Arriving at Loguetown
Four days passed as the ship traveled continuously. The only thing that the people and the crew did was stand by and watch the sea as it slaps the ship. Many were getting listless. Some were still enthusiastic about learning how to sail, but that was the minority.
Many could be seen just trying how to find a way to amuse themselves. They were not allowed to play cards or any activity, they were all told to just watch and observe how the marines do their work.
The only thing that they could do was fishing, but even the fishing rods could be counted by hands. It was not even enough to make as an entertainment.
But there was still time when they looked forward to doing something. And that time was... eating time!
"Ah! Is it not lunch yet? Ah! I am getting hungry just thinking about it!" one of the men started scratching his head while imagining the taste that they savored in every meal for the past two days. It was just so unforgettable.
"Ah! Me too! Rai, is the food not done yet?!" Another man also shouted in frustration.
The crew also smiled wryly while taking a gulp. They did not want to humiliate themselves by acting like this new potential recruits. They also did not want to be scolded by their Sergeant Major.
But what they did not know was, their Sergeant Major Tashigi was also looking forward to the meals.
Two days ago, Rai finally had enough. He could not take it anymore, the food in this ship was garbage. He could not tolerate it anymore and stormed in the ship kitchen and nearly beat up those incompetent chefs. The only thing he lacked was a sharp tongue, and he would officially become the Gordon Ramsay in the One Piece World.
He saw them waste ingredients which infuriated him even more. It was an attitude that was suddenly and permanently engraved in his bones when he got the Advanced Cooking Skills just several days ago.
Since then, he took over the kitchen. In just a little over an hour, he was able to cook 100 portions of food with no materials wasted. The kitchen crew also admitted their defeat and wanted Rai to to teach them how to cook.
Of course, with Rai's attitude, he said... no.
How can he possibly waste his idle time and teach this ingrates how to cook?! Furthermore, he did not want to stand out too much, he was not planning on joining the marines. Although joining the navy did have many benefits, his movements will be limited. His position as a new recruit would not allow him to defy the orders of the higher ranks.
He did not even have much strength, he was just a normal teenager. But with his knowledge of what was going to happen next, he could use that to his advantage.
...
"Shu!" Bam! "Shu! Shu!" Bam Bam!
Rai kept hitting the recently made punching bag with a great rhythm. His foot also kept bouncing with his rhythm. It created a good sound that echoed in the small room. The sweat in his body and the manly scent he was exuding could charm women.
If went on for 10 minutes before he finally stopped.
"It's about time I cook." He smiled and unwrapped the bondage on his arms. He also took down the makeshift punching bag that he requested for the crew to make. Just yesterday, he conquered this large room, which was also the storage room. Of course it also came with a price, he had to cook the food of the crew everyday.
Of course he took the chance. It would be a waste not to do so, considering that he was not comfortable training while other people watched him.
He went out from the room and took a refreshing shower. He then went to the kitchen and started chopping and cooking. This ship is actually a gigantic. It was a navy ship, were boat parties are held, so it's interior was quite luxurious and had wider rooms than other ships.
With fluid movements, he hummed a tune with a slight smile. The other chefs just watched him do the cooking while trying to learn something.
"OOH! Amazing!" one of the 12 chefs exclaimed.
"Heh! I can do that too!" Another butted in. But everyone knew he was just spouting nonsense.
"I will try that move later, it looks cool and sophisticated." Said another in a classy manner.
Rai just ignored them and tried his very best to perfect the dishes. Although he indeed have the skills, he did not have a palate of his own. He was just cooking what the chefs made when he fisrt boarded the ship, the difference was, he cooked them to perfection.
Just like that, the food was prepared and the starving crew ate with delight.
...
The days passed like it usually did and another days passed.
"Ready the anchor! Roll the sails!" as the acting captain, our Sergeant Major Tashigi gave precise orders. As valiantly as she could, she shouted on top or her lungs while pointing her hands casuing her twin peaks to shine even brighter.
Just like that, they reached Loguetown. The last island to cross before anybody reaches the Reverse Mountain.
