By the time everyone arrived at the main hall, everything was already in place. Under the attendants' arrangements, Akainu and the others took their seats.
Lucia hesitated for a moment upon seeing Shalria, then instinctively moved to give up the seat to Carl's left. However, Shalria quickly stopped her.
"Lucia, this seat is yours. Just sit down."
Saying this, Shalria took the seat to Carl's right. Lucia was surprised but, seeing that Carl had no objections, she sat down without further hesitation.
Jinny had originally wanted to sit next to Carl, but given the situation, she didn't insist and instead took a seat next to Lucia.
The mischievous Sugar was much more reserved in such an occasion. Moreover, with Lucia—who was a true big sister figure—present, she chose to obediently sit next to her elder sister Monet.
Garling had been observing Carl's side the entire time. Finally, he smiled in satisfaction, thinking to himself that his nephew's household was quite harmonious.
...
On Akainu's side, Aokiji lowered his head slightly and whispered to Aramaki,
"Aramaki, are all those beauties Carl's?"
Aramaki shot Aokiji a disdainful glance and replied with a look of disgust,
"Bumpkin, aren't kings outside surrounded by wives and concubines? Carl-sama is a Celestial Dragon. Having a group of beautiful wives and concubines—is that strange?"
Aokiji took a sip of the pear wine he had chilled himself and smacked his lips.
"I just think Carl-senpai is really something. Even when it comes to handling women, he's on a level we can't compare to. Look at how well they all get along."
"Of course. If you could learn even a little, you wouldn't still be a lonely ice block."
"And you're any better? We've known each other for years, and I haven't seen you bloom into anything either."
"Nani!? You bastard! I..."
Aramaki, struck where it hurt most, was about to lash out but quickly realized where they were and immediately deflated.
Seeing this, Aokiji smirked and teased,
"Aramaki, this is nothing yet. How are you already drunk? That tolerance is hardly manly."
Aramaki's face turned green, and leaves sprouted from his head in irritation.
...
Meanwhile, Akainu and Kuma sat upright, while Borsalino, sandwiched between them, seemed entirely out of place. His yellow-striped suit was casually draped over his shoulders as he smiled, leisurely watching the dancers in the center of the hall, occasionally letting out a slightly pervy "Oh~."
Of course, Borsalino wasn't actually lecherous. He was simply enjoying the show. Given his status, finding women for fun in private would be a trivial matter.
Tonight's banquet was hosted by Carl as a welcome feast for Akainu and the others. After briefly inquiring about the troop deployments upon their arrival at the Red Line, Carl signaled for the formal start of the evening. Tonight, indulgence was encouraged.
Garling stayed for a while before retiring to his chambers, leaving the main hall entirely to Carl and his guests.
...
As the banquet progressed, Carl joined Akainu's group, going around forcing drinks upon them.
The atmosphere was lively. Even Akainu seemed slightly tipsy, unbuttoning a few of his shirt buttons to reveal his tattooed chest. He lifted a barrel of wine and downed it in one go before giving Borsalino a challenging look.
Borsalino, however, showed Akainu exactly what it meant to "provoke the wrong person." He didn't even try to compete, instead casually stuffing himself with banana pudding, spoonful after spoonful.
Carl turned to look at Kuma, who met his gaze with a soft smile. Carl then deliberately had a servant bring him an extra-large barrel of wine. Gripping its rim with one hand, he raised it and clinked it against Kuma's barrel.
After downing the entire contents in one go, Carl smiled and said,
"Kuma, once this battle is over, how about I give you an indefinite vacation to travel?"
Kuma responded quietly,
"I'm fine either way. Just being with everyone makes me happy."
Hearing this, the drunken Borsalino clapped Kuma's back and laughed,
"Kuma, you... hic! You're such a warm guy!"
After speaking, Borsalino leaned against Kuma, humming with his eyes closed.
Carl suddenly asked,
"Kuma, do you like being here? I mean Mary Geoise."
Kuma fell silent. Carl studied his expression before speaking again.
"You don't like it here, do you? Because of the Celestial Dragons."
Kuma's body trembled slightly. He pressed his lips together and muttered,
"You are a Celestial Dragon too. I like you."
Carl casually tossed the empty barrel aside and said indifferently,
"I know that. I like you too, Kuma. But that doesn't answer my question. Is there anything you can't say in front of me?"
Kuma slowly clenched his fists. Under Carl's watchful gaze, he finally spoke,
"I don't like them. They... killed my parents."
Even after all these years, even someone as gentle as Kuma could never forget the moment his father was executed in front of him—simply because a Celestial Dragon had found the noise annoying.
Akainu frowned slightly and patted Kuma's back, while Borsalino, shedding his usual laziness, sat up straight with a serious expression.
Carl signaled for more barrels of wine, and Kuma immediately grabbed two, drinking them down in one breath.
Once he finished, Carl stood up and said,
"Kuma, you can find the Celestial Dragon who killed your father. Once you do, bring him to me."
Kuma was stunned. "You..."
Carl raised his hand to cut him off, smiling faintly.
"I've been your big brother for so many years, yet I haven't helped you get revenge."
"No! Besides, under the World Government's laws, that Celestial Dragon only executed his own slave. He didn't break any rules..."
"Didn't break any rules? No. If I say he's wrong, then he's wrong. If I say he's guilty, then he's guilty. If you think it's illegal, I'll have the Five Elders draft a new law. In the end, it's just stepping on another parasite."
Hearing this, Akainu and the others, still unaware of Carl's current standing in Mary Geoise, widened their eyes in shock. Even Borsalino couldn't help but ask,
"Carl, are you drunk?"
Carl rolled his eyes and snapped,
"Borsalino, have I ever gotten drunk? Get lost!"
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+175 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg