Jon glossed over Sanji's matter in a few words.
He said he had a friend who was a chef on a passenger ship, and Sanji happened to be an apprentice chef there. It's just that their passenger ship was attacked by the Cook Pirates led by Red-Leg Zeff…
The rest goes without saying.
With Ivankov's capabilities, finding a deserted island and taking Sanji and Zeff away wouldn't be difficult.
'Zoro followed me, Nami is also mine, and Sanji was taken away by a Revolutionary Army cadre…'
The Straw Hat Pirates hadn't even set sail yet, and three of their main forces were already gone.
Nothing could be nicer than this.
As for why he didn't try to recruit Sanji like he did Zoro?
Please, how could he let a pervert get on his ship?
"Sanji, I'll remember that name." Ivankov grinned, agreeing with what Koushirou had said when he arrived.
This muscular boy was indeed no simple character.
He glanced at Koushirou from the corner of his eye.
The man was still smiling, as if the matter of recruitment just now hadn't bothered him at all.
He reached out and called over Kuina and Zoro, telling them to go to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
"Yes, Father."
Kuina, who had just come out, nodded, her eyes shyly darting away when she saw Jon.
Though her lips were smiling, it didn't stop her from scolding Zoro.
"Train, train, all you do is train all day, and you still can't beat me? Hurry up and get to the kitchen to help!"
Little Marimo: ?
......
In the kitchen.
Zoro chopped onions with a dark face, looking as if someone had ruined his ledger.
What the heck!
He had only slept for three hours last night just to get in some extra training this morning, and now he was being made to do chores in the kitchen!
"What's with that face of yours? Do you want Jon-kun to eat food made with that face of yours? It'll make him sick, you know?!"
Kuina pointed at the tortured onion on the cutting board, lecturing him earnestly.
"Cooking needs to be done with love, so Jon can eat happily. If you don't satisfy Jon, will he still take you out to sea?"
"Argh! うるさい (Urusai)!!"
Zoro anxiously turned his head and roared, "Whatever I make, the Captain will eat it all! Because he's a man! You silly lovesick girl, stop nagging! You make me want to cry every time you open your mouth, it's so annoying!"
"You want to cry because of the onions, what does that have to do with me?"
Kuina looked speechless at the tear-streaked Zoro. "I'll remind you one last time, cook with love, or else put down that knife…"
"Shut up, shut up!"
Zoro roared like a dragon, "You've become so annoying, Kuina! Or are you interested in my Captain? Hide your feelings, you idiot, my Captain hates tomboys like you the most!"
"Hah!?"
Kuina's sore spot was hit, and she immediately became furious. "Who are you calling a tomboy? Someone who can't even beat a girl, what right do you have to be on Jon's ship?"
"I can't beat you because I'm not old enough! What are you so smug about? You're a stinking lovesick girl who can't go ten sentences without mentioning Jon!"
"What did you say? You brainless person who gets lost even in the dojo!"
"A nagging monster with hands darker than a man's and a mouth more chattery than a gossip!"
"A green-haired creature who acts like an imbecile at ten years old!"
The two were about to grab knives and fight in the kitchen, completely oblivious to a stern figure with glasses approaching their side.
"I told you to cook, what are you doing here…"
Koushirou rarely showed such a serious demeanor as a teacher and elder. "Everyone outside can hear you arguing. Although I don't care about face, you've made me lose a lot of it, so, take this!"
Thump! Thump!
One minute later.
Koushirou, with his bamboo sword, was smiling and chatting with Ivankov.
Zoro and Kuina were kneeling properly in a dogeza pose outside the kitchen, silently shedding tears, with large bumps on their heads still emitting faint white smoke.
In the kitchen.
Jon and Betty, who had taken over the cooking, worked smoothly and efficiently.
Jon stretched his neck to look outside.
It was obvious.
Sister Kuina hadn't died, and Zoro's life trajectory had also changed.
His goal of 'making his name resound in heaven' had vanished, and perhaps his future life wouldn't be so tense.
And Sanji…
Jon couldn't help but curve his lips as he thought of future possibilities.
Many years later—
Sanji would see the foul-mouthed Zoro, and Zoro would see Sanji winking at him.
Just imagine, what kind of scene would that be?
......
An hour later, it was breakfast time.
In a remote and poor place like Shimotsuki Village, there wasn't much meat or fish.
But surprisingly, the sharp-tongued Betty possessed excellent cooking skills.
The fragrant, flavorful, and visually appealing meal was served on the table, and the little ones outside the dojo immediately started eating with greasy mouths.
Beside them.
Jon was also eating heartily, his chopsticks moving so fast they were almost sparking.
He had used a lot of energy on Makino last night, and added another training session this morning, so he was starving.
"Heh~ How about it, you? Want to join the Revolutionary East Army?"
Betty tapped the table, resting her cheek on her hand as she looked at Jon. "If you come, I can cook for you three meals a day. No one else gets that treatment."
After spending an hour together in the kitchen, Betty had become quite familiar with Jon.
No… not just familiar.
Thinking of the various strange situations just now, her face couldn't help but flush.
Heaven knows what was going on?
Stepping on water and slipping into his arms.
Oil splashing while stir-frying, her finger getting burned and him putting it in his mouth.
Unable to hold a cigarette, the lit end burning a sensitive spot.
Even now, she was still wearing Jon's clothes to cover her body!
It was just too outrageous!!!