Chapter 532 - 372

Chapter 373: The Farewell BanquetThe sunny sat quietly in the middle of the sea.Surrounding it were seven fleets, dozens of pirate ships of various designs, guarding it in layers like the most loyal sentries.This was the first and, before their departure, the last time the entire Straw Hat Grand Fleet had assembled.Huge bonfires blazed on temporary rafts, and giant wild boars sizzled as they roasted, giving off a tempting aroma.Mountains of wine barrels were crudely cracked open, and the mellow liquor flowed everywhere like free spring water.The pirates' wild laughter, the clinking of glasses, and drunken singing mixed together in a chaotic din, soaring straight into the sky as if to shake the clouds away.Luffy was undoubtedly the absolute center of attention at this banquet.With a giant roasted turkey leg in his left hand and a wine glass larger than his head in his right, his mouth stuffed with food, he indistinctly shared the results of last night's battle with his companions."Hehehe... I'm telling you, that Rebecca... *hic*... is really a good girl!"Nami and Robin sat on either side of him. Hearing this, they both gave him a charming roll of their eyes, yet in perfect sync, they refilled his glass with wine.On the outskirts of this ocean of joy, the seven Captains were expressing their near-fanatical adoration and loyalty to this new emperor in their own ways."Waaaaah—Senior Luffy—!!!"A shrill wail, full of emotion and reluctance to part, drowned out the noise of the entire crowd.Everyone looked toward the sound and saw Bartolomeo, the Barrier-Barrier Fruit user, weeping and snotting as he prostrated himself in the most formal bow toward the sunny.Behind him, several crew members carried a huge chest made from the bones of Sea Kings."Senior Luffy! This is a farewell gift that we, the Barto Club, spent seven days and seven nights carefully preparing for you!!! o(╥﹏╥)o"Bartolomeo stood up while crying and opened the chest.In an instant, a golden light nearly blinded everyone!Inside was neither gold and silver treasures nor rare curiosities.Instead, it was a complete set of life-sized figures made of pure gold, depicting Luffy in every bounty poster pose from when he first set sail until now!From the initial 30 million Berries to today's terrifyingly high amount, Luffy from every period was carved vividly, even the curve of the silly grin on his face was identical."Pfft—!!!"Usopp spat out a mouthful of wine, and Frankyburst into tears on the spot."Is... is this... the SUPER soul of a fan?!!"Luffy's eyes lit up as he looked at the pile of golden versions of himself. He patted Bartolomeo on the shoulder and laughed, saying:"Ohhh! So cool! Bartolomeo, you're a genius! Thanks!""To receive Senior's praise... I, Bartolomeo, can die happy now!!!"Bartolomeo fainted from excitement once again.On another ship, the Beautiful Pirate Cavendishwas elegantly holding a wine glass and delivering his flamboyant speech to the female crew members around him."Do you see? That man is the one I, Cavendish, acknowledge! From now on, the name of Cavendish of the White Horse will forever accompany the radiance of the straw hat, echoing in every nook and cranny of this sea!"Just as he finished speaking, his other personality, Hakuba, suddenly lunged out, unsheathed a longsword, and let out bursts of maniacal laughter, as if cheering for the impending, endless slaughter."For Big Brother Luffy! Dedicate your hearts!""For Lord straw hat! Trample everything!"Sai, the leader of the Happo Navy; Hajrudin of the Giant Race; Ideo of the Longarm Tribe; Blue Gillyof the Longleg Tribe; and Commodore Orlumbus...Each Captain, in their own way, offered their loyalty to the man who stood at the top of the world yet still maintained his pure heart.With the buff of alcohol, the atmosphere reached its peak.Just then, Bartolomeo, who had just been revived by his crew pinching his philtrum, suddenly leaped up from the ground!He grabbed a giant wine barrel and chugged the entire thing down.Then, his face flushed, he jumped onto the bow of the ship and, with all his might, shouted toward Luffy the most solemn and crazed oath of his life!"Senior Luffy—!!!""From this day forward! The Barto Club will serve as the vanguard of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet! We