The year-end banquet had originally been planned to end right after the feast concluded.

But considering... even after the year-end banquet ended, there would still be a few days before work resumed. Though some people might rush home to be with their families, others would surely stay behind and relax properly.

Since the leaders from each island had brought their finest workers along, this was a rare opportunity. The thought was to let everyone enjoy themselves on the Conomi Archipelago after the banquet.

On the Conomi Archipelago... truth be told, there was not much to do for entertainment. The only unique attractions were Romance Dawn and certain royal secret recipes. Everything else was just factories and construction sites.

There was not even a single performance prepared.

Of course, this could not be helped.

With such little time, everyone had been busy with survival and just putting food on the table all year. Who had time to prepare performances? So, to ensure everyone could have fun, Dante decided to set up a food street and specially prepared a simple competition.

If there were no performances, a competition would have to do!

Thus...

The Conomi Islands 1st Workers Tower Building Team Competition was hastily organized.

Teams of six would participate. They would head to the deserted island across the way, chop down wood, transport it back, and build with it. The team that built the tallest structure within the time limit without it collapsing would win.

Tools were unrestricted. Transport ships would be provided by the Conomi Archipelago.

Though they had to run to the neighboring deserted island for wood, it was quite close.

All they had to do was build something tall and sturdy within the time limit.

The game was simple, and the rules were rough, but perfectly suited for these rough-and-tumble workers.

Simple and straightforward.

"When did I become your teammate?" Sanji said, cigarette dangling from his lips, clearly annoyed. "Besides, I’m not interested in your competition."

"Huh? Aren’t we already friends?" Luffy scratched his head and grinned. "Can’t we compete together?"

"When did we become friends?" Sanji stared at this naive guy.

They had only soaked their feet together once.

How did that make them friends?

"Besides, I’m just a cook. I don’t know anything about building towers. And I have things to do. Go find someone else!"

He was just about to head to Romance Dawn!

How could he waste time playing games with these guys? "I won’t disturb you all anymore."

With that, he turned to leave.

"..."

The other four plus Chopper fell silent.

That was right, except for Usopp, who had voluntarily joined, Chopper had been dragged over by Luffy after their foot-soaking session last night.

Chopper had come to help because Luffy said they were friends.

As for Usopp, he simply could not find any other partners, so he had to join this team.

Perhaps it was fate.

These guys had somehow gathered together.

But now, there seemed to be a small complication...

"The Curly Brows Cook has a point," Zoro nodded and said calmly. "He just soaked his feet with us. He’s not our friend."

He also turned to leave.

"If there’s nothing else, I’m heading out. I need to buy two good swords and go challenge Mihawk. I’m busy too."

"Ah, everyone’s leaving?" Luffy scratched his head again, grinning at the two about to walk away. "Why are you both not participating? The prizes are amazing! Free meat!"

"Not interested!"

"Whatever!"

Just as Zoro and Sanji continued walking, giving Luffy flat responses,

"It’s not just meat. It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet voucher specially sponsored by Baratie . You can enjoy ten free buffet meals at Baratie anytime, anywhere, or bring ten people at once," Usopp said, taking off his custom-made goggles and placing them on his forehead, his expression serious. "These prizes are incredibly generous. There’s the buffet voucher, plus a famous sword voucher for one of the 50 Skillful Grade Blades, or two Standard Grade Blades."

"There’s also a one-year free boat ticket, a luxury smart foot spa tub worth five million Berries, a cash prize of one million Berries, ninety-nine barrels of Tangerine Wine, and oh," Usopp’s tone grew solemn as he continued, "a Romance Dawn Supreme VIP Card. I’m not sure what that is exactly, but being included with all these other items, it must be worth a fortune."

"The team that wins first place gets to choose any one of these prizes. My goal is that one million Berries. Also, regardless of ranking, every participating team gets a 500,000 berry voucher for any ship model sponsored by Kuma Shipyard. Unfortunately," Usopp sighed, seemingly not noticing the two who had stopped in their tracks, "I may be highly capable, but I’m only one person. I planned to join with you all and carry you to victory. With my leadership, I’d guarantee you first place, but since none of you want to participate..." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

He took a confident yet regretful step forward. "It’s a shame, but I probably can’t find another team now. I’ll just have to hand first place to the other..."

However.

Usopp stopped, staring blankly at Zoro and Sanji, who now stood on either side of him, each with a hand pressed against his shoulders.

"What... are you doing?" he asked, confused.

"It’s not about what we want!" Sanji said, his right hand on Usopp’s shoulder, cigarette removed from his lips and flicked before being placed back, a faint smile on his face. "It’s about what you want! You’re just going to give up like that?"

"Exactly! Curly Brows Cook is right!" Zoro said, his left hand on Usopp’s other shoulder, his right hand resting on the three swords at his waist, a similar faint smile on his face. "We’re in."

"Hey Moss Head, who are you calling Curly Brows Cook? I’m Sanji!"

"Who are you calling Moss Head, Curly Brows Cook?"

"I’m talking about you, Moss Head!"

"Curly Brows Cook!"

"Moss Head!"

While everyone stood there stunned, Zoro and Sanji somehow started arguing.

"So you’re joining?" Luffy snapped back to reality and beamed. "That’s great! We can all go eat meat together!"

"Since you’re not leaving!" Usopp also came back to his senses, removing his goggles again, his confidence returning. "Why would I give up?"

"So..." The host asked, looking at the group who seemed ready to participate, "do you confirm you’re joining now?"

Luffy lowered his hat. Helmeppo breathed a sigh of relief. Chopper looked at the host happily. Zoro rested his hand on his three swords. Sanji lit another cigarette. Usopp held his face with both hands, radiating confidence.

The five humans and one reindeer spoke in unison, "That’s right, we’re joining!"

"In that case." The host nodded and smiled. "Announce your team name to the audience!"

"Team name?"

The five humans and one reindeer glanced at each other.

Then,

"Straw Hat Pirates!"

"Doctor Team!"

"Cook Team!"

"What Cook Team? There’s only one cook here. It should be called Swordsman Team!"

"There’s only one swordsman here too, Moss Head!"

"Stop arguing." Usopp looked at the two bickering again and raised his head proudly. "Since I’m leading you, it should be called the Usopp Pirates!"

"Who asked you to lead? Cook Team!"

"Swordsman Team!"

"Can we call it Doctor Team?"

"I brought you all here, so I think it should be called Straw Hat Pirates!"

Watching the five argue again, Helmeppo, who did not care what they were called, rubbed his forehead with a headache. He looked around at the other teams who had already registered and were glaring at them with annoyance... Helmeppo shouted, "Stop arguing! I say we call it the Contractors! Luffy, Zoro, we all work at construction sites. Usopp, I heard you work at a factory. Curly- Sanji, you work at Baratie. And Chopper, you..."

"I don’t work! I’m studying under Doctorine!"

"...You’ll have to work eventually." Helmeppo, unable to argue more, said, "Fine, let’s go with... Straw Hat Contractors!"

===============

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