Chapter 45: Money is God, the Starving Demon
"This Straw Hat kid is our Captain. We're here to compensate for the previous damage."
Tatsuya leaned against the doorframe, speaking with a calm expression.
Then, he casually pulled a heavy pouch of money from his coat and tossed it in a high arc, landing precisely in the hands of Patty, who was currently arguing with Sanji.
Thwack.
Patty caught the pouch instinctively.
The heavy weight and the crisp clinking of metal inside caused his ferocious expression to shift instantly, like a performer changing masks in Sichuan Opera.
He peeked inside the pouch, and his eyes instantly turned into the shape of Berries.
"Right away! Honored guest!!"
The fat on Patty's face bunched up into a smile, his tone so flattering it gave people goosebumps.
"Since the compensation is settled, everything is negotiable!"
"On this sea, a customer with money is our God! Welcome to... the Baratie!"
"Hahahaha!"
Seeing this, Luffy laughed while holding his Straw Hat, showing none of the embarrassment from nearly being beaten up just moments ago.
"Ah! You're just in time, Tatsuya! Hee hee hee, I really thought I'd have to work here as a chore boy for a year to pay off the debt!"
As he spoke, the kid actually slapped Zeff's shoulder with familiar force, completely disregarding the man's terrifying aura.
"Hee hee hee, see ya, Old Man! Since the compensation is paid, I don't owe you anything anymore!"
Then, as if remembering something, Luffy's eyes lit up as he looked at Zeff.
"Oh right, Old Man! Our ship really needs a cook right now. Do you have anyone to recommend? Preferably someone who's super good at cooking!"
Slap!
Zeff unceremoniously slapped Luffy's hand off his shoulder.
He stroked his golden braided beard and gave a cold snort.
His eyes scanned the busy chefs around them, his tone carrying a hint of stubborn pride.
"Keep dreaming, kid."
"This restaurant and all the chefs here are my life's work, treasures we protect together. I'm not handing them over to you to become pirates."
At this point, Zeff's tone suddenly shifted, his gaze landing on the gloomy blond with curly eyebrows who was currently puffing on a cigarette.
"However... that brat is an exception."
Zeff pointed at Sanji, a flicker of complex emotion crossing his eyes.
"Huh?! What did you say, you old geezer!!"
Sanji's ears twitched, and he immediately turned around, veins popping on his forehead.
"Are you trying to kick me out?! I'm not leaving this ship!"
Zeff ignored Sanji's roaring and turned to look at Tatsuya, who was walking over.
"Although your offer is very sincere, repairing a ceiling doesn't cost nearly this much money."
Tatsuya smiled and waved his hand.
"Then use the extra money to let us have a good meal here."
"After all, we're a group of very big eaters, especially our Captain."
Zeff gave Tatsuya a long look and nodded.
Then, he suddenly spun around and let out a thunderous roar at the chefs who were still watching the spectacle.
"Don't just stand there!! Didn't you hear?! The customers are hungry! Get your asses back to the kitchen and work!!"
"Yes!! Boss!!"
The chefs scattered instantly like startled birds, and the entire restaurant returned to its bustling state.
"Oh!! Time for a feast! I want meat!!" Luffy cheered with his hands raised, drool already leaking out.
"This way, please! This way, please!"
Patty, clutching the pouch of money with a joyous smile, was about to lead Tatsuya and Nami to their seats.
However, the moment Tatsuya turned around, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"God! Behind you..."
Patty's smile froze, and he immediately pointed behind Tatsuya.
A ghost-like figure had appeared at the entrance at some unknown point.
He was holding a pitch-black pistol, the dark muzzle pointed directly at the back of Tatsuya's head.
It was Gin.
"Don't move..."
However, Tatsuya had naturally noticed him long ago thanks to his keen perception.
At the very instant Gin's finger was about to pull the trigger.
"Too slow."
Without even turning his head, Tatsuya's right leg lashed out in a swift back-kick, striking Gin's abdomen with precise brutality.
Thump!
Blergh...
Gin's already extremely weakened body couldn't withstand such a kick.
His eyes bulged, his mouth flew open, and he spat out a mouthful of stomach acid.
He then curled up on the floor like a cooked shrimp, his gun sliding away.
Tatsuya withdrew his foot with a smile, as if he had just kicked a pebble out of the way.
"Eek!"
Nami was startled by the sudden turn of events and ducked behind Tatsuya's side.
