Zep: If I were thirty years younger, I would undoubtedly become your devoted disciple!

But that nickname hadn’t been mentioned for over a decade!

Yet now, that long-buried history was unveiled once more, plunging Sanji into deep reflection.

“What do you intend to do to him? Or rather, what do you want me to do?”

Sanji was indeed clever, cutting straight to the heart of the matter—at least before being dazzled by beauty.

“Sanji, don’t look at me with such wary eyes. If I bore you even the slightest ill will, not only you, but even Red-Leg Zeff at his prime wouldn’t stand a chance against me with a single strike! So relax; I’m just a guest here to enjoy a meal.”

The Tyrant Chu smiled faintly, gently accompanied by the delicate Kaya, as they continued savoring the food, leaving Sanji nothing but an inscrutable silhouette.

Who exactly was this man?

And how did he know so much about my past and Zeff’s?

“Luffy, you and he aren’t captain and crew, are you? If you tell me more about the Tyrant... I might consider joining the Straw Hat crew.”

Without hesitation, Luffy laid bare the whole story between himself and the Tyrant Chu.

Everything he did unfolded exactly as Chu had anticipated.

“One strike to obliterate the Black Cat Pirates?!

Killed the real Paikunkuro?!

His swordsmanship talent surpasses even the world’s greatest swordsman?!

And he’s currently the mentor of Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro?!

He teaches Zoro swordsmanship and even successfully nurtured a sword spirit?!

At present, Zoro can even perform sword flight?!”

Sanji was stunned.

He had guessed Chu’s strength was no ordinary matter—but never imagined it to be so unfathomably profound.

“So this guy isn’t just a master of leg techniques, but a naturally gifted swordsmanship prodigy as well?”

Sanji believed Luffy’s words without doubt.

After all, he had witnessed the sword spirit himself when serving dishes and seen Zoro whispering softly to his Wado Ichimonji, affectionately calling it “Little Bun.”

That was no fabrication.

Coupled with Fin Buddy’s terrifying leg skills in battle, Sanji’s curiosity about the Tyrant Chu swelled intensely.

“At least one thing is certain: Chu was right—his leg skills surpass both Zeff’s and mine!

Defeating Zeff at his peak with one blow should be no problem.”

“But such an overwhelmingly powerful figure, how have I never heard his name before?!”

Recalling Chu’s fearsome leg techniques, Sanji was utterly captivated.

“Wind God Kick! Foshan Shadowless Kick! Shaolin’s Twelve Road Tan Kicks! Great Strength Vajra Kick! Heavenly Broken Foot!”

“All supreme leg techniques! If only we could master even one of them.

But alas, I cannot leave the Baratie floating restaurant!”

Sanji sighed softly.

Zeff had saved his life, and Sanji wished to remain here forever, repaying that debt by staying by Zeff’s side.

He longed to learn leg techniques from the Tyrant Chu to strengthen himself.

Yet then he wondered—what could he possibly offer to gain Chu’s respect?

Even negotiations require some bargaining chip, don’t they?

“Sanji-san~! These foods...” The Fish-Man Arkin gazed at the towering bundles of food, tears welling in his eyes.

Sanji patted Arkin’s shoulder, lit his cigarette, and smiled broadly.

“Your good friends must still be hungry. Take this food to them. I know well the pain of an empty stomach.”

“Th-thank you so much, Sanji-san~! I’ll definitely repay your kindness!” Arkin piloted a small boat, drifting steadily away.

Sanji smiled faintly. “Feeding the hungry for free is every chef’s dream.”

Red-Leg Zeff watched Sanji stride toward the kitchen, a storm of emotions churning within him.

“I once thought no one on earth had stronger legs than me! But the Tyrant’s appearance has completely overturned that notion.

Maybe that brat Sanji should find a new teacher. I can’t teach him any more.”

“If only I were thirty years younger—I would unquestionably bow at the Tyrant’s feet and learn true leg techniques from him!”

Paddy and Carnie stood silently behind Zeff.

The towering Paddy grinned slyly.

“Captain, are we really going to let that brat Sanji go? Though we always bicker, when the moment of parting comes, it’s hard not to feel reluctant.”

Carnie’s eyes glistened. They had watched Sanji grow up.

Yet now, for Sanji’s sake, Red-Leg Zeff had to willingly cut the kite string in his hand.

Zeff turned to them, smiling broadly.

“Sanji and I share the same dream—he embodies the dream of all chefs!

Since we never found the All Blue, let Sanji inherit our will!”