"Never thought we’d come back here again."

Camie, who had been picked up by Merry, looked up at the high connecting corridor with a complicated expression.

She truly hadn’t expected to have the chance to come here again.

"Nyuu~"

"I also never thought I’d get to visit such a noble place..." Hachi said nervously, staring at the high connecting corridor, unsure where to put his hands.

"Relax a bit."

Meiser smiled. "You’re our friends, no need to be so tense."

Seeing their expressions hadn’t eased, Meiser continued, "This matter was approved by Uncle Neptune."

"That’s a relief..."

Hearing that King Neptune had approved, Hachi let out a big sigh of relief.

"What are you so nervous for?" Perona glanced at Pappag and said, "Look how calm he is."

"Hmph hmph hmph, I’m someone who’s seen big scenes, of course I wouldn’t be nervous about something like this." Pappag raised his head proudly.

If it were his first time, he would indeed be very nervous, but... this was his second visit to Ryugu Palace!

Most importantly, their visit was permitted by His Majesty King Neptune!

So... he wouldn’t be as uncontrollably nervous as the first time.

"After the banquet, our ship should be ready with its coating, right?" Chopper said.

"Yeah, no problem." Franky nodded.

"By the way... Franky, why doesn’t your brother like attending banquets?" Luffy asked, turning to Franky with a puzzled look.

When they went to Sea Forest, they had invited Den to join this banquet.

But... he flatly refused.

Hearing this, Franky fell silent for a moment, recalling what Den had said before.

Then, he said helplessly, "Maybe he just doesn’t like lively occasions."

After a pause, Franky continued, "Since he doesn’t like it, there’s no need to force him."

"Alright."

Luffy didn’t dwell on it, nodding and saying no more.

Then, he looked up at the high connecting corridor and said, "Let’s go, to Ryugu Palace!"

"Alright!"

With Merry’s help, the group floating in mid-air successfully entered the interior of Ryugu Palace.

"You’ve finally arrived."

Neptune, having been notified, smiled as he spoke into the Den Den Mushi to the Straw Hat Crew on the other end. "Please ride the long flounder to the banquet hall. We’ll chat freely there."

"Okay~"

"Long flounder..."

Examining the several-meter-long giant fish before them, Perona fell silent for a moment before saying, "Why is this fish lying down?"

"Looks like a shoe sole," Zoro remarked.

"That’s just how this type of fish is," Nico Robin said with a smile.

This kind of fish is quite common on the seas, just not as large as the ones here in Ryugu Palace.

"Never mind that, hurry up and get on!" Luffy, who had already scrambled onto the Long Flounder, grinned widely. "The banquet is about to begin!"

"Coming, coming~"

Everyone exchanged glances, then laughed and climbed onto the Long Flounder’s back.

Soon, led by the two fish, they arrived at the so-called banquet hall Neptune had mentioned.

"Look, everyone, it’s the heroes!"

"Woo!!"

Watching the Straw Hat Crew in the air, the Fish-Man soldiers below grew more and more excited.

They were heroes!

Living heroes!

"Thank you for protecting Fish-Man Island!"

"We will never forget your kindness!"

"Everyone is so enthusiastic~" Little Merry, floating in mid-air, laughed.

The cheers were almost deafening.

"After all, we did save Fish-Man Island," Meiser said with a smile.

If it weren’t for the Straw Hat Pirates, Fish-Man Island would have been destroyed by Vander Decken or the Hody Pirates, so... it was only natural for the Fish-Man race to feel this way.

Hearing Meiser’s words, the others laughed along.

Yes, they were the ones who had saved Fish-Man Island, so it was only natural for them to receive such treatment.

"It’s too noisy!"

Listening to the crowd below constantly shouting "heroes," Luffy complained, "Don’t call me a hero! I want meat!"

"That’s right!"

Zoro, lying on the back of the Long Flounder, snapped to attention and scrambled up. "I want sake too!"

They hadn’t come here to listen to these guys chant slogans—they wanted to drink and eat meat!

"You two..."

Looking at Zoro and Luffy, who were glaring unhappily at their surroundings, Nami didn’t know what to say.

"Just wait a little longer," the old-timer Jimbei spoke up. "We’ll be able to drink and eat meat soon."

