Chapter 385: The Great Banquet

on Zou! Garach and the “Food Protection” of the Two Ladies

Sunset, the afterglow plated Zou’s ancient and massive body with a dazzling golden hue.

As night gradually fell, this hidden phantom island did not plunge into darkness; instead, warm bonfires reaching toward the sky were lit around the ruins of the central town.

To thank the Straw Hat for repelling the Big Mom Pirates, the Mink Tribe unreservedly brought out the finest delicacies and mellow wines stored in their cellars for years.

Although the city was ruined, the optimistic Mink Tribe regained their smiles in the warm firelight.

The air was filled with the rich aroma of roasted high-grade Sea Kings meat, mixed with the fragrance of fruit wine.

Cheerful drumbeats echoed in the night wind, and everyone danced around the bonfires.

At the center of this grand banquet, the newly appointed “Fifth Emperor,” Monkey D. Luffy, sat cross-legged in front of a mountain of roasted meat piled high like a hill, with no regard for his image.

His hands moved like phantoms, constantly stuffing food into his mouth, making happy “nom nom” chewing sounds.

As for the latest newspaper, which had just been dropped by a News Coo and featured a sky-high bounty of “3 billion,” it had been casually tossed onto the grass beside him.

It was already stained with grease and barbecue sauce, receiving not a shred of the respect a Pirate Emperor should accord it.

Duke Inuarashi and Master Nekomamushi, supported by guards, walked slowly to Luffy’s side and sat down together.

They looked down at the grease-stained newspaper.

In the paper, Luffy was in Gear Fourth, his eyes sharp, radiating a violent pressure like a Shura.

Raising their heads to look at the simple boy before them, his face covered in sauce and only focused on grabbing meat.

These two kings, who had seen much of the Grand Line, were filled with admiration and deep emotion.

Master Nekomamushi pulled a pipe from his chest, lit it, took a deep puff, and exhaled a ring of curling blue smoke.

He looked at Luffy, seemingly casually probing:

“Captain Luffy, we saw the news.”

“You are now hailed by the world’s media and pirates as the ‘Fifth Emperor’.”

“Since you have reached the pinnacle of the sea, you must now command many powerful forces and vast territories, right?”

Luffy swallowed the food in his mouth forcefully, nearly choking, and hurriedly picked up a large wooden mug of fruit juice to gulp down.

Then, he shook his head with a blank expression, his clear eyes devoid of any ambition:

“Territories? Forces? I don’t have any.”

“Everyone is willing to be together because we are partners and friends, not subordinates.”

Hearing this unexpected yet reasonable answer, the two leaders looked at each other and nodded silently.

Duke Inuarashi cleared his throat, his tone becoming solemn.

They began to hint tactfully that since the Straw Hat were about to face a behemoth like Kaido of the Beasts, the power of the Mink Tribe and the Kozuki Clan of Wano Country could become his solid backing.

They even hinted that if Luffy was willing, the entire Mink Tribe could join his ranks and become a great help in his quest for the Pirate King throne.

Unfortunately, Luffy’s attention had already drifted back to the pile of delicious roasted meat.

He was still immersed in the taste of the meat, completely turning a deaf ear to Duke Inuarashi’s subtext regarding the world’s situation.

Facing the two leaders’ incessant chatter, Luffy even frowned and showed a hint of dissatisfaction because they were disturbing his rhythm of eating meat.

Seeing the way this new Emperor protected his food, the two seasoned Mink Tribe kings looked at each other, unable to laugh or cry, and could only shake their heads helplessly, abandoning the topic.

As time passed, the atmosphere of the banquet reached its climax.

The firelight reflected on everyone’s smiling faces, and cheers rose wave after wave.

The Mink Tribe is a race that distinguishes clearly between gratitude and grudges.

To express their purest gratitude to the heroes who saved their country, Wanda, Carrot, and groups of beautiful young female Minks began to launch their race’s most enthusiastic expression of thanks.

The Mink Tribe’s unique “Garach.”

That affectionate nuzzling, face-rubbing, and licking with soft tongues swept toward the male members of the Straw Hat like a storm.

“Ah~~!”

Sanji’s scream… no, cheers, rang out in the camp.

The blonde chef, who usually had no resistance to women, instantly had two giant red hearts popping out of his eyes.

He was surrounded by a group of bunny girls and cat girls dressed in revealing outfits.

He spun and jumped happily in the furry ocean, shouting loudly:

“Ah~ Is this the legendary ALL BLUE!”

“I have found the meaning of life!”

“My beautiful ladies, please don’t be shy, let the Garach come even more fiercely!”

In stark contrast to Sanji’s enjoyment, Zoro was blushing, dodging left and right on the grass like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

“Hey! Don’t come over!”

“Don’t get your fur on my clean clothes!”

“Damn it, let me go!”

