Did Sanji defeat Streusen?
Looking at whose dish ultimately made it to the dining table would make it clear.
Golden Tropical Feast: Trio.
That Sanji kid was quite sneaky, hiding three different preparations in one dish: steamed, fried, and charcoal-grilled.
Inside the belly of the giant deep-sea fish was a wild game bird, and inside the bird was various seafood.
Layer upon layer of flavor.
The three distinctly different cooking methods didn't ruin the final product… instead, they allowed the diners to experience three harmonious layers of deliciousness within just over ten seconds.
Even Big Mom, who usually wolfed down food like a glutton, slowed down her eating when the aroma reached her nostrils.
"Delicious! So tasty!"
The old hag even put on an affected display of 'lady-like dining etiquette', but when Kaido tried to reach for the dish, her expression instantly changed.
"Tch… Boring."
Kaido preferred alcohol over gourmet food. Knowing Naruto was there, he realized he wouldn't get a real chance to fight Big Mom again. The most likely outcome was him being transferred away by that strange ability again.
Although Kaido didn't particularly care about the wedding party itself, he still had his pride.
Big Mom, delighted after eating well, turned around. In her good mood, she glanced at Streusen, who had come out from the kitchen with a complex expression.
Even without using Observation Haki, she could roughly guess what had happened from her years of experience with him.
In fact, Streusen going to the kitchen was something Big Mom had tacitly allowed.
It wasn't to provoke Naruto, but because she was aware of her own appetite.
Streusen had originally come with her to be able to prepare enough food in a pinch.
'You lost to a brat like that, Streusen?'
Smacking her lips, Big Mom turned to look down at Sanji.
He looked somewhat familiar… but she couldn't recall where she'd seen him before.
Big Mom racked her brains but couldn't place Sanji's face among the chefs she knew.
—If she broadened her scope a little, she might have connected his distinctive curly eyebrows to the Vinsmoke Family.
"Kid, your cooking is excellent. Interested in coming to work for me?"
"I can give you power, wealth!"
Hearing this, Sanji showed no fear or resistance towards Big Mom's massive frame and ferocious expression. Instead, he gave a polite bow.
"Receiving recognition from a lady is my honor. But unfortunately, I already have a captain worthy of my loyalty."
Big Mom raised an eyebrow with amusement.
"A lady… mamamama, interesting. You're an interesting kid, brat. Interested in marrying my daughter?"
Perhaps it was the inertia of fate, or perhaps Sanji's cooking and manners really impressed Big Mom-
This old hag didn't immediately resort to threats. Instead, she tried to entice him with marriage.
Normally, she wouldn't bother asking if you wanted to cook for her. She'd just send someone to capture you, lock you up for a few days, and if you still refused, she'd capture your family too.
Not everyone had the courage and resolve to refuse Big Mom… Besides, working for Big Mom wasn't such a bad thing.
You got protection, didn't have to worry about other pirates plundering, and received pretty good wages and benefits. This was far better than being a head chef at an average floating restaurant.
Moreover, those chefs didn't even have to 'surrender their lifespan' as tax like other residents of Totto Land.
It was really quite good.
The only thing to watch out for was that all of this could vanish in an instant if Big Mom got enraged or had a food craving episode. If you were unlucky enough to be around at such a time, your life would end right there.
"Eh? Marriage?"
Sanji, who had been so elegant just moments before, flared his nostrils upon hearing the word 'marriage'. But before he could say anything, Luffy, who had been dragged away earlier, popped up from somewhere.
"Hey! Don't try to steal Sanji!"
"Yeah, yeah! Sanji would never agree to that!"
Chopper also appeared, raising his hand and shouting.
"Hmm?"
But Big Mom merely shifted her gaze slightly, and Chopper instantly fell silent.
Weak, pitiful, helpless, and looking rather tasty.
Of course, Luffy didn't back down, staring defiantly back at Big Mom.
"You brat… do you think Shanks's protection gives you the right to be so insolent?"
Big Mom's good mood from the meal quickly faded.
Kaido watched with an amused smile. If Big Mom got riled up, maybe he could actually have a go with that Shanks guy.
Seeing this, Perospero instinctively moved to intervene, but someone was faster.
"Come on now, Auntie Linlin, no need to get serious over a little brat."
Naruto wasn't worried at all. Leaning on the table with his elbow, he looked over with a grin.
"Naruto, is this brat connected to you too?"
If Luffy's relationship with Naruto was very close, Big Mom might hold back.
Otherwise, she'd be targeting this kid.
Unlike the brainless brute Kaido, Big Mom was both violent and adept at using various schemes, even setting traps for people.
"Nope, I'm not that close with him…"
"Hey, hey, hey, Fox-Faced Old Guy! We're friends, aren't we!"
Luffy wasn't too bothered by Big Mom's threat, but he was very concerned about Naruto saying they weren't close.
Ignoring the noisy Straw Hat, Naruto pointed towards the coastline and continued his sentence.
"But if you make a move on him, that old geezer is going to come after you."
Almost as soon as Naruto finished speaking, the expressions of many of the strong individuals present changed, more or less.
A familiar and powerful presence entered everyone's perception.
Shanks's expression stiffened suddenly, not out of fear, but the look of someone who knew they were in the wrong and wanted to flee.
Kaido's eyes lit up, clearly eager for battle.
Among the older generation, Rayleigh and Crocus were momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing.
"Haha, that Naruto kid is really something. He even invited that old coot."
"Do you think he'll sit down for a drink with us old rivals?"
The two old men looked at each other and laughed again.
Shakky, standing nearby, just shook her head.
"Men…"
Most of the big shots among the pirates had guessed the newcomer's identity. Only Luffy, the one involved, was still in the dark.
The clueless Straw Hat was tilting his head, wondering what the Fox-Faced Old Guy meant.
But in the next moment, a familiar roar sounded, instantly making Luffy's expression turn to one of terror.
"Luffy! This is Naruto's wedding! What do you think you're doing, causing such a ruckus?! Your grandpa certainly didn't raise you to be like this?!"