Next Bonus, 100!!
<><><><><><>
"Bwahaha! This is nothing," Garp said. "Back in the day, when the Kuja Pirates were the number one supergroup... Roger, Whitebeard, Shiki, Kaido... all the big names were wrapped around their captain's little finger. The whole world was crazy for them. They were considered the treasure of Hachinosu. This is tame by comparison."
"You're talking about the former World's Most Beautiful Woman, Shakky, aren't you, sir?" Kuzan noted.
"That's the one," Garp nodded.
"Shakky?" Gion asked, curious. "Did you have a crush on her, Vice Admiral?"
"Bwahahaha...!" Garp just laughed, scratching the back of his head.
"He totally did," Big Mom said with a grin, her massive form leaning in. "I wanted to kidnap you and have your children back then, Garp. They would have been so strong."
Garp just stood there, a sweatdrop rolling down his face.
"Hey, Garp! Have a drink!" Whitebeard said, handing him a mug of beer. Behind him, Ace instinctively pulled his hat down low and tried to shrink away.
Garp had noticed him, of course, but he pretended he hadn't. This was Ace's choice... and Garp had chosen to respect it.
But what would be the cost of that choice?
Garp took the mug from Whitebeard and drained it in one go.
When he had been chasing Roger, it had been Sengoku's job to deal with Whitebeard. But they had still clashed a few times over the years. They were old acquaintances. And though they were on opposite sides, there was a mutual respect between them.
"Hey, old man Garp," Kaido said, taking a swig of sake, "your son is the leader of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon, right? Impressive."
This wasn't common knowledge, but Kaido and Whitebeard had heard the rumors. After all, Dragon had once been a rising star in the Marines, even more famous than the current Admirals.
Garp's face darkened. He shot a glare at the smirking Jin. This is all your fault, you little brat.
And this oaf, Kaido, with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer...
"And which one is your grandson?" Big Mom teased. "If he wants to be a pirate, he's welcome in Totto Land. He can choose any of my daughters he likes. A marriage between our families..."
She seemed to be joking, but there was a serious undertone to her words. The son of the leader of the Revolutionary Army... it was a tempting prospect. The Revolutionary Army was becoming more active all over the world, and even the Big Mom Pirates were starting to pay attention.
"Hahaha!" Shanks laughed, stepping in to save Garp from the awkward situation. "Hey, hey! This is a party! Let's not talk about such depressing things. Come on, let's all have a drink!"
"GURARARA! To the party!"
"MAMAMAMA!"
"WORORORO!"
"Hey, wait! Fill up Admiral Kuzan's mug! Don't be so cold! Don't be so formal! Smile a little!"
Kuzan just sat there, a blank expression on his face.
"Hey! Is the Marine Admiral scared?"
"If you're such a coward, go home!"
"Worried we poisoned the booze?"
Under the relentless peer pressure, Kuzan finally sighed and sat down.
Gion looked around.
Jin, Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom, Shanks, Garp, and Kuzan, all sitting around a bonfire, talking and drinking together.
It was another scene that would shake the world.
It wasn't that their conflicts were resolved. After the party, everything would go back to the way it was.
But for now, it was a gathering of the strong, based on a tacit understanding.
"Yohohoho..." Brook strummed his guitar and began to sing "Binks's Brew."
The musicians from all the different crews joined in, singing the song of the pirates.
Then, Uta, full of life and energy, launched into "Wellerman."
"There once was a ship that put to sea, The name of the ship was the Billy o' Tea The winds blew up, her bow dipped down, Oh blow, my bully boys, blow..."
The powerful rhythm of the song and its spirit of fearless optimism had many of the pirates singing along.
Then, everyone joined in, a massive chorus that echoed across the island. Uta's charisma was on full display, the power of the Sing-Sing Fruit connecting everyone through the music.
Even the Marines couldn't help but sing along. Because the song wasn't about pirates. It was about sailors. It painted a picture that any seaman could relate to.
