~Yuji Liberio~
Honestly? This plan went way smoother than I planned for, to the point where I almost felt suspicious.
I was fully ready to pull out a bunch more science jargon and mix it with a little meta-knowledge to trick them. Or even waiting until I made a potion myself to present to them to get access to the mansion.
Hell, I even had a plan for if the shit really hit the fan as hard as it could.
The quest never said anything about consent or that they had to like it. I could stroll in, blast Kuro to kingdom inside the mansion and force-feed Kaya potions until she was cured to get the reward that was promised to me.
But I was thankful it did not come to that. I do not fancy myself as a simple brute.
"Wow Boss, I don't know if you are a conman or legit but I can certainly appreciate a mansion to stay at. You know how to treat a girl well. Yawn."
Nami commented next to me as we walked upstairs, I fleshed things out with Merry. As per our agreement, until Kaya was cured or we decided that we couldn't cure her they would agree to house and feed us in the mansion during the duration of the treatment.
If we succeeded they would give us a bunch of Berries or equivalent value as compensation. If we failed they would just send us on our way since the stay at the mansion was the compensation for our time.
"Boo, would it kill you to have some faith you buzzkill? I know what I'm doing enough to cure her at least. I'm sure of that. Maybe instead of doubting my abilities, you should praise them for getting us some rooms in a mansion to stay in?"
Nami shrugged her shoulders, her nervousness around me seemed to have slowly faded by now as she was comfortable enough to throw jabs at me but still cautious about my reactions.
"Aye aye, captain." She said in a noncommittal tone. "I'll go rest in my room if you don't have anything for me to do?"
"No need, you stood awake all night so go get some rest. It can wait until tomorrow."
Nami nodded and went to her room, Merry had already told us what our rooms were. Mine was... the second from the farthest right I think?
Oh well, not like I'll get lynched for getting it wrong. I walked over and threw open the door but the reaction to it was not something I had expected.
"Eh?"
"Huh?"
Behind the door was a woman who was changing, she had pale skin and a voluptuous figure although her breasts were not as large as Nami's they were still plentiful. She had creamy white hair that was semi-short, with one long part reaching down to her chin, she also had captivating red eyes like rubies. In general, she looked like a supermodel.
Oh, and I was here, gawking at her after having caught her changing. Her white and black chef's uniform was only halfway up her legs, giving me an excellent view of her red lacy panty-clad ass.
"Huh? Who might you be? I don't think I've ever seen you around the estate before."
I blinked at her rather... lackadaisical reaction as she pulled her pants up. I was currently mentally stunned, both because I recalled nothing about someone like this being in One Piece and because of that magnificent ass flashbanging my neurons and the image searing itself to my brain.
"Oh, sorry for walking in on you. I'm Yuji Liberio, traveller pharmacist-"
Then she seemed to understand as she cut me off.
"Ooh! That's right, Merry told me about you! You are the guy who said he could cure Kaya-chan. I'm glad, that girl is eating less and less every day, it's making me feel annoyed! Anyway, what are you doing in my room?"
"Sorry about that, Mr. Merry told me where my room was but I forgot about it. My apologies Ms...?"
She walked over to me, looking me up and down before slapping me on the shoulder in a friendly gesture.
"Wow, you are a handsome one! Don't worry, you probably meant to go into the room next to this one, that one's a guest room. As for your question, I am Ms. Kaya's personal chef, Alice Nakiri, nice to meet you!"
She certainly seemed... bubbly and slightly airheaded. She extended a hand and I shook it, her hand was very soft compared to my rough one but she shook it wildly like an overexcited kid.
That name sounds familiar but I just can't place it. <---Woes of a man who never watched Food Wars
I suppose I shouldn't expect the world to be one-to-one to the one I remember, after all, one was an anime while this was the real world, we never really saw the chef in the original and all.
Alice passed by me with a light smile.
"Alright big boy, I'll see you at dinner. After you try my food you'll never be able to go back to normal food. Nihihihi!"
With that the quirky girl retreated downstairs, making me shrug my shoulders. I looked at the next room over and as expected, it was the one I was supposed to have gone to. But I can't say the detour wasn't fruitful.
That girl... she was making my Golden Rule act up. She felt important, my instincts were calling her a treasure.
Come to think of it, wasn't I already looking for a chef to add to my ship?
Oh well. If she shows to be a good fit or not remains to be seen.
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏𓊝﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
~Yuji Liberio~
After getting permission from Merry, I opted to not rest in my room, instead going to the garden to do some pushups and callisthenics. But while I was doing my exercises, I was accosted by a guest I did not expect.
"Woah, you're really working up a sweat. Maybe I should increase your portion. You're gonna be ravenous at this rate."
"Huff huff, what do you need Ms Nakiri?"
