The banquet

They worked efficiently. Before the sun had even set, Allison, Lind's secretary, came to notify him about the banquet.

"Boss, we've finished setting up the venue as you requested, and we've invited all the factions in Oran Port, big and small. You only need to head over before the banquet begins."

Dressed in a smart women's suit, Allison delivered her report to Lind, who was reading in his room.

"Hahaha, well done! Just what I'd expect from my people! I'll give each of you a bottle of Angel's Heart later. During my fight with Zephyr yesterday, you were practically drooling over it!"

Lind nodded in satisfaction at Allison's report and promised rewards for the group.

"Thank you, Boss! Thank you! You're the most handsome man alive!" Allison's eyes lit up at his words, and she thanked him over and over, completely abandoning her earlier air of a cool, aloof secretary.

Lind's battle with Zephyr had already proven the power of Angel's Heart. To exaggerate a little, having it was like having a second life.

Soon, it was time for the banquet to begin.

In the palace where Lind lived, he and Allison were making their final preparations.

At Allison's insistence, Lind changed into a navy blue formal suit for tonight's banquet.

Looking at himself in the mirror, Lind indulged in a rare moment of vanity.

He had been in this world for nearly three years, but he had never taken a close look at his own appearance. He had spent most of his time training, immersed in the joy of growing stronger.

Now that he examined this body's appearance carefully, he found it surprisingly handsome. Though his face still held a hint of youth, his features, as if painstakingly sculpted by God, had largely taken shape.

Combined with the clothes and hairstyle Allison had carefully prepared for him today, as well as his carefree, unrestrained air,

anyone would have had to marvel: what a handsome young man!

"Let's go, Allison. Today, we'll meet all the factions in Oran Port and announce our arrival!"

After another glance in the mirror to admire his handsome looks, Lind left the room with Allison.

As soon as he reached the entrance, Lind saw the officers, who had already arrived.

"Hahahaha! With those clothes on, I almost didn't recognize you!" Lind teased as he looked at the group, whose appearance and bearing had improved considerably.

"Hehe, it's all thanks to Larry. That guy must have been an Oni before!" Axel chuckled at Lind's words.

"Hahahaha! Well done, Larry. Having Boss Rocks leave you here to assist me was definitely a stroke of luck!" Lind nodded at Larry in praise.

"All right, let's head to the venue. Our guests are probably getting impatient!"

With that, Lind led the way toward the banquet hall. Allison and Liana flanked him, while the other officers followed behind.

As soon as they entered the venue, Lind, standing front and center, drew everyone's attention.

Coupled with his peerless looks, the female guests were practically swooning over him.

Their utterly undisguised gazes nearly gave Lind goosebumps!

Only after Liana and Allison noticed those looks and glared back fiercely in warning did the guests avert their eyes.

After all, Lind was still a young man just starting out, and this sort of banquet was completely different from the parties pirates usually held.

He still lacked experience with such occasions. Only the confidence afforded by his immense strength allowed him to handle everything with ease.

Fortunately, the experienced Larry was there to keep everything in order.

After Lind chatted with Allison and the others for a while, Larry came to invite him, as the host, to say a few words from the podium.

"Ahem. First, thank you all for coming to this banquet."

"I'm sure you all know who I am by now. I'm Lind, captain of the Seventh Division of the Rocks Pirates. From now on, Oran Island will be my base!"

"There's no other reason I invited you here. I simply wanted to get acquainted with everyone. If I offend you in the future, I hope you'll be understanding!"

"Of course, to put your minds at ease, I'll briefly explain my position."

"I don't like trouble. Oran Island's existing systems will remain unchanged, and I won't be managing the island personally!"

"If you have any specific issues, just speak to my officers. I'm sure many of you witnessed their abilities and strength this afternoon. They're absolutely worthy of your trust!"

Lind went up to the podium and briefly stated his position.

"Oh, right. I assume you've all heard that, before we arrived, we defeated Zephyr and captured two Marine Vice Admirals and three Marine warships!"

"So don't get any funny ideas. Whatever you're planning, consider your own strength first!" Lind casually added those final remarks, once again intimidating the representatives of the various factions present.

"Hahahaha! That's all I have to say. Larry, I'll leave the rest to you!"

Casually brushing his hair aside, Lind handed the stage over to his subordinate and stepped down from the podium with a laugh to chat with his secretary.

Perhaps Lind's achievements were simply too intimidating, or perhaps the people he had sent to deliver invitations that afternoon had demonstrated sufficient strength.

All the factions present behaved themselves. Through his Observation Haki, Lind sensed that they readily accepted all the conditions Axel and Larry put forward!

In the end, strength is what really counts! Lind thought.

The banquet was a complete success, and all its main objectives had been achieved, leaving Lind very satisfied. If only the other factions would remain as compliant as they had been today.

The only thing that disappointed him was that, perhaps because Allison and Liana were too imposing, not a single woman approached him throughout the entire banquet. They had all been glared away before they could get close.

Allison in particular looked to Lind as though she was about to master an entirely different kind of Conqueror's Haki!

Although Lind had no intention of taking things beyond friendship, the influence of his previous life meant that chatting with beautiful women still lifted his spirits.

With the confidence his strength afforded him, Lind paid no attention to anyone's attempts to curry favor.

Unless they offered tangible benefits like devil fruits or Beli, which might earn a second glance from him, none of it made him as happy as chatting with a beautiful lady.

With so many beauties wanting to strike up a conversation, not exchanging a single word with them still left Lind a little disappointed.

At Lind's level, people would read all sorts of meanings into his every move. Since he hated trouble, he could hardly take the initiative to chat with anyone, especially beautiful women, lest others get the wrong idea.

And so, a dull banquet ended with Lind feeling somewhat dejected. Even on his way home, his spirits remained low.