The villagers quickly sprang into action. Some went to gather spices, while others busied themselves cleaning the Near Sea King's fish, preparing charcoal. The entire village was filled with laughter and bustling figures as they prepared for the sudden feast of grilled fish.
Xia Yu wasn't idle either. As the villagers went about their tasks, he took a grilling fish secret technique from a storage space gifted by the system and handed it to Makino.
“Mr. Xia Yu, this is…” Makino blinked in bewilderment.
“My grilled fish secret technique!” Xia Yu smiled, then continued, "Please, Makino, go prepare some special spices, like fresh lemon, rosemary, and... if you can find some honey, it would be perfect.”
“Okay, no problem!”
Unexpectedly, Xia Yu actually knew how to grill fish. Makino immediately became excited, took the grilling fish secret technique, and with several villagers ran back home to prepare the required spices.
Half an hour later, twenty-three villagers stood before the Near Sea King, each armed with various tools.
Over the years, the Near Sea King had caused them no small amount of trouble. A few years ago, it even swallowed the mountain bandit leader in the nearby mountain!
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that in front of the Near Sea King, they were all like ants. However, thanks to Xia Yu's arrival, the mighty Near Sea King, one they once feared, lay before them, soon to become their meal.
Dozens of villagers, working together, toiled until noon, finally transforming the enormous Near Sea King into pieces of delicious fish meat.
To everyone's surprise, the usually sun-drenched Windmill Village was unusually cool today. The sun that had shone on the island earlier had somehow retreated behind the clouds.
A gentle sea breeze blew, and the bonfire rose high!
A grand grilled fish banquet was about to begin.
Xia Yu personally took the knife, cutting the fish into bite-sized pieces, carefully scoring each piece to better absorb flavor. While working, he passed on his grilling tips to the villagers watching, from how to marinate the fish to how to control the heat.
As time passed, the grilled fish over the charcoal gradually emitted a tempting aroma. The golden-brown skin glistened with oil, while the fish flesh inside remained tender and juicy.
Xia Yu sprinkled on special spices and seasonings at the right time, the sight was enough to make anyone drool.
Finally, when the first piece of grilled fish was carefully removed from the fire and placed on a wooden plate, several villagers, unable to wait any longer, rushed forward, instantly devouring the grilled fish on the plate.
“Wow, delicious, delicious!”
“Mr. Xia Yu, where did you learn your grilling technique? This grilled fish is so delicious!”
“Yes, yes, it's like a taste of heaven!”
Xia Yu smiled slightly, handing the freshly grilled fish to Makino, who had been busy the whole time.
“Thank you, Mr. Xia Yu!” Makino took the grilled fish, not being coy, and took a bite.
After a brief two seconds, Makino suddenly widened her beautiful eyes and exclaimed excitedly, “Mr. Xia Yu, it's really delicious! Your skills are incredible!”
“AAAAAHHHHHH!!!”
At that moment, an exaggerated shout suddenly came from behind.
Then, Luffy, with Green Rabbit, rushed onto the beach, his steps as light as a swallow. He arrived in front of Xia Yu, his eyes gleaming with excitement, and shouted, “Meat, meat! I want to eat meat!”
As he spoke, his hands suddenly stretched out, snatching all the grilled fish that the other villagers had cooked. In an instant, his cheeks bulged high!
Even though his mouth was already full, Luffy still didn't stop, his hands continuously stretching out, grabbing all the cooked grilled fish and stuffing them in his mouth!
“Luffy, how can you do this?!”
“Everyone worked so hard to grill it, and you just came and took it all?!”
“What are you all waiting for? Make him spit it out!”
Luffy's actions quickly aroused the villagers' displeasure, especially one villager who had already brought the grilled fish to his mouth but had been robbed by Luffy. He quickly rushed forward to discipline Luffy.
Oddly, the other villagers didn't stop him, instead laughing heartily at the commotion.
It was clear they were already used to Luffy's habit of stealing food!
Xia Yu didn't mind either, continuing to grill his fish.
But while Xia Yu and the older villagers didn't take it to heart, Red Rabbit, who had been quietly lying nearby, suddenly stood up.
The reason was simple. A villager, wanting to express his gratitude, specially brought the first plate of grilled fish to Red Rabbit.
But before he could even take a bite, the plate vanished, snatched away by Luffy.
“Pfft, hahaha, Luffy, you're done for!”
Seeing Red Rabbit suddenly stand up, the villager who had brought him the grilled fish immediately laughed gleefully, “You even stole Red Rabbit-san’s grilled fish! Just wait to be beaten up, hahaha!”
This villager's sudden laughter drew the attention of several other villagers.
As they turned their heads to look, Red Rabbit had already stood in front of Luffy.
“Hong… Rabbit… you… eat… too!”
Luffy, his mouth stuffed with grilled fish, spoke incoherently, his hands continuously stretching out, grabbing two plates of grilled fish.
Just as he was about to stuff the plates into his mouth, Red Rabbit suddenly reached out, grabbed his head with one hand, and with the other hand, struck out with lightning speed, aiming for Luffy's belly.
Bang——
With a muffled sound, Luffy's body instantly bent into a two-hundred-degree arc.
Then, he couldn't help but open his mouth and spit out all the grilled fish he was holding!
Before he could react, Red Rabbit’s hand that was grabbing his head suddenly tightened, lifting him up and spinning him around, then threw him out with force.
Whoosh——
Luffy, who hadn't figured out what was happening, suddenly became a cannonball, describing an arc in the air before crashing into the sea, splashing countless waves!
“！！！！！”
This sudden turn of events caught everyone present off guard, their eyes wide with shock.
Xia Yu, too, hadn't expected Red Rabbit to dislike Luffy so much, not only giving him a punch, but also throwing him into the sea!
Huh?
Sea!
Suddenly, Xia Yu woke up and shouted to the stunned villagers, “What are you all standing around for? Luffy can't swim! Quickly go save him!”
Xia Yu's sudden voice brought the villagers back to reality.
Then, seven or eight villagers rushed out.
With a splash, seven or eight villagers had all dived into the sea.
A few minutes later, one of the villagers carried a limp Luffy back.
“Meat, meat——”
Although his body was weak and he didn't even have the strength to speak, Luffy still couldn't forget, continuously repeating the word 'meat' in his mouth.
Hearing Luffy's voice, the villagers who had been a little worried all breathed a sigh of relief. Village Chief Oup even laughed and scolded, “You little rascal, even in this state, you're still thinking about eating meat!”
“Mr. Xia Yu, the alcohol is here!”
Just then, several villagers who had gone to the tavern to move the alcohol returned.
Seeing this, Xia Yu waved his hand grandly, showing his magnanimity, “The grilled fish banquet officially begins! Everyone, raise your cups, let's drink!”
=
Today's fourth update, more to come.
Thanks to 'Good Night Sparkle' brother for the support, meow meow!
Keep asking for flowers, asking for ratings, asking for monthly tickets!