Banquet

In Lincoln Park, Rubick greeted them with a broad smile.

"Long time no see, everyone."

He pointed at them one by one. "Well? What do you think of the captain I picked?"

"An idiot!"

"A reckless kid."

"A meat-eating maniac!"

Rubick burst out laughing. "Luffy, looks like you really found yourself a fine crew. When I traveled through the East Blue, I thought these people had promise. I never expected you to gather every one of them."

Luffy dropped out of Gear Second, grinning from ear to ear. "So, old man, will you accept my invitation and join our crew now?"

Rubick looked at Zoro and the others. "Any objections?"

The three shook their heads in unison. "No."

"But, old man," Zoro said, "you have to teach me how to launch that flying slash."

Sanji said, "I want to learn how you jump through the air. I saw it. That's a leg technique, right?"

Usopp said, "And I still want to learn a few mysterious Eastern spells."

"Hahaha!"

"I am a Grand Magus, after all," Rubick said. "I'll take the job of training this crew. Nami, come down. You're our navigator."

Nami was a little annoyed. She wasn't keen on following a captain like Luffy. She jumped down from the balcony and tilted her head. "Let's get one thing straight. If there's no city built of gold on the Grand Line like you said, old man, I'm turning right around."

Rubick laughed to himself. Once we reach the Grand Line, how could a little thing like you ever make it back alone?

Just then, Nojiko, Genzo, and the other villagers came running in.

"Nami, are you all right?"

Nami rubbed her forehead. "I'm fine. I've known this old man for a while. He's a good person."

Genzo gave them a deadpan stare. "Then what was all that...?"

Rubick immediately snapped, "Didn't I tell you? We're having a celebration tonight. Have you prepared the food?"

"Uh... well..."

Rubick had spent six months playing the tyrant here. The moment his tone turned harsh, the villagers lost their nerve.

Genzo smiled. "I just came to ask how much we should prepare. Our village is poor, so we don't have much meat, but we should have enough beer."

"As long as there's booze!"

Come to think of it, Rubick had never actually bullied them over the past six months. He had never taken their money, and he had even driven off two pirate crews. If he hadn't made the villagers build him a house and kept Nojiko here to cook for him, he really would have been a hero.

Now they realized that, aside from his strange sense of humor, Rubick really was Nami's friend and the village's savior. With the misunderstanding cleared up, they naturally warmed to him.

That night, a grand celebration began.

In front of Rubick's villa, the Straw Hat Pirates sat at one table while the villagers filled the tables around them.

Rubick was the hero of the hour. Until he spoke, nobody else made a move.

Rubick raised his mug of draft beer and called to the villagers, "Before the celebration begins, let me introduce someone."

Powell stood up beside Rubick. The Anderson Family had all come today. The children were at a nearby table with Mrs. Anderson and Kaya.

Rubick announced, "This is my old friend, the man in charge of Syrup Village to the east and head of the Anderson Family. Give him a warm welcome!"

Clap, clap, clap!

The applause was enthusiastic. Powell smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

"I'll be leaving with my captain soon," Rubick said. "But don't worry. My old friend has promised to look after you. Let's hear a few words from him!"

Clap, clap, clap!

Powell motioned for quiet, then said, "I'm just a merchant. Pirates oppressed you before, making it hard to earn a living. From now on, the Anderson Trading Company will buy all the fish and shrimp you catch and all the fruit you grow. We won't let you sell at a loss."

Thunderous cheers and applause erupted. To the villagers, the Anderson Trading Company's promise meant everything.

Nami's family, for instance, grew oranges. They often had bumper harvests, but struggled to find buyers. When they did sell, buyers pushed the prices down so far that they made no money.

If the Anderson Trading Company bought everything and sold it elsewhere, the growers wouldn't have to take a loss.

At Rubick's signal, the celebration finally got underway. The villagers ate meat and drank beer to their hearts' content. Even some of the shy ones started dancing on the spot, and the place came alive.

At the Straw Hat Pirates' table, Rubick downed a large mug with everyone before turning the conversation to the Grand Line.

"Listen, everyone. I'm the oldest here, and I've been to the Grand Line. So I'm going to tell you the truth."

Zoro and the others quieted down to listen. Only Luffy kept stuffing his face.

"First and foremost, you're far too weak."

"I've seen that for myself," Zoro said reluctantly.

He had once planned to set out to sea, find Hawk-Eye, and defeat him. He hadn't expected to lose to even Hawk-Eye's tiny knife.

Sanji hardly needed telling. He came from the North Blue, and he knew what the Vinsmoke Family was capable of. They could cross the Calm Belt and invade a country in the East Blue. That alone showed how strong they were.

As for Usopp, he was so far behind that everyone else looked untouchable to him.

"So how do you plan to train us, old man?" Sanji asked.

"Before that, I need to tell you about the powers and fighters on the Grand Line."

Rubick began explaining. "Among pirates, the strongest are the Four Emperors. They're each incredibly powerful, and they command huge crews and vast forces."

"One of them, Red-Haired Shanks, has a particularly close connection to us. In terms of individual strength, he ranks among the top five in the world."

Nami asked, "Why would someone like him have such a close connection to us? Don't tell me you crossed him, old man."

Rubick explained, "The straw hat on Luffy's head used to belong to Shanks. Shanks gave it to Luffy himself. Do you understand what that means?"

Luffy jumped in. "I know! It's the symbol of our promise!"

The others exchanged glances. They weren't as simple-minded as Luffy. By giving him the hat, Shanks had effectively set Luffy on his path.

Rubick pointed at Usopp. "And this guy—weak as he looks, his father is Shanks's chief sniper."

"Whoa!"

Zoro and Sanji looked at Usopp with newfound respect. Who would have thought the guy had such a formidable father? There was no competing with that.

Usopp thumped his chest. "I'll become a great warrior of the sea! I won't let my father down!"