Chapter 127: Dish Completion

New World, Sphinx Island.

The cooking match between Thacht and Jouichirou is becoming more and more lively, especially now that the cooking match has entered the most decisive part, namely doing the most of the dishes. Everyone was currently waiting patiently for the two of them to plat the dishes they had currently finished making. The scent that was surrounding the area was currently filled with the food dishes between the two. However, the smell of food that dominated the area was Jouichirou's.

At the same time , Hashirama who was previously walking towards the back suddenly walked back to where the judges were.

"Is there something important, Hashirama?" Rayleigh asked with great interest.

This immediately attracted the attention of Whitebeard and Garp who were there.

Hashirama nodded, "We can't linger here, Rayleigh. We have to get back before nightfall."

"Before nightfall?" Garp asked with a raised brow, "Is there something you need to do?" Garp asked with great interest while also wanting to gather information.

"Not a job" Hashirama shook his head, "It's just, there will be a meeting to attend for a little while tonight" Hashirama paused and looked at Rayleigh, "You can also join the meeting later, Rayleigh"

"Can I come along?" Rayleigh was quite surprised by the information.

Hashirama nodded, "It's not just you. But Robin and Shakky will later join the meeting."

"Robin?" Garp muttered under his breath then shook his head.

"What is the topic of our meeting, Hashirama?" Rayleigh asked with interest, "I guess it's fine to talk about it here, right? Especially I also have to join in this conversation. Surely this has nothing to do with secrets from the kingdom that should not be known by the public."

Hashirama nodded, "Yes. The topic that we will discuss later is the problem of reconstructing design in a kingdom that has just established a cooperative relationship with us."

"The kingdom that built a cooperative relationship with you?" Garp exclaimed with a very surprised face.

This Garp's voice instantly caught everyone's attention and everyone's interest was instantly high.

"What do you mean by the reconstruction of a kingdom, Hashirama?" Whitebeard asked with great interest.

"The kingdom that establishes a cooperative relationship with our kingdom is one of the kingdoms in the Grand Line territory. The kingdom was called the Kingdom of Alabasta. You must have heard of this kingdom, right?"

"Alabasta Kingdom?" Garp muttered with quite a surprised face.

"The Kingdom of Alabasta… Isn't that a kingdom ruled by the Nefetari family and it's a kingdom located in the desert, isn't it?" Whitebeard asked.

Hashirama nodded, "A while ago, this kingdom sent their representatives to the Prodance Kingdom. As a result, after holding talks, we agreed to establish a cooperative relationship with this kingdom by reconstructing the kingdom's territory."

"Well, what do you mean by that reconstruction? Does your kingdom want to change back the territory of that kingdom?" Whitebeard asked again.

"That's the plan" Hashirama nodded, "The plan is that the desert area that belongs to the Kingdom of Alabasta will later be converted by us into an area that can be used as agriculture… Well, let's just say we're going to do reforestation for the desert area. Besides that, later we will make a river and others."

"Essentially our kingdom wants to turn this territory owned by the Kingdom of Alabasta into a territory that can be cultivated, right?" Rayleigh asked.

"That's it." Hashirama nodded.

"Oi, oi, oi. Are you guys seriously going to do that?" Garp asked strangely, "The territory of the Kingdom of Alabasta is a very large territory and it is very difficult to turn the territory into a ready-to-use territory"

"Gurararara~ " Whitebeard laughed excitedly, "If it's someone else you're saying this, Garp. I'm sure it will be difficult for that person to do so."

"I agree" Rayleigh said with a grin, "Garp, if I don't come directly to the Fortis Kingdom. I may have the same thoughts as you. However, since I came there. There are many things that you previously thought were impossible, are actually quite easy for our kingdom to do. One of them is doing the reforestation"

Rayleigh's gaze fell on Hashirama, "You're definitely the one who's going to be dispatched for this task, aren't you?"

"It seems so" Hashirama nodded, "Among all the higher-ups of our kingdom. I am best suited for this task. My ability to relate to nature as well as my chakra itself has the elements of earth and water which are able to create rivers and lakes which are both things that the Kingdom of Alabasta needs the most right now."

Garp finally came to his senses and immediately looked at the seat he was currently using and thought that the statement to reconstruct the territory was something that could actually be done.

"Well, if it's related to the problem of reconstruction, why do you have to hold a meeting? Wouldn't it be better to directly turn the entire territory of the Alabasta Kingdom into forest territory?" asked Garp stupidly.

"Ha ha ha ha…." Rayleigh laughed then said, "Garp, you better not ask Hashirama those questions. Because he probably won't be able to answer it."

"Hehehe~ " Hashirama laughed shyly.

