Soon, the banquet was in full swing.
Vir and Whitebeard sat facing each other atop the massive whale figurehead of the ship.
Beside them, an array of food and drinks was laid out.
But the most eye-catching item was undoubtedly the absurdly large jar of sake.
“Gurararara! Kid, you’ve got quite the tolerance! You’ve been drinking for so long, and you’re not even a little drunk.”
Whitebeard held an enormous sake bowl, drinking merrily.
Vir, on the other hand, was staring at him speechlessly.
Though he had indeed drunk quite a lot, ever since acquiring Zoro’s drinking capacity, he didn’t have to worry at all.
What left him speechless was how Whitebeard kept praising his drinking skills…
…while downing bowl after bowl himself.
‘If you want to drink, just say so. I feel like I’m just here for decoration at this point.’
The moment he sat down, he had already gulped down seven or eight bowls in a row.
He hadn’t even looked at Vir once.
It was obvious—he had been craving this for a long time.
And truth be told, the sake was indeed excellent.
Even Vir couldn’t help but drink a few more bowls.
It was better than his own poison—ahem—
Better than his own homemade brew, that’s for sure.
‘Maybe I should bring some back for Zoro. Can’t return from a trip empty-handed.’
‘Might as well study it, see if I can improve my own recipe.’
“Ha~ this is some damn good sake! Haven’t had a drink this satisfying in ages! This really hits the spot!”
Whitebeard continued drinking and chatting away.
Just as Vir was starting to feel a bit bored, a few figures approached.
“Pops! Just how much have you drunk?! Even if you’re healed, you still need to take it easy!”
Marco sighed, rubbing his forehead in exasperation.
But how could a Whitebeard who was drinking so joyfully stop?
“If I can’t drink even after being cured, then what’s the damn point?! You want me to save it for you brats?!”
Whitebeard laughed heartily, lifting his bowl for another round!
Seeing this, everyone could only shake their heads helplessly.
Their old man had always loved drinking.
After holding back for so many years, today was basically a self-reward.
Forget it, let him be.
“Big Brother Vir! A toast to you! Thank you for everything you’ve done!”
The commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates had all gathered, each taking their seats.
Namur was the first to raise his bowl.
Being a fish-man, he was always straightforward.
Vir lifted his bowl slightly and downed the drink in one go.
His gesture set the tone for the night.
One by one, the crew members toasted Vir.
Before long, he had gone through a full round of toasts.
Only Jozu was left.
Suddenly—
Jozu stood up.
Vir immediately tensed up.
Oh no…
This guy’s up to something again!
Sure enough, just as Vir had the thought, Jozu suddenly dropped to one knee!
Holding his sake bowl in both hands, he looked at Vir with a serious expression.
Then—
He solemnly declared, “For you to go to such lengths for a pirate crew you’ve never even met before…”
“I have the utmost respect!”
At this point, he paused.
Everyone assumed he was finally acting normal for once.
Even Vir let out a relieved sigh.
Marco even nodded approvingly.
But then—
The atmosphere took a sudden turn!
Jozu suddenly shouted:
“If you do not object—”
“I wish to take you as my foster father!”
With that, he was about to drop to both knees and even kowtow on the spot.
This sudden development startled Vir so much that he immediately dodged to the side.
In the next instant, a burning claw kick struck Jozu square in the chest!
*BAM!*
*SPLASH*
Jozu was sent flying into the sea—again.
Vir didn’t even know what to say anymore.
All he could think was that Jozu’s durability wasn’t unfounded, and Marco’s reaction speed was justified.
It’s all thanks to training, huh?
*Thump. Thump.*
Whitebeard patted Marco’s shoulder and laughed, “Well done. Gurararara!”
He even gave him a thumbs-up.
Vir was no longer surprised by this sight.
Jozu really never learned.
How many times was this now?
Three? Four times in the water already?
Ridiculous.
And Marco always kicked him hard—otherwise, it wouldn’t even hurt him.
But Jozu still didn’t change!
Was this his true power?
Terrifying.
This little interlude quickly passed, and soon, everyone resumed drinking.
Vir was also subjected to plenty of rounds.
Among them, Marco was the most aggressive.
Sitting right next to Vir, he kept pouring drink after drink.
Before long, after three rounds of drinking, Vir started feeling a little tipsy.
Seeing this, Marco finally revealed his true purpose.
He smiled and leaned in towards Vir, “Hey, Vir—hic—be honest with me.”
“That whole… thing about Pops crying… was it real or not?”
At these words, everyone immediately crowded over!
The curiosity on their faces was practically spilling over.
This question was truly crucial to them.
Vir, seeing their expressions, only smiled slightly.
Real or fake?
How the hell should I know?
But Whitebeard had left him hanging earlier, drinking by himself—
Wouldn’t it be a waste not to mess with him a little?
Time to cement this story for good!
Vir leaned in closer and said with absolute conviction:
“Real. More real than reality itself. Truer than a Log Pose. More genuine than your old man’s Bisento!”
Huh?
Really?
That real?
For real?!
None of them had ever seen their Pops cry before.
However, it really was unexpected.
How could he cry like that?
At the very least, act normal, no?
That sobbing was just too undignified…
With that thought, everyone couldn’t help but cast strange looks at Whitebeard.
Meanwhile, Whitebeard was still gulping down his booze—*glug glug glug*—ahhh~
Turning his head, he saw a group of people staring at him weirdly.
Hmm?
What’s up?
Did something happen?
Why are they all looking at him?
Tch~ whatever! Drinking is more important!
But Whitebeard had no idea that from now on, these strange looks would become a regular thing…
“Come on, everyone! Let’s drink!”
Vir hurriedly raised his cup, and the others followed along.
“Hah~ Let me tell you all something! I’ll be leaving soon!”
After finishing his bowl of sake, Vir quickly announced.
Not giving Marco a chance to interrupt.
Hearing this, everyone was stunned.
Leaving already?
Didn’t he just get here?
Come on!
He spent eight to ten days sailing here, and now he’s leaving after less than three hours?
That’s way too fast!
So he really only came here to treat Pops?
Not even sticking around for a bit?
Whitebeard looked surprised as well.
Hearing those words, even his buzz faded a little.
This was seriously fast.
Was he really in that much of a hurry?
It’s only been a few hours.
—–
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