"What? You're saying these shabby jars can bring up items that boost cooking? Is that for real?"
Sanji had barely stepped aboard when he heard that the so-called cooking booster was just these jars. Suspicion crept across his face.
Seeing him waver, Amon refused to let this sale slip through his fingers. Who knew when another perfect opening like this would come along?
"Of course it's real. My own cooking came out of these jars. Don't you want to level up your skills so that old geezer you mentioned finally looks at you with respect?"
As he spoke, Amon flicked a knife into motion. A fish still flopping on the deck was filleted into pristine portions in a few swift cuts. Sanji's heart stirred at the sight, though doubt still clung to him. It all sounded too good to be true.
"Mr Amon, can these jars really produce things that improve cooking?"
"Why would I lie? If you weren't the Baratie's superstar chef, I wouldn't even sell to you."
"And let me tell you, besides kitchen upgrades, these jars can spit out some very unexpected surprises."
Amon leaned in and murmured a few private words into Sanji's ear.
Sanji's ears flushed scarlet. He straightened and declared with righteous dignity, "I'm not that kind of guy!"
"In that case, forget it. If you don't trust me, I'll go sell to someone else. I'm sure there'll be plenty of takers for those beach pinup photobooks."
Amon eyed him with a knowing half-smile.
"Ahem, wait, don't. Mr Amon, are you sure they can really produce that… kind of thing?" The moment Amon pulled the offer, Sanji panicked.
He'd been praised to the heavens and his curiosity was buzzing. He wanted to try.
"Absolutely. In the name of the head chef." Amon nodded the moment he sensed Sanji was hooked.
He wasn't lying either. His own cooking skill had come from a jar. Whether Sanji could draw something similar would come down to fate.
"All right, I'll buy." Sanji grit his teeth. "How much for one?"
The instant Sanji committed, Amon's heart leapt. He held up one finger. "Cheap. Only one hundred thousand Berries."
"One hundred thousand! That much for a single junky jar?" Sanji shot upright. As an apprentice at the restaurant, he made about that much in an entire year. Paying a year's wage for a jar felt outrageous.
"Hold it. This isn't junk. It's a miracle jar that can pull treasures. Think about it: if you open advanced culinary skill, you'll earn it back in a year, no, a month."
"Berries just sit there, they don't breed more Berries. But if you invest in a jar, it pays for itself."
"And a hundred thousand isn't much for a superstar chef like you. Don't tell me you don't even have that?"
Under Amon's skeptical look, Sanji flustered and puffed himself up. "Nonsense, of course I have a hundred thousand!"
"I just didn't bring it with me. Wait here, I'll go grab it. I'm opening a jar today."
What a kid. One prod and Sanji was charging headfirst. Amon watched him dash off and smiled.
Children really were easy to work with. Once Sanji cracked a jar, he'd advertise for free. After that, customers would line up on their own. Not his first rodeo.
Sanji left quick and came back quicker. In just a few minutes he returned with a fat stack of Berries.
"Here's one hundred thousand, count it."
"No need. I trust a head chef wouldn't cheat me."
Amon slipped the money into his bag, lifted a jar from the rack, and handed it over with a grin. "Head Chef, this one's yours. May you draw something great. Good luck."
Sanji cradled the jar and examined it from every angle, finding nothing special to the eye. "Can this really open up treasure?"
"Of course. If your luck is good, you'll pull a cooking upgrade. And yes, the beach photobook is also on the table."
Busted, Sanji's face pinked. He lifted the jar and forced a casual tone. "So how do I open it?"
"Simple. Just smash it. I've got a little hammer for you."
He passed over a small tool hammer. Sanji took it, hesitated a beat, then firmed his grip. He set the jar down, raised the hammer, and brought it down.
Clang!
The jar shattered in a crisp ring. For an instant, a brilliant gold light flashed.
When the glow faded, several strange items lay revealed before Sanji's eyes.