Chef Raine nodded, pointing at the ingredients in the corner: "Just these?"
Rocks glanced at the hard black bread and a few pieces of air-dried salted meat, which looked like stones, and scratched his head, a bit embarrassed.
"Ahem, we just set sail, so supplies are a bit... rudimentary. Don't worry, once we encounter a merchant ship or a sea beast, I promise to get you the freshest ingredients!"
"It's enough."
Chef Raine's answer surprised everyone.
He tossed the rock-hard black bread into a large wooden basin and poured in clear water to soak it.
Then he picked up the pieces of salted meat and carefully pounded them with the back of his knife to extract the excess salt.
Chef Raine's knife skills were extremely refined; though he was handling the coarsest ingredients, his movements were as elegant as if he were carving a work of art.
Next, Chef Raine lit a fire and boiled water, then crumbled the softened bread and added it along with the pounded salted meat cubes to the pot.
The pot bubbled with unremarkable white foam, looking like a pot of paste, and only a faint salty smell emanated from it.
Gatz stretched his neck from outside, scoffing and pouting: "Tch, I thought it was something amazing. Isn't it just a pot of meat porridge? Looking at his posture, I thought he was going to make some grand feast."
Just then, Chef Raine, with his back to the others, conjured a delicate, small bottle from his palm, seemingly carved from white jade.
It was the Infinite Seasoning Bottle, a system reward.
Chef Raine silently thought: "The most basic umami-enhancing spices, a hint of black pepper's pungency, and a little vegetable oil to bring out the meat's aroma."
As he thought, a drop of clear liquid and a tiny pinch of fine powder flew out of the bottle, silently falling into the pot and instantly dissolving.
The next second, an indescribably potent aroma suddenly burst from that old pot!
It wasn't just the smell of meat or wheat, but a complex, highly layered scent.
The rich aroma of meat was infinitely amplified by a peculiar freshness, intertwined with the subtle sweetness of cooked wheat, and a faint, elusive spiciness danced within it, making one's mouth water uncontrollably.
"Gulp..."
Gatz's Adam's apple bobbed hard, his eyes wide as saucers, staring intently at the pot. His earlier disdain had long been replaced by astonishment and craving.
The silent Silvers also couldn't help but glance into the kitchen, his nose twitching slightly.
Even Dolum, who had been pounding on the ship's hull, stopped his work and followed the scent.
"What is that smell... so fragrant?"
The aroma seemed to have a life of its own, penetrating the nostrils of everyone on board, thoroughly awakening their inner gourmands.
Chef Raine acted as if he had done something trivial. He stirred with a wooden spoon and scooped the perfectly cooked meat porridge into several rough pottery bowls.
The originally coarse ingredients now presented an inviting color, with specks of oil glistening on the thick porridge, and the plump meat cubes exuded a deadly allure.
"It's ready."
Chef Raine pushed the bowls of porridge onto the counter by the kitchen door.
Gatz was the first to rush over, not caring about the heat, grabbing a bowl and pouring it into his mouth.
"Ow! Hot, hot, hot!"
He yelped and fanned his mouth with his hand, but the movements of his mouth didn't stop at all.
The moment the meat porridge entered his mouth, Gatz's eyes instantly widened.
The dense texture gently enveloped his tongue. The salted meat cubes, after simmering, were not dry and tough but became exceptionally tender; with a light bite, rich meat juices burst in his mouth.
The sweetness of the bread and the savory taste of the meat perfectly blended, and that peculiar freshness, like waves, continuously impacted his taste buds.
A warm current slid down his throat into his stomach, instantly dispelling the fatigue and hunger from the voyage, and all his pores seemed to open up.
"Mmm... delicious... so delicious!"
Gatz praised indistinctly, tears and snot almost flowing out.
He finished a bowl in a few quick gulps, then handed the bowl to Chef Raine, looking at him with an almost pleading gaze.
"Another... another bowl!"
While Silvers and Dolum ate with a bit more refinement, their steadily accelerating swallowing speed and slightly gleaming eyes also revealed their inner shock.
Especially Silvers; after he finished eating, he uncharacteristically spoke up, saying to Chef Raine: "Very good."
Rocks held his bowl, leaning against the mast, his face showing unconcealed pride and ecstasy.
He knew he had made the right bet!
This kid, using the most rubbish ingredients, created a delicacy that even a king might not enjoy. What terrifying talent!
Rocks laughed and walked over to Chef Raine, ruffling his hair vigorously: "Hahahahaha! Kid, well done! I declare that from now on, anyone who dares to disrespect our Head Chef will have to answer to my fists, Rocks'!"
Gatz was now completely conquered by the food. He licked his empty bowl clean and approached Chef Raine, his previous arrogance completely gone, replaced by a fawning, silly grin.
"Um... Chef Raine, I was wrong. I shouldn't have underestimated you just now. Do you think there's still a little bit left in the pot? Even just a little bit of scorched rice at the bottom would be fine!"
Chef Raine glanced at him and said indifferently: "The pot has been washed."
Gatz's expression instantly fell, like an abandoned large dog, squatting pitifully by the kitchen door, drawing a burst of laughter from everyone.
With a simple meal of meat porridge, Chef Raine completely conquered this group of unruly pirates.
He not only proved himself with his culinary skills but also established his own inviolable, absolute authority on this future hegemon's ship.
Having conquered the crew's stomachs, Chef Raine's status on the ship became extraordinary.
Gatz became his most loyal supporter, following him around every day, calling him 'Chef Raine' with every other word, as diligent as a servant.
Whenever Chef Raine needed help, such as chopping wood or moving heavy objects, he was always the first to rush forward, working harder than anyone else.
While Silvers and Dolum weren't as exaggerated as Gatz, they also developed a genuine respect for Chef Raine.
Their most anticipated moment each day was mealtime.
However, a clever cook cannot make a meal without ingredients. The ship's stored ingredients quickly ran low.
Although Chef Raine could turn decay into magic, he couldn't conjure things out of thin air.
For several days in a row, the only thing on the table was grilled fish, simply seasoned with the Infinite Seasoning Bottle.
"Chef Raine, today's grilled fish is also very delicious... but..."
Gatz gnawed on his fish, looking pitifully at Chef Raine.
"When can we eat meat? I miss that meat porridge you made."
"No ingredients."
Chef Raine was concise.
Rocks sat nearby, listening to the crew's complaints, then looked at Chef Raine's calm face, suddenly slapped his thigh, and stood up.
"That's right! How can my crew, Rocks', eat only grilled fish every day!"
Rocks walked to the bow, facing the sea breeze, spread his arms, and shouted with heroic spirit: "I promised to give you the world's finest ingredients! Today, I will fulfill the first promise!"
He turned to Chef Raine, his eyes burning.
"Head Chef, tell us, what prey in this sea area is worth our effort?"
This question was exactly what Chef Raine wanted.
The Grand Line Ingredients Illustrated Guide (Early Stage) in his mind had long been unlocked, and information on rare ingredients in the nearby sea area was crystal clear.
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