The Swordsmanship Tournament was one of the rare opportunities Hades had to gather with these old friends.
These days, he no longer took a direct hand in most affairs on the seas.
Of course, he could see them whenever he wanted, but Hades would not do that. His status had changed, and maintaining some distance was necessary.
Nor could they ever return to the way things had been in the Rocks Pirates.
The Swordsmanship Tournament was underway.
"Golden Lion" Shiki and "Whitebeard" Edward Newgate were enjoying fine liquor from the Four Seas at Hades's residence.
Only the battles among the final sixty-four contestants would draw their attention.
Of course, Newgate also kept an eye on his son Vista's matches.
Though Vista was still young, the name "Flower Sword" had already begun to spread.
"MOM! MOM!"
Familiar laughter rang out from afar, and then Charlotte Linlin's towering figure burst into the hall.
"Hades, give me a batch of dessert chefs."
Linlin approached Hades with a wheedling tone, like a child.
In just a few days, Linlin's figure had grown noticeably rounder.
For Linlin, these past few days on Paros Island had been like living in paradise.
Every day, she could enjoy vast quantities of delicious desserts without a single repeat.
Compared to the first Swordsmanship Tournament, Paros Island had improved tremendously in every respect after years of development.
Most importantly, as its reputation grew, Paros Island had developed a draw of its own, becoming a sacred destination in countless people's minds.
Then there were the profits and fame it offered.
Naturally, countless top-tier chefs had gathered there.
Their numbers were dozens of times greater than during the first Swordsmanship Tournament.
Even when the Kronos Kingdom deliberately sought them out, there was a limit to how many it could recruit.
How could