Chapter 135: Three Months

It had been about half a month since they arrived on Monmon Island.

During this time, they had eaten Gaban's food, worn Gaban's clothes, and lived in Gaban's home.

Because of this, Sol had been holding back from bringing up his true intentions.

Until today, when Sol finally couldn't hold it in any longer and brought it up—only to discover that Gaban had already prepared for it in advance.

Seeing the large pot in Gaya's hands, Sol felt deeply moved. It hadn't been in vain, all these years of camaraderie.

"Gaban, you…"

Sol wanted to thank him, but no words of gratitude could compare to a concrete action.

So—

Smooch!

Sol leaned in and planted a loud, wet kiss on Gaban's cheek.

Feeling the moist sensation on his face, Gaban froze for a moment.

"You bastard!"

When he came to his senses, Gaban immediately kicked Sol off the rock, then rolled up his sleeve and fiercely wiped his face.

Sol chuckled shamelessly as he got up, completely unfazed.

At that moment, Gaya approached.

She had seen Sol's antics but didn't react much. Instead, she calmly placed the large iron pot on the grass.

Sol ignored Gaban's exaggerated reaction.

It wasn't like he hadn't brushed his teeth this morning before kissing him; no big deal.

Muttering to himself, Sol walked over to the pot, rubbing his hands excitedly.

"Gaya, you know about 'nutritional cuisine' too?"

"I know a bit."

Gaya's eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled.

Sol assumed Gaya was just being modest. Relieved, he called out to Maude.

"Hey, brat! Time to eat!"

"Coming!"

Maude shouted back, slowly getting up. He untied the ropes and placed the heavy stone he'd been carrying on the ground nearby.

Wiping the sweat off his face, he walked over to the pot.

"Smells amazing."

Even before lifting the lid, Maude was hit by the rich aroma.

"Sis Gaya, what's cooking today?"

"Just some simple lamb stew."

Gaya smiled at Maude before lifting the lid.

A burst of fragrant steam escaped from the pot. Once it dissipated, it revealed a pot full of lamb stew.

The translucent, amber-colored broth clung to the tender chunks of lamb. Flecks of green herbs dotted the surface, adding a glimmering touch.

Seeing the stew, Maude and Sol's eyes lit up.

The aroma alone was enough to awaken their appetites, and the dish's appearance made their mouths water.

Gaya pulled out a pair of long wooden chopsticks from behind her and handed them to Maude.

"Eat it while it's hot. If it gets cold, its effects will be halved. Also... you need to finish it all."

"Effects halved? What do you mean?"

Puzzled, Maude accepted the chopsticks and glanced at Gaya's always-squinting eyes.

"You'll understand after eating it."

"Alright."

Maude didn't think much of it and picked up a piece of lamb, popping it into his mouth.

The moment the hot lamb touched his saliva, it melted like snow under a spring sun, gradually dissolving on his tongue.

Before he could chew, the lamb slid down his throat like jelly.

As the meat entered his stomach, a faint warmth spread throughout his body.

His previously fatigued body seemed to gain a subtle surge of energy.

"This feeling…"

Maude's face showed surprise as he silently mused: It's somewhat similar to the changes my body undergoes when gaining a star, though much more subtle—like a dragonfly skimming the water.

"Sis Gaya, is this really just ordinary lamb stew?"

"Yes, just regular lamb stew."

Gaya's smiling eyes betrayed nothing.

Seeing that Gaya had no intention of explaining further, Maude gave up on asking and focused on eating.

As piece after piece of lamb entered his stomach, the warmth coursing through his body became increasingly apparent.

This was definitely not ordinary lamb.

Maude ate in silence, reflecting on how this dish reminded him of the Attack Cuisine from Kamabakka Kingdom on the Grand Line.

A type of culinary art that could assist in body conditioning and training. Prolonged consumption would surely bring significant benefits.

"So this is the real reason Sol came to Monmon Island?"

In an instant, Maude understood.

That old man didn't come here to retire—he had other plans.

Sol, watching Maude devour the stew, gulped and turned to Gaya.

"Gaya, where are my chopsticks?"

Gaya smiled but said nothing.

Sol was full of question marks.

Still wiping his face, Gaban sneered from atop the rock. "That's for Maude. You don't get any."

"Can't I just have a little?"

Sol's eyes widened. He hadn't had nutritional cuisine in ages and had been craving it.

"Not a chance."

"…"

Seeing that Gaban was firm on this, Sol turned his gaze to Gaya.

Facing Sol's expectant eyes, Gaya maintained her silent smile.

Maude glanced at the three of them and softly said, "How about I…"

Before he could finish, Gaya turned her amber eyes to him, smiling as she slowly said, "Eat while it's hot."

"Okay."

Maude cast a helpless glance at Sol before focusing on the lamb stew.

A few days ago, he had witnessed Gaya wielding an axe to obliterate a pirate crew that had landed on Monmon Island.

Her seemingly slender arms concealed formidable strength.

Half an hour later, Maude had polished off every last piece of lamb and even the broth.

Seeing Maude leave nothing behind, Gaya nodded in satisfaction, took the chopsticks from him with a smile, and carried the pot back to her house.

After eating the entire pot of lamb stew, Maude felt his exhaustion completely vanish.

Without needing Sol's reminder, he immediately resumed his training.

From atop the rock, Gaban silently observed Maude's training.

Beside him, Sol wore a face full of resentment.

Gaban glanced at Sol and said, "I suddenly think Maude might be well-suited for an axe."

"Shut up!"

In the house.

"Ha ha."

Lafitte held up a piece of lamb, inspecting it closely.

At first glance, it appeared to be just an ordinary piece of lamb stew.

If there was anything unusual, it was the tiny green herb stuck to the meat.

But when eaten, this seemingly ordinary lamb inspired a surge of vitality within the body.

Though fleeting, it was undeniably extraordinary.

"Interesting."

Lafitte popped the final piece of lamb into his mouth.

Watching him finish, Sunny directed Bailey to clear the table quickly.

Once the table was clean, Sunny pulled out her notebook and looked at Lafitte earnestly. "Let's continue."

She was learning navigation skills from Lafitte.

But Lafitte stood up and shook his head. "It's about time. I need to join Maude now."

"Alright."

Sunny sighed regretfully.

When learning, time always seemed to fly by.

Just like reading the newspaper.

Sunny mused silently.

Lafitte left the room and headed toward the grasslands.

One of the reasons Sol had asked him to come along was to act as a sparring partner for Maude.

Lafitte readily agreed.

Only through physical combat could he truly gauge Maude's potential.

Time flew by like an arrow.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

Maude stood at the edge of a cliff on a rocky mountain.

And then, he jumped.

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