One Piece: SSS-Rank Haki at Age Seventeen

Sabaody Archipelago

The invisible pressure hanging in the air slowly began to fade.

Sabo withdrew his Haki, and the steel pipe in his hand returned to looking like an ordinary metal staff before he casually slid it behind his waist.

"Looks like…"

Sabo once again revealed that refined aristocratic smile.

"…today's conflict ends here."

He removed his top hat and gave Sentomaru a flawless gentleman's bow.

Then he turned and walked away.

His dark-blue suit gradually disappeared into the shadows of the mangrove forest.

After only a few steps, he completely blended into the scattered light and shade, as though he had never appeared at all.

Sentomaru stood there in silence for a long time.

"…We're heading back."

His voice sounded slightly hoarse as he gave the order to the Pacifistas.

The red lights in the three war machines' eyes shifted into blue standby mode as they slowly turned around.

Sentomaru cast one final glance toward the now-empty sea.

A tall silhouette formed within drifting golden light.

The yellow-striped suit remained spotless.

Amber-tinted sunglasses reflected the final rays of the setting sun.

The hem of the Justice coat fluttered gently despite the lack of wind, golden particles scattering from its edges.

Admiral Kizaru stood half a step beside Sentomaru, both hands tucked lazily into his trouser pockets as though he had merely finished afternoon tea.

He tilted his head slightly.

No one could see his eyes behind the sunglasses.

But the faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth—

A mixture of amusement, understanding, and something far deeper—

remained unmistakable.

"Sentomaru… some tides simply can't be stopped."

The moment his words fell—

The golden light receded like the tide itself.

His body dissolved into countless particles of light and vanished into the dusk.

Only Sentomaru remained standing alone at the empty harbor, silently staring at the completely calm ocean…

and the vanished trail left behind by the Straw Hats.

Far away on the horizon, the final trace of sunset sank beneath the sea.

Meanwhile, aboard the Thousand Sunny…

The Sunny glided smoothly across the waves, once again returning to the embrace of the open sea.

The modified hull resonated with the water in a low, pleasant hum.

Even the lion figurehead's eyes emitted a faint golden glow.

…

The first signal came from the kitchen.

Ding—Dong—!

A crisp bell rang through the ship's speakers.

Sanji's specially installed "Banquet Preparation Bell."

The next second, the kitchen's double doors burst open as a flood of rich aromas swept across the lawn deck like a physical force.

"Appetizer—Sky Island Cloud Salad is ready!"

Sanji's voice rang out alongside the rapid clang of cookware.

A cigarette hung from his lips while his hands moved too quickly to follow.

His left hand flipped pans.

His right hand sliced ingredients.

One foot hooked a serving tray and kicked freshly baked bread perfectly onto the dining table.

The white chef's uniform on his body looked more like battle armor.

Every turn he made left behind trails of steam and flame.

"MEAT—!!!"

Luffy's roar sounded like a declaration of war.

His body launched toward the table like a rubber slingshot, his arm stretching several meters through the air straight toward the sizzling roasted whole cow at the center.

But another hand arrived almost simultaneously.

"Hey, Captain! That's the banquet's first main dish!"

Yamato grinned fiercely.

She charged forward at almost the same speed as Luffy, her Armament Haki-coated palm slapping against his wrist.

Black sparks crackled where their Haki collided.

"Then let's see who can eat more!" Luffy shouted excitedly.

"Works for me!"

Both of them released each other at the same time, somehow reaching an unspoken agreement.

Then they dove toward opposite ends of the table—

and began a horrifying eating competition.

Luffy's rubber stomach resembled a bottomless abyss.

Entire roast chickens vanished without even chewing sounds.

Yamato displayed the overwhelming appetite of an Oni descendant, directly lifting half-meter-high piles of meat and devouring them whole without caring about grease dripping down her chin.

Nearby, Usopp and Chopper sat frozen in disbelief while counting plates.

"T-Twenty-seven plates already…"

"Are their stomachs connected to another dimension?!"

…

At the center of the lawn deck—

Uta had already stepped onto a newly constructed stage.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, starlight seemed to shimmer within her violet pupils.

The moment the first note left her lips—

the atmosphere across the entire ship softened.

Musical notes condensed into pale pink particles of light, swirling gently through the air.

Brook slowly set down his teacup.

Emotion flickered inside his hollow eye sockets.

"What a beautiful voice… although I don't actually have eyes! Yohohoho~!"

With graceful elegance, he leapt onto the stage.

Somehow, a violin had already appeared in his hands.

The moment his bow touched the strings, clear violin music flowed like liquid silver, perfectly weaving itself between Uta's vocals.

Song and strings began to dance together.

Brook's bow produced dazzling arpeggios while blue butterflies formed from musical notes, intertwining with Uta's pink lights.

The butterflies spiraled into the sky—

then burst into tiny fireworks overhead.

Uta smiled.

Her singing suddenly rose higher.

Stretching out both hands, she released even more glowing particles that intertwined into complex geometric patterns in the night sky—

the melody of the "New Era" she envisioned.

…

Robin sat outside the library on the observation deck, holding a tropical fruit tea specially prepared by Sanji.

A gentle smile rested on her face as she watched the lively chaos below.

Every now and then, extra arms bloomed nearby to grab snacks from distant tables—

or catch one of Nami's maps before the sea breeze carried it away.

Meanwhile, Nami leaned over the navigation table with a map of the East Blue spread before her.

One hand marked routes with a pencil.

The other casually caught a cola bottle Franky tossed toward her without even looking.

"Nami-swan~ Working during a banquet?"

Sanji zipped past like a whirlwind and placed a delicate mango pudding beside her.

"Well, somebody has to make sure we don't get lost while celebrating."

Nami blinked and took a spoonful anyway.

Franky continuously traveled between the engine room and the deck, carrying different varieties of cola barrels each time.

"SUPER energy refill!!!"

A straw popped out from his mechanical arm and plunged directly into the barrel.

Three seconds later—

the entire thing was empty.

Franky let out a deeply satisfied metallic burp.

Zoro leaned against the railing outside the training room, his three swords resting nearby while he drank from a huge bottle of sake.

He didn't join the noise.

He simply watched quietly, occasionally taking another swig.

When Uta's singing reached a particularly high note—

the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

…

As the banquet reached its peak—

Luffy suddenly jumped onto the dining table.

Almost knocking over an entire tray of grilled meat before Sanji kicked him away.

"Everyone!"

Standing atop the table, Luffy had somehow already put his straw hat back on.

Sauce still stained his face, but his grin shone brighter than the moon overhead.

Everyone gradually quieted down and looked toward their captain.

Luffy inhaled deeply, his rubber chest swelling dramatically before he shouted—

"Today! The Thousand Sunny became SUPER awesome!!!"

He spread his arms wide as though trying to embrace the entire ship.

"Sanji's food is SUPER delicious!!!"

Sanji rolled his eyes but quietly lit another cigarette.

"Uta and Brook's music is SUPER amazing!!!"

The two musicians smiled at one another.

"And most importantly—!"

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