The Great Voyage Begins with the Celestial Dragons

“When Barrett arrives in a couple of days, we’ll have a banquet,” Luther said with a smile.

"Hey, if you need my help with banquets, just let me know!"

Kizaru grinned lewdly; he would never refuse a banquet.

"Bad uncle."

While the two were still chatting, Robin quietly approached Luther:

"The Five Elders are looking for you about that fruit. It seems Spandam has betrayed you."

“Spandam is a smart guy. He won’t hide things from me unless I specifically tell him in advance.”

Luther smiled, told Kizaru and the others, and then returned to the ship's cabin with Gion and Robin.

Even though Robin was reporting in a low voice, Kizaru's hearing was sharp enough to pick up the names of the Five Elders.

Upon hearing that name, he had no desire to know anything else.

Instead of getting involved, why not have some fun?

"Oh, little girl, you must be Momousagi's apprentice. Let's play a sword-fighting game."

Kizaru's lips curled slightly as he began to tease Kuina.

After returning to their cabin, Luther and the others immediately called the Five Elders.

The person who answered the phone was Satan, and his first words were full of seriousness:

"Saint Luther, there are some things you should know you must not touch!"

"Isn't that unnecessary, Saint Satan? 800 years have passed, and you're still afraid of that fruit?"

Luther chuckled and sat down on a deck chair inside the ship's cabin.

"Hmph, that fruit represents the will of the sun god; we must be cautious," Satan's stern voice rang out.

“Be careful…tsk tsk, as far as I know, the World Government has never obtained it, and everyone says it has its own consciousness,” Luther said nonchalantly.

“Even if we can’t obtain it, even if it hasn’t awakened in 800 years, that’s not a reason for us not to take it seriously,” Satan said again.

"I never said I didn't value it, so let's take a gamble."

Luther straightened up slightly, a playful smile playing on his lips.

"Gambling? What do you want to do?"

Satan's voice was indifferent; he neither agreed nor refused.

"Let's bet on whether this fruit will be stolen by someone we all know on its way back," Luther chuckled.

"Someone we all know... East Blue... are you talking about Shanks or Garp?"

Satan hesitated for only a few seconds before directly naming two people.

These two people are among the few he knows who are currently in the East China Sea or were born in the East China Sea.

“Garp is still serving in the New World, I bet Shanks will make a move,” Luther said cryptically.

"Hmph, it seems that following Roger's group has corrupted him."

Satan snorted coldly, without refuting Luther's words.

In his eyes, Luther was a man of careful planning, and it was only because he knew something that he would gamble with him.

"Then let's make a bet. What's your stake?"

Satan doesn't care about winning or losing; he's more interested in whether Shanks will do the same.

If we actually did it, it would be considered a betrayal of the Celestial Dragons.

"How about a bet? A small bet for fun, how about a Supreme Grade Sword or a Top-Tier Devil Fruit?"

"As you said!"

Satan agreed without hesitation.

Such a small bet isn't even worth his attention.

"That's settled then. Let's wait and see."

Luther finished speaking with a smile and then hung up the phone.

"Your Highness, I don't understand. Is it really necessary for us to gamble with the Five Elders?" Gion asked curiously.

Luther didn't speak about the question, but instead looked at Robin.

Robin felt Luther's gaze, rolled her eyes, thought for a moment, and then said uncertainly:

"The stakes aren't the point; the point is to leave a thorn in the hearts of the Five Elders. Bad Uncle, isn't that right?"

"Yes."

Luther nodded slightly, his expression enigmatic, and said:

"The Nika Fruit, the fruit that the World Government has feared most for 800 years. If it were to be stolen by one of our own, and that one of our own knew the World Government's greatest secret, that would be quite an interesting situation."

"Sure enough."

Robin rolled her eyes at Luther.

The Five Elders were there to hold someone accountable, accusing Luther of knowing about the Nika Fruit but failing to report it.

Now it has become that, because Luther suspects there is a traitor, the Nika Fruit is being used as bait.

