Party

When the sun set, a grand party began. Laughter and cheers could be heard all over the island. Children and adults alike drank and ate as much as they liked. There were dozens of parties happening all at once and there wasn't a single place that was quiet.

"Woah!"

Luffy's eyes sparkled as he saw all the parties happening around him.

"It's like the island turned into one big festival!"

He shouted. He was dressed in a red blazer with a yellow shirt underneath. He wore black shorts and boots.

"It is amazing."

Hancock walked beside him dressed in a white vest suit with gold stripes. Her undershirt and gloves were black. Her ponytail swayed as she looked at Luffy.

"You look great today as well, Luffy."

"You think so? I gotta thank that smiley girl later. Oh, you look great too, Hancock. You're pretty cool-looking."

Hancock's face reddened.

"T-Thank you."

"You guys really don't stop flirting huh?"

Caria appeared out of the crowd. She wasn't in her usual outfit but a stylish blue one-piece dress with flats. Her outfit and hair being down gave her a more innocent look.

"Oh, Caria! You look good!"

Hancock's eyes nearly popped out of her head after hearing what Luffy said.

(Luffy actually remember her name?! And he likes how she looks?!)

She started panicking. To be fair, Luffy remembering someone's name is a big deal.

(Wait....)

She started looking between Luffy and Caria.

(Could it be he likes--)

"Calm down."

Caria cut off Hancock's thoughts.

"He doesn't like me."

Caria looked at Luffy.

"Right?"

"Huh? But I do like you."

The temperature dropped and Caria felt chills down her spine. She turned to Hancock and saw nothing but the devil glaring at her.

"Lucia, please clarify! Quickly!"

Caria shouted.

"I mean, you saved my life so there's no way I would hate you. You're a good guy."

"So, you're just grateful?"

"Yeah."

Caria turned back to the devil.

"See? He feels nothing but gratitude."

"Gratitude could lead to something else."

The devil's voice held the screams of hell in it.

(What a troublesome woman!)

Caria cursed. She looked towards Luffy again.

"Between me and her, who do you like more?!"

"Oh, that's easy. Hancock, of course."

"Luffy~!"

The devil disappeared and was replaced with Hancock. She hugged Luffy.

"I love you too!"

She started rubbing her cheek against his.

"Damn, I felt my life flash before my eyes."

Caria mumbled. Hancock stepped away from Luffy when she realized what she was doing. She looked down at the ground with a red face. Every time Luffy tried looking at her she hid her face.

(How can she go from terrifying to cute the next second? Frantz may be on to something....)

Caria thought. She awkwardly cleared her throat.

"Anyway, let me lead you to where the mayor and my comrades are."

"Wait, before I go I have a question to ask."

Luffy wore a serious expression.

"....Go ahead."

"How much meat will be there?"

"....A lot?"

"Alright, let's go!"

Luffy walked ahead of her and Hancock followed behind him.

"This is the notorious Strawhat who threw the government on its head? I don't know what this says about the government."

Caria mumbled and walked after them.

"By the way, what about the rest of your group? Didn't they come to the party too?"

"Oh, about that..."

"Hahaha!"

A voice reached Caria's ears. She turned and saw a disguised Elder Nyon standing on top of a mountain of paper.

"Are those tickets from street games? Why does she have that many?"

Caria asked.

"You see..."

"Hahaha! Collect more! Win me more tickets!"

Elder Nyon laughed as she directed the disguised Kuja who were moving from game to game.

"Rindo, take on the shooting games in the west! Cosmos and Sweetpea, enter the eating contest over there! Blue Fan, go dominate those ring games! Ran, go catch those goldfishes! Aphelandra, enter the arm-wrestling contests! Marguerite and Daisy, collect their tickets and bring them all to me!"

Elder Nyon burst out laughing again.

"I'm gonna do it! I'm gonna win that water from the Spring of Juventus!"

"Oh, so that's how it is."

Caria immediately understood what was going on.

"I got my hands on a bottle of water from the Spring the Juventus, that is said to make people younger. I didn't need it and gave it to the mayor. He must've put it as a prize for tonight."

"I don't need to revert to my youthful 20s, I just need to go back to my 40s, no, 50s! Once I do, I can put that brat in her place! I'll show her what a real empress is like! Hahaha!"

Elder Nyon was so hysterical she didn't care that she was disguised as a man.

"How badly have you been treating her for her to be acting like this the moment she got the chance for revenge?"

