Yoru.
On the sea, two ships, one large and one small, were anchored and connected by iron chains to prevent the empty schooner from getting lost in the storm.
On the larger ship, which seemed to merge with the night, the sounds of revelry inside couldn't be stopped even by the thunderous noise and roaring waves outside.
In the banquet hall of the Death Star, a feast was taking place.
Inside the kitchen of the banquet hall, chefs were tirelessly cooking and serving dishes. The smoke from the stove never stopped, whether stewing, frying, braising, or grilling, it's all here. Once the dishes are ready, they're immediately placed on carts to be pushed out by the Pirates responsible for serving.
Compared to before, this time was easier for them because there was an additional chef capable of cooking for a hundred people.
On the sea, a chef's speed in cooking is crucial; the more they can cook while maintaining high skill and good taste, the stronger the chef is proven to be.
Their chef team used to only cook for ten people; beyond that number, either the taste was off or their energy was depleted.
Producing meals beyond ten servings at once is quite exhausting, and they'd need ten sessions to make meals for a hundred, by which point they'd be exhausted.
In the Pirates, only Marika could effortlessly cook for a hundred people at once.
But now there's another one — that golden-haired guy in black clothing is an extraordinary chef.
"This is love!"
Sanji held an unlit cigarette in his mouth, pouring sauce over a hundred freshly made meatballs, both hands spread out in a gesture of delight, exclaiming, "Love's power is infinite!"
With hearts in his eyes, he called out to Marika on the other side of the stove, "Lady Marika, please take a look at my special heart-shaped Pirate dish!"
"Ah, not bad at all."
Marika smiled gently, "Not a single ingredient wasted."
"Of course!"
Sanji's expression turned serious, "Food must not be wasted, not even a bit. Any edible food can certainly be made into delicious dishes. In times of hunger, even just a little can alleviate hunger, or even save lives!"
He's seen too many who waste food, and he doesn't like them.
Helping in the kitchen this time, he thought the like of Sage's chef teams would waste a lot, but it was different.
These chefs have a high utilization rate of ingredients; leftovers and bones are used to make stock or minced for balls, among other uses.
This is certainly not kitchen waste; those with bones are creatures from the sea, rich in nutrients; even bones can be consumed.
They're all good chefs!
Listening to Sanji, Marika's smile widened, "This curly-browed chef, you're a good chef too."
Sanji gave a rather gentlemanly smile.
Marika continued, "Then, let's have a contest. I'm somewhat confident in my culinary skills; let's see whose dish is better."
"A challenge?"
Sanji raised an eyebrow, showing a confident smile, "If it's about cooking, I won't lose!"
Liking...well, appreciating beauty is one thing, but Sanji is serious about cooking!
This banquet is not just for the Disaster Pirates but also for the Straw Hat Pirates!
He won't admit defeat easily!
This banquet included both the Disaster Pirates and Straw Hat Pirates.
Whether or not Hot Spring Island gets destroyed, whether they grab money or not, the banquet must go on.
In fact, it was because they didn't rest well that Sage decided to host another banquet.
"Hahaha, Straw Hat, stop drinking that awful stuff; liquor is the true earthly delight!"
On the throne, Sage looked at Luffy, who was eating with gusto at a table below, his mouth stuffed like a balloon, swallowing hard before gulping down some drink, patting his chest, and continuing to eat, laughing aloud.
"Mm-mm-mm-mm!"
Luffy merely nodded casually, continuing to eat, his hands grabbing food so fast they looked like phantoms, even surpassing the chefs' serving speed. In the gaps, Sage even saw that phantom extend long towards the long table laden with exquisite dishes.
Bang!
Sage flicked the patterned silver spoon forward, covered in Haki, hitting the phantom, forcing Luffy to retract his hand and blow on the red mark.
"Stingy! You have so much food; what's the big deal about eating a bit!" Luffy yelled.
In the banquet hall, there were round tables and buffet stations; Pirates who liked sitting ate seated, while those who liked moving around grabbed food as they pleased. No eating style is prohibited here.
If anyone wants to, even eating upside down, Sage doesn't mind.
But one thing...
"I kindly invited you to eat because your crew from Alabasta treated my subordinates, but my possessions, only those I give can take them. If I don't give, no one can take them! Food is the same!" Sage shouted.
"But your food's so delicious!" Luffy protested.
"It's mine! All mine!"
His food certainly differs from that of people below.
Below, food is made by the chef team, with only a few dishes made by Marika in large quantities. But Sage's food is all carefully prepared by Marika, using premium ingredients.