At the round table in the center of Whole Cake Island's plaza, under Caesar's invitation, everyone took their seats one by one.
"Doflamingo! Why are you sitting over there? Come here! You're one of the Beast God Pirates' top officers! Borororo! And that's the former Warlord Crocodile next to you, right? Come sit with us!"
As the host, the strongest present, and today's undisputed MVP, Caesar naturally occupied the head seat.
Doflamingo paused for a moment before slowly rising from the smaller table nearby, a pleased expression gradually spreading across his face.
He patted Crocodile on the shoulder, "Hey, let's go sit over there. It's all big shots, fufufufu. This might be the only chance in our lifetime. Only someone like Caesar could have the influence to make these lawless guys sit quietly together for a meal."
Crocodile, who usually feared nothing, now felt a hint of nervousness.
He glanced at Daz Bones and ordered, "Daz, find yourself a seat. I'll head over first."
Crocodile didn't say it outright, but Daz wasn't stupid.
The only reason he could sit at the table closest to the big shots was because of Crocodile.
Now that Crocodile had slipped away, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to stay there alone.
Seeing Doflamingo and Crocodile approach, Caesar laughed heartily.
"Sit wherever, Doffy! You bastard, why so polite? Don't tell me you don't see me as a brother, Bororo! You owe me three penalty drinks!"
"Fufufufu! My bad, my bad. I'll punish myself with three cups!"
Doflamingo was a master of socializing.
Even surrounded by so many big shots, he didn't falter, raising his glass to toast each one in turn.
In contrast, Crocodile sat quietly beside Doflamingo, looking rather stiff like a well-behaved child.
"Zehahaha! The Heavenly demon, Donquixote Doflamingo! If you hadn't been sent to prison by that Straw Hat kid, I'd have invited you to join us. Your abilities are impressive, zehahaha!"
Blackbeard sat beside Shanks, with Van Augur and Doc Q below him.
A faint flicker of displeasure passed through Doflamingo's eyes.
This bastard really had no tact, bringing up someone's defeat at the dinner table.
Doflamingo always despised people with no emotional intelligence.
Of course, it was also possible Blackbeard did it on purpose to undermine Doflamingo's pride.
"Fufufufu! To earn a praises from an Emperor is truly an honor. I'll drink to that!"
How could someone as Doflamingo react like a hotheaded rookie?
Since some guests hadn't arrived yet, everyone was busy drinking and toasting.
After a few rounds, the tense atmosphere gradually loosened.
The invisible pressure radiating from the gathered powerhouses also dissipated, allowing the surrounding pirates to finally breathe easy, their gazes filled with awe and reverence.
A while later, Katakuri arrived with Beckman, accompanied by King.
"Father, aside from those who couldn't make it, everyone is here," Katakuri reported to Caesar.
Caesar nodded with a smile and stood up.
Spreading his arms wide, Caesar grinned and boomed to the crowd.
"BORORORO! Everyone, welcome to Totto Land! you've accepted my invitation and traveled from across the world is a testament to your recognition of me. I toast to you all!"
The sound of chairs and tables scraping filled the air as the pirates, startled, hurried to their feet, pouring drinks with excitement and raising their glasses high.
For someone as exalted as one of the new Emperors to show them such respect!
"Damn, I swear to follow Caesar-sama to the death! Long live Caesar-sama!"
From the crowd of pirates, an extremely excited voice suddenly rang out, startling the many pirates still immersed in their fervor.
King and Katakuri exchanged glances, both at a loss for words.
Deep in the crowd, Queen wore an exaggerated grin, holding a megaphone as he lavished increasingly nauseating praise on Caesar.
"Long live Caesar-sama! We pledge our lives to the Beast God Pirates!"
"Caesar-sama is invincible!"
The power of influence was terrifying.
The pirates, already in a state of excitement, didn't stop to think—they erupted into cheers, instantly amplifying the atmosphere to its peak.
The plaza was immediately filled with a lively mood.
"Everyone, take your seats! Members of the Beast God Pirates, no need to stand guard anymore. Sit down and enjoy the food and drinks! Rest assured—with me here, no one dares to cause trouble in my presence! Borororo, drink up, everyone!"
At the table, Shanks, Blackbeard, Rayleigh, and others exchanged glances, seeing the astonishment and shock in each other's eyes. The rightful source is NoveI(F)ire.net
"Zehahaha, I never expected Caesar's prestige to be this high. Truly enviable," Blackbeard offered a small flattery, his face plastered with an exaggerated grin.
The poorly concealed envy and disbelief were so palpable that even across the large round table, Doflamingo could see it clearly, prompting him to curl his lips in disdain.
"Katakuri, King, Beckman, quit standing around like fools—come sit!" Caesar called out with a laugh to Katakuri and the others.
Katakuri promptly took his seat.
Since Blackbeard had already sat beside Shanks, Beckman had no choice but to sit next to Crocodile.
"Crocodile, mind if I sit here?" Beckman chuckled lightly.
Faced with the vice-captain of the Red Hair Pirates, Crocodile naturally didn't dare act high and mighty.
He forced a stiff smile.
"Of course not. Sit wherever you like, Beckman."
"Heh, how about joining the Red Hair Pirates Crocodile?" Beckman said as he pulled out his chair and sat down.
"I'll... consider it."
Katakuri and King sat beside Doflamingo.
The moment he sat down, King exhaled deeply.
"I'm exhausted. More than after a brutal battle. Katakuri, I really don't know how you guys managed to hold Tea Parties every year. Wasn't it a hassle?"