"My Emperor, we are approaching Water 7," NT remarked.
"Already?" Ben asked.
Kalifa adjusted her glasses. "It has been a few days since we set sail," she responded.
We've been traveling slower than usual," HQ added.
Alvida chuckled. "Of course, we wanted to enjoy as much time with you as possible, my love," she teased.
"Pervert," Kaya interjected playfully, her cheeks tinged with a light blush as the girls broke into giggles.
Ben, shaking his head with an amused smile, raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. You all have my full attention," he said, his voice warm. "I'm here for you. Whatever you need," he added.
The girls exchanged pleased glances and smiles.
"We should check in with Luffy and the others while we're here," Vivi suggested.
Zala nodded in agreement. "They've helped us before. It's only right to show our appreciation," she added.
"Did they get updated bounties?" Ben asked.
Kalifa looked at the bounty posters. "Yes they have bounties as the following: Luffy, 300,000,000 Beli, Zoro, 200,000,000 Beli, Sanji, 77,000,000 Beli, Nami 10,000,000 Beli, Soeking 15,000,000 Beli, Porche, 8,000,000 Beli and Chopper 10 Beli, she said. She added, "Franky also has a bounty of 44,000,000 Beli."
Ben thought that was interesting. For the most part they had bounties which were the same as the cannon however Zoro had received a massive increase. Ben thought Zoro did fight a vice admiral and won. He may have been injured but that is still a feat on its own.
"Those are some big numbers," Marianne remarked.
"We are no small fish either," Zala responded.
"Our total bounty of our crew is 1,154,300,000 Beli," Kalifa said.
"Does that include the Belo Betty bounty as well?" Kaya asked.
"No," Kalifa responded.
"I think she has a bounty of 357,000,000 Beli," Alvida responded.
"Then that would be 1,511,300,000 Beli," Conis responded.
"Correct," Kalifa agreed.
Ben smiled at Conis. "The World Government does not know Belo Betty has joined our crew but even without her in the total our total crew bounty is over 1 billion. We will definitely be in the radar of other people now," Ben said.
"Bounty Hunters will come for us," Robin warned.
"We will protect each other," Saphir stated. They all nodded.
The Miss Love Duck approached Water 7 once more. Kaya, Alvida, Mikita, Honey,Vivi, Marianne, Zala, Saphir, Conis, Raki, Maya, Robin stayed on the deck of the Miss Love Duck. HQ, Nojiko, NT and Kalifa were on the Bridge navigating the ship.
"I can see a place over there," Maya said.
"Lets dock there for now," Ben agreed.
At that moment, they heard a man shouting at them. "Ben," Luffy shouted. "You are finally here," Luffy added as he stretched his arm. Ben saw Nami, Porsche, Chopper, and Sanji on the dock. He saw luffy stretched arm coming but reacted too late and got grabbed. Ben went flying towards Nami and they both crashed into each other.
Ben landed on top of Nami and accidentally squeezed her breast. "You," Nami said, looking flushed. "Get off me," she added.
"You monster," Sanji said as he tried to kick Ben off Nami. Ben moved and Sanji missed Ben and kicked Zoro.
"You want to go curly browns," Zoro remarked.
"Out of my way mosshead," Sanji added.
"Sorry Nami," Ben said as he helped her get up. Nami accepted his help.
"Ben," Luffy said.
Ben sighed. He thought it had to be Luffy. "Luffy, good to see you again," Ben responded.
"This is your fault," Nami said as she punched Luffy in the head. She could feel her heartbeat pounding.
"Nami that hurts," Luffy said as he held his head. Zoro and Luffy clashed in the background.
The Miss Love Duck came close. "Are you okay my love?" Alvida shouted.
"Never better," Ben responded.
"Then let's party," Luffy said. They docked up the Miss Love Duck and dropped the anchor.
"NT, HQ. Do you want to come as well?" Ben asked.
"No Master, we will stay on the Miss Love Duck," HQ responded.
"Yes my Emperor," NT added.
"They do call you funny names," Luffy remarked.
"I will also stay behind," Kalifa said.
"Are you sure?" Ben asked.
"I am," Kalifa responded, adjusting her glasses as she stayed on the Miss Love Duck.
They all headed towards a large garden. There was laughter which filled the air, blending with the clinking of glasses and the sound of music playing softly in the background. The long table was laden with plates of roasted meats, exotic fruits, and desserts. Ben's crew and the Straw Hat Pirates had come together for a night of celebration, camaraderie, and well-deserved relaxation.
