Dressrosa Kingdom, Lover's Avenue.
"Hahahaha~ He will definitely agree to my proposal!!"
"That guy, that guy is an incredibly cruel man!"
Buena Festa slammed the table, his black afro shaking with the motion.
"But speaking of which, Marlon, as the leader of a West Blue's mafia and a remnant of the Rocks Pirates, is it really okay for you to be here?"
His suit was stretched into a tight fit by his muscles, the brim of his hat tilted up slightly, a cigar wafting its fragrant smoke.
"...It doesn't matter. I was just too bored in the West Blue, came to see what you're up to, that's all."
"Buena Festa."
"Eh~ Is that all? I'm truly honored then, to be remembered by a famous member of the legendary Rocks Pirates."
Buena Festa covered his face with a hand, letting out a weird chuckle.
"But anyway, the more people the merrier. I've always been planning a great war powerful enough to shake the world."
"Although he's a rookie pirate who hasn't been around for long, I really like his character."
Marlon didn't say much, just spat out the cigar butt and replaced it with a fresh one.
Only when the smoke slightly obscured his eyes did he speak again, his tone somewhat low.
"Buena Festa, have you heard the stories about that guy Rocks?"
"Rocks?"
Buena Festa didn't understand why Marlon was asking this… that was an overlord who ruled the seas for a long time.
"What are you referring to? The incident in the West Blue where Roger and the Marine Hero defeated him?"
"No. Forget it. This is something you'll have to discover for yourself."
Marlon's eyes behind the smoke grew increasingly amused.
Before coming to Dressrosa, he had encountered both Shiki and Newgate.
As former 'companions' who sailed together, they chatted for a very brief time.
Among their talks were many doubts concerning that man,
Both Newgate and Shiki held a certain degree of favor towards that All-Star of the Beasts Pirates, the man named Bazel.
Marlon noticed this favor and bluntly asked about its origin.
'Whitebeard: Favor? Gurararara! That's not favor, Marlon, that's nostalgia for memories of the past!'
'Shiki: Jihahahaha~ Don't be ridiculous, Marlon! I just took a liking to that guy's strength!'
"Newgate, Shiki, just what exactly did you two discover-"
A low laugh came from under the black hat brim.
"Let me see with my own eyes what's so special about that man."
At that moment, one of the men in suits standing nearby stepped forward, leaned close to Marlon's ear, and reported softly.
"Boss, the people from the Beasts Pirates are here."
"Clear the path. Let them through."
"Yes."
The underworld members blocking the street quickly moved aside, creating a straight path leading to the sun umbrella.
"Aah, Buena Festa, I've heard of you."
"You, a heinous warmonger, what do you want with me?"
The voice, slightly impatient, arrived before its owner.
"I don't want to participate in a war or anything like that. That kind of thing isn't suitable for pirates."
Bazel found an empty seat and sat down, followed by Hanafuda who had come along to see the excitement.
"This gentleman..."
Upon seeing Marlon staring straight at him, Bazel frowned slightly.
"Please keep your gaze appropriate, or I'll have to help sober you up."
"Hmm hmm... Hahahaha~~ So that's how it is, that's how it is!!"
Marlon held onto his hat, laughing heartily, his laughter growing increasingly manic.
Bazel could clearly see several drops of murky liquid slide from the other's eyes and fall to the ground, splashing into unnoticed puddles.
"So it's like this, things have become interesting indeed!"
Without any self-introduction or greeting, Marlon stood up and left directly with his group of underlings.
"Buena Festa, if this guy is willing to participate in that big festival you're hosting, then I'll join too!"
"With him there, the festival will definitely be extremely interesting!"
"Shiki, Newgate, you two bastards were actually suspecting this! Hahaha~"
"..."
Bazel looked at Hanafuda in confusion, "Do you know that psycho?"
Hanafuda looked stunned, then asked Bazel strangely in return:
"You don't know him?"
"Hmm... I just feel like he looks somewhat familiar." Bazel rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.
"That guy was a member of the Rocks Pirates! How long has it been since you last read the news?!"
With Hanafuda's reminder, Bazel clenched his left fist and knocked it into his right palm.
"So that's it!"
"It's Marlon! No wonder he looked so familiar!"