Alice looked at my exercise with an interested expression as she sat on the tree stump next to me. She had seen me exercising from one of the windows and decided to come to bother me.
"Mmm, not much. Just wanted to hear some things from you. You're a traveller, right? You must have eaten plenty of exotic food while going from town to town am I right?"
I stopped my pushups and turned to her with a curious expression.
"Hmm, I suppose compared to the average person, I have eaten way more exotic food than they would imagine exists."
After all, I lived on Earth, with the existence of the internet recipes from every corner of the world were accessible from every other corner. I doubt the average One Piece man has ever tasted a Spring Roll, a Smash Burger or Chinese Dumplings, or Kebab. Mmm, Kebab.
I saw Alice's eyes shine at my answer as she scooted even closer to me with blatant interest.
"Wow! Really? Can you tell me about them? I don't have much opportunity to go out and sample foods when I'm caring for Kaya."
"Seems like you really like exotic food."
I tried to get a gauge on her personality, this person intrigued me, other than the obvious part of her being very attractive, her personality seemed interesting to me. So I wanted to know more about her.
She smiled at me with a dreamy expression.
"I guess I do! My dream is to go around the world and learn exotic cuisines, find unique ingredients and cook a variety of dishes of them. I'd like to learn from chefs all around the world and taste every dish there is."
That made me smile, not the dream itself, but the dream and conviction in her eyes. I liked people who had their principles, and those who had their own strives. I didn't like people without a character. I wouldn't have someone boring on my ship.
"Is that so? Then why are staying as a chef in this little village? With ambition like that, I'd expect you to be travelling like me."
Alice held a wistful look as she looked back at the mansion.
"I owe a debt to Kaya, her father rescued and fed me when my father's ship crashed. He decided to employ me here and let me refine my cooking here. So when he died, I thought the least I could do for Kaya's dad was to help his daughter. I can't leave her like this."
Seeing the slightly somber mood she grinned and slapped my sweaty bare shoulder.
"Enough about that, besides, I can't trust just any merchant to not take advantage of my pretty face, can I? Now, spill whatever exotic foods you know! Eugh, sweaty."
She wiped her sweaty hand on my pants and I couldn't help but smirk.
Alice Nakiri.
I want you on my ship.
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏𓊝﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
~Yuji Liberio~
"This is soo tasty~!"
"I concur. Crunch! Nom! Munch! Chomp!"
Both Nami and I were greeted with what I could only describe as a feast for dinner, and I have to say. If I wanted Alice on my ship before, now I was willing to kidnap her to my side.
Her food was delicious, the best meal I had ever eaten in my life. My boss had treated his best employees to a steak dinner for a party so I had eaten at a high-quality restaurant before and this was definitely better than that.
"It would be greatly appreciated if you maintained some decorum."
Kuro "Stupid Nickname Khaladore" said with an irritated tone as he watched us eat. But unlike his irritated self, the one who actually made the food seemed to not mind at all.
"It's fine Khaladore! If they are eating soo ravenously that just means I cooked that well didn't I?"
Kuro harrumphed while I shot him a smug smile, I didn't like him and he didn't like me from the first encounter. Our dislike was mutual.
A cook being able to cook such meals was essential for me. After all, my Efficient Cells needed fuel didn't they? But I needed to get closer to Alice first and cure Kaya to be able to get her on my ship. It would be for the best if she were grateful to me enough to accept my offer. But considering she also wants to travel I think she won't be against it.
As we finished our meal and thanked the cook Alice pulled me aside into the kitchen.
"Alright, big boy! Now tell me all of those juicy recipes you have on you!"
I shrugged my shoulders at Alice who looked very excited at the prospect of my culinary knowledge.
"Can't say no spending time with a pretty girl." "Indeed." "But I'm warning you, I may have tasted them but I don't know their recipes."
"That's fine, I can probably recreate them from just knowing their characteristics anyway. I'm not gonna run from the challenge!"
I shrugged my shoulders at her enthusiasm, it was a nice contrast from Nami's pessimism. I started talking with her about my experience with pizzas, burgers, Takoyaki, yakisoba, chinese food et cetera as her eyes shone and she grilled me for more information about every food I talked about.
But I couldn't keep the grin off my face as we talked as I had fully come to the decision.
Alice Nakiri.
You may not know it yet, but you are already a part of my crew.
A/N: The first and only one of the Expies of this fic reveals herself. Everyone welcome Alice Nakiri as our resident chef! I tried to pick someone who is distinct yet has a skillset and personality that fits with One Piece's setting.
Oh, and she is also hot. That is an important part. I tried my best to pick a character that did not have overlap with existing One Piece characters. What did you guys think about Alice and her introduction? I'd love to know, your feedback would really help.
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