Ben had a glass in his hand.
Kaya, looking radiant in a flowing white dress. "You looked beautiful in that dress," Ben complimented.
"She sure does," Nojiko agreed.
"She wore it just for you my love," Alvida teased.
"I," Kaya tried to say. They all chuckled.
"Well, cheers to everyone," Ben said. They all nodded and took a sip on their drinks. Kaya was in the middle of a soft giggle as HQ made a comment about their last adventure.
Meanwhile, Mikita and Honey were seated at the table, the two of them in the middle of an animated conversation. Mikita twirled a fork between her fingers, "This is a nice party," Mikita remarked.
Honey smiled. "It is for sure," she responded.
Ben walked over to see Vivi and Maya talking. Vivi had a cup of orange juice. She took a royal sip. "So how was the cafe?" Maya asked.
"It was amazing, Cynthia and Elizabeth were working very hard," Vivi responded.
"That is good to hear," Ben responded.
Vivi and Maya smiled at Ben. "Ben," Maya and Vivi said together.
Ben smiled. "I hope I was not interpreting," Ben said.
"Never Captain," Maya responded quietly.
"You don't need to be that formal," Ben said as he put her hand over her. "I hope we are not overworking them," he added.
"They said it is okay but will let us know if they need more," Vivi responded. Ben nodded.
At the dessert table, Marianne, Conis, and Saphir were eyeing the array of sweets. Marianne's eyes sparkled as she stared at the cakes and pastries before her.
"I don't know where to start," Marianne said, her voice filled with excitement.
Conis smiled. "There is a lot," she added.
"You have to go big or go home," Saphir chimed in, grabbing a slice of cake and holding it up.
Across the room, Zala and Raki were sitting on the bench together, quietly observing the lively scene.
"Seems like everyone's having fun," Raki remarked.
On the other side of the area, the Straw Hat Pirates were in their usual high spirits. Luffy had already started piling his plate high with food, his mouth stuffed as he grinned. "This is the best party ever!" he yelled, his voice muffled by the meat he was devouring.
Zoro stood by the wall, arms crossed as he drank down a jug of beer.
Nami, standing by the drinks, rolled her eyes at Luffy's antics. "Just let him be," she said, though a small smile tugged at her lips.
"Nami-swan~! Would you like anything? A drink? A snack? A dance?" he offered eagerly.
Chopper drank his juice and smiled. Porche floated around the room, chatting with everyone.
Luffy, finishing off another massive piece of meat, jumped up from his seat. "This party is awesome! We need more food!" he yelled, his enthusiasm infectious.
Alvida then walked up and laughed as she raised her glass toward Luffy. "You never change, Luffy."
"More food coming up!" Sanji said, leaping into action.
As the music picked up, Vivi stood, raising her glass. "To new adventures and cherished friends!" she declared.
"To new adventures!" the room echoed in unison.
Ben smiled. He thought Vivi was in good spirits. He looked over to Robin leaning on the wall.
Robin smiled. "Stay where you are and listen, Nico Robin," Aokiji said.
Robin froze. Her eyes widened. "Why did you not leave and run away like before?" Aokiji asked. "If you acted on your own then you would have gotten away from CP9?" he added.
"You should know this time was different," Robin responded. She looked around to see Conis, Maya, Saphir all eating. "I could not abandon them," he added.
"You might not know this but I had to kill a friend back in Ohara," Aokiji said. "Although I carried out my duty, I also carried out his last wishes keeping you alive that day," he added. "He and I thought you were dangerous," Aokiji said.
"Have you found a place where you belong?" Aokiji asked.
"I have," Robin stated.
"Then live your life with courage and prove O'hara lives," Aokiji said as he walked away.
Ben walked towards Robin. "He was here as well?" Ben asked.
Robin smiled. She leaned towards Ben and smiled. "He was my past," she teased.
Ben smiled. "I love you Robin, I will be here for you," Ben said.
Robin leaned and kissed Ben on the cheek. She whispered, "I love you too." Robin then walked away.
"Noooo," Sanji shouted as he saw the kiss. He went limp on the floor.
"Sanji what is wrong?" Luffy joked.
As the night went on, the area buzzed with laughter, clinking glasses, and more partying.