A cook, vice-captain of the Rocks Pirates?

"Roger, you're still as good with words as ever!"

"it is good!"

Newgate patted the gunwale: "Since you brought wine, we should naturally serve you the best food!"

He turned his head and looked towards the kitchen.

"Raine, did you hear that? We have distinguished guests arriving. Prepare for a banquet!"

"understood."

A calm voice came from the kitchen, accompanied by a faint yet invigorating aroma that was enough to lift the spirits of everyone present.

Raine didn't come out, but everyone knew that a king's banquet was about to begin.

The king's banquet had no elaborate etiquette or lavish venue.

The two legendary ships were moored side by side on the nameless sea, their decks serving as makeshift dining tables, with the sky and ocean as their most magnificent backdrop.

When Newgate agreed to Roger's absurd proposal, the atmosphere on both ships instantly transformed from tense and confrontational to a lively party preparation scene.

Roger's crew carried barrels of top-quality wines from all over the world onto the deck. The rich aroma of the wines, mixed with the sea breeze, made people drunk even before they took a sip.

Meanwhile, the Whitebeard Pirates, under Rein's command, were preparing the ingredients in an orderly manner.

Gats and Oden, two battle maniacs, were sent to the sea to catch the freshest Sea Kings.

The two dived into the deep sea in a race-like manner, and soon floated to the surface, dragging a giant octopus the size of a small island and an electric eel flashing with lightning, eliciting gasps of surprise from the crew on Roger's ship.

Dorum then used his shipwright skills to temporarily build a wide and sturdy bridge between the two ships using spare alloy plates and memory wood, facilitating the movement of people between the two sides.

Rennes' kitchen became the absolute center of the banquet.

He didn't refuse the Roger Pirates' curiosity; instead, he generously opened the kitchen door.

Chapter 191 The King's Banquet

When Roger, Rayleigh, and the rest of Roger's crew entered the seemingly ordinary yet mysterious kitchen, everyone was stunned.

There were no mountains of delicacies inside; all the ingredients were processed in an orderly manner and placed in temperature-controlled storage cabinets made of sea stone and special alloys.

The various uniquely shaped kitchen utensils gleamed with a cold metallic luster. Each piece seemed like a killing weapon born for war, yet Renn used them as if they were extensions of his own body, full of artistic beauty.

"Wow! Mr. Rayleigh, look at that pot! It's stirring itself!"

Red-nosed Bucky pointed at the octopus-shaped frying pan robot, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets in astonishment.

"Quiet down, Bucky, don't act like a country bumpkin."

Shanks whispered a reminder from the side, but his gaze was also deeply drawn to everything in the kitchen.

Rayleigh didn't speak; he simply watched the young man busily working at the stove.

Renn's movements were fluid and effortless, without a trace of frivolity.

He would sometimes use a kitchen knife as thin as a cicada's wing to slice the giant octopus tentacles into even slices, and at other times he would massage the giant electric eel with an unknown spice powder.

The focused expression on his face made it seem as if he wasn't cooking, but performing a sacred ritual.

Rayleigh could clearly sense a peculiar energy emanating from Rein. It was invisible and intangible, yet it seemed to resonate with all the ingredients, unleashing their deepest flavors and potential.

"This chef... is really getting more and more impressive."

Ridley thought to himself that he now had a completely new understanding of Newgate's words, "My head chef."

The banquet officially began amidst a deafening cheer.

Ryan didn't make any fancy dishes; he simply used the simplest and most unrestrained methods to bring out the most original and delicious flavors of the ingredients.

The giant octopus tentacles were made into teppanyaki, sizzling on the hot iron plate, brushed with a secret sauce, and sprinkled with flaming Sichuan peppercorns. The domineering aroma was enough to make even the most steadfast ascetic drool.

The electric eel, crackling with lightning, was skewered whole and roasted with the purest blue flames provided by Marco the Phoenix. The energy of the lightning, catalyzed by the flames, was transformed into a peculiar, delicious taste that made the tongue tingle.

"Hahaha! Delicious! So delicious!"

Roger was the first to pick up a piece of octopus leg that was grilled to a crispy perfection. He took a big bite, and the chewy, smooth texture and the overwhelmingly delicious flavor made him burst into laughter.

"Newgate! You've got the luckiest guy ever! You actually managed to find such a great chef!"

"Gurglalalala! That's natural!"

Newgate also thoroughly enjoyed the meal, feeling that Ryan's cuisine was more precious than any treasure in the world.

The crew members of the two ships quickly became friends.

They are no longer enemies, but food buddies connected by delicious food and wine.

Gatz and Spark Jabba, a combatant on Roger's ship, were arm wrestling over the last piece of electric eel meat, and the deck beneath their feet groaned under their strain.

Oden then found Rayleigh. The two did not fight, but sat cross-legged, drinking wine and discussing swordsmanship. Sometimes they clapped and laughed, and sometimes they frowned. They seemed to have met too late in life.

Bucky Jr. and Shanks Jr. sneaked up to Ryan, trying to steal a piece of golden-brown breadfruit, but Ryan tapped them each on the head with a spoon, and they ran away looking aggrieved.

The deck was filled with laughter and joy, brimming with the purest, most unbridled boldness and freedom that belonged to pirates.

However, the climax of the banquet belonged to the two captains.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

Roger and Newgate simultaneously put down their food and stood up.

