The Enthusiastic Whiskey Peak

Whiskey Peak, where two hidden sentries lurked in the mist.

"Look, pirates!"

"More pirates are coming!"

Sifa and Yorg, who were keeping watch, exchanged a look, pleasantly surprised.

"Our hauls lately have been incredible. We really have to thank that strongest bounty hunter from the East Blue."

"Without his pressure, how could so many pirates have delivered themselves to our door? Hahaha!"

As they spoke, the two could not help bursting into laughter.

Over the past few months, their performance had soared. Half a year's results rivaled what they had achieved in the previous two years.

Even their usually cold and indifferent boss had made an exception and praised them.

They had that man who had swept away the East Blue pirates to thank for everything.

"With a ship this good, this haul definitely won't be small!"

Sifa licked his lips, barely able to contain his excitement.

They had been at Whiskey Peak for so long, yet this was the first time they had seen a fine ship like the Windrider.

They hardly dared imagine how great the profits would be once they took this ship down.

"But what if there's something off about them?"

Yorg hesitated. A ship this good might not be simple.

"What are you afraid of? Everyone who comes here is a rookie who's just entered the sea. Maybe they're even deserters from the East Blue."

Sifa did not care in the slightest.

They had been doing this for so long and had never encountered anyone they could not afford to provoke.

"Then I'll report to Mr. 8. We're going to get rich!"

Yorg also decided he had been overthinking it and hurried back to make his report.

They had to give such fat sheep a proper welcome. They could not afford to let their guard down.

Before long, all of Whiskey Peak erupted into excitement.

As the Windrider sailed into the inner river of Cactus Island, cheers rose from both banks.

"Welcome to the Grand Line!"

"Welcome to our town!"

"Long live the warriors of the sea!"

The people on both banks cheered enthusiastically to welcome the Windrider's arrival.

"Are the people on the Grand Line this welcoming?"

Nami was pleasantly surprised.

Listening to the villagers' cheers, she could not help feeling happy.

At the same time, though, Nami felt somewhat puzzled.

Twin Capes was clearly the entrance, yet Mr. 9 and Vivi had tried to rob them there.

Why did this Whiskey Peak look like a paradise?

"This is wonderful. It looks like we can have a pleasant day."

Tashigi's eyes curved into crescents as she beamed with happiness.

She had clearly come from the Marines, yet her vigilance was even worse than Nami's. She was truly hopeless.

Still, Luo Wen had no intention of exposing the truth.

"Everyone, don't..."

"Mm!?"

Just as Vivi was about to warn them, Luo Wen covered her mouth.

She looked at Luo Wen in confusion. What did he mean?

"Shh. After weathering such a storm, let everyone be happy for a while."

Luo Wen leaned close to Vivi and whispered in her ear.

All of Whiskey Peak was a branch of Baroque Works.

The villagers before them were all bounty hunters who specialized in hunting rookie pirates newly arrived on the Grand Line.

Everything happening now was merely a sugar-coated bullet.

But Luo Wen did not care. They could eat the sugar coating and fire the bullet right back.

Before making a move, there was nothing wrong with enjoying themselves for a while.

Feeling his hot breath against her ear, Vivi blushed and nodded.

"Vivi, what did you want to say?"

Nami and Tashigi noticed the commotion and both looked at Luo Wen and Vivi.

"She meant that everyone shouldn't be so restrained. We should enjoy ourselves to the fullest today."

"Right, Vivi?"

Luo Wen gave Vivi a meaningful look.

"Y-Yes, that's right! Everyone has to have fun today!"

Vivi was distracted, but she still went along with Luo Wen's explanation.

At that moment, she was still thinking about Luo Wen's intimate gesture.

What should I do? He doesn't like me, does he!?

If he confesses right now, what posture should I use to reject him?

Luo Wen is handsome and strong, but we only met today!

"I'm sorry, but it's still too soon. I can't accept!"

Vivi closed her eyes, blushing as she murmured softly.

Yet after a long while, there was no response.

Vivi opened her eyes and discovered that no one was left on the ship.

"Vivi, come down and play!"

On the shore, Nami and Tashigi waved at her, while Luo Wen stood nearby with a smile on his face.

"Huh!?"

"I'm coming, I'm coming!"

Vivi was so embarrassed that she wished Crocodile would kill her right then.

Ah! Ah! Ah!

Vivi, how could you be so stupid? Why did you think so much?

He didn't even say anything, and you went and exposed all your wishful thinking. This is so humiliating!

Vivi fiercely berated herself inwardly. Only after taking several deep breaths did she manage to calm her turbulent emotions.

Vivi quickly got off the ship and joined Luo Wen and the other two, looking as though nothing had happened.

Yet her eyes secretly glanced at Luo Wen.

Luo Wen doesn't know, does he?

Only when she saw Luo Wen smiling as he chatted with the villagers did Vivi let out a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness, thank goodness. As long as nobody knows, I haven't embarrassed myself.

Vivi stopped paying attention to Luo Wen and began talking with Nami and Tashigi.

Feeling Vivi's gaze leave him, Luo Wen's smile became even brighter.

He could not help it—the laughter simply would not stay in.

A burly man in a suit with golden curly hair walked up to Luo Wen.

"Ahem, welcome. My name is Igarapoi."

"Ahem, you must all be very surprised. Whiskey Town is a place where both brewing and music are highly developed."

"Ahem, hospitality is our town's proud tradition."

"Ahem."

"Today, let us use this town's finest wine, accompanied by the legendary tales of you adventurers, to hold a grand banquet!"

Igarapoi wore a kind expression as he welcomed Luo Wen and the others on behalf of the whole town.

However, his constant coughing made people worry that he might cough up a lung.

Luo Wen revealed a faint smile. He knew this man's true identity.

He was Igaram, Vivi's captain of the royal guard, who had infiltrated Baroque Works alongside Vivi under the codename Mr. 8.

"You brave warriors have endured much on your journey. Come join our banquet and relax."

Igaram warmly invited them.

Nami and Tashigi were still somewhat hesitant, and they turned their gazes toward Luo Wen.

"Let's go. This is a rare chance to have some fun. Everyone should relax properly."

Luo Wen gladly accepted the invitation to the banquet, pulling Nami and Tashigi into the cheering crowd while bringing Vivi along as well.

"Ahem, that would be wonderful."

"Today's banquet will definitely satisfy you."

Igaram smiled as he watched the group join the revelers.

Yet his heart was filled with doubt. Why was Princess Vivi with them, and where was Mr. 9?

"Hey, wait! I still haven't asked how long it'll take for the Log Pose to set here!"

Nami tried to break free from Luo Wen's embrace.

"I already asked. It'll be ready tomorrow! For now, just enjoy yourselves!"

Luo Wen held Nami with his left hand and Tashigi with his right, while still remembering to shove Vivi along.

When did he ask? How did I not know?

He guessed? How could he be so accurate?

Igaram scratched the back of his head, feeling that today's situation might have changed somewhat.

Forget it. Those things were not important right now.

The priority was to figure out what was going on with Princess Vivi.

The sun over Whiskey Peak gradually sank westward, and with the main characters in place, the banquet officially began.