Clifford Kingdom, Royal Capital, Nakor! Central Tower!
In a luxurious, spacious, and splendid hall, the summoned executives gathered.
The assembly was led by Aeridar, the Ruler of the World Neutral Zone, King of Clifford Kingdom, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and Captain of the Chris Pirates, Golden Ring - Chris T. Aeridar.
Attending were:
Kingdom's Chief Minister, Chris Pirates First Mate, Senior Executive, Paramecia Bomb-Bomb Fruit user, Blue-Haired - Gilbert Arlan!
Kingdom's General, Chris Pirates First Division Commander, Senior Executive, Slayer - Oliver!
Royal Head Chef, Second Division Commander, Mighty Cook - Hariel Gorbo!
Kingdom's Military Minister, Third Division Commander, Gunfighter, Commander - Myles Dimitri!
Kingdom's Unzan Port Supreme Commander, Fourth Division Commander, Paramecia Rust-Rust Fruit user, Mountain Axe - Diego Backan!
Kingdom's Scientific Unit Captain, Fifth Division Commander, Orc - Dorot Otto!
Kingdom's Micity Port Supreme Commander, Sixth Division Commander, Paramecia Steel-Steel Fruit user, Demon - Angus Abel!
Royal Capital 'Nakor' Defense Chief, Seventh Division Commander, Rain Scorpion - Smythe Betilla!
Chris Investigation Bureau Director, Palace Entertainment City Manager, Internal Affairs Department Chief - Millie!
Chris Investigation Bureau Deputy Director, King's Secretary, External Affairs Department Chief - Mina!
Kingdom's Chief Scientist, Research Base Director - Switch Dalt!
Kingdom's First-Class Scientist - Vade!
Kingdom's First-Class Scientist - Hubert Devin!
Kingdom's Chief Grand Doctor, Paramecia Anes-Anes (Anesthesia) Fruit user - Asa Jason!
Kingdom's Chief Shipwright, Chondrichthyes Fishman - Nando!
Chris Pirates Skypiea Commander, Senior Executive, Logia Rumble-Rumble Fruit user, God of Lightning - Enel!
Chris Pirates Executive, Sniper, Death Gun - Lucien!
Chris Pirates Executive, Swordsman, White Horse - Cavendish!
The following core pirate crews under the Chris Pirates also attended:
Paperman Pirates Captain, Paramecia Paper-Paper Fruit user, Paperman - Bright Ward!
Triangle Pirates Captain, Zoan Mythical Beast type Lizard-Lizard Fruit 'Thunder Basilisk Model' user, Fanged Devil - Quiniel Vito!
Triangle Pirates First Mate, Paramecia Cannon-Cannon Fruit user, Big Cannon - Fernal Rock!
Triangle Pirates Combat Commander, Executioner - Muir Marcus!
White Mane Pirates Captain, White Mane Swordsman - Gerald Enrod!
White Mane Pirates First Mate, Black Ghost - Morris Galan!
Including Aeridar, the twenty-five individuals above constitute the core members and main fighting force of the Chris Pirates!
In addition, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the Captain of the Kuja Pirates, Pirate Empress Boa Hancock, was also present.
Everyone was aware of the relationship between Hancock and Aeridar, so she was participating in this internal banquet as both a Queen and an ally.
As for others like Andy, Sriya, Edmond, Battle God Wyper, and Man-Demon Gin, they were not qualified to attend this inner circle gathering and were instead participating in the outer feast with the captains of the general pirate crews.
"Brothers and Sisters!"
"It's been a long time since we've all gathered like this! Since we are all family, I won't say much. Everything is in the wine. I'll drink this first as a toast!"
Looking at the people below, Aeridar smiled. Without speaking too much, he picked up the wine cup in front of him and downed it in three gulps.
"To the Captain!"
Everyone beamed, cheerfully picking up their own cups and drinking them in one go.
"I never imagined that our Chris Pirates would develop to this extent. It feels like a dream!" Sitting to Aeridar's immediate right, Arlan put down his wine cup. Looking at everyone in the hall, he couldn't help but recall the days when they were just small-time gang members in the East Blue.
"Gulp, gulp~"
To the Captain's left, Oliver grabbed a wine bottle, took a large swig, and wiped the corner of his mouth, sighing in satisfaction. Then, he said lazily, "I didn't think about it too much. I just figured I'd go as far as I could. If I fell along the way, it would just mean I was only that level of a man."
"When the Captain first laid out the whole plan—gathering strength, setting sail, claiming a Seven Warlords of the Sea title, then conquering a country, developing it, and establishing a Neutral Zone—I honestly didn't dare to dream we would succeed. I just worked hard toward the plan!" Dimitri said with a sigh of wonder.
"Yahahaha~ Captain, I always heard the East Blue was the weakest of the seas, but who would have thought it would produce a bunch of thugs like you!" Enel laughed maliciously.
"Enrod thought he was a famous pirate when his bounty was only 20 million. It makes me want to laugh my head off! Hahahaha~"
"Oh, fuck you! Oliver, you bastard!"
"Enel, you have the nerve to call us thugs!"
