Water 7.
The setting sun sank into the sea, dyeing the waves a deep red. Seagulls flew through the light, and the afterglow washed over their feet, warming their footprints until they were hot.
The Straw Hat Pirates were grilling meat by the swimming pool, and soon, they attracted too many people.
People from the Galley-La Company, people from the Franky Family, the giants Oimo and Kashii, and the kings Blueno and Gomorrah.
Soon, smoke rose, and the banquet… began!
Luffy sat cross-legged on a barrel, his mouth full of freshly grilled sea beast meat, indistinctly shouting "Cheers!" while holding up a wooden mug. Behind him, Zoro was having a drinking contest with Franky, completely oblivious to the wine stains on his green hair.
Sanji was bustling around a makeshift stove, the sizzling of the grilled meat mixing with the laughter of the crowd and the clinking of bottles, weaving a lively net in the sea breeze.
No one mentioned the fierce battle at Enies Lobby. At this moment, there was only the aroma of grilled meat, the mellow taste of sweet wine, and the undisguised ease and trust in the eyes of their companions—this was a banquet for the victors.
Robin leaned against the wall, holding a wine glass, feeling the joyful atmosphere of the banquet, and couldn't help but reveal a beautiful smile.
Suddenly, she let out an involuntary chuckle.
It turned out that Luffy was sticking two long chopsticks between his nostrils and chin, seemingly doing this almost every time a banquet started.
"Hey, hey, Luffy, be serious!" Nami walked up to Luffy, extending both hands to pull out the chopsticks.
Robin chuckled lightly and ran over. "Do you want me to try it too?"
"Come on, Robin, come on!"
"Absolutely not, Robin-nee!"
...Mariejois, the Holy Land.
Located at the top of the Red Line, a massive castle stood tall, surrounded by lush forests and winding rivers. Under the blue sky and white clouds, it was like a paradise on earth.
Inside a luxurious conference hall, illuminated by rare jewels, the Five Elders sat on expensive sofas, and the air was heavy.
"We failed! I didn't expect the plan we'd been working on for five years to be ruined!" Saint Saturn's tone was calm, betraying no emotion.
"It doesn't matter. The blueprints for Pluton aren't very useful to us. We haven't mastered too many technologies, and even though it has existed for many years, there's only one Pluton in the world!" Saint Mercury was brewing tea at the conference table.
"Perhaps we should be more concerned about that little brat from the Monkey family. According to our deductions, he should have eaten that legendary Devil Fruit." Saint Nusjuro adjusted his glasses.
"There's no need to worry. That Devil Fruit has been eaten by countless people over the past eight hundred years, but no one has ever awakened it. Although that brat has great talent, he's still just a small ripple in the tide of the times!" Saint Saturn said with disdain.
"But the bounty still needs to be set. Sengoku suggested a bounty of 1.8 billion!"
"That's too high. It will make the World Government look incompetent! It must be lowered!"
"Seconded!"
"Seconded!"
...For seven straight days, the Straw Hat Pirates enjoyed themselves in Water 7!
Late at night, the Straw Hat Pirates were already asleep.
Work on the scrap ship island in Water 7 was still ongoing.
Iceberg and Franky looked at the improved and perfected Going Merry, revealing smiles of relief and contentment.
"Straw Hat-kun's ship is finally improved. It's practically unrecognizable!" Iceberg laughed. "And this big ship is finally taking shape. What a shocking design, Franky!"
"Hey!" Franky laughed. "It's just a shame we couldn't add some powerful weapons. Otherwise, it would be even stronger!"
"Hahaha," Iceberg patted Franky's shoulder. "No choice, time was a bit too tight after all. We can gradually improve it later when we find the time!"
"Hahaha!" Kokoro drank her sake, watching the two working together with satisfaction. 'They're cooperating now! That's great! Tom, you must be very happy in heaven too!'
Soon, everyone from the Galley-La Company fell asleep from exhaustion.
Only the two master and apprentice brothers from Tom's Workers remained, swinging their wooden hammers.
"Iceberg, don't overexert yourself. Go to sleep!"
"You too!"
"Coincidentally, I'm wide awake right now!"
"Sorry, me too!"
The two looked at each other and smiled.
Gradually, dawn broke in the east... In the apartment,
Nami looked at the Log Pose, which had already accumulated a magnetic field, with a happy expression.
"The log is full, the Log Pose is pointing to the next island. All that's left is the ship!"
Luffy walked over. "Franky said the Merry has been modified and is super awesome. He wants us to go see it!"
Everyone smiled. The pirates' adventure was about to begin again.
"Do you know where we'll go if we keep sailing?" Kokoro suddenly pointed at the Log Pose in Nami's hand.
The compass needle was strangely pointing downwards.
"Huh? I don't know, where is it?" After the experience on Skypiea, Nami no longer doubted whether the compass was broken.
"The next island is the underwater paradise, Fish-Man Island!"
Everyone was a bit stunned, only Sanji's eyes turned into hearts.
"Fish… Fish-Man Island, are we finally going there?"
"Anyway, let's go see the ship first!" Luffy, pulling Sanji, who was lost in his fantasy world, had just stepped out the door when they saw a subordinate of the Franky Family running towards them.
"Bad news! Have you seen the wanted posters? Your bounty is an incredible amount, Straw Hat-kun! And everyone else has been put on wanted lists too!"
The subordinate pulled out a stack of wanted posters and handed them to Luffy!
Everyone crowded around, peering over.
"Straw Hat" Monkey D. Luffy, Bounty: 1,000,000,000 Berries!
"Pirate Hunter" Roronoa Zoro, Bounty: 320,000,000 Berries!
"Black Leg" Sanji, Bounty: 300,000,000 Berries! (Photo acquisition failed)
"Devil Child" Nico Robin, Bounty: 120,000,000 Berries!
"Cyborg" Franky, Bounty: 100,000,000 Berries! (Capture alive only)
"Sniper" Usopp, Bounty: 30,000,000 Berries!
"Cat Burglar" Nami, Bounty: 20,000,000 Berries!
"Pet" Chopper, Bounty: 50 Berries!
Some were happy, some were sad.
Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp laughed happily.
Sanji, Nami, and Chopper wanted to cry.
Robin was indifferent, and Franky wasn't there.
"50!"
"No!"
"Who the hell is this?!"
"Hahahahaha!" Luffy laughed heartily.
Straw Hat Pirates Total Bounty: 1,890,000,050 Berries
Host: Monkey D. Luffy
Physique: 79.9 (Advanced Limit)
Strength: 75.2 (Advanced)
Speed: 77.8 (Advanced)
Conqueror's Haki: 80.0 (Top Tier)
Armament Haki: 79.9 (Advanced Limit)
Observation Haki: 79.9 (Advanced Limit)
Nika (Rumble) Fruit: 69.9
Skills: Life Return - Ultimate, Basic Marine Six Powers (Mastered), Iron Fist - Intent (Semi-Mastered)
Assessment: Normal State - Regular Admiral, Gear Fourth - Elite Admiral, Thunder God Mode - Elite Admiral Limit.