Later, on the deck of the Queen Mama Chanter.
This ship was even larger than the Golden Dragon, a colossal vessel that could almost be considered a sea fortress.
What was even more impressive was that since the whole ship was made of living Homies, it didn't need anyone to operate it. It could sail on its own.
Even more luxurious, the ship's cannons were also Homies, capable of self-targeting.
One word: advanced.
At this moment, the two ships were side by side, and Ian and his companions arrived on the ship's deck.
"Mamama! Welcome!"
Linlin personally came to greet them. "The food is ready!"
Following behind her were the top members of the Charlotte family.
Ian glanced briefly.
Katakuri, Cracker, Oven, Smoothie, Perespero...
A lot of high-ranking officers really showed up.
It seems that Linlin still thinks highly of himself.
She didn't just bring along some random lackeys.
Behind the officers, there was an enormous, exaggerated table—so large it could almost serve as a sports field—covered with food. The mouthwatering scent made people's appetites surge.
Ian chuckled lightly, "Well, we won't hold back, Auntie Linlin."
"Mom, mom! Eat as much as you can, kid!"
Charlotte Linlin laughed heartily, "There's plenty of food! Take a seat!"
So everyone moved toward the table.
To be honest, although Ian knew that Auntie Linlin set up the table to accommodate the four giants, the table was still so large it made Ian feel uncomfortable.
To talk to someone sitting across from him, he would have to shout.
As they took their seats, Ian greeted his old acquaintances.
"Hey, haven't seen you in a while, Katakuri, Cracker."
Katakuri nodded lightly in acknowledgment.
"Tsk! Ian!"
Cracker's reaction was much more intense. He grumbled, "I've gotten stronger! Next time we fight, just you wait!"
Ian wasn't unfamiliar with them.
Over the past two years during the territory battles in the New World, Ian had clashed with both Katakuri and Cracker.
He had fought to a draw with Katakuri once. At the time, Ian had already mastered Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki), and Katakuri couldn't do much about it, failing to land a hit.
But Cracker, on the other hand, had been beaten up quite a few times by Ian.
If it weren't for the fact that their parents got along well, this guy would've been a pile of ashes by now.
At this moment, facing Cracker's provocation, Ian simply smiled, "Good, the future is yours."
Cracker was immediately infuriated, practically steaming with rage.
He was a full seventeen years older than Ian.
Then, everyone took their seats, and the feast began.
Linlin didn't immediately dive into the tempting desserts in front of her. Instead, she began reminiscing about her time in the Giant Kingdom.
Ian couldn't help but marvel inwardly at how much more mature Auntie Linlin had become.
From the initial discomfort of arriving in Elbaf to the warm assistance from the giants, Linlin became emotional as she recalled the moments, even shedding a few tears.
Ian nearly stood up to applaud.
In his entire life, only Uncle Kizaru could rival such acting.
"Elbaf is my true homeland, my unforgettable home for all eternity," Linlin sighed at the end.
However,
No one paid her any attention.
The kids didn't even bother, as they had nothing to say to her. Even Enel was completely engrossed in the fruit on the table, shamelessly indulging in it without a care for his godly image.
As for Dorry and Brogy, they were even worse, stuffing food into their mouths like starving ghosts, occasionally grabbing a cup of wine and gulping it down without a second thought.
Their attention was entirely consumed by eating, leaving them no time to listen to Linlin's impassioned speech.
Linlin's face twitched with anger, and she shot a vicious look at Ian.
You little brat, didn't you say you'd give me a chance to communicate? Where's the opportunity in this? These two damn giants won't even offer a word about the taste of their food!
Ian wiped his mouth.
Alright.
This is just the perfect chance for me to test something.
"Eating alone is a bit boring, don't you think?" Ian spoke up.
Hmm, due to the size of the table, he had to raise his voice to be heard.
"Oh?"
Linlin responded immediately, "So, what do you want to do, kid?"
"Let's spice things up,"
Ian said, "with a fight."
"Oh!!"
The two giants, who had been devouring food just a moment ago, instantly looked up, their eyes shining with interest.
"Gah bah bah bah! Sounds like fun!" Brogy laughed loudly.
Genius! Ian, you really are a genius!
A smile blossomed on Linlin's face.
Yeah!
The giants' thirst for battle is indeed unmatched!
"I'll do it!"
Cracker stood up in the next instant, his eyes filled with provocation as he looked at Ian.
This guy, even while eating, wears his biscuit armor—it's impressive how he can make a biscuit show such an expression.
"Ian! Let me see your strength, the power of two billion bounty pirate!"
"Do you want to provoke Ian too?"
"I'll turn you into stone!"
Yamato and Hancock instantly slammed their hands onto the table.
But Ian immediately pressed them back down into their seats.
Then.
"Surtur, you go handle him."
Ian said.
"Huh?"
Surtur, who had been quietly lying on Ian's shoulder like a decorative doll, raised his head and timidly said, "Master, master, me? Me?"
This guy seems a bit timid.
Ian thought.
"Go ahead."
He said.
"Huh... okay, okay."
Surtur nervously flew up and headed towards Cracker.
"Hey! Ian!"
Cracker immediately became furious.
Homies?
Although Ian didn't explain why he had Homies, this bastard—are you really looking down on people this much?!
"Cracker! Go!"
However, Cracker suddenly heard his mother's voice.
His body shook.
Did Mom really ask me to fight this Homies?
Cracker was very confused, but this was his mother's command, and he couldn't disobey.
With a grim expression, he left the table.
Soon, not far from the dining table, Cracker faced off with Surtur, who was nervously floating in the air.
"Hey, hey, hey, Ian, are you sure there won't be any problems?"
Dorry asked curiously, "That cute little thing?"
"Don't underestimate it!"
The one speaking was Aunt Linlin, "That's a Homie made by mixing Ian's soul with his flames!"
"Really?"
Brogy laughed heartily, "In that case, I'm looking forward to it!"
Linlin smiled brightly.
Well, they were finally talking about it.
"Hey! Hurry up and show me what moves you've got!"
Cracker impatiently looked at the small flame spirit in front of him.
He'd solve this guy with just one move.
After taking care of this one, he'd go fight that bastard Ian!
**********
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