The East Blue. A sun-drenched expanse of blue.
The Black Eclipse cut through the waves with predatory grace. On the rear deck, a thick shroud of white steam rose into the air, shimmering with heat.
"Hooo—"
Ace, his massive two-and-a-half-meter frame bare and glistening with sweat, exhaled a lungful of scorching air. Beneath his skin, muscle fibers that had been pushed to the breaking point were being knit back together by the Vermilion Bird's Divine Fire. With every breath, his muscle density increased, reaching a level of hard-packed power that defied human limits.
But the "Biological Engine" demanded fuel.
"Captain! The 'fuel' is ready!" Buggy, wearing a soot-stained chef's hat and looking thoroughly miserable, hauled a massive iron tray onto the deck.
On it lay a several-hundred-pound leg of a Sea Beast. The outside was charred black; the inside was practically raw and oozing blood. Ace didn't hesitate. He tore into the meat like a storm, devouring the massive limb in under three minutes.
Ace wiped the grease from his chin and frowned. Fuel. That's all this is. Crude, tasteless fuel.
"Are we close, Carina?" Ace asked, throwing on his dark red trench coat.
"Five nautical miles out, Captain," Carina replied from the cockpit, her purple eyes sparkling as she lowered her binoculars. "Based on the current, we'll be docking in twenty minutes."
"Finally," Buggy muttered, leaning on a mop. "The Great Buggy-sama is retired from the kitchen. My nose can't take the smoke anymore."
The Baratie.
A giant, fish-shaped structure loomed on the horizon—the most prestigious restaurant in the East Blue. Dozens of merchant ships and pirate sloops were already moored at the perimeter.
But when the Black Eclipse—sleek, black, and shaped like a ceremonial sword—glided into its berth, every conversation on the docks died. Awe and greed flickered in the eyes of the diners as the gangplank lowered.
Thud.
Ace stepped onto the wooden pier. At his height, he towered over the average East Blue citizen, a wall of muscle and silent authority. Even without releasing his Haki, the sheer pressure of his presence forced the rowdy pirates at the entrance to swallow their tongues and clear a path.
Sabo followed to his left, leaning on his alloy staff; Carina walked on the right with the poised elegance of a queen; Buggy brought up the rear, looking like a smug bodyguard.
They pushed through the grand doors and claimed the largest round table in the center of the hall.
"Not bad," Carina remarked, eyeing the crystal chandeliers. "At least the decor matches our ship's standards."
"HEY! WAITER!" Buggy slammed his fist onto the table, his red nose twitching. "Bring out the most expensive, high-calorie meat you have! Our Captain is starving!"
Before the echoes of Buggy's shout died down, a blonde figure blurred out of the kitchen.
It was a young man in a sharp black suit, his bangs covering one eye. He carried a tray with effortless balance, his face set in a scowl as he approached the loudmouthed clown. But then, his gaze shifted. He saw Carina—purple hair, purple eyes, and curves that could sink a battleship.
THUMP.
Sanji's eyes instantly transformed into pink hearts. His body twisted into a literal S-curve as he slid across the floor, stopping inches from Carina's side.
"Oh! Has the sea itself birthed such a magnificent Violet?" Sanji gasped, clutching his chest. "My lady, your radiance makes these chandeliers look like gutter-candles!"
With a flourish, he placed a crystal glass of vibrant juice before her. "This is 'The Ocean's Embrace,' prepared just for you. Please, enjoy it. If you wish, I will offer you my culinary soul and every skill I possess."
Carina blinked, then let out a shrewd, amused giggle. "My, you certainly have a silver tongue, little chef."
Buggy turned purple with rage and hammered the table again. "HEY! CURLY-BROW! I SAID MEAT! ARE YOU DEAF?!"
The pink hearts vanished. Sanji turned a cold, disgusted gaze toward Buggy.
"Pipe down, Red Nose. Can't you see I'm serving a Goddess? If you're that hungry, go to the back alley and find the slop buckets we keep for the wild boars."
"WHY YOU—!" Buggy reached for his Sea Prism Stone knuckles.
"Enough, Buggy," Sabo said, his voice a calm anchor. He looked at Sanji with an unreadable expression. "Chef, please bring ten servings of your signature dishes. Price is no object."
Sanji exhaled a ring of smoke, looking perfunctory. "Fine, fine. A bunch of rude men. Please wait a moment, my lady; your exclusive meal will be out shortly~"
He blew a kiss to Carina and pirouetted back toward the kitchen.
The hall settled, but Ace remained silent, his chin resting on his hand. He had watched the entire exchange.
He recognized the "Black Leg." He had sensed the incredible explosive power in the boy's leg muscles. The talent was there. The culinary skill was undeniable.
But that simping... Ace thought, a wave of genuine irritation washing over him.
In the manga, Sanji's "chivalry" was a quirk. In the real world, seeing a grown man melt into a puddle of spinelessness the moment a pretty woman laughed was... pathetic.
Ace's goal was to overthrow the World Government. His crew—the Eclipse—needed to be a force of absolute will. Sanji's principle of "never kicking a woman, even to save his own life," was a tactical nightmare. If they faced a high-tier female combatant from the Marines or the Seven Warlords, Sanji would be a liability. He would be the weak link that got his brothers killed.
Forget it, Ace decided, mentally crossing Sanji's name off his recruitment list. Let Luffy have him. That kid loves a circus. I need soldiers and specialists, not a chef who will let an enemy stab him because she's wearing a skirt.
The Eclipse would simply buy the Baratie's recipes and move on. He could find a world-class chef who wasn't a tactical disaster.
Just as Ace settled in to wait for his meal—
CRASH—!!
The heavy glass doors of the Baratie were kicked off their hinges. Shards of glass sprayed across the floor, followed by the heavy, arrogant rhythmic thud of armored boots.
"ATTENTION, PEASANTS!" A harsh, screeching voice filled the room. "Everyone out! IMMEDIATELY! This establishment has been requisitioned for the exclusive use of His Highness, the Third Prince of the Kingdom of Lubneel!"
The hall went silent. Ace didn't look up. He just looked at his empty plate, his hunger growling.
The "Peaceful Meal" had just been canceled.