"Are you paying us a compliment, hahahaha~"
"That's right, that's right! We are a bunch of thugs and scum! Hehehehe~"
A barrage of insults, jeers, and loud laughter filled the hall, with everyone teasing and joking with each other. They ate huge amounts of food, drank vast quantities of fine wine, reminisced about the old days, and exposed each other's embarrassing moments.
Following Aeridar's announcement, the pirate banquet officially began.
High-level musicians played beautiful music, and beautiful dancers performed captivating routines. It was a scene of light song and dancing, fine wine and beautiful women, clinking glasses, and booming music.
All of them were immensely powerful individuals. Even the seemingly frail Millie and Mina possessed strength comparable to pirates with bounties exceeding 100 million Berries. They all had enormous appetites. Maids and attendants continuously served various expensive gourmet dishes and fine wines, all exuding a tempting aroma and rich fragrance.
However, after three rounds of drinks and five courses of food, everyone had eaten their fill.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Aeridar looked around at the satisfied crowd, picked up his chopsticks, and tapped the large bowl in front of him three times.
"Tidy up. You all may step down first!"
"Yes, Your Majesty the King!" The attendants replied humbly, immediately starting to clear the leftovers from everyone's tables.
Soon, the musicians and dancers withdrew, and the attendants finished cleaning. Only the core members remained in the hall.
"The reason I gathered everyone this time was first and foremost for a reunion, since, even though you all know each other, we haven't all been together before," Aeridar said with a smile. "Of course, I also have a few things I need to discuss."
"Get to the point, Captain! I put my research on hold to be here!" Dalt picked his teeth with a toothpick, showing his impatience. Other than eating and researching, he was always extremely reluctant to participate in social events.
"Don't be so impatient, Dr. Dalt." Knowing his nature, Aeridar wasn't annoyed, instead smiling. "I'll arrange two beauties for you tonight to serve you. You can research better after relaxing a bit, right?"
"Hahahaha~"
"Captain, arrange two for me too!"
"I want ten virgin girls!"
The crowd burst into laughter and playfully clamored for attention.
"..." Dalt's face flushed red. He was momentarily speechless but didn't actually refuse.
"Hey! Hey! You bastards! Do you even see me here?! You brutes!" Betilla loudly protested, slapping the table in annoyance.
"Betilla, why don't you just ask the Captain to arrange two handsome men for you! Hahaha!" Vito grinned grotesquely.
"Pwahahahaha—"
Everyone burst into even more laughter.
"Bastards!" Betilla was furious, nearly flipping the table over.
"Alright, everyone!"
Aeridar waved his hand, saying calmly, "Let's talk about business now!"
Hearing Aeridar's words, everyone immediately quieted down. Even the exasperated Betilla and the volatile, arrogant Enel fell silent.
"Whitebeard is dead! The explosion of the New Era is imminent, and countless silver medalists are eyeing the vacant Yonko throne!"
"While I have no interest in the Yonko position, the only ones qualified to become a Yonko, apart from us, are the Blackbeard Pirates, who rose meteorically during the Paramount War of Marineford, or the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates like Marco."
"Compared to our strength, all others are mere mediocrities and pose no threat!"
Aeridar stood on the throne, speaking eloquently, treating virtually all other pirates in the world as nothing. However, Arlan and the others took great pride in this statement, their expressions alight with excitement. In their view, after so many years of accumulation, who else in the world could stand against them, apart from the Yonko, the Navy, the World Government, and the mysterious Revolutionary Army?
"Of course, we still have a few enemies. This is a document obtained from inside the World Government. Quite a few characters escaped when Impel Down was breached this time." Aeridar extended his hand and tossed a stack of documents onto the table.
Flipping through the documents, Aeridar made an exaggerated expression. "Look! Apart from Blackbeard's subordinates, we have Patrick Redfield, the 'Red Count!' Byrnndi World, the 'World Destroyer!' Tsk tsk, legendary big shots!"
"Also, Elroy the Speedster, Herman Ernest the Ferocious General... dammit, they're remnants of the Garfield Pirates!"
"These two names sound familiar: Puda the Pillager, Kataror Obes the Black Bow! Hmm... damn it, they're remnants of the Demon Mask Pirates!"
Bang!
Aeridar slammed his hand heavily onto the table, a flicker of red light in his eyes. "Find them! If they are willing to join, then no harm done! Otherwise, deal with them!"
Everyone's expression instantly became serious. "Understood!"
"In the coming days, we must also closely monitor the New World's movements. Regardless of who becomes the new Yonko, whether through inducement or coercion, I will ensure they recognize the Neutral Zone's status!" Aeridar's face twisted into a menacing grin, radiating an air of unrivaled dominance.
"Yahahaha~ What a commanding declaration!" Enel cackled wickedly.
"And one more thing!"
Aeridar glanced sideways at Enel and continued, "A couple of days ago, Oliver brought back a little surprise for me."
Reaching down for a small red box beneath his feet, Aeridar said slowly, "Zoan Mythical Beast type Bat-Bat Fruit, Vampire Model!"
The small red box opened, revealing a purple Devil Fruit with arabesque patterns lying quietly inside.
"The legendary great pirate, Patrick Redfield, the 'Red Count,' is searching for it. Put the word out: my next target is him! Hehehehe~"