"The old man Garp's title 'Iron Fist' isn't for show. Chinjao's 'drill head' met that fist and got smashed crooked."
Saying this, Leno couldn't help but laugh out loud. He then continued.
"This caused him to give up being a pirate and sulk in the Flower Country for decades. If it weren't for the treasure of the Happo Navy, he probably wouldn't have shown his face this time."
Everyone's expressions softened. Poor Chinjao—soaring in his prime, then hammered from the summit straight into the abyss, his will shattered.
'Good thing I'm decently strong,' Leno thought. 'Otherwise I'd never be able to hole up at home and ignore the chatter.'
Leno clapped his hands. "Alright, that wraps up this business. Our trip through the West Blue is about done too—let's throw a party!"
"Yeah! A party!"
"Party! Party!" Chopper and Nami whooped at once.
Carmen suddenly cut in: "We're low on meat!"
"Easy. The Calm Belt is a natural meat factory. We'll go catch a Sea King. Nami, set the course—let's roll out!" Leno swung his arm and the bow turned toward the Calm Belt.
''Cheers!'' xN
"Hahaha… so this is what booze tastes like? That idiot Leno wouldn't let me drink till now." After one bowl of wine, Nami's cheeks were rosy as she clung to him in mock offense.
"Hic—"
"Nami—one cup is plenty. No more," Nojiko scolded.
"Right, it's everyone's first time drinking—pace yourselves. No getting drunk."
Leno eventually caved to Nami and Carmen's pestering and brought out his stash.
Robin elegantly picked up a glass of red wine and swirled it gently. Looking at her companions around her, the corners of her mouth turned up unconsciously. 'Life right now feels so dreamlike and unreal.'
She remembered the past: hiding in shadows, never relaxing, death around every corner, always running just to survive. Now there was laughter and sun, and a breeze that smelled like freedom. Lost in the moment, the glass went still in her hand.
''Robin? Robin?'' Slurring a little, Chopper waved his cup at her. "Hey, you spaced out."
''Ah? What is it, Chopper?"
''Nothing—just come eat while it's hot!"
He grinned. Who knew Chopper would be such a happy drunk? One cup became two, then three.
"I'm fine, Chopper. Thank you. Cheers!" Robin clinked glasses and finished her wine.
After a single sip, Kuina's face was already flushed. She hurried a few bites of food, then dared another taste.
Leno smiled at the sight. "If you can't hold it, don't force it. We're here to enjoy ourselves."
"Haha… Kuina, you okay?" Nami, already tipsy, wrapped an arm around Nojiko's neck and heckled her.
Everyone burst out laughing at Kuina's tomato-red face.
So they shared their first drinks together—spirits high, laughter constant. On this uninhabited isle near the Calm Belt, Leno and his crew held a feast. A soft sea breeze carried the scent of wine and roasting meat over the sand.
Then—
''Huh? Who's there? Come out!''
Leno snapped his head around. Nami and the others jumped and followed his gaze.
Leaves rustled. A tall, long-limbed woman stepped out of the brush—clothes in tatters, a pair of long horns like an ox's rising from her head. Hair fell in stripes of sky-blue and pink; a pink frilled mask covered her mouth. A blue cape hung in rags, and tears in her outfit exposed white skin beneath.
What caught Leno's eye most, though, were those impossibly long, white legs—blinding enough to make a man squint.
''Hm? This getup… looks familiar. But that can't be right—why would she be here?"
"Ouch~, Nami, what are you doing?"
Leno was lost in thought when a sharp pain shot through his waist. He turned his head to see Nami pinching the soft flesh of his waist, gritting her teeth.
"What am I doing? You big pervert, why are you staring at her legs?"
"Huh? What are you talking about? I was just thinking about something."
''Oh really? You expect me to buy that?'' Hands on hips. Death glare. Case closed.
''Um… I'm really hungry. Could you spare some food?''
Her belly growled on cue. The girl's voice was small and hoarse.
The crew traded glances, then nodded.
''Come on, join us—we're in the middle of a banquet,'' Carmen said warmly, guiding the bedraggled girl in.
Seated at the table, the newcomer's eyes shone at the spread.
''Eat all you want,'' Carmen assured her. ''There's plenty more.''
"Thank you, then I'll dig in."
She tore in like a starving wolf. Nami and the others watched, pity softening their faces. What had this kid been through to be this hungry?
After the meal, they gathered around her.
''Tell us—who are you and where are you from?''
''My name is Ulti. I'm from Onigashima… a member of the Beast Pirates.''
''You're a pirate?!''
''The Beast Pirates?!'' Carmen and Robin blurted at once, eyes widening.
''As in the… 'Emperor of the Sea' in the New World?'' Nami's voice went thin.
''Yes. Kaido-sama's crew,'' Ulti said, chin tipping up with a touch of pride.
The crew exchanged shocked looks. This gentle-looking girl… a member of the Beast Pirates?
Leno eyed the proud little beauty, puzzled. "Aren't the Beast Pirates in the New World? How'd you end up in this far-flung corner of the West Blue?"
''Nani? This is the West Blue?! I'm doomed!''
Ulti collapsed to the ground, eyes moist with despair.
''Hey—how did you get here?'' Nami demanded, frowning.
''It's all that damned Red-Haired Pirates' fault—they keep messing with us and provoking Kaido-sama.''
''So Kaido-sama led us out to wipe them out once and for all!''
She slammed a fist into the sand, fuming. "While Red-Hair and Kaido-sama were fighting, the shockwaves scattered our fleet. My ship drifted into the Calm Belt and got swarmed by Sea Kings. In the end… I was the only one left."
Ulti sorrowfully recounted her ordeal, voice catching. "I was washed up on this island and went five days without food. I explored everywhere and ran out of strength. If you hadn't happened to be here, I probably would have starved to death."