The villagers quickly sprang into action.
Some ran off to gather spices, others began cleaning the meat from the Lord of the Coast, while several more prepared charcoal and fire pits. Before long, the entire village was filled with laughter and busy footsteps as everyone worked together for the unexpected grilled fish feast.
Kairo didn't stay idle either.
While the villagers busied themselves, he took out a special grilled-fish recipe from the storage space the system had conveniently provided and handed it to Makino.
"Mr. Kairo… what is this?" Makino blinked in confusion.
"My personal grilled-fish recipe," Kairo replied with a smile. "Could you help prepare a few special ingredients? Fresh lemons, rosemary… and if you can find some honey, that would be perfect."
"No problem!"
Makino's eyes lit up at the idea that Kairo knew how to cook grilled fish. She grabbed the recipe and hurried off with several villagers to gather the ingredients.
Half an hour later, twenty-three villagers stood around the massive body of the Lord of the Coast, each holding various tools.
Over the years, the Sea King had caused them endless trouble. A few years earlier, it had even swallowed the local mountain bandit leader in one bite.
To the villagers, it had always been a terrifying monster far beyond their ability to face.
But now, thanks to Kairo's arrival, the same creature lay helpless before them—soon to become the centerpiece of their dinner.
Working together, dozens of villagers spent hours cutting the enormous creature into portions of fresh fish meat.
By midday, the massive Sea King had been reduced to neatly prepared cuts ready for the grill.
Strangely enough, the usually blazing sunlight over Foosha Village had softened. The sun that had been shining earlier now hid behind drifting clouds.
A gentle sea breeze swept across the beach.
Campfires crackled.
And the grand grilled fish feast officially began.
Kairo personally took charge of the preparation.
He sliced the fish into bite-sized pieces and carefully scored each portion so the seasoning could soak in. While working, he taught the villagers various grilling techniques—from how to marinate the fish to how to control the heat of the charcoal.
Gradually, the fish roasting over the fire began releasing a rich, mouthwatering aroma.
The skin turned golden and glossy with oil, while the meat inside remained tender and juicy.
At just the right moment, Kairo sprinkled his special seasoning mixture over the fish.
The sight alone made everyone's mouths water.
Finally, when the first grilled portion was carefully lifted from the fire and placed onto a wooden tray, several impatient villagers rushed forward and instantly devoured it.
"Wow! This is amazing!"
"Mr. Kairo, where did you learn to cook fish like this? It's incredible!"
"Yes! It tastes like heaven!"
Kairo simply smiled.
He took another freshly grilled piece and handed it to Makino, who had been busy helping all morning.
"Thank you, Mr. Kairo!"
Makino accepted it eagerly and took a bite.
Two seconds later, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Mr. Kairo, this is delicious! Your cooking is incredible!"
"AAAAAAAHHHHH—!"
Suddenly, a dramatic shout echoed across the beach.
The next moment, Luffy came sprinting across the sand with Green Rabbit, running at full speed toward Kairo.
"MEAT! MEAT! I WANT MEAT!"
Even as he shouted, Luffy's arms stretched outward.
In a split second, he grabbed every tray of freshly grilled fish from nearby villagers.
His cheeks instantly puffed up like balloons.
Even though his mouth was already completely full, he kept stuffing more fish inside, his rubber arms stretching and retracting repeatedly to grab every grilled piece within reach.
"Luffy! You can't do that!"
"We spent all that time cooking!"
"You're stealing everything!"
"Don't just stand there—make him spit it out!"
Some villagers quickly grew annoyed, especially one man who had just lifted a piece of grilled fish to his mouth before Luffy snatched it away.
He marched over, ready to scold the boy.
Strangely enough, the other villagers didn't try to stop him. Instead, they burst out laughing while watching the chaos unfold.
Clearly, they were already used to Luffy stealing food like this.
Kairo didn't mind either. He simply continued grilling more fish.
However, while Kairo and the older villagers paid little attention, someone else did.
Not far away, Da Hong, who had been quietly lying down, suddenly stood up.
The reason was simple.
Earlier, a villager had brought him the first tray of grilled fish as a gesture of thanks.
But before he could even take a bite, the tray had disappeared—snatched away by Luffy.
"Pfft—hahaha! Luffy, you're finished!"
The villager who had brought the tray burst into laughter.
"You actually stole Mr. Da Hong's fish! Get ready to be beaten!"
The sudden laughter drew everyone's attention.
When they turned to look—
Da Hong was already standing in front of Luffy.
"Mmm… Hong… rabbit… you… eat too…"
Luffy tried speaking through a mouth stuffed with fish while continuing to stretch his arms to steal two more trays.
But just as he tried to shove everything into his mouth—
Da Hong moved.
He grabbed Luffy's head with one hand.
His other fist shot forward like lightning, aiming directly at Luffy's stomach.
THUD!
The impact echoed across the beach.
Luffy's body instantly bent into a ridiculous arc.
Then—
He involuntarily opened his mouth and sprayed all the fish out.
Before Luffy could react, Da Hong spun him around once and hurled him outward like a projectile.
WHOOSH!
Luffy flew through the air like a cannonball, tracing a long arc before crashing straight into the sea with a massive splash.
"!!!!"
Everyone on the beach froze in shock.
Even Kairo hadn't expected Da Hong to dislike Luffy this much—not only punching him but throwing him into the ocean.
Then something suddenly occurred to him.
The ocean.
Luffy had fallen into the ocean.
Kairo immediately shouted to the stunned villagers:
"Why are you all standing there?! Luffy can't swim! Go get him!"
His shout snapped everyone back to reality.
Seven or eight villagers rushed forward and dove straight into the water.
A few minutes later, one of them carried Luffy back to shore.
The boy lay limp and exhausted.
Yet even in that state, he weakly muttered the same word over and over.
"Meat… meat…"
Hearing that, the villagers who had been worried burst out laughing again.
Mayor Uwoop Slap scolded him while chuckling.
"You brat! You're half dead and still thinking about food!"
"Mr. Kairo! The drinks are here!"
Just then, several villagers who had gone to fetch alcohol from the tavern returned carrying barrels and bottles.
Seeing this, Kairo raised his hand grandly and declared:
"The grilled fish feast officially begins!"
He lifted a cup and shouted with enthusiasm:
"Everyone raise your glasses!"
"Bring the drinks!"
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