Chapter 361: A Chef’s Invitation and the Shadow of the Grand Line

When Ye Fan walked to the doorway with a plate of fried rice, he overheard Sanji speaking to Gin.

“Enough talking. Eat up, quick.”

“The sea is vast and ruthless. Without food or fresh water, how do you even survive out here?”

“And trust me, I know better than anyone what it’s like to go hungry.”

“You have to eat if you want to see a better tomorrow, right?”

Something seemed to move Gin. He grabbed the plate and sat on the ground, shoveling mouthfuls of fried rice in and crying as he ate. “This is humiliating. Absolutely humiliating,” he sobbed.

“But this fried rice is delicious.”

“Ah!”

“Looks like someone beat us to it.”

“But I’ve got my eye on you, cook.”

Luffy strolled past Ye Fan, took the plate of fried rice from his hands, and walked straight over to Gin, placing the food down next to him.

Ye Fan, Zoro, and the others exchanged small smiles watching Luffy’s actions.

It was proof Luffy had really matured.

After all, along the way Ye Fan had often told them stories about friendship and leadership—what it meant to be a true friend and what a leader should do.

Every time, it felt like just another story to them, but seeing it play out now was genuinely satisfying.

“What did you just say?”

Sanji’s hand froze mid-smoke, face full of surprise as he stared at Luffy, not sure he’d heard right.

What does he mean, ‘I’ve got my eye on you’? Don’t tell me this guy swings that way? Thinking about that, Sanji’s face turned a little sour.

“Come join my pirate crew as our cook.”

Hearing that Luffy actually just wanted a chef, Sanji let out a sigh of relief and asked quickly, “You’re a pirate?”

“That’s right!”

“Well, since you’re a pirate, let me warn you—don’t even think about this restaurant. It’s protected.”

“The old man here was once a chef for a notorious pirate crew.”

“And this floating restaurant is his treasure.”

…

Luffy suddenly announced, “Just join us already.”

“No way. I’m not leaving. I’ve got my reasons for staying at this restaurant.”

Sanji’s words trailed off, like he’d recalled some shameful part of his past.

“Nope. My answer’s still no.”

Unexpectedly, Luffy stretched his neck right up to Sanji’s face. With the way Luffy looked at him, there was no way he could keep working here. Luffy had to bring this cook into his crew.

“What do you mean, no?”

“You can’t just turn me down.”

Sanji couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Was this guy for real? If I can’t refuse, what am I supposed to do? It’s not like we even know each other.

Luffy just kept going, “You’re a great chef. That’s why you need to come to sea with us and be a pirate.”

“Would you listen to me for a second?” Sanji shouted, furious at how Luffy danced around his words.

Was this guy even paying attention to anything he said?

Luffy glanced at the standing Sanji and asked, “Do you have a reason?”

Sanji tilted his head, getting even more annoyed. “Even if I did, there’s no reason to share it with you.”

Luffy blinked, momentarily confused. “Huh? Didn’t you just tell me to listen to you?”

“I meant you should accept my decision, that’s what!”

“Careful, or I’ll chop you up, you straw-hatted idiot!” Sanji pressed his forehead to Luffy’s, looking menacing.

Luffy glared right back. The moment Sanji insulted his straw hat, Luffy’s eyes widened and his fists clenched. “What did you say? If you dare badmouth this hat, I’ll send you flying! You idiot!”

“Excuse me a minute.” Gin’s voice broke up the escalating argument between Luffy and Sanji.

“Why?”

“I’m Gin from the Krieg Pirates.”

“So you’re a pirate too. What’s your goal?”

Hearing someone ask about his goal at sea again, Luffy grinned and replied, “I’m looking for One Piece. I plan to sail into the Grand Line.”

As Luffy’s declaration hung in the air, Gin’s pupils contracted, sweat beading on his cheeks as if he’d recalled something terrifying.

“Looks like you’re still searching for a chef. Guess you’re short on hands.”

“That’s right. This guy would be our sixth.”

Johnny and Yosaku, at most, were just rookie pirates. Not official crew, so Luffy hadn’t counted them in.

When Luffy pointed at him, Sanji exploded, “Hey! Don’t just stick me in your count!”

“You don’t seem like a bad guy, so let me give you a piece of advice. You’re young. Don’t rush into the Grand Line.”

“The ‘Grand Line’ is just a tiny part of the entire world’s oceans.”

“If it’s adventure you want, anywhere on the sea can be part of your journey.”

Gin looked at the young Luffy and spoke from experience. Their own pirate fleet was nearly ten thousand strong.

Yet, just days after they entered the Grand Line, a man with hawk-like eyes drove them back—most of their fleet was wiped out. The fear still haunted him, refusing to fade.

Still, nothing anyone said could shake Luffy’s desire to reach the Grand Line. He grinned, “That so? Then what do you know about the ‘Grand Line’?”

Hearing that, Luffy figured Gin probably knew a thing or two about the Grand Line’s dangers. He wanted to ask, see if he could pick up any tips.

Gin immediately clutched his head as a wave of dizziness swept over him. His voice trembled with fear, “No. I don’t know anything, nothing at all. That’s why it’s so terrifying!”

“Some right-hand man you are, Gin. You seem more like a coward to me,” Sanji scoffed, eyeing Gin’s terrified face.

“Krieg, huh?”

“What’s up, Ye Fan? You know about the Krieg Pirates?”

Luffy turned towards Ye Fan, hoping for details about the Krieg Pirates.

“Yeah, I know. The Krieg Pirates are infamous. They command about fifty pirate ships and nearly ten thousand men. They entered the Grand Line just recently…”

Ye Fan summed up the Krieg Pirates neatly in a few words.

Even Gin was surprised. “He’s right. Didn’t expect you’d know so much about us.”

“Well, anyway, it’s probably time for me to move on.”

“But I’m still heading for the Grand Line.”

“From now on, do as you please. I have no right to stop you—I’m just giving you some honest advice as an outsider.”

“Sanji, thank you for that plate of fried rice. You saved my life. It was incredible.”

“Can I come back for seconds sometime?” Gin blushed, clearly embarrassed by his own request.

“Of course, anytime you want.”

“Really? I gave him some too, you know!”

“Hahaha! Thanks to you, too, Mr. Luffy. That fried rice was great.”

“Sanji, what are you doing?”

Chef Zeff, with his signature gold mustache braided in two, stood on the deck above and watched Gin, Sanji, Ye Fan, and Luffy.

“Sorry, Sanji. Feeding someone like me—without a penny to my name—must be a huge hassle for you.”

Sanji said nothing. He just picked up the empty plate and spoon, tossed them overboard by the rail, and muttered, “You don’t get punished if there’s no evidence.”

“You’d best get going, Gin. Next time, don’t get caught, alright?”

“Thank you again, Sanji and Luffy.”

Gin unfurled the sail, knelt deeply to Sanji and Luffy, then steered his small boat off into the distance.