"If you talk to the other higher-ups of the Fortis Kingdom. They can definitely answer that question. Although the answer itself will not be accurate enough because each of them has their own opinion. However, at least they can give a very close answer regarding the reason" Rayleigh said with a grin.

"Gurarara~ " Whitebeard laughed excitedly, "Are the higher ups of your Kingdom really intelligent people?"

"Don't underestimate them, Whitebeard" Rayleigh immediately said, "Don't think of them as ordinary people. Each of them excels in their own field."

"Hahahaha… Of course! My friends are great people" Hashirama said while laughing happily.

"Done!"

Suddenly Thacht said excitedly as he raised his hand.

Everyone immediately turned their attention to Thacht who was currently finishing his meal while Jouichirou was still in the process of plating.

"There he is! Commander Thacht finishes first."

"Commander Thacht will definitely win this match!"

"Come on everyone! We have to support Commander Thacht to win!"

"I think it's time for me" Hashirama then walked to the front and looked at Thacht, "Have you finished your meal, Thacht?"

"Already" Thacht smirked as he showed the four plates that were currently covered with trays.

"Are you going to wait for Jouichirou to finish or do you want to serve him first?" Hashirama asked.

Thacht immediately turned his attention to Jouichirou who was currently finishing the plating for his dish , "I guess, I 'll wait for Jouichirou to finish first. He'll be done soon too."

Hashirama nodded and at this time everyone waited quietly while Jouichirou finished the plating for his dish. Finally after waiting a few minutes. Jouichirou finished the plating of his dish as he covered the dish with a lid.

Jouichirou immediately raised his hands with a deep sigh, "I've finished my dish"

Jouichirou then looked at Thacht who was now beside Jouichirou, "Thahct?!"

"Finally you've come to your senses, Jouichirou" Thacht smirked, "You really have a very frightening level of focus, Jouichirou..."

"Hehehe…" Jouichirou laughed shyly and continued, "How was your meal? Are you ready?"

"Yeah…" Thacht nodded then said, "But… I'm not sure if it compares to your dish. That dish of yours… It was so beautiful…" Thacht muttered with a face full of surprise.

"Very beautiful…"

"Is Jouichirou's dish really that beautiful…"

"Unlucky! How could my share be taken by that old man?!" Ace muttered with a face full of gloomy emotions which the other commanders also felt.

Meanwhile Marko and Jiru are currently excited because they can get a share.

"Finally!" Garp immediately shouted excitedly, "It's finally time to taste the dishes! Unlucky! I can't wait for it"

Garp's voice immediately caught Jouichirou's attention. Jouichirou immediately turned his attention towards the seats of the judges and his face immediately turned full of surprise, "Garp?!"

"Hahahaha… Boy, you finally came to your senses." Garp smirked excitedly looking at Jouichirou.

Jouichirou's gaze immediately turned to Hashirama, "When was Garp here? No, how did he get here? Isn't he a Marine?"

"He's been around for a long time, Jouichirou" Rayleigh said calmly, "The purpose of coming here is to taste the dishes made by you. Well, don't think he's a Marine. The old man was quite different from the rest of the Marines. You can forget about his reckless attitude."

"Hahahaha…" Garp just laughed at this, "Hey, kid! Hurry up and serve your meal! This old man is looking forward to tasting the dishes made by you."

"Tasting a dish made by me?" Jouichirou said confusedly then continued, "Looks like I have to apologize, Garp. I currently only make five dishes of which only for Hashirama, Whitebeard, Rayleigh, Ace, and Thahct. You may not be able to get a share. Unless one of them will give me their share even a little."

"Thahct?!" Immediately the division commanders realized that there was still Thacht who would later get a share.

"Unlucky!" Marko and Jiru finally came to their senses.

"This is bad" Marko muttered which at this time he saw Ace and others had started walking towards Thahct to persuade him to give a little part of the dish made by Jouichirou.

Especially after the revelations from Thacht earlier. The dishes made by Jouichirou must be really good. They definitely wouldn't let this get away with it.

"Hey, Thacht" Ace suddenly arrived beside Thacht then hugged his shoulder, "We are both good friends– No, we are brothers. You'll give me a small portion of the dish Jouichirou made, won't you?"

"Aces?" Jouichirou asked confusedly, "Don't you have your own share?"

"Ha ha ha ha…." Garp immediately laughed excitedly, "You don't have to think about that, Jouichirou. The dish you gave Ace will be given to me. He has given it

"Hmmm?" Jouichirou was quite surprised to hear this and looked at Ace whose face was now full of gloom, "Is that true, Ace?"

"Che~ " Ace nodded with difficulty, "That's right. You can give it to the old man."

Jouichirou just nodded directly and looked at Thacht who was currently surrounded by all the Commanders to get his share.

"Do you guys really want to taste the dishes made by me?" Jouichirou asked strangely.

