New Shining Star |『 Male Reader 』• One Piece

Page 65: A Banquet of Fates

"All pirates searching for the treasure One Piece must brave the second half of the Grand Line. These wild and dangerous seas are known as the New World."

"Gold Roger and his crew were the only men to chart these waters and learn all the secrets they held."

"For the rest of the pirates in the world, this has proven to be the end of the road. A graveyard of dreams."

"Now, Y/n L/n, a young man who ate the Ox Ox Fruit Model: Water Buffalo, set sail into the New World with his faithful crew."

'I'm gonna become the King of the Pirates!'

An enormous flounder glided down the shimmering coral-lit waterway, the back fashioned into floating platforms adorned with silken cushions, coral-patterned banners, and decorative streamers that trailed in their watery wake.

The Straw Hat and Bludgeon Pirates rode lounging, sprawled, or excitedly pointing at the sights. Others sat in varying degrees of disbelief and amusement at the sheer theatricality of it all. "This is absurdly fancy," Y/n said as he tried not to slide off the slightly bouncy surface of their aquatic ride.

"Yeah, but look at the style!" Inoko said, spinning around gleefully. She kicked her feet like an excited child, her blades carefully tucked for once. "This is better than walking!" Rindo laughed, flopping backwards into a seaweed-stitched cushion and lazily waving at the cheering crowd below.

Below them, the floor of the grand banquet chamber was packed. Dozens of fishmen, mermaids and royal guards lined either side of the path, clapping and cheering as the flounders carried the honoured guests forward.

"The heroes have arrived!" someone called from the crowd. "All hail the Straw Hats! Saviours of the island!" another said, prompting Luffy to sit upright instantly. "Hey, don't call us heroes!" Luffy shouted. "I'm not sharing the meat!" he added.

Then, Zoro, who had been lying down with his arms crossed, opened his eye. "Where's the booze?" he asked plainly, sitting up with minimal effort. That drew laughter from the other platform. "Tehehahaha! I like how these guys think," Y/n said, pointing at them. "Finally, some pirates with their priorities straight," he added, making Rindo nod.

"Yeah! Sharing food is overrated!" she declared. "Let them think we're villains as long as we get seconds!" Inoko chimed in, already pulling out a napkin from... somewhere. Watching them, Fuyune sighed. "...I really can't take you three anywhere," she said, though her smile said otherwise.

Just then, a towering shape floated into view near the stage at the front of the room. "Luffy-sama!" a towering mermaid glided forward, easily towering over the rest of the crowd. "Whoa! Giant mermaid!" Y/n said. "That's Princess Shirahoshi," whispered Mamoru, nodding respectfully.

Shirahoshi smiled gently and pointed toward the front of the grand banquet hall, where a stage made of coral branches and pearl-laced platforms sat adorned with seashell chandeliers. "Look! Over there, it's Maria Napole!" Shirahoshi beamed, pointing to a figure on the center stage.