The Gate of All Worlds had remained remarkably quiet for weeks, making the recent influx of visitors feel almost overwhelming by comparison. Today had brought an unexpected rush—a passenger ship from distant waters had docked specifically at Windmill Village, drawn by the Bamboo Staff's growing reputation across the East Blue.
Gustave found himself genuinely busy for the first time in months, coordinating with Makino's tavern to serve the steady stream of customers who'd made pilgrimage specifically to experience his legendary cuisine. The strategic partnership between ship and shore establishment proved its worth as guests flowed between venues, sampling both culinary artistry and local beverages.
By evening's end, after the last satisfied customer had departed, exhaustion weighed heavily on everyone involved.
"Ugh, I'm completely wiped out!" Luo Luo groaned, rolling his shoulders to work out the knots of fatigue. "Hot Wheels abandoned us hours ago, leaving Makino and me to handle everything!"
The boy's complaint carried justified irritation. His mechanical partner had vanished midway through the dinner rush, offering transparent excuses about being "too tired to continue."
"You should dock his pay," Luffy suggested with righteous indignation. "That coward actually told me you gave him permission to leave early because he looked exhausted. Complete lie!"
During Luo Luo's extended stay aboard the Bamboo Staff, he and Luffy had developed genuine friendship despite their age similarity being their only obvious common ground. Their bond had been forged through shared gaming sessions, though Luffy's talent for digital entertainment remained... questionable at best.
Luffy's determination to improve his skills led to frequent requests for tutoring, and as any gamer knew, virtual challenges created the fastest route to camaraderie. Now the two were practically inseparable when circumstances allowed.
"Hot Wheels!" Luo Luo's face darkened with betrayal. "That coward is going to get a piece of my mind!"
"Let's go confront him!" Luffy declared with the righteous fury of youth. "He can't just abandon his responsibilities!"
The two boys charged up the stairwells toward the guest quarters, their indignation fueling rapid ascent toward what promised to be a memorable confrontation.
On the third floor, near the shimmering Gate of All Worlds, a figure stood in quiet contemplation of his surroundings. The newcomer wore practical urban clothing—a thick sweater beneath a heavy coat, his hood drawn up against some chill that existed more in habit than current necessity.
The sound of approaching footsteps drew his attention just as Luffy burst from the stairwell at full speed, Luo Luo close behind.
"Ah! A new guest!" Luffy's sharp eyes immediately identified the stranger's presence.
The hooded figure turned with calm interest, his face revealing pleasant features and an easy smile that spoke of someone comfortable with unexpected encounters.
"Hello," he said warmly, extending his hand in friendly greeting. "My name is Ye Xiu. Could you tell me where I am?"
Instead of responding, Luffy spun on his heel and bolted back toward the stairs, his voice echoing through the ship's corridors: "Uncle Gustave! New guest! Someone come quick!"
Ye Xiu scratched his head with mild amusement. The boy's energy was impressive, if somewhat misdirected. At least his companion seemed more composed.
"Sorry about Luffy," Luo Luo said with an apologetic smile, stepping forward to offer his own handshake. "He gets excited about new arrivals. I'm Luo Luo—nice to meet you, Brother Ye Xiu!"
"The pleasure's mine, Luo Luo."
As their hands met, neither could have predicted they were witnessing the convergence of two gaming prodigies from different worlds—a meeting that would prove significant in ways neither could imagine.
"Brother Ye Xiu, you asked where you are," Luo Luo continued with the practiced efficiency of someone who'd explained this many times. "This is the Bamboo Staff, a sea restaurant. That portal behind you is called the Gate of All Worlds—it connects different dimensions. I arrived here the same way you did, actually."
Ye Xiu absorbed this information with remarkable equanimity, nodding thoughtfully without displaying the shock or disbelief that typically accompanied such revelations.
Luo Luo found this composure unusual. His own arrival had been marked by extreme caution and no small amount of fear. Without Hot Wheels pushing him forward, he might have spent hours hesitating at the dimensional threshold.
"How did you end up here?" Luo Luo asked, curious about what could drive someone to step through an obviously supernatural portal.
"That's quite a story," Ye Xiu replied, his expression growing distant with recent memory.
The tale that emerged was one of passion, politics, and the harsh realities of professional gaming.
Ye Xiu had been captain of Excellent Era, one of the most prestigious teams in the competitive scene for "Glory"—a massively popular online game that had spawned entire industries around professional play. Despite his team's legendary status and his personal achievements, tonight had marked the end of an era.
Excellent Era's recent performance had declined, management blamed their captain's "inflexibility," and corporate interests had ultimately trumped competitive integrity. Ye Xiu's refusal to participate in commercial activities—endorsements, publicity events, the manufactured celebrity that funded modern esports—had made him a liability in boardroom eyes.
"They wanted a mascot more than a player," he explained with quiet resignation. "Someone to smile for cameras and sell merchandise. When I couldn't deliver profits beyond tournament winnings, I became expendable."
The situation reflected broader tensions within professional gaming. Most players began as passionate enthusiasts but gradually shifted toward profit-focused careers. Ye Xiu remained that rare individual who maintained pure love for the game itself, even at the cost of financial security.
"So they terminated your contract?" Luo Luo asked, his young voice carrying adult understanding of career disappointment.
"Forced retirement with a one-year non-compete clause," Ye Xiu confirmed. "I spent most of my savings helping former teammates transition to other opportunities. Had just enough left for an internet café all-nighter when I encountered that portal."
"Brother Ye Xiu, you're a professional gamer!" Luo Luo's eyes lit with genuine admiration. As runner-up in his school's "Robo-Troopers" championship, he understood the dedication required for high-level competitive play.
Different games, perhaps, but the fundamental passion transcended titles. Both were products of what older generations dismissively called "internet addiction"—though their skills suggested something far more sophisticated than simple obsession.
"Was a professional gamer," Ye Xiu corrected gently, reaching out to ruffle Luo Luo's hair with paternal affection. "Now I'm just someone who loves gaming."
The gesture reminded him of his own childhood, when dreams seemed unlimited and corporate politics were distant concerns.
"Uncle Gustave, hurry up!"
Luffy's voice echoed up the stairwell again, followed by rapid footsteps as he dragged the restaurant's proprietor toward their location.
"Hello, I'm Ye Xiu," the newcomer said, extending his hand as Gustave appeared.
"Ye Xiu... familiar name..." Gustave mused internally while maintaining his professional smile.
The man's appearance didn't immediately trigger recognition—unlike more visually distinctive guests like Luo Luo or Lin Jiu, Ye Xiu could have been any reasonably attractive urban professional. His clothing and demeanor spoke of contemporary city life rather than fantastic adventure.
"Welcome to the Bamboo Staff," Gustave replied warmly, accepting the handshake. "I'm Gustave, your host. We're honored to have you aboard."
"Brother Gustave!" Luo Luo interjected with excitement that broke his usual composure. "Brother Ye Xiu is amazing—he's a professional gamer!"
Professional gamer.
The phrase clicked into place like a key finding its lock. Gustave's mental database of fictional characters suddenly aligned with the figure before him—"The King's Avatar," competitive Glory scene, the legendary player who'd maintained his integrity despite industry pressures.