The system was unreasonable—whether under normal circumstances or in the weirdest of them. Adrian stared at the two remaining A-rank tickets in his hand. The fact that an A-rank weapon ticket had spat out more senzu beans suggested the system had a screw loose. Or maybe it just thought differently from other systems. Either way, it didn't stop him from using the tickets.
"Use."
Ding!
A-Rank Random Ability Ticket used successfully.
Ding! Congratulations — Host obtained: Tengai Shinsei (Fortress-Crusher Grade)!
Adrian raised an eyebrow. At least this time the ability wasn't from the Soul Society; otherwise he'd start to suspect the system had a secret sponsorship deal with Bleach. He scanned the skill description.
[Tengai Shinsei] — a dojutsu-based technique originating from the Naruto world: summon a massive meteorite to strike the target, then call down an even larger one to utterly crush and obliterate the area.
Not bad.
This jutsu packed power enough to clear out hordes. Granted, his A-rank version wouldn't rival the spectacle of an S-rank master like Uchiha Madara, but that was okay. Strength scaled with investment. If he poured reputation points into it, he could raise its potency. At a high enough level, it would become indisputably devastating.
He moved on to the last ticket.
"Use."
Ding!
A-Rank Random Subordinate Ticket used successfully.
Ding! Congratulations — Host obtained: Liu Maoxing (special character)!
Adrian blinked. The recruit the system produced left him mildly stunned — not because the person was weak. Far from it. Rather, the character was uncommonly peculiar for an A-rank subordinate.
[Liu Maoxing (alias: Little Master)]: From the Cooking Master Boy world. The youngest ever to reach Special Grade chef status, possessing unbelievable culinary talent. (Note: this is a special character — his culinary value can exceed that of a Fortress-Crusher class fighter.)
Adrian was speechless for a moment. He knew Liu Maoxing's reputation well: a genius in the kitchen whose food could, by the system's own note, surpass even some high-class fighters in value. An A-rank subordinate ticket producing a chef? Of course it was random. The system had taste of its own.
"Liu Maoxing, greet your master."
A small figure appeared before him — short, barely 1.48 meters, unmistakably compact. But thoughts of stature vanished the moment Adrian remembered the legend of Little Master's dishes. Despite having just eaten, the smell of the chef's work made his stomach growl again.
"From now on, call me Boss," Adrian said. "By the way, I'm a little hungry. Cook me a meal. Grimmjow, take Little Master to the galley."
Grimmjow heard the command perfectly; he snatched Little Master up and carried him straight to the Shark. The small chef shouted promises as he went: "Boss, I'll give you all my skill — I'll prepare you a feast that'll make you bow!" In his mind, failing to impress Adrian would be unthinkable.
On the Shark, Little Master set to work with furious focus, ladles clattering, spices flying. He poured every secret into the dishes, each movement practiced and precise.
Out on the open sea, meanwhile, a Marine warship raced along. Colonel Smoker commanded the ship — posted to Loguetown after his temperament and lack of tact made him a poor fit for the higher echelons. Ten days had passed at sea; Smoker was hunting a notorious pirate wanted for destroying Marine Branch 16. He had a mission: bring that criminal to justice.
But they'd found nothing.
He'd combed the sea like a headless fly, chasing rumors and leads that always seemed to end at empty waves. Sometimes finding the pirate was down to luck. Most of the time, luck had deserted him.
Today, however, a den den mushi rang.
Brrr—!
"Smoker — what are you doing? It's been so long and you still haven't caught the pirate who wrecked Branch 16. Do you know what he's doing now? He's destroyed Marine Branch 153 and murdered Captain Morgan." The voice on the other end was Fleet Admiral Sengoku himself, sharp and furious. Anyone sent on an order and failing while the enemy continued to rampage would earn such a scolding.
"What?!!!" Smoker snapped, all pretense gone. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, tell me where the fiend is!"
Sengoku's tone remained icy. "Shells Town. According to reports, after they destroyed Branch 153 they stayed in the harbor and haven't left. Their strength is considerable. Be careful."
Smoker bristled. To him, a Logia devil fruit user like himself was more than a match for most East Blue pirates. Haki? Seastone? Those were the only things to truly challenge him. He dismissed Sengoku's warning with a cocky grin.
"Don't worry, Admiral. It's only one pirate group. I'll capture them and bring you good news."
Sengoku hung up without further comment. "All units — set course for Shells Town."
At Smoker's command, the Marines aboard the ship sprang into action. They turned the hull and charged full speed toward Shells Town. Even at distance, the ship would arrive quickly.
Back in Shells Town, Adrian sat at the Merry's table and tasted the meal Little Master had produced.
He watched as Little Master's handiwork shimmered with a faint golden glow — a hallmark of true mastery. Tonight's dish was simple, given the time constraints: tantanmen. But the broth — the fragrance, the balance of spice and sesame — unlocked something in Adrian. He found himself slipping into a food-induced reverie.
One mouthful and the world narrowed to the bowl. The taste hit with refined clarity—this was nothing like any common roadside fare. It transported him.
He swallowed and, for a moment, was only a man and his noodles. Then, clearing the last bit, he reached for another helping. Little Master watched, satisfied beyond measure.
Outside, the sea heaved. The Marine ship cut through waves toward Shells Town.
Inside the Merry, Adrian smiled and took in the moment: food in his belly, a brutal crew at his back, and the countdown to Luffy closing in.
This was the calm before the storm.
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