The banquet in Elbaf was still in full swing.
Pero let out a satisfied burp. He had not felt this content in a long time, not since the Hokage World.
He had always been neither full nor hungry.
But as someone from the Dragon Country, not getting enough to eat was a serious matter, something even etched into his genes.
All he could do was marvel.
"As expected of the Giants. These portions really hit the spot."
Just then, Kuzan spotted two familiar figures staggering toward him, carrying enormous mugs taller than a person.
"Admiral Kuzan...!"
They were Oimo and Kashii, the two Giants who had once served as gatekeepers at Enies Lobby.
They looked at Kuzan, memories swirling in their eyes.
"We... we'd like to offer you a toast!" Oimo said excitedly. "We haven't seen any of our colleagues since we came back from Enies Lobby."
Kuzan asked curiously, "How did you two end up back in Elbaf? Doesn't Enies Lobby need gatekeepers anymore?"
Kashii scratched his head at the question and answered a little sheepishly, "After the Paramount War, a bunch of people dressed in white seemed to show up on the Marines' side and throw Enies Lobby and Marineford into chaos. All the officers we knew were dismissed or transferred, and we were no exception. After we left, we figured we had nowhere else to go anyway, so we might as well come home."
Their conversation drew the interest of the other Giants nearby.
An elderly Giant elder stroked his long white beard and sighed. "Speaking of the World Government... that's far from the only disgusting thing they've done."
"Have you heard of Ohara?"
Kuzan paused at those words.
The Giant elder continued, "It was once the most learned sanctuary of archaeology in the West Blue. Simply