Hearing Jimbei’s words, Meiser turned to him curiously. "Speaking of which... Jimbei, you said you were once part of the Neptune Army, right?"

"Yes."

"Then you must have attended banquets here before?"

"Of course," Jimbei nodded. "Not many times, but I have."

"Then..."

"Don’t ask me about that," Jimbei said with a gentle smile. "When it comes to attending banquets, it’s better not to know the program in advance. Otherwise, it takes away a lot of the fun."

If he spoiled it, the Straw Hat Crew’s excitement would diminish, and the banquet wouldn’t be as enjoyable. So, he wouldn’t say too much.

Besides... the program might not be the same as before.

"That’s true."

Meiser chuckled and didn’t press the matter further.

Just then, Shirahoshi swam over from a distance, smiling at the Straw Hat Crew. "Everyone, the stage is just ahead."

"Please enjoy the upcoming program~"

With that, Shirahoshi swam aside, making way for them.

"Stage?"

Luffy’s head was filled with question marks. What was that?

Meiser, however, wore an intrigued expression. "I didn’t expect there’d be a show to watch."

He wondered what kind of program Fish-Man Island would put on.

"Yohohohoho~"

"I’m starting to look forward to it too~" Brook laughed.

"Will there be beautiful mermaid ladies dancing?!" Sanji exclaimed excitedly.

As if struck by a thought, Sanji immediately began wriggling his body with excitement, his eyes turning into hearts.

"There will be," Jimbei said with a cheerful smile. "Everything you’re hoping for will be there."

Hearing this, Brook and Sanji grew even more excited.

"Ladies and gentlemen, hello!" a mermaid host appearing on stage announced with a smile. "I am the host of this banquet, Kaido!"

"To express gratitude for the Straw Hat Crew’s assistance to Fish-Man Island, King Neptune has specially arranged this feast as a token of appreciation."

"Now, let the banquet officially begin!"

"First to take the stage is Fish-Man Island’s pride—the undersea’s number one singer, Lady Maria!"

"Woo!!"

The Fish-Man soldiers below cheered enthusiastically, their expressions growing more and more excited.

After all... for them, it was rare to have the chance to see this esteemed figure!

Watching the singer begin her performance, Nico Robin remarked with admiration, "No wonder she’s called the undersea’s number one singer."

Her vocal skills were truly impressive.

"Yohohohoho~"

"She really is amazing!" Brook said with a laugh. "And the band’s music is fantastic too!"

Listening to the beautiful music and singing, everyone on the Long Flounder began swaying to the rhythm, and the atmosphere instantly became lively!

Seizing the perfect moment, the host announced once more, "Next, our special guests will perform a dance for everyone!"

"A dance?"

Sanji, as if realizing something, froze on the spot.

Then, with an excited expression, he stared at the figures appearing under the spotlight and exclaimed, "Could it be...?"

...

"That’s right, they are... the Mermaid Maid Dancers from the Mermaid Cafe!"

"Woo!!"

"I love this banquet to death!"

Gazing at the incredibly beautiful mermaid ladies, Sanji excitedly grabbed the Bubble, nearly rushing out to dance with them.

"Hey, Sanji, you’ll die!" Chopper grabbed the overexcited Sanji and warned, "You’ll die!"

"It’s fine... let me die in this blissful paradise~"

Perona: "..."

Watching Sanji, whose eyes were sparkling and who had completely lost control of himself, Perona fell into speechless silence.

This guy really hasn’t changed at all.

Well, since he’s already been cured, there’s no need to worry about him dying from a nosebleed.

Thinking this, Perona gave up on the idea of using a Negative Spirit to calm Sanji down.

Then, Perona glanced at the composed Zoro, her eyes unconsciously curving into crescents.

"This really feels like a dreamlike scene," Meiser remarked.

At that moment, Meiser felt as if he were in a fairy tale.

Of course, not a dark one.

"Are they finally bringing out the alcohol?!" Watching the mermaids swimming over with drinks, Zoro revealed an excited expression and said, "I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time."

"Please enjoy~"

The mermaid handing the wine jug to Zoro said with a smile, "This time, there’s plenty of alcohol to go around."

"That’s fantastic!"

