"Mihawk?" Orion was stunned and said in surprise.
"Without a summons, he dares to come to headquarters!"
The captain explained. "He said he's here to fulfill an agreement!"
Hearing this, Orion smiled and said. "I remember now. Six years ago, when I was stranded on a deserted island, he happened to pass by that island as well. I still owe him a favor. If he hadn't coincidentally passed by, I wouldn't have joined the Navy afterward."
As he spoke, Orion waved to the captain. "Go ahead, invite him here."
"Yes, sir!" The captain saluted, then turned and ran out.
"Bang—"
Just as the captain turned and ran out, the kitchen door was forcefully pulled open.
Immediately, a strong spicy smells surged out, followed by Strawberry, Momonga, and Hound, who came coughing violently as they rushed out of the kitchen.
"Lord Orion, are you sure this is the hotpot base you wanted?" Hound, covered in the smell of spice, was the first to reach Orion and exclaimed.
"This is way too spicy!"
Strawberry and Momonga didn't even have time to speak to Orion and ran straight into the yard, gasping for fresh air.
"What, not spicy and numbing enough?" Orion looked up at Hound, seeing that tears had been forced out of his eyes, and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Look at you, so weak! Back in my hometown, this is how we eat hotpot—spicy and numbing, always together!"
"Alright" Hound hung his head, somewhat resigned "The base is ready. What's next?"
Noticing the reaction of Hound, Gion, who was sitting beside him, shook her head and smiled saying.
"Leave the rest to me. Why don't you all go out to the courtyard for some fresh air?"
"Fresh air? What for?" Orion stood up, rolling up his sleeves. "Let's just move the hotpot ingredients to the courtyard. Everyone can throw in whatever they like!"
With that, Orion dashed into the kitchen, picked up the pre-prepared vegetables and meats, and headed straight for the courtyard. Seeing this, Hound didn't dare to delay, rushing to move the tables and chairs.
Soon, all kinds of vegetables, meats, and fruits were brought to the courtyard. As the aroma of the boiling hotpot broth filled the air, Garp and Sengoku suddenly found the rice crackers in their hands far less appealing.
They immediately took their seats at the table, grabbing their favorite ingredients and tossing them into the pot.
As Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr settled in, Momonga, Strawberry, and Hound also gathered around the table.
Just as Orion, holding bowls and chopsticks, sat down next to Zephyr, Borsalino and Gion walked over.
Gion, who had just sat down beside Orion, glanced around and noticed that Sakazuki was missing. She quickly turned her head toward the opposite side of the courtyard. There, Sakazuki was pacing back and forth, staring intently at the gate, his expression slightly anxious.
"Sakazuki, stop pacing!" Knowing exactly what Sakazuki was waiting for, Orion spoke up decisively.
"If you're worried, why don't you just go and check?"
"No, it's fine" Sakazuki replied stiffly, his thoughts exposed. "I'll wait here. You all go ahead and eat." With that, Sakazuki resumed his pacing, occasionally glancing toward the gate.
Just then, the familiar sound of a bicycle bell rang out. In the next moment, Kuzan emerged from around the corner, speeding toward the courtyard gate on his bike.
"Kuzan!!!!!"
Seeing Kuzan return alone on his bike, Sakazuki didn't hesitate for a second. He dashed out of the courtyard gate and asked in a deep voice.
"Where's my mother?"
Kuzan didn't respond immediately, slowly turning around. On his back was an elderly woman, her body frail with age, resembling a child in size. She clung to Kuzan neck with one hand, holding a few bags of snacks in the other, beaming like a child.
"MOTHER!"
Shocked to see his mother hanging on Kuzan back, Sakazuki nearly froze in place. He shouted and quickly stepped forward to carefully lift her down from Kuzan back.
As soon as he held his mother, Sakazuki glared up at Kuzan.
"How could you let her hang on your back like that? What if she fell?"
Kuzan looked helpless, explaining. "I had no choice. She insisted on being carried."
Hearing this, Sakazuki tone softened instantly, and he muttered awkwardly.
"Th-thank you for your trouble."
Kuzan was taken aback, glancing at Sakazuki in surprise.
After working with Sakazuki for so many years, this was the first time he had ever heard such words from him. But that wasn't the important part. What mattered was that since reuniting with his mother, Sakazuki seemed like a completely different person.
In the Holy Land, he had been like a mad dog, ready to take down anyone in his path. But back at headquarters, especially in the presence of his mother, Kuzan noticed something in Sakazuki eyes that he had never seen before—gentleness.
"Let's go. It's been a long time since we've all had a meal together." After a brief silence, Kuzan took the initiative to invite.
"Shall we have a drink?"
...
Meanwhile.
At the Marine Headquarters, Mihawk, accompanied by a lieutenant commander, stepped into Marineford Square and felt as if he had come to the wrong place.
He remembered the last time he was summoned here, the atmosphere had felt somewhat oppressive. Especially the Marine soldiers on duty, standing lifelessly at their posts, acting as if they were facing a formidable enemy even on a sunny day.
Most importantly, Marineford Square was usually deserted, giving off a very desolate vibe.
But now, the square was neatly lined with dining tables, densely packed with Marine soldiers and officers of all ranks gathered around tables laden with delicious food and drinks.
The air was filled with the sounds of cheers and laughter, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere.
Having learned that Mihawk had known Marshal Orion, who had not yet become a Marine six years ago, the lieutenant commander who came to greet him no longer held back and spoke with pride.
"Today is a collective holiday for the Marine Headquarters. Marshal Orion has ordered all officers and soldiers to put down their work and set up a grand feast in the square. Everyone, from officers and soldiers to their families and friends, is welcome to join!"
After a slight pause, the lieutenant commander suddenly stopped and turned to Mihawk, blurting out without thinking.
"Hawk-Eye, did you come here specifically to mooch off the food and drinks?"
"???????"
Mihawk looked at the lieutenant with a face full of question marks.
As the world greatest swordsman, did he really need to come to Marine Headquarters to mooch off food and drinks?
However, just as he was about to retort, his stomach betrayed him with a loud growl.
"Ahaha, I knew it!"
The lieutenant laughed heartily as he turned around.
"Don't worry, Marshal Orion and the others are having a hot pot feast at home. Since you're an old acquaintance of Marshal Orion, with his generosity, there will definitely be plenty of red wine and beef!"
With his stomach giving him away, Mihawk didn't bother to explain.
After following the lieutenant through Marineford Square, Mihawk soon noticed another bewildering phenomenon. When he had entered Marineford in the past, many soldiers and officers had shown fear at the sight of the world greatest swordsman, some even trembling as he approached, while others dared not even meet his gaze.
But now, as he walked through the square, both soldiers and officers seemed oblivious to him, merely glancing at him casually before continuing to eat and drink heartily. Some even shot him a look and said things like.
"What are you staring at?" or "Hey, isn't that Hawk-Eye Mihawk?"—comments that clearly showed they didn't hold him in high regard.
The lieutenant walking ahead seemed to know what Mihawk was thinking and explained.
"Don't misunderstand, Hawk-eye. They're not disrespecting you!"
"Not just you, even the Five Elders wouldn't intimidate them now."
"Let me put it this way, everyone at the Headquarters is eager to earn military merits to repay Marshal Orion!"
"Especially those new recruits who just glared at you—they dared to follow Marshal Orion in his endeavors even during their training period!"
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