Chapter 31: Streusen

"Oh my, it looks like you recognize me!"

On the shoreline, El crossed his arms and glanced at the figure before him. "It seems you're a skilled swordsman... So, are you here to claim my head and collect the bounty from the World Government?"

His right hand ignited with fierce flames.

Crackle... crackle...

The intense heat radiated from the flames, making one's scalp tingle.

It wasn't surprising that the person recognized him—after all, his wanted poster as a Lunarian had likely spread far and wide across the world. Without needing to read the person's mind, El had already discerned their identity.

It was Streusen, the Paramecia-type 'Cook-Cook Fruit' user. El hadn't expected to encounter him so soon. From his aura, Streusen was no weakling; he was at least a skilled swordsman and seemed to have mastered both Observation and Armament Haki. Of course, El wasn't concerned—Streusen posed no real threat to him.

"No, no, I mean no harm!" Streusen hurriedly shook his head, stepping back cautiously from the scorching heat. His instincts told him that even the slightest move could result in instant death.

He observed the various children of different races—Minks, Fish-Men, Snakenecks, and Longlegs—gathered around them, and his eyes narrowed in thought. It became clear that the "Fallen Angel" El had gathered these children from different races, hinting at ambitions beyond the ordinary.

Streusen himself was a skilled swordsman and a Paramecia-type 'Cook-Cook Fruit' user. He had once been both a chef and a pirate, though his career in both fields had faltered for various reasons. After suffering several setbacks, he realized his talents had limits and that he would never achieve great success on his own. However, his pride kept him from joining ordinary pirate crews, so he had roamed alone for years.

"But if possible, please let me stay!"

Seeing El's tall, imposing figure, still youthful yet filled with immense strength, Streusen's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. Bowing deeply at a ninety-degree angle, he shouted, "I wish to follow you! Please allow me to join you, El-sama!"

At first, Streusen had doubted El's strength. After all, it seemed exaggerated that a mere nine-year-old could participate in the destruction of the Navy's G-12 base alongside giants and earn a six-hundred-million-Berry bounty. But from the moment he first saw El, he knew the bounty wasn't just due to his Lunarian heritage—this boy was truly a monster with boundless potential.

The aura El exuded, like a beast in human form, sent shivers down Streusen's spine. Only someone like him was worthy of being followed.

Additionally, as a chef, Streusen was not only a skilled swordsman but also a 'Cook-Cook Fruit' user. Following someone with such a bright future would naturally elevate his own status.

"What!?"

"He wants to follow El-sama?"

Linlin, Gerd, Hajrudin, and the others were taken aback. None of them had expected Streusen to bow so suddenly and pledge allegiance to El.

"El, we can't trust him!"

Hajrudin, still cautious after the betrayal of Carmel, raised his voice in warning. "Humans are deceitful! You've just been given a six-hundred-million-Berry bounty, and who knows if he has other motives to harm you!"

"Right! We can't trust him so easily!" Gerd added, gripping her long axe tightly and glaring at Streusen with suspicion.

"El, this guy reeks of trouble. He's definitely up to no good..." Jien, the Fish-men youth, bared his sharp teeth and rolled up his sleeves, ready for action. "Let's just toss him into the sea to feed the fish!"

"Enough, you fool." El knocked on Jien's forehead, stopping his impulsive behavior. "You're still far from being strong enough to throw someone like him into the sea. Give it another 10 or 20 years!"

Despite Jien's training, there was no way he could pose a threat to someone of Streusen's level, who only refrained from attacking out of fear of El.

"Wait, I swear I'm sincere in wanting to join! I have no hidden motives..." Streusen waved his hands frantically, desperately trying to explain. "I only wish to follow El-sama because I see his immense potential, and I believe in his future! I bear no ill intentions!"

Though Streusen considered himself strong, he knew he was no match for this Lunarian. Not only did El possess extraordinary power, but there were also rumors of him being a Mythical Zoan-type user, capable of transforming into a giant winged serpent that commanded lightning. El was nothing less than a walking calamity.

Most importantly, Streusen knew that anyone bold enough to attack a Navy fortress with giants wasn't someone to be trifled with. He was well aware that El, despite his youth, was incredibly mature and calculating, far beyond an ordinary child.

"Oh?"

El smirked as he listened to Streusen's frantic explanations. Thanks to his advanced Observation Haki, El could see that the man was telling the truth.

This guy was smart. And besides, Dreamland needed a professional chef. Taking him in wouldn't be a bad idea.

"El-sama, I truly believe you are someone with great ambition. I sincerely wish to follow you!" Streusen looked up at El with admiration, his voice passionate. "My name is Streusen. I am a pirate, a chef, a swordsman, and the user of the Paramecia-type 'Cook-Cook Fruit.' I can turn any non-living object into delicious food, which I believe would be of great use to you!"

To demonstrate, Streusen picked up a rock and, to the astonishment of Linlin and the others, it softened and transformed into a loaf of bread. He then sprinkled dirt onto it, which turned into rich cream. Grabbing a handful of weeds, he tossed them on top, and they transformed into slices of mango, cherries, and blueberries, gleaming temptingly.

"This is…"

"Wow, the rock turned into a cake!"

"The Cook-Cook Fruit? There's a Devil Fruit with that kind of power?"

"Unbelievable…"

Watching the magical transformation, Hajrudin, Gerd, and Jien were all stunned. The cake looked incredibly appetizing, and they couldn't help but swallow hungrily.

"Can I eat it?"

Linlin's eyes sparkled, and she drooled as she eagerly approached the cake.

"Of course!" Streusen nodded quickly. He sliced off a piece of the cake with his short sword and took a bite himself before handing a piece to Linlin.

"While these ingredients are created by my Devil Fruit and may not be as perfect as the finest real ingredients, they still have a unique flavor," Streusen explained with pride. "And I can assure you that my creations taste far better than what most chefs could produce!"

El watched with a smile, making no move to stop them. He knew the food created by the Cook-Cook Fruit was safe to eat and, truthfully, tasted excellent—better than most ordinary chefs could manage. Only the most discerning palates would notice the difference.

"Wow!"

Linlin's eyes lit up as she shoved the cake into her mouth, savoring the rich, sweet flavor. "This is so good!" She licked her lips and stared eagerly at Streusen. "Can you make more? I want more!"

"What!?"

"Is it really that good?"

"Can he make any kind of dessert? I want to try too!"

"Hey, calm down! He's still a pirate we don't know!"