"That… that guy—isn't he Hawk-Eye?!"
A sharp-eyed diner outside the Baratie blurted out the question, eyes wide with disbelief.
Wasn't Hawk-Eye Mihawk supposed to be the world's greatest swordsman?
Then why was he being completely overwhelmed by a pirate with only a 30-million bounty?
Gasps rippled through the crowd. The spectators gathered at the restaurant entrance stared dumbfounded at the scene unfolding before them.
Inside the Baratie, Kaya rested her chin in her hands, dreamy-eyed.
"Reno-nii really is incredible. No matter where he goes, he becomes the center of attention."
"Even in front of the world's strongest swordsman," Makino added proudly, her gaze softening with admiration. "His brilliance can't be overshadowed."
She had no regrets. Leaving Foosha Village with Reno had opened her eyes to a grander world—and to strength that left legends trembling.
Nami, though equally impressed by Reno's power, found herself less interested in the swordfight itself.
Her mind wandered... then lit up with mischief.
"Say," she whispered, eyes gleaming wickedly, "should we give Reno a little help with that pretty chef he's got his eyes on?"
The other girls blinked at her, momentarily confused.
Nami jerked her thumb toward the kitchen doors. "He's fighting outside right now. If we act fast, we could recruit her for him before he gets back."
Nojiko blinked. "Is that... okay?"
"Why not?" Nami said, puffing out her cheeks. "If Reno sets his sights on a girl, it's just a matter of time. Better we speed things up."
At that, Kaya, Makino, and Nojiko all flushed simultaneously—thinking of their own... 'recruitment' stories.
"But how are we even supposed to do that?" Kaya asked shyly.
Nami scratched her chin, mentally reviewing Reno's "tactics."
She'd been lured in with money.
Makino had been intimidated.
Kaya was all about gratitude.
And her sister, Nojiko? Well, that was her doing.
"Bribery's out," Nami muttered. "That's my money. No one's touching it."
Threats? Not very tasteful. Emotional manipulation? Too messy.
Then, her eyes lit up.
"Fear. We'll scare her onto the ship."
Makino looked horrified. "Nami, that's terrible!"
"We're not actually going to hurt her," Nami said innocently. "Just a little... gentle persuasion."
The girls exchanged glances. After a beat, they nodded.
"Let's go scare ourselves a chef," Nami grinned, grabbing the bounty flyer Reno had left on the table.
Karumen stood at the restaurant entrance, transfixed.
At first, she'd stepped out just to sneak a look at the famed Mihawk. Even though she wasn't a pirate, who wouldn't want to see the world's strongest swordsman in action?
But now...
Why does it feel like that man is losing?
All those sparks flying—they weren't coming from him.
Karumen's eyes slowly drifted to Reno, the man battling Mihawk with relentless ferocity.
"That's him..." she murmured. "He's the one who caught me earlier."
Her cheeks reddened as she remembered nearly tumbling from the boat's sway—only to be steadied by his arms.
A man stronger than Mihawk... held me...
Even as a proud chef, Karumen wasn't immune to the allure of strength.
In this world ruled by the strong, admiration and attraction weren't so easily separated.
She was still lost in that flustered haze when a hand tapped her shoulder.
Karumen turned—and blinked.
Four women stood before her, all stunning.
"You're the guests from table three," she said, puzzled. "Is something wrong?"
They didn't answer immediately.
Nami stepped forward, shadow falling over her eyes.
"Chef lady," she said with a growl, "our captain's got his eye on you. He wants you to join our crew. What do you say?!"
"And I suggest you accept," she added ominously. "Otherwise..."
Karumen stared at her blankly.
The fierce expression. The menacing tone.
It was adorable.
She almost burst out laughing.
Such a sweet-looking girl, trying so hard to act like a villain.
But—wait. Was she serious?
Did he really want to recruit me...?
Karumen's thoughts drifted back to that earlier moment again. The arms. The steadiness. The power.
She flushed even deeper. Her chest trembled slightly.
"Uh... what's happening?" Nami whispered, baffled.
"Did you scare her too much?" Nojiko whispered back, panicked.
"I didn't even say anything bad yet!" Nami hissed.
Kaya stepped forward quickly, her tone soft and sincere.
"Don't worry, miss. We mean no harm. Our captain really does want you to join us."
"He's looking for new crew members," Makino added gently.
Karumen looked between the four of them, their expressions entirely genuine.
Then nodded.
"All right. I'll join."
"Eh?!" Kaya blinked.
Nojiko's jaw dropped.
Makino covered her mouth.
Nami just stared blankly. "Wait, seriously?! Just like that?!"
"I had a whole speech ready!"
Makino cleared her throat and smiled, the perfect diplomat.
"Miss Karumen... may I ask why?"
Karumen turned her head and glanced at Reno—still locked in fierce combat under the moonlight.
A smirk tugged at her lips.
"Because he's strong," she said simply. "Only a strong man deserves my loyalty."
For ten years, she'd wandered the East Blue, searching for the man who once lit a fire in her heart.
And now...
She'd found someone even more dazzling.
Cooking for a man like that?
What an honor.
Also... having four beautiful crewmates wasn't bad either.
The girls were stunned into silence.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go.
Nami had plotted a whole psychological operation.
But in the end...
It took one man's sword and spirit to recruit another queen to his fleet.