Luffy made a ntal note to speak with Sengoku about promoting all his subordinates when Ain and her crew returned. As for the person spreading those malicious rumors... they'd better hope Luffy never discovered their identity.
Sowhere at Marine Headquarters, a certain yellow-suited admiral sneezed suddenly.
"Achoo! Hmm? Am I catching a cold?" Kizaru rubbed his nose thoughtfully. "Perhaps Vegapunk and Sentomaru are talking about ... or that damned Monkey D. Dragon!"
...
"Enough chatting, everyone! Co help with the dishes. If you want to talk, we can do it over dinner!" Kalifa's voice called authoritatively from the kitchen.
"Coming!" Hancock responded instinctively, but then quickly caught herself. Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Who gave you permission to order around?! Since Ain isn't here, I should be the one giving commands!"
Seeing Hancock storming toward the kitchen, Hina and Kujaku's competitive spirits flared up as well.
"Hey, Hancock!" Kujaku called out. "Don't think you can just take charge because you're strong. According to the first-co-first-served rule, I should outrank you anyway!"
Hina scoffed, following close behind. "Don't be ridiculous! If we're following seniority, then after Ain and Nami, I'm next in line. Just be quiet and follow your big sister's orders!"
The two won charged into the kitchen, still arguing fiercely with each other.
Monts later, the sounds of heated quarreling echoed from the kitchen. Luffy, displaying rare tactical wisdom, remained seated at the dining table. Venturing into that battlefield would only drag him into their conflict. Better to wait it out and enjoy dinner once they'd settled their differences.
After a lengthy and noisy dispute, Hina, Hancock, Kujaku, and Kalifa finally erged from the kitchen, having been pacified by the other won. They walked out reluctantly, still exchanging pointed remarks under their breath.
"Gion, Sherry," Luffy called, waving to the two won while seated at the head of the round dining table. "You're our guests of honor tonight. Co sit beside ."
Hearing their nas, Gion and Mansherry promptly took their places to Luffy's left and right. The others had no objections to this arrangent and selected their own seats around the table.
In this unique family, everyone enjoyed equal status—there was no hierarchy of importance or preference. Even Ain, whom everyone acknowledged as the eldest sister, only intervened in specific matters. Most of the ti, she served as diator and peacekeeper when conflicts arose among the won.
Once everyone was seated, Luffy personally poured drinks for Gion and Mansherry before filling his own glass with cola. He raised it high and proposed a toast.
"Everyone," he announced cheerfully, "let's give a warm welco to Vice Admiral Gion, who has co to G-66 branch to help protect us!"
"Welco!" Koala cheered with a bright smile.
"It's our honor to have the esteed Admiral candidate join us," Kujaku added with a teasing lilt to her voice.
Hancock raised an elegant eyebrow. "Why not drop the 'candidate' from Vice Admiral Gion's title?" she suggested with mock innocence. "We feel so vulnerable in the New World—we truly need a genuine admiral to take command." Her sarcasm was thinly veiled at best.
Amid the won's laughter and playful jabs, Gion shot a pointed glare at Luffy for initiating the teasing. She raised her glass high and declared loudly:
"Quiet down, little sisters! I'd rather see your drinking prowess than listen to your chatter."
With that proclamation, she downed her entire glass of white wine in one fluid motion and slamd the empty glass onto the table with commanding authority.
Seeing this display, Koala, Yamato, and Alpha—who weren't drinkers themselves—imdiately began cheering enthusiastically, clearly enjoying the prospect of the ensuing chaos.
"When it cos to drinking," Hancock declared, her deep blue eyes suddenly intense with determination, "I won't be outdone."
To ensure a fair challenge against Gion, she filled her own glass halfway. Then, following Gion's example, she tilted her head back and drained the liquor in a single gulp, her expression remaining perfectly composed.
Witnessing the two won's competitive display, Hina refused to be left out. Considering herself the current authority in Ain's absence, she gritted her teeth and emptied her glass of white wine in two swift gulps.
The remaining potential contenders—Kalifa, Kujaku, Robin, and Violet—chose to abstain from the competition. They either preferred red wine or simply knew their limits when it ca to alcohol. Each took a modest sip from their glasses and graciously withdrew from the contest.
And so it began—Hina, Hancock, and Gion engaged in an impromptu drinking competition, each determined to claim victory by the end of the night.
Watching these three formidable won challenging each other, Luffy shook his head with resigned amusent. With a subtle gesture, he used his powers to rearrange their seating, bringing the three competitors together.
"Why don't you three sit together," he suggested pragmatically. "But rember, a competition is just a competition—don't overdo it. If you've had enough, there's no sha in conceding."
After the adjustnt, the three won found themselves sitting shoulder to shoulder. They exchanged glances and snorted defiantly, seemingly deaf to Luffy's words of caution.
Luffy sighed inwardly, reflecting on how his unique team grew more challenging to manage with each passing day. Still, as long as their rivalry didn't escalate into actual conflict, he was content to let them enjoy these harmless gas that, in their own way, strengthened their bonds.
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Marvel x Star Wars: Avengers in the Clone Wars
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