"..."
Fujitora fell into a long silence.
He touched the bag filled with a huge amount of money, and images of children crying in the ruins flashed through his mind, along with countless injustices he had seen and heard over the years...
Finally, everything faded away, and the scene froze on the inviter who was laughing recklessly in front of him.
He was not the kind of person who could be easily persuaded by mere rhetoric.
But before meeting Shano, he had already specifically studied and verified the other's history, gaining a deep understanding of him.
Otherwise, he, who detests evil with a passion, wouldn't have bothered to come and have a drink with someone the World Government deemed a criminal pirate.
World's No.1 Sword Master, Shano.
Character, trustworthy;
Strength, unquestionably strong;
And tonight, he personally sensed from Shano a clear disdain for all dangers and a strong will to chase his dream...
This man might indeed be worth following.
"I have a condition," Fujitora finally spoke.
"Let's hear it."
"Please remember what you said today, if one day, you break your promises and walk down a path similar to Kaido's..."
Fujitora raised the wooden staff in his hand, fully opening his empty eyes for the first time, revealing intimidating whites, with an invisible pressure that made Smoker's hair stand on end:
"Then at that time, don't blame me for using this Supreme Great Blade to personally send you to Hell."
"No problem."
Shano heartily agreed, "If such a day comes, believe me, you wouldn't need to take action, the others on the ship, Robin, Kuma, Smoker, they wouldn't let me off either."
Is that so? Fujitora glanced at Smoker with a bit of surprise.
But Smoker's focus wasn't here at all; he didn't even bother with his cigar, staring in astonishment at Fujitora's wooden staff...
Huh?
Seriously, that ragged-looking stick is actually one of the Twelve Supreme Great Blades?
On the same level as the swords held by Hawkeye and Whitebeard...
Couldn't tell at all!
"It seems just as you said earlier, your ship indeed has many like-minded people, the thought of fighting alongside them... makes me expectant,"
Fujitora didn't know what Smoker was thinking, he put away the wooden staff and solemnly said:
"In that case, from now on, you are my captain, Mr. Shano!"
"However..." he hesitated, "please forgive me, for I still have some matters to deal with and cannot immediately set sail with you."
"Returning to the West Sea to wrap up your lone ranger days?"
Shano anticipated this, glanced at Fujitora's suitcase, and grinned, "It's alright, take care of it with peace of mind. We can wait. How long do you expect?"
"It won't take long, not even half a year, probably only about three to four months."
Fujitora said apologetically, "I will handle things as quickly as possible, and at the same time, before officially joining the Endgame, I want to talk to an old acquaintance who once invited me to join the Navy."
Old acquaintance?
Who could it be?
Smoker suddenly became curious, wanting to ask for clarification, but Shano seemed unconcerned, just grabbing the wine bottle and filling glasses for the three:
"No problem, it's settled then, we'll hold an official welcome banquet for you in a few months, but for tonight..."
He laughed heartily, "Let's keep it simple, and have a drink together first!"
Clink!
The three raised their glasses high, and the clear sound of clinking echoed clearly in the silent tavern...
-----
That night.
Fujitora parted ways with Shano and left the gambling city in a hurry.
The other crew members, meanwhile, relaxed and enjoyed themselves the entire night.
By the next noon, after resupplying, the Endgame finally left the dock, continuing its journey towards Ten Thousand Nations.
Not much of the journey remained.
...
It was only late January, but Ten Thousand Nations was already teeming with the colors of spring.
Cookie Island.
This is one of the Thirty-Six Islands in the Totto Land Sea Region, located on the northwesternmost outskirts.
At the same time, it is also one of the "Four Sweet Commanders", the territory of Cracker.
As the tea party approaches, this island has been designated as one of the reception outposts.
All guests arriving from the west side to Ten Thousand Nations must register here, and after checking the invitation and verifying their identity and number, they will be allowed to enter the core of Ten Thousand Nations—Cake Island.
Charlotte Custard stood on the dockside, her purple hair gently swaying in the breeze, yet her eyes bore a trace of worry and unease.
She is BIGMOM's sixth daughter, Cracker's biological sister.
Although she hasn't been bestowed the title of minister, having such an accomplished brother makes Cookie Island almost count as half her territory.
Because of this, she was placed on Cookie Island, responsible for receiving guests from this direction.
The other guests don't matter, just follow the procedure.
But incidentally, the most eye-catching guest of this tea party is highly likely to come from this direction.
This really is...
"Hey, Cracker."
Custard couldn't help but speak softly, "Mom suddenly named me specifically, asking me to actively approach that one, but I've never been in love before, this, this is too hard for me..."
"Hard for you? This is giving you an opportunity, idiot!"
From behind came a deep voice, a burly Cookie Soldier stepped out from the shadows, with Cracker's true form hidden in that armor, he snorted:
"Don't get scared by that guy's infamous reputation, no matter how strong he is, he's still a man, and men, in the end, are all lecherous. You, on the other hand, are so pretty and cute."
"As long as you can make his heart flutter and marry him, our Charlotte family will gain an incredible top-tier combat power, and you can achieve great merit, getting appreciated by mom just like me!"
"Cu-cute?"
Custard sat on the grass, worriedly rubbing her cheeks, "Even if you say so, Cracker, I still really have no confidence..."
She indeed looked like that typical youthful beauty, cute and lovable, with her younger sisters all fond of her.
But in reality, she's already quite old, next month she'll be forty years old.
At this age, she could easily be that Shano's mom.
Would the opposite side care about this?
The worry lingered in her heart, making it hard for her not to be anxious...
"Shut up!"
Cracker interrupted harshly, "If mom heard such pessimistic words, you'd better prepare for having your lifespan taken away! Buck up!"
He slapped her on the forehead, hating that she fell short, and said:
"Besides, do you think you're the only one assigned a task? Garrett, Smoothie, even Purin were called by mom for advice, for this tea party, mom is determined to secure Shano!"
"Compared to them, you're not inferior in any aspect... At least, that's how I see it! In any case, seize this opportunity, and show your usual confidence and grace!"
Yes, confidence, grace!
Custard rubbed her reddened forehead, stood tall, and finally managed to muster some energy just as the horizon gradually revealed the outline of a ship.
The top of the mast bore a white flag embroidered with crossed swords, fluttering briskly in the wind.
"It's coming, this is the right ship!"
Cracker's eyes lit up, he pushed her abruptly, "Quick, quick, get to the shore and stand in advance, I'll back you up and respond anytime!"
Custard staggered as she ran to the end of the pier, watching the Endgame ship famed across the sea, drawing closer, suddenly becoming a bit tense.
Closer and closer...
The legendary figure gradually became clear—
A handsome young man with black clothes and hair, standing calmly at the bow, merely standing there in a casual manner, yet seemed to dim the surrounding light a bit.
Hiss...
Custard almost stopped breathing for a second.
So handsome, the picture on the warrant was already charming enough, but after feeling his presence, the charm instantly rose a level.
If she initially was just fulfilling mom's task, now she's truly feeling the attraction.
Custard took a deep breath, striving to steady her intense heartbeat.
She took a few steps forward, just prepared to present the sweetest smile to greet them, when suddenly her steps faltered, and she widened her eyes—
Seen on the deck.
The tall Smoothie was lazily leaning on the rail, holding a glass of orange soda, she smiled ambiguously, and raised her cup in greeting.
Beside her, several sisters including Garrett and Myukuru glanced over.
How did this happen?
Custard gritted her teeth.
Those given orders by mom, almost all here...