The atmosphere in the Conomi Islands when the night fell was totally different from the morning. Colourful lanterns were lit up everywhere, and songs that were being sung travelled far in the sea.
It was a festival, marking their independence from the two years of oppression under Arlong's rule.
Children were playing around, laughing happily and fearlessly. It was as if they were determined to enjoy themselves to the fullest after everything they had missed out on in the last two years. And the adults were no different.
The Blackstar Crew were received as heroes when they arrived at the Cocoyasi Village for the feast. And they did not stand on ceremony, immediately giving a go to the feast.
Bonney did not shy away and shocked the crowd with her bottomless appetite, and soon the villagers were worried if the sumptuous food they had prepared was going to be enough for her alone or not.
The children were quite curious about Bepo. They had never before seen a Mink, and the younger ones dragged him with them to play right after he said he was done eating. And the Bear Mink was happy to play with them.
Sin, Hancock, and Robin danced around after the dinner, and they did not hold back on the alcohol. For Sin, because of his Devil Fruit, it was nearly impossible to get intoxicated. And, though not as extreme as his case, the two ladies had the same side-effect from their Devil Fruits.
The little Nojiko seemed to have dropped her guard around them, and she was happily chatting with Bonney, but their mood temporarily dropped when Nami expressed her wish to get rid of the tattoo on her arm, which was the Jolly Roger of Arlong Pirates. But sadly for her, it was a permanent tattoo.
Bonney did not let her drown in sorrow and smiled at her, informing her that it was not a problem for them even if it was a permanent tattoo. She called Law over and asked him to get rid of the Tattoo on Nami's arm. A task he effortlessly accomplished by spatially extracting the Ink from cells inside her skin.
Nami could not help her tears when she saw that the terrible Jolly Roger had disappeared from her arm. And all of them silently watched with smiles as she happily thanked them and started laughing with joy.
Law then joined them as Bonney started telling the two little girls about their adventures.
On the other side, there was a group of children surrounding Augur. He looked nearly a decade older than his real age, and the little kids had approached him in hope that he would have lots of stories to share with them.
The Marksman of Blackstar Crew indeed had lots of stories for them. He did not really tell them stories of their adventures but shared the stories that were famous on the seas that he had listened to. And the kids loved all of them.
The villagers marked the end of the day by heading to the graveyard, visiting the graves of all their loved ones who had been killed by Arlong.
The crew paid their respects together with them and stayed behind watching Nami and Nojiko first cry and then start telling their late mother about everything that had happened today.
Watching them talk so passionately, evoked memories of their lost loved ones, and everyone just stood there silently, handling their welling emotions.
Sin wrapped his arm around Robin shoulders and pulled her in a hug as they both remembered their mother. Even if she was not his biological mother, Nico Olivia was the only mother he knew in his life. And for Robin, who was only a few months old when their father passed away, Olivia was the only parent in her memories. Both of them dearly missed her, but they refused to cry now that they were older, as they knew it would have upset her.
A chuckle escaped Sin's lips as he recalled how Olivia used to reprimand him, and Robin seemed to have remembered the same thing and started giggling.
"You lot are a strange bunch of Pirates." A gruff voice spoke from their side.
Sin turned to look at the man who was called Genzo, and smiled at him.
"We may be strange, but make no mistake that we are Pirates." He lightly said, but his words were serious.
Genzo nodded to him and turned to look back at the two little girls who were still talking to their mother's grave, and Bonney was now standing right by their side as she was being introduced.
"They are getting too attached to you," Genzo whispered, but Sin and the rest heard him clearly.
Law, Bepo, and Augur took their leave first and returned to their Ship for the night. The rest stayed for a while longer, but seeing that Bonney was going to stay with the two girls for much longer, they silently took their leave as well.
Sin smiled when they returned to the ship and saw Hatchan obediently waiting for them. They had left the ship in his care since his presence would not have been appreciated at the feast.
The octopus Fishman was so scared of Hancock that he had not even dared to free his brethren, who were locked up in the cells, nor had he dared to run away.
"Hachi." Sin called out to him, and the Fishman immediately came to him.
"Hai!"
"I have a deal for you." His words perked up his ears, and even the girls curiously looked at him.
"What is it?" Hatchan asked.
"I will free all the Fishmen except for Arlong, Kurobi, and Chew, on the condition that they will return to the Fishmen Island." He said and let Hachi get over his surprise before continuing his words. "I have no qualms against killing Arlong, and I want to." He seriously said, and the octopus Fishman sadly lowered his head. "But if you agree to become part of my Crew, I will not kill him, and will hand him over to the Marines along with Kurobi and Chew."
"What?" Hachi raised his head and looked at him in shock. He was shocked that Sin wanted him, a Fishman, on his Crew.
Even though the girls were surprised, they did not say anything and calmly watched what was unfolding.
"Why do you want Hachi on your Crew?" Hachi asked, still surprised at what Sin had said.
"You are physically strong, and have a talent with swords since you possess extra hands." He chuckled. "And I really liked the lunch you made for us today." He honestly said.
"But I am a Fishman."
"I have nothing against Fishmen." His words made Hachi look at him blanky.
Seeing that Hachi needed some time to think over his words, he did not push the matter.
"We will set sail in the morning for Louge Town. You have three days to decide."
Sin patted his shoulder and then walked past him, followed by the girls.
"Is it wise to invite an enemy to the crew?" Kuina couldn't help but voice her doubt as they walked towards the sleeping quarters.
"He is not an enemy." He smiled at her. "To me, he is an asset. He has the potential to become stronger and is very simple-minded. And I did not really invite him, I made a deal with him. Freedom of his brethren for his service." He let his words sink in. "It will take him some time to accept us with his heart, and I know that he would become good friends with us."
"What if he betrays us?"
"Men like him don't betray anyone if they are treated right." Sin ruffled her hair. "Good night!" He said to the three of them and parted ways, heading to the Captain's Quarters.
Robin smiled when she saw Kuina still worried about Sin's decision.
"He has an eye for people, Kuina. Know that he would never bring anyone in the Crew who would be a danger to us. And if you think over it, we do need someone like Hachi on our Ship." She said.
"How?"
"You and Bepo are the only ones on this Ship who can swim in the sea. The rest of the Crew are Devil Fruit Users." Hancock answered her. "We need more swimmers that can rescue us if we fall in the sea, and Hachi is a Fishman. He can not only swim but is stronger in water. Also, we have to acknowledge that he has a talent for cooking. And that is a plus since we need more hands to keep up with Bonney's appetite." She smiled and said.
Both Kuina and Robin nodded their heads in understanding, and then the three of them burst into giggles.
How Bonney could eat so much was a marvel to all of them. And even if Robin and Hancock had known her for years now, they still had not gotten over her bottomless appetite.