Chapter 024: The Banquet

When Kizaru had appeared earlier, transforming into photons, moving fast and striking with considerable force, Milo’s expectations of him had instantly risen. Especially after his stylish line, “Have you ever been kicked at the speed of light?”

Milo had subconsciously assumed that Kizaru could also throw light-speed punches.

After all, in her world, light-speed fistfights were far too common. So much so that it never occurred to Milo that Kizaru’s light speed might be watered down.

Thus, when Milo struck, she did so with a degree of seriousness.

And then Kizaru was crushed by her.

After defeating Kizaru in an instant, Milo finally understood that his light-speed kick and such were nothing but boasts—far from actual light speed.

So she couldn’t help but look disappointed.

Kizaru coughed a few times, spat out a mouthful of blood, and climbed out of the shattered ground. If he hadn’t used Armament Haki to defend himself, and if she hadn’t held back, he would have been killed by now.

“Truly… terrifying.”

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and struggled to his feet. “Who are you, exactly?”

“As I said before, I am a Saint who serves Lady Athena—Milo of Scorpio.”

“Athena?”

“Lady Athena is the goddess I serve, the goddess of victory who protects the earth.”

“A subordinate of a god?”

Yesterday, after learning from Wang Bo that this world had gods, Kizaru had reported it to Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Better to believe in such things than to dismiss them—you never know.

After all, this was a genuine new world.

Yet he never imagined that, in just one night, he would encounter a subordinate of a goddess named Athena, who called herself a Saint and possessed strength beyond imagination.

Kizaru had always been confident in his power and speed.

He was definitely the fastest man in the world of One Piece.

It was this speed that gave him immense confidence; even against opponents of Yonko level, he had never been afraid.

After all, even if he couldn’t beat them, there were few in the world who could stop him if he wanted to leave.

Including the Yonko.

But today, in the very area he prided himself most, he was crushed by an enemy.

His light speed and her light speed were not on the same level at all.

This panicked Kizaru, and made him wonder if he had some misunderstanding about what light speed really meant.

Because she was simply too fast.

So fast that he couldn’t even react before being defeated.

This was just one subordinate of a god, and she could defeat him in an instant. How powerful, then, would the actual god be?

It seemed this world was not something the World Government could meddle with. If they tried to conquer it, they were doomed to fail.

And it might even invite a catastrophic disaster.

“I am willing to apologize to you, Saint Milo, for my subordinate’s reckless words,” Kizaru said, lowering his head. Since he couldn’t beat her, the only option was to apologize.

“I sincerely hope you can forgive my subordinate. She is young and does not yet understand the greatness of the gods.”

“Regardless, please give her a chance to repent.”

Milo had no intention of pursuing the matter further. She glanced at Tashigi, then looked away. “I hope there won’t be a next time.”

“Of course.” Kizaru nodded repeatedly. If there were a next time, his old life would be completely finished.

Wang Bo snapped his fingers, dispelling the Mirror Space.

The scene before everyone’s eyes blurred, and they were back in the tavern.

Everything outside had returned to normal. Port Royal was not split in two, the ground was not shattered, and the harbor had not collapsed into the sea.

Everything was perfectly calm.

As if that earth-shattering battle had been nothing but an illusion.

If not for his injuries, Kizaru himself would have almost believed that everything that had just happened was an illusion.

“What is this? Tashigi doesn’t understand.”

Kizaru smiled bitterly. I don’t understand either, damn it. But judging by all this, it must be the work of this tavern owner. This young owner is indeed a monster.

Wang Bo ignored the two of them and turned to Milo. “Why are you back? What about Athena?”

Milo said, “Lady Athena wishes to invite you to a banquet.”

“Invite me?” Wang Bo shook his head and refused. “I’m busy.”

Kizaru’s heart skipped a beat. To be able to refuse an invitation from a god—could this guy be a god too?

Were there so many gods in this world that you could run into one casually?

Milo said, “Actually, Lady Athena invited you to discuss matters concerning this world and the other world.”

“Haven’t I said it before? As long as you don’t interfere with the fusion of the two worlds, you can do whatever you want.” Wang Bo waved his hand. “Besides, can’t you see I have guests? I can’t leave.”

Kizaru shuddered and couldn’t help saying, “No, I suddenly remembered we have other business. Boss, we won’t disturb you any longer. Farewell.”

With that, he quickly led Tashigi and a few Marines out the door.

As if he would be devoured by Wang Bo if he stayed a second longer.

Wang Bo found it both amusing and exasperating.

Milo said, “Come on, it’s rare for Lady Athena to invite you. Can’t you be a bit more agreeable? Besides, this world’s Lady Athena is also there.”

“What does that have to do with me?” Wang Bo said dismissively.

“Don’t you want to meet this world’s Athena?”

“No.” Wang Bo shook his head firmly.

Milo sighed and grabbed Wang Bo. “Come with me, you stubborn fool.”

Without waiting for Wang Bo to resist, she pulled him out of the tavern and sped off at light speed.

Mountains and rivers streamed backward before Wang Bo’s eyes.

In less than a second, Wang Bo arrived at an island in the Mediterranean.

It was an island with eternal spring, full of birdsong and fragrant flowers. Viewed from above, the island resembled a round shield. It was covered with out-of-season blossoms, a riot of purple and red, exquisitely beautiful.

The island was not large, and in its center stood a semi-open Greek-style palace. Around the palace, flowers were in full bloom.

This magnificent palace was hosting a banquet.

At the banquet, Wang Bo saw Athena, Marin, Shaina, and a group of maids moving through the gathering.

He also saw, at the main seat of the banquet, a goddess in a white dress.

This woman, needless to say, was this world’s Athena.

When Wang Bo and Milo entered the banquet, they immediately drew everyone’s attention. This world’s Athena shifted her gaze, fixed it on Wang Bo, and looked him up and down.