One Piece Shadow Army - Chapter 35
The Baratie, a floating restaurant, is located near the Grand Line. After departing from Loguetown, it would take the cruise ship until the afternoon to reach it, relying on the speed of its sails.
At noon.
Inside the restaurant, Ronald was dining with several wealthy nobles.
High society places a great deal of emphasis on etiquette, and Ronald did his best to learn, though his movements and body language were still somewhat stiff and unrefined.
This naturally led to the wealthy nobles looking down on Ronald.
If it weren’t for the lucky discovery of a huge treasure, there would be no way for him to sit with us.
Despite their thoughts, these people did not show it on their faces and continued to interact with smiles.
“Ronald, come, try this Berré wine. This bottle is worth a million Berries!”
Ronald took the wine glass, and from his previous experience as a senior winery employee, he immediately tasted the fine craftsmanship.
“This wine is made from unripe grapes, distilled through several strict procedures, retaining the spicy kick of green grapes…”
The wealthy nobles paid little attention to Ronald’s passionate explanation. They enjoyed the sense of superiority that came from the wine’s high price, caring little for the craftsmanship.
Realizing this, Ronald quickly stopped his explanation.
“It seems I’ve gone off-topic.”
A brown-haired noble suddenly asked, “Ronald, I heard your son joined the Navy? What’s his rank now?”
Talking about Curls brought Ronald back to life, his face full of pride.
“My son just completed his rookie period. Though he hasn’t been given a rank yet, I believe he will become an outstanding Navy officer…”
The wealthy nobles were knowledgeable about the Navy system. Hearing that Ronald’s son hadn’t even been ranked yet, their interest waned.
“The way you were talking, I thought he was an officer!”
“No rank yet? What a pity!”
“I heard those without rank in the Navy are just laborers?”
Ronald felt the disdain these people had for his son, making him extremely uncomfortable. He grabbed his gold-inlaid cane and left.
“Sorry, everyone, I’m feeling a bit unwell. I’ll go get some fresh air.”
Ronald could endure some things to try and fit into high society, but his pride in Curls was untouchable. The disdain these people showed for his son made it impossible for him to continue dining with them.
Although leaving so abruptly would likely ruin his efforts to integrate into high society, Ronald did not regret it.
“Alright.”
“Mr. Charlo, please take your time.”
The wealthy nobles responded with smiles, but once Ronald was out of earshot, their attitudes shifted.
“So rude!”
“No noble etiquette at all! No wonder he used to be a lowly worker!”
“A Navy without a rank, why was he so proud just now?”
“If we’re attacked by pirates, do we rely on such a rankless Navy to save us?”
“How laughable, hahaha!”
The wealthy nobles couldn’t help but laugh.
At that moment, one noble noticed Fullbody passing by and politely asked, “Lieutenant Fullbody, if we’re attacked by pirates, you’ll protect us first, right?”
“Yeah, you’re a strong Navy officer from the headquarters. No pirates in the East Blue can match you!”
Flattered by the nobles, Fullbody’s ego swelled.
“Rest assured, as long as I’m here, pirates won’t dare to come near.”
He then thumped his chest in assurance.
“Even if they do, I’ll knock them all down. You know Vice Admiral Garp, the ‘Fist of Love,’ right? He’s my mentor, and I’m known as ‘Double Iron Fist’ Fullbody!”
The nobles exclaimed in surprise.
“Vice Admiral Garp, the hero of the East Blue?”
Fullbody exaggerated.
“Yes, Vice Admiral Garp praised me once. To me, East Blue pirates are nothing.”
In reality, Garp had only given some encouragement to the Navy recruits, and Fullbody happened to be one of them. It was hardly praise.
“Lieutenant Fullbody is truly remarkable!”
“To be praised by Vice Admiral Garp, Lieutenant Fullbody will surely rise through the ranks in the Navy. Let’s toast to the lieutenant.”
The surrounding nobles eagerly toasted.
…
Afternoon came.
The cruise ship was nearing the floating restaurant.
An hour of sailing later, the ship’s passengers could see the distant silhouette of the Baratie.
The Baratie’s bow is shaped like a carp, with an overall round shape. The lower hull is painted in red-orange, and the upper structure is blue.
From afar, the ship looks like a giant fat carp floating on the sea.
The cruise ship stopped at its destination.
Passengers disembarked, ready to explore the famous floating restaurant.
“Guests are here, time to get to work!”
A tall, burly man with a strange face resembling a copper pot, dressed in a chef’s uniform, shouted to the restaurant staff.
The man was Paddy.
Once a fierce pirate, he had since joined the Baratie as a chef.
His principle was “customers first,” but if they dined without paying, he would ensure they felt pain through combat.
At Paddy’s call, the restaurant’s waiters sprang into action, seating guests in the dining room.
After taking orders, the chefs busied themselves preparing meals.
Paddy instructed a sixteen-year-old blond boy, “Sanji, the waiters are overwhelmed. Get out there and help.”
“Damn it, I know.”
Sanji and Paddy often clashed and fought, but with the staff short-handed, Sanji reluctantly went out to help the waiters.
…
Inside the floating restaurant.
The Charlotte family sat at a window table, browsing the menu.
A young waiter asked, “What would you like to order?”
Curls looked at the blond boy with hair covering half his face and curly eyebrows, recognizing him as Sanji.
The future chef of the Straw Hat Pirates!
The third son of the Vinsmoke family!
Known as “Black Leg” by the Navy for his swift and powerful kicks!
But the current Sanji wasn’t as strong as he would be in three years. Curls wasn’t sure of his exact strength now.
Ronald struggled with the menu, unsure what to choose from the many options.
“Order everything!” Curls told Sanji to avoid his father agonizing over the choices.
“Are you sure? We have many types of food, and there are only three of you. It could lead to a lot of waste,” Sanji reminded them.
Curls knew the Baratie’s rule against wasting food and explained.
“Don’t worry, my sister has a big appetite. We can finish everything. If not, we’ll take it to go and not waste anything.”
Verchiel nodded vigorously. “I can finish it. I can eat enough for ten people.”
“Alright, I understand.” Sanji turned to take another table’s order. Having been with Zeff for a long time, he knew there were people with special physiques who could eat large quantities.
With Sanji gone, Verchiel leaned on the table, eagerly waiting for the meal.
Ronald and Curls were also looking forward to it, eager to taste the food from the most famous floating restaurant in the East Blue.
Soon, the dishes were served.
The three of them wasted no time, diving into the delicious food.
After three months of training, Curls’ appetite had increased, though still not matching his sister’s enormous one.
This was the Charlo family’s first visit to the Baratie. Previously, their financial struggles never allowed them the opportunity.
Now, tasting the food, they understood why it was so renowned in the East Blue.
The food here truly lived up to its reputation.
…
As they were almost finished eating, Curls noticed a shadow on the sea outside the window. Looking closely, he saw several pirate ships surrounding the floating restaurant.
It looked like trouble was coming!
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