After the great battle, a bonfire was lit amidst the palace ruins.
In high spirits, Shanks had his crew bring fine wine from the ship, insisting that Setsuna and Doflamingo sit on the ground with him.
Doflamingo's expression flickered uncertainly, his mind filled with the potential chaos if Sugar fainted. Yet, fearing to offend the Emperor, he dared not leave.
Shanks's drinking manners left much to be desired. Seeing Doflamingo hesitate, he slapped his shoulder heavily. "Drink! If you don't drink, you're not giving me respect!"
"Fufufu, I'll drink, I'll drink," Doflamingo forced a smile, drinking with them like a bullied maiden.
"Haha, that's more like it!" Shanks laughed heartily upon seeing this, then pointed at Setsuna. "That Setsuna guy is so weak! Drunk after just a little wine!"
Setsuna slightly lifted his eyes. "I'm not drunk. I'm just contemplating how you trained that [Observation Kill]."
"[Observation Kill] isn't an Observation Haki ability. You can't train it," Shanks shook the wine bottle. "I used Conqueror's Haki to suppress your perception. When your Conqueror's Haki advances further, you'll naturally grasp it."
Doflamingo, eavesdropping nearby, had his face darkened, 'So I can't do it even more?'
Setsuna thoughtfully rubbed the wine bottle, 'Another derivative ability of Conqueror's Haki?'
'It seemed that without enhancing my Conqueror's Haki, facing Imu would be too passive. Not to mention [Observation Kill] suppressing perception, just the absolute defense formed by Conqueror's Haki would be hard to break.'
Setsuna pondered inwardly, 'I must accelerate the establishment of IGO. Use actions to elevate my own spirit. But I still need to meet Big Mom and Whitebeard first. Only with the support of three Emperors can IGO's promotion proceed unimpeded.'
While Setsuna contemplated, Shanks struck up a conversation with Ace.
"Haha, you're Luffy's big brother?" Shanks was excited, his face flushed. "How is he now? Still shouting about becoming Pirate King all day?"
Ace laughed. "Yeah. Still as much of a handful."
The banquet atmosphere grew livelier. Carried by the wine, Setsuna proposed his idea of establishing IGO. "Lu Feld funded the formation of the MADS research institute back then, attracting scientists like Dr. Vegapunk, Caesar Clown, Vinsmoke Judge, and many others."
"I plan to emulate that model, establishing the International Gourmet Organization. Gather the world's top agricultural experts and chefs. Promote gourmet research and agricultural development. I need your help to promote this plan within your territories."
Shanks laughed loudly. "I never thought you truly had such determination and conviction. I'll definitely help promote it! But... I don't really have a territory of my own, hahahaha!"
Doflamingo inwardly sneered, 'To foolishly expend energy on such trivial matters... it seems Setsuna's vision is merely this.'
He swirled his wine glass, maliciously provoking, "Speaking of gourmet food, how can we forget Whole Cake Island? Big Mom's children's abilities are all food-related. Take Minister of Biscuits, Cracker, for example. His ability alone could feed an entire nation."
Setsuna naturally detected his petty thoughts but didn't mind, smiling slightly. "My next stop is indeed Whole Cake Island."
…
A week later, en route to the waters of Totto Land.
Setsuna was practicing Life Return in the forest on the [Gluttony]. Ace descended from the sky. "Captain, the Big Mom Pirates wish to see you."
Setsuna opened his eyes, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "The Big Mom Pirates? What a coincidence."
Ace's expression was grave. "They came with quite a few people. That guy called Katakuri... just his aura feels dangerous."
"Your growth speed is still too slow," Setsuna shook his head slightly. He still lacked a right-hand man of that caliber.
Ace grumbled inwardly, 'Isn't it because you're the monster growing too fast?!'
"Let's go meet them," Setsuna stood up, heading towards the central castle.
"No need to hurry. I already had the chefs prepare a feast," Ace said with a smile. "According to your saying, Captain, this is called 'making friends through food'."
At that moment, members of the Big Mom Pirates were feasting heartily in the castle's dining hall.
"This biscuit... it's absolutely delicious!" Cracker stared at the biscuit in his hand in shock. He never imagined anyone could surpass him in biscuit-making.
"These chefs are amazing. Should we host a gourmet competition like the World Government?" Oven suggested.
"Why go through all that trouble? Let's just kidnap these chefs and take them back..." Snack, one of the Sweet Commanders, replied without thinking.
The noise in the dining hall instantly died down. The Charlotte Family's members all looked at Snack in horror, 'You can say something like that?!'
Snack broke into a cold sweat, realizing he had uttered dangerously foolish words. The master of these chefs was a figure on par with their Mother.
Just then, a clear, pleasant voice came from the entrance. "So quiet? Does the Charlotte Family have a custom of 'not speaking while eating'?"
Everyone turned sharply. Setsuna walked in leisurely, with Ace following closely.
Normally, they might have been surprised that this Warlord looked even younger and more handsome than in newspaper photos.
But at this moment, everyone watched his expression with bated breath, terrified he had heard the earlier offensive remark.
Katakuri forced himself to remain calm, saying solemnly, "It's just that the cuisine on Setsuna-sama's ship is truly stunning. We were all so immersed in the food we forgot to converse."
"That is surprising. Could it be the food on the Big Mom Pirates' ship isn't up to par?" Setsuna unceremoniously took the seat of honor. "State your purpose."
Katakuri solemnly presented an invitation. "Mother specifically invites you to her tea party. If possible, she hopes you can bring your team of chefs along."
"Acceptable. I agree," Setsuna nodded. He didn't mind letting the chefs exchange and learn. "Anything else?"
"Nothing else."
"Good. Since business is concluded," Setsuna suddenly narrowed his eyes, the aura around him shifting abruptly. "Shall we now discuss your offense against me?"
'Oh no! He did hear it!' The Charlotte Family's members felt terrifying pressure.
When he was amiable just now, they didn't find him particularly frightening. Now that he was angry, the feeling he gave them was like facing Mother… just his aura alone made it hard to breathe.
Katakuri's expression turned stern. He said solemnly, "Snack merely spoke carelessly. We hope you will be magnanimous and not hold it against him."
Setsuna smiled. "If someone dared to try and steal Big Mom's chefs, what would her reaction be?"
The Charlotte Family fell silent. They knew all too well: if anyone truly coveted their mother's chefs, the entire sea would likely be dyed crimson by her wrath.