It was an ultimate umami that could not be described in words. The richness of the bone marrow, the fragrance of the herbs, and a hint of sweetness from the sea blended perfectly, transforming into a warm current that slid down their throats and into their stomachs. The next second, that warm current turned into the purest energy. Like a dry riverbed receiving a timely rain, it quickly flowed through their limbs. The muscle soreness and internal injuries from the three-day battle were rapidly healed by this warm energy. They could even feel their depleted stamina recovering at an unbelievable rate.
"Gurararara... Delicious! This is too delicious!" Newgate drained the entire bowl of soup in one go, let out a hearty burp, and felt every cell in his body cheering.
"Wahahaha! As expected of my Head Chef!" Rocks also drank every last drop. He felt like he could fight for another three days and three nights.
Gatz watched from the side, drooling, and looked at Ren pitifully. "Head Chef, uh... what about ours?"
Ren ignored him and went back to the kitchen. A moment later, he came out pushing a small cart that Dolum had hastily modified. When the lid on the cart was lifted, a wilder, more primitive meaty aroma erupted like a volcano!
It was a huge, bone-in steak, roasted to a fragrant crisp, as large as half a table. The surface of the steak was an alluring dark brown, and the fat sizzled under the high heat, exuding a fatal temptation.
"Volcanic Rock-Grilled Giant Tomahawk Steak." Ren easily cut the steak into several pieces with a huge carving knife and served them to Rocks and Newgate.
Newgate took the steak, which was bigger than his face, grabbed it with his hand, and took a huge bite. CRUNCH! The crispy outer layer broke, followed by incredibly tender and springy meat. The moment his teeth tore into it, hot, rich juices exploded in his mouth. The purest meaty aroma, awakened by the fierce fire and volcanic rock, mixed with Ren's secret spices, washed over his taste buds like the most violent tsunami.
Delicious! So delicious he couldn't even think! Newgate felt as if he had returned to a primitive era, transformed into a hungry beast, feasting on his spoils of war. It was the purest satisfaction and joy, born from life's most basic instinct. He devoured the several-kilogram steak in a few bites, feeling an explosive power generating within him, making him want to roar at the sky.
Just when everyone thought this was the main course, Ren brought out a huge iron pot, still bubbling hot. Inside was a stew of various unidentifiable seafood, cooked until tender: giant crab legs, springy octopus, sweet shellfish, and the leftover pieces of the Azurefin Tuna. All the ingredients were soaked in a golden, incredibly rich-looking broth.
"All Four Seas in One Pot." Ren placed the pot in the center of the table and gave everyone a large bowl. "Eat together."
This time, there was no hierarchy. Rocks, Newgate, Gatz, Silver, Dolum—everyone gathered around the large pot, using spoons, forks, and even their hands to fish out their favorite food. Newgate picked up a piece of fish that had soaked up the broth and put it in his mouth. The complex, warm, and intertwined flavors of countless types of umami stunned him. He looked up and saw Rocks and Gatz fighting over the biggest crab claw in the pot, their faces red with exertion. He saw the usually silent Silver carefully deboning a piece of fish for Dolum. He saw Ren quietly distributing soft, roasted bread to everyone.
It was noisy, chaotic, yet had an indescribable... warmth. This was not just a pot of food. This was the taste of home.
Newgate looked at the scene before him, at this group of different personalities who could sit together and share food. His heart, which longed for a family, was deeply touched. He thought of his wandering past, of his original reason for setting out to sea. Wasn't this what he wanted? A group of family members he could trust his back to, with whom he could eat and drink heartily?
A hot drop of liquid unexpectedly rolled down his stoic face and into his bowl. It wasn't sweat; it was a tear. Not of sorrow, but of the emotion of having found a place to belong.
"Gurarara..." Newgate lowered his head, wiped his face with a huge hand, and let out a low, indistinct chuckle. He looked up, at the eight-year-old chef who had conquered his soul with a single meal, and at the arrogant captain who possessed the charisma to make the strong follow him. He made a decision.
"Hey, kid chef," Newgate's voice was a little hoarse.
Ren looked up at him calmly.
"Your food is delicious." Newgate grinned, a smile brighter and more heroic than any he had shown before. "I've decided. I'm joining you."
Newgate's declaration was like another bombshell dropped in the middle of his battle with Rocks, instantly freezing the atmosphere on deck. Gatz, who was stuffing crab meat into his mouth, froze, his mouth wide open. The little bit of joy Dolum had felt from his repairs was immediately replaced by a greater panic. One Rocks was already pushing the ship to its limits. Another monster of the same level? The ship... would probably sink in the next second!
Silver's hand, which was polishing his spear, also paused. His sharp gaze darted between Rocks and Newgate, as if assessing what changes this decision would bring to the pirate crew.
The smile on Rocks's face vanished. He looked at Newgate quietly, his eyes deep and unreadable. On the deck, there was only the sound of the food bubbling in the pot and the waves lapping against the hull.
Newgate ignored the others' reactions. He took another large gulp of soup and then looked at Rocks, his tone calm but filled with an unquestionable power. "But let me make one thing clear. I'm joining, but not as your subordinate."
"I, Edward Newgate, will not be subservient to anyone. I acknowledge your strength, and I like the atmosphere on this ship. We can be comrades, allies. We can drink together, fight together, and turn this world upside down together."
"But my crew will be my family, and I will protect them. Our relationship will be an equal partnership."
His words were firm and resonant. He wasn't looking to join an organization; he was looking to form an alliance. What confidence, what pride.
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