Chapter 62: Recruiting Sanji
In the distance, on the battlefield.
“Heh—heh—it’s been a long time since I’ve met an opponent who could make me enjoy myself so much.”
Hawkeye, stepping on Moonwalk, floated in mid-air, looking extremely dishevelled.
His iconic black top hat was long gone, and his clothes were torn into rags by the aftermath of the battle, revealing his lean and strong body.
Compared to his appearance, his injuries were more severe; blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, his sword-wielding hands trembled so much he could barely lift them, and his arms were covered in blood.
Even someone as strong as him couldn't avoid being seriously injured by Kaine's terrifying impact just now.
“The feeling is mutual.” Kaine, floating in the air, also coughed up blood incessantly, his condition even slightly worse than Hawkeye's.
Double-Edge causes a large amount of damage while also inflicting one-third of that damage back on the user.
If it weren't for the powerful physique granted by the Mythical Zoan, he would never dare to easily use such a damage-trading fighting style.
“Let’s stop here.”
Hawkeye surveyed the messy battlefield and spoke first, “There’s no point in continuing.”
“Agreed.” Kaine nodded.
If they kept fighting, it would be a life-and-death struggle, not a spar, so there was no need.
However, before returning to Raikougo, Kaine still had something to do.
“Sunny Day!”
He waved his hand casually towards the sky, and the originally gentle sunlight suddenly became as scorching as fire.
This wall-like ice layer still needed to melt.
“Mihawk, want to come to my ship to change clothes?” Kaine called out.
“No need, I have spares.” Hawkeye waved his hand, his tone as steady as ever.
How could he not be prepared for this when traveling?
“So where are your clothes? Hahaha—”
On Raikougo, Kaine covered his stomach and laughed mercilessly at the man in front of him, tears almost streaming out.
Hawkeye, wearing a tattered outfit that could pass for a beggar’s costume, had a dark expression, “Who told you to destroy my ship!”
Yes, due to the aftermath of the battle, Hawkeye's coffin-shaped small boat was completely scrapped.
When Hawkeye arrived at the docking spot, all he could see were a few broken wooden planks.
“Oh, my mistake, I won’t take the blame for this.”
Kaine wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and no longer ridiculed Hawkeye: “We’re about the same size, I’ll lend you my clothes. And let the Doctor bandage you up.”
Hawkeye wasn't being coy either.
Battles between men are the best way to communicate.
He didn't dislike Kaine; at least he recognized Kaine as a good opponent.
After both of them had their injuries treated and changed into the clean casual clothes Kaine provided, they returned to the Baratie restaurant.
Kaine still had a table full of delicious food he hadn't eaten yet.
He even thoughtfuly ordered a table of food for Hawkeye: “Boss, put this table on my tab too. He’s a pauper now.”
Bang!
Hawkeye slammed Black Blade: Night onto the table.
“Are you done yet?”
Hawkeye’s face darkened again; he suddenly felt that coming back with Kaine was a mistake.
In the corner, the photographer, who had overheard everything, trembled with excitement, his pen dancing wildly on his notebook.
“Big news, earth-shattering big news! Morgans-shachou, you have to give me a big bonus for this.”
“My bad.”
Kaine’s apology was completely insincere.
At this moment, Violet gently scooped a spoonful of fragrant seafood fried rice and brought it to Kaine's mouth: “Kaine-sama, try this, the flavor is very unique.”
Almost simultaneously, Reiju elegantly speared a small piece of seared steak, drizzled with amber honey, and brought it to his other side: “This honey-roasted steak is also very delicious.”
Kaine naturally wouldn't disappoint the two beauties' kind intentions, accepting the feeding from both sides with satisfaction, eating contentedly.
Hmm, even though his hands were perfectly capable of moving.
Seeing this scene, Hawkeye, whose hands were injured and who was having some difficulty getting food into his mouth, couldn't help but have a thought he'd never had before.
Perhaps I should also find a maid?
“Speaking of which.” Kaine swallowed his food, looking curiously at Hawkeye, “Why are you here?”
Logically, unless someone like Krieg foolishly provoked Hawkeye, he should be too lazy to come to the weakest sea.
“The food here is good.” Hawkeye picked up his water glass, took a calm sip, and gave a simple and unpretentious reason.
Oh, Kaine remembered, Hawkeye was also a man who could cook, and his cooking skills seemed to be quite good too.
Is this a case of mutual appreciation between good chefs?
Speaking of which, Hawkeye was quite a good family man; he loved cleanliness, could cook, and even grew his own vegetables.
Amidst their conversation, the food on the table disappeared at an astonishing speed.
Especially Kaine and Hawkeye, both ate elegantly, but the speed at which the food vanished was no less than devouring it.
Normally, Kaine could exercise a bit more restraint, but now that the big battle had just ended, if he didn't replenish his energy in time, his body would protest.
The Baratie's chef team entered an unprecedented state of war.
A steaming dish was just brought out, and a few seconds later, an empty plate was handed back with a 'clang'.
This scene was truly a chef's hell; the appetites of the few outside were like bottomless pits.
Zeff quickly understood the meaning of what Kaine said when ordering the food.
He really started to worry if there was enough food on the ship.
Fortunately, after Kaine and the others collectively ate enough food to pile into a small mountain, this feast finally came to an end.
“The taste is really good.” Kaine patted his round belly contentedly.
“Yeah, yeah! It’s great!” Yamato slumped in her chair without any regard for her image, nodding heavily, a happy smile on her face.
The chefs on Raikougo were only passable, truly not as good as Zeff's cooking.
No wonder Hawkeye came here to eat.
After eating and drinking their fill, Kaine waved his hand: “Sanji.”
Sanji came over, a smile on his face: “Brother-in-law, what do you need me for?”
“San~ji~!” Reiju's pretty face instantly turned red, and she angrily slapped her brother's back of the head, “Try spouting nonsense again!”
Kaine chuckled and gently stopped Reiju's hand: “You are my woman, Sanji isn't wrong.”
He turned to Sanji, his expression becoming serious: “Do you want to come with me? I really like your cooking.”
Sanji was stunned, completely unprepared for Kaine's invitation.
He only knew how to cook a little, was it because of his sister?
He subconsciously looked at Zeff, the man who was both his teacher and father.
“Idiot.” Zeff suddenly slapped Sanji's head: “What are you still standing there for! Why aren't you hurrying to accept such an opportunity? Have you forgotten the dream you always talk about? Finding the legendary All Blue!”
Upon hearing All Blue, a burning light instantly burst forth in Sanji's eyes, but then it dimmed, his gaze falling on Zeff's heavy wooden prosthetic leg: “Stupid old man, if I leave, who will take care of you?”
“Hey, brat!”
“Are we all just air?!”
The chefs of Baratie immediately roared in unison.
Zeff, however, didn't appreciate it, scolding with a huff and a Glare: “You bunch of bastards, I’m not that old yet!”
He paused, his tone becoming low and solemn, turning to Sanji: “Go, leave this place. A good man shouldn't be trapped here. Remember, take my dream with you and go find it!”
After speaking, Zeff suddenly turned around, his shoulders seeming to shrug slightly, no longer daring to look back at Sanji.
“Old man———”
Sanji's nose tingled, and an indescribable mix of sadness and warmth surged through his heart.