He loved drinking more than anything!

Then, Zoro opened the wine jug and took a sip, his eyes immediately lighting up as he said, "This tastes much better than what I had before!"

"This is the wine from His Majesty’s personal collection," the mermaid said with a smile.

"No wonder it tastes so good."

Zoro nodded, then turned to Meiser with a grin. "Meiser, I remember you saying you could hold your liquor pretty well. Want to have a drinking contest?"

"Oh?"

"Challenging me, huh?" Meiser pushed up his sunglasses, a smirk curling at the corner of his mouth. "Well then... I accept your challenge~"

"Zoro!"

After casually tossing another large wine jug to Meiser, Zoro laughed. "Let’s do it!"

"Who’s afraid of who~"

The two stared each other down for a moment before bursting into laughter.

Just then, the music in the banquet hall suddenly stopped, and the host reappeared on stage.

"Next, let His Majesty lead us in a toast~"

Neptune cleared his throat upon hearing this, then took the wine cup handed to him by Shirahoshi and said, "Before the toast, no matter what, I must first express my gratitude."

Taking in the sight of the Straw Hat Pirates, Neptune smiled. "Thanks to all of you in the Straw Hat Crew, our Fish-Man Island..."

Before Neptune could finish, Luffy, unable to wait any longer, jumped up and shouted, "Let the banquet begin!"

"Whoo!"

"Cheers!"

Everyone burst into laughter at his words, then raised their drinks and started drinking.

"Meiser, I won’t lose to you," Zoro said.

"That’s my line~" Meiser replied with a smirk.

"Oh, right!"

As if remembering something, Zoro leaned closer to Meiser and said, "You’re not allowed to cheat with Ninjutsu!"

"Of course not~"

Meiser turned his head away. "I’m not that kind of person."

"Then look at me when you say that, you jerk!"

"Hahahaha!" Franky, who was nearby, burst out laughing and leaned in. "Count me in too~"

"Come on, cheers~"

"Whoo!"

Taking in everyone’s reactions, Neptune pouted and rubbed his fingers together, muttering, "I guess I’m not important anyway... I guess I’m not important..."

"Uncle Neptune, don’t be so down," Luffy said, leaning in front of him. "Let’s have a toast."

Neptune fell silent for a moment, then smiled. "You’re right... Since the Straw Hat Boy and the others don’t mind such things, there’s no need for me to be overly sentimental."

With that thought, Neptune raised his wine cup and said, "Then let’s not worry about anything else. Cheers~"

"Whoo!!"

"Cheers!!"

"Hahahaha~"

"Ah~"

Usopp, lying lazily on the balcony outside Ryugu Palace, said, "This banquet was really satisfying~"

"Me too."

Merry, whose stomach was also quite full, raised her small hand and said, "I ate so happily."

She really loved banquets like this.

She just didn’t know when they’d visit Fish-Man Island again.

"Are you two okay?"

Nami glanced at the two with their full bellies and asked, "Are your stomachs feeling uncomfortable?"

These two weren’t like Luffy, a Gomu-Gomu Fruit user.

"Not really," Merry shook her head.

At most, she just felt a bit stuffed, but not uncomfortable.

"Don’t worry."

After checking on the two of them, Meiser said, "They both have strong digestive systems, so there shouldn’t be any issues."

"That’s good."

Nami nodded, then turned to gaze at the distant sea, lost in thought.

"What’s wrong?" Perona moved closer to Nami and said, "You seem troubled?"

The look in her eyes was exactly the same as when Perona missed Lord Moria.

So... she felt the other might be missing her family.

"It’s nothing, just thinking about some things." Nami shook her head and smiled. "What about you? Why aren’t you eating anymore?"

Seeing that Nami didn’t intend to say more, Perona didn’t press further.

Then, she said somewhat helplessly, "I don’t have that big of an appetite."

At most, she could eat a little more than the average person, but she couldn’t compare to bottomless pits like Luffy.

So after eating some, she couldn’t have any more.

"True."

Nami smiled and said, "We’re all normal people, we can’t compare to them."

Usopp felt a bit helpless upon hearing this. He had only eaten a little more—how did that make him not normal?

"What’s this, you’re all here."

"Luffy?"