They exchanged a glance and both saw in each other's eyes a burning, unmatched fighting spirit.

"Newgate, just eating and drinking is too boring."

Roger grinned and drew the sword from his waist.

"Let's stretch our muscles!"

"Gurarararar! Just what I wanted!"

Newgate also picked up a naginata.

boom!

The two figures vanished from their original positions in an instant, and the next second, they collided with a loud crash in mid-air between the two ships!

The clash of blades, the battle of Conqueror's Haki, tore a huge hole in the clouds, and black and red lightning danced wildly like a raging dragon.

However, there was no murderous intent on their faces, only the exhilarating joy of meeting a worthy opponent!

This is the king's banquet.

There's the strongest liquor, the finest meat, and... the most exhilarating battles!

Raine stood calmly in the kitchen doorway, watching everything unfold, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips.

……

Night fell silently, enveloping the boisterous feast.

The campfire was lit, its orange flames illuminating faces flushed from alcohol and food, as well as the two figures in the sky that seemed to be constantly clashing like demons.

As the night deepened and all was quiet, the boisterous banquet finally came to an end.

Most of the crew members were already completely drunk, lying sprawled on the deck, snoring loudly like a majestic symphony.

Gatz and Spark Jabba even fell asleep hugging the barrel, with satisfied grins on their faces.

Only a few people remained conscious.

At the bow of the New Moby Dick, Roger, Newgate, and Ryan sat side by side, with several empty barrels at their feet.

A cool sea breeze swept by, dispersing the rich aroma of wine and meat in the air and bringing a rare moment of tranquility.

"Phew...that felt great!"

Roger downed the last sip of his drink, let out a satisfied burp, and looked at the two very different men beside him, his face still bearing that carefree and unrestrained smile.

“Newgate, your ship is getting more and more interesting. Not only do you have samurai from Wano Country, but you also have a chef who can turn a battle into a feast.”

Newgate just grinned but didn't reply.

He knew that wasn't what Roger really wanted to ask.

Sure enough, Roger changed the subject, and a hint of curiosity and confusion appeared in his eyes, which always shone with an adventurous light.

“However, I still don’t understand, Newgate. With your strength and ambition, no one on this ocean is more qualified than you to compete for that throne.”

"But the newspapers say you gave up, and your goal has become to travel the world in search of delicious food? This doesn't sound like the Edward Newgate I know would make such a decision."

Roger's gaze swept back and forth between Newgate and Ryan. He could sense that the key to this shift lay in the young chef who had remained unusually calm throughout.

Upon hearing this question, Newgate and Ryan exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of a smile in each other's eyes—a tacit understanding that needed no words.

------

Okay, that's all for today. No need to wait any longer. If you have time, please watch this post out of love and give me some encouragement! ~~~

Chapter 192 The Exchange Between the Three

Newgate didn't answer immediately. He picked up a half-full barrel of liquor next to him, tilted his head back, and took a big gulp, letting the spicy liquor slide down his chin and wet his shirt.

"king?"

He repeated the word in a low voice, a hint of mockery mixed with a sense of relief.

"Gurarararar... Roger, what do you think a king is?"

Roger was taken aback; he hadn't expected Newgate to ask him a question in return.

He thought for a moment and said matter-of-factly, "The King is, of course, the one who stands at the pinnacle of all pirates, the man who finds the final island, uncovers the truth of the world, and possesses all the wealth, fame, and power in the world!"

This is the consensus of all pirates on this sea, and it is also the goal he is pursuing.

"is it?"

Newgate shook his head, stretched out his huge hand, pointed to his family members lying on the ground behind him, sleeping soundly without any regard for their image, and then pointed to the wide and comfortable throne beneath him, made of shape memory alloy and sea king leather.

"To me, the king is not that cold, final throne that needs to be built with countless blood and bones."

His voice became incredibly deep, yet full of power.

"The king is someone who can provide a safe haven for these homeless bastards to drink and laugh without worry."

"My kingdom is on this ship, my family is my most precious treasure, and this seat allows me to watch them frolic, to drink the strongest liquor, and to eat the finest food..."

Newgate slammed his hand on the seat beneath him.

"This is my only throne."

These words plunged Roger into a long silence.

He looked at Newgate's face, which was filled with satisfaction and pride, and was deeply moved.

He had been searching for the end of the sea, for that elusive ONE PIECE, but he never imagined that someone had already found their own ultimate treasure in their own way.

"As for gourmets..."

Newgate laughed again, glancing at Ryan beside him.

"You'll have to ask our head chef. He's the one who made me realize that there are many ways to conquer the world. Using force is one way, and using food is another."

"Moreover, the latter is obviously more interesting."

Renn glanced at the two of them and smiled.

He finally spoke, his voice calm and even, as if stating a very simple fact.

"For a chef, the sense of accomplishment of seeing diners smile with satisfaction because of his cooking is far more delightful than any treasure."

"Especially when your diners are a bunch of monsters, watching them eat and drink their fill and then wreak havoc on the world gives you the illusion of... controlling everything from behind the scenes."

These words made Roger and Newgate burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! You little rascal, you're quite the oddball!"

Roger pointed at Ryan and laughed, "But I like it!"

The conversation between the three did not last long, but it felt like a profound exchange of souls.

Roger finally understood Newgate's choice and became even more determined to follow his own path.

Every king has his own way of living.