Although Zoro, the great swordsman, possessed the power to cut steel, he dared not use force when facing these harmless Mink girls.

After a flurry of struggling, he was still firmly pinned to the ground by a few agile and enthusiastic leopard girls and fox girls, submerged in a sea of soft fur.

On the other side, Chopper was being held and kneaded by a group of Mink children and girls.

He twisted his body happily, swaying like a noodle, while still shouting tsundere-style:

“Even if you treat me to Garach so enthusiastically, I won’t be happy.”

“You bastards hehehe”

Usopp was being carried on the shoulders by two strong dog-type Minks, enjoying the cheers of a hero.

Franky was showing off his mechanical transformation, drawing gasps and face-rubs from the Minks.

Brook was playing the violin, singing happily surrounded by a group of Mink girls.

Although he was just a pile of bones, he was also immersed in this warm gratitude.

In this revelry, as the Vice Captain of the Straw Hat, Tatsuya naturally could not stay out of it.

He had not only shown unfathomable and powerful strength in the battle to defend Zou, like a god descending, turning the tide multiple times.

His own cold and handsome face and tall stature were also impeccable in the aesthetic of the Mink Tribe.

Therefore, he naturally became the “primary target” for the Minks’ gratitude.

Almost instantly, Tatsuya was submerged by a tide of young, beautiful, furry girls.

“Lord Tatsuya, thank you for saving us!”

“Lord Tatsuya, you looked so cool when you defeated that big bad guy in the sky!”

Those exquisite faces with warm body temperatures, along with furry, soft ears and tails, kept rubbing against Tatsuya’s arms, chest, and cheeks.

The Mink girls closed their eyes, feeling the aura of this powerful benefactor, emitting happy purring sounds similar to cats.

Facing these Mink girls who were simply expressing their purest gratitude, Tatsuya was a bit at a loss due to this enthusiastic “Garach.”

He could only stand stiffly in place, a slightly helpless smile on his face.

Just as Tatsuya was besieged, Nami and Robin had just gone to the underground secret room.

They had asked the Ninja Raizo for detailed information about the geography and military strength of Wano Country and were walking back to the center of the camp with light steps.

Coincidentally, as soon as they approached the bonfire, they happened to see the scene of Tatsuya surrounded by women.

The temperature in the air seemed to drop a few degrees in an instant.

Two gazes full of oppression shot directly from not far away.

Nami stopped.

She looked at those Mink girls, her brows slightly raised.

Without any hesitation, the Navigator of the Straw Hat walked straight toward Tatsuya with long strides.

A perfect smile that couldn’t be faulted hung on Nami’s exquisite face.

She extended her fair arms and, with movements that looked gentle but were actually firm, pushed the overly enthusiastic Mink girls away one by one.

“Good evening, everyone.”

“Thank you for your enthusiasm; our Straw Hat have fully received your gratitude.”

Under the confused gazes of the girls, Nami walked directly to Tatsuya’s side, hugged his sturdy arm, and pressed her body against him.

Then, she declared righteously to the crowd:

“But, this man is seriously injured from fighting that Four Emperor today; his internal organs are almost displaced.”

“His physical condition is very inconvenient now and requires absolute rest.”

“To avoid worsening his injuries, everyone should disperse!”

Hearing that their benefactor was “seriously injured,” the simple and kind Mink girls let out a gasp.

They stepped back in worry, fearing that their previous actions had really hurt Tatsuya.

Just then, Robin also walked up with a smile to help smooth things over.

She tucked the black hair behind her ear and pointed to a corner of the camp.

There, Sanji, who was starving and had nosebleeds spraying everywhere, and Zoro, who was struggling and rolling on the ground, were particularly eye-catching.

Robin highly recommended to the Mink girls:

“If you want to express your misplaced gratitude, the other members of our Straw Hat are very much looking forward to it.”

“For example, that blonde chef over there, and that Marimo swordsman, they would definitely be very happy to accept more of your Garach.”

The simple Mink girls looked in the direction of Robin’s finger, hearing that other benefactors also needed thanks.

They immediately cheered and changed positions, rushing toward Sanji and Zoro in a mighty wave.

“Don’t come over—!”

On the other side of the camp, Zoro’s desperate roar came immediately.

“Whoa oh oh! Come on! My angels!”

Accompanying this was Sanji’s excited cheer that broke through the sky.

As the crowd dispersed, Tatsuya’s side finally regained peace.

And Nami and Robin, who had successfully completed the “clearing” operation, stood firmly on the left and right in front of Tatsuya.

Tatsuya stood behind the two women, watching their tacit and cute “food protection” manner.

The helplessness at the corner of his mouth gradually turned into a gentle arc that could not be dissolved.

The night wind blew, and the bonfire flickered.

Tatsuya looked at their slender backs with a smile, his eyes full of doting.

In this dangerous New World, it is a great fortune to have such a noisy and cute group of companions by his side.