Seeing Luffy carrying a basket of food and arriving with Jimbei, Meiser said, "We’re here to digest our food and sober up."

"What about you? Why aren’t you eating over there anymore?"

"Jimbei said he had something to tell me," Luffy said. "It’s about the New World."

Hearing this, Meiser immediately perked up.

Getting up from the ground, Meiser said, "What is it?"

Jimbei didn’t answer right away but instead sat down beside everyone with Luffy.

Then, Jimbei said, "It’s about the Marines."

"You’re not going to talk about Aokiji and Akainu, are you?" Meiser said.

Jimbei was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. "It seems you already know."

Of course, given Meiser’s ability to gather information, it wasn’t surprising he knew about such things.

"Yeah, we know."

Meiser nodded and said, "We even know about Aokiji having his leg broken by Akainu."

"Oh, and about Smoker becoming a Vice Admiral Candidate."

"Impressive," Jimbei remarked.

"Just happened to learn a few things," Meiser chuckled, then added, "I just wonder what that guy is up to now."

"I don’t know about that," Jimbei shook his head. "Since Aokiji left the Marines, he’s disappeared without a trace. No one knows where he went."

"The World Government is willing to let go of such a powerful asset?" Perona said. "That doesn’t seem right to me."

"It does seem a bit off, but he really did leave the Marines," Jimbei said.

"Maybe Admirals aren’t that important to the World Government," Meiser said.

Hearing this, everyone immediately looked at Meiser with puzzled expressions. "Why do you say that?"

That’s an Admiral!

The highest rank in the Marine Headquarters... no, one of the world’s top-tier combatants, a Marine Admiral!

How could the World Government not care about such a figure?

"Do you all remember when I stormed Mary Geoise?" Meiser said.

"Of course we remember!"

Jimbei looked at Meiser with shining eyes and said, "I only regret not being able to join you back then!"

To storm Mary Geoise alone... what an astonishing feat!

Just thinking about it made Jimbei’s body tremble slightly with excitement.

If only he could have joined that battle back then!

"It’s a good thing you didn’t come along," Meiser shook his head and said.

Jimbei was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, then frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

Could it be that Meiser thought he was too weak to participate in such a battle?

"Don’t misunderstand, I don’t think you’re weak," Meiser said. "On the contrary, your combat strength is very formidable on the seas!"

"Then what do you mean?"

"Mainly because the World Government’s composition is too complex," Meiser explained.

"Complex?"

"Yes."

After recalling what he had seen at Mary Geoise two years ago, Meiser said, "I won’t go into other details, but let me talk about the mysterious God’s Knights within the World Government."

"God’s Knights..."

Listening to Meiser’s introduction, confusion appeared in Jimbei’s eyes. What was this?

Why had he never even heard of it?

"What is that?" Usopp asked curiously.

"From what I understand, the God’s Knights are a mysterious organization that protects the Celestial Dragons," Meiser said. "They are composed of powerful individuals among the Celestial Dragons, each of whom has consumed Bug-Level Abilities."

"Bug-Level Abilities?"

Seeing that Chopper didn’t understand what he meant, Meiser explained, "Do you remember Kuma, whom we saw back then?"

"Of course I remember!" Chopper said excitedly. "He’s my savior!"

If it weren’t for Kuma, the Straw Hat Pirates would have been killed by two Admirals.

So... he was extremely grateful to Kuma!

"Yes, he is our savior..." Meiser first sighed with emotion, then said, "But that’s not what I want to talk about."

"I want to talk about his Devil Fruit Ability."

"Devil Fruit..."

Chopper lowered his head to think for a moment, then looked up and said, "Is it that ability that can repel everything?"

"Yes."

Meiser raised a finger and said, "Abilities that involve rules like that are basically Bug-Level."

"And when such Devil Fruit Abilities fall into the hands of the strong, the effects they can unleash are even more terrifying!"

"Take that guy named Saint Rimoshifu, for example," Meiser said. "He is a user of the Mythical Zoan Type Devil Fruit."

"Besides possessing powerful recovery and strength himself, he can also materialize creatures from others’ nightmares!"

"Materialize creatures from nightmares?" Nami looked at Meiser incredulously and said, "Can something like that really be done?"