The dock was bustling with activity and many people were going to and fro. Ships also came and departed.
"Those new recruits, follow me! Wrap up things before returning to your stations!" With a final command, our Sergeant Major Tashigi took the and went down from the ship.
"Wow! So this is the famous Loguetown! I wanna go and see the gallows." a man said excitedly.
"Yeah! I also wanna see where Gold Roger was executed!"
As for Rai, he was looking around nervously. With a poker face, he let the others go first before he jumped down from the ship. He tailed the group and tried to keep his profile very low. He did not speak and just kept following the group.
But nobody noticed his steps getting slower and slower and slower. As they neared the entrance, Rai hid behind a house before retrieving a cloak and instantly wore it. His face was perfectly hidden.
He stayed behind for 5 minutes just to make sure that the others won't easily find him if ever they tried looking. But still, Rai knew that people in the One Piece World are idiots. They would not notice him without trying hard.
Finally, he decided to enter. His figure was easily drowned by the crowd, he blended with the people perfectly.
After a few minutes of walking, he finally reached the execution site of Loguetown, where the Pirate King was executed. The man who left a legend. The one who found One Piece, the MAN, the MYTH, the LEGEND; Gol D Roger!
He suddenly shivered in excitement. He stared at the execution platform for some minutes before smiling to himself.
'Haha! You'll see, I will surely leave this world with a legend of my own.' With that, he walked out from the large execution space and followed the road. He wanted to find an inn to stay in before he roams this island.
He read the signs and finally found an inn.
"Boss, how much for a room?" Rai asked the fat middle aged man who was seating on a corner while reading a newspaper.
"1,000 for a night." The boss put down the newspaper and looked at Rai.
"Okay, then I will rent a room for a month." Rai straightforwardly answered. And the boss was also smiled wildly. He liked this kind of customers the most.
Rai went to the small counter and paid thirty thousand bellies that he prepared earlier. He would surely get in trouble if they find out he had the ability to store things.
"Welcome! Young man, what is your name?" the boss asked and took a pen and paper from the drawer. It was a log book.
"Rai Kiri." He wrote Rai's name then tossed a key to him and said,
"Here, third floor, room 302." Rai took the key and ascended the stairs. This was a 4 story building, and it was also quite wide.
The room was wide, neat and simple. A single bed, a table with a lamp, a chair and an empty closet.
He checked the bathroom and it was nice, tidy, and did not smell bad. He immediately stripped himself down and started to shower. He donned the clothes he stored in his inventory and walked out of the building.
He now forgot the issue with joining the navy. Even if he tricked them, it should not be that big of a violation. Furthermore, he cooked for the crew for 6 days, it should be enough as payment.
The street was full of people and Rai was practically looking around.
'Ooh! a beauty. Another one! Damn, that woman sure looks very sexy. Oh? A trap?' Rai kept turning his head around like a country bumpkin. It was not that he had not seen an amazing town like this, and to be honest, the cities in his previous life were more impressive. And it was not like he had not seen beauties either.
He had seen countless of those models, actresses and many others. It was only because this was a new experience for him. It was a refreshing new experience.
The people here and the people on the Goa Kingdom were vastly different. In here, there was no discrimination, no nobility status. You will only be counted as a normal man here. Only those with power will have the guts to cause trouble here. This was an island that had not let any pirate cross the Reverse mountain. And it is under the leadership of Captain Smoker. Who would dare to cause trouble?!
...
"You still can not find him?" Hearing the petty officer in front of her, Tashigi got angry.
"No, Sergeant Major! We searched for him everywhere, but we could not find him in the town." The petty officer replied. Sweat trickled down his forehead when he saw how angry Tashigi got.
"Continue searching for him!" Tashigi ordered.
The petty officer was about to acknowledge the order, but a voice interrupted.
"Don't bother! Why bother to force him when he clearly does not want to?" Smoker who was by the window puffed the pair of cigar in his mouth.
"But-"
"Do you really want to destroy our reputation just to rope in a cook?" Smoker said before Tashigi was able to reply. "Just let him be." With another puff of his cigar, the matter was instantly settled.