Chapter 300: The Floating Restaurant Baratie
Originally, Ian had estimated that he would be able to return to Shimotsuki Village in about a week.
However, man proposes, heaven disposes. On the second day, the East Blue experienced two consecutive days of overcast and rainy weather.
Although the wind and waves weren't strong, the dark clouds blocked out the sun, Ian's most reliable reference point for navigation. Coupled with the chaotic wind directions, by the time the weather finally cleared on the fourth day, Ian suddenly realized that he had been blown off course!
There was no helping it. That was just how it was on the sea. With the boundless, endless horizon and no reference points, it was very difficult to determine direction. Ian wasn't a navigator who carried a compass with him at all times. Sailing alone would inevitably lead to this kind of situation.
Forced to do so, Ian could only readjust his course and continue forward. However, this meant that the food he had taken from Hawkins's ship was no longer enough to last him.
Just as Ian was considering whether to take out a fishing rod and catch some fish to stock up, he suddenly noticed a dark shape on the distant sea surface that looked like a ship.
Ian's spirits lifted immediately. A ship was good news; he wouldn't have to worry about food anymore!
So, he quickly rowed his small boat toward the dark shape.
However, when he got closer, Ian looked at the ship ahead of him with some surprise.
It was indeed a ship, no doubt about it, but the problem was that it wasn't the pirate ship he had imagined.
If it were a pirate ship from some crew, Ian would have no qualms about robbing them. But the problem was that this ship looked very familiar to him!
It was a ship shaped like a giant fish head, with a round, plump hull divided into three levels. Around the ship, other vessels were moored—some pirate ships, some merchant ships.
This was the Floating Restaurant Baratie!!!
How had he gotten so far off course to end up here!? Ian looked at the ship with some bewilderment.
As he got closer, Ian could faintly smell the aroma of food wafting from the Baratie restaurant. It immediately made his stomach growl, and his mouth began to water uncontrollably.
Baratie was the most famous floating restaurant in the East Blue. The food made by the chefs here was bound to be incredibly delicious. No wonder just the smell alone could stir up Ian's appetite.
Forget it. Since he happened to end up here, he had to have a meal and try it out!
So, Ian couldn't help but row his small boat toward the Baratie restaurant. Finding an empty spot and mooring his boat, he climbed up the ladder along the ship's railing and stepped onto the third floor of the vessel.
As soon as he entered, Ian heard a melodious tune playing—a soft, jazzy little number. The restaurant was already filled with many guests, all of whom looked refined and elegant. In front of them were plates of exquisite food, and they were chatting and laughing as they dined.
At first glance, it seemed like a restaurant with a very chic, upscale atmosphere.
Thinking this, Ian took a step forward to go inside. But at that moment, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him.
This person was wearing a black suit, but his collar was open, and a cigarette dangled from his mouth, giving off a roguish, rebellious air. Ian looked up at his face and saw that he had blond hair, and in his bangs, a single curly eyebrow was visible.
Who else could it be but Sanji?
Although Ian had had a feeling he might see Sanji when he realized this was the Baratie restaurant, actually seeing Sanji appear before him still gave him a sense of unreality. He hadn't expected that, upon returning to the East Blue, the first person he would see would be this curly-browed guy...
Thinking this, Ian couldn't help but stare at Sanji's curly eyebrow for a bit too long. As a result, he started to feel a little dizzy...
Well, damn! So the legend was true! Staring at Sanji's eyebrow for too long really did have a hypnotic effect!
Seeing that Ian was staring at his eyebrow and starting to look dizzy, Sanji's forehead bulged with veins. Cigarette in his mouth, hands in his pockets, he leaned slightly toward Ian and asked in a less-than-friendly tone, "Customer, are you a pirate?"
Ian snapped out of it, looked at him, and smiled. "You could say that!"
At this time, Sanji was still quite young and immature. He didn't yet have the sexy stubble on his chin. That was why Ian found it amusing—even now, Sanji was still such a cocky bastard.
Sanji looked Ian up and down, his gaze pausing on the scabbard at Ian's waist, and then asked, "Since you're a pirate, you know the rules, right? Or is this your first time here?"
"It's my first time. What are the rules?" Ian asked with a smile, lifting his leg to step inside.
But Sanji blocked him, saying, "You can eat here, but remember one thing: don't cause any trouble!"
Ian looked around the restaurant. In the corner, he did see a group of pirate-looking guys, but in other seats, there were also a few Marines. The two groups seemed to be coexisting peacefully for the moment.
So Ian nodded and said, "Got it. Lead me in!"
Sanji looked behind Ian and asked with some surprise, "You came alone?"
"Is that not allowed?" Ian shot back.
It was a rhetorical question. Sanji could only gesture for Ian to enter.
However, it was clear that the Baratie restaurant was still cautious about pirates. Sanji led Ian in and seated him in a corner. The better seats in the middle were all occupied by wealthy-looking, well-dressed people.
Ian understood. A restaurant like this, floating on the sea, was a prime target for pirates. Most pirates were also rude and rowdy. The restaurant didn't want to disturb other guests, so seating him in a corner was only natural.
"What would you like to eat?" Sanji asked Ian, holding a pen and paper after seating him. He was both a chef and a waiter at the restaurant, and since it was busy, he was also serving customers.
You didn't even give me a menu and you expect me to order? Ian looked at Sanji speechlessly and could only say, "Any recommendations?"
"Creamy mushroom soup, parmesan and basil. The lobster is also fresh—want a serving?" Sanji asked him, cigarette in his mouth.
"Bring one of each!" Ian said. "And something to fill me up!"
Just then, a beautiful woman in a bohemian long dress at a middle table waved at Sanji and called out, "Waiter!"
In the next second, Sanji turned around and rushed over to her, hearts in his eyes. He bowed gallantly, hand on his chest, and said, "Hi! Lovely lady, what can I do for you?"
Ian's mouth hung open as he watched Sanji. He felt like cursing. Damn it! I haven't even finished ordering yet!?
Watching Sanji get completely smitten by the beautiful woman, Ian didn't know what to say. This pervy chef forgot everything the moment he saw a pretty face. Unless Ian punched him right now, there was no way he would come back to take Ian's order.
Ian could only wait. But as he watched Sanji's back, he couldn't help wondering how his own crew's chef, Matthew, compared to Sanji in cooking skills. He thought Matthew's cooking was pretty good, anyway.
After all, Matthew had been a royal chef back in the day!
Yeah, he decided. When that pervy chef Sanji finally brought out the food, he would give him a good ribbing... assuming Sanji was the one cooking it...
Fortunately, Sanji finally finished attending to the beautiful woman and came back to Ian's table.
And when facing a man, he put on that cocky face again. Without even asking for Ian's opinion, he scribbled down the order and said, "Alright, I'll add a seafood fried rice and a steak!"
Seeing that he was about to bolt again, Ian quickly stopped him and said with a grin, "You're one of the chefs here, right? I want you to cook my food!"
Sanji looked up at Ian and said, "I'm a waiter right now. There are other chefs cooking."
"I want the food you make!" Ian tapped the table with his finger. "What, can't your restaurant even fulfill a simple request like that?"
Sanji gave Ian a strange look but finally nodded. "Fine. Wait a moment."