Chapter 35 – Banquet of Wano
"Gurarararara! You've grown stronger again," Edward Newgate said with a wide grin.
"You too," Ren replied casually as the clash ended.
Whitebeard landed back on the deck of the Moby Dick, while Ren used Geppo to step through the air and return to his flame cloud. The ocean below still churned violently from the shockwaves of their brief clash.
Ren stretched his shoulders lightly as if the battle had only been a warm-up.
"Hey Newgate," Ren called out calmly. "Come in. Wano has prepared a banquet for the Whitebeard Pirates."
Whitebeard raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"Gurarararara! A banquet, huh?"
Ren raised his hand and casually used telekinesis to lift the massive Moby Dick slightly above the waves. The gigantic ship hovered briefly before gliding toward the waterfall entrance of Wano Country.
The Whitebeard Pirates stared in shock as their entire ship floated through the air.
"Oi… did he just lift the Moby Dick?" Jozu muttered.
Marco rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah… that guy keeps getting more ridiculous."
Soon the ship was parked safely within Wano's inland sea port.
Ren stepped down from his cloud while Kaido carried Yamato and Ulti on his flame clouds behind him. King descended beside them silently as the Whitebeard Pirates disembarked from their ship.
They began walking toward the Flower Capital, escorted by Wano's guards and samurai.
Marco looked around as they passed through the bustling streets.
"Damn," he whistled. "Wano is a hundred times better than the last time we visited."
The city was alive with color and laughter.
Markets overflowed with food, children ran freely through the streets, and music echoed from restaurants and festival stands. Farmers transported wagons of rice and vegetables while craftsmen displayed their work proudly.
Everywhere people waved happily when they saw Yamato, Ulti, Kaido, Ren, and King.
"Ren-sama!"
"Yamato-sama!"
"Kaido-sama!"
The cheers filled the streets.
Even Izo stood frozen as he looked around the capital.
"This… this is Wano?" he murmured.
His memories of the country were filled with oppression and suffering.
But this version of Wano was bright and thriving.
"This is nothing like the Wano I remember," Izo whispered quietly.
Meanwhile, King found himself surrounded by children.
"King! King! Give us a ride!" one child shouted.
"Show us the fire trick again!" another demanded excitedly.
King hesitated for a moment before sighing quietly.
Then he spread his massive black wings and lifted gently into the air, carrying several laughing children on his back.
The kids cheered wildly.
"Wooaaah!"
King even demonstrated small controlled flames dancing in his palm, which made the children gasp in wonder.
The cold Lunarian warrior said nothing, but his posture was noticeably more relaxed.
Whitebeard observed everything silently using his Observation Haki.
He sensed the calm happiness throughout the city.
"You really are something," he said slowly.
Ren looked at him with a small smile.
"You completely changed Wano."
Ren laughed lightly.
"This is just the beginning," he replied.
His eyes drifted toward the horizon as he spoke.
"Wano will become a paradise for all races."
Whitebeard chuckled softly at that bold dream.
"Gurarararara… you've grown into quite the king."
Eventually they arrived at the palace gates of the Flower Capital.
Standing there were Toki and the Akazaya Nine, ready to welcome the guests.
The moment the Red Scabbards saw Izo, their eyes widened.
"Izo!" Kin'emon shouted.
Izo stepped forward in shock.
"Kin'emon… Raizo… everyone…"
The samurai quickly gathered around him, speaking over each other as they reunited after so many years.
They laughed, questioned him endlessly, and slapped his shoulders warmly.
Meanwhile, Toki stepped forward gracefully toward Whitebeard.
"Welcome to Wano," she said politely.
Whitebeard studied her carefully before suddenly laughing.
"Gurarararara! Aren't you the girl who was traveling with Shakky and Ren?"
Toki nodded calmly.
"Yes."
Whitebeard stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Now that I mention it… where is Shakky?"
Ren glanced briefly toward the distant sea.
"She's out there doing a few things."
Whitebeard didn't push the topic further.
"Gurarararara… sounds like her."
Soon the banquet began.
Massive tables filled with food were arranged throughout the palace courtyard. Plates of roasted meat, rice, seafood, fruit, and sake covered every surface.
Music filled the air as Wano's people celebrated alongside the Whitebeard Pirates.
Yamato and Ulti were already devouring food at alarming speed.
"Ren! This meat is amazing!" Yamato shouted with a full mouth.
Ulti nodded vigorously. "Wano food is the best!"
Ren chuckled as he began eating as well.
Just then his Den Den Mushi suddenly rang.
"Peru Peru Peru…"
Ren picked it up.
"Hello?"
A familiar voice answered.
"Ren, it seems Monkey D. Garp is coming to Wano to test and see who the new captain of Kaido is."
Ren immediately smiled.
"Ahhh Shakky."
" how have you been? Are you safe?"
Shakky laughed softly on the other side.
"Ara, of course I'm safe. And I even got the Devil Fruit."
Ren leaned back comfortably.
"I'm still waiting for the Boa sisters," she added.
"Thanks, Shakky," Ren replied warmly.
"And don't worry. I'm ready here. Let them come."
There was a small pause.
"Oh, and about that Vampire Devil Fruit," Shakky said casually.
"Can I give it to someone?"
Ren scratched his head.
"Well, you can. I was planning to give that to Gloriosa."
He shrugged slightly.
"But it's fine. I'll find another one for her."
Shakky chuckled softly.
"Ara… what a coincidence."
"I also wanted it for her."
Ren blinked.
"You found her?"
"Yes," Shakky said playfully. "She's with me."
Her tone turned teasing.
"So you already had your eyes on my former captain?"
Ren spoke in the most innocent voice he could manage.
"What are you talking about? I just wanted to cure her illness."
Shakky laughed again.
"Well, it seems we're thinking the same way."
"I was also hoping you would cure her illness."
Ren smiled faintly.
"For you, everything, my love."
His tone turned mischievous.
"But you better come back quickly… or you and I will be fighting in a closed room for days."
Shakky's amused voice answered immediately.
"Ara, then you better be prepared."
"I won't be letting you go for a few days either."
She blew a playful kiss through the Den Den Mushi.
"See you soon, love."
The line clicked as she hung up.
Ren looked at the snail with a fond smile before putting it away.
Then he returned to eating beside Yamato, who had already piled another mountain of food onto her plate.
The banquet continued deep into the night.