Rain's luggage was simple.
A few changes of clothes, and a long, cloth-wrapped item.
That was Rain's most treasured chef's knife.
When Rain walked out again, the villagers gathered around him.
They no longer hid, their faces showing complex emotions.
There was reluctance, worry, and also a hint of envy and anticipation.
"Rain, take this. It's the best dried fish in the village."
"Rain, this is an amulet my wife sewed for you. I hope it keeps you safe."
"You little rascal, don't you dare shame our village when you're out there!"
Simple faces, sincere words.
Rain accepted the items they handed him and bowed deeply to everyone.
"Thank you, everyone."
Rain walked towards the old man and slipped a small wooden box into his hand.
"Grandpa, this contains some money I've saved over the years. Keep it, and don't work so hard anymore."
The old man clutched the wooden box tightly, his eyes already moist.
"Out there... take good care of yourself."
"Mm."
Rain nodded heavily.
He took one last look at the village where he had lived for eight years, one last look at these familiar faces.
Then, Rain turned resolutely and walked towards the crude pirate ship docked by the shore.
Rocks was already waiting by the ship, and the few crew members behind him curiously observed the tiny Head Chef who was about to board.
"Ready?"
Rocks asked.
Rain didn't answer, simply replacing words with action.
He leaped, his small body tracing a neat arc in the air, landing steadily on the deck.
The deck was somewhat slippery from being frequently soaked by seawater, emitting a smell of wood mixed with sea salt.
【Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully boarding the Rocks Pirates. The Infinite Spice Bottle has been issued to the system space.】
【Infinite Spice Bottle: Can generate any known basic seasoning based on the host's imagination, with a daily usage limit of three times.】
In Rain's mind, the system's voice sounded again.
He ignored it and walked directly to the even cruder kitchen on the ship.
The kitchen was small, with only an old stove and a few pots.
But this was enough for Rain.
Rocks followed him in, leaning against the doorframe.
"From today on, you are the Head Chef of this ship. Everyone's stomach on board is entrusted to you."
Rain didn't turn his head, saying softly, "I need ingredients, fresh, top-quality ingredients."
Rocks burst out laughing.
"No problem! On the high seas, we'll snatch whatever you want!"
"Whether it's giant Sea Kings from ten thousand meters deep, or the fantastical fruits only found on Sky Island!"
"As long as you can make it, I can get it for you!"
Rocks' voice was filled with unparalleled confidence and Haki.
The corners of Rain's mouth finally curved into a subtle arc.
He knew he had made the right gamble.
The ship set sail.
The wooden hull creaked in the waves, riding the wind and breaking through the waves, heading towards the unknown and vast distance.
Rain stood by the ship's rail, watching the small island that had nurtured him slowly turn into a black dot in his vision, eventually disappearing below the horizon.
Bidding farewell to the past was to embrace a more magnificent future.
His path to becoming a Culinary God officially began on this ship, the future overlord of the seas... The ship wasn't large; the creaking wooden planks seemed to tell of the hardships of the voyage.
Rain's kitchen was even pitifully cramped, barely allowing one person to turn around.
The air was permeated with an lingering fishy and moldy smell, and in the corner lay a few bags of somewhat hardened black bread and a few barrels of poor-quality rum.
The Rocks Pirates didn't have many members; besides Captain Rocks, there were three core crew members.
One was a burly man named Gatz, whose muscles were bulging, and whose laughter was as deafening as Rocks'. His weapon was a giant ship's anchor, and he was currently eyeing Rain with suspicion.
"Captain, are you really letting this kid cook? He's not even as tall as my axe. It'll be good if he doesn't set the kitchen on fire."
Gatz's voice rumbled, not bothering to hide his disdain.
Another was a tall, thin man named Silvers, who always leaned in the shadow of the mast, wiping his long spear. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, and he was taciturn, seemingly indifferent to everything.
The last was the shipwright Dolum, a short, middle-aged man with a full beard, who always held a hammer and nails, constantly hammering away at the ship, muttering, "This rotten ship will fall apart sooner or later."
Rain ignored Gatz's provocation.
He put down his belongings, solemnly placing the chef's knife wrapped in thick cloth on the only relatively clean cutting board. Then he began to work.
Rain didn't immediately light a fire to cook; instead, he found a piece of rag and a bucket of fresh water and began to wipe down the greasy stove.
His movements were meticulous, as if performing some sacred ritual.
From the stove to the pots, and then to the dusty dishes, he cleaned everything thoroughly.
Under his care, the entire kitchen, though still simple, looked brand new.
Gatz curled his lips in disdain, saying to Rocks, "Captain, did you find a chef or a cleaner? We're practically starving."
Rocks leaned against the kitchen doorway, arms crossed, watching with interest. Hearing Gatz, he merely grinned, "Just wait."
After cleaning the kitchen, Rain turned around and calmly looked at the three people at the door.
There was no ripple on his youthful face, but his voice was clear and strong.
"From today on, this is my territory. First, no one is allowed into the kitchen without my permission."
"Second, no non-food items are allowed into the kitchen."
"Third, and most importantly, no food whatsoever is to be wasted."
Gatz was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Hahahahaha! Kid, you're setting rules now? Do you know who you're talking to?"
He stepped forward, his huge figure almost completely enveloping Rain.
Rain looked up, his gaze meeting Gatz's eyes directly. That look was not like an eight-year-old child's, but rather like a Captain who had weathered many storms, calm and sharp.
"I'm talking to the people who are going to eat my food. If you can't do it, you can keep gnawing on your black bread."
"You..."
Gatz's face instantly flushed red, and his fists clenched, cracking loudly.
"Gatz."
Rocks spoke lightly, his voice not loud, but it instantly froze Gatz's movements.
Rocks walked into the kitchen, patted Rain's shoulder, and smiled at the three outside the door, "He's right. From today on, the kitchen is Rain's territory."
"His rules are this ship's rules. Anyone who dares to violate them..."
Rocks' gaze swept over everyone, his smile turning somewhat dangerous.
"I'll throw him overboard to feed the fish."
The shipwright Dolum shrugged, indicating he didn't care.
The silent Silvers nodded slightly, seemingly quite in agreement with these rules.
Only Gatz was indignant but dared not refute Rocks, only huffing angrily.
"Alright, Head Chef."
Rocks turned to Rain, a hint of teasing in his tone.
"Now, can you let us witness your skills? My crew members are about to revolt from hunger."
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