East Sea, off the coast of Loguetown Harbor.
A cool sea breeze swept across the vast deck of the warship.
Tobirama stood at the bow, hands behind his back. Behind him, Hancock shot an openly hostile glare at the newly boarded Tashigi, as if staring at a kitten that had stolen her fish.
Nearby, Bellemere was scrubbing the deck together with Nami and Nojiko. Though clearly forced into the task, the former Marine corporal worked with surprising diligence—survival instinct at its finest.
"Chef…"
Tobirama touched his chin in thought.
He had originally planned to visit the famous floating restaurant Baratie to recruit a cook.
But after reconsidering—
The ship was already full of stunning women.
Bringing aboard a lecherous man whose mind revolved around women all day would be an eyesore, even if that man didn't dare cross any lines. Just watching him drool would be unpleasant.
Besides, those cooks were all men.
A fleet made entirely of women was far more pleasing.
"System. Search."
A sudden idea struck him.
Were there any top-tier female chefs in the East Sea?
[Ding! Searching…]
[Target located: Karumen]
[Identity: The most beautiful female chef in the East Sea. Ambition—surpass Zeff and Sanji.]
[Current location: East Sea, Goa Kingdom, Royal Palace Highlands]
"Karumen?"
Tobirama recalled the image—
A woman in a red dress, fiery personality, wok in hand.
The original cook who once competed with Sanji.
Her strength might not compare, but her technique and appearance were more than sufficient.
With proper training—and access to top-tier ingredients—surpassing Sanji was only a matter of time.
"She'll do."
Tobirama turned and issued a casual order:
"Stay here. Don't wander."
"I'll go buy some groceries."
"And bring back a chef."
Hancock's eyes instantly sparkled with hearts.
"A cook? So thoughtful, sir! Is she going to cook just for me?"
Flash.
Space distorted.
Tobirama vanished from the deck, disappearing into the air above the sea.
---
East Sea, Goa Kingdom — Royal Palace Highlands.
Known as the most beautiful kingdom in the East Sea, Goa was also a classic example of rigid isolation.
Inside the towering walls: extravagance and indulgence.
Outside them: a garbage terminal where waste was piled into mountains.
At this moment, the palace blazed with lights and crimson carpets.
A grand royal wedding was underway.
The King of Goa, slick-haired and bloated, welcomed a princess from a neighboring nation.
For this occasion, he had spared no expense, hiring the most renowned chefs in the East Sea.
At their head—
Karumen.
---
Inside the palace kitchen.
Chaos and heat reigned.
"Hurry up! The dragon shrimp!"
"Watch the fire! This is the royal wedding—mess it up and we're dead!"
A woman with long wine-red hair, wearing a revealing red dancer-style chef outfit, moved like a whirlwind.
Two massive frying pans spun in her hands as if she were dancing across the stoves.
Karumen.
Even in the smoke-filled kitchen, she shone brilliantly—confident, radiant, as though the kitchen were her personal stage.
"Hmph. Such a boring banquet."
She flipped the food with disdain.
"My goal is the legendary floating restaurant. I'm going to be the true number-one chef of the East Sea."
"Cooking for that pig king is a waste of my talent."
She finished plating a delicate French-style baked snail, ready to send it out—
Buzz.
The air trembled.
A cool, faint fragrance swept away the smell of oil and smoke.
Karumen froze, then turned sharply.
A silver-haired man with red eyes stood before her counter.
Elegant. Calm.
He reached out with slender fingers, picked up a freshly cooked snail—
—and ate it.
"Mm."
Tobirama chewed thoughtfully, then nodded.
"Timing is acceptable. Seasoning is accurate."
"The ingredients are mediocre, but the technique passes."
"Far better than the maid on my ship who only knows how to make marmalade."
Silence.
The kitchen staff stared at the stranger who had appeared out of nowhere.
Karumen's brows shot up. She pointed a frying pan at him.
"Hey! Who the hell are you?!"
"Do you know where you are? That's the King's main course!"
"Who gave you permission to steal food?"
"And don't you dare criticize my cooking with that tone!"
Tobirama swallowed, accepted a handkerchief from a stunned helper, and wiped his mouth.
He looked at her—fiery, beautiful.
Satisfaction flickered in his eyes.
"I am Uchiha Tobirama."
"Karumen, correct?"
He spoke plainly, domination in every word.
"My ship lacks a head chef."
"I find your skills barely acceptable."
"Pack your things."
"Come with me. Now."
"…Hah?"
Karumen laughed in disbelief.
She slammed the pan onto the stove, hands on her hips, her figure trembling with the motion.
"Are you insane?"
"I'm the number-one chef in the East Sea!"
"I'm cooking for the King's wedding!"
"My goal is culinary supremacy, not serving some nobody!"
"Get out, or I'll call the guards!"
In her eyes, this handsome man was clearly deranged.
Kidnapping chefs in the palace kitchen?
Tobirama studied her calmly.
No woman had ever resisted his will.
If one did—
Then discipline was required.
"Culinary supremacy?"
He chuckled softly.
"Is cooking for bloated nobles your idea of ambition?"
"How short-sighted."
"Come with me."
"I'll take you to the New World—dream ingredients even the Four Emperors covet. Recipes that shatter limits."
"This isn't a negotiation."
He reached out and grabbed her wrist.
"This is an emperor's summons."
"You—!"
Karumen instinctively swung her pan.
Too slow.
Smack.
Tobirama caught her wrist effortlessly.
"Let go! You bastard!!"
She struggled, but his grip was unyielding.
"Who dares cause trouble in the Imperial Kitchen?!"
Two armored guards rushed in, spears raised.
"You audacious criminal! Release the royal chef at once!"
"Or die here!"
They charged.
Tobirama didn't turn his head.
A sideways glance—
Red light flashed in his Rinnegan.
Buzz.
The guards froze mid-step. Their eyes emptied.
Spears clattered to the floor.
"Kneel."
Two words.
Thump.
They dropped instantly, smashing their foreheads into the stone until blood flowed.
The kitchen erupted in screams.
Karumen's blood ran cold.
This man—
This wasn't a trick.
"Tiring."
Tobirama frowned.
He disliked places that reeked of oil.
With a single pull, he drew Karumen into his arms, space beginning to distort.
"Ahhh! Help! Kidnapping!!"
Her scream echoed through the palace.
---
Royal Banquet Hall.
The King's face drained of color.
"What is that noise?!"
"Today is my wedding!"
A guard captain rushed in, kneeling.
"Your Majesty! A silver-haired man has stormed the kitchen!"
"He's abducting Chef Karumen!"
"He's injured guards!"
"What?!"
The king roared.
"Rebellion!"
"In my kingdom, no one steals my people!"
"Assemble the Royal Army!"
"Seize him! Tear him apart!"
---
Imperial Kitchen Entrance.
Tobirama stepped out—
—and faced a sea of soldiers.
Hundreds of muskets aimed at him.
The fat king pointed from above, roaring:
"Release Karumen! Kneel and die!"
Tobirama glanced at the ants surrounding him.
Then at Karumen struggling in his arms.
He sighed.
"So many flies… just from buying groceries."
His Rinnegan rotated slowly, six tomoe spinning with chilling authority.
"King of Goa?"
"You pig."
"Do you think you're worthy of commanding me?"
He raised his head slightly.
"This is tedious."
"Since you're so eager for death…"
"Hand the country over."
"We'll find a new owner."