C19 Baratie Restaurant Defense

Understanding Garp as Lin Mo did, it was clear that Garp wouldn't just casually extend an invitation to join the Navy. He would only do so if he saw exceptional potential in someone. And yet, they had only just met today, barely exchanging a few words. What was there to deliberate over? Lin Mo was forthright in his response, "I'm not considering it. I refuse."

Garp burst into hearty laughter. "Kid, you haven't gone and joined Shanks' pirate crew, have you?" Shanks? Lin Mo gave him a surprised glance. How on earth did Garp know of his acquaintance with Shanks? It couldn't have been from that phone call; Shanks wasn't one to share such information. It must have been Garp's own shrewd deduction. Typical of Garp...

Instead of addressing Garp's inquiry, Lin Mo brushed it off lightly, "I'm merely a traveler."

"Huh?" Garp paused, then roared with laughter, slapping the table. "You're killing me! What's a young one like you doing as a traveler? There's no future in that. The Navy's the place to be. I've got two grandsons—one a bit younger than you, and the other around your age. Imagine that, the three of you joining the Navy with me, upholding justice and order at sea!"

Garp was referring to his grandsons, Luffy, his own flesh and blood, and Ace, the son of the late Pirate King, Gol·D·Roger. Only a handful of people knew of Ace's lineage. Garp had always envisioned Luffy and Ace in the Navy, but they had both grown into notorious pirates, much to his chagrin.

Regardless of Garp's words, Lin Mo's resolve remained unshaken. "I'm not interested," he stated flatly, placing money for the meal on the table and heading for the staircase to the second floor.

A group of chefs, carrying dishes, approached him as he made his move to ascend. They blocked his way, saying, "Kid, you're going the wrong way. The exit's over there. The upstairs is for the kitchen and private rooms; it's off-limits to guests. If you need anything else, just give us a shout."

Lin Mo couldn't be bothered to engage in pointless chatter with them.

It was the perfect opportunity to test out the Flash Step.

As the two chefs conversed, he swiftly darted past them with ease.

They didn't even register his departure before Lin Mo had vanished from sight.

"Hey? Where did that kid go?" one chef asked, bewildered.

"I have no idea. He was right there, and then he just disappeared..." the other replied, shaking his head.

Garp had observed Lin Mo's movements with keen interest.

Having never witnessed it firsthand, he harbored some skepticism about Lin Mo's abilities.

But the footwork Lin Mo displayed had caught his attention, causing him to slow down his dessert indulgence.

It was the first time he'd seen such unusual footwork that could enhance speed to such an extent.

This kid was truly remarkable.

"This is getting more and more intriguing," Garp said with a toothy grin, diving back into his dessert.

Within seconds, Lin Mo had reached the door of the room where Zeff, the bookkeeper, was busy with the accounts.

Sensing someone at the door, Zeff glanced up.

To his surprise, it was a kid he'd never laid eyes on before.

"Kid, you shouldn't be here. Head back down to the restaurant," Zeff instructed, before returning to his ledger.

Moments passed.

When Lin Mo didn't budge, Zeff slammed his pen onto the desk, irritation in his voice. "Hey, didn't you understand me?"

As he spoke, his braided beard quivered comically.

Zeff, before founding the Baratie, had been a ruthless and cold-hearted pirate. After nearly starving to death alongside Sanji, they were rescued and decided to start their own sea restaurant.

Since then, Zeff had shed his cruelty, though his fiery temper remained.

Lin Mo just stared silently, not uttering a word.

The corridor echoed with the sound of rapid footsteps.

From a distance, Sanji spotted Lin Mo at the entrance to Zeff's room.

"Isn't that the restaurant's guest? What's he doing here?" Sanji paused, puzzled, then hastened his steps. Approaching Zeff's door, he intended to move Lin Mo aside, but his hand never made contact.

Lin Mo deftly stepped aside, avoiding the incoming touch.

"What an odd guy," Sanji murmured under his breath before yelling at Zeff in the room, "You crusty geezer, when are you going to teach me to cook? I'm sick of being a kitchen grunt!"

Zeff glared at Sanji, rising to his feet and advancing toward him.

"You little pest!" With a swift kick from his prosthetic right leg, Zeff sent Sanji flying. "You? Demand lessons from me? Get back to your chores!"

That very leg had been lost in an incident before Zeff and Sanji's fateful encounter, sacrificed to save Sanji.

"Damn it!" Sanji grumbled, picking himself up from the floor a good ten meters away. "You always say that. When will I ever be good enough to learn cooking?"

"Hey!" Zeff ignored Sanji's complaint, turning his ire on Lin Mo with a kick. "You've had your fun watching. Now scram, back to the restaurant!"

As Zeff's prosthetic leg nearly connected with Lin Mo,

Lin Mo nimbly used Flash Step, effortlessly evading the strike.

A look of astonishment crossed Zeff's face as he relentlessly pursued Lin Mo, launching a barrage of attacks.

Lin Mo continued to dodge Zeff's onslaught using Flash Step, which, at only Level One, was just enough to keep him out of reach. If Zeff were to get serious, Lin Mo might not be so lucky.

Zeff's moniker, "Red-Leg," was well-earned; his leg techniques were formidable.

"Oh? Not bad, kid!" Zeff narrowed his eyes, his presence intensifying as he picked up the pace.

Lin Mo had no intention of engaging in a fight.

But pushed to the brink,

He refused to remain on the defensive.

Anticipating an unavoidable blow, Lin Mo's gaze sharpened, and he channeled Busoshoku Haki into his hands.

He caught Zeff's rapidly advancing prosthetic limb.

With a twist, he spun Zeff around on the spot and hurled him away.

A loud 'clang' echoed as Zeff crashed through the wooden wall and tumbled into his room.

Sanji, eyes bulging in disbelief not far off, exclaimed, "No way! Did that old fart really just get taken down by a kid my age?"

"Damn it!" Garp clambered out of the wooden debris, his face twisted in anger as he glared at Lin Mo. "You little punk, you actually wrecked my boat!"

Lin Mo shrugged nonchalantly. "Self-defense. Not my problem."

Zeff fumed, "Self-defense, my foot! You damaged my boat, and you're going to compensate for it!"

"How much?" Lin Mo inquired, seemingly unfazed.

Narrowing his eyes, Zeff responded without a hint of courtesy, "Ten thousand Berries!"