In the end, Momonga refused to attend Shanks's banquet.
The sight of Shanks still made his blood boil, though he couldn't say exactly why.
Was it because Tony was leaving?
No. That was Tony's own choice.
Was it because West Simon and the others had been taken into custody?
If they had been any other Pirates, they would already be dead.
So was he just sulking?
Whatever the reason, once Tony's temperature had returned to normal and he was clearly all right, Momonga got to his feet, said goodbye, and left.
Tony silently watched Momonga lead West Simon and the others away, his clothes in tatters, and made a vow to himself.
"I'll come back. I swear it."
Shanks had drained a large mug of alcohol before the banquet even started. Now he sidled up to Tony with a second mug in hand.
"Hey, what's wrong? Going to miss them? Hic!"
The sharp reek of alcohol hit Tony in the face, and he took a step back in disgust.
"There's nothing to miss," Tony replied. "The moment I accepted this power, I knew I might have to leave. I still can't control it."
"Oh? Looks like you're not stupid after all!" Shanks gave Tony a strange look, as though surprised he could make such a decisive choice.
Tony shot him a sidelong glance. "Well, I don't like drinking. Too much alcohol makes you stupid."
"Hahahaha! What a load of crap!" Shanks laughed uproariously. "Someone told me drinking too much would make my sword hand unsteady!"
"And look at me now. I'm still a Yonko!" At that, Shanks suddenly deflated.
"Tch. Too bad that bastard Hawkeye stopped fighting me after I lost my arm. What good is a steady grip now?"
Like Hawkeye, Shanks was a swordsman at the very top,