Chapter 73: Rob

In the food court, sixteen chefs completed their dishes under the spotlight.

One by one, plates of delicious food were brought before four people, including Asa, for tasting.

The three judges exchanged uneasy glances. Sitting beside them was a notorious pirate with a bounty of 500 million beli. Most people would have been on edge in such a situation—how could they possibly focus on savoring food?

They had long passed the age where food mattered more than their lives. At this point, survival was their priority.

"Since none of you three are using your chopsticks, I won't be polite then," Asa remarked, glancing at the hesitant gourmet judges. He immediately understood their thoughts but was more than happy to indulge himself.

Picking up a plate, he poured all the seafood fried rice into his mouth, smacking his lips in satisfaction. It was tasty, but as someone who had eaten all kinds of delicacies, he could discern the difference between good and truly exceptional food.

"Not bad…" Three simple words escaped his lips, spoken as though he were commenting on a roadside stall.

The reaction was instantaneous. Michelin Clermont, a seventy-year-old chef competing in his tenth gourmet competition, felt his blood pressure surge. Pointing at Asa with a trembling finger, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted on the spot.

"Mr. Clermont couldn't handle Lord Asa's review and collapsed… Does this mean his cooking is beyond Lord Asa's judgment?" The host's voice rang out at the perfect moment, and Clermont, who was still semi-conscious, fully passed out once again.

All fifteen plates of food soon disappeared into Asa's stomach. His evaluations remained consistent—not bad, decent, edible, alright. The chefs were so infuriated by his dismissive attitude that they nearly lunged at him. Fortunately, the guards on standby held them back.

For the final dish, Asa decided to leave a good impression on his potential future crew member. With deliberate seriousness, he picked up a napkin, wiped his hands with flair, and put on a solemn expression.

With care, he picked up an octopus ball, placed it in his mouth, and slowly closed his eyes. It seemed as if he was savoring it, but in reality, he was carefully thinking of the best way to offer praise.

A full minute passed. Just as the audience was growing impatient, Asa finally opened his eyes and proclaimed loudly:

"These octopus balls are an absolute masterpiece! Their vibrant color and rich aroma alone make one's mouth water. The texture is smooth and tender, bursting with savory juices. Every bite melts in your mouth, leaving behind a crisp yet fragrant aftertaste. This is, without a doubt, one of the most exquisite dishes I've ever tasted!"

Pausing dramatically, Asa sighed.

"Ah… Now that I've tasted Miss Jessica's divine cooking, how am I supposed to enjoy any other food in the future?"

His lament carried a tone of genuine regret, as though he wouldn't be able to appreciate meat for months to come.

The host was dumbfounded. The three gourmet judges, previously disinterested, now swallowed their saliva in anticipation.

Meanwhile, Jessica's delicate face bloomed with a smile. Though she was often praised for her culinary skills, no one had ever expressed it as beautifully as Asa just had.

"This food festival was worth it," Asa mused. Then, turning toward Jessica, he asked with a charming grin, "Miss Jessica, would you be free to chat somewhere private?"

As soon as those words left his mouth, armed marines stationed in the square snapped into action, sniper rifles trained on Asa's head.

If he dared to make any threatening move toward Jessica, they wouldn't hesitate to shoot—regardless of whether their bullets would actually harm him.

As the daughter of the chief chef of Marine Headquarters, Jessica was bound to have protection while participating in the gourmet competition.

"I know you—you're a pirate. And I am a marine. So let's just talk..." Jessica replied with a polite smile, though she deliberately kept her distance.

"Oh, what a shame…" Asa sighed dramatically. Then, in the blink of an eye, he wrapped an arm around Jessica's slender waist.

"Well, it doesn't matter if you refuse. I may have never kidnapped a famous lady before, but I don't mind trying—hahahaha!"

The electromagnetic force under Asa's feet activated instantly. From deep beneath the ground, iron sand surged upward, forming a solid metal platform large enough for two.

Controlling the electromagnetic field, Asa propelled the platform into the sky.

"Miss Jessica!"

"Quick, pursue them!!"

The marines were caught completely off guard. Before they could react, Jessica had already been whisked away. Their panicked shouts echoed through the square as they frantically grabbed their Den Den Mushi to report to Marine Headquarters.

Above the Clouds

"Aaaahhhhh!!!"

Jessica's terrified screams pierced the sky as she struggled in Asa's grasp. Though she had never experienced flight before, she was fortunate that Asa held her securely, preventing her from plummeting.

"Hey, don't be so scared. You won't fall to your death! Flying is a dream for many people, you know," Asa teased, casually picking his ear as if her distress was of no concern.

"What do you want from me, you bastard?! Let me go!" Jessica's face was pale, and she thrashed against his hold.

In truth, she was handling it better than most. An average person, taken to the sky without warning, would likely be too scared to even breathe properly.

"Ahem. My pirate crew is in need of a chef. You seem like a perfect fit. What do you think? Want to consider it?" Asa asked, feeling a twinge of guilt for bullying the young woman.

"No! I'm a marine, not a pirate! Let me go, you scoundrel!" Jessica's small hands pushed firmly against Asa's chest in defiance.

Having been raised within the Marines, her instinctive resistance to pirates was deeply ingrained. For her, the navy stood for justice, while pirates embodied chaos and crime. This belief was difficult to break unless something major happened.

But Asa knew finding a chef who was both talented and easy on the eyes was no simple task. He wasn't about to give up.

"Alright, if you really want me to let you go…" Asa smirked mischievously and suddenly released his hold on her.

"Ahhhhhh!!!"

Jessica plummeted instantly, her terrified screams slicing through the wind.

"Hahahaha!"

Asa chuckled at her reaction, relishing the harmless prank. Then, with a flick of his fingers, the metal plate adjusted in mid-air, catching her just before she fell too far.

This time, Jessica said nothing. She only glared at Asa with tear-filled eyes, her expression filled with resentment. But despite her anger, her trembling hands clung tightly to his blue coat—afraid to ever let go again.

She had just experienced the sheer terror of falling from the sky.

(End Of Chapter)

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