Baratie, the sea restaurant

Facing the sea breeze, Tang An begins his daily training.

However, this time, there's an addition-shave.

Push-ups, sit-ups, frog jumps, running a hundred laps around the pirate ship; after completing all the basics of military combat techniques, Tang An is already exhausted.

Feeling weak and drained, his body seems empty.

After a half-hour break, Tang An reluctantly gathers his energy to start practising shave.

Compared to the basics of military combat, shaving is simple, but in practice, it's exceptionally tricky.

Shaving relies entirely on leg strength; if the method is incorrect or doesn't meet the requirements, forced training may lead to disability.

"Step on ten times in 0.36 seconds or less."

Balancing on one leg, Tang An quickly taps the air with his right foot, but the result is far from ideal—almost a whole second.

It seems learning to shave successfully is a long and challenging journey.

Undeterred, Tang An continues to practice following the knowledge and techniques in his mind.

Switching to the left foot when the right one gets tired, he is determined to master shaving.

The next day, Tang An can barely get out of bed; his legs are numb, and it takes a while to regain sensation.

He continues the monotonous training.

First, fifty push-ups, sit-ups, and other basic exercises, then onto shaving.

Sweat is continuously poured out during the practice.

Two days pass like this.

During these two days, encountering a merchant ship, neither side initiates a conversation.

On the fourth day, a floating restaurant appears on Tang An's horizon.

Observing the restaurant with many ships around, Tang An, shirtless and sweating, muses, 'Baratie, the sea restaurant. Did I miss Zoro and Nami?'

According to the order of the Straw Hat Pirates boarding the ship, Luffy would first meet Zoro, then Nami, followed by Usopp, and finally, Sanji.

Zoro should be fine, currently learning swordsmanship in the Isshin Dojo in Shimotsuki Village.

Koushirou's a formidable swordsman; it's unrealistic to try to kill Zoro in front of him.

Moreover, Dragon could appear at any time in the dojo. If Dragon finds out he almost killed Luffy, wouldn't it be like jumping into the tiger's den?

This possibility is not non-existent.

So, killing Zoro is the most challenging, followed by Sanji. The difficulty is not small, with a formidable figure like Red-Leg Zeff behind him.

At least for Tang An, Roronoa Zoro is a big shot.

Impossible to provoke.

Considering Zeff easily shattering rocks and leaving footprints on steel plates, Tang An might not withstand even a single kick.

Calculating, the easiest to kill would be Usopp and Nami.

Usopp has already been shot in the head by himself, and Nami has now been missed.

He doesn't know if Arlong is in Orange Town.

Tang An isn't very clear about the specific timeline of One Piece, only remembering some key events.

Looking at the approaching sea restaurant, Tang An contemplates.

Since he's already here, there's no reason to pass by.

His current strength is too weak; continuing to drift on the sea is undoubtedly seeking death. These past few days without encountering pirates are like a stroke of luck.

Perhaps he should stay here for a while.

At least, he needs to successfully practice shaving. Only then will he have a bit of self-defence ability, and when he goes back, dealing with Zoro or Nami will undoubtedly have a higher success rate.

The only uncertainty is late-stage cancer; he doesn't know when it will take his life.

However, based on his feelings, surviving three or four months should not be a problem.

If it were a normal late-stage cancer, it would be impossible for someone like Tang An to train every day.

Thinking about it, Tang An is not indecisive.

But to be on the safe side, he needs to do one thing.

Tang An looks at Raphael beside him.

Since he chooses to stay in the sea restaurant for a while, Raphael is useless.

Raphael knows about the Goa Kingdom, and Tang An doesn't want to leave any traces.

If his identity is exposed because of Raphael, there will definitely be unexpected troubles later.

Even if there is no trouble, or if he overthinks things, caution can make him live longer in this distorted world.

"Raphael, come with me to move the alcohol and combustibles in the storage room."

Tang An turns and walks towards the cabin.

"Why move these things?"

Raphael is a bit confused.

"Burn down this ship."

Tang An doesn't conceal his thoughts.

After careful consideration, burning down this pirate ship is the best choice. What if the Revolutionary Army traces it back?

"Ah?"

Raphael is even more confused.

"I asked you to move, so move."

Tang An glares, his tone heavier.

Raphael doesn't say anything and starts to pour alcohol or gasoline in various places.

After everything is done, Tang An and Raphael stand breathless in the ship's corridor. There are two packages at their feet, filled with gold, silver, treasures, or Berries.

All of this was originally Bluejam's wealth.

But now it belongs to Tang An.

This money is more than enough to let him stay in the sea restaurant for a year without worrying about food and drink.

"Do you really want to burn it?"

Raphael looks at the corridor below, completely unaware that death is behind him.

"Bang!"

A Type 92 pistol appears in Tang An's hand. With the splattering of brain tissue and flesh on the back of the head, Tang An kicks Raphael down the corridor.

Taking out a lighter and casually throwing it down the corridor, Tang An leaves without looking back.

Behind him, the raging flames continue to spread. Tang An jumps onto a small wooden boat that can only be navigated with oars, gradually moving away from the pirate ship and getting closer to the sea restaurant.

Real men never look back.

"There's a ship on fire over there."

At this moment, on the sea restaurant, someone naturally sees the pirate ship with billowing flames and Tang An rowing on the sea.

After about ten minutes, Tang An paddles the small wooden boat to Baratie.

The entire sea restaurant is a giant ship with fish-shaped bowheads at both ends, covering a large area.

In the entire East Blue, Baratie is the most famous.

The entire sea restaurant follows the principle of "never wasting food" and has many armed combat chefs.

This force is not to be underestimated.

At least in the East Blue, not many pirates dare to cause trouble here.

"Welcome to Baratie."

The small boat has just docked in the exclusive small harbour, and waiters in chef uniforms offer assistance.

These waiters are not only chefs but also part-time combat members maintaining order in Baratie.

Most of them are pirates, but they were recruited by Zeff.

"Help me carry these two packages up."

Tang An takes out ten thousand Berries, serving as a tip.

"No problem."

"Would you like accommodation or meals, sir?"

"Arrange the best room for me."

They walked up the stairs to the main deck, where guests were sipping red wine along the ship's railing.

"Follow me, please."

The waiter, holding a package, believed it was all treasures based on his years of experience.

This was a big client.

Guided by the waiter, Tang An reached the topmost area, a room complete with a bathroom, balcony, and more.

However, the daily cost was high – fifty thousand berries just for accommodation, excluding other expenses.

With money not being an issue for Tang An, he naturally chose the best...