"Anyway, just leave it to me. I've got experience."
Zoro skillfully dodged Kuina's claws, rubbed his nose confidently, and swaggered into the kitchen.
Before long, he strutted back proudly holding a cup of hot water, handing it to Nami.
"Here, drink this. After finishing it, you'll feel better immediately."
Nami looked up in surprise at the green-moss-headed idiot.
"…Thanks," Nami said softly, "but I don't think a cup of hot water will do much…"
"Oh!!!"
Zoro slapped his forehead as if realizing something, then dashed back into the kitchen. This time, he brought out six cups of hot water.
"I didn't think it through! You're Big Bro Shano's little sister—your constitution isn't like normal people's! You obviously need this much hot water for it to work!"
Thunk!
Nami couldn't take it anymore and slammed a heavy punch onto his head. "It's not about the quantity, you idiot! You're a complete idiot, aren't you?!"
"Pffft—hahaha!!!"
Sanji burst out laughing, clutching his stomach. "There really are morons who think hot water solves everything! You'd be better off learning some cooking skills from me and making a bowl of creamy mushroom soup. Though honestly, the most effective thing would just be taking a painkiller!"
"Don't laugh! And you too!"
Nami landed another punch on his head. "Why the hell are you suddenly kneeling in front of me like some creepy old man trying to be nice?! It's terrifying, okay?!"
"Ugh… So scary…"
The two bruised-up boys shrank into the corner, trembling and no longer daring to speak.
"Anyway."
Nami turned to Shano and instantly switched back to her pitiful, delicate act.
"You saw it too, didn't you, bro~? I started getting that two years ago, so I'm not a little kid anymore. I'm totally a mature lady now. So please take me with you~!"
Thunk!
What welcomed her was Shano's fist. Three big bumps instantly swelled on Nami's head, letting off puffs of white smoke.
"You're getting more and more mischievous these days. Three days without a beating, and you're climbing the roof."
Shano expressionlessly clapped his hands. "I told you to go upstairs to comfort Bell-mère, and now you want to run off with us? You want her to cry alone until dark?"
"I'm not crying!!"
A furious voice shouted from the stairs. "Didn't I tell you all to get lost already?! Why are you still hanging around?!"
"Then at least close the door properly and stop eavesdropping!" Shano shouted back.
It went silent upstairs.
After dinner, everything had been fine—until Bell-mère suddenly snapped at him.
Said something like, this was the last meal together, so many people came, yet no one bothered to help wash dishes. Called him a total brat.
Then stormed upstairs, yelling that once the dishes were done, he should scram, and that she didn't want to see her ungrateful son before she came back down.
Was she afraid she wouldn't be able to stop crying?
Or afraid that once her adopted son saw her like that, he wouldn't have the heart to leave?
Such terrible acting.
Shano shook his head and picked up the bundle beside the couch—stuffed with his winter clothes, hand-knit socks, scarves, wool hats… and all kinds of snacks that he and Nojiko loved to eat.
It was heavy. Probably would sink straight to the bottom if thrown into the sea. Just like Bell-mère's motherly love—unbearably weighty and unable to shed a single tear.
"This time, we're really leaving!"
Shano shouted with all his strength, his voice rumbling the roof tiles, just in case a certain prideful woman upstairs, pretending to shut the door, didn't hear—
"When you're peeking at our backs from the window later, make sure to hide yourself well! Don't let Nojiko turn around and catch you crying! I'm not turning around no matter what!"
Unbelievable!
Nojiko furiously pinched his waist, but maybe it was too tough to pinch, because it ended up hurting her hand instead. As she turned away, her eyes were already red.
The group finally picked up the bags they had packed long ago and officially stepped out the door.
Taking advantage of the door opening, Nami secretly stuffed something into Shano's bag, then quickly slipped aside and stuck out her tongue, making a funny face at his back as he walked out.
She then turned to the stairs, hesitated a moment, then picked up the tissues on the coffee table and went upstairs.
Meanwhile, Koushirou, Zoro, and Sanji, who came to see them off, quietly stood at the door, watching the figures gradually fade away.
"Hey, old fart!!!"
Sanji suddenly stepped forward, cupping his hands around his mouth and shouting, "You better find the All Blue! I hate trouble, so I'm counting on you to have it ready for me when I set sail as an adult!!"
The old man in the distance didn't even pause his stride, simply raised his right hand high and gave him the middle finger.
"You too, Kuina!!!"
Zoro had been holding it in this whole time. Now, finally letting go, he charged a few steps forward and roared louder than Sanji:
"Hurry up and become the world's greatest swordsman!! That way, when I set out to sea, all I'll need to do is beat you! I hate going around challenging other swordsmen—it's such a pain!!"
Kuina also didn't look back. She raised her right hand too—seemingly about to flip the bird, but somehow, it turned into an "OK" sign instead.
Seriously, making me go first?!
Sanji stomped on Zoro's foot in frustration. Zoro returned the favor without hesitation.
Koushirou simply leaned against the door quietly.
He didn't say anything, still keeping his usual gentle smile, though his gaze never once left Kuina's figure—even as it gradually blurred…
Blurred?
Wait, I didn't cry, did I?
Koushirou instinctively pushed up the bridge of his nose—only to realize something was wrong. Huh? Where are my glasses?
.........
On a shaded path hidden among coconut trees—
Four people, loaded down with bundles, were heading toward the newly opened pier to the northwest.
The new dock had been built to accommodate high-tonnage cargo ships.
Cocoyashi Village's oranges were just too high quality. In recent years, the workshop's processing business had become booming, and trade ships came in a steady stream every year—bringing prosperity to the whole village.
Walking along the way—
The road was clean and well-maintained, lined with many brand-new, spacious houses. The changing scenery was proof of the transformation.
But something was strange.
The place was empty. They barely saw anyone.
"Mambā led all the villagers to the old dock to see us off. They thought we'd be leaving on the small boat from my house,"
