Chapter Fifty-Nine: The New Crew Member

Now that her identity had been confirmed, Buffon deftly removed the silk threads binding her.

“She’s just a little glutton, nothing to worry about,” Buffon muttered under his breath.

Seeing that Buffon’s group bore no ill will, and reassured by the presence of Saulo, a fellow giant, Lili restored herself to normal human size and began conversing with the group.

Since she had devoured all the food just moments before, Buffon had no choice but to head back out to sea for more fishing. Considering the voracious appetite of their guest, he hauled in three sea kings in one go this time.

Watching his young kinswoman, Saulo was overjoyed, and with genuine concern, he inquired after Lili’s wellbeing.

According to Lili, she had become separated from her father during a storm. Using her ability to shrink herself, she’d traveled from island to island and pirate ship to pirate ship in search of him, but so far, her efforts had been fruitless.

She had followed a pirate crew here in hopes of finding her father, but upon arrival, neither found him nor encountered another ship. With no means to leave, she was forced to wait. As a Devil Fruit user, she couldn’t fish, and she’d already eaten everything edible on the island. So when she saw Buffon’s group with food, she hadn’t hesitated to “steal a taste.”

“Lili, who is your father?” Reiju asked gently.

“My dad is the world’s greatest pirate chef!” Lili replied proudly.

Hearing such a title, Reiju’s curiosity was piqued. “A pirate chef, you say? Then, Miss Lili, what is your father’s name?”

With deep reverence, Lili answered, “Panzer Fry!”

“Panzer Fry? I’ve heard that name before,” Reiju replied, nodding.

As a member of Germa 66, she had access to information on any pirate of note, especially a celebrity renowned for volcanic cuisine.

Hearing that Reiju knew her father, Lili’s excitement grew. “My dad’s famous for his volcanic cuisine!”

“Volcanic cuisine, huh? I’ve tasted it once before. That flavor is impossible to forget,” Saulo chimed in.

“Really, Uncle? You’ve eaten my father’s cooking? What’s your name?” Lili asked eagerly.

“My name is Haguar D. Saulo. I used to be a Marine. Once, your father raided a navy ship for food to feed the hungry, and it just so happened to be my ship! I’m not a Marine anymore; now I sail as a pirate with Captain Buffon.”

As Saulo said, Panzer Fry was known for stealing food from the government, navy, and pirates alike to cook for the starving—a kind-hearted giant pirate.

Buffon busied himself tending the sea kings roasting over the fire, feigning keen interest in the conversation. In truth, he was quite familiar with these events, though he hadn’t expected to meet Lili here.

He figured this must be a routine separation, since it would be nearly three years before her father would be captured.

The conversation naturally turned to the subject of volcanic cuisine. Lili, saliva glistening at the corners of her mouth, began to describe, “My favorite dish, roasted sea beast, is a signature of volcanic cuisine. You have to marinate the meat with salt crystals forged over eons in the crevices near volcanic craters—the stuff of dreams. Then you skewer the marinated meat and plunge it into the magma at the crater’s edge. It roasts instantly…”

Even Buffon found himself marveling. Truly, the world of pirates was a paradise for gourmands. The preparation Lili described was beyond anything he could have imagined in his previous life.

Reiju, feeling hungry from the tale, turned to Buffon. “Captain Buffon, is the sea king roast ready yet?”

Buffon nodded and handed over a hefty piece of perfectly roasted sea king.

As the group shared the meal, Lili continued, her eyes shining, “And that’s not even the best! There’s also the legendary seafood paella for a thousand—a medley of delicacies from land and sea, cooked with rice in a skillet, then heated atop a volcano’s mouth. One bite, and it’s as if you’ve stepped into paradise…”

Buffon, seeing the girl nearly drool herself into starvation, quickly stuffed a piece of roast sea king into her mouth.

“Paradise cuisine… I’d love to try it someday. So, Lili, what are your plans now?” Reiju asked with concern.

At the question, Lili grew agitated. “Of course I have to find my dad! I have the ship’s Log Pose. If I don’t find him, he’ll be lost without a compass and won’t know where to go next!”

At the mention of a Log Pose, Buffon’s interest was immediately piqued, though he maintained a cool demeanor. “Where does your Log Pose point next? Does your father know the destination?”

“Little Garden! My father knows that Dorry and Brogy, the former captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates, are there. He wants to find them and invite them back to Elbaf to reform the crew!” Lili replied seriously.

“Little Garden, huh? If my timing’s right, we might cross paths with Luffy and the battle with Mr. 3. Even if not, the two giants have been fighting there for a century—their wounds alone would keep me busy. After that, it’s off to the civil war in Alabasta. What an excellent route!” Buffon mused inwardly.

At that moment, the perceptive Reiju spoke up, “Why don’t we take you to Little Garden?”

She knew Buffon had been troubled over the compass. As for their destination, he probably didn’t care too much; besides, with the former captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates on that island, Buffon would surely be intrigued.

Once again, Buffon felt grateful to have such a considerate beauty aboard, though he said nothing, merely offering Reiju a gentle nod.

“I’d been hoping to find a ship headed to Little Garden to wait for my father—maybe he’d catch a ride or take someone else’s Log Pose. But no ships ever came, and I didn’t dare reveal my identity,” Lili said, growing emotional.

“Ha! Lili, don’t worry. We’re not going to use you to lure your father and turn him in for bounty!” Saulo declared, thumping his chest with assurance.

Saulo knew Panzer Fry had a bounty, and Buffon was even more aware—the bounty stood at a staggering 320 million berries.

“Of course we can! Our Captain Buffon is an extraordinary man—not only a masterful doctor but also always ready to help others!” Reiju chimed in, beaming.

At this, Buffon silently scoffed, “My medical skills, sure, but where did you see me help anyone out of kindness?”

“Is that all right, Captain Buffon?” Lili turned to him, her face full of hope.

Perhaps reassured by Saulo’s presence, Lili had lowered her guard.

Buffon said nothing, but nodded his assent.

This route was exactly what Buffon had hoped for—Little Garden and, later, Alabasta were both perfect places to save lives and hone his craft.