On a small island, surrounded by the sea, spanning dozens of square kilometers.
In the slightly dilapidated wooden kitchen, hot oil crackled in the iron pot, and the rich aroma of meat, mixed with the spiciness of spices, Domineeringly occupied the entire space.
A few brave villagers hid behind nearby trees, peeking out, looking towards the only simple restaurant at the village entrance.
At the restaurant's entrance, a tall man with wild black hair was tapping his knuckles on the table, making a dull sound.
The plate on the table was licked clean, not a single drop of sauce remaining.
“Hey, kid.”
The man’s voice was rough, carrying an irresistible sense of oppression.
“Your cooking is very good.”
Reyn, only eight years old, calmly wiped the chef’s knife in his hand, its blade reflecting his young, yet unusually steady face.
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“Hahahaha…”
The man suddenly burst into deafening laughter, startling the seabirds under the eaves, which flapped their wings and flew into the distance.
“Be my chef!”
He wasn't asking; he was announcing a predetermined fact.
“Come out to sea with me. My name is Rocks, Rocks D. Xebec.”
Rocks.
Reyn’s knife-wiping motion paused for a moment.
This name, in the coming decades, would become the nightmare of the entire world.
He nearly became the King of the World, a legend that only the Marine and Roger combined could defeat.
But now, Rocks was still very young, just a rookie Pirate who had just set sail, with a few crew members and a broken ship.
【Detecting critical choice for Host: An invitation from the future Sea Overlord.】
【Option One: Refuse Rocks. Reward: 500 Cooking Points, Marine Six Powers: Iron Body proficiency (Beginner).】
【Option Two: Accept Rocks’ offer, become the chef of the Rocks Pirates. Reward: 2000 Cooking Points, unlock new ingredient catalog: Grand Line (Early Stage), receive exclusive reward: Infinite Seasoning Bottle.】
【God-tier Cooking System】
【Host: Reyn D. Xebec】
【Cooking Level: Top-tier (45000 / 200000)】
【Medical Skill Level: Excellent】
【Cooking Points: 8500】
In Reyn’s mind, the system’s prompt was crystal clear.
His cooking skill had been stuck at the Fine-grade for a long time.
In his mind, some images emerged.
It had been eight years since he was reborn into the world of Pirate King.
Reyn was an orphan, his parents unknown. An old man in the village found and adopted Reyn.
Unexpectedly, this body’s talent was quite good, and he even possessed innate Observation Haki. At the age of eight, he defeated a Pirate with an eight-million-bounty who came to the village to steal things.
Most importantly, Reyn was also bound to a God-tier Cooking System.
This system divided cooking skills into General, Fine, Excellent, Top-tier, Master, Peerless, and God-tier.
Each time he cooked, based on the taste and difficulty of the dish, he would receive corresponding experience and Cooking Points. The better the food tasted and the higher the difficulty, the more experience and Cooking Points he would gain.
Each time he advanced a cooking level, he would receive an exclusive reward. At the same time, these Cooking Points could be used to purchase various items in the system store.
Physical techniques, weapons, Three Types of Haki, Marine Six Powers, famous swords… and so on, countless varieties…
It would also periodically issue tasks related to improving Reyn’s cooking, and upon completion, he would receive rewards.
Unfortunately, the ingredients on this small island, and even in the nearby sea, could no longer bring him more experience.
To advance, to become stronger, he had to go to a wider world and seek out top-tier ingredients.
The sea was the ultimate treasure trove for all chefs.
And Rocks’ ship was undoubtedly the fastest vessel to that treasure trove.
“Why should I go out to sea with a Pirate like you?”
Reyn spoke, his tone not like a child’s, but rather like an adult negotiating.
Rocks grinned, revealing a wild smile.
“Because your dishes are only fit for the future King of the Sea, not for these villagers in this backwater who can’t even afford meat.”
His words were direct and harsh, causing expressions of humiliation and anger to appear on the faces of the villagers peeking from afar.
“Reyn! Don’t listen to him!”
An old but strong voice came from behind Reyn.
The old man who adopted Reyn walked out, leaning on a wooden staff, his steps faltering. His wrinkled face was filled with vigilance and unease.
He spread his arms, shielding Reyn behind him, his cloudy eyes fixed on Rocks.
“Pirates are all inhumane bastards! They only rob, they only kill! You won’t take away our village’s hope!”
The old man watched Reyn grow up; he knew how extraordinary this child was.
A month ago, eight-year-old Reyn defeated a Pirate with an eight-million-bounty who wanted to steal things on the island. This talent should not be buried on a pirate ship.
Rocks’ smile receded somewhat. He looked at the old man standing in front of him.
He wasn’t angry; instead, he found it somewhat amusing.
“Old man, this isn’t something you can decide.”
Rocks looked past the old man, towards Reyn.
“Kid, tell me your answer.”
“Come with me, and I can show you the world’s most precious ingredients, challenge the strongest sea beasts, and taste flavors that exist only in legends.”
“Stay here, and you’ll spend your life tending this little broken shop, making grilled fish for these poor people.”
The atmosphere solidified at that moment.
The sea breeze seemed to stop blowing.
Everyone’s attention was focused on the child, who was only eight years old.
Reyn stepped out from behind the old man.
First, he looked up at the old man, whose eyes were full of pleading and worry.
Then, Reyn turned to Rocks, his gaze completely different, filled with calmness and determination.
“I need to prepare.”
As soon as these words left his mouth, the old man’s body trembled violently, his wooden staff almost slipping from his grasp.
“Reyn! You…”
“Grandpa.”
Reyn interrupted the old man, and this address added a touch of warmth to his voice.
“When you found me, I had nothing. It was you and the villagers who raised me, with every meal and every drink. I will never forget this kindness.”
He paused, then Reyn’s voice became even clearer.
“But this place is too small. My goal is to create dishes that can make even gods fall in love. To achieve this, I must go out to the sea.”
There was no hesitation in Reyn’s words; that level of resolve, beyond his age, shocked everyone present.
Rocks’ smile bloomed again; this time, it was from genuine admiration.
“Hahahaha! Good! Well said! This is what it means to be a crew member of Rocks D. Xebec!”
The old man’s lips moved, wanting to say something more, but it ultimately turned into a long sigh.
He understood Reyn.
Once this child made a decision, no one could change it.
Reyn said no more. He turned and walked into the small room behind the restaurant.
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