26. Baratie

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[Breaking News!!!

Last night, we received incredible information regarding the once-great pirate who fought against the Pirate King Gol D. Roger himself, and was also a former teammate of the current Yonko, Whitebeard, Kaido, and Big Mom!!!

It's about the infamous Golden Lion Shiki, who attacked Marineford nearly twenty years ago in an attempt to destroy the Marines after Roger was captured, only to be stopped by Hero of the Marines Garp and Admiral Sengoku. Shiki was sent to Impel Down, but miraculously managed to escape after two years, leaving his own legs behind, and since then, nothing is known about him. At least that was the case until today.

According to our sources, it was recently revealed that Shiki has a son who followed in his father's footsteps and also became a pirate. True, at the same time, without achieving any significant power or fame, having a bounty on his head of only 10'000'000 belly, which can not be compared with Shiki's reward of several hundred million.

This pirate turned out to be 'Red Lion' Eldoraggo, who trades in the East Blue and does not advertise his relationship with such a notorious person, apparently not wanting to attract the attention of the Marines.

The truth about his real father became known due to the fact that Eldoraggo blabbed about it in a bar, when he drank too much and your obedient servant immediately caught on to this rumor and was able to find out that it was true.

Now that Eldoraggo's true worth has been revealed, the Marines has instantly raised the bounty on his head to 200'000'000 belly, on the condition that he is brought in alive, clearly wanting to use Eldoraggo as bait for Shiki, or at least arrange a show execution, demonstrating that no matter whose child you are, you will not escape Absolute Justice....]

- I must admit, Morgans knows how to do own job. - I said, putting down the copy of News Coo that I had been reading.

- Did they really increase his bounty twenty times just because Eldoraggo is the son of this Shiki who hasn't been seen in fifteen years? - Bobby asked incredulously.

- Shiki is a dangerous person, one of those who can shake the current world order, and the fact that he has not shown himself for many years does not mean that he has become less dangerous. On the contrary, he is using this time to prepare a counterattack against the World Government, and the Marines is well aware of this. Eldoraggo is a chance which can disrupt Shiki's plans. Well, or at least notably harm him. - I said as I started eating my dish, which was placed in front of me by a blond cook-steward.

- But Eldoraggo is just a small fry. Isn't it too much to go after him just because he's related to a powerful pirate? - Bobby asked as she slapped the face of an overly clingy blond with curled eyebrows.

- Having Shiki's blood in him is reason enough for the Marines to destroy Eldoraggo. Especially if he is an easy target, without the protection of someone strong and will not be able to resist the capture. Believe me, this is not the first time for them. If Roger's son showed up, sooner or later, it would end the same way. - I said with a grin.

As it turns out, Eldoraggo is indeed Shiki's son. Although, there is no smell of love and kindred feelings there. Not sure, that even Shiki himself knows that he has a son. Eldoraggo is the son of a harbor whore Shiki once spent a night with thirty-five years ago. As a result, Francis (real name of Eldoraggo) appeared from this connection, who did not even meet his father and knew about him only from the stories of his mother.

But like I said, the mere fact that Eldoraggo was Shika's son was enough for the Watch to hunt him down and raise the price on his head. And, of course, I'm behind it.

Having learned such a juicy detail, I simply could not help but use it to my advantage. First of all, I went in search of a man who works for News Coo and who at that moment was on Shiki Island (how ironic, isn't it). Fortunately, Bobby saw him the day we arrived on the island, in one of the villages she visited, and on her tip, I was able to quickly find this reporter.

After working with his mind a bit, I added a memory to him, about how he was in a bar and witnessed how Eldoraggo drunkly blabbed about his father. This, of course, never happened, but the reporter is firmly convinced that he saw it all with his own eyes, and as befits a man of his profession, he was obliged to trumpet it to the whole world, while earning a good fee.

By contacting Morgans, the reporter received his well-deserved bonus for finding such a profitable news that would have a great effect on sales, and already further, the albatross took matters into his own hands (wings?) and wrote an article that I just read in a fresh newspaper.

But, as it usually happens, if two people knows, everyone knows, and it seems that the Marines spies, surrounded by Morgans, reported everything to their superiors, and they did not waste time, and increased Eldoraggo reward, before Morgans had time to publish his article.

