The banquet hall was so lively it felt like it might flip the entire Beehive Island upside down.
The aroma of roasted meat mixed with the sharp scent of alcohol, filling the air.
Pirates staggered around with cups in hand, grabbing anyone they saw to force a drink.
"HAHAHAHA!"
"Drink!"
"Everyone, drink up!"
Reno sat by the long table, watching the rowdy pirates toast each other wildly. He found himself actually enjoying the atmosphere.
Shiki was already flushed from drinking, occasionally stumbling into the center of the hall to dance, hugging a barrel and chugging straight from it.
Newgate and Wang Zhi were competing in a drinking contest, neither willing to back down.
"Gurararara!"
"Wang Zhi, your tolerance's improved!"
"Of course! I've trained for this!"
Marlon leaned lazily against his chair, a cigarette dangling from his lips, taking occasional sips.
Stussy, who had no interest in Newgate at the moment, sat alone to the side, elegantly sipping her wine. Her gaze drifted now and then toward Reno in Linlin's arms.
Reno, meanwhile, leaned comfortably against Linlin, his eyes occasionally flicking toward Stussy.
Noticing his gaze, Stussy quickly put on a faintly sorrowful expression, acting delicate and pitiful.
At the head seat, Rocks smiled faintly, raising his cup toward Reno.
"Reno, we set out tomorrow to seize the Heavenly Tribute."
"Want to come along?"
Reno lifted his glass and shook his head.
"I'll pass, Rocks."
"My strength's still lacking. I wouldn't be much help."
"I'd rather stay on Beehive Island and improve myself."
Rocks chuckled and shook his head.
"Combat is the fastest way to grow stronger."
"But with your current strength… you'd just be dead weight."
Reno smiled slightly.
"I don't need to fight to grow stronger, remember?"
Rocks paused, then burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Fair enough!"
"Then wait for us to return—and turn us into demons."
"Deal."
They clinked glasses across the table and downed their drinks.
Linlin sat beside Reno, her nine tails swaying lazily behind her.
She lifted a massive barrel and drank deeply.
"HAHAHAHA! This is great!"
Reno watched her carefree demeanor. Combined with the faint, almost intangible charm radiating from her new form and the haze of alcohol, it stirred something restless in him.
He reached out, idly running his hand along one of her tails.
Linlin didn't react at first, continuing to drink.
But when his hand lingered too long, one tail suddenly wrapped around his wrist.
She turned her head, amber vertical pupils narrowing at him.
"What are you doing?"
Reno raised an eyebrow.
"What do you think?"
"Just admiring your tails."
Linlin frowned slightly, then snorted.
"If you don't want to get sent flying right now, behave and drink."
She turned back to her alcohol, though her tails didn't completely push him away this time.
At that moment, Shiki staggered over and plopped down across from Reno.
"Hey! Reno!"
"I've decided! After we grab the Heavenly Tribute, I'm going to find the Rumble-Rumble Fruit!"
"I've wanted it for ages!"
Reno withdrew his hand naturally and smiled.
"Helping you become a demon? Sure."
"But joining you? That's another story."
Shiki burst into laughter.
"Jahahaha! Don't twist my words!"
Reno laughed as well.
"Just making conversation."
"The Rumble-Rumble Fruit won't be easy to find."
Shiki grinned wildly.
"So what?! I've got time!"
"I'll turn the whole sea upside down if I have to!"
Newgate soon joined them.
"Gurararara!"
"Shiki, that fruit hasn't appeared in ages. Stop dreaming."
"And you've found the Tremor-Tremor Fruit?" Shiki shot back.
The banquet continued deep into the night.
Some pirates had already collapsed on the floor, passed out drunk. Others were still clutching barrels, drinking themselves senseless.
At that moment, a thin figure appeared at the edge of the hall.
Streusen.
He stood there silently, watching Linlin laughing and chatting with Reno. His long face was dark and grim.
After a moment, he took a deep breath and walked over.
"Linlin."
She turned, still smiling.
"What is it, Streusen?"
He hesitated, then clenched his teeth.
"I'm leaving."
Linlin blinked, slightly surprised.
"Oh?"
"Why?"
Streusen forced a calm expression, keeping his gaze on her.
"You've found your husband."
"And I need to pursue my own dream."
Linlin shrugged casually.
"Alright then. Go chase it."
Streusen froze.
"That's it?"
"You got something else to say?" Linlin interrupted impatiently.
Ever since becoming a demon, her previous dependence on his ability was gone.
And right now, during a banquet—
This was just annoying.
"If not, then leave. Don't ruin my mood."
Streusen opened his mouth, but no words came out.
In the end, he turned and walked away silently.
He had thought that leaving might make her care.
But now… it clearly didn't matter.
Over a decade of companionship—gone, replaced in just a few days.
A twisted mix of jealousy and resentment began to grow inside him.
Linlin… since you don't care at all…
Then I'll destroy what you treasure most.
You brought this on yourself.