"I've found you."
In a restaurant in Loguetown, Ryujiro looked at the restaurant's head chef with a smile on his lips.
With her striking red hair and an alluring figure, her appearance naturally drew attention. A green crystal necklace hung around her neck.
Chef Carmen.
Ryujiro had thought it might be a bit difficult to find her, but he was pleasantly surprised by his good luck.
Although Carmen's cooking skills weren't as good as Sanji's, the fact that so many people recognized her was enough to prove her talent.
Moreover, Ryujiro glanced at the empty plates on the table and smiled slightly.
Carmen's cooking suited his taste.
At that moment, the restaurant door was violently pushed open.
The ferocious gaze from the Sawtooth Pirates made everyone in the restaurant freeze up.
"That person is!"
"Sawtooth, the pirate with a bounty of 20 million Berries!"
"Hiss!"
"Why is he here? Could it be that the Sawtooth Pirates plan to enter the Grand Line too?!"
The once lively and noisy restaurant fell into a deathly silence.
"This is a restaurant, right?"
"Then waiter! Bring us the best food in your restaurant, we're hungry!"
"Please wait a moment, I'll have the head chef prepare it right away."
The waiter forced a smile that was more painful than crying, his legs trembling as he stood beside Sawtooth.
"Bang—"
At that moment, a gunshot rang out. The waiter's eyes widened as a blood hole appeared in his chest.
Sawtooth blew the smoke from his gun and said in a deep voice, "What's this?"
"Why do you worthless idiots force me to take action? Can't you see we don't have enough space here?!"
"Bang—"
Another shot hit the waiter's chest, and the restaurant was instantly thrown into chaos.
The customers, who had been gathered in the restaurant, fled in panic.
The waiter was ignored; after taking two shots, he was certainly not going to survive.
A mere waiter meant nothing to them; their own lives were what mattered.
"Hehahaha! As expected of the captain, this restaurant is now ours."
"Hey, head chef, hurry up and serve the food!"
Carmen looked at the Sawtooth Pirates with a dark expression. She took a deep breath and said seriously.
"I refuse!"
"You scum are not worthy of my food!"
Sawtooth and his subordinates exchanged glances before breaking into harsh laughter.
"Hehahaha! Captain, this beautiful head chef just called us scum!"
"Hey! Do you want to die?!"
One of the pirates drew his gun and coldly pointed it at Carmen's head. At the moment the cold gun barrel touched her, Carmen's beautiful eyes narrowed in fear.
Her whole body tensed. This was her first close encounter with death.
"Bastard, put the gun down!"
Sawtooth slapped the pirate on the head and looked at Carmen with a playful smile, saying, "It's been a long time since I met such an interesting woman."
"How about it? Come work as my chef on my ship, and I'll spare your life."
Sawtooth's subordinates were stunned to hear their captain's words.
The captain actually wanted to recruit this head chef.
Tsk tsk.
No wonder.
This head chef was indeed a beauty; the captain must have taken a liking to her.
To the captain, women were merely playthings. Once the captain grew tired of her, she would belong to them.
Carmen's eyes darkened as she coldly replied, "You wish! You sea pests!"
Sawtooth's expression darkened in an instant. His already limited patience was wearing thin.
"Is that so."
"Then die."
Sawtooth drew the gun from his waist, aiming it at Carmen, ready to pull the trigger.
Suddenly, a green beam of light pierced through Sawtooth's head. No one had time to react to what was happening.
Sawtooth's body slumped and fell to the ground. His eyes were filled with confusion as his consciousness grew fainter.
"Bang—"
Sawtooth's subordinates stared blankly at their fallen captain in a pool of blood.
Even Carmen was bewildered by what had just happened.
"Captain!"
"This must be a joke! How could this happen!"
"Hey! Boss, don't play with us!"
"What did you do to the captain, you woman?!"
At this moment, a sound of a chair being moved came from a corner of the restaurant, and everyone looked over.
Ryujiro and Hinata's faces changed.
There was still someone left in the restaurant who hadn't escaped?
"How unlucky."
"She's the chef I've taken a liking to. I can't just let you act recklessly."
Ryujiro looked at Sawtooth's corpse with some regret.
"What the hell do you mean!"
"Did you kill the captain?!"
"Of course."
Ryujiro nodded with a smile.
"You bastard."
"I will avenge the captain!"
"Bang bang bang—!"
A pirate fired several shots at Ryujiro, but as the bullets flew out, they suddenly stopped mid-air and rapidly shot back into the pirate's own body.
Outside the restaurant, Smoker's face darkened instantly when he heard the gunshots.
These damned pirates actually dared to act so openly in Loguetown. It had been a long time since he encountered such brazen pirates in his town.
What's going on?!
Smoker's expression changed again as continuous screams echoed from inside the restaurant.
There shouldn't be anyone left in the restaurant!
Without a word, Smoker charged into the restaurant alone. Even with a bounty of 23 million Berries, these pirates were insignificant to him.
With his Logia-type Devil Fruit power, he was invincible to these East Blue pirates.
"Boom—" With a loud crash, Smoker smashed through the restaurant's door.
But when he saw the scene before him, his face instantly changed.
The Sawtooth Pirates lay in a pool of blood, their fates uncertain. Seeing Sawtooth's corpse, Smoker's eyes widened in shock.
"Smoker, huh."
"You're too late."
Seeing Ryujiro, Smoker's pupils narrowed to pinpricks.
"It's you!"
Now he understood why these pirates were lying on the ground. A group of blind fools dared to provoke this monster.
This young figure was on par with a Navy Admiral.
"So, these fools provoked you. A group of disgusting pirates, if they die, they die."
"However, I'm curious as to why someone like you is in the East Blue."
Smoker's gaze was serious as he looked at Ryujiro.