Robin didn't know about others, but she knew that the Five Elders and Shanks had been tricked.

Chapter 268 At the Banquet

East Sea, near Eregia, a merchant ship sails towards it.

"Aunt Stella, thank you for your help this time."

Seven-year-old Usopp once again expressed his gratitude to Stella, his eyes filled with deep respect.

For him, Stella was definitely the second most important person in his life, second only to his mother.

Even if the other party told him to die, he would do it.

"It's alright, nobody knows that Banchina has a new problem."

Stella rubbed her temples, feeling a bit of a headache.

Two years is enough time for Banchina to recover her health.

Unfortunately, Banchina developed depression again because of Usopp's father, whom she hadn't seen for so long.

Although it wasn't life-threatening, Usopp was still distressed to see Banchina's frequent absent-mindedness.

It was for this reason that Usopp made up his mind.

He wanted to meet Yasopp and record the experience.

Either put an end to Banchina's hopes, or tie Yasopp back to Banchina's side.

To hell with being a pirate, in Usopp's eyes, nothing is more important than his mother's health.

“Usopp, it’s alright. His Highness has confirmed that the Red-Haired Pirates will be attending the music party that Eregia is about to host, and they will be staying there,” Stella comforted him.

"You could have just enjoyed the party; you didn't have to come with me."

Usopp looked apologetically at Stella, feeling like he was a burden who had been constantly troubling her.

Stella smiled, ruffled his hair, and shook her head, saying:

"Music parties can happen anytime, but Banchina's matter is more important."

Even without the incident involving Banchina and Usopp, she would have found another excuse to leave Eregia.

Gordon has become obsessed with hearing that number one song in the world.

As a price, the entirety of Eregia could be lost.

Under these circumstances, she dared not stay in Eregia any longer.

Gordon naively thought things wouldn't escalate, and even believed that Luther's claim of tens of thousands being buried alive was an exaggeration, which Stella found somewhat amusing.

To resolve the situation in the East China Sea, Luther assembled three generals of considerable strength.

Even Luther took it seriously, so where did Gordon get his confidence from?

Stella knew perfectly well that Gordon was only hoping to get away with it because he was listening to that piece of music.

However, even Stella found it somewhat unacceptable to pay the price of the entire Eregia.

She could only hope that things wouldn't escalate too much and cause Luther's plans to go awry.

...

Eregia, the Royal Palace.

The banquet hall of the royal palace was bustling with people of all kinds.

Guests of all kinds filled the banquet hall, including ordinary commoners, uniquely styled pirates, nobles, and clever merchants.

Dressed in clothing representing their respective identities, they wore excited and expectant smiles, immersed in this feast of music, wine, and food.

The banquet hall was resplendent with gold, and glass chandeliers hung beneath the high dome, casting a warm glow. Exquisite murals and magnificent decorations proclaimed the prosperity and abundance of the place. Long dining tables were covered with white linen tablecloths, upon which were placed various kinds of delicacies and wine glasses, their aromas filling the air.

The Royal Palace Orchestra, under Gordon's baton, played with great enthusiasm.

The musical pieces were poetic and picturesque, some passionate and stirring, others tranquil and elegant, each possessing its own charm. The music seemed to have a magical power, infecting everyone present. Some savored their food with their heads down, some swayed gently, and some fell into deep thought. Everyone found their own joy in this ocean of music.

Shanks and the Red-Haired Pirates stood in a corner, each holding a wine glass, laughing and joking, while their eyes were all fixed on the small figure next to Gordon.

Today, Uta is wearing a pure white dress.

At Gordon's invitation, she was now standing in the center of the stage, singing with abandon, as if she had been born to be there.

"Uta is more suitable for this place."

Red-Haired Pirates' vice-captain Beckman clinked glasses with Shanks, a hint of emotion on his face.

"Ah, she's actually more suited to this kind of performance than a pirate life. But, she's our comrade!"

Shanks downed his drink, his face beaming with pride and arrogance.