Isn’t that a bit too terrifying?

Those are nightmares!

"Exactly, it’s that absurd."

"Nightmares..."

Perona tapped her lips and said, "That sounds kind of cute, doesn’t it?"

Meiser:...

Glancing at Perona, who seemed somewhat expectant, Meiser was rendered speechless.

Isn’t this woman’s focus a bit strange?

After silently complaining in his mind, Meiser said, "The thing he materializes is different from what you imagine. That thing is entirely one color, pitch black all over, without any distinguishing features at all."

"Then forget it."

Perona made a disgusted expression. "All dark and gloomy, nothing interesting about that."

"And then?" Usopp asked curiously.

"And then..." Meiser stroked his chin and said, "And then the things he summoned could revive after being killed. Quite troublesome."

Back then, if he hadn’t used the Illusionary Solid Eater Bow—a divine weapon capable of dealing True Damage—to attack, he might not have been able to handle those enemies.

"They can actually revive?" Jimbei exclaimed in surprise.

Wasn’t that just like Meiser’s ability?

"Yes, they can revive," Meiser nodded. "But if you can deal True Damage or attack the Ability User directly, you can solve the problem."

"I see."

Although Jimbei didn’t know what True Damage was, he understood what it meant to target the Ability User directly.

"And that’s just one of the Ability Users," Meiser continued. "The others have equally outrageous abilities."

"For example, that person called Gunko. She can summon strange Arrowheads that not only track and attack but can also deflect others’ attacks. It’s incredibly Buggy."

As long as the attack range is small enough or Gunko detects it, the attack becomes ineffective!

After saying this, Meiser told everyone about Thorn Man, whose ability was just as outrageous and even related to love.

"The Thorn-Thorn Fruit..." Usopp stroked his chin. "Why does that sound familiar?"

"We encountered it two years ago in Alabasta," Nami said. "She was defeated by me."

"But... that woman’s ability is nowhere near as powerful as what Meiser described."

That woman called Doublefinger could only grow thorns on her body, but the person Meiser mentioned could release a massive Thorn Forest!

That was an entirely different concept!

"Alabasta, huh."

Usopp showed a look of sudden realization. No wonder it sounded familiar.

"From your description, these Ability Users do sound troublesome," Jimbei said. "But once I remember they’re the Celestial Dragons’ guardians, it makes sense."

After all... they were the World Nobles!

The Celestial Dragons, who owned the entire world, collecting Bug-level Devil Fruit Abilities was perfectly normal.

"They’re not just troublesome because of their abilities," Meiser said. "The most important thing is that they possess Undying Bodies!"

"Undying Bodies?!"

Jimbei stared at Meiser in shock. "Like your Undying Body?"

"Is that true?"

The World Government actually had such beings?

That was truly astonishing.

"It’s true," Meiser nodded. "Although their Undying Bodies are different from mine, they are indeed the type that cannot be killed."

"You could say that unless you attack them with powerful Conqueror’s Haki-infused strikes, you can’t suppress their Regeneration Ability."

"Conqueror’s Haki?"

Hearing Zoro’s voice, Meiser turned to look at him. "Ah, you’re awake."

"Yeah, I’m a light sleeper."

Zoro nodded first, then asked with confusion, "What’s this about Conqueror’s Haki you mentioned?"

"Conqueror’s Haki can be imbued into attacks," Meiser explained. "As long as you can wrap this power around your strikes, it will increase the force of your techniques."

"So that’s how it is..."

After speaking, Zoro fell into deep thought, though no one knew what was on his mind.

"So, only those who possess Conqueror’s Haki can defeat those members of the God’s Knights with Undying Bodies..." Sanji said with a grave expression as he lit a cigarette. "That is indeed quite troublesome."

From the looks of it, only Luffy and Meiser on their side had the means to confront such enemies.

As for the others...

Without Conqueror’s Haki, they stood no chance of defeating such foes.

"It is indeed troublesome," Meiser nodded. "But don’t worry, I have a way to deal with those kinds of opponents."

"That’s good to hear."

Sanji nodded, visibly relieved.

Jimbei also understood why Meiser had said those words. Facing such undying enemies... he really wasn’t suited to go along.

