"Come on, Isaac! Don't lose to the captain!"
"Brother Aldo! One more bite! Just one more!"
"Mmm… mmgh!" (intense chewing noises)
Aldo's mouth was already completely stuffed.
His cheeks bulged like a hamster's, veins popping on his forehead from the effort.
Unwilling to admit defeat, he glared stubbornly while his trembling spoon forced one last lump of golden curry rice into his already overfilled mouth.
"Latest update!" a sailor acting as scorekeeper shouted excitedly, like a commentator in a championship match.
"Captain Sami has already bulldozed his way to nine plates! He's currently two full plates ahead of Brother Isaac in second place! The advantage is huge!"
"Wooooah!!!"
"Captain's amazing!"
The surrounding sailors burst into whistles and cheers. Even other customers in the tavern glanced over, wearing helpless expressions at the over-energetic pirates.
In the center of the tavern—named Desert Camel Bell—several long tables had been pushed together.
Empty plates piled up like small towers in front of the contestants.
Besides Sami, Aldo, and Isaac—the acknowledged powerhouses—three or four other burly sailors who prided themselves on their appetites had joined the competition.
The origin of the contest was simple.
While waiting for their special curry to arrive, Sami had casually remarked:
"From what I see, the stronger someone is on the sea, the more energy their body burns. That means they eat more. So logically speaking—people who eat a lot must be strong!"
That offhand comment instantly ignited Aldo's competitive spirit.
He slammed the table and demanded to challenge the captain.
Several other proud gluttons joined immediately.
What started as a normal lunch suddenly turned into a battle for honor and strength certification.
In the end, the impromptu curry-eating contest concluded when Isaac slowly collapsed back in his wooden chair.
"I… can't… anymore…"
Looking at the exhausted contestants sprawled around the table, Cahero sat elegantly at a small table in the corner.
He calmly cut a piece of chicken with his knife and fork, chewed thoughtfully, then wiped his mouth with a napkin.
"Barbaric. Completely barbaric."
"A true gentleman should value dining etiquette and refinement."
"The champion has been decided!!"
The sailor acting as referee jumped onto a chair in excitement.
"After intense competition, Captain Sami wins with eleven plates of Explosive Flame Curry Rice, achieving overwhelming victory!"
"Let us celebrate this astonishing appetite—uh, I mean—Captain Sami's unfathomable strength!!!"
"Long live Captain Sami!"
"Captain Sami forever!"
Even some local customers, caught up in the atmosphere, began clapping and laughing.
Sami wiped a bit of curry sauce from the corner of his mouth.
Despite having eaten eleven plates, he still looked relatively normal—only a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead.
He triumphantly raised a large wooden beer mug toward his crew, triggering another wave of laughter and whistles.
"Burp…"
Aldo finally swallowed his last bite and let out a thunderous burp.
He collapsed onto the table weakly and gave Sami a trembling thumbs-up.
"Boss… you win… next time… next time I'll definitely…"
"You won't win next time either, Aldo."
Sami laughed and drained his mug.
Then he glanced around the lively tavern.
"Where's Leon? Haven't seen him."
"Oh, Brother Leon finished eating early," a sailor replied. "He saw that the fish were biting near the docks today. Got itchy hands and took his gear to go fishing."
Alabasta — Nanohana Harbor — Near the Swordfish
"Haah… haah…" (heavy breathing)
Wena clutched a shallow wound on his side as he hid between stacks of wooden crates on the dock.
That damn mute… he's stronger than I thought…
He glanced nervously toward the Swordfish.
Alberto's lightning-fast blade had left a deep impression on him.
If it weren't for the enhanced endurance and recovery from his Zoan Devil Fruit, he might have died on that ship.
Suppressing the pain, Wena cautiously poked his head out and scanned the harbor.
I can't stay here…
If they search the docks, they'll find me soon.
I need to steal a small boat and escape the harbor first!
Gritting his teeth, he used a stolen sword as a makeshift cane and slowly stood up.
Not far away, a lively crowd gathered near the edge of the dock.
"Whoa! Look at that big guy!"
"Another one! In such a short time he's caught nearly twenty fish already!"
"Master! What kind of secret bait are you using? Teach me how to fish!"
"Hahaha… just luck, just luck."
A bronze-skinned Leon sat on a small stool with a fishing rod in hand.
Beside him, a bucket overflowed with flapping fish.
His unbelievable catch had drawn the attention of dockworkers and idlers.
While casually responding to the crowd's amazement, Leon reeled in another line and flicked a fat fish onto the dock.
Just as he prepared to cast again—
The corner of his eye caught sight of a familiar figure that absolutely shouldn't be here.
Short legs.
Long body.
Covered in blood.
Leon's smile vanished instantly.
Short-Legged Wena?
How did he get out?
Then his eyes sharpened.
Wait… that knife in his hand…
Isn't that Alberto's blade?
Did something happen to Alberto?
"Fishing's over. Everyone clear out."
Leon suddenly stood up and quickly packed away his rod, startling the onlookers.
"There's about to be a fight."
"If you don't want blood splashing on you—leave."
The crowd froze for a moment.
Seeing Leon's sudden killing aura and the blood-covered Wena nearby, they immediately realized something was wrong.
In seconds, the crowd scattered like frightened birds.
Leon leaned his fishing rod against the stool and bent down to pick up his weapon.
A heavy harpoon.
He strode forward and blocked Wena's path toward a small boat.
"Hey, shorty."
"How'd you get out?"
Wena stopped walking.
He lifted his bloodshot eyes and recognized Leon as one of the Jellyfish Pirates' officers.
He grinned, revealing bloodstained teeth, and waved the knife in his hand.
"Hmph. You think those lousy shackles could hold me?"
"What? Looking at you, it seems you want to spar with Uncle Wena?"
Leon's gaze locked onto the knife.
"Where did you get that blade?"
Wena deliberately lifted it closer to his face.
"Who knows? Maybe some unlucky mute gave it to me."
"Want it back?"
He pointed the blade at Leon, a mocking smile spreading across his face.
"Then come take it, you harpoon-wielding idiot."
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested:
patreon.com/Luna023