One Piece: The Cryo Doctor on the Straw Hat Ship

V scoffed, "A level 5 prosthetic body really isn't good enough."

He looked at Hawkeye's retreating figure.

"If only we could turn the body of such a powerful being into a prosthetic body..."

"Ugh."

The thought flashed through V's mind, and he immediately abandoned the unrealistic idea.

In the next instant, his figure flashed rapidly, arriving directly beside Zoro.

"Luffy, Zoro's injuries haven't fully healed yet. I'll go take him to get some treatment."

"It's up to you, V." Luffy nodded seriously, his worry replaced by trust.

Hawkeye's appearance not only made Zoro realize the vastness of the world, but also made Luffy realize that their current smooth sailing was just because they hadn't encountered a truly strong opponent.

If one day in the future they have to become enemies with someone as powerful as Hawkeye...

Luffy clenched his fists secretly.

After so many days at sea, this was the first time he had felt such an urgent need for strength.

With a thought, V and Zoro vanished instantly.

The release of Buggy conveniently freed up a bed for Zoro.

The atmosphere at the scene was somber due to Zoro's defeat and Mihawk's strength.

Bucky, on the contrary, became excited upon regaining his freedom. He floated in the air, hands on his hips, looking like he was enjoying the spectacle even more.

"What a bunch of brats! You're scared like this by something so simple!"

As an apprentice crew member of the Roger Pirates, Buggy has encountered countless terrifying monsters.

Hawkeye is powerful, but not powerful enough to make him lose his composure.

Anyway, the knife didn't actually hit him.

Bucky turned around, his red nose twitching. His gaze swept over the Baratie restaurant sign and the group of tense chefs, a knowing glint in his eyes:

"So this is Barati..."

He had heard of the famous floating restaurants in the East China Sea.

It is said that the food and wine here are exceptional, and the prices are equally "eye-catching".

In an instant, an evil plan began to emerge in Bucky's mind.

"Damn it, V..."

He glanced at the Straw Hat Pirates flag fluttering on the Going Merry and muttered through gritted teeth:

"Since you're restricting my freedom, forcing me to sign some 'three-year servitude contract,' and making me your puppet..."

"Then don't blame me for being impolite!"

Thinking of this, Bucky revealed his signature sly grin.

He cleared his throat, floated to the restaurant entrance, and shouted at the chefs inside, who were still reeling from the series of events, in a deliberately raised voice:

"Hey! You guys are open for business, right?!"

His voice broke the silence on the sea, drawing everyone's attention.

"What are you looking at! I'm an important customer of yours!"

Bucky puffed out his chest, pointed to himself with his thumb, and said, "Hurry up! Bring out all the best and most expensive drinks and dishes in your restaurant!"

"I'm going to eat my fill!!!"

The group of chefs looked at each other, bewildered.

Finally, Zeff sighed and reminded him:

"What are you still standing there for!?"

"The customers have already arrived, hurry up and serve them!"

"……Oh!"

The staff at Barrati scattered and began cleaning up the mess in the restaurant.

"Um... shall we go get something to eat too?"

Once she recovered, Nami looked at Luffy and said, "Don't forget, we still need to pick a chef here."

"Oh, right~"

Luffy's expression changed instantly, and he suddenly slammed his fist into his palm.

He patted his stomach, which had just been filled with fried rice for 50 people.

Now that you mention it, I am indeed a little hungry.

Luffy shouted loudly at the Going Merry, "Hey, Usopp~ Come eat!!!"

"Oh, okay, okay!" Usopp stood up, still shaken, as he held onto the ship's railing.

……

……

An hour later.

Inside the Barradi restaurant, the noisy and lively atmosphere returned once again.

In the very center of the restaurant, Luffy, Usopp, and Buggy, three guys who inexplicably clicked with the signal, completely let loose.

They were naked, with chopsticks comically stuck out of their nostrils, and were dancing a bizarre dance with their arms and legs swinging wildly and their bodies swaying to the tune of a pirate tune that no one could understand. Food scraps and wine stains were scattered on the floor.

"Yo-ho-ho! Captain Usopp, the bravest warrior of the East Blue, is here!"

"I, Buggy, am the man destined to become the Pirate King! Guhahaha!"

"Shanks! You bastard!!!"

Nami sat not far away, one hand supporting her forehead.

"These idiots... Why isn't V back to do anything about them...?"

Just then, the restaurant door creaked open.

Zoro walked in, completely unharmed.

Apart from the two lost longswords, no one could tell that he had just been seriously injured.

"Hey~ it's quite lively here." Zoro chuckled as he came over.

"Zoro!"

Luffy stopped dancing upon hearing the sound.

"Are you alright? Where's V? Why wasn't he with you?"

Zoro didn't answer directly, but instead turned to the side and gestured with his thumb towards the restaurant's porthole.

The group followed his gaze.

Through the glass, one can see V standing on the wreckage of Krieg's warship, searching for the survivors of the Krieg Pirates on the sea not far away.

"That V guy, he really never has a moment to rest."

Luffy, who knew about V's abilities, sighed.

Just then, the curtain to the kitchen was suddenly lifted.

Sanji came out carrying a beautifully plated dish.

However, when he saw Luffy and his two companions, his eyebrows immediately rose in displeasure.

Sanji's tone clearly conveyed his dissatisfaction:

"Hey you lot... our Balati is the most upscale restaurant in the East China Sea! Anyone improperly dressed is not allowed in!"

"Watch your manners, you bastard!"

His rebuke echoed through the restaurant.

However, the next second, when his gaze inadvertently swept over Nami, who was covering her face, both embarrassed and angry—

call out!

As if a switch had been flipped, Sanji's eyes suddenly turned into exaggerated heart shapes, and his previous sternness and dissatisfaction vanished.

He was drawn to Nami's table in an instant, almost silently, as if drawn by a magnet.

"Of course~" Sanji's voice became as sweet and melodious as if it had been soaked in honey.

He produced a delicate little cake adorned with strawberries and cream from who-knows-where, and presented it with an extremely gentlemanly gesture, kneeling slightly on one knee.

"Beautiful ladies are the eternal exception!"

"On this vast ocean, someone like you is as refreshing and sweet as an orange, and as dazzling and radiant as a jewel..."

"Whether you're dressed or not, even if you're just bathed in moonlight, I, Sanji, will always stand by your side and protect your smile with my life!"

This sudden and overly enthusiastic confession caused Nami, who was already embarrassed, to completely explode.

"Who needs your support, you perverted chef!"

Bang!

A muffled thud.

Nami's prosthetic arm, gleaming with a cold metallic light, swung out without hesitation, delivering a precise and powerful straight punch that landed squarely on Sanji's face, which was still bubbling with heart-shaped bubbles.

"Ugh—!"

Sanji was hit like a cannonball, flying backward and crashing into the wall with a thud.

The restaurant fell silent for a moment.

A burst of enthusiastic laughter immediately followed.

"Hahaha, Sanji, I knew you lecherous cook would get beaten up sooner or later!"

"Idiot, if you keep going like this, no girl will dare to come to our restaurant!"