Back kitchen.
Most of the chefs' attention had been drawn to the fight between Krieg and Nami. After all, Krieg's behavior just now had seriously threatened everyone's safety.
Sanji, however, wasn't among them. He was busy dealing with the ever-pestering Carmen.
"Miss Carmen, I've said it again and again—I'm busy right now and don't have time for a cooking duel."
As a shameless flirt, Sanji usually attached himself to beautiful women, and he would never refuse a beauty's request. But it was work hours, and customers were waiting for the dishes he was making. Professionalism matters, okay?!!
Standing in front of him was Carmen, a famously beautiful chef from the East Blue. She had a vivid pink, explosive short afro—flamboyant and visually striking. A yellow ribbon across her forehead added a crisp touch. Her figure was tall and graceful, with striking curves—about a D cup. Carmen's first impression: hot-blooded, bold, and unconventional.
"No. You have to compete with me right now," Carmen said, hands on her hips, refusing to back down.
Ten years ago, she had happened to witness Sanji cooking and was completely won over by his skills. From then on, she secretly swore to defeat Sanji in culinary arts. After that brief encounter, there was no trace of him.
She searched for Sanji for a full ten years. In the meantime she immersed herself in culinary study, and with her exceptional talent, the name "Chef Carmen" quickly rose to fame. Everywhere she went she entered local cooking contests and crushed her opponents. Of course it wasn't for show—she hoped Sanji would be there so she could draw him out, spar with him, and finally defeat him. But heaven rarely grants what people wish.
As the ten years went by, Carmen's skills kept improving and her fame grew and grew, yet there was still no news of Sanji. On the verge of despair, she happened to hear from a guest that the sea restaurant Baratie served excellent food, even praised as the most delicious they'd ever eaten. Clinging to her last hope, Carmen came to the Baratie—and unexpectedly really did find Sanji. Which led to the scene before their eyes.
Ten years—she had searched for Sanji for ten whole years. How many sets of ten years does a life have?! If she couldn't defeat Sanji, it would be her life's greatest regret.
(Haha… In the original it really is like this—just to spar in cooking, Carmen searched for Sanji for ten years, but lost in the end.)
Right now, she couldn't wait even a minute—no, not even a second.
"Sanji, move it—table three ordered a whole table of dishes."
Patty pulled back the curtain and stuck his head in. Seeing Carmen pestering Sanji, he immediately looked annoyed.
"Miss Carmen, I understand how you feel, but it's working hours—please don't interfere with our business, okay?!"
"Once Sanji's finished, I promise he'll spar with you," Patty advised earnestly.
The guests at table three were big clients and had ordered lots of expensive dishes. They absolutely couldn't be neglected.
"Miss Carmen, Patty's right. After the restaurant closes, I promise I'll have a proper cooking duel with you, okay?!" Sanji said. "Besides, if you force me now, even if you win, it wouldn't be honorable, right?!"
Carmen gradually calmed down and finally nodded in agreement, ceasing her press. Sanji was right. She wanted to defeat him fair and square, not take advantage of him while he was distracted. She had indeed been a bit hasty.
"Fine, cook then—I'll help serve," Carmen offered to lend a hand.
Sanji didn't stop her.
…
Inside the restaurant, table three.
Kaya, Nami, and the other two women were whispering about women's matters. Reno wasn't interested and, bored, began observing his surroundings. As night fell, the sea restaurant grew lively and filled up. The little disturbance earlier hadn't affected the guests at all. Everyone praised the food to the skies, which only made Reno look forward to it more.
Although Makino and Nojiko's cooking was good, they weren't professionals. They might compare with ordinary chefs, but there was still a gap compared with the chefs of Baratie.
While Hawkeye hadn't carved his way in yet, he might as well enjoy the delicious food here and satisfy his taste buds. Eat his fill, then have a proper fight. Lovely.
"Here—my food's here!" Nami, knife and fork in hand and starving, had stars in her eyes.
Reno looked over, eyes shining as well. The difference was, Nami stared at the dish being carried over, whereas Reno stared at the person.
"Carmen?!" Reno was taken aback. There weren't many scenes of this sultry chef in the original work, but she's definitely a story-certified beauty, a woman who's spent her life pursuing culinary art. He hadn't expected to meet her here.
He didn't care why Carmen appeared. From the moment he set eyes on her, her fate was sealed.
"Thank you for waiting, guests. Please enjoy the food," Carmen said, setting the plates on the table. She smiled at them and turned back into the kitchen.
Nami's nose twitched and stars lit up in her eyes. "It smells amazing—so good. Everyone, I'm digging in first."
Kaya and the other two women also dug in heartily.
"Brother Reno, don't tell me you've got your eye on that beautiful chef just now?!"
Halfway through the meal, Kaya leaned close to Reno and asked in a whisper. But her voice didn't escape the ears of the other three.
"?!"
Feeling a bit full, Nami suddenly looked up, cheeks puffed angrily at Reno. "You've only met her once and you want to trick her onto the ship?!"
Nojiko and Makino quickly lowered their heads, pretending not to hear. Only Nami would dare say that.
Reno gave a wry smile. He hadn't said a single word, had he?!
No… Nami had actually guessed right. But it was a misunderstanding—really!!
There are thousands upon thousands of beauties on the seas; who knows how many he's met along the way. If nothing else, right here in the Baratie there were a dozen or so beauties, one or two even no less attractive than Nami. But one glance and Reno lost interest; he only wanted women tied to the plot. And Carmen happened to be one of them. So he could only be ruthless with the flower.
...