Although, I think this cunning albatross wanted this article to have more juicy details, which again would increase sales. This unexpectedly played into my hands, as I thought that I would have to wait for the response of the Marines much longer.

And so, only a couple of days have passed since we left Shiki Island, and my plan has already come true and El Drago has ceased to be a useless ballast for 10'000'000 belly, which lies unconscious in the Quinjet's arsenal. Now, he's a worthless ballast worth 200'000'000 belly, lying unconscious in the Quinjet's armory. And this is already a very significant difference.

In any case, we spent these two days on the fly, and would have flown on to our next destination if we had not met the floating restaurant 'Baratie', which Bobby and I agreed to visit. Me to eat delicious food and Bobby to watch the local chefs and learn the art of cooking.

True, in order not to attract attention with our unusual vehicle, we had to send the Quinjet to inventory when we were on the way, and already get to the restaurant itself on our own. Luckily, thanks to the combination of Bend Time, which I've trained so well lately, and Nuki Ashi, I was able to run on water. Even though I was carrying Bobby, who actually weighed a couple hundredweight. Stopped time for a second, pushed off from the frozen water, using Nuki Ashi, overcame a couple of hundred meters and repeated. Everything is extremely simple.

Although we were greeted like weirdos who somehow got to a restaurant in the middle of the ocean, at the same time, being completely dry, but received with great cordiality, especially when I showed a thick wad of money.

- Now that your plan has worked, are we going to turn Eldoraggo over to the Marines? - Bobby asked, once again refusing gourmet food from Sanji, who tried to pick on my XO even though she had already turned him down several times, in a rather harsh manner.

- Yes, but let's wait a couple of days so as not to arouse any suspicions. But this time, Nelson's help will have to be dispensed with, as he was called to the headquarters to be presented for a reward for exposing Kuro. - I told what Nelson told me in the morning by den den mushi.

- I see ... Oh, how he got me. - Bobby complained, covering her face with her hand, seeing the relentless blond cook returning, carrying a new dish with a huge smile on his lined face.

- Ah, beautiful lady, do not refuse this dish. I put my whole soul into it. - With loving eyes and a slightly lewd smile, Sanji said as he set a plate of lobsters and black caviar in front of Bobby.

- Once again I say, I do not need your dishes. I don't eat at all. And that won't change even if you give me ambrosia. - said Bobbh wearily, who though she admired and even envied Sanji's skill, simply didn't need food.

- Oh, another rejection. You break my heart. But the look of your chilling eyes is simply beautiful. It's fascinates me, and I will do everything for you to try my dish, which will win your heart, madam. Don't go anywhere, I'll cook my best meal. - Not wanting to listen to what they say, Sanji said lovingly, and then he turned to me, saying rudely: Here, eat. Do not waste good. It's at the expense of the institution.

I gladly accepted the dish and started to eat it, like the previous three refusals, and continued to watch this comedy called 'Lustful idiot trying to impress the robot with delicious food', which made me very happy. This spectacle alone made it worth visiting this restaurant.

- Sanji, stop pestering the customers. You better go do your job. - a one-legged old man with a mustache gathered in pigtails said loudly.

- Tch, damn old man. - Sanji said indignantly before turning to Bobby: - I'll be right back, my lady.

- Idiot, I told you it was pointless. - Bobby yelled in annoyance as Sanji flew away on the wings of love, who of course didn't hear it.

- Don't be offended by him. He's a good guy, it's just that the hormones have gone to the head lately. - said Zeff, a former pirate, Sanji's adoptive father and owner of this restaurant, who approached us.

- It's OK. We are not offended. - I said, looking at Bobby, who was really tired of this ero-cook, although she was flattered by the attention, which she received. True, it would be better if Sanji didn't act the same way with all the beautiful clients.

- Still, he gave you problems and interfered with your meal. This is unacceptable for a real chef. - Zeff said sternly, having his own code in this regard, after adding: - As an apology, all meals for you are on the house.

- But Chief!!! - came a displeased shout from the kitchen, clearly dissatisfied with Zeff's decision. It was Patty, one of the main cooks and the one who keeps track of the finances, which are clearly problems here.

- I decided so! - Zeff barked, reining in the negligent worker.

- It's not worth it, it's redundant. - I said, and then seeing Bobby's plaintive look, I added: - Although, could you give my sister a masterclass?

