One Piece: Rising to Power as a Warlord of the Sea

"Ugh..." Natsu slapped his forehead, chuckling to himself. Typical Shanks, he thought, his way of thinking is truly in a league of its own.

And so, with Shanks extending his warmest hospitality, the banquet between the Smile Pirates and the Red-Haired Pirates officially began. The once tense atmosphere dissipated almost immediately. Rockstar, who had recently regained consciousness, scratched his head awkwardly before raising a toast with a rather haughty-looking Enel.

Surprisingly, Enel had shed his former cold and ruthless demeanor since arriving in the Grand Line. Instead, he now displayed a brash and somewhat reckless personality. Except for Natsu, he respected no one—not even the Four Emperors. If he got the chance, he'd challenge them without hesitation.

A pirate banquet wouldn't be complete without music. Soon enough, the familiar melody of Bink's Brew filled the air, echoing across the sandy shores as the two crews sang in unison.

"Yo ho ho ho, yo ho ho ho… Bink's brew we bring to ye..."

The joyous song resonated far and wide, painting a picture of unrestrained camaraderie and adventure.

The banquet had been going strong for three hours now, and Enel had been drinking with Rockstar the entire time. Between bouts of laughter and belching, he regaled the crowd with tales of his hometown, Birka, his reign as "God" of Skypiea, and how he found himself as a member of the Smile Pirates. His long arm slung casually around Rockstar's shoulder, Enel hiccupped and grinned.

"Drink up!" Enel roared, his voice slurring slightly.

Perhaps it was the intoxicating atmosphere or the alcohol loosening his tongue, but Enel seemed more human than ever. The once stoic "God" now appeared almost sentimental, forming an unlikely bond with Rockstar.

"Ahhh~!"

Suddenly, Enel got a bit too carried away, and sparks of lightning began crackling around his body. Before anyone could stop him, a jolt of electricity surged, leaving Rockstar convulsing and teetering on the verge of collapse.

"Eh? Where'd he go? Come on, keep drinking!"

Enel, now a full-blown drunkard, stumbled aimlessly toward Natsu and Shanks.

"Hmm... Red-Haired Shanks, huh? One of the Four Emperors... I wonder how strong you really are. Hehahaha!" Enel's battle-hungry spirit, fueled by the liquor, burst forth. The next moment, he was enveloped in lightning, his eyes narrowing dangerously at Shanks.

The sudden tension caused the Red-Haired Pirates to snap to attention. They knew all too well how troublesome the power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit could be. If things spiraled out of control, it would be a disaster.

"Enel, enough."

Natsu's voice cut through the commotion, calm yet commanding. His Conqueror's Haki surged, rippling through the air and striking Enel's core. The drunken thunder god shuddered, his wild energy dissipating. Meeting Natsu's composed gaze, Enel instantly sobered up.

"Kumo, take him to rest."

"Yes, Captain! Geez, if you can't handle your booze, don't drink," Kumo grumbled, dragging the electrified Enel back to the Smile Ship.

"See you later, Rockstar! I'll introduce you to a lady monkey next time!" Kumo called out with a cheeky wave before disappearing aboard their ship.

Shanks and Ben Beckman exchanged amused glances, their expressions laced with curiosity.

"Even the bear seems formidable..." Beckman muttered, intrigued.

"My apologies, Captain Shanks. My crew members can get a bit… overzealous when it comes to fighting strong opponents," Natsu said with an apologetic smile, raising his glass to Shanks.

"Ha! Don't worry about it. Every pirate crew has its quirks," Shanks said, waving it off with a hearty laugh.

The banquet resumed without further incident. As the night wore on, Natsu and Shanks found themselves reminiscing about Luffy, recalling stories from his birth to his ambitious dreams of becoming the Pirate King.

"Haha, Pirate King, huh? That's so like Luffy!" Shanks laughed, slapping his knee.

"What about you, Natsu? Any interest in that title?"

"Me? Nah." Natsu shook his head with a chuckle. "I'm just here to live freely on this vast sea." His gaze drifted upward, his eyes reflecting the endless sky.

"Freedom, huh? That's a noble dream," Shanks said, nodding in agreement. "Is that why you became a Warlord of the Sea?"

"Exactly. Being a Warlord isn't too bad—recognized by the World Government yet still a free pirate. Most of the time, we follow our own rules. It's not a bad deal, is it?"

"Interesting perspective, Natsu. Every man has his own path. Once chosen, we must stick to it. I wish you success," Shanks said, raising his glass in a toast.

The following day, as the Smile Pirates prepared to set sail, Kumo reluctantly bid farewell to Rockstar.

"See ya, Rockstar! Remember, I'll find you a lady monkey next time!"

"Until next time, Natsu," Shanks said, a hint of respect in his tone.

"Farewell, Captain Shanks. Who knows? Next time we meet, we might be enemies," Natsu said with a laugh.

"Now that's something to look forward to," Shanks replied, his smile widening.

Meanwhile, back at Marine Headquarters, a thunderous roar echoed through the halls.

"What?! Natsu's met with Red-Haired Shanks?!" Sengoku slammed his hands on his desk, his face a mix of frustration and disbelief.

"First day as a Warlord and he's already contacting a Yonko? What's he planning?!"

"Could he be plotting to overthrow a Yonko?" Sengoku pondered for a moment before dismissing the thought. Even a wild dog wouldn't buy that theory.

"Keep monitoring him. Focus especially on any activity near the Yonko territories!"

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