Chapter 11: This Fried Rice Bussin

Hardnor and Hardman exchanged knowing glances, their silence speaking volumes about their understanding of Mostima's intentions. But the question remained: could they possibly find a crew or a captain like that? Three long years had passed, yet their pursuit had yielded no results. Despite being quite a strong pirate group in the New World, their fame had brought them little success.

Suddenly, a pirate rushed into the room, breaking the silence. "Boss, something seems amiss at the bar. Should we check it out?" the pirate, Abby, blurted out to Mostima.

"What happened, Abby?" Hardnor crossed his arms and inquired, his expression serious.

Abby, a young pirate who had charged at Teach in the port, was an important member of the crew. With a strong natural intuition and Mostima's training, he had grown pretty strong. Mostima had assigned him the task of guarding the port, relying on his ability to detect and relay messages in case of trouble.

Abby quickly explained the situation, "It's like this, Cap. A new pirate arrived on the island this morning... I sensed an overwhelming pressure from him. Remembering the words on our boat, I followed him for a while. He entered a tavern, and now the Mad Knife Pirates are heading there to secure the venue. I have a feeling that a major conflict is brewing, so I rushed here immediately."

Mostima couldn't help but stroke his chin, intrigued. "You felt his pressure? How does it compare to mine?" he asked Abby, his gaze fixed on him.

Abby hesitated, finding it difficult to put his thoughts into words. "Um... Well, to be honest..." he stuttered.

"Don't worry, I won't hold it against you," Mostima reassured him gently. Abby felt relieved at the response, his breath hitching momentarily. He began to ponder, his mind conjuring up memories of Teach.

After a long silence, Abby opened his eyes and turned to look at Hardman, who stood beside Mostima. In contrast to Mostima's calm demeanor, Hardman's violent nature frightened him considerably.

"Soooo, what's so scary about him?" Hardman glared at Abby and scoffed.

Abby nodded and replied, "Yeah, I... I feel... he's much stronger than the captain." Abby spoke the truth. He could sense the threat emanating from the new pirate. His natural observation skills and Observation Haki were exceptional. "If the captain is an koi fish, then that person is a dragon. Superficially, he may appear ordinary, but with the power of Haki, I sensed an unfathomable presence. It's like staring into an abyss. The more I think about it, the more his image lingers in my mind." Abby's face showed signs of fear as he spoke

"I also remember a massive storm that occurred yesterday, extending over a wide area." Hardnor seemed to recall something and voiced his realization.

Hardnor turned to Shu Ke, there navigator who stood nearby. "Shu Ke, do you remember the range of that storm?" he asked.

Taken aback for a moment, Shu Ke quickly reached into his pocket and pulled out a small notebook. "Well, because the storm was particularly intense and lasted for a while, I noted down its range. Let me do the calculations... It covered seven or eight islands, including our Island. Essentially, our entire sea area fell within the storm's reach." Shu Ke unfolded the note, adjusting his glasses with his finger, and earnestly relayed the information.

The revelation left everyone in the room astonished. The sheer magnitude of surviving such a colossal storm was unimaginable, especially with such a small boat, and other obstacles. Moreover, Abby's earlier judgment that the new pirate was even more formidable than their captain only intensified the mystery surrounding him. How could someone with such power remain unknown?

Curiosity ignited in the hearts of Mostima and his crew. Mostima sheathed his silver sword and turned his gaze toward the door. A slight smile crept across his face as he declared, "Let's go. Let's meet this individual."

At Mostima's command, the group followed him, making their way towards the tavern.

..

"Haha, let's move! To the tavern we go! Today, I have reserved the bar for us!" Dozens of pirates marched down the street, with Schiller, their leader, at the forefront. He brandished his serrated machete, towering at three meters tall, with a thick beard adorning his face. He shouted to the others behind him.

"Haha, thanks, boss!" the pirates cheered in response. As they walked, residents and other pirates on the roadside stepped aside, giving way to the members of the Mad Knife Pirates to avoid any potential conflicts. Both residents and pirates alike held a mix of fear and disgust in their eyes. Captain Schiller's immense strength and reputation as a pirate with a bounty of 130 million made him infamous in the region.

Schiller, in particular, relished in brutal killings. He took pleasure in watching his opponents beg for mercy before mercilessly slaughtering them with his serrated machete. His cruel nature was unquestionable, and even his own crew members did not escape his wrath. The crew feared him the most, and he derived pleasure from exerting dominance over them to.

Meanwhile, Teach smiled as he quickly devoured his meal. His eating style lacked elegance. Two bowls of fried rice and a plate of sauced meat were placed in front of him. Opening the second bottle of rum, he brought it close to his nose, inhaling the fragrant aroma. He seemed slightly intoxicated, his eyes glazed over, and his cheeks flushed..