"Miss Uta! You're the best!" Cavendish and his crew were waving flowers in the air, completely caught up in the moment.
Hearing the beautiful music in person, he had completely forgotten why he had come here.
He was a prince, born beautiful, but forced to leave his country because of it. He had been lonely and lost.
That's why he craved attention.
And Uta's captivating song... it was so beautiful it brought tears to his eyes, filled him with a newfound courage.
"Edward... Linlin..." Kaido sobbed, completely drunk.
"Oh no!"
"Governor-General Kaido is wasted!"
"Hey, what's Kaido saying? Do they know each other?"
"You didn't know? They say Whitebeard Newgate, Big Mom Linlin, and Kaido of the Beasts were all once on the same crew!"
——————————————
The news of Jin's meeting with the Four Emperors in the New World, and his critique of them, spread like a wildfire.
There were journalists from the World Economic Journal among the pirates, and they sent their reports back that very night.
Within a day, the news had spread throughout the entire world—the East Blue, the South Blue, the West Blue, the North Blue, and the Grand Line.
Everyone was talking about it.
It was a sensational story.
The Four Emperors, the near-invincible rulers of the New World, feared by even the World Government and the Marines.
And now, Jin had criticized them to their faces.
And he had withstood their attacks.
It was unbelievable.
The powerful kingdoms and organizations of the world were all paying close attention.
There was no doubt about it: Jin was now a major player on the world stage, one of the most talked-about figures of the new generation.
Some admired him, others wanted to defeat him...
The entire world was buzzing. In casinos, bars, and restaurants, his name was on everyone's lips.
Of course, the story of the party on the island was suppressed by the World Government and the World Economic Journal. A story like that could cause a lot of misunderstandings. Jin was one thing, but the involvement of Garp and the other Marines... if that got out, the damage would be immense.
Jin's words to Garp were also censored. Garp was a symbol of "Justice," and he was still useful. Until a new "hero" could be raised up, Garp's image could not be tarnished.
As for Jin... he wasn't a Marine.
——————————————
The next day, as the sun rose, the Beasts, Big Mom, and Whitebeard Pirates, along with the Marines and the other pirates, all departed.
Shanks watched them go.
Jin approached him to discuss the other reason for his visit.
"Elbaf?"
"That's right."
"You're interested in that place too?"
"You could say that," Jin said. "The strongest country in the world. Who wouldn't be interested? Besides, you've met Brogy, haven't you?"
"The giant from Hannabal?" Shanks said. "I think he's the one who set out to sea a hundred years ago."
"That's the one," Jin said. "If I go to the island by myself, there might be... misunderstandings. You're on good terms with them, right?"
Shanks thought for a moment. "Alright," he said. "Since you've been looking after Uta, I'll take you there."
"Thanks," Jin said.
"There's one more thing," Shanks said. "It's about Garp's grandson, Luffy. When he sets out to sea, when he passes through Paradise... I need you to look after him."
The moment Jin had mentioned Luffy, Shanks had been on his guard. Did this guy know something? What was he planning?
Luffy was the future he was betting on. He couldn't afford any mistakes.
Of course, with Dragon and Garp looking out for him, he should be fine. But... he was worried Jin might cause trouble.
The moniker "King of Paradise" spoke volumes about Jin's influence in that half of the Grand Line.
"Oh, that," Jin said with a smile. "He said he was coming to take Uta away. Don't worry. I'll take good care of him."
Shanks raised an eyebrow. He was about to say something else, but he thought better of it. He'd deal with it when Luffy set out to sea.
"Hey! Aren't you guys leaving?" Jin called out.
He had returned to the Empress to find seven or eight pirate crews gathered nearby.
He glanced at a blond, beautiful man. "And you are?"
"I am Cavendish," the man said haughtily. "A fan of Miss Uta. We will be her most devoted knights!"
<><><><><><>
~ 70 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)