99. Lively atmosphere

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The night was pitch black, with the vast sea stretching endlessly under a shroud of darkness.

It was nearly impossible to see even a hand held up in front of one's face, much less the direction to sail.

But tonight, the pirate ship was alive with celebration.

Nearly two hundred people were gathered on deck, crowded together despite the limited space.

The deck seemed almost too small for so many, yet no one seemed to mind.

Everyone was too caught up in the moment to worry about cramped quarters.

Anos and Boa Hancock sat near the front, with others seated around them.

Each held a jar of wine or a hunk of meat, indulging in the freedom they had fought so hard to enjoy.

The supplies on board were plentiful, especially with the provisions from the Tempest ship.

Although the Kuja Pirates weren't excessively wealthy, tonight's feast had pulled from a large share of their reserves to make this first banquet a memorable one.

Most of the women wore elegant clothing taken from the Tempest, giving them an air of refinement.

Even Boa's sisters, Marigold and Sandersonia, sported their intricate outfits.

The deck was filled with laughter and cheer, and in this moment, no one cared about distinctions between men and women.

As the drinks flowed, arms entwined in camaraderie, until the crowd became one mass of joyful celebration.

For the men from the Tru Kingdom, this night was perhaps the most fun they'd had since they first set out to sea.

To be surrounded by so many women, who they'd expected to despise, was a rare treat.

But for the women of Amazon Lily, who had once harboured only hatred for men, tonight was a revelation: they found men to be surprisingly enjoyable company.

Many of the women, even as they feasted, took notes, carefully recording scenes of their interactions with the men.

Anos didn't drink much; he watched the festivities quietly.

Abona kept his distance, but even Daiki and the captain of the Royal guards had been pulled into the crowd by Suzu and were joining in the drinking.

"It's rare to see such a happy scene. I think you feel the same way, right?" Anos asked Hancock, smiling as he took in the sight.

A brilliant light shone down on the deck, making it as bright as day and dispelling any hint of darkness.

Hancock looked at Anos, who was close to her in age.

Perhaps it was the wine, or perhaps something else, but her cheeks turned a sudden shade of crimson.

"Would you tell me more about your kingdom?" Hancock asked shyly.

The two had been together for a day now, and conversation had naturally turned toward the matters that brought them here.

Hancock hadn't stopped her crew from mingling with the men from Tru Kingdom.

Though she'd been upset initially, she couldn't prevent what was now inevitable.

The people from Tru Kingdom were enthusiastic and free-spirited, yet they respected boundaries.

Anos noticed Hancock's gaze and smiled. After a moment, he said, "If you're interested, you could visit someday. Your ship can cross the Calm Belt, so reaching the Tru Kingdom in the South Blue wouldn't take long. Who knows?"

"Maybe you could leave behind the life of a pirate and create a peaceful kingdom of your own. At least then, you wouldn't have to worry about your next meal."

"Amazon Lily is a warrior's nation," Hancock replied, smiling. "Our Kingdom's small, with limited resources, and we've always relied on piracy to sustain ourselves. I don't think your way would suit us."

But as she smiled, Anos couldn't help but admire her beauty.

The sea around them glistened under the lights from the ship, and the gentle breeze played on everyone's hearts.

Anos understood Amazon Lily's limitations. With only a few thousand people, their way of life was deeply rooted in tradition.

They had always relied on piracy as a means of survival, not just a means of making a living.

"Why did you pass through this area on your way back to the Tru Kingdom?" Hancock asked, breaking his thoughts.

"I wanted to visit somewhere specific, which led me through this area. Otherwise, how else could I have met you?"

His words brought another flush to Hancock's cheeks, and she was suddenly unsure of what to say.

Thankfully, no one seemed to notice them. Most were singing and dancing by now, and many had already had their fill of drink. Only Abona, keeping watch atop the mast, stayed vigilant.

In truth, there was little need for caution in the middle of the night.

They were unlikely to encounter any danger in such a remote part of the sea.

Abona, however, didn't share in the revelry below.

Four years of imprisonment had left him yearning for freedom, but this kind of atmosphere reminded him too much of a life he had left behind.

No one forced him to join in. He sat alone on the mast, holding the sword Anos had given him, "Dawn."

"Hancock, have you heard about the World Government's plans for the Warlords of the Sea?" Anos asked, turning his attention to her.

"Ah! Yes...yes," Hancock replied, caught off guard and visibly flustered.

He smiled at her reaction. Anos could read her easily and had an inkling he might leave this voyage with more than he bargained for.

"The Marines and the World Government are forming the Seven Warlords of the Sea. They're likely to finalize it at this year's Reverie. If you still wish to remain a pirate, joining them could be beneficial. It would allow you to accumulate some wealth in a short time."

"But if the World Government or the Marines demand our help, we'd have to obey without question," Hancock countered.

"Why worry?" Anos replied, casually taking a sip of wine. "When the Marines or the Government need the Warlords, it means their authority is slipping. Only a few people in the New World could cause that, and they're not reckless enough to provoke the Marines or the Government without reason."

He took another sip, confident that his journey had set something significant in motion.

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