After all, he didn’t possess Conqueror’s Haki!

"Is this why you said the World Government might not necessarily care about Marine Admirals?" Nami asked.

"Yes," Meiser nodded. "Relying on their Undying Bodies, they can still display considerable combat strength."

"And most importantly... within the God’s Knights, there are those whose strength is not inferior to that of Marine Admirals!"

As he spoke, Meiser recalled the man who looked just like Red Hair.

The Vice Captain of the God’s Knights, Saint Shamrock!

"Not inferior to Marine Admirals..." Jimbei frowned.

"Yes."

"Is he the Captain of the God’s Knights?"

"No, he’s not," Meiser shook his head. "He’s only the Vice Captain. I don’t know what the Captain looks like or how strong he is."

"I understand now," Jimbei nodded.

If even the so-called Vice Captain possessed Admiral-level combat power... the Captain’s strength went without saying.

And most importantly... there might be several people holding the position of Vice Captain!

At this thought, Jimbei’s expression grew solemn.

"No wonder you made it sound so serious before," Usopp gulped. "So the World Government has been hiding such terrifying power."

He had previously thought the Celestial Dragons were just a bunch of useless World Nobles protected by the Marines, but it turned out they had such formidable combat strength!

"Could there be even stronger ones?" Nami asked. "Like other groups or something."

"I don’t know about that," Meiser shook his head.

When he went to Mary Geoise, he only learned about the God’s Knights as a special entity. As for whether there were others... he had no idea.

But he felt there should be an even more powerful existence among the Celestial Dragons, or else they’d never be able to maintain control.

After all... this is a world where strength reigns supreme!

Nami fell silent for a moment before saying, "Then it seems we need to get stronger quickly...

Otherwise, facing such opponents would mean certain death.

After all... she didn’t have an Undying Body!

Zoro and Sanji’s expressions also turned serious. The situation was indeed more complicated than they had imagined.

Meiser, who had taken in his crewmates’ reactions, smiled. This was good too; pressure breeds motivation.

"Luffy..."

Seeing Chopper’s fearful expression, Luffy grinned, showing his teeth. "What’s there to be afraid of?"

"If they dare come looking for trouble, I’ll knock them all flying!"

After saying that, Luffy paused briefly before continuing, "Besides... we’re not weak now, are we~"

Two years ago, Meiser could already fight those guys without losing. So now... they had even less reason to fear that so-called Knights group!

Seeing Luffy’s complete lack of fear, Chopper was momentarily stunned, then suddenly felt unafraid.

Yes, the Straw Hat Pirates’ strength wasn’t weak either, so they weren’t particularly afraid of that so-called God’s Knights.

If it really came to a fight... who would win and who would lose wasn’t certain at all!

Seeing Luffy and the others so confident, Jimbei felt reassured.

Then he said, "You all know about the Marines’ situation, but do you know about some of the changes in the New World?"

"Just ask Meiser," Luffy said, pointing at Meiser.

After speaking, Luffy turned back to continue eating, clearly not very concerned about intelligence matters.

Jimbei: ?

"Why do you ask Meiser about everything?" Jimbei stared dumbfounded at Luffy. "You’re the captain!"

"You should at least know what’s going on!"

What if something happens when Meiser happens to not be around?!

Hearing this, Luffy blinked, looking somewhat clueless as he said, "But if Meiser knows, it’s the same thing, right?"

Jimbei:

Why do I suddenly feel like punching this guy?

"It’s fine, Jimbei. If I know, it’s the same," Meiser spoke up.

Jimbei sighed upon hearing this, then said, "I don’t know how this guy manages to be captain."

"Huh?"

"Aren’t captains just those guys who don’t listen to orders?" Chopper blinked and said.

After all... their captain wasn’t exactly an obedient guy!

Jimbei: ?

Hearing Chopper’s words, Jimbei was momentarily stunned, then fell into silent contemplation.

After a moment of silence, Jimbei said with a complicated expression, "You all... really have it tough."

"Yeah, yeah."

Nami and the others nodded in perfect unison, completely agreeing with Jimbei’s words.

Being stuck with a captain like Luffy... could indeed be quite tough sometimes.

But... who could he be but Luffy? Thinking this, everyone exchanged glances and laughed.