"Do you believe me if I say I'm here for a vacation?"
---------------
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Smoker's face was dark with frustration.
Was this guy trying to mess with him?
It seemed even someone like him could have a peculiar sense of humor.
At this moment, the restaurant owner was petrified with fear. Ryujiro casually tossed a gemstone, which landed precisely in the owner's hand.
"This will cover the damages."
Ryujiro's voice reached the restaurant owner's ears.
The owner stared dumbfounded at the gem in his hand. It felt like a dream to him.
Not only had he recouped the losses, but it seemed he had even made a profit?
"Oh, I almost forgot."
"Your chef is also coming with me."
"Huh?"
Carmen looked at Ryujiro in shock.
She seemed to not even recognize the person before her, yet he claimed he was taking her away.
Ryujiro glanced at Carmen and said, "I didn't say I needed your permission."
Smoker carefully scrutinized Ryujiro.
This guy didn't seem like a pirate. Pirates wouldn't be so generous in compensating a restaurant's losses.
Noticing that Smoker hadn't left yet, Ryujiro added, "What? Is the Navy still interested in me?"
Smoker gave one last glance and left the restaurant.
At this point, marine soldiers had arrived near the restaurant. Smoker instructed them to handle the pirates inside.
Ryujiro took Hinata's hand and glanced at Carmen, saying, "Come with us."
Carmen hesitated before asking, "Who are you? Are you a pirate?"
"A pirate?"
Ryujiro smiled and said, "That depends on how the World Government views me. For now, I'm better described as a traveler.'"
"Don't even think about running. The person I'm interested in cannot escape my grasp."
Carmen looked at Ryujiro's back as he left the restaurant, conflicted for a moment before eventually following him.
Noticing Carmen's presence behind him, Ryujiro couldn't help but smile.
He had found the chef.
Now he just needed the navigator.
——
"It was indeed the right choice to bring you on board."
Ryujiro praised Carmen's cooking, and even Hinata nodded in agreement.
Seeing people enjoy her food was undoubtedly the happiest thing for Carmen.
After sitting down, Carmen asked, "Ryujiro and Miss Hinata, are you also from the East Blue?"
"Ah."
"Well…"
Ryujiro put down his utensils and said, "To be precise, we're not from this world."
Hinata looked at Ryujiro in shock.
Did Ryujiro just admit that so casually?
Was their identity not meant to be concealed?
Carmen was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Ryujiro, such jokes are just cold humor, right?"
Ryujiro only smiled and did not respond.
"Finished eating? I'm going out to digest the food."
When Ryujiro stood up, Hinata called out, "Ryujiro, are you going to catch rats?"
"Mm."
Rats?!
"Are there rats on the ship?!"
Carmen couldn't help but shiver.
"Carmen, sometimes 'rats' don't refer to actual rodents. People who hide behind the scenes and dare not show themselves are also rats."
Carmen was confused by this vague statement and wondered what it meant.
Ryujiro walked alone through the streets of Loguetown. It was nighttime, and there weren't many people around. Many doors were closed and lights turned off.
Shadows flitted between buildings, and Ryujiro smirked as his figure suddenly vanished from the streets.
CP5 agents suddenly stopped in their tracks, staring at the empty street with wide eyes.
"Where did everyone go?!"
The CP5 agents frowned, puzzled.
"Are you looking for me?"
A clear voice reached the ears of the CP5 agents, and their faces changed drastically as they quickly moved back to maintain a safe distance from Ryujiro.
"When did he…"
"Didn't you notice?"
"No."
The CP5 agents were grave. Ryujiro's approach had been completely undetected, which was deeply unsettling.
"You're here to monitor me, sent by the World Government, aren't you?" Ryujiro asked.
Previously, the Five Elders had specifically instructed them not to take action against Ryujiro even if discovered, as it wouldn't be wise to create a strong enemy for the Marines and World Government without cause.
Moreover, their strength was not a match for Ryujiro. Engaging him would only lead to their defeat.
The middle-aged leader of CP5 spoke in a lowered tone, "Ryujiro, we meant no offense. We'll leave immediately."
For now, it was best to show weakness. Since their mission was exposed, it was over. Monitoring such a person without being detected was already a challenge.
"Want to monitor me and then just leave?"
"Does the World Government think so highly of me?" Ryujiro asked coldly.
"Even if it's just to teach you a lesson."
In an instant, a bone-chilling coldness emanated from Ryujiro.
"Be alert!"
"Where is he?"
"Where did he go?!"
"Bang—"
A straightforward punch covered in cursed energy sent one of the CP5 agents flying.
"Damn it! Ryujiro, are you trying to make an enemy of the World Government?!"
"Make an enemy?"
A cold laugh reached the middle-aged man's ears.
"Is the World Government worthy of being my enemy?"
The middle-aged man's pupils constricted.
A short while later, all CP5 agents were lying on the rooftop, their fates uncertain.
One of them was a Paramecia-type Hypnosis Fruit user, but the hypnosis ability had no effect on Ryujiro.
"The Devil Fruit powers."
The Hypnosis Fruit ability created light waves to hypnotize the brain, but Ryujiro's mental fortitude was so formidable that the Hypnosis Fruit had no effect on him.
It was quite interesting. Devil Fruits were known as treasures of the sea. They were called Devil Fruits because of rumors that demons resided within them.
Whether or not real demons existed might be something Ryujiro's broken blade could unravel.
Looking at the unconscious CP5 agents, Ryujiro's figure vanished from the rooftop.
Now it was up to the World Government to decide.
Would they label him as a pirate or choose to swallow their pride for now?
Whatever choice they made was irrelevant to Ryujiro.
He didn't like being watched by insects, especially by these weak ones.
---------------
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