Chapter 107: Banquet
Chapter 107: Banquet
A luxurious restaurant in Marineford. Kuro led a group of people inside.
Lida, Klah, Sengoku, Smoker, Tashigi, Tina, Zangao, Fenbodi, Koby, Helmeppo.
"Lida", Kuro said, patting her head, "today I’m giving you free rein to eat whatever you want. Order the most expensive dishes—don’t worry, someone will foot the bill."
"Woohoo! Really? Perfect, I was still hungry from earlier", Lida cheered.
Smoker’s eyelid twitched as he watched.
"Hey, Tina", he muttered, leaning toward her, "lend me some money later."
Tina blinked at Smoker, clearly taken aback. "You actually need to borrow money? You’ve gotten a bit smoother, Smoker… or should I say, Commodore Smoker?"
"Shut up. Just lend it to me", Smoker snapped, his face reddening.
After Crocodile’s defeat, both Smoker and Tashigi had been promoted—Smoker to Commodore, Tashigi to Ensign.
A Commodore’s salary should’ve been lavish, enough to reach the heavens.
But even the most generous pay couldn’t withstand a big eater—especially one liberated by Kuro’s green light.
As Smoker blanched at the bill, Sengoku remained puzzled.
How expensive could a meal possibly be?
The group settled into a large private room.
Kuro glanced at the menu handed to him by the waiter, pointing at several dishes. "Skip these."
Smoker exhaled in relief—good, Kuro was still showing him some face.
"Bring three rounds of everything else."
Thud!
Smoker slammed his head onto the table.
"Relax, if we need more, we’ll add. And bring lots of alcohol—today’s a celebration for my promotion", Kuro said, lighting a cigar with the air of a high-roller.
Not like he was paying anyway.
Besides, people in this world already had monstrous appetites.
These were all Navy officers from Headquarters—no one here ate less than average.
Three rounds were just the appetizers.
"Tina’s delighted", Tina said, lighting a cigarette with a grin. "It’s been ages since we’ve had a gathering like this. Remember when you and I got drunk last time, Smoker?"
Smoker struck a match, igniting the two cigars in his mouth. "The Navy needs to relax sometimes. We’re not machines."
Tina scanned the room, her expression flickering with subtle surprise.
These people might not look like much, but this gathering surprisingly represented nearly every faction within the Navy.
She herself was aligned with Hina’s camp.
Smoker represented Aokiji.
Kuro and Sengoku were under Akainu.
Koby and his group were part of Garp’s faction.
The Navy’s most famous faction leaders were almost all here.
After Tina had been transferred to Enies Lobby, she’d run into Smoker and learned from him that Kuro had long been Akainu’s direct subordinate. She’d been shocked then.
But now, looking around, she realized this situation was even more astonishing.
Sengoku sat stiffly, his first time attending such a gathering. He’d spent his career in the Science Division under Vegapunk before transferring. Dining with Navy colleagues like this was a first.
Koby and Helmeppo were also newcomers. Koby sat upright, while Helmeppo—used to a life of luxury—remained relatively relaxed, though clearly nervous.
After all, the people here were no small fry.
Sengoku was rumored to be under Akainu’s command.
Tina and Smoker were seasoned Navy officers.
Kuro had even been promoted to Navy Major.
Navy officers, all of them.
"I’ve always believed Kuro Mr. would become a Navy officer!" Koby clenched his fist, raising his glass. "Congratulations, Kuro Mr.!"
"Heh…"
Kuro’s lips curled. Suddenly, he remembered—this kid had been one of the ones who’d tricked him back in the day.
"Typical old-school Navy—made it to Major, huh? But Kuro, I’ll catch up soon enough!" Helmeppo, still a Sergeant, declared confidently.
"Me too!" Koby chimed in, eyes shining. "Someday I’ll surpass Kuro Mr. and become a Navy officer myself!"
After all, he’d already matched Kuro in a 50-50 fight. With a little more effort, he’d definitely win.
Klah adjusted his glasses, seeming like he wanted to say something, but finally kept his mouth shut.
The food arrived quickly, filling the table.
Koby held up a glass being poured for Lida and hesitated. "Umm, is Lidamiss allowed to drink this? Should we switch to juice?"
"Who are you underestimating, kid!" Lida immediately shifted to her teenage form, slamming the table. "I’m older than you!"
"I’m sorry, Lidamiss!" Koby shrank back instantly.
Kuro considered for a moment. "Let her drink. In Marineford, we can afford to relax a little."
The others showed little reaction, but Smoker and Tina exchanged a glance.
So Kuro already knew about the upcoming situation.
"Let’s raise a toast to Kuro Mr.’s promotion!"
Koby took the lead, lifting his glass to liven the mood.
Helmeppo followed.
Then Zangao and Fenbodi.
The entire group raised their glasses, drinking together.
"Woah!"
Lida downed her glass in one gulp, exhaling sharply, her eyes sparkling.
"Good?" Kuro asked, watching her like he might call for juice at the first sign of trouble.
Lida nodded vigorously. "It’s so refreshing going down!"
Kuro chuckled, spearing a piece of meat with his fork and chewing slowly.
He poured himself another glass—the clear liquor swirled in the crystal glass as he drank it in one motion.
The alcohol here was indeed refreshing.
Relaxing.
Nothing like the small-time tension back in the field. Here at Headquarters, if you ignored the looming specter of the Top War, life was pretty easygoing.
After a few drinks, the group gradually loosened up.
"Helmeppo’s improved a lot, actually. Back at Base 153, he was a young master who never even came out of his mansion", Koby slurred, his face flushed from drinking.
"Koby, don’t spill my embarrassing stories, or I’ll tell everyone about your time on that Pirate Ship!" Helmeppo roared.
Pirate Ship.
Klah and Zangao both tensed, their hands gripping their glasses. They exchanged a glance.
Zangao raised his glass, calling out loudly. "Captain, we’re all Navy now—you’re not my captain anymore!"
"Hmm?" Klah shot him a sideways glare.
Zangao stiffened, swallowing hard.
"You’ll address me as Ensign, you idiot", Klah said coolly.
"Ahaha, yes, Ensign!"
Zangao raised his glass, clinking it with Klah’s from across the table.
"Oh? So there are three pirates here?"
Sengoku paused mid-sip, looking at the three men. "Captain Kuro, your subordinates used to be pirates? And even a captain?"
"Aye, but that was three years ago. The wanted posters are all gone now. Funny enough, Klah, the man who captured you was Helmeppo’s father—my old superior, Mongar."
Kuro grinned at Klah. "He took you down, then used that to climb all the way to Commander."
"I’ve heard of that man. A dominating Commander in the East Blue."
Smoker downed another glass. "So that’s your father, Helmeppo? The one who terrorized the East Blue until Kuro stopped him. Word is he escaped from Vice Admiral Garp’s grasp."
"Haha, all in the past, all in the past", Helmeppo laughed, sweating profusely as he tilted his head back.
The situation felt… dicey.
(End of Chapter)
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