"What... who is this guy? He looks like a ghost."
The man on the floor wore a tattered gray coat with a dragon pattern.
His eyes were sunken and his face was a sickly purple; he looked like a walking corpse.
Gin clutched his abdomen in pain, his voice raspy and weak as if squeezed from his throat.
"I... I'm Gin... of the Krieg Pirates..."
He struggled to lift his head, his gaze unfocused but filled with a desperate desire to survive.
"This is a restaurant, right... anything... as long as it's food... anything... give me food..."
"The Krieg Pirates?!"
Hearing that name, the customers in the restaurant immediately broke into an uproar, whispering among themselves.
"Isn't that the most powerful pirate crew in the East Sea? admiral Don Krieg's men!"
"I heard they have a grand fleet of fifty warships! Why would they show up here? and in such a miserable state?"
"Hah, a penniless guest has entered the shop!"
Hearing the commotion, Patty tossed the money pouch to Zeff and then rubbed his large hands together, approaching the fallen Gin with a 'kind' expression.
He looked down at the half-starved pirate.
"Guest, you know the rules of this establishment, right? We don't welcome paupers. Do you have money?"
"I... I am... the combat commander of the Krieg Pirates..."
Gin trembling picked up the pistol from the floor and used his last bit of strength to press it against Patty's forehead, attempting to threaten him.
"Give me food..."
"Ah, so that means you don't have any money."
Patty's face instantly went cold, completely ignoring the gun pressed against his head.
"Then get the hell out of here!!"
Slam!!
Patty's large hands grabbed Gin's head and slammed it into the floorboards like he was driving a thumbtack.
"Agh!!"
Then, Patty grabbed Gin by the collar and threw his wailing body out the front door like a piece of trash.
"Beat it! Pirate! This isn't a relief station!"
In a corner of the restaurant.
Sanji leaned against the wall, the cigarette in his mouth flickering.
He watched Gin being thrown out, his eyes wavering slightly. Then he took a deep drag of his cigarette, exhaled a smoke ring, and silently turned to walk toward the kitchen.
Zeff glanced at his back and said nothing, though a meaningful look flashed in his eyes.
After disposing of the "trash," Patty clapped his hands and instantly resumed his flattering smile, scurrying over to Tatsuya.
"My apologies for letting a fly disturb your enjoyment. Honored Gods, please take a seat by the window over there."
"What the... is this really a restaurant? It feels more violent than a pirate's den..."
Nami's mouth twitched as she couldn't help but complain.
Tatsuya, however, did not sit down immediately.
He smiled and held up seven slender fingers, waving them in front of Patty.
"We'd like to order, but not just for two people."
Then, as if remembering something, he hesitated and added another finger.
"It's for eight. And make the portions large; ideally, bring out all the seafood and meat you have."
"Eight?!"
Patty froze for a moment, then became ecstatic. "Ah! I see! You have more companions?"
"No problem! The food at the Baratie will never disappoint you!"
"Oh!! Food, food!!"
Nami and Luffy were already being led away by the aroma and followed Patty to their seats.
Tatsuya went out alone to the terrace.
He looked at the Going Merry anchored in the distance and the black dot circling boredly above the mast.
Wheeeew—
Tatsuya let out a loud whistle.
Above the Merry.
Clay's keen hearing instantly caught the signal.
As for this whistle, it was something Tatsuya had agreed upon and tested with him during a boring night.
He immediately dove down excitedly and shouted at the four people idling on the deck.
"Caw caw! The boss gave the signal! Everyone go eat! We're having a feast!!"
After shouting, Clay impatiently flapped his wings. "I'm going first! Meat! Meat!!"
"Oh!! Really?! It's time to eat!!"
Usopp, who was repairing the ship, excitedly dropped his hammer and jumped up laughing.
"Finally time to eat..."
Zoro, who was sleeping against the mast, was also woken up and looked at the flying Crow with a face full of black lines.
"Those two... how exactly do they communicate... he understood everything from one whistle?"
"Big Brother... can we... go too?"
Johnny and Yosaku looked at each other, feeling a bit overwhelmed as they looked at Zoro.
That's a high-class restaurant; can small-timers like them really go?
Zoro stretched, hung his three swords at his waist, and glanced at them.
"Since Tatsuya called, that means there's a share for you. Stop talking nonsense."
Zoro pointed to the small boat nearby and said as a matter of course:
"Get down there and row."
"Yes!! Big Brother!!"
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