"Whoa!"
Everyone cheered at once, and the atmosphere at the banquet instantly soared.
Everyone present was bold and unrestrained. Pirates, by their very nature, longed for freedom and revered it.
The two sides that had been fighting just a moment earlier could now shake hands, clink glasses, and chat with smiles on their faces.
"Seeing lively young people like you often makes me feel old!"
Golden Lion Shiki sighed as he spoke, holding up his glass.
Ordinarily, he would never mingle with his subordinates like this. Given his strength and status, he could only converse as an equal with his peers-people whose standing was comparable to his own.
Shanks, one of the Four Emperors, already qualified. Just as they had been in their day, the young man before him was now one of the strongest people in the world.
"Hahahaha, not at all! You look even younger than Vice-Captain Rayleigh!"
Shanks laughed.
"Jahahahaha!"
Golden Lion burst out laughing at that and clinked glasses with him.
After the fierce battle came a scene of warmth and harmony.
Some sang, some wandered around looking for people to drink with, and others fought over food. The deserted island, riddled with cracks, bustled with life.
River and Shanks sat facing each other, alternating between clinking glasses and chatting.
"Whitebeard died, and Ace was rescued."
"It looks like all of that was part of your plan, River!"
Shanks sighed, his eyes glinting.
"The old era loses its luster, and a new era takes the world stage. The march forward never stops."
"That's only natural, isn't it?"
River smiled and raised his glass.
"Hahahahaha!"
"I'd love to see the moment this world undergoes a great change, too!"
"Your return has given me hope, River."
"And those young people out on the seas, their hearts full of