After polishing off the entire bowl of dan dan noodles, Adrian felt an inexplicable sense of happiness welling up inside him.
It was strange… but also perfectly reasonable.
After all—Little Master was someone from a world where cooking bordered on the supernatural.
"Little Master, from now on you're in charge of all three meals on the ship," Adrian said. "You're currently the only chef in our bandit crew."
The keyword was currently.
Because even Adrian wasn't sure whether future draws would spit out more characters from cooking-themed worlds.
"Thank you for your trust, Boss!"
Little Master's eyes lit up instantly. With his loyalty already maxed, serving Adrian felt like an honor bestowed by heaven.
Beside them, Nojiko stood frozen.
Her one and only role on board—the cook—had just been snatched away in an instant.
Then what's my job?
She suddenly felt a strong wave of… dissatisfaction.
Why did this shorty barge in out of nowhere and take her spot?
"Wait!"
She stepped forward and loudly stopped Little Master, who had just turned to return to the Shark.
Her sudden outburst drew everyone's eyes.
"Boss, I'm the cook on this ship. Aren't I?"
Her voice carried obvious unhappiness.
Whether she joined the crew willingly or under threat didn't matter—getting her only position taken away was something she simply couldn't stomach.
Endure it, and the more she thought about it, the angrier she got.
Back down, and the more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt.
Her temper wasn't built for tolerating this kind of humiliation.
"But his cooking is much better than yours," Adrian replied helplessly.
"...WHAT?!"
Nojiko's voice instantly shot up.
This… This was practically saying she wasn't as good as him!
Nojiko had pride too!
"You're called Little Master, right? I'm challenging you to a cooking duel!"
She took a deep breath, chest rising up with determination, her gaze sharp as she stared straight at the boy and issued her challenge.
As for challenging Adrian?
She wasn't stupid enough—or reckless enough—to do that.
If Adrian said she wasn't as good, then she'd prove herself by beating the one he claimed to be better.
"Boss…" Little Master quietly looked toward Adrian.
"Go on," Adrian waved casually. "Let her see the gap between your skills."
He didn't intend to bend the rules just because Nojiko was the woman he had his eye on.
Little Master's skill level was undeniably monstrous—legendary, even. After tasting Little Master's noodles, Adrian already knew Nojiko's cooking, in comparison… well… wasn't even in the same realm.
Thus, a direct comparison was the most effective method.
"Alright," Little Master nodded seriously. "Since Boss says so, I'll accept your challenge… Sister-in-Law."
"...S–Sis… ter-in-law…?"
The hostility on Nojiko's face vanished instantly.
She stood there stunned, frozen like a malfunctioning puppet.
Her cheeks flushed red almost immediately.
She and Nami had been forced into the crew, true—but after half a month aboard, Adrian and his crew had never mistreated them. In fact…
It felt like a home.
Nami was here.
The orange trees from Bell-mère's home were planted on deck.
The environment was different, but the feeling was the same.
But now…
Being suddenly called "Sister-in-Law" by this earnest little chef—
It was too much.
Her face burned, her heartbeat thumped wildly, and the big-sister bravado she usually carried suddenly crumbled to dust.
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