Usopp maintained his characteristic caution, choosing not to pry too deeply into the restaurant owner's background. Instead, he accepted a menu and prepared to order alongside Luffy, though he seriously underestimated his captain's current hunger levels.
Complex decisions like food selection proved far too challenging for Luffy's straightforward approach to life. As a grown man, he had developed a simple philosophy: why choose when you could have everything? "Illya, I want this entire page!" he declared, pointing enthusiastically at the menu. "Actually, I don't think this will be nearly enough to fill me up. I'm practically dying of starvation here! I need way more delicious food!"
The sniper carefully examined the prices listed beside each dish, his expression growing increasingly concerned. During their 5 years of training and subsequent journey through Sabaody Archipelago and Fish-Man Island, he'd noticed a disturbing trend of rising costs. The crew's Berry reserves were becoming insufficient for their needs, with prices seemingly increasing everywhere they traveled.
Dressrosa's transformation into a premier tourist destination had brought inflation comparable to Sabaody Archipelago's notorious expense levels. Even this modest establishment in the slums charged prices fifty percent higher than restaurants they'd visited previously.
"I'll definitely need to talk to Nami when we return," Usopp muttered under his breath. "The pocket money limits she's set are completely unrealistic now—it's time for a significant increase." Knowing their funds were severely limited, he couldn't approve Luffy's plan to order an entire menu page. Instead, he requested larger portions of staple foods with fewer side dishes, hoping to stretch their budget while keeping his captain somewhat satisfied.
The restaurant's clientele consisted entirely of working-class locals, and even someone as resourceful as Usopp wouldn't consider dining and dashing in such an establishment. Creating problems for small businesses went against his moral code.
After settling their bill at the front counter, Usopp took a seat across from his captain. While they waited for their meal to arrive, he engaged in conversation with Illya, who had positioned herself near their table. As a local resident, she possessed valuable knowledge about island customs and current events.
"Illya, is Dressrosa usually this busy?" Usopp inquired, gesturing toward the bustling activity visible through the windows. "The number of ships docked at the harbor exceeds what I saw even at Sabaody Archipelago."
The silver-haired girl retrieved a small stool and settled beside Luffy, her red eyes sparkling with excitement. "You arrived at the perfect time! Tomorrow night marks Dressrosa's grand music festival. His Majesty has invited celebrities from around the world to perform. The streets have been incredibly lively for days now—most hotels are completely booked. According to our promotional materials, more than 100,000 tourists will attend this concert!"
Dressrosa had always been renowned for its passionate women who excelled at music and dance, gradually building a reputation throughout the Grand Line—no small achievement on such a vast and dangerous sea.
This particular concert had been in development for over three years. While external promotion attracted visitors from distant islands, internal construction projects had transformed the local infrastructure. The king and his cadres had employed every conceivable strategy to separate tourists from their money, resulting in an unprecedented influx of foreign visitors.
The steady stream of tourism had provided employment opportunities for most ordinary islanders. Citizens lacking business acumen could still earn decent livings through physical labor. Overall living standards had improved dramatically, and most residents felt genuinely content with their current circumstances.
Their pleasant conversation was interrupted when Bellhill emerged from the kitchen carrying their order. Since Illya had personally recommended these customers, she'd prepared generous portions—though she wondered if two people could possibly consume such massive quantities in a single sitting.
The moment food appeared, Luffy abandoned all pretense of civilized behavior and began shoveling everything directly into his mouth, barely bothering to chew. "This tastes amazing!" he mumbled through enormous mouthfuls. "Illya, having you as our guide was the best decision ever!"
"Brother Luffy, please eat more slowly," Illya laughed, watching his frantic consumption with obvious amusement. "Nobody's going to steal your food!"
"Hahaha, Illya, our captain is always like this," Usopp explained, grabbing a rice ball for himself. "When it comes to eating, absolutely nobody can match his speed or capacity."
The morning's breakfast had long since been digested, and watching Luffy's enthusiastic eating only intensified his own hunger. In front of their silver-haired companion, he abandoned his usual table manners and began consuming food with nearly equal vigor.
"You two eat exactly like the uncle who protects me," Illya observed with a gentle smile, her legs swinging from her perch on the chair. "I really envy people with such healthy appetites."
As she watched these new acquaintances enjoy their meal, her perception of pirates began shifting subtly. Perhaps Luffy and Usopp were genuinely good people, contrary to the stories she'd heard.
The Straw Hat Pirates' pleasant dining experience was brutally interrupted when the restaurant's entrance exploded inward. The original wooden door disintegrated under a violent kick, sending splinters flying while the thunderous crash drew every diner's attention.
"Bellhill!" a harsh voice bellowed from the doorway. "When are you going to pay your rent? My patience with you has completely run out!"
Three thugs wearing distinctive Donquixote Family uniforms invaded the peaceful establishment, their aggressive presence immediately poisoning the atmosphere. Other customers quickly averted their gazes, hunching over their meals and desperately trying to become invisible rather than risk involvement.
"I already paid the rent just a few days ago," Bellhill replied, emerging from the kitchen with a forced smile plastered across her features. Despite their obvious rudeness, she maintained a veneer of politeness. "Perhaps you gentlemen made an error in your records?"
"The rules have changed—rent prices are increasing effective immediately," the lead thug snarled, his scarred face twisted with malicious pleasure. "The money you paid recently wasn't sufficient under our new rates. I've been waiting days for you to make up the difference. Are you deaf, you worthless bitch? Do you think you can ignore the Donquixote Family's commands?"
The foul-mouthed debt collector punctuated his verbal assault with physical violence, driving his boot deep into Bellhill's soft abdomen. He wanted the pain to serve as a vivid reminder that certain obligations couldn't be delayed or ignored.
The vicious kick sent Bellhill crashing to the floor, overturning a nearby table in the process. Despite such rough treatment, she maintained her smile even while struggling to breathe. If tears came, they would be shed in private—showing weakness before these rulers' lackeys would only invite further abuse.
Luffy had been in the process of emptying an entire plate directly into his mouth when the violence erupted. After swallowing his massive bite, he extracted the ceramic dish and set it aside, his hunger temporarily forgotten. Witnessing such blatant bullying of innocent people made his rubber fists clench involuntarily.
Recognizing his captain's telltale signs of mounting rage, Usopp quickly grabbed Luffy's tightening fist. "We'll teach them a lesson once we get outside," he whispered urgently. "This fragile restaurant can't withstand your fighting style. I'll back you up after these three leave the building."
"Fine," Luffy growled through gritted teeth, his face darkening with barely contained fury. He'd already begun thinking of Illya as a friend, and his stubborn personality couldn't tolerate anyone who dared harm those under his protection. Regardless of their affiliations or power, anyone who hurt his friends would face his wrath.
Just as the three thugs prepared to escalate their violence against Bellhill, a calm male voice drifted in from outside. "You three—who gave you permission to be here?"
The minions' arrogant postures crumbled instantly upon hearing that voice, their previous confidence evaporating like morning mist. The long-faced leader began stammering nervously. "E-Eren-sama! We were just conducting routine monthly rent collection!"
"Then get lost and don't disturb my mood today," the unseen speaker replied with casual authority.
As if granted pardons from execution, the three soldiers practically tumbled over each other in their haste to escape everyone's sight. Moments later, a young man with disheveled hair entered the restaurant, accompanied by a blonde girl. Under the watchful eyes of every remaining customer, they walked calmly into the establishment as if nothing unusual had occurred.
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