Pirate: I have a Hollow living inside me!

Even Rocks himself hasn't fully figured out "Golden Finger".

It was simply considered to be a special mythical beast species, similar to the Nika Fruit.

What changes will occur in the future is just speculation; there are still many unknowns...

"Is that so? Then I won't ask anymore."

"Let's go, let's try Barradi's cooking first."

The three chatted casually as they entered the Barradi restaurant.

"Welcome! Are you two beautiful ladies here for a meal?"

As soon as I entered the restaurant, a fawning voice came from inside.

A blond-haired man, who looked about sixteen or seventeen years old, wearing a black suit and smoking a cigarette, came over.

He ignored Lox as if Lox didn't exist.

He only fawns over Nami and Kuina...

"Tsk..."

Upon seeing this blond-haired man, Rocks couldn't help but click his tongue.

With those round eyebrows and blond hair, who else could it be but Sanji?

Very Sanji-esque, only has eyes for beautiful women, completely ignoring him...

Rocks glanced at the cigarette in Sanji's mouth and said calmly, "Smoking in a restaurant makes me question the hygiene of your restaurant. If you don't even understand this, then you shouldn't be running a restaurant."

"Also, my two companions don't like the smell of smoke."

He casually flicked out a small phantom, breaking the cigarette Sanji was holding in the middle.

A burning cigarette fell to the ground and was stomped out by Rocks.

Rocks looked at Sanji and said, "Find us a good spot."

"I'm sorry for the unpleasant experience you and your companion had. It's my fault..."

Sanji is not an unreasonable person. Realizing his mistake, he quickly apologized.

It was also because he had entertained many guests and seen all sorts of people; plus, he was once a member of the Vinsmoke family, so he had exceptional insight.

The person in front of him looked to be about the same age, but had a strange aura about him.

Moreover, the other party's casual flick was so fast that he didn't even have time to react.

It's obvious that the other party is not simple!

He wouldn't do anything inappropriate with this kind of person, otherwise it would cause trouble for Baratie...

"This way, please, our three guests."

Sanji led the three to a window seat.

Once the three were seated, Sanji took on the role of waiter: "What would you three like to eat?"

Rocks flipped through the menu, closed it casually, and said to Sanji, "Give me one of everything."

"All dishes?"

Sanji glanced at the three of them and reminded them, "Guests, we have a rule in our restaurant: no one is allowed to waste food..."

"Go ahead and go ahead."

Lox waved his hand dismissively, then added, "By the way, can I specify a chef to cook?"

"Designated chef?"

Sanji was a little surprised by the other party's request, but he nodded nonetheless: "Of course, but you'll need to pay 30% more Berries."

"Money is not a problem."

Rocks was never stingy when it came to food.

Even 30% more Pele isn't that expensive.

A chef with exceptional skills is worth the price.

Rocks said to Sanji, "You and Zeff will cook all the dishes, is that alright?"

Sanji glanced at Rocks and nodded again: "Okay, please wait a moment, guest."

He felt that the other party must have been to Barati before, otherwise he wouldn't have specifically asked him to cook with the old man.

The old man and his culinary skills are the first and second best among the chefs in Baratie.

Yeah, he's first, and that old geezer is second!

After Sanji left, Nami glanced around, her gaze sweeping over the waiters, or rather, the chefs. She muttered, "I don't think these people are chefs; they're more like pirates..."

Rocks picked up his water glass, took a sip, and casually remarked, "The owner of this restaurant used to be a pirate, a pirate who returned from the Grand Line."

Nami was somewhat surprised: "A pirate turned chef?"

Kuina's focus was on strength: "Those people don't seem weak. No wonder they can run a restaurant at sea without fear of pirates."

"We're just here to eat, why are we paying so much attention?"

Lockes leaned back in his chair, oblivious to all of this.

Instead, he was thinking about whether or not to recruit Sanji into his group.

He is currently short of a chef.

Sanji is a lecherous cook.

However, he is well-versed in chivalry, lustful but not lewd, making him a very good companion...

Baratie served the food quickly; Rocks and his companions didn't have to wait long before Sanji and the restaurant owner, Zeff, brought out the dishes.

Balati truly lives up to its reputation as a famous restaurant in the East China Sea; its culinary skills are indeed superb, and its dishes are a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.

It's at least far, far better than Rocks' cooking...

"Is this guest's first time visiting our restaurant?"

Zeff wore a warm smile, but his eyes were scrutinizing Rocks.

I heard Sanji say that a customer had requested him to cook for them, so I came over out of curiosity.

Zeff's memory is pretty good; if Rocks had visited Baratie, he probably wouldn't forget.

Because the other person's appearance and temperament are outstanding...

Chapter 28 What's Garp doing here?

Rocks had already started tasting the food, and it was indeed quite delicious. He casually replied to Zeff, "Yeah, this is my first time here."

Zhep then chuckled and asked, "Does the guest know anything about our Barrati?"

What do you mean by that?

"They wouldn't have assigned me and Sanji to cook if they didn't know anything about Baratie."

"Oh, is that the reason?"

Locke smiled and continued, "I know a little about your situation, but don't worry, I'm not here to cause trouble, I just want to taste your cooking."

"The better the chef's skills, the more delicious the food will be, right?"

"I see."

Zeff's eyes flickered, and he nodded: "Then we won't disturb our guests any longer."

Judging from the other person's words, they may know that he used to be a pirate.

Despite knowing his past as a pirate, he remained so calm; the other party had a lot of confidence...

"You all go ahead with your work."

Lox waved his hand, still engrossed in the delicious food.

Enjoying the delicious food, Rocks was even more eager to recruit a highly skilled chef to join his team.

Although he is not a picky eater, he can eat any kind of food.

But if the food tastes better, that's also a kind of enjoyment, isn't it?

Nami commented on Baratie's food: "It tastes really good, much better than what you made, Rocks. I wish I could eat this every day!"

"Mmm, it's delicious."

Kuina also agreed.

Looking at Lox, she said, "Speaking of which, we do need a chef, don't we?"

Locke quickly finished his food and replied, "I'm considering it. If possible, I'd like to take Baratie with me..."

Kuina shook her head: "I don't think they'll agree. They've already chosen not to be pirates, so the chances of them going back to sea are too small."

Lox asked, "If we can't pack everything up and just choose one chef, what do you guys think of that blond guy from earlier?"

Kuina neither refused nor agreed, leaving the decision to Lox: "It's up to you, you're the captain."

"Huh? That lecherous guy?"

Nami offered her opinion: "Although his cooking skills are good, I don't really like his lecherous nature..."

She didn't have a good first impression of Sanji.

Smoking in a restaurant and lecherously fawning over someone—he doesn't seem like a good person at all.

Nami felt somewhat resistant.

That's my first impression, heavily influenced by my personal opinion...

"Oh, then forget it."

Upon hearing this, Lockes abandoned his idea.

Although Sanji is one of the candidates for chef, it is more important to consider the feelings of his comrades.

Besides, there are plenty of people who can cook on the high seas.