Chapter 75: Spring Queen City

The dark clouds were blown away by Hippolyte D. Asa, revealing the sun once again.

As the sea calmed, Asa stepped into the small cabin and enjoyed the delicious food Jessica had prepared—much to her frustration, as she glared at him with resentment.

"Jessica, there's no need to look at me like that. Sooner or later, you'll be my chef. Whether it happens now or later makes no difference."

"Hmph! Keep dreaming!" she retorted glumly, cutting her meat with a knife and fork as if she were punishing Asa. Stubborn yet beautiful, her expression carried both frustration and charm.

"Hahaha! You look amazing when you're angry!" Asa laughed. "But let's make a bet. If I lose, I'll let you go immediately. But if I win, you'll join me as my chef!"

Lounging lazily, he flexed his muscles under his shirt, small surges of electricity coursing through his body to enhance his physical strength. Physical fitness was the foundation of power, and he couldn't afford to neglect it. Every day, he used electric currents to refine his body's endurance.

Though his Thunder Fruit powers couldn't yet surpass 200 million volts, his body itself had no such limitations.

Jessica's eyes lit up at the prospect of freedom. "What are we betting on? I'll tell you now, if it's something rigged in your favor, I won't play along!"

"Completely fair, just, and transparent!" Asa raised his palm, linking his pinky with his thumb as if making an oath. "Didn't you say the Navy stands for justice? Let's bet on whether or not there are corrupt officers who violate that justice."

A seasoned individual would never take such a bet against Asa. After all, politics is inherently tainted. No nation, race, or institution is immune to corruption—wherever there are people in power, there will be those who abuse it.

But Jessica was still young. Her worldview had yet to fully form, her knowledge remained limited, and her idealism clouded her judgment. With her strong sense of justice, she would undoubtedly take the bet.

"Fine! I accept! And I'm telling you now—I'm going to win!" Jessica declared confidently, her dejected expression transforming into one of determination. "You'd better keep your word and let me go when I do!"

"Hahahaha!" Asa laughed inwardly. This fiery young chef had already fallen into his trap. "Don't worry, but it's too early to say who will win or lose..."

"Would you like to introduce yourself first?" Asa smirked. "I'm Hippolyte D. Asa, and I'm a pirate. As for my dream? To grow stronger, seek true freedom, and live a life of passion and happiness!"

"Hmph! I already know who you are. I've seen your bounty poster." Jessica lifted her chin and proudly declared, "My name is Jessica, and my dream is to become the greatest chef on the seas—to find the legendary paradise for chefs, where ingredients from all four seas come together: All Blue!"

"Oh~ That's a great dream." Asa clapped his hands in encouragement, though his eyes gleamed with hidden meaning. "I hope you achieve it sooner rather than later!"

The four seas—East, West, North, and South—were divided by the Calm Belt, the Grand Line, and the Red Line. According to current maps, the only point where all four met was Reverse Mountain. But everyone knew that place wasn't a paradise for chefs.

Asa speculated that All Blue was either the entire Grand Line or a place known only in Laughtale.

Jessica, however, noticed Asa's strange expression and scowled. "What's with that look?!"

"Misunderstanding! A total misunderstanding!" Asa waved his hands. "I was just shocked by your amazing dream, hahaha!"

"You're obviously up to something! I just know it!"

"Hahahaha! You caught me!"

Three Days Later

"Asa!!! You wasteful bastard! You threw away the vegetables again!" Jessica's outraged scream echoed through the cabin as she charged at him, spatula in hand.

"I have a disease that kills me if I eat vegetables!" Asa slumped in his chair dramatically.

The food on this stolen ship wasn't abundant to begin with, but thanks to Jessica's incredible cooking skills, Asa never went hungry.

He still couldn't believe it—Jessica had stared him down with nothing but pure disdain when he initially doubted her skills.

Senior chefs were remarkable. They could mix seemingly unrelated ingredients and produce nutritious meals out of nowhere. Thanks to her, Asa finally understood how pirates managed to survive long voyages at sea.

Not only could they hunt for ingredients in the ocean, but skilled chefs could turn even the smallest portions into satisfying meals.

Asa, however, had no intention of fishing. The sea rejected him as a Devil Fruit user, and wasting time casting a line was out of the question.

In the past, he had simply abandoned his boat and flown to the nearest island to find food. But now, with a chef on board, life had become much easier.

Under Asa's subtle influence, Jessica gradually adapted to her new life. She began to realize that sailing freely on the sea wasn't so bad—it was a far cry from the strict rules of the Navy.

Asa chuckled to himself. This little chef was already falling into my rhythm.

Young people were easy to sway. The Navy's rigid structure had worn her down, but now, experiencing a different kind of life, she found excitement in the novelty of it.

Habit was a dangerous thing. It could turn enemies into allies, strangers into lovers. Once accustomed to something, leaving it behind became difficult.

Jessica was already getting used to cooking for Asa every day. Without him even asking, she took the initiative to prepare meals.

After just three days together, their relationship had softened.

Asa was now certain—he wouldn't even need the bet to convince her to stay.

Spring Queen City – Santa Pobla

Santa Pobla, also known as the City of the Queen of Spring, was located near the end of the first route in the Grand Line. Beyond it lay a small island, followed by Sabaody Archipelago. A detour to the right led directly to Water 7.

Because this island was connected in all directions and had stable currents crossing multiple Log Pose routes, it was impossible to predict which way travelers would go next. As a result, the Navy hadn't set an ambush for Asa here.

Moonlight Moria had yet to challenge Kaido, and the massive, eerie Thriller Bark had not yet made its appearance in the seas ahead.

The island's bustling port was alive with activity. Workers hurried back and forth, unloading cargo and repairing ships.

Among the chaos, a small boat—barely over ten meters long—quietly drifted into the dock.

The dockworkers, preparing to dismantle the vessel, waited for someone to disembark. But as minutes passed and no one emerged, their curiosity turned to unease.

Gathering their courage, two workers cautiously boarded the vessel.

What they found made their blood run cold.

It was empty.

Completely deserted.

"Ghost ship..."

The two workers exchanged nervous glances, fear creeping into their eyes.

(End of Chapter)

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