The Thousand Sunny cut across the sea like an arrow, parting the waves on either side.
Its ability to navigate the Calm Belt at such high speed was, of course, thanks to the technical support of the mysterious pervert.
Although Franky's self-modifications were still limited to the [Iron Man] and [Franky Shogun] levels, his ship modifications had already advanced beyond the era of ordinary shipwrights.
One had to admit, he truly was the last apprentice of the legendary shipwright Tom.
If this guy ever got the chance to study on Egghead Island, the Straw Hat Pirates might eventually be piloting a spaceship across the star sea.
If there was any flaw in the Thousand Sunny now, it was its energy source.
Franky's [Cola Engine] could convert carbonated beverages into power, but the noise was still too loud.
So much so that when they were still quite far from Amazon Lily, the engine's roar preceded them.
Normally, this would have attracted the Kuja Guard patrolling nearby to intercept them.
But the surrounding sea had just been ravaged by two powerful fighters from the sea. To avoid being affected, those patrol ships had temporarily docked or actively moved away from the main island.
Besides… given the current 'grand occasion' on Amazon Lily, the number of top-tier powerhouses there probably outnumbered Marine Headquarters. What was there to worry about?
Would anyone dare to start another Marineford War on Amazon Lily now?
That was why, even as Luffy and the others reached the port on their sea motorcycles, no one came out to greet them.
"What a huge ship!"
Usopp at least had the sense to check where they should dock, but Luffy had no such awareness.
Looking around, his eyes were immediately captivated by the Queen Mama Chanter.
Although its design wasn't really Luffy's style… big was good! Big was beautiful!
The candy jester figurehead at the bow seemed annoyed by Luffy's staring and opened its mouth, much to their astonishment.
"What are you looking at, you brat? Never seen a ship as magnificent as me before?"
Usually obedient under Big Mom, it immediately became arrogant when facing some unknown 'small-time' pirate.
It had reason to be arrogant, as its firepower alone surpassed that of an entire armed fleet.
"It… it talked!!"
Luffy, Chopper, and Usopp's mouths dropped open, stars in their eyes.
They weren't offended by the Queen Mama Chanter's tone at all… instead, they wanted to get closer for a better look.
But Ace stopped them.
"Hold on, Luffy. The owner of this ship is no ordinary character."
Luffy, who hadn't been a pirate for long, didn't recognize it, but Ace certainly did.
As one of the Whitebeard Pirates' division commanders, he had dealt with the Totto Land people many times and had naturally seen this flagship before.
"So, Uncle Naruto even invited that old hag?"
Ace mumbled, holding Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper under each arm.
"You're late, kid. You missed the fight between Big Mom and Kaido."
A familiar voice sounded from the side, drawing their attention.
Shanks was waving at them with a grin.
"Yo. Been a while, Ace. And Luffy."
"Wow! Shanks!!"
Before Ace could respond, Luffy's lower body began pedaling furiously, pulling his whole body towards Shanks.
But since Ace was still holding him, this action stretched his neck several meters long.
With a schloop, Luffy's head slipped out from under Ace's arm and shot towards Shanks like a cannonball.
Thankfully, Shanks reacted quickly. Even with only one arm, he managed to firmly catch the incoming forehead.
"Hey, hey, calm down, you brat."
Shanks rubbed Luffy's head with a sigh, trying to look stern but failing to suppress a smile.
Meanwhile, the Thousand Sunny docked at the shore.
The Straw Hat Pirates disembarked one by one, walking towards Luffy with a hint of nervousness.
"Is this Amazon Lily?"
Sanji looked around curiously. Robin walked past him and introduced with a smile.
"Yes, Amazon Lily is one of the few countries located in the Calm Belt…"
She added, "It's also the only country in the world where all citizens are women."
With that, she left Sanji frozen in place, continuing forward with Brook and Franky.
"Oh no!"
Chopper and Usopp, familiar with Sanji's tendencies, their expressions changed, and they tried to jump towards him.
But they were too late.
Pshuuu~
A fountain of blood spurted from Sanji's nose. He fell straight backward, landing on Zoro.
"Ugh! You damn cook, what are you… Hey, hey! Move! Don't get that on me!"
Unfortunately, Zoro was too slow. By the time he threw the unconscious Sanji to the ground, his own clothes were already stained with blood.
Ignoring Chopper and Usopp desperately trying to revive Sanji, Nami sighed, unsurprised, and walked forward.
None of these people ever gave her a break. She couldn't be bothered.
…
Meanwhile, the party had been underway for a while.
—This wasn't the wedding party itself, just an inevitable part of getting so many people together.
It wasn't so much a pirate habit as it was the norm for most people in this world: partying at the drop of a hat.
The guests from the Ninja World, seeing this, clicked their tongues.
'So Naruto's habits were normal here?'
Naruto, who they were thinking about, was currently drinking merrily with several great pirates. Even Kaido and Big Mom, who had just been fighting, were happily clinking glasses once the party started.
Fighting was one thing, drinking was another. The two weren't mutually exclusive.
Piracy wasn't just about fighting… it was also about social etiquette!
After downing several large barrels of rum, Naruto's eyes remained clear, while Kaido and the others were already blushing.
'Sigh…'
Naruto sighed inwardly. He knew that at this level, getting drunk was no easy feat.
Unless he could find some Chakra Fruit wine, ordinary stuff just wouldn't do it.
Putting his cup down, Naruto turned to look at Shanks, who had brought Luffy and the others over.
This old fox had learned his lesson. Knowing he couldn't out-drink Naruto's monster physique, he had snuck away after just a few cups.
It was a wise choice.
Beckman, Yasopp, and the others he had abandoned at the table were now completely drunk and unconscious.
Giving his old comrade a look that said 'I'll deal with you later', Naruto turned his attention to the first member of the new generation to arrive at the wedding… Luffy, who he had met once… twice, and who was suspected of being [Joy Boy].
Strictly speaking, Luffy and his crew were the only ones from the new generation invited.
Everyone else who received an invitation was either an Emperor or a member of the Pirate King's crew. As Whitebeard would say, they were all remnants of a bygone era.
"Hmm… you've gotten quite a bit stronger, kid."
Naruto looked Luffy up and down and nodded approvingly. Then he added, "But you're still far from it."
If this was his level, Naruto wouldn't dare offer Luffy up to Kaido.
Although Luffy was much stronger than when they first met, he was still unlikely to be a match for the old-generation Emperors.
If Kaido accidentally killed him with one strike, Shanks would never forgive him.