Chapter 335: The Farewell Banquet

"Did something happen? Im is no longer in the holding cell."

A localized gale swept through the room, and Dragon materialized before the assembly.

Earlier, he had received reports that an intense skirmish had broken out atop the Holy Land, followed by a violent tremor that shook the ground.

The moment he received the intelligence, he rushed to investigate, hurrying over when he learned everyone had gathered aboard the Demon Warder.

"Yeah," Drake nodded gravely. "There was a complication. Im... managed to escape."

"It seems my premonition was correct after all." Dragon fell into brief contemplation.

"Still, everyone can rest easy—proceed with your plans as usual," Drake said, waving a hand with a reassuring smile. "Im hijacked my mother's body for over a decade, leaving her in a deep coma even now."

"I will never let her get away with this. I've already locked down her general coordinates—just leave her to me."

His demeanor was more resolute than ever before; everyone present could feel the fury he was fighting desperately to suppress.

Having learned the truth of his origins, they sympathized with his feelings entirely.

"Drake! It's too dangerous for you to go alone—let me come with you!" Luffy chimed in immediately.

With his combat strength reaching unprecedented heights, he believed that if he and Drake joined forces, even Im would be utterly overwhelmed.

"No!" Drake rejected the offer flatly, fixing a stern gaze on his younger brother. "Luffy! Do you still remember what you promised us?"

"Don't forget your dream!"

"Uh..." Luffy's pupils shrank slightly, his fists clenching tight. "My... my dream, or my brother... If I can only choose one, I—"

"Luffy!" Drake roared, cutting him off before he could finish.

"Have you forgotten who you're talking to? Don't think for a second that a little power boost means you can take me down. Did you really think surpassing your older brother would be that easy?"

"Dealing with Im is a job I can handle on my own!" Drake flashed a confident grin, hooking a thumb toward his chest.

"That's right! Luffy, you don't need to worry—he has us too. The Dragon Flag Pirates aren't going down that easily," Ain said, stepping forward with a warm smile.

"Exactly!" a chorus of voices called out from behind.

Kenshin and the rest of the crew stepped up together. All six members of the Dragon Flag Pirates stood side by side, each a formidable combatant in their own right.

"With us watching his back, nothing will happen to our captain."

"That's right! Drake-aniki is under my protection!" Bell grinned, resting a hand on the hilt of his sword, ready for battle at a moment's notice.

"Leave that Im woman to our Dragon Flag Pirates!"

"Ah..." Luffy parted his lips, but found himself unable to utter a single objection.

A thousand words condensed into a bright, wordless grin.

Drake walked over to stand at the vanguard of the Dragon Flag Pirates, grinning broadly. "And that's that!"

"So... Luffy! If you don't become the King of the Pirates, I'll never let you hear the end of it!"

Luffy nodded heavily, a broad smile spreading across his face. "Of course! The one who stands atop the sea as the Pirate King will definitely be me!"

"Alright! In that case, let's throw a banquet!" Drake swept his arm wide.

"YEAH!!"

The entire room erupted in sheer excitement.

"A banquet?" Dragon's composure slipped for a split second. How did their spirits suddenly spike this high?

Is this really the time for a celebration?

Then again, perhaps this was the essence of true pirates—living for complete, unadulterated freedom was their primordial nature.

"Alright! Let's head out and gather the supplies! Sabo, go round up the Revolutionary Army! Drake, the Marines are in your hands!"

With that, Luffy dashed out of the cabin with boundless enthusiasm.

"Luffy, wait for me!" Hancock followed in his slipstream immediately.

"The Marines are on me?" Drake raised an eyebrow in confusion. Weren't the Marines supposed to be entirely subdued?

Why would they invite enemies to a victory banquet?

"Ah, you don't know yet. Then again, you were locked in combat the entire time, so it's only natural you missed it," Kenshin recalled, realizing Drake had yet to learn of Weitian leading half the Navy into rebellion against the World Government.

"Actually, while you were fighting Im..." Kenshin gave a concise summary of how Weitian had assumed the mantle of Fleet Admiral and orchestrated a massive mutiny mid-battle.

"WHAT?!" Drake's jaw dropped in absolute disbelief.

Weitian was far bolder than he had ever imagined. At the absolute climax of a world-defining war, she had commanded half the Navy to switch sides on the spot, dealing a fatal blow to the World Government's forces.

"That's wild..."

Chatting as they went, Drake and the others exited the main hall of the Demon Warder.

Only the Whitebeard Pirates, Sabo, and Dragon remained inside.

"Dragon, I'll take care of coordinating the Revolutionary Army's banquet preparations. You can handle your business," Sabo said with a smile, waving goodbye to Ace before sprinting out the door.

Dragon: "..."

How did you end up like this too, kid? Is now really the time for partying?

"Revolutionary Supreme Commander Dragon... son of Garp. I believe this marks our first formal meeting," Whitebeard said, breaking the silence as he addressed the cloaked revolutionary.

"Indeed. This is our very first time meeting face to face." Dragon's gaze settled upon Whitebeard. Following Roger's demise, the era had undeniably belonged to Edward Newgate.

For years, Dragon's tactical focus had remained fixed upon him. In the grand balance of global powers—the World Government, the Revolutionary Army, and the Pirates—the undisputed sovereign of the seas had been Whitebeard.

As the leader of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon had scrutinized Whitebeard's movements for decades. Yet despite knowing the titan's historical deeds inside and out, this was their very first personal encounter.

"Pirates are simply built this way. In truth, I find myself looking forward to this banquet as well," Whitebeard said, casting a knowing glance at Dragon.

"The dawn of a new era has arrived, and a remnant of the old days like me has truly grown old."

Dragon pondered his words in silence for a brief moment before replying, "Then I suppose I will attend this banquet as well."

He wanted to witness firsthand what Whitebeard was anticipating with such fondness.

The two men locked eyes and shared a hearty, booming laugh.

Ace smiled warmly alongside them.

Before long, word of the grand celebration swept across the ruins of the Holy Land, sending waves of excitement through both the Revolutionary Army and the Neo-Marines.

Everyone threw themselves into the preparations for the evening festivities. As twilight settled and darkness blanketed the sky, the Holy Land was illuminated by countless lanterns, bustling with lively fervor.

Mountains of roasted meats and delicacies were carried into the plazas, flanked by endless barrels of liquor. The Neo-Marines occupied one sector, the Revolutionary Army held another, while the pirate crews set up their own vibrant camps across the plateau.

The Red Hair Pirates, the Whitebeard Pirates, the Straw Hat Grand Fleet, the Dragon Flag Pirates...

And even Buggy the Clown.

"CHEERS!"

Luffy's boisterous laughter echoed across the Holy Land as Ace and Sabo joined in with unrestrained amusement.

It had been far too long since they had shared such pure, unburdened joy. With the four brothers reunited once more, drinking until they dropped was an absolute requirement.

"Where is that bastard Drake? He was the one who called for a banquet in the first place, so how come everyone's here except him?" Luffy pouted between mouthfuls, tearing into another colossal rack of meat without a second thought.

"Luffy, you're eating too fast—be careful not to choke," Hancock advised with a gentle, adoring smile, continuously serving him fresh plates piled high with food.

Ace and Sabo traded glances, chuckling warmly at the sight.

"Drake... should be arriving any minute now..."