What do pirates love most in this world?
Throwing parties, of course!
Nothing took priority over a good celebration, especially after crushing your enemies and emerging victorious. The fundamental law of pirate life demanded that every triumph be marked with food, drink, and camaraderie.
Three Baroque Works officers now sat bound and soaking in wooden barrels filled with seawater, their Devil Fruit powers neutralized by the ocean's touch. Mr. 3, his elaborate hairstyle disheveled and blood trickling from various head wounds, remained unconscious from his brutal defeat.
Princess Vivi paced restlessly near the shoreline, her mind consumed with worry for her homeland. "We need to reach Arabasta immediately," she insisted, wringing her hands. "Every moment we delay, more of my people suffer. The rebel army is marching toward the capital, and my father—"
"Your country can survive one more night," Nami interrupted firmly, placing her hands on her hips with navigator's authority. "We're all exhausted, and sailing the Grand Line at night requires absolute focus. I can't navigate safely when I'm dead on my feet."
The princess opened her mouth to argue, but Igaram stepped forward and gently guided her aside. "Your Highness," he murmured quietly, "we cannot afford to alienate our hired protection. These pirates may seem friendly, but their loyalty is purchased, not given freely. We must not push them too hard."
The dynamic between Princess Vivi and the Straw Hat Pirates had indeed shifted dramatically from what the Sky Screen had originally shown. Without the shared trauma of nearly being turned into wax sculptures, without the life-or-death crucible that should have forged unbreakable bonds, their relationship remained purely transactional. Vivi had hired these pirates to save her kingdom—nothing more, nothing less.
The thought of abandoning her royal duties to become a pirate herself seemed absurd. Why would a princess of a World Government member nation choose such a path?
"Sanji! Food! I'm starving!" Luffy's voice cut through the tension as he rolled dramatically on the ground near their cook. His injuries from Mr. 5's explosive boogers and Miss Valentine's crushing weight had left him battered but not broken—typical for someone with his extraordinary constitution.
"Quit bothering me while I'm working!" Sanji snapped, delivering a swift kick to his captain's head. "Cooking for this many people is hard enough without you whining!"
The cook's task had indeed grown monumentally complex. Feeding the Straw Hat crew was challenge enough, but now he had two twenty-meter giants to satisfy as well. Their appetites would be proportionally massive, and Sanji refused to serve anything less than a masterpiece.
He had chosen to prepare an entire Tyrannosaurus Rex, the massive carcass now spitted on a tree trunk as thick as a ship's mast. Dorry and Brogy took turns controlling the fire while Sanji worked his culinary magic, carefully applying spices and making precise cuts to ensure even cooking.
"It's been decades since we've smelled cooking this good," Dorry rumbled appreciatively, inhaling the aromatic smoke.
"This calls for our special reserve," Brogy agreed with a grin. "Let's break out the wine we've been saving!"
The "reserve" in question was fruit wine the giants had brewed when they first arrived at Little Garden over a century ago. Originally, they had agreed that only the victor of their eternal duel would be allowed to taste it. After 73,466 tied matches, the wine remained sealed—until now.
"Life is more precious than any material possession," Brogy declared as he prepared to unearth their treasure. "These friends saved my life, so they deserve to share our finest vintage!"
The wine cask, when finally revealed, stood ten meters high and equally wide—perfectly proportioned for giant consumption but requiring special handling for humans. Once again, Eren found himself called upon for heavy lifting duty.
Golden lightning crackled as the familiar transformation began, steam rising as flesh and bone expanded into the titan form. The Attack Titan carefully hefted the massive barrel, its movements precise despite the incredible size difference.
Brogy shook his head as he watched the titan work. "That boy's ability is impressive, but..." He gestured vaguely at the titan's anatomically correct but mercifully non-detailed lower body. "It's not quite how nature intended giants to appear."
When the roasted T-Rex reached perfect doneness and the ancient wine stood ready for consumption, the party officially began. The two giants raised drinking ships the size of the Going Merry itself.
"Cheers!" their voices boomed across Little Garden.
"Cheers!" the humans replied, raising their own proportionally tiny cups.
Even Princess Vivi and Igaram joined in the toast, momentarily setting aside their urgent concerns to share in the victory celebration.
Sanji took charge of carving the dinosaur, his knife work as precise as any swordsman's technique. Captain Luffy immediately claimed an entire hind leg, his rubber jaw stretching impossibly wide as he devoured the massive portion. Within minutes, his belly had expanded to comical proportions.
Ever the gentleman, Sanji carefully selected the most tender breast meat for Nami and Princess Vivi, presenting each portion with a flourish. "For the lovely ladies—the finest cuts, prepared with all my devotion!"
"The rest of you meatheads can gnaw on bones," he added dismissively, tossing less refined portions toward his male crewmates.
"This is incredible, Sanji!" Nami exclaimed after her first bite.
"I never imagined dinosaur could taste this good," Princess Vivi added with genuine appreciation.
Sanji practically floated with happiness, hearts forming in his eyes as he basked in their praise. Meanwhile, Zoro chewed thoughtfully on his bone-in portion, his attention gradually drawn to their mysterious passenger.
Eren sat apart from the main celebration, drinking quietly in the shadows with an air of melancholy that seemed out of place at such a joyous gathering. Something about his isolation prompted Zoro to approach.
"You haven't told us yet," the swordsman said, settling down nearby. "Where exactly are you trying to go?"
The question immediately captured everyone's attention except Luffy's, who remained focused on his dinosaur leg. Even the giants leaned in slightly to hear the answer.
Eren drained his cup before responding. "Drum Island. I've heard they have skilled doctors there. I need a doctor."
The statement struck everyone as bizarre. Eren appeared to be in perfect health—robust, powerful, capable of transforming into a titan at will. What possible ailment could trouble someone with such extraordinary abilities?
Princess Vivi frowned, her memory struggling to place the island's name. Igaram, however, straightened with recognition and concern.
"I'm afraid I have unfortunate news about Drum Island," the captain of the Arabasta royal guard said gravely. "The situation there has deteriorated significantly. King Wapol—a tyrant by any measure—expelled most of the kingdom's doctors. Even if you reach the island, finding proper medical care will be nearly impossible."
Igaram went on to explain Drum Island's location, describing how it lay along their route to Arabasta, only a few days' sailing from Little Garden.
"It doesn't matter," Eren replied with quiet determination. "Just drop me off when you pass by. I have my own methods for finding what I need."
The certainty in his voice suggested knowledge he wasn't sharing, but the crew recognized the futility of arguing with someone who had single-handedly destroyed an enemy fleet.
The festive atmosphere grew subdued as the implications of his departure settled over the group. Whatever Eren's mysterious purpose, their time together was drawing to a close.