"Of course" Joz said excitedly.

"If so. You don't have to do such things. If this cooking match is over, I can make a meal for you guys" Jouichirou said and looked at the bunch of ingredients, "Aren't those ingredients prepared for that?"

Everyone's eyes immediately shone with excitement.

"Hey, Joucihirou" Hashirama immediately called out to him, "We can't last the night here. We have to get back before nightfall."

"Back before nightfall?" Jouichirou asked confusedly, "Didn't His Majesty give us permission until tomorrow?"

"The current situation has changed" Hashirama said seriously, "The kingdom has just established a new cooperative relationship and under the cooperation agreement, our kingdom will later assist in reconstructing the territory owned by the kingdom"

"Doing reconstruction?" Jouichirou asked strangely, "Which kingdom establishes a cooperative relationship with our kingdom?"

"Kingdom of Alabasta"

"Alabasta Kingdom? I see" Jouichirou nodded, "Well then. Still, we can still hang in here until the afternoon, can't we? We can still have a party right?"

"Gurararara~ " Whitebeard laughed excitedly, "Of course. It can still be done." Whitebeard's gaze fixed on Marko, "What time is it Marko?"

"It's still 10 o'clock, Oyaji"

"It's still early in the morning and it's still long enough to arrive in the afternoon. We still have a lot of time to spend together" Whitebeard said excitedly, "You can use all the materials available to prepare the party"

"If you are having a party and the party is the dish made by Jouichirou. I will definitely come along" Garp said excitedly.

"You come? Hey, old man. Are you really not wrong? How could a Marine like you join the party with us?" Ace asked strangely and hoped for Garp to leave this place soon.

Because as long as Garp was here, he would always feel a threat from Garp.

"Shut up you brat!" Garp shouted angrily, "This old man is not currently Vice Admiral Garp. The current parent is your Grandfather. There is no connection between current work matters" Garp then muttered under his breath, "How could I possibly let go of this opportunity to eat freely"

"Ha ha ha ha…." Rayleigh who heard this laughed then looked at Hashirama, "It's fine for us to join the party until the afternoon, right?"

"Yes. No problem" Hashirama nodded and continued, "However, only until the afternoon. We have to return before nightfall. Either way, we had to join the meeting. I don't want to get punished by His Majesty for our non-participation."

"Yes. The punishment must be quite terrible." Jouichirou nodded in agreement.

"Terrifying? What's the punishment?" Garp asked with interest, "Is that a pay cut penalty issue?"

"If it's Hashirama and Jouichirou. There is a possibility that the punishment given to the two of them is to be banned from leaving the kingdom for a period of time." Rayleigh said calmly, "Your Majesty is very familiar with the nature and characteristics of each person. This punishment must be the worst for both of them."

"Can't get out?" Everyone's faces immediately changed even Whitebeard also looked very ugly.

"That really was a terrible punishment." Garp nodded because he himself liked freedom too.

"Decision has been reached" Joucihirou suddenly said back, "Let's continue this match. I think the others are also looking forward to the dishes we will serve in this match."

Thacht nodded.

"That's right!" Garp shouted again excitedly, "This old man can't wait to taste the dishes of the two of you! Bring it here quickly."

"You won't get a dish made by Thacht, Garp" Rayleigh said, "Thacht only made four copies. It's just for me, Newgate, Hashirama, and Jouichirou"

" What ?!" Garp was very surprised to hear this and looked at Thacht, "Is that true?"

"Yes" Thahct nodded, "I only made four copies"

"How could it be?!" Garp's face immediately collapsed.

"Gurarara~ " Whitebeard laughed very happily at Garp's expression.

"Well then, let's start the assessment for this match" Hashirama said excitedly, "Which of you two will be first?"

"Let's start with Jouichirou!" Garp immediately said with his sad face returning with enthusiasm.

"What do you think?" Jouichirou asked Thacht.

Thacht immediately shook his head, "No. Let me be the first. My dish has taken a long time to finish. It's possible it's getting cold. I don't want it to affect the taste of my dish."

In addition to these reasons, another reason Thacht wanted to go first was because he himself was not optimistic about the dishes made by him. Thahct already knew that he would lose especially when he saw the design of the dish made by Jouichirou which could be said to be almost not a dish but a work of art. However, even so. Since this is a match Thacht will definitely keep going.

Meanwhile the people who will later get a share for the Jouichirou dish that Thacht got have increased. The previous ones were just Marko and Jiru. Now it has increased to Joz and Ace.

Due to the small size of the dish. Thacht himself will later divide the dish so that the five of them can get an equal share.

"Then let's start with Thacht first" Hashirama said, "Thacht, please serve your meal"

Thacht nodded and immediately started serving his dish.