrance and peered inside.
There, with its back facing them, stood a gigantic beast nearly the size of a small truck.
Its enormous horn-covered head repeatedly smashed into the cave wall, breaking apart solid rock before happily chewing the shattered ore.
It was the Rockhorn Tricerasaur.
Three rows of massive bony blades ran down its back from neck to tail, glinting with a metallic sheen.
The three thick horns crowning its head looked powerful enough to pierce steel itself.
Just then…
The Rockhorn Tricerasaur seemed to sense something.
It abruptly turned around.