After Iceberg's awkward explanation, Luffy finally understood what had happened.
The three of them, finding themselves in quite the embarrassing situation, decided to leave the banquet hall early and head to the Galley-La Company headquarters instead.
In Iceberg's office, Luffy sipped so sake alone while waiting for the other two to return after changing their clothes. His admirals' coat hung casually over a nearby chair, the word "JUSTICE" emblazoned on the back.
The two shipwrights soon arrived, playfully shoving one another as they entered.
Iceberg had applied an ice pack to his injuries and changed into a fresh shirt. Franky, who hadn't suffered much damage to begin with, was already recovered—the swelling on the back of his head completely gone.
Perhaps now free from his aversion, Franky had changed into one of his signature outfits: a short-sleeved Hawaiian shirt unbuttoned to show off his massive chest, paired with his usual speedos. He didn't seem to care at all about Luffy's admiral status. Despite Iceberg repeatedly advising him to dress more appropriately on their way over, Franky remained stubbornly himself.
Helpless, Iceberg had no choice but to let him do as he pleased. But based on his understanding of Luffy, he knew the young admiral wasn't soone who cared much about formalities anyway.
This proved to be the case. Seeing his two fellow disciples enter, Luffy raised his glass without hesitation and invited them to sit. He showed off a bit, using his Devil Fruit powers to manipulate the wine.
Iceberg raised an eyebrow at Luffy, who was sprawled across the sofa with his legs crossed as if he owned the place.
Iceberg silently took the offered wine glass and had a sip.
Then he realized sothing was wrong.
"This is... you bastard! Where did you find this bottle?!" Iceberg snatched the wine bottle from the table. When he clearly saw the label, his face fell.
Luffy shrugged innocently and pointed to a hidden compartnt in the office wall. "I just looked around and found it," he said casually, a small spark jumping between his fingers as he gestured. He added shalessly, "This stuff tastes amazing. Rember to send a few bottles later to Fleet Admiral."
Iceberg had so many curse words running through his mind he couldn't even begin to articulate them. This was a top-quality wine he'd purchased at an auction years ago. He'd been saving it for a special occasion for six or seven years, never finding the right mont to open it—and now this young admiral had ruined it.
Franky, standing nearby, initially didn't want to accept the red wine being offered to him. He was a loyal cola enthusiast, and alcohol wasn't his thing. Plus, he'd never been one to bow to authority—especially not to the Marines, who had hunted him for years before his connection to the Revolutionary Army provided protection.
However, after seeing how angry Iceberg was, he imdiately changed his mind.
"What? Iceberg, you idiot, you've been hiding sothing this good? Guess I'll have to savor it carefully." He paused before adding, "But first..."
As he spoke, Franky pulled out a bottle of cola from seemingly nowhere, poured it into his glass, and mixed it with the fine red wine—all while Iceberg watched with murderous intent.
"FRANKY, YOU ABSOLUTE MORON!"
Ignoring Iceberg's outburst, Franky picked up the glass and downed the wine-cola mixture in one gulp as if it were water.
"Ahhhh! That's SUPER good! I guess you're not such a useless president after all."
He glanced at Luffy, still sowhat wary of the admiral's presence. Most Marines he'd encountered would have arrested him on sight, given his history with the Pluton blueprints and his cyborg modifications. But this one seed different—more interested in sharing drinks than enforcing so-called "justice."
Franky grinned and moved to pour himself another glass. Iceberg, now clutching the bottle protectively, gave him such a vicious glare that even Franky backed down.
The cyborg had only wanted to annoy Iceberg; he didn't actually care about drinking more wine. With a peculiar laugh, he didn't push the issue and instead poured himself a glass of pure cola.
After finishing, he shook the cola bottle in Luffy's direction, a silent invitation—a peace offering of sorts.
Luffy, curious about the taste of premium red wine mixed with cola, imdiately brought his glass over. Under Iceberg's fiery glare, he imitated Franky and mixed the two beverages before downing it in one gulp.
"Whoa! It's true—this tastes way better than just drinking alcohol!" Luffy exclaid, a slight charge in the air making everyone's hair stand slightly on end.
"Right? That's what I'm saying!" Franky grinned and slapped a few more bottles of cola onto the table. "Though I gotta say, I never thought I'd be sharing drinks with a Marine admiral—especially not one with your caliber!"
Luffy reached out without hesitation, grabbed a bottle, clinked it against Franky's, and took several large gulps. "Admiral, Vice Admiral, Captain—those are just titles. Tonight, we're just three n enjoying good drinks!"
Iceberg looked at these two philistines who had absolutely no appreciation for fine wine yet seed to bond instantly over their shared poor taste. He could only gnash his teeth in frustration.
But there was nothing he could do now. The bottle was already more than half empty, so he resigned himself to drinking what remained with tears in his eyes.
"Mmm... it really is excellent wine..."
As he watched Luffy laugh freely, Iceberg couldn't help but wonder how different things might have been had this young man chosen a different path.
Yet here he was, acting nothing like the Marine youngest Admiral that kill the Emperor Kaido that pirates across the seas feared.
Sotis, friendship between n is just that simple.
They clinked glasses, drank red wine and cola, and shared a common target to tease. After just a few drinks, the three of them were chatting animatedly like old friends who hadn't seen each other in years.
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