- Master Class? - Zeff asked, starting to look appraisingly at Bobby, whom I introduced as my sister, because, frankly, our relationship is like that.

- You see, Bobby dreams of becoming a first-class cook, although she clearly has no talent for this, but she is not going to give up. - I said with a smile while Bobby nodded her head vigorously in confirmation of my words.

- And you want me to teach her how to cook? - Zeff asked, not too pleased, who, like many cokes, did not want to see women in his galley.

- You don't have to learn. Just show your skills and give a couple of tips. That will be enough for Bobby. She had already asked permission to enter the kitchen, but she was not allowed. - I explained.

- Hm… - Zeff uttered thoughtfully, obviously not too willing to agree with my proposal.

- If you agree, then we will have no complaints against that blonde and Bobby will even stop beating him. - I quickly added when Bobbiy started nodding her head again.

- Eh, only problems from this bastard. He would have quickly dumped into the sea. - Zeff said displeasedly, although it was over from his great love for Sanji, otherwise he would not have harnessed for him.

Eventually, under Bobby's pleading gaze, Zeff gave in and said: - Okay, you win. Come on, girl, I'll take two hours of my time to show you the skills of a real chef.

- Hooray!!! - Bobby said gleefully, jumping up from her seat and running ahead of Zeff into the kitchen.

- Don't run around my restaurant, you little bastard. - Zeff yelled as he slowly hobbled after Bobby.

- Thanks. - I shouted at the back of the departing boss.

- Thank you for not making a mess, Diamond Hunter. Oh, there would always be such decent customers. - grumbling like an old man, Zeff said, heading to the kitchen, where there was already a commotion due to the appearance of Bobby, and unsurprisingly, Sanji's loving voice stood out the most.

'That's a stupid nickname again...' - I thought displeasedly as I continued to eat Sanji's meal. I have to admit, it's the most delicious thing I've ever eaten in my life.

I did not expect that Zeff would come to us on his own, but judging by his superficial thoughts, he, as a fairly experienced person who had seen a lot in his life, was able to recognize the level of Bobby and me and decided to intervene before a possible conflict over behavior occurred Sanji, which could have ended badly for ero-cook.

Although, nothing like this would have happened, since I knew perfectly well that Sanji was a harmless virgin who would not touch Bobby with a finger, but the fact that Zeff decided to intervene only benefited and Bobby's dream came true.

Plus, I was able to completely download Zeff's knowledge from his mind. Although he was a strong pirate in the past, regarding the East Blue of course, and even visited the Grand Line, he only heard rumors about Haki and did not know exactly what it was, so Zeff had no mental protection.

Apart from his 'Red Leg' fighting style and Sanji's adapted 'Black Leg' style, I was able to gain a lot of knowledge about navigating the East Blue and even now know the way to the Grand Line, with a map of several nearby islands of this sea, such as Whiskey Peak.

Now, I no longer have to look for a way to the islands in the East Blue, since I know almost all the inhabited islands of this sea and can easily get there. And now you don't have to worry about where to find a map to the Grand Line.

Of course, I also got Zeff's culinary knowledge, which is not very important for me, since I never liked to cook, and without real experience they are of little use. Although, this knowledge would be a good guide for a beginner, but I'm not going to waste time on this.

Unfortunately, since Bobby is non-organic, I can't just pass this knowledge on to her, and it looks like I'll have to write a cookbook for her so she can learn and I can have access to delicious food that I don't have to cook myself. Yes, that's the kind of lazy ass I am...

As for Zeff's fighting style, although it is very interesting and unique in its kind, it is not very suitable for me, since I still prefer to fight with my hands, and I am not going to lose this opportunity. Although, that doesn't mean I can't adapt some of the coolest and most powerful moves to suit my fighting style, which is already a hodgepodge of everything.

So while thinking about things like this, I was still eating my food when I heard some noise outside. Not wanting to miss out on such an easy prey, I quickly left the restaurant and punished the entire team who wanted to ruin the pleasant atmosphere of this place.

Unfortunately, it turned out that they were ordinary weaklings, not even having a reward or any valuable things, so I just beat them up and scared them a little, sent them home to start a new life. Under a little coercion.

Having finished my work, I returned to the hall, where I was greeted with a loud ovation from the other guests, who also did not want the pirates to come and start rampaging here. After bowing a couple of times, I returned to my seat and continued my meal, waiting for Bobby to finish his business.