O'hara, Storm City.
Countless people held their wine glasses, reveling in the taverns and streets, with unlimited supplies of drinks and food nearby.
Every restaurant and food stall in the city was booked out by their lord, all to celebrate his victorious return and welcome the new Big Mom Pirates led by Katakuri.
It wasn't just Storm City; as soon as he returned, he immediately ordered grand feasts to be synchronized by assistant officers everywhere, including various affiliate islands. Anyone who could move was welcome to have a drink.
He could afford a feast for nearly three million people in his territory!
The entire O'hara was plunged into festivity.
Inside the Royal Palace, the banquet hall and the large courtyard behind it, which had its doors wide open and also served as a party venue, were densely packed with people.
Exhilarating music graced the surroundings along with dancers, and pirates were hooking arms and shouting, drinking a few glasses, even the previously hostile Big Mom Pirates had softened.
Among the crowd, Gin and Oven were staring each other down, a half-height barrel beside them, competing with neither willing to yield.
Since he joined under Sage's banner, Gin naturally wouldn't treat him differently; in fact, he quite admired this guy who tied with him.
Their capabilities were similar, and they both had corresponding loyalties to their family and pirates, resembling each other in certain aspects.
But the more it was like that, the more they wanted to determine a winner.
Now that they were in the same camp and no longer fighting, settling it over drinks was also the way to go!
On the other side of the crowd, Smoothie sat alone on a chair, holding a glass of red wine, coldly watching the lively scene before her.
She was actually somewhat dissatisfied, but due to the family's decision and Sage's intimidating presence, she had no way to resist, so she simply avoided interacting with anyone and just observed here.
"Oh, drinking alone?"
As she coldly observed, a gentle voice sounded beside her.
Marika walked over with two glasses of wine, handed one to Smoothie with a smiling face, and said, "The juice you've squeezed has a different flavor from this."
Smoothie glanced at her, didn't take the glass immediately, but said:
"You took the head chef, I saw it with my own eyes... Is it to exchange for power with Blackbeard?"
"Can't be helped, the head chef was getting too old and had no intention to surrender, seemed like he was ready to flee... To keep the power from disappearing, we had to do this,"
Marika said, "But this affair shouldn't affect either side's decisions much... As far as I know, that Streusel is not any of your fathers."
And the people from Big Mom Pirates only acknowledge Charlotte Linlin, they don't recognize any father.
In front of the formidable queen, all of Charlotte Linlin's former husbands were merely for her to bear pirate children of other races, discarded after use.
Compared to so-called tool-like husbands, Streusel, as an initial partner, was more trustworthy.
But that trust disappeared with Charlotte Linlin. Sage was determined to have that power, wouldn't let Streusel escape, so under the premise that he might make a move, they simply captured him and packaged him to trade with Teach.
This matter caused some ripples within the Big Mom Pirates.
"Better to think of the future..."
Marika smiled at the lively scene ahead: "Your family, my companions, everyone is very happy. The sea isn't static... Don't you think this is good enough now? Sage can fulfill everyone's wishes."
"Fulfill everything..."
Smoothie gazed at her for a moment, then accepted the glass from her hand, took a gentle sip, and nodded, "It is indeed a unique flavor."
She was good at making juice and wine, quite an outstanding figure in this domain as a chef, not inferior to Marika in the realm of winemaking.
If she said it was unique, then the blended wine must be delicious...
"Feeling the difference is good."
Marika smiled gently, "So please feel more, whether it's life or wine, there's other flavors..."
Saying so, she slightly bowed and left from there.
Smoothie stared at the wine in her glass, remained silent for a while, then continued sipping gently.
"Drink, drink! Are you raising fish?"
At the main table, Sage had one foot on the dining table, rolling up his sleeves, glaring at Katakuri who was tirelessly downing drinks, shouting:
"Drinking is such a hassle, are you saving that little for swimming? Hey, someone, refill his glass, keep drinking!"
"Don't underestimate me!"
Katakuri put down the enormous wooden cup, revealing a terrifyingly torn mouth.
"Eek! Brother!"
Charlotte Flampe, who had been secretly watching Sage and Katakuri, widened her eyes, showing an extremely shocked expression, but before her expression could turn to disgust, she continued watching Sage.
That gaze was full of admiration and joy.
Yes, she had long since changed her heart.
Ever since Sage defeated mom and showed his strength, she was infatuated with this terrifying and wanton man.
Stronger than brother Katakuri, more bold than him, possessing vast wealth, and holding dominion over all!
Utterly mesmerizing!
Even seeing brother Katakuri's mouth for the first time made her dream of shattered like a mirage, the feeling of disgust had significantly diminished.
"Ha!"
Unconcernedly, Katakuri let out a burp, showing a relaxed and happy smile.
Not because of drinking, in fact, he wasn't very interested in it, preferring donuts, but exposing his true self without worries, not needing to be anxious about losing authority before his younger siblings because of his appearance.
Because to some extent, he no longer needed his own power to reassure his family.
He used to do so because of mom...
Mom was terrifying, terrifying enough that as her biological children, they more often needed to huddle together for warmth against mom's horror.
During that time, Katakuri had to stand up, as the spiritual pillar for his family, anything that could damage his dignity wasn't allowed.
Now it's different, having joined Sage, he also let go of that burden.
Sage was more powerful, and... more human!
He looked around, gathered here were people from various races, not just from Big Mom Pirates.
Giants, dwarves, minks...
Disaster Pirates was also a place that accommodated all races.
Most importantly, the giants, that was mom's dream...
"What's there to look at, big guy just eats more and has more strength,"
Following Katakuri's gaze, Sage said, "In my place, only those who have my permission are eligible to eat with me, so the dream of dining at the same table is off, but I can assure you..."
He spread his arms and laughed loudly, "Everyone can gather at a place and have a joyous grand banquet!"