Banquet
-We shall start with a course of Cloud Ear mushroom and Crown Daisy soup. Then a plate of Gisei Tofu... Followed by a bowl of lotus roots. We also have small Sunomono dishes as a side... Oh yes, do not forget the tall bowl... Everything must be impeccable, these are not your run-of-the-mill patrons!! Make sure everything is mashed and boiled properly, and triple check for poison!!-
The kitchen was a disaster due to the banquet that was being organized. The chef was so busy that he doesn't even have time to breathe. Thanks to his hard work, all the dishes looked impeccable and ready to be served.
However, there was only Jinbe to try it since no one could wait for those two hours so they went to town.
-Eveything's free tonight!!-
-Free!?-
-They've got shooting games!!-
-There's chocolate bananas!!-
-And goldfish scooting!!-
-Yakisoba!! Takoyaki!!- Luffy yelled with his mouth full of food.
-Look!! Grilled squid and Candy Apples!!- Yamato yelled while giving Katakuri a Candy Apple.
-Cotton Candy too!!-
Katakuri tried the Candy Apple and liked the taste so she kept eating. Luffy watched her enjoy the sweet so he asked.
-Can I try it too?-
-Sure.-
Katakuri was going to let Luffy take a bite at Candy Apple, when she suddenly saw what Luffy was going to do, she stayed rigid.
Lips landed on her lips and a tongue passed through her mouth, savoring what was left of Candy Apple.
Luffy separated, but Katakuri still doesn't react.
-Sweet... I like the flavor!-
-......-
Katakuri released the Candy Apple in her hand and Luffy grabbed it just in time to prevent it from hitting the ground.
-Mochi?- Luffy looks up and sees that Katakuri was falling back with her eyes wide.- Mochi!!-
Luffy surrounds Katakuri's waist to prevent her from falling.
Yep. She definitely passed out.
That's what Natsu thinks looking at the scene while eating Dangos next to Zeref who was trying some Takoyakis.
-Hiyori!! You're the best!!- Yamato yelled when she saw that Hiyori was going to play the shamisen.
-Yamato-sama!!- Hiyori was blushing.
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-The brats are impressive.- Buggy laughs when he sees the newspaper.- Hey, Crocodile! Look! Luffy and his girlfriend!!-
Crocodile began to read the contents of the newspaper and ended up laughing.
-If I didn't know my own son well, I wouldn't even buy what Morgans wrote in this article!- Crocodile laughed his head off.- God, it sounds like a romance novel I wouldn't touch in a million years!-
-It shows that the boy loves her very much.- Mihawk comments, sticking his head.
The photo on the cover was taken just at the moment Luffy left Katakuri in a safer place. The look with which Luffy looked at the woman was full of love that shows even through the photo.
If this weren't a newspaper, he would think it's the cover of a novel.
-I think it would be a good idea to visit them when the situation stabilizes a bit.-
-Agree.- Crocodile nods and leaves the newspaper.- How is the situation with Blackbeard? I'm still impressed that the bastard is still alive after what happened 2 years ago.-
-He's as resistant as a radioactive cockroach.- Buggy shrugs.- I have heard that he will attack the Kujas.-
-He's crazy.-
-That's what happens when your plan of two decades goes to hell and the Akuma no Mi that he wants so much and had it in the palm of his hands ended up in the hands of a brat.-
-Keep an eye on him. I will notify Sabo to be careful. The bastard attacked him 2 years ago, he can do it again in order to recover the Akuma no Mi.-
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-You like them, Nico Robin?-
-Tengu-san...-
-You're looking at my personal collection. They're my majestic Kokeshi Dolls. Cute, aren't they?-
-Not really.-
-HUH!?-
-Why would your collection be down here?-
-This was originally something of a secret hobby room for me, however... I ended up imprisoned down here for a number of years...-
-......!? Imprisoned!? I thought you were a swordsmith... Who exactly are you?-
-I took to smithing because I had talent for it, but it was always just a hobby. Governing is such weary work after all...- the man took off his mask.- I am Kozuki Sukiyaki. Father of Kozuki Oden!-
-......!!! Does Momo-chan know about this...?-
-He does not, and I do not intend to tell him. I would not be surprised if some of his retainers have deduced my identity... But how could I possibly show my face now!? I am the one who allowed Orochi to come to power...- Sukiyaki lowered her gaze and stared at the ground.- I was barely able to escape this room. By the time I had, Oden was already dead, and Wano had changed. I contemplated committing Seppuku there and then...-
-Tengu-san... It should be somewhere in this country...!!-
-......!?-
-The Ancient Weapon... Pluton!!- Robin met Sukiyaki's eyes intently.- I was with the Baroque Works for many years, before joining Luffy. King Cobra showed it to me... He showed me the Poneglyph that Alabasta had and it said that.-
-... Indeed, it is here.-
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One beat... Two beats... Three beats... Four beats...
Izou has no idea how long he's been inside this dark room and he really hates this place.
-Izou... It's time to eat.-
King enters with a plate full of food and a beaming smile.
Izou moves the chains that bind his wrists and ankles.
-Oh, that's true... I forgot you can't do it alone.- King sits next to Izou chained on the big bed.- I'll feed you. Say aaah...- King brings the spoon to Izou's mouth, but Izou refuses to eat.- Come on, honey. You have to eat. Otherwise, your stomach will hurt later.- King shoves the spoon into Izou's mouth by force.- See? It is not so difficult.-
One thing was sure... This guy went crazy.
++++++++
-Are you better, Mochi?-
-Y-Yeah...- Katakuri nods, cheeks still very red.
-Don't go fainting again, Kata-chan!-
-Shut up, idiot.-
-They've been lit!!-
-Alright! Here's to all the feast to come!!- Luffy grabs Katakuri's wrist and drags her to a higher place to better view the fireworks.- Here we go!!-
On the way, he grabs two beer mugs and hands one to Katakuri.
-Let's drink and party 'till dawn, Mochi!!-
-Sure.- Katakuri smiles.- Cheers.-
-Cheers!!-