Chapter 148: Sanji: The Battle for the King of the Sea, I'm Entering!

"What kind of cooking method could possibly produce such Golden Fried Rice?"

Sanji racked his brains, but he could not figure out how this fried rice was made.

"Shuchuan, Juxialou?"

"I have never heard of them; could it be that this isn't from the East Blue, but from some other sea or the Grand Line?"

The diners and chefs saw Sanji's reaction and were also moved.

The most likely explanation for a dish that could make a top-tier chef from the East Blue weep and concede defeat was the mysterious Grand Line.

"Even if it is delicious, how can a dish emit golden light?"

One chef raised a doubt, speculating: "I have heard of a type of Devil Fruit that grants all sorts of magical abilities after being eaten. Is it possible that the chef who made this dish ate a Devil Fruit related to food?"

He had been to the Grand Line with Zhepu, so he knew of the existence of Devil Fruits.

Fang Yi looked helpless.

This was a characteristic of the Pirate World; anything that could not be understood was blamed on Devil Fruits.

Upon hearing this,

Sanji also raised his curled eyebrows, revealing a look of inquiry and anticipation.

He had also heard rumors of Devil Fruits,

and if this were truly the product of a Devil Fruit, then such a dish would be completely meaningless. He would be very disappointed; at the end of the day, it would just be the power of a devil, which could not demonstrate a chef's true strength, let alone their level of mastery.

If he lost to a Devil Fruit rather than a specific chef, he could still retain his reputation and status as a top-tier chef.

However,

Sanji did not care about such empty fame. He was more hopeful that a chef could truly make such perfect food without a Devil Fruit. His spirit as a chef was to constantly pursue higher cooking techniques, create more delicious food, and see the happy expressions of the diners after eating his dishes.

Is it really a Devil Fruit?

Sanji could not help but hold his breath.

"It is not a Devil Fruit."

Fang Yi gave a definitive answer and said: "In another world without the conflict between Pirates and the Navy, there exists a Gourmet World capable of nurturing ultimate ingredients and deriving powerful cooking techniques."

"The cooks of the Gourmet World can no longer be called chefs; they should be called explorers!"

"Like some pirates who harbor dreams, they set out on journeys to find dangerous and powerful ingredients across the world,"

"beasts whose meat melts on the tongue and exudes a layer of oil, trees that bear delicious shrimp and crab meat all year round, springs that flow with an endless supply of mellow brandy—some ingredients are even more dangerous than Sea Kings..."

"And the dream of every cook is to personally capture these ingredients, cook ultimate delicacies, and complete their own Full Course Menu that defines their life's culinary achievements!"

Fang Yi's voice flowed slowly into everyone's ears.

Whether it was the world of Cooking Master Boy or the world of Toriko, both possessed extremely outstanding culinary skills and delicious ingredients. As long as they were cooks with the spirit of a chef, it was absolutely impossible to refuse after hearing this.

Sure enough,

Sanji was immersed in these words and could not extricate himself, muttering to himself: "Full Course Menu... that's right, a true cook should have their own Full Course Menu!"

To adventure across the world, find the rarest and most precious ingredients, and use the highest-level cooking techniques of one's life to complete a Full Course Menu.

This is the dream that all cooks should pursue!

In the face of such an exciting dream, it seemed that even the dream of finding the legendary sea was nothing more than a small goal!

"Are you joking? Another world?"

"Did I hear wrong? He didn't say the Grand Line, but another world?"

"This isn't some lie from Roland of the West Blue; how could there be another world!"

The crowd discussed it heatedly.

However, seeing Patty get kicked out and witnessing the unique charm of the Golden Fried Rice, their discussions were not loud, and they carried an attitude of skepticism.

Even in the Grand Line, where information is more abundant, most people would scoff at the idea of a Sky Island.

Let alone Fang Yi stating the existence of another world directly.

"I believe it!"

Sanji showed a serious expression. To be precise, he did not just believe; he was willing to pursue the unknown for the sake of a new dream.

Whether it was a Sky Island or another world, it did not matter.

A new dream: a Full Course Menu!

Sanji took a breath, then bowed deeply and pleaded: "Can you tell me the way to that other world?"

Since the other party could produce Golden Fried Rice and propose the idea of a Full Course Menu, he must have witnessed such a world with his own eyes.

Fang Yi shook his head slightly and asked: "It seems you are not yet prepared to complete a Full Course Menu."

Although it was a question, the tone was very certain.

It was as if he could see through the human heart.

Sanji showed a look of melancholy, then said firmly: "Yes, the Baratie Restaurant is my home, and the old man Zhepu has yet to acknowledge my skills, but one day I will set sail to find my own Full Course Menu..."

"One day?"

Suddenly, an old man wearing a chef's hat and limping, Zhepu, walked into the restaurant and mocked: "Instead of saying 'one day,' it would be better to say you won't set sail in this lifetime, because even in a hundred years, your culinary skills will never be acknowledged by me."

"Damn old man, you're being too arrogant!"

The chefs consciously made way for the head chef of the sea restaurant, Baratie.

He walked slowly to the table, bowed slightly to the seated Fang Yi, and then took out a soup spoon used for tasting, picking up the remnants of the Golden Fried Rice from the plate.

In an instant,

his whole body stiffened in place. After a long while, he came back to his senses and muttered: "So that's how it is."

Bang.

He kicked Sanji, sending him rolling away.

Sanji climbed up from the messy tables and chairs in a disheveled state and said angrily: "Old man, what on earth are you going crazy for?"

"Get lost."

Zhepu said mercilessly, "With your current skills, do you really think Baratie Restaurant will go out of business just because you leave?"

"If you want your culinary skills to be acknowledged by me, then set sail. When you can make a dish as good as this Golden Fried Rice, come stand before me again."

The chefs nearby were all silent.

If even Head Chef Zhepu has become like this, just how delicious is that Golden Fried Rice?

He did not make a sound.

Sanji stared intently at Zhepu, and after half a minute, he conceded, sneering, "Fine, since you said so, old man Zhepu, I've long wanted to leave this broken restaurant anyway!"

He looked at Fang Yi, his face full of the excitement and thrill of leaving Baratie Restaurant, and asked, "Sir, I am ready; I implore you to tell me the path to completing my Full Course Menu!"

"It's right there."

Fang Yi, as if he did not sense his emotions, pointed to the Den Den Mushi projection on the wall and said, "East Blue, that Game Trial Tower; inside it are items that can help you reach a higher realm of culinary skill."

"Very well!"

Sanji did not doubt him; after quickly packing his luggage, he stepped one foot onto the boat usually used for purchasing ingredients.

He did not even turn his head, seemingly having not the slightest attachment to Baratie Restaurant.

"Under the hatch cover, there are some tomatoes that are still fresh; don't forget to eat them."

Zhepu was expressionless, but in the end, he could not help but speak up.

"Damn old man, you're too long-winded!"

Sanji still did not turn back, but his voice, full of tears, came across: "It's just the East Blue; I can return to Baratie at any time. When I do, I will definitely snatch your position as head chef."

"Just you wait!"

(End of this chapter)