Zeff shot a sidelong glance at the fat restaurant owner collapsed on the floor, still twitching and groaning in pain.
He couldn't help but remember how, three months ago, when he'd collapsed starving on the docks, that same stingy man had thrown him half a moldy loaf of bread.
With a sigh, Zeff waved his hand dismissively.
"Forget it. He did give me something to eat when I was at rock bottom. Don't make things hard for him."
He turned to leave, the loose apron strings around his waist swaying as he moved.
"Hold on," Shiro called, stepping forward to block his path. His clear blue eyes gleamed with an honest smile.
"Chef Zeff, there's something important I'd like to discuss. Would you mind coming aboard our ship so we can talk properly?"
Zeff looked at the man before him — the legendary pirate whose strength could shake the world — yet he spoke to him with such humility and respect.
The words of refusal died on Zeff's tongue. After a moment, he nodded.
"Alright then."
As they walked, Buggy trailed behind like a hyperactive little tail, chattering nonstop.
"Shiro-nii! When you rescued Captain Roger from Marineford, me and Shanks were in the crowd watching!"
"Yeah," Shiro replied blandly.
"You should've seen the look on that Admiral's face! You stood there alone in front of the execution platform — the whole place froze! It was the coolest thing I've ever seen!"
Buggy waved his arms animatedly, eyes sparkling with pure admiration.
"Me and Shanks bragged about it for months afterward!"
Shiro suddenly stopped walking and turned to face him, sighing softly.
"Buggy... is this what you've been doing all this time? Running protection rackets and scamming people under my name?"
"Uh…" Buggy froze mid-step. His grin stiffened as he scratched at his messy hair, cheeks reddening.
"Well… you know, Shiro-nii, I don't have the power you guys do. So I, uh, use my 'former Roger Pirate' title to… scare off small fry."
Shiro rested a hand on his shoulder — firm, but not harsh.
"You're selling yourself short. Your Chop-Chop Fruit has incredible potential. If you really train and push it, you could become someone strong enough to stand on your own. And besides…"
He paused, his gaze deepening.
"You have a strange kind of charm. People want to follow you. You don't need to rely on tricks or titles."
"Me? That amazing?"
Buggy rubbed his chin, eyes widening as wild fantasies flooded his head — commanding fleets, treasure chests piled high, ruling the New World.
A grin stretched all the way to his ears.
"Believe it," Shiro said, ruffling his hair with a rare, warm smile.
"You're someone I, Jabal Shiro, have faith in."
"Shiro-nii! You're the best!"
Buggy threw himself at him, clinging to his arm and bawling uncontrollably.
"No one else in this whole sea ever says stuff like that to me!"
Shiro grimaced and shoved him off, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe his sleeve clean.
"Back off. Don't wipe your snot on me."
But inside, he couldn't help thinking: If only he knew he'd one day be one of the Four Emperors… he'd never stop bragging.
Soon, they reached the end of the pier, where a massive pirate ship rested quietly at anchor.
Its hull was black as obsidian, gleaming like the hide of a slumbering beast.
On the sail, the golden kanji for "Toku" shimmered in the sunlight — grander even than Roger's Oro Jackson.
T/N: The Kanji means Virtue
Buggy's jaw practically hit the ground.
"Whoa, Shiro-nii… I just had an idea—"
"I refuse," Shiro cut him off immediately.
"I didn't even say it yet!"
Buggy flailed dramatically. "I want to come with you!"
"I knew you'd say that."
Shiro laid a hand on his shoulder, his expression serious now.
"But Buggy, you need to find your own way. If you stay under my wing, you'll always be 'the little guy who follows the Tyrant.' You'll never grow beyond that."
Buggy's shoulders slumped. He twisted his fingers together, mumbling, "...Okay. If that's what you say."
After a pause, his eyes lit up again.
"Then I'll just cheer you on from here! I hope the Virtue becomes the greatest pirate ship on the seas — and that you become the next Pirate King, Shiro-nii!"
Before Shiro could reply, Buggy turned and sprinted down the pier, waving over his shoulder until he vanished into the crowd.
"That brat's got more backbone than I gave him credit for," Shiro murmured with a faint smile.
Aboard the Virtue, Shiro had just sat down when Hatchan came bounding over with a tray.
"Chef Zeff! Please have some snacks!"
He beamed, his sharp teeth flashing as he presented a plate of steaming takoyaki.
Zeff picked one up, blew on it, and took a bite.
The savory batter and chewy octopus filled his mouth — his eyes lit up instantly.
"Delicious! The flavor's spot-on!"
Then he noticed the crew's faces. Everyone — Shiro included — looked like they were being tortured.
"What's wrong with you guys?" Zeff asked, confused.
Shiro turned his head away, voice flat.
"Chef Zeff… I'll be honest. Our cook only knows how to make this. For three whole months, every single meal has been takoyaki. Round food gives us trauma now."
"Wha—seriously?" Zeff's eyes widened, suddenly finding the snack less appetizing.
Standing, Shiro bowed deeply.
"That's why I'd like to formally invite you to join our crew — as our head chef."
Zeff froze, his fingers brushing the handle of the knife at his waist.
Join a pirate crew? He hadn't heard that offer in years.
Seeing his hesitation, Shiro continued.
"Chef Zeff… you've heard of the All Blue, haven't you?"
"Of course!" Zeff's eyes sparkled.
"The sea where all the fish from every ocean gather — the dream of every chef!"
"Our ship's setting sail around the world. And one day, we'll find the All Blue."
Shiro's voice was calm but resolute, even though he had no clue where it actually was.
"I want you to come with us — and make that dream a reality."
Zeff stared at him for a long moment, thinking of his rough years at sea and the fire still burning deep in his chest.
Then, with a fierce slap to his thigh, he grinned.
"Alright! I'm in!"
Cheers erupted across the deck.
From that day forward, the Virtue's meals transformed completely.
Under Zeff's masterful hand — the man who would one day teach the great Sanji himself — every dish became a masterpiece.
Fried, grilled, baked, boiled — the kitchen was alive again.
Hatchan trained hard as his assistant, learning to chop, plate, and season under Zeff's guidance.
Life aboard the Virtue had never been so warm, or so delicious.
T/N: If you would like to read up to 20 chapters ahead for all my works, check out my P@treon: patreon.com/GhidorahWriter
Thanks for reading! Be sure to collect and vote for more chapters! A Bonus Chapter will be released once we hit 25 Powerstones!