One Piece: The True Codex

From the outskirts, it was clear that Kalmar City had been built with little to no planning. Rows of low, chaotic buildings sprawled like wild weeds, scattered haphazardly. Adding to the disarray were the strange structures erected by residents eager to claim extra space, turning the impoverished district into a labyrinthine maze. Narrow gaps between houses and low-rise buildings formed dark alleys, where poor sanitation bred an environment teeming with garbage, thugs, and rogues.

For pirates like the Red-Beard Pirates, their presence here didn't raise any alarm—this slum was already a haven for filth and vice.

But as Reis led William and the others deeper into the city, ascending a long stone staircase, the scene suddenly transformed. Wide streets, orderly buildings, and the absence of bizarre balconies blocking the sunlight created a stark contrast. Even the sunlight seemed brighter in this area.

One staircase separated two completely different worlds.

"No wonder it stinks down there," muttered one of the pirates, pointing at something.

William followed his gaze and saw a drainage outlet nearby, spewing wastewater. Clearly, this area had a relatively well-designed underground drainage system. However, due to its higher elevation and the lack of consideration for the city outskirts during its construction, some of the wastewater ended up flowing into the slums.

The slums, lacking any underground drainage system, were perpetually plagued by a faint stench. Before coming here, William and two other pirates had assumed the smell was simply due to the residents' habit of littering. Now, it was clear that wasn't the whole story.

Reis waved his hand. "Stop gawking. This isn't the slums. There are plenty of guards here."

Indeed, the number of patrolling guards and soldiers here was noticeably higher than in the slums. A few residents spotted them emerging from the staircase and began pointing and whispering from a distance. Without lingering further, the group followed Reis to an inconspicuous restaurant.

Behind the counter in the restaurant's lobby stood a man who appeared to be the manager. He seemed familiar with Reis. Upon seeing him, the manager said nothing, merely gesturing with his hand before leading the group of intimidating pirates toward the kitchen.

William noted that, unlike in the slums, no one here dared to openly drink alcohol at the dining tables.

The manager guided them to a door leading to a basement room behind the kitchen. The thick iron door had only a small window, giving it the appearance of an ordinary storage room.

The manager knocked lightly on the iron door, and the small window was promptly opened from inside, revealing a pair of wary eyes.

"Guests of the boss," the manager said, stepping aside so that Reis and the others could be seen by the person behind the door.

After scanning the group, the person inside opened the iron door, releasing a wave of noisy chatter mixed with the scent of alcohol.

William hesitated briefly, but by the time the door had opened, a burly man—whose size rivaled Reis's—was already leading the group into the basement.

The space was far larger than William had anticipated, styled like a bar. Dark red wallpaper bathed in warm lighting added a touch of intimacy to the surroundings. Waiters in vests openly carried various drinks to the tables, while scantily clad women performed provocative dances on stage, drawing whistles and cheers from the audience below.

Once inside the underground bar, the restaurant manager bowed and excused himself. The burly man then led the group of pirates past the lively stage to a spacious meeting room.

The meeting room was well soundproofed; once the door was closed, the noise from outside was almost completely silenced. The men already in the room, who had been chatting and laughing, fell quiet as the door opened and Reis's group entered.

As William stepped into the room, he quickly scanned the surroundings before his gaze settled on the four men seated on the sofa opposite the door.

At a glance, he could tell they were pirates. The ruggedness and carefree demeanor that seemed to disregard even their own lives were traits unique to seasoned pirates who had spent years braving the seas.

The man seated at the center of the sofa was a middle-aged pirate with short, messy blond hair that looked like it hadn't been groomed in ages. His upper lip sported two neatly braided mustaches that extended straight to either side, gleaming with an unusual luster. Combined with his prominent hooked nose, his appearance left a lasting impression.

He wore a high-collared trench coat over a loose tank top, revealing his well-defined, muscular physique.

When he saw Reis and the others, the three pirates seated beside him immediately stood up, their expressions wary. Only the man in the center remained seated, unmoving.

This man was none other than Zeff, the captain of the Cook Pirates, nicknamed "Red-Leg." Like Barbarossa, Zeff was a well-known figure in the East Blue. However, while Barbarossa was famous for his Devil Fruit abilities, Zeff's reputation stemmed not only from his strength but also from the rarity of his role as a pirate captain who was also a chef—a distinction uncommon even in other seas.

The fact that Zeff had risen to prominence in the pirate world despite his seemingly humble profession was a testament to his exceptional skill and leadership.

"See? I've always said that courage isn't tied to size. A big, burly man doesn't necessarily have a big heart to match," Zeff remarked, his gaze sweeping over Reis and his group. His tone was calm, yet loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. "Coming to buy something, and you need a whole gang to back you up? I don't understand how such cowards can even call themselves pirates."

Zeff's sarcastic words reached the ears of the Red-Beard Pirates, who immediately turned to look at their first mate, Reis. Several impulsive pirates were already itching for a fight, including William, who feigned enthusiasm.

Despite the direct insult, Reis's expression remained relatively unchanged. He narrowed his eyes at Zeff, silently weighing the situation.

In this world, where individual combat strength varied greatly, the leader of a pirate crew was almost always the strongest member—a rule with few exceptions. Reis had initially assumed that the Cook Pirates were led by one of their officers, but seeing Zeff himself here was unexpected.

Reis had brought seven of the Red-Beard Pirates' best fighters, but with Zeff present, even with their numerical advantage, victory was far from guaranteed.

More importantly, Barbarossa had the backing of Arcadio, a high-ranking official in the Navia Kingdom. Arcadio would never tolerate—or allow—the Red-Beard Pirates to cause a major disturbance in the royal city.

There was also the matter of respecting the restaurant owner's hospitality. If Reis could swiftly take down one or two of the Cook Pirates' officers, he might disregard these concerns. But failing to do so would make any rash action pointless.

Though Reis appeared brutish, he was actually quite sharp. After assessing the situation, he smiled and said, "Captain Zeff, you seem to be in a bad mood. I thought we already had an understanding. Why create such a tense atmosphere the moment we meet?"

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