Chapter 67
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Not long after the Endless Dream left Cocoyasi Village, a large sailboat slowly approached. This was a luxurious travel ship with three decks and a size about five times larger than the Endless Dream, equipped with guards.
Once a special staircase connected it to the Endless Dream, a group of lavishly dressed wealthy individuals entered the restaurant.
Zyhark, who was casually drinking tea at the counter, glanced at these people with a hint of curiosity. The travelers' ship seemed too well-equipped to lack anything, let alone be associated with any notorious pirates.
"Wow! Hello there, may I ask if you are Mr. Zyhark, the captain of this maritime restaurant, the Endless Dream?" The first to enter was a young woman draped in a feather coat, flaunting long, slender legs, and possessing the charm of a standard beauty in the world of One Piece.
Upon seeing Zyhark, the woman excitedly approached: "It must be you, you're just as handsome as the newspapers said!"
The others who followed her into the restaurant let out a series of exclamations.
"Ah! That blue-haired girl folding napkins into castles must be the Goddess of Water, Aqua-sama, such a stunning beauty!"
"Focus, people! Beauty fades, but muscle and strength are what true men pursue forever! So, Mr. King, may I have your autograph?"
"Is it true that you can shatter half an island with a mere punch?"
...
This unexpected scene left Zyhark and his companions bewildered.
"Newspapers? What newspapers?"
Zyhark slowly set down his tea, catching the key word in their conversation.
"Ah, you don't know yet?"
The young beauty produced a newspaper from an indescribable place below her neck and handed it to Zyhark with both hands.
Who keeps a newspaper there, seriously...
Despite his internal criticism, Zyhark took the newspaper. It likely detailed their victories over the Black Cat Pirate Crew and Colonel Morse, now spreading as news.
Unfolding the newspaper, which still held a slight warmth, the bold headline caught his eye:
[East Blue's Rising Stars! The Mysterious Restaurant that Defeated Both the Buggy Pirates and Black Cat Pirate Crew, the Endless Dream!!]
Following the headline were illustrations from their adventures in Orange Town, Fuschia Village, and the Black Cat Pirate Crew's island base, along with detailed descriptions.
A quick glance revealed mostly factual information, but the accompanying narrative seemed exaggerated.
For example, [Shocking! Playing Buggy like a fiddle and sending Captain Kuro running scared, the true identity of restaurant owner Zyhark is...], [With a wave of her hand, she can summon floods that engulf towns. The secret behind the blue-haired goddess Aqua's figure is revealed].
And for King, the description read: [A thunderous roar, this man evaporated an entire beach in anger!]
The striking text next to an imposing side profile of King actually did convey an indescribable sense of pressure...
Clearly, the person responsible for compiling and printing the East Blue newspaper knew how to capture readers' interest.
No wonder these visitors were so excited.
Interestingly, the newspaper didn't mention Morse's collusion with the Black Cat Pirates, likely a deliberate omission by the Navy.
Zyhark's attention drifted from the female visitors to two other directions in the restaurant.
Knowing these people were fans, Aqua immediately switched from being bewildered to boastfully promoting her Axis Cult, her demeanor changing to that of a seasoned socialite.
King's reaction was much calmer. Accustomed to being misinterpreted as a strong figure from his days in the One Punch world, this kind of misrecognition had become part of his daily life.
Indeed, he was well-adjusted to such situations.
"Mr. Zyhark, Mr. Zyhark, can you share how you defeated Captain Kuro? That vile pirate once raided my hometown. You've truly done a great service for the East Blue!"
The continuous barrage of questions from the ladies started to irritate Zyhark.
This was a genuine maritime restaurant, not some idol meet-and-greet session.
"First off, welcome to our establishment. But if there's nothing else, please, we have business to attend to," Zyhark said, tapping the table to quell the excitement.
"We do have business! We've come here to eat!"
"Exactly, I can't wait to try the food prepared by a hero who defeated great pirates~"
The crowd responded passionately, showing no signs of leaving.
Seeing their enthusiasm, Zyhark relented: "Then please, have a seat and wait a moment."
"King, take care of them. Aqua, come with me."
He headed to the kitchen, with Aqua following after a brief hesitation.
"Increase the prices threefold for them," Zyhark instructed as he tied on an apron.
Cooking was his side job, and with so many customers, fairness dictated a higher price to manage the workload.
"Ah? But they came all the way here for us," Aqua questioned, blinking her wise eyes, puzzled by the strategy.
"So, charging a bit more won't hurt them. Those who can't afford it can leave," Zyhark reasoned.
These travelers on a luxury ship in the pirate-infested sea surely wouldn't miss a little extra expense.
"But, but..." Aqua still seemed reluctant.
"You'll get half of the earnings."
At that, Aqua's eyes lit up: "Then let's make it ten times the price. Three times might not be enough for my fingers."
"...As expected of you."
Zyhark couldn't help but feel that the goddess's standards were even more flexible than his own!
And as he predicted, the outsiders didn't blink at the inflated prices, proving money was no object to them.
While Zyhark's trio busied themselves with their affluent guests...
In the Goa Kingdom, Windmill Village, at Makino's Tavern, the villagers gathered around, drinking beer and discussing the latest news printed about Zyhark and Aqua's exploits.
"It's unbelievable that Zyhark and Aqua made such a splash in less than a month at sea," the village chief said proudly, boasting about the duo who had left their village.
"Indeed, it seems they've also found a very reliable partner," Makino smiled softly.
"Ha ha! Look, our sail on the Endless Dream made it to the newspapers!" the three carpenters boasted, showing off the ship's silhouette in the paper to the villagers.
"Good job, Aqua. I wonder if her intelligence has recovered a bit," the villagers mused, equally happy for Zyhark and Aqua but concerned for Aqua's mental state.
Compared to the lively atmosphere in Windmill Village, the mood at the mountain bandit Dadan's home was more somber.
"That damn rascal! To think he had such strength and still tricked us of our treasure!"
"Ace, when we set out to sea, we must reclaim what we lost, and more!"
Ace and Sabo recognized Zyhark's detestable face in the paper, fuming with anger.
Meanwhile, Luffy stretched his rubbery arms across his face, trying to hide his beaming smile from his brothers. Having recently sworn brotherhood with Ace and Sabo, he didn't want to reveal his true thoughts:
Zyhark and Aqua are so amazing, just like real pirates!
(End of Chapter)
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