Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: p@treon.com/CosmicKaminari
----------
As soon as King Riku, who had returned to the throne, opened his mouth, the faces of the Red Scabbard samurai brightened immediately. They were obviously moved by his words, but before they could discuss anything, Luffy directly shook his head in refusal.
"I've already said that I came here mainly to get Ace's Mera-Mera Fruit. After that, whether it's defeating Doflamingo or saving this country, it was just something that happened along the way. I don't want any compensation or gratitude!"
As Luffy spoke, everyone in the Straw Hat crew showed similar expressions, but the Red Scabbard samurai hurriedly said, "Luffy-dono, this is..."
Before they could finish, Sanji immediately interrupted. "Luffy is right. For pirates, these are the last things we need, and the delicacies on the table are already the most important thing for this guy. Thank you very much."
"That's right, exactly."
Luffy nodded, adjusted the straw hat on his head, and continued, "As for those guys behind Doflamingo, you don't need to worry about it. After all, I'll definitely beat them to the ground with my own hands!"
King Riku and the others, who were about to express their thoughts again, were suddenly taken aback.
Had they heard correctly?!
In this situation, except for the Marines and World Government, almost the entire world was avoiding the Sky Kingdom. How could someone threaten to defeat the strongest man in the world?!
These words were so shocking that King Riku and the others doubted their own ears. But seeing Luffy's serious and determined expression, and noting that his crew had no objections at all, they were momentarily at a loss for words.
They had originally wanted to warn the Straw Hats about the enormous dangers they might face, but instead discovered that the pirates planned to charge headlong into trouble.
Seeing that King Riku and the others were stunned, Luffy reached out and grabbed a piece of ham. While eating, he said, "We've already done what we needed to do. Just think of us as a group of passing pirates. It's dinner time, and isn't the most important thing the lively atmosphere that a banquet should have?!"
"That's right, it's banquet time!"
Usopp echoed loudly. Chopper and the others also started dancing, answering King Riku and the others with the Straw Hats' unique attitude.
Seeing this, as if slightly infected by their sincerity, King Riku smiled genuinely and stopped mentioning compensation or gratitude.
However, the Red Scabbard samurai like Kin'emon remained somewhat disappointed.
They had personally experienced Dressrosa's national environment during their six months of travel and considered it a prosperous country. If they could secure King Riku's help, they would definitely take a big step forward in revitalizing Wano Country.
But Luffy, the core of their alliance, had resolutely refused, so they felt too embarrassed to bring it up again.
This wasn't just because of their warrior identity, but also out of respect for Luffy's leadership in this battle. In the end, they could only enjoy the feast with a hint of regret and disappointment.
Momonosuke, whom the Red Scabbard samurai considered the most important person for Wano's revival, didn't say anything. He simply ate quietly while casting furtive glances at Rebecca and Viola, perhaps wondering if he could get closer to them by playing the innocent child.
"No matter where I see you, you're always as lively as ever, Straw Hat Pirates."
Just as everyone was enjoying the lively banquet in the palace, a calm voice sounded from the door.
Suddenly, at the entrance that was clearly guarded by elite soldiers, stood a black-haired man wearing a dark green coat and sunglasses.
Except for the Red Scabbard samurai, everyone exclaimed in surprise, "Marine Admiral Aokiji?!!"
"This guy is a Marine Admiral?!!"
The Red Scabbard warriors reacted to the alarmed voices of the Straw Hats, King Riku, and the others.
After all, while gathering information about the sea, they had learned about the three major powers: the Four Emperors, the Shichibukai, and the Marines.
"Admiral?" Kuzan, who had been identified, stroked his chin in confusion and said, "If I remember correctly, it's been more than a year since I quit the Marines."
"That's right!"
Recovering from her astonishment, Viola's delicate face began to break out in cold sweat. With a trembling voice, she shared the information she had gathered as a spy. "This former Admiral Aokiji lost the battle for the Fleet Admiral position. After that, he left the Marines, and according to reports... he joined the Sky Kingdom..."
In an instant, the previously cheerful atmosphere changed completely. As if influenced by Kuzan, a biting cold air seemed to rush from the soles of their feet to their hearts.
Just after King Riku and the others had warned them about the danger, the Sky Kingdom had immediately sent someone—and not just anyone, but someone at the level of a Marine Admiral!
"Well, the atmosphere doesn't need to be so tense. Besides, I'm not here to fight this time, but just to incidentally complete a task," Kuzan said leisurely, as if unaware that all the tension was caused by his presence.
"Damn it! Ice-guy! What are you doing here?! Could it be that you want to save Doflamingo and his crew?!"
Luffy glared immediately. The man before them was not only the person who had prevented him from saving Ace but also now worked for the Sky Kingdom. With this combination of factors, Luffy had no positive feelings toward Kuzan.
King Riku also looked at Kuzan nervously and apprehensively.
Doflamingo and his crew were all imprisoned with Sea-Prism Stone cuffs, waiting for the Marines to arrive and take them into custody after being notified.
But instead of the Marines, a former Marine who had joined the Sky Kingdom had suddenly appeared.
"That guy has nothing to do with me. Do whatever you like with him. My goal this time is only the little pervert."
After Kuzan waved his hand dismissively, he looked directly at Momonosuke, causing the boy's heart to jump suddenly. Momonosuke collapsed to the ground in fear.