Facing those numerous gazes, although Sakazuki stood alone, he showed no fear at all. His arms still crossed as he ignored everyone else and continued to stare at only one person, the boss of the Umbrella Corporation in front of him.
Only this man here was worth his full attention!
Just as the atmosphere was on the verge of exploding…
"It's not that serious."
Garp's cheerful voice rang out again, directly breaking the oppressive atmosphere.
Looking at Zephyr and Ian, he said with a smile, "Since Sengoku sent me here, I believe you've already guessed it. That old fellow doesn't want things to go this way at this moment..."
Before Garp could finish speaking, the always-cold Sakazuki darkened his face again as he looked at his teammate. "Whose side are you on, exactly?!"
Why does he keep exposing their weaknesses?
"Sorry, sorry, I almost forgot."
Hearing Sakazuki's words, Garp seemed to realize something as well.
However, although he said sorry, his face still wore that punchable grin. "I'll take those words back."
Sakazuki: "..."
Can you even take something like that back?
Sakazuki was rendered speechless by Garp. For a moment, he did not even know what to say.
At this time…
"The dishes... The dishes are ready. May I serve them now?"
The waiter walked over, trembling with fear, while forcing an ugly smile.
He instantly drew everyone's attention.
Already unable to wait any longer, Ace directly turned his head.
Without any hesitation, he said cheerfully, "Can they be served now? I'm starving. Hurry up and bring them out. Oh, right, for what we just ordered, remember to separate ours from that old man's—"
"Thump!"
Before Ace could finish speaking, Garp directly smashed a fist onto the top of Ace's head and laughed loudly. "Ace, grandpa never taught you to eat alone!"
"What are you doing, old man? We're enemies right now!"
"Even if we're enemies, I'm still your grandpa. Fist of love!"
"Thump!"
Sakazuki: "..."
This bizarre scene caused Sakazuki's expression to freeze, then turn iron-blue.
At this moment, he finally realized something: so out of all these people, he was the only outsider?
An executive of the Umbrella Corporation was actually the grandson of the Hero of the Marines?
In his heart, he not only cursed that unreliable old man, Garp, but also cursed Fleet Admiral Sengoku for letting him come over.
Letting Garp come here... Was he really not worried that he would not sell out the Marine Headquarters?
No, he had already sold them out just now!
Just as he was about to slam the table and say something more…
"Let's eat first."
Ian, who had been watching the show, spoke up at this moment to change the topic. "As for everything else, let's wait until Gini comes back to talk about it. Maybe everything will be resolved by then. And also..."
He turned his head and looked at the princess of the Kingdom of Dressrosa, who had also been sitting quietly to the side. "This one arrived earlier than you. It seems she also has something to discuss with us."
As soon as these words fell, both Garp and Sakazuki noticed Violet beside them.
When they saw that she was not an Umbrella Corporation executive they were familiar with, both of them frowned.
Especially Sakazuki, his gaze toward Violet became even sharper, as if scrutinizing something.
Who is this woman?
A new executive of the Umbrella Corporation?
But the doubt did not last long.
Vice-Admiral Garp seemed to think of something, his brows knitting together. "I seem to have seen you before. You're that, that..."
"Vice-Admiral Garp, Admiral Akainu."
Before Garp could finish speaking, Violet had already stood up and performed a princess's courtesy. "I am Violet, princess of the Kingdom of Dressrosa."
"Oh, right, right, right."
After hearing Violet's self-introduction, Vice-Admiral Garp's expression immediately lit up with realization.
He grinned and said, "I remember now. King Riku's daughter, the princess of the Kingdom of Dressrosa. Why did you come here? How has the Kingdom of Dressrosa been lately?"
"Hmph."
Unlike Garp, who looked as though he had run into an acquaintance, after hearing that Violet was a princess of the Kingdom of Dressrosa, Sakazuki's brow furrowed even more deeply.
He looked at Violet with a probing gaze, his tone carrying an air of interrogation. "A princess of an affiliated country? Why are you here, and what business do you have seeking out a criminal wanted by the World Government?"
These words instantly caused the originally decent atmosphere to stiffen, though it only lasted for a single second.
"Thank you for your concern, Vice-Admiral Garp. The Kingdom of Dressrosa is doing very well at present."
After expressing her thanks to Vice-Admiral Garp, Violet lifted her head and smiled again at Sakazuki.
"Admiral Akainu, as the princess of the affiliated country, Dressrosa, I believe I still have the right to travel abroad. I simply did not expect to encounter the benefactor of the Kingdom of Dressrosa here, and came specifically to pay a visit."
Sakazuki: "..."
Hearing Violet's reply, the words Sakazuki was about to say became stuck in his throat.
What Violet had just said was indeed correct.
As an Admiral... He truly did not have the authority to question her.
However, that word benefactor was especially jarring to him, an Admiral.
Seeing Sakazuki at a loss for words, Garp seemed quite pleased.
While eating the food on the table, he said: "Ahahaha, don't be like that, don't be like that. She's just here to thank her benefactor. But, as your senior, I have to criticize you a bit here, Sakazuki. We Marines indeed have no right to control where a princess goes traveling!"
"Hmph!"
Sakazuki's face alternated between dark and green. He also knew that his words earlier had indeed been somewhat rude, so after snorting coldly, he did not say anything further.
Violet, after briefly expressing her displeasure, also did not say more. She merely bowed to Ian and Zephyr. "Mr. Zephyr, Mr. Ian, my father has always wished to personally thank everyone for your kindness. It is only that the Kingdom of Dressrosa has not long since welcomed peace, and my father is temporarily unable to leave the country."
"He hopes that I may invite everyone to visit the Kingdom of Dressrosa to express our gratitude. Dressrosa will certainly do its utmost to host all of you, benefactors."