About an hour later, breakfast was served.
In a small village like Shimotsuki Village, the ingredients were naturally not very abundant. Zeff had already sent Zoro to buy everything available at the market, but the variety was still limited.
However, after passing through Zeff's hands, it was as if magic had been cast, transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary.
Plate after plate of enticing, aromatic dishes were brought to the table.
The kids from the dojo crowded around the long wooden table, their eyes wide with anticipation even before they started eating.
The clinking of bamboo chopsticks against bowls was mixed with exclamations like "It smells so good!" "Wow, I can't take it anymore!" and "I can't control my drooling!"
When Zeff announced that they could start eating, chaos ensued.
After all, they were just kids. At first, they remembered the dining etiquette Koshiro had taught them, but the dishes were so delicious that their primal instincts to protect their food kicked in.
They fought and scrambled, turning into ravenous beasts.
Xiano was momentarily pushed aside, too embarrassed to compete with these little brats. He first went to the corner and scooped a bowl of the least popular fish porridge.
With the first sip, the creamy white porridge, mixed with translucent slices of fish, slid down his throat. The perfect balance of scallions and ginger neutralized the fishy taste, creating a smooth and delightful texture that was incredibly fresh.
He also picked up some side dishes, which were crisp and refreshing, perfectly complementing the porridge.
He couldn't help but squint in enjoyment.
Even a simple porridge and side dishes could be made so delicious. Is this what a professional chef can do?
Bellemere's cooking was already excellent, but compared to Zeff's, it was like the difference between heaven and earth.
Perhaps I should... Xiano thoughtfully glanced at Zeff.
Beside him, Zoro was devouring his food, practically ready to swallow the table whole.
The resentment from being ordered around earlier had completely vanished. If he could eat such delicious food every day, he wouldn't mind washing and chopping vegetables every day!
"Old Man!" he couldn't help but turn and shout, "Stay! If I can't taste your cooking in the future, I don't know how I'll live!"
"Yeah, yeah!"
"Stay, Chef Old Man!"
The other kids from the dojo also started clamoring.
These kids, who knew nothing of the world's hardships, made Koshiro shake his head helplessly. A top-tier chef like this was far beyond what his small dojo could afford.
"Alright, stop making noise. No more unreasonable requests," Koshiro gently began, but then he suddenly turned his head in surprise, remembering that Zeff had specifically asked him before cooking if they needed a chef here.
"That's right, that's exactly what I mean," Zeff said with a smile. "Mr. Koshiro, it seems the kids really enjoy my cooking. How about letting me stay for a while? Of course, along with this kid."
He gently ruffled Sanji's little head.
"You, little brat, talk about finding the All Blue, but you're still just a kitchen hand. How can someone who isn't even a chef yet pursue that dream?"
"Stupid old man..."
Sanji pushed his hand away in annoyance, but then suddenly realized something and looked up in surprise. "Huh? Does that mean you're willing to teach me how to cook?"
"Not so fast," Zeff said with a smirk. "I'm very strict with my apprentices. If you don't make progress, I can kick you out anytime."
"Don't underestimate people, you old geezer!"
Koshiro coughed at this moment and said, "Lord Zeff, it is truly an honor for someone of your stature to be willing to stay at our dojo. We would be more than welcome to have you, but..."
But with the current rate of consumption, the Isshin Dojo would likely go bankrupt in less than a month. If it were a year ago, there would still be plenty of stored food, but on that night not long ago, he had donated all of it to Dragon.
He felt embarrassed and couldn't bring himself to say the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
However, Zeff noticed his discomfort and laughed heartily:
"Don't worry, I still have some savings. You don't need to be concerned. From now on, I'll take care of all the ingredients for the Isshin Dojo!"
"How can that be?"
Koshiro was shocked. It was the first time he had heard of someone paying to work.
"Enough said! It's settled!"
Zeff laughed loudly, not bothering with any more words. He slapped Koshiro on the shoulder, forcing the latter to swallow the words that were about to come out.
Xiano watched the scene with amusement.
It was quite a sight to see these two together.
Koshiro, Zeff, tsk, if only Rayleigh were here... Kaido, the three main teachers of the Straw Hat crew, would all be gathered in one place.
"By the way, Lord Xiano."
Zeff pulled Xiano outside and, from somewhere, brought out a large bag of treasure.
"Take this. It should be worth at least fifty or sixty million Berries. I've kept some for myself, enough for the usual ingredient purchases."
Fifty or sixty million Berries?
Xiano glanced at the large bag of treasure.
On the deserted island, Zeff had used this bag to deceive Sanji, making him think it was filled with food.
In the original timeline, Zeff later used this money to open the Baratie Restaurant, right?
Remembering the four hundred million Berries he still had in the bank at Loguetown, he thought for a moment and shook his head.
"No need, Uncle Zeff. You can keep it all. I really don't need the money. Consider it my contribution to ensure the children at the dojo can eat well and stay nourished for the next few years."
"Especially those two."
Xiano pointed at Kuina and Zoro, smiling.
"In the future, they might become my crewmates. Uncle, you can show them a little extra care. I hope when they set sail with me, they'll be as strong as an ox... no, as strong as me."
Zeff glanced at Xiano's exaggeratedly muscular physique and couldn't help but laugh.
"Alright! Don't worry, with me in the kitchen, by the time you set sail, I'll return you two crewmates as robust as you!"
"Or maybe, more than two?"
"Huh?" Zeff was taken aback.
Xiano blinked and said with a grin, "Uncle, being a chef is just your second choice, isn't it? Your biggest dream has always been to continue exploring the Grand Line and pursue that dream of the blue sea, right?"
"Are you saying... you want me to join your crew when the time comes?"
Zeff was slightly stunned, and there seemed to be a flicker of interest in his eyes.
But when his gaze fell on his prosthetic leg, he ultimately sighed.
"Forget it. The future of the Grand Line belongs to you young ones. With the little strength I have left, I'd rather not hold you back."
After all, he had once been a captain.
Following them onto the ship wouldn't be a big deal, but if he ended up being the weakest on board, unable to contribute in battles—that would be a blow to his pride that he simply couldn't accept.
"Uncle Zeff, I understand how you feel, but what if…" Xiano pinched his chin, "I had a way to completely heal your leg?"
"..."
Zeff was stunned for a moment, then a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes, and his voice trembled slightly with excitement.
"Really? Is there really a way? I've lost my entire leg. What kind of medical skill could possibly achieve that…"
Xiano shook his head. "It doesn't necessarily have to be medical skill. I can't do it now, but I definitely will in the future. How about this, Uncle Zeff, let's set a deadline."
He held up four fingers. "Let's take the day I set sail as the boundary. It'll probably be within four or five years? By then, I'll come to Isshin Dojo. If I can fully restore your leg, you'll join us on the ship. How does that sound?"
He was very confident in fulfilling this promise.
After all, the items that could appear in the system's trading market were incredibly diverse.
If something like a planetary engine could show up, what was repairing a leg in comparison?
He was only thirteen years old now.
He didn't necessarily have to wait until adulthood to set sail, but he'd at least have to be sixteen or seventeen.
With such a long time in between, and the trading market refreshing once a month, unless he was extremely unlucky, how could he not find a way?
"Alright, let's do it your way!"
Zeff finally made up his mind, extending his pinky finger and grinning. "Then let's seal it with a pinky promise?"
Xiano: "?"
Wait.
Why is it that no matter their age, people from the East Blue are so fond of pinky promises?
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