Night fell, and countless stars twinkled in the sky.
The pirates of the Rocks Pirates all gathered in the square. Tonight would be the most important banquet in the history of the Rocks Pirates.
After all, they had already defeated the Giant Warrior Pirates and the X Pirates.
The second half of the Grand Line now rightfully belonged to the Rocks Pirates.
"Raise your glasses to the Rocks Pirates!"
"Cheers!"
"Hahaha, this is a great day."
The banquet didn't drag on. As soon as the time came, it began—no speeches, no opening ceremony. They simply got started.
At the central round table, Rocks was the first to raise his glass to Carl.
"Carl, you deserve the most credit this time. Cheers!"
Rocks's face was flushed. It was easy to see how happy he was. He had never drunk this much before.
That was because Carl had been the first to find the location of the treasure vault.
"You're too kind, Captain Rocks."
"It was everyone's effort. If you hadn't held them off, I couldn't have found the treasure vault so quickly."
Carl didn't care whether Rocks was giving him too much credit. He was quick to give the credit to everyone else, making it clear that this victory belonged to them all rather than exaggerating his own contribution.
"Gya-ha-ha-ha!"
The Golden Lion looked thrilled, his laughter bold and unrestrained.
"Come on, let's drink!"
The Golden Lion didn't care about any of that. He still remembered his agreement with Charlotte Linlin: tonight, he would make sure Carl got drunk.
"Mamamamama!"
If it hadn't been for Captain Carl, Baroque might have run off with the most important treasures. They might not have come away with such a huge haul.
Charlotte Linlin blushed as she spoke to Carl from beside him. Her heart was racing. She had never felt this way about a man before.
Just thinking about what had happened tonight made her giddy with delight.
Carl had no idea what they were plotting. Although the Golden Lion and Charlotte Linlin kept plying him with drinks, he didn't refuse.
"Gurararara!"
"You've gotten a lot stronger."
Newgate seemed relaxed. After all, this was their time to unwind. He could tell at a glance that Carl had improved quite a bit since the last time they met.
"Not that much. Maybe the fight to the death brought out a little more of my potential."
"I'm still nowhere near as strong as you guys."
Carl gave a wry smile. On the surface, he seemed about as strong as the Golden Lion and Newgate, but in reality, a bottomless chasm still separated them.
He had only just begun learning Armament Haki and Observation Haki, and he still didn't know how to use Conqueror's Haki.
"You need to keep practicing your Armament Haki. There are no shortcuts."
As usual, Newgate advised Carl not to aim too high before he was ready. After all, the strongest fighters had all struggled their way to the top, step by step. There were no shortcuts.
"I know, Brother Newgate."
The banquet soon passed as they chatted.
"Hic!"
"All right, Brother Newgate, I'm heading back. I've had a bit too much to drink, so I'm going to get some rest."
"Be careful. Go on."
The pirates had collapsed all over the place, drunk and sprawled across the ground.
With Clay supporting him, Carl headed back to their quarters.
"Gya-ha-ha-ha!"
"You should sleep for a while."
The Golden Lion released his Conqueror's Haki, and a tremendously oppressive aura erupted.
The Haki didn't spread outward. Instead, it focused on Clay.
The immense pressure slammed down on Clay, and he immediately passed out. Since the Conqueror's Haki was aimed only at Clay, Carl didn't notice.
"Thump!"
Clay's body gently fell to the ground.
"Linlin, I'll leave the rest to you."
"Gya-ha-ha-ha!"
After a boastful laugh, the Golden Lion strode away.
"Mamamamama!"
Charlotte Linlin wasted no time. She immediately scooped Carl up around the waist, slung him over her shoulder, and hurried to her room.
In the quiet morning, sunlight slipped through a gap in the curtains and into Charlotte Linlin's bedroom.
Birds sang cheerfully outside, and the morning breeze stirred the curtains. As the warmth of the sunlight gradually spread through the room, Carl slowly awoke. He rubbed his bleary eyes, then stretched, his muscles letting out a low groan.
The next second, he realized something felt wrong. Someone was in bed with him. He hurriedly turned his head.
He found himself lying in Charlotte Linlin's arms. Carl was nearly four meters tall now, but next to Charlotte Linlin, he still looked rather small.
They were both naked in bed, with only a thin blanket covering them. It would've been stranger if nothing had happened.
Wait, what did I do last night?
I drank. Clay took me back. What happened after that?
Why couldn't I remember? Oh, my God.
"Mm."
He realized Charlotte Linlin had woken up.
"Carl, you're awake."
"Don't worry. I'll take responsibility for you."
"Mamamamama!"
Charlotte Linlin spoke shyly. Carl's stamina had been incredible, and he had worn her out the night before.
She had never imagined a man could have so much stamina. It was the first time she had ever felt so happy.
"Uh, you... I... Yesterday... Sigh..."
Carl stammered, unable to get a complete sentence out.
He truly had no idea what to say.
After all, it had already happened. Whatever he said now would feel unnecessary.
But if he said nothing, that didn't feel right either.
Seeing the wry smile on Carl's face, Charlotte Linlin couldn't help wanting to tease him.
"Well, you've already had your way with me. What more do you want?"
"You can't just abandon me, can you?"
Charlotte Linlin looked at Carl with her bright, sparkling eyes, as if eagerly awaiting his answer.
Carl quickly thought it over. Since it had already happened, and he was a bit of a chauvinist, he couldn't just let the matter go.
He just had to think carefully about how he and Charlotte Linlin should get along.
Since he was at fault, he wanted to make it up to her, but he also had to put a stop to her behavior from now on.
"All right. Let's agree on three rules."
"First, from today on, I'm the only man for you. Don't flirt with other men."
"Second, eat fewer sweets. Don't let yourself get fat."
"Third, don't let anyone know about our relationship before the Rocks Pirates disband."
Carl looked a little awkward. On the surface, he was the one whose virtue had been compromised, but in reality, women usually had more to lose in a situation like this.
He had no choice but to set down some rules.
If he didn't, he'd feel as if he had dozens of green hats on his head.
"Mamamamama!"
"No problem. I agree."
Charlotte Linlin sat up in bed the next second. The thin blanket slid off her body, revealing her fair skin. Carl immediately got a nosebleed.
He'd never seen anyone this big. Had she grown up drinking milk and eating papayas?
The next second, Charlotte Linlin pulled Carl into her arms, letting his face sink against her soft breasts.
"But how do you know the Rocks Pirates will disband?"
"Don't ask about that. It's still early. Let's go again. I haven't really had a chance to enjoy myself."
At that moment, Carl felt his body react. Since things had already come to this, he might as well see it through.
"Now...? Mm!"
Before Charlotte Linlin could finish speaking, Carl pounced on her.
The bed creaked and groaned all day long.
Before you continue