"But why was that remnant of the Rocks staring at me like that? Is it because I'm too handsome?"
As he spoke, Bazel grabbed Hanafuda and prepared to leave.
"Hey, hey, hey! Could you two wait a moment!"
Buena Festa stood up, placing his hands on the table, which made his disproportionately large afro even more noticeable.
"Could you show me some respect?!"
Seeing the two shift their gaze to him, Buena Festa grinned and handed over an envelope.
"Here, this is for you."
[Invitation]
Bazel took the envelope, opened it, and read the contents.
[To the Greatest Captains:
I, Buena Festa, will host a 'Pirates Festival' that will sweep across the seas… a festival only pirates can attend!]
Bazel raised an eyebrow slightly and casually tossed the letter onto the table.
"So then, Buena Festa, are you trying to be a riddler?"
"What's the point of this strange letter? Inviting us, the Beasts Pirates, to participate?"
Without waiting for Buena Festa's answer, a rapid-fire series of questions escaped from Bazel's lips.
"What about the reward? What are you planning to use to entice us?"
"Berry? Women? Or perhaps a copy and translation of a Poneglyph?"
"Hmm hmm hmm..."
Buena Festa chuckled lowly, but offered no answer.
Hanafuda beside him nudged Bazel with his elbow.
"This guy seems to want to get something for nothing. Hey, Bu-whatever-Festa, who else has agreed to participate in this festival?"
"It's not Bu-whatever-Festa, it's Buena Festa!!"
Buena Festa straightened his attire.
"You'll find out about the rewards and participants when the time comes. I assure you, it won't disappoint."
"Right now, you just need to answer me: will you participate or not?"
Facing Buena Festa's aggressive and pressing gaze, Bazel wasn't in a hurry. Instead, he began searching his memories.
'Buena Festa.'
'The planner, founder, and organizer of the Pirates Festival.'
'He had two nicknames: 'Master of Festivities' and 'Worst Warmonger'. Although the origins of these nicknames were unclear, they were likely tied to the rewards offered in each war.'
'In the original movie's plot, Buena Festa used the Eternal Pose that led to the Roger Pirates' final island, Laugh Tale, as the prize.'
'This attracted over sixty of the sea's most powerful figures to participate in the war.'
'The most famous among them was undoubtedly the remnant of the Roger Pirates, the Demon Heir, Douglas Bullet!'
'But that was in the future.'
Bazel couldn't think of any prize the other party could offer now that could rival that future Eternal Pose.
'Besides…'
'Rather than letting this guy live until the future to host some baffling festival, it would be better to kill him now.'
But his murderous intent stopped there abruptly.
Bazel narrowed his eyes, staring at Buena Festa, his thoughts racing rapidly.
'Killing pirates one by one was truly troublesome. If I could use this guy's influence to gather all the pirates of this era in one place~'
'Killing them would be much more convenient!'
'Perhaps the Twilight Plan could be mostly completed ahead of schedule.'
"We'll participate."
"Bazel, shouldn't we discuss this with Kaido-sama first?" Hanafuda quickly grabbed hold of Bazel.
"No need. I'll explain it to Kaido afterwards."
"Then it's settled! I'll notify you separately about the time the festival begins. The winner's prize will be announced then too. Look forward to it~!"
Buena Festa didn't linger for a second, turning and leaving immediately.
On his face, hidden from Bazel's view, his forehead was covered in cold sweat, and his pupils trembled slightly.
'That guy wanted to kill me just now!!!'
Buena Festa swallowed hard.
'I definitely didn't misread it. For a brief moment, that man had directed an incredibly intense killing intent towards me!'
'The feeling was like...'
'accidentally falling into the boiling oil pots of hell!'
'Unable to extricate myself, unable to resist, I could only watch death approach.'
'Heh heh heh-'
'What a terrifying man, Bazel.'
'But this trip was very fruitful. The Rocks' remnant Marlon, the Beasts Pirates' Kaido and Bazel. Next, I should go find the Red Count and Whitebeard.'
"As for the prize-"
Quickly walking deep into a dark alley, Buena Festa's figure was gradually enveloped in blackness, leaving only those eyes full of madness and ambition.
"That treasure of Rocks... It will definitely become the most qualified prize of this era!!"