Chapter 42: Banquet—The Arrival of the Big Mom Pirates
The joy of Itachi's acceptance into the crew still hung in the air when Fukaboshi and the other princes maneuvered to block the Thousand Sunny's path.
Shirahoshi's enormous face hovered at the bubble's edge, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Everyone! Why would you leave without saying goodbye?"
Her voice carried the weight of genuine hurt.
"At the very least, we must properly express our gratitude!"
"That's right!" Fukaboshi spread his arms wide. "Everyone, you are the heroes of Fishman Island!"
Luffy's expression soured instantly at the word "hero."
"Being a hero is annoying! I don't want it!"
Zoro grunted in agreement, a visible shudder running through his frame.
"After everything that happened in the square... just thinking about being carried around by cheering crowds gives me chills."
"Right, right!" Luffy nodded vigorously. "We should go!"
Fukaboshi pressed on, a knowing smile crossing his features.
"But surely... you can at least stay for a celebratory banquet before leaving?"
The effect was immediate.
Luffy's eyes went wide. His entire face transformed.
"WHAT?! A BANQUET?!"
Zoro's visible eye sharpened with interest.
"Will there be that special Fishman Island liquor? The one the mermaids brew?"
"Of course! Of course!" Fukaboshi laughed, relief flooding his voice. "Snacks, craft sake, sea king meat—everything Fishman Island has to offer!"
Luffy's drool began flowing like a waterfall.
"THEN WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?! I WANT TO GO TO THE BANQUET!"
Nami sighed, but she was smiling.
"There's no helping this captain."
Shirahoshi's tears transformed into joy.
"Wonderful! Then please, Franky-san—turn the ship around!"
Luffy bounced on the deck, already shouting.
"Let's call Hachi and Keimi too! And Pappag! Everyone!"
Fukaboshi raised his arm, directing the Neptune soldiers who had followed them.
"Set course! To Ryugu Palace!"
The Thousand Sunny turned, escorted by an honor guard of fishman soldiers, and sailed toward the most magnificent palace beneath the sea.
Half an hour later, the Straw Hats had docked at Ryugu Palace's harbor and been transported to the palace itself on the royal sea train—a bubble-propelled carriage that carried them through the palace's inner seas.
Throughout the journey, Chopper had never stopped his care. He perched on Itachi's head, small hooves working tirelessly at the pressure points around the shinobi's eyes.
"Thank you, Chopper." Itachi's eyes opened. The fatigue remained, but the sharp pain had faded to a dull ache.
"Not hard at all!" Chopper's cheeks flushed with pleasure beneath his fur. "But... um... am I heavy? Sitting on your head like this?"
Itachi smiled—a genuine expression that came more easily now than it had in years.
"Of course not."
He reached up and gently patted Chopper's hoof.
"Thanks to you, I've recovered quite a bit."
He lifted the reindeer down, setting him gently on the carriage floor.
"Let's enjoy the banquet together."
Chopper's eyes went wide.
"Really?!"
"Of course." Itachi stretched, testing his body. His chakra reserves were still dangerously low, his eyes still protested any sudden movement—but for now, he could stand. He could walk. He could pretend to be whole.
"I'm fine."
"WAHOO!" Chopper shot forward, bouncing around Luffy and Usopp with barely contained excitement.
Those two were already in a state beyond excitement. Their eyes had glazed over, fixed on the endless procession of dishes being carried into the banquet hall. Steam rose from roasted sea kings. Grilled shellfish glistened with butter. Fruits in colors that shouldn't exist in nature piled high in crystal bowls.
Luffy's arms shot out, stretching across the room to snatch a massive drumstick. He shoved it into his mouth whole.
Outside the banquet hall, tens of thousands of Neptune soldiers stood in perfect formation, their voices rising in rhythmic thunder.
"STRAW HATS! HEROES!"
"STRAW HATS! HEROES!"
"STRAW HATS! HEROES!"
Within the hall, mermaids of breathtaking beauty performed traditional dances, their tails shimmering with every movement. Sanji and Brook had already been captivated, their bodies floating through the air as they spiraled around the dancers in ecstatic circles.
"SANJI-SAN! THIS IS PARADISE!"
"BROOK-SAN! I'VE FOUND HEAVEN!"
Zoro lounged against a pillar, a massive jug of Fishman Island's finest sake in one hand. He drank deeply, satisfaction written across his scarred features.
Nami clinked glasses with Keimi, both women laughing as the alcohol warmed their cheeks.
"Come on, let's drink properly!"
At the height of the celebration, Fukaboshi approached Itachi with a question.
"Itachi-san... may I ask your counsel regarding the prisoners?"
Itachi considered for a moment.
"What does your father think?"
