Ryugu Kingdom, this fantastical land built from countless coral reefs and pearl shells, glowed with a deep blue, enchanting light.
King Neptune, filled with gratitude and joy, had a stage, like a giant seashell, meticulously set up in the center of the hall.
The Straw Hat slowly arrived, riding the unique giant flounder with a massive bubble membrane from within Ryugu Palace.
The flounder's body was enormous, shimmering with a faint glow, and the bubble membrane, like a transparent crystal ball, enveloped the crew, allowing them to breathe freely in this underwater world.
At the banquet, laughter and joy never ceased. Famous underwater superstars showcased their singing, their melodious voices echoing like ocean currents in the deep, gently caressing everyone's hearts.
The beautiful mermaid ladies from the Mermaid Cafe also attended in elegant attire as special guests. Their figures swayed, and their scales shimmered with a captivating luster under the lights, adding a touch of brilliance to the banquet.
Luffy sat contentedly on the flounder, allowing the mermaid ladies to line up and feed him meat.
Zoro and Franky, among others, were engrossed in Fish-Man Island's exclusive alcoholic beverages.
Sanji lay on a bubble, howling at the Fishman ladies, but no one paid him any attention.
Because it was embarrassing... The group was in high spirits, singing and dancing, immersed in this rare joyful time, seemingly forgetting all worries and fatigue.
Orochimaru watched this scene, contentedly wiping the corners of his mouth.
The food on Fish-Man Island was truly excellent, especially the desserts. Sweet but not cloying, melting in the mouth, each bite felt like the ocean's gentle gift to the taste buds.
No wonder Big Mom coveted Fish-Man Island so much; Orochimaru also wanted some... Jinbe, holding a wine cup, turned slightly and looked at Luffy, who was wolfing down food, and asked, "Luffy, how much do you know about the current world situation?"
Luffy finished eating, leaned against a mountain of large plates, and idly spun a small plate on his pinky finger. Hearing Jinbe's words, he tilted his head.
"Huh? Why bring that up suddenly?" At this moment, he was eagerly anticipating the delicious food the mermaids would bring next.
Seeing this, Jinbe sighed helplessly, "Look at you, you know absolutely nothing. Your intelligence-gathering ability is truly worrying."
Luffy, however, didn't care, still playing with the plate, ignoring Jinbe's words.
"Is that so... But it doesn't matter, Orochimaru will collect it anyway... Oh oh oh oh!!"
Before he could finish, Luffy's gaze was instantly locked onto a large plate of skewers and sandwiches newly brought to the table. His eyes burned, and he pounced like a hungry tiger.
Jinbe sighed again, slowly rising, "Let's go talk over there."
"Mm... Wait for me, I'll grab some food to bring over. (○'ω'○) Hehehe." Luffy nodded in agreement, then quickly lifted the large plate of food high above his head, balancing it on his head, and followed Jinbe away.
In a quiet corner, Luffy walked over with a plate of food and Jinbe, and was surprised to find Nami and the others also there.
"What, you guys are here too?"
Zoro lay sprawled on the ground in a "big" shape, sound asleep, completely unaware of his surroundings.
Nami's cheeks were flushed. She turned her head at the sound, looking at Luffy and Jinbe, a little embarrassed.
"I drank too much, I'm sobering up."
Usopp, round as a ball and instantly fat, panted with difficulty.
"I'm digesting."
Chopper held a small handkerchief, fanning Sanji, who was sprawled on the ground with hearts in his eyes, muttering "Mermaids are the best."
He turned to Luffy, "Sanji is sobering up to mermaids."
Orochimaru kept his distance from the group, glancing at the alcohol-scented Luffy and Jinbe.
"Blech." (Subtext: Don't touch me.)
The group awkwardly chuckled and scratched their heads, then began to listen to Jinbe explain the world situation.
"What??? Akainu and Aokiji fought a big battle????" Luffy said, eating meat, his face full of disbelief.
Orochimaru heard this news without a care. It was just a fight; Fleet Admiral Sengoku hadn't retired yet. What was there to pay attention to about two Admirals fighting?
Jinbe looked at Luffy, who was still eating meat, speechless.
"You don't even know about such a major event!
Shortly after that war two years ago, Fleet Admiral Sengoku applied to step down, but the World Government rejected his request and blamed everything on Blackbeard.
Originally, this matter wasn't a big deal, but Akainu, for some unknown reason, became increasingly radical.
Especially hateful towards the lineage of Vice Admiral Garp.
He even caused damage to many Marines because of it.
Admiral Aokiji finally couldn't endure Akainu's provocations, so the two had a fierce battle.
Although the result was a draw,
The infighting among the Marine Admirals gave Morgans an opportunity, and this matter was widely spread.
Because Akainu initiated the incident, to protect him, Admiral Akainu was ordered to reflect and was transferred to Mary Geoise to protect the Celestial Dragons.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku used this incident as a reason to say he was unworthy of power.
He handed over most of his internal affairs and authority to Admiral Aokiji, while he himself followed Vice Admiral Garp's ship to conduct what he called "public inspections."
But everyone knows that Marine Headquarters is now run by Admiral Aokiji, and Fleet Admiral Sengoku is merely a nominal Fleet Admiral.
To replenish their fighting strength, Aokiji decided to conduct a world draft.
Because the official Admiral positions were already filled, only one Admiral candidate, codenamed Fujitora, was selected.
The other Admiral candidate, due to his fanatical worship of the Celestial Dragons, was sent to serve them alongside Akainu.
Instead, Kizaru was pulled out. Admiral Kizaru now acts as a mobile force, striking pirates in the New World..."
"Ah wuh, ah wuh..." Luffy had his back to Jinbe, looking as if he were intently listening to a story.
However, his cheeks were puffed out, and he was stuffing himself while mumbling his agreement.
Whenever he encountered particularly delicious food, he would suddenly stop, carefully leave one bite, and then stretch his arm out long, trying to hand the food to Orochimaru in the corner.
Orochimaru looked at the plates around him, filled with pieces of food, each with only one bite left, and his mouth couldn't help but twitch violently.
Was he some little pet who liked leftovers?
Should he feel a little comforted that Luffy still remembered to save him food?
But then he was filled with helplessness again. Why was it always just one bite left... Some were even bitten by Luffy.
Did he bite it and then remember he hadn't given it to him yet?
Jinbe bowed his head slightly, his expression grave, his voice filled with worry.
"The current situation is truly chaotic... The Four Emperors are also stirring, and even the Whitebeard Pirates have been quite active recently..."
Luffy, however, remained immersed in the world of delicious food, eating non-stop with "ah wuh, ah wuh" sounds.
Jinbe finally reached his limit, abruptly turned, and roared loudly at Luffy, "Luffy!! Are you even listening to what I'm saying!!"
"Huh??" Luffy turned innocently.
Jinbe continued to roar at him.
"Aren't you the Captain!!!! You must have basic intelligence!!"
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