One Piece pirates salty life

When Luffy started eating, the others quickly followed suit, picking up their chopsticks and joining in.

Leo carefully picked up a piece of abalone that Paddy had specifically pointed out as a highlight of the meal. He placed it gently into his mouth, and as soon as the flavors hit his palate, his eyes brightened with surprise.

"Not bad!" Leo exclaimed.

To be honest, Leo had never tasted abalone in his previous life. He had always heard people praise it as a delicacy, but because of his limited finances, abalone had been something he could only admire through pictures and videos online.

Now, here he was, trying this exquisite ingredient for the very first time. And what made it even more special was that the meal was prepared by an anime character—a chef who had poured skill and passion into this dish.

The taste was incredible—crisp yet tender, refreshingly sweet, and rich with a full-bodied flavor that lingered delightfully. The soft, smooth texture seemed to melt inside his mouth, creating an explosion of flavor that was both delicate and powerful.

For a moment, the only sounds that filled the dining hall were those of quiet chewing and satisfied swallowing.

"How's the food? Did you enjoy what I cooked?" Sanji's voice floated in from the hallway, full of pride.

He had slipped out of the hall just before the meal began, and now, seeing that everyone was eating, he returned with a beaming smile on his face.

"I used the finest ingredients and applied my special cooking techniques. Does it suit your taste?" he asked confidently.

Then, turning toward Zoro with a mischievous grin, Sanji added, "The most important question is, Your Highness, did you enjoy your meal?"

After his playful glance at Zoro, Sanji hurried over to Nami, bowing slightly to show his respect.

"It's delicious, Chef Brother..." Nami replied with a smile, swallowing the red wine in her glass. She winked at Sanji teasingly.

"Ohhh! Really? Does the Princess have any other special requests?" Sanji's eyes immediately sparkled with pink hues. Nami's flirtatious gesture seemed to strike him right in the heart.

"Well, the food here is a bit pricey for me..." Nami teased, gently holding Sanji's head in a mock pitiful gesture.

"Of course it's free!!" Sanji's head spun, overwhelmed by the combination of beauty and praise. Without hesitation, he blurted out, "I'm so happy! Thank you!!"

Nami then gave Sanji a warm hug, only to push him away quickly afterward, showing no signs of lingering affection.

"Ah~~~" Sanji sighed dreamily after the brief embrace, slipping his hands into his pockets as he staggered back toward the kitchen, whistling and mumbling to himself, "Wuhu~~~"

For Sanji, this little moment of being praised and hugged by a beautiful woman was a treasure. After all, it was just a simple meal, but it filled him with an unshakable sense of pride.

---

"Ahem," Leo cleared his throat as he wiped his lips with a napkin from the table. "The dishes taste very good, and the cooking techniques are impressive, but I must admit... there is a slight disappointment."

Sanji, who had been brimming with pride moments before, immediately stopped in his tracks. He turned sharply toward Leo, his face serious. "What disappointment?"

Leo leaned back against his chair with a faint air of disdain. "It's a pity that these dishes lose some of their original flavors after being processed. It seems to me the chef is more focused on showcasing his skills than preserving the essence of the ingredients."

"Showcasing my skills? Paying too much attention to the form of the dishes?" Sanji's eyes narrowed, his pride wounded by Leo's critique. "My dear guest, may I ask how you have come to these conclusions?"

Leo's lips curled into a subtle, knowing smile. "I have very high standards when it comes to cooking."

Sanji raised an eyebrow in interest. "Mr. Sous Chef, if you don't mind me asking—what do you believe is the most important aspect of a dish?"

Without hesitation, Sanji answered confidently, "Of course, it's the taste. No matter how beautiful the presentation is, if the dish doesn't taste good, no one will want to eat it. A dish's purpose is to be eaten and enjoyed."

Leo nodded approvingly. "Exactly. A great chef must have a keen sense of taste so they can truly understand and bring out the flavors of the ingredients."

"That's natural," Sanji replied without hesitation. "It's a fundamental skill every chef must have."

Leo's smile grew wider, clearly enjoying Sanji's earnestness. "Now, tell me, if a chef loses that keen sense of taste, do you think they can still bring out the full flavor of the food?"

"Of course not!" Sanji said immediately.

Suddenly, Sanji realized where Leo was going with this line of questioning.

"You mean... I failed to fully bring out the flavors of these dishes?" he asked, stepping closer to Leo with a determined expression.

"My dear guest, I use my own unique cooking methods. Compared to ordinary chefs, my dishes are many times better!" Sanji declared proudly, his tone brimming with confidence.

After all, Sanji's cooking skills were renowned far and wide. Even the high-ranking officers at the Naval Headquarters made special trips just to taste his food.

Leo shook his head slowly, his expression filled with regret. He pointed discreetly at Sanji's left hand. "If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Sous Chef, you smoke, don't you?"

Sanji's confident demeanor suddenly faltered, his face freezing as the truth sank in.

Yes, Sanji had been a smoker for a long time. He had no way to refute Leo's claim and simply stood silent.

"I'm sorry," Sanji finally said hoarsely. "I'll offer you a free meal this time. You're right—I got carried away trying to show off my cooking skills and failed to truly bring out the essence of the ingredients."

Leo waved his hand dismissively. "That's not necessary. I'm not asking for free food. At least, everyone else seems to enjoy your cooking. I'm just... a bit more particular about food."

Sanji's face brightened slightly. "Mr. Sous Chef, you should stay here for a few days. I want you to taste more of my dishes. I'm sure you'll find something to your liking."

Leo stood up, took a stack of Baileys from under his arms, and placed them carefully on the table. "Very well. I look forward to it." Then, without another word, he walked out of the restaurant.

---

This large ship was more than just a restaurant. It also provided accommodations for guests. Although Nami and the others didn't quite understand why Leo was being so critical of Sanji, as his companions, they trusted Leo's judgment without question. So, when he made his remarks, they didn't argue or complain.

As Leo made his way toward the exit, everyone at the table stood up to see him off—except for Luffy, who still held a massive chicken leg in his hand, chewing happily.

Suddenly, the door to the restaurant burst open with a loud bang!

A figure stumbled inside, dripping wet and bleeding, their clothes torn and soaked. It was Ajin.

"This is a restaurant!" someone called out, startled.

Ajin's voice was weak but firm. "Give me food... anything..." he rasped.

He wore a grey jacket embroidered with a red snake pattern, matching trousers, and a blue-striped headscarf. He looked exhausted, as if he had just crawled out of the sea, his thin frame barely able to stand.

Paddy, who had just been tied up earlier in the kitchen by Sanji, emerged and looked at Ajin with a fake smile.

"Welcome to the restaurant, you idiot!" Paddy said mockingly.

Ajin's trembling hands gripped a gun. "I said, I'm a customer. Bring me food now!"

"Do you have any money?" Paddy asked, feigning politeness.

Ajin's eyes flickered desperately. "…I don't have any money. Can I pay with bullets instead?" he asked, aiming the gun shakily at Paddy.

Bang!

With a swift and brutal punch, Paddy knocked Ajin to the ground, then kicked him out of the restaurant.

---

The tense atmosphere hung thickly in the air.

Leo and the others exchanged worried glances, realizing the precarious situation that had just unfolded right before their eyes

pàtreøn (Gk31).