Chapter 39 – [39] : [BONUS] – Sanji!

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Fullbody’s expression was a spectacular mess of emotions as he stared dumbfounded at the ship opposite him.

Did his ears deceive him?!

That brat named Luffy… was Vice Admiral Garp’s grandson?!

But then, meeting Rowen’s steady gaze snapped him back to reality. Cold sweat beaded densely on his forehead.

Fullbody knew with certainty—he hadn’t misheard!

What in the unholy hell?!

He had planned to bring the woman accompanying him to the famous Sea Restaurant Baratie, impress her with his wealth and charm…

Encountering a pirate crew, Fullbody had intended to show off his strength too.

But the pirate crew he encountered turned out to be the very one harboring ‘Sky Sovereign’ Rowen!

And their unremarkable captain… was Vice Admiral Garp’s grandson?!

Was this really the East Blue, the weakest sea?! What kind of cruel cosmic joke was this?!

“Eh? Why are you sweating so much? Are you afraid of a bunch of pirates?” Unfortunately, the clueless woman beside him chose that moment to speak up.

Fullbody glanced at Rowen’s teasing expression on the opposite ship and grit his teeth.

“O-Of course I’m not scared! It’s just… before such a fine dinner, getting things too bloody would ruin the appetite, wouldn’t it?” Fullbody forced himself to say, trying to save face.

He had his pride, after all.

No matter what, he was still a Marine Headquarters Lieutenant. As long as he didn’t provoke them further, Rowen probably wouldn’t make things too difficult for him… right? Probably…?

“Oh? Bloody? Planning to use your ‘Iron Fist’?” Rowen asked, smiling as he glanced at the iron-ringed gauntlets on Fullbody’s fists.

Seeing those things reminded Rowen of the knuckle dusters some teenagers liked to play with back on Earth.

Using something like that as a weapon in the One Piece world and calling yourself ‘Iron Fist’… it was utterly comical.

“!!!” Seeing Rowen looking like he might actually make a move, Fullbody’s sweat started pouring down like a waterfall, completely unstoppable.

This guy… wasn’t giving him any face at all!

But there was nothing he could do.

Fight a monster rumored at HQ to be future Admiral material if he were a Marine? He wouldn’t even know how he died!

Besides, he had felt the man’s terrifying presence firsthand. Just standing there, Fullbody lacked the courage even to throw a punch.

If he got killed here, it would be for nothing!

And that damn brat Luffy was Vice Admiral Garp’s grandson!

Fullbody’s forehead was drenched in cold sweat.

“W-Wait! Hold on!”

“Today’s meal is all on me!” Fullbody threw up his hands, blurting out in panic.

Face? Who cares about face when your life is on the line?!

“Free meal?” Hearing this, Nami, still hiding slightly behind Rowen, instantly brightened.

“Really?! Wow, you’re actually a good guy!” Luffy beamed, completely won over.

“Hey! In the eyes of normal people, we’re the bad guys, and the Marines are the good guys,” Usopp couldn’t help but point out.

“Oh yeah! That’s right!” Luffy yelled, clutching his head.

“Well then… we won’t hold back,” Rowen chuckled, looking at Nami’s sparkling eyes.

Whenever something was free, Nami’s enthusiasm skyrocketed.

But Rowen didn’t blame her. Since she was ten, she had carried the heavy burden of earning 100 million Beri to buy back her hometown.

To Nami, money represented hope for her village. Years of this struggle had ingrained the habit deeply.

Compared to Nami’s excitement, dealing with a small fry like Fullbody wasn’t even worth unleashing Conqueror’s Haki for Rowen.

Rowen had already checked Fullbody’s Traits earlier—not a single one above Purple tier. Completely worthless to him.

“Heehee,” Nami stuck out her tongue playfully at Rowen, looking utterly adorable.

Rowen prioritizing her mood like this warmed Nami’s heart.

“O-Of course! My treat!” Fullbody stammered, then quickly grabbed his companion and scrambled onto a small boat, rowing hastily towards the Baratie.

Consider it the cost of escaping disaster!

Luckily, their crew isn’t that big… it shouldn’t cost too much… Fullbody thought desperately.

“Let’s head over too! Free food! Free food!” Nami cheered cutely, pumping her fist.

“Shishishi! Someone’s treating! Let’s hurry up and eat!” Luffy grinned, already drooling.

“Gomu Gomu no——!” Just as Nami was about to instruct Zoro and the others to dock the ship, the impatient Luffy grabbed onto the Going Merry’s sheep figurehead, stretching his arms back dramatically.

“ROCKET——!” Luffy launched himself directly towards the Baratie.

BOOM! With a tremendous crash, Luffy blasted a large hole straight through the side of the Baratie.

“That… idiot,” Zoro sighed, covering his face.

“Forget Luffy; he’ll figure things out himself. Let’s go order,” Rowen, already accustomed to Luffy’s antics (even without the excuse of dodging cannon fire this time, Luffy’s impatience for food still led to property damage), chuckled and turned to Nami.

“May I have the pleasure of dining with you, my beautiful lady?” Rowen extended his right hand gracefully.

Nami felt a momentary sense of déjà vu, time seeming to rewind to her first encounter with Rowen.

On the luxury liner that day, Rowen had extended his hand just like this, elegantly inviting her to dance.

“Of course,” Nami replied, smiling sweetly as she placed her slender hand in Rowen’s right hand.

But the feeling… is completely different now.

Feeling the warmth of Rowen’s palm against hers, Nami pressed her lips together thoughtfully.

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“Welcome, esteemed guests! Do you have a reservation?” As they entered the restaurant, a chef wearing a black uniform with a pink scarf around his neck approached them, a wide, exaggerated smile plastered on his face.

“Our meal… that gentleman is paying,” Rowen gestured towards the already seated Fullbody.

“Honored guests! Right this way!” Seeing the Marine Lieutenant didn’t deny it, and even seemed somewhat afraid of this group, Patty the chef instantly smelled a big spender. His smile widened until his face nearly cramped.

“The menu,” Rowen said, taking a seat and glancing at the menu presented.

“Yes! What would you like to order? Everything here is guaranteed delicious!” Patty beamed.

“We’ll start with five full-menu,” Rowen stated calmly.

Pffft! Fullbody, who had just taken a sip of water, sprayed it everywhere upon hearing Rowen.

“F-Five Full-Menu?” Patty blinked, momentarily stunned.

Ordering the whole menu? He’d never encountered that before.

And the prices here were quite steep.

“What are you waiting for? Go get the food! Do you think a Marine Headquarters Lieutenant, ‘Iron Fist’ Fullbody, would shortchange you?” Rowen directed his gaze pointedly at Fullbody.

“…” Fullbody felt like his heart was bleeding money, but he didn’t dare utter a word of protest.

He could feel a terrifying pressure locking onto him; escape was impossible!

Is this the power of ‘Sky Sovereign’ Rowen?! So terrifying!

How could such a monster appear in the East Blue?! And why did he have the misfortune of running into him?!

While his heart bled, Fullbody resigned himself to his fate.

A massive bill was inevitable. At the very least, he had to successfully impress the woman he brought here to make it somewhat worthwhile. Fullbody forced a smile.

Just then, a man with blonde hair, wearing a black suit, and most distinctively, sporting curly eyebrows, approached Fullbody’s table carrying a bottle of red wine.

It was, unmistakably, Sanji—the future cook of the Straw Hat Pirates from the original story.

“Check Traits.” Seeing Sanji, Rowen prompted inwardly.

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