Caria asked Hancock.

"I don't know what she's upset about. I treat her extremely well."

Hancock lied as naturally as she breathed.

"Anyway, let's get to the party. Luffy's hungry."

After walking for a bit, Caria led Luffy and Hancock to a huge tavern.

"This is Tiffany's. It's owned by Kelly as well."

Caria said as she entered the building.

"Who's Kelly?"

Luffy asked as he and Hancock entered behind her.

"That's me."

A blonde woman appeared before them.

"Oh, the waitress from that night!"

"It's nice to see you guys again. Really nice."

Kelly started rubbing her palms.

"What's up with her?"

Hancock whispered to Caria.

"The last time we visited her tavern we spent a lot of the mayor's money. I think she expects it to happen again."

"Come in, come in. I'll show you your seats."

Kelly started pushing them with money signs for eyes.

"This woman reminds me of Nami."

Luffy laughed.

"He's thinking of other women?!"

Hancock was suddenly in distress.

"Oh, you."

Kelly started whispering in Hancock's ear.

"You were really bold the other night. You really got the party going."

Hancock's body stiffened.

"I wonder if we'll see more of that tonight?"

"You will not!"

"What's wrong?"

Luffy asked.

"Oh, it's nothing. I was just telling her about the menu."

"Oh, tell me too! The food I had at your other place was heavenly!"

Kelly laughed while Hancock had a pale face. Kelly carried them to the highest floor of the tavern.

"Yo!"

When they got there, they saw several tables with Tate, Felix, and the Supreme Five seated around them. Tate was the one who called out to them. He was sitting with Felix.

"It's good you guys could make it."

Tate stood up.

"First, I want to thank you for helping with the invasion."

He shook Luffy's hand.

"Second, I would like you to formally meet these guys."

He pointed at Felix.

"This is the Sheriff, Felix Crouch."

"Hello."

Felix greeted them.

(This guy is one of those who share a presence on this island...But, he's a bit different.)

Hancock thought. Felix looked at her and Luffy for a bit before turning away.

"These two only returned yesterday. They are Astrid Magnolia and Jessie Lockhart."

Tate introduced Jessie and Astrid who had contrasting expressions. Jessie was grinning, while Astrid was glaring at Hancock.

"I don't appreciate the glare."

Hancock said.

"My apologies, Your Highness. However, you'll have to deal with it."

Hancock's eyes twitch. The tension between them instantly increased.

"I'm sorry about him. Astrid is a Siamese-Fighting-Fish Fishman. This type of fishman is very territorial about things they're passionate about and are quick to get aggressive. He's very proud of his beauty and your appearance--"

"So basically, he's insecure and jealous of my beauty."

Hancock smirked.

"How ugly."

Astrid flew from his seat and straight at Hancock. Luffy appeared between them and grabbed Astrid's face. He slammed his head into the ground so hard it shook the floor.

"Don't attack my friend."

Luffy said while glaring at him.

(Oh, Luffy~!)

Hancock screamed out in her head. Her eyes had turned into hearts.

"You..!"

Astrid glared at Luffy as he was being pinned down.

"Astrid, stand down."

Jessie got up from the table he shared with Astrid.

"You were in the wrong, so you have no right to be angry."

Astrid glanced at Jessie for a bit before relaxing his body. Luffy released him and he sprung to his feet glaring at him and Hancock.

"Didn't I say stand down?"

A flow of haki surged from Jessie's body and spread out.

(What strong Haki!)

Hancock looked at Jessie with shock.

"Hey, stop knocking out my customers with Haki!"

Kelly shouted.

"Ah, my bad."

Jessie withdrew his haki and laughed awkwardly.

"....."

Luffy looked at him with a serious expression. Jessie noticed him and approached. He stretched his hand out.

"Jessie Lockhart. Sorry about Astrid."

Luffy looked at his hand and grinned.

"First, it was that silver kid and now it's you. This island is filled with strong guys."

"I feel that you guys are pretty strong yourselves."

Luffy grabbed his hand. Bursts of haki surged out of them and clashed.

"H-Hey!"

Kelly tried to protest but even she started to be affected by the clash.

"Oh, he's not inferior to Jessie in any way."

Tate said.

"Of course, he's that man's son after all."

Felix said. Luffy and Jessie shook hands with huge smiles on their faces.

"I think we're quite similar you and I."

"Is that so?"

Luffy's grin grew.

"I gotta agree."