Fukaboshi nodded, having anticipated the question.
"Father doesn't wish to simply imprison all the remaining criminals from Fishman Alley. But he's uncertain of the proper course."
Itachi nodded slowly.
"First—the leaders must face severe punishment. This is necessary to restore the royal family's dignity and demonstrate that such actions have consequences."
Fukaboshi listened intently.
"Second—the remaining criminals shouldn't be imprisoned. Simple incarceration would only burden Fishman Island's resources and allow hatred to fester in captivity."
"Then what should we do with them?"
"Fishman Island suffered extensive damage during the riot. Mobilize them for hard labor. Make them rebuild what they destroyed."
Fukaboshi's eyes lit with understanding.
"Finally—enlist them. Every single one."
"Enlist them?!" Fukaboshi's surprise was evident. "In the Neptune Army?"
King Neptune had suggested something similar, but hearing it from Itachi gave the idea new weight.
Itachi's Sharingan, though tired, still held its penetrating quality.
"Do you want another riot to occur on Fishman Island?"
Fukaboshi shook his head vigorously.
"By enlisting them, you give them purpose. You allow them to continue contributing to their society. At the same time, military structure provides constant supervision and reform."
He paused, letting the logic settle.
"Identify the capable ones. Promote them to positions of limited authority. But maintain unified control from the top. They serve under your command, not independently."
Fukaboshi stood frozen for a moment, processing the elegant simplicity of the strategy. Then he bowed deeply.
"Thank you. Thank you for this wisdom."
He straightened.
"I'll report to my father immediately. Please—enjoy the banquet."
He turned to leave—then stopped, remembering something. He swam back, expression shifting to one of grim revelation.
"Everyone... there's something you should know about Hody and the others."
The banquet's joy dimmed slightly as Fukaboshi explained.
Ten years ago, a treasure chest had been stolen from the palace. Inside that chest—Energy Steroids. The drug that had granted Hody and his officers their monstrous strength.
"The cost," Fukaboshi said heavily, "is lifespan. The steroids consume the user's life force, aging them rapidly."
He gestured toward the cells far below.
"All the surviving officers have aged terribly. Their bodies are failing."
"And Hody?"
"When he tried to break the bars of his cage to attack you again—his metacarpal bones shattered. He couldn't even bend the iron."
Usopp paused mid-bite, scallop meat forgotten.
"That's... tragic."
Luffy, surrounded by a mountain of bones that grew by the second, showed no reaction whatsoever. He grabbed another meat slab and tore into it with blissful ignorance.
Robin, ever perceptive, used her Devil Fruit to float a selection of dishes toward Itachi—wine, meat, vegetables arranged artfully on a platter.
"Eat first, Itachi. Replenish your strength."
Itachi accepted with a small nod. He lifted a piece of meat, examined it briefly, then took a bite.
The flavor was extraordinary—unlike anything from the Elemental Nations. The sea king meat was rich and savory, seasoned with spices that didn't exist in his world.
While he chewed, Luffy somehow demolished three more meat slabs, each larger than his torso.
"Tear-trough Itachi! Don't be polite! Eat until you explode!"
Itachi managed a small smile at the horrific encouragement.
"I'll... do my best."
Robin laughed softly beside him.
"Itachi, you don't seem to share Luffy's... enthusiastic dining style."
"No," Itachi agreed quietly. "I don't suppose I do."
At the port of Fishman Island, a massive pirate ship had docked—a vessel so enormous it dwarfed every other ship in the harbor.
Two figures disembarked and made their way through the coral-lined streets toward the island's candy factory.
At the factory entrance, the Minister of the Right stood waiting, sweat beading on his brow.
The larger of the two visitors—a massive lion-like man in a pink suit and sunglasses—wasted no time with pleasantries.
"What do you mean, no more snacks?!"
The Minister of the Right trembled, bowing repeatedly.
"Ah! Pekoms-san! Please understand! We've suffered a civil war! The factory machines were damaged! Repairs are underway but—"
Pekoms removed his sunglasses, revealing eyes that had gone small and hard—the unmistakable sign of a man whose patience had evaporated.
"Have you forgotten?!"
His voice rose, filling the street.
"The only reason you fly our flag! The only reason the Big Mom Pirates extend our protection to this island! Is because of our agreement! Ten tons of sweets! Every single month!"
"I understand, but please—" The Minister of the Right waved his hands frantically. "Let me explain—"
"Your civil war means nothing to us!"
Pekoms' face darkened, shadows gathering across his leonine features.
"It seems you don't understand Mama's nature."
He leaned in, voice dropping to a deadly whisper.
"When someone fails to deliver sweets to that woman..."
"She will destroy their entire country without hesitation."
(End of Chapter)
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