Teach had a natural tolerance for alcohol, honed during his time with the White Beard Pirates. He appeared intoxicated, but it was simply his way of unwinding. He held great reverence for the art of drinking, believing that true drinking meant enjoying the wine without getting drunk. It had become a natural reaction for his body over time.

"Hey, Loya, would you like to accompany me for a talk?" Teach grinned at Loya as his meal arrived. "And if you can make cherry pie, that would be even better. You would be even more welcomed to join my crew, you'll be treasured, haha."

Before he could finish speaking, a steel fork shot out, narrowly missing Teach's ear and embedding itself forcefully into the wooden wall behind him. The sharp tines were deeply lodged in the wood, quivering slightly.

"Go to hell, you old drunkard! I won't go out to the sea with you," Her fiery temper flared up instantly. She didn't mince her words, but Teach paid it no mind. He exchanged glances with Doyle, and they both chuckled, taking a sip of rum.

"Hey, do I look that old to you, Loya?" Teach stroked his clean-shaven chin. "Don't talk nonsense, Loya. And you should control your temper, or else you'll have a hard time in life, like finding a partner!"

Doyle smiled, relishing in the rare moment of joy. He poured himself a glass of rum and raised it in a toast.

With a loud crash, one of the doors was violently torn apart. All eyes turned towards the doorway, and a sense of dread washed over them. "It's Schiller, the Mad Knife! What is he doing here?" The atmosphere in the tavern became tense.

Schiller strode in, brandishing his machete, without uttering a word. He swept his gaze across the tavern, savoring the fear that emanated from the few patrons present.

Gripping the handle of his machete, Schiller let it drop to the ground, creating a deep gash in the wooden floor. A cruel grin spread across his face. "I've reserved this place today, so get the hell out of my bar!"

"Haha, did you hear that? Our boss has spoken. You're as good as dead," a member of the Mad Knife Pirates jeered, thoroughly enjoying the scene, and bootlicked his cap- actually let's just call him boss, he doesn't deserve the title of captain.

As pirates, they were looked down on, but they were also stronger than regular people. In this world, strength was paramount. They couldn't retaliate against Schiller's arrogance. One by one, they reluctantly set down their bowls and chopsticks, their fear mingling with a growing anger. "Hahahaha!" The Mad Knife Pirates burst into laughter at the sight, reveling in the helplessness of others.

The arrival of the Mad Knife Pirates drew a crowd, piquing the curiosity of onlookers.The growing crowd of spectators couldn't help but become curious. Over time, more and more people gathered, eager to witness the spectacle.

A few individuals stood outside the tavern, surveying the scene. "Boss, the Mad Knife Pirates are getting too arrogant. If we don't do something, it'll affect the island's business," Hardnor voiced his concerns. "We should unite and wipe them out."

Hardnor held disdain for the Mad Knife Pirates and viewed them as a tumor. It was essential to rid the island of their presence to maintain stability. Moreover, to prevent other forces from converging on the island, they needed to display their strength. The Mad Knife Pirates presented an ideal target to establish their dominance.

"Don't worry. Let's observe first," Mostima replied calmly. He focused his gaze on the tavern's entrance. Sitting at the bar, Teach was in clear view.

"Hey, didn't you hear? Are you deaf? Hurry up and get out. I've reserved this tavern!" Schiller's attention fixated on Teach, a wave of anger surged within him.

"Haha, can't you wait? The fried rice here is truly delicious. I'll be done soon. The rum is excellent too. Would you like to give it a try?" Teach smiled, picking up a bottle of rum and extending it towards Schiller, who stood behind him.

Schiller felt insulted. With a loud thud, the bottle slipped from Teach's grasp and shattered on the ground, splashing its contents onto Teach and forming a puddle.

(Easy level quiz time: What is this scene similar to from the canon guys?)

"Oh! That guy is in for it now. Schiller is about to lose it," the onlookers exclaimed.

"Well, the floor is wet now. Doyle, do you have a rag? Let me clean it up for you," Teach said to Doyle.

"No need, I'll take care of it," Doyle shook his head, casting a meaningful glance at Teach. "Haha, thank you. After all, I'm the one who got dirty," Teach replied with a smile.

"If I don't eat the fried rice, it'll get cold, and it won't taste as good," Teach scooped the fried rice from the floor into the bowl, spoonful by spoonful. "This is the little girl's hard work. Besides, wasting food is shameful."

Teach chuckled as he filled the plate with the fried rice from the floor, taking spoonfuls and savoring the taste. The onlookers, both inside and outside the tavern, stared in disbelief.

"How could he eat that?"

A smile spread across Teach's face as he chewed, relishing each mouthful. "It still tastes great. This really is the best fried rice I've ever had."

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Note: Dang did this make me feel nostalgic, obviously reminded me of the Shanks and Luffy's scene from the anime..