will conquer the first sacred and inviolable Imperial Domain for you in the New World!!!""We will plant the straw hat flag in every corner of this sea! Let everyone know who is the one and only King of this era!!!"This extremely fanatical declaration was like a bomb, instantly igniting the entire crowd!"Ohhh!!!""Expand the territory for Senior Luffy!!!""Let the fame of the straw hat echo throughout the world!!!"All the pirates raised their weapons and wine glasses, letting out deafening roars!That massive and fanatical collective will even caused the clouds in the sky to churn!...At the same time.On the coastline of Dressrosa.Three figures stood quietly, watching the new emperor's party on the sea—a spectacle enough to terrify any kingdom.*Crunch, crunch.*The former Fleet Admiral, Sengoku the Buddha, was sitting cross-legged on a rock, leisurely eating his favorite senbei.He glanced at the man beside him, who wore a purple yukata, held a Cane Sword, and had his eyes tightly shut yet seemed to see through everything, and spoke in a teasing tone."Issho, you've really... opened my eyes.""Openly defying Sakazuki's orders, not only did you let Straw Hat go, but now you've actually come to see a pirate off."Sengoku shook his head, marveling at the situation."If word of this got out, it would undoubtedly be the greatest scandal in the eight-hundred-year history of the Marines."Fujitora didn't look back; he just quietly listened to the tsunami-like cheers in the distance, his face showing no emotion.He spoke slowly, his voice hoarse yet exceptionally firm."This old man is not seeing off a pirate.""I am simply witnessing the birth of an era."Those words made Sengoku's movements pause slightly.He said no more, only turning his gaze back to the sea illuminated by bonfires and starlight, his expression becoming deeper than ever before.Behind them, in the shadows of a nearby coconut grove.An incredibly tall, muscular, dark-skinned man leaned against a tree trunk, smacking his lips in dissatisfaction.Marine Headquarters Admiral, Aramaki.At this moment, looking at the massive pirate fleet on the sea and feeling the powerful auras soaring into the sky, his face was filled with irritation and resentment."Tch... honestly, a bunch of cowards."Aramaki muttered under his breath, his voice filled with disdain for the higher-ups of the World Government."Watching an emperor slip away right under their noses without even the courage to take action... and then finding a nice-sounding excuse like 'maintaining balance'!""If you ask me, we should just round them all up right now!"Although he spoke fiercely, his body was honest, and he didn't dare move an inch.Was he kidding?Challenging a Four Emperors member who could go toe-to-toe with Kaido, plus his fleet of thousands that looked like trouble, all by himself?He, Aramaki, had no interest in seeking death."Sigh... I'm so hungry..."In the end, all his dissatisfaction and fighting spirit turned into a long, helpless sigh.This Admiral, who could go three years without eating, felt a hunger rising from the depths of his heart for the first time.It was a hunger for achievement and a deep sense of powerlessness against this era that was spinning out of control....The banquet on the sea was finally coming to an end.As the last star before dawn hid in the horizon.The moment of departure had arrived."Senior Luffy! Take care!!!""Big Brother straw hat! We are ready for your call at any time!""Safe travels!!!"Amidst farewells filled with reluctance and pride, the seven fleets of the Straw Hat Grand Fleetscattered like arrows toward all corners of the New World!Carrying the name of "straw hat," they would set off to begin their own new legends!Soon, only the thousand sunny remained on that once-noisy sea.All the noise and excitement vanished with their departure.Only a cool silence remained on the sea as the morning breeze blew.Standing at the bow, Luffy watched the direction in which his comrades had disappeared, the smile on his face slowly fading.He turned to look at the endless sea, full of unknowns and challenges, a sea that truly belonged to the strong.In his eyes burned a flame hotter than the bonfires—the flame of ambition.The party was over.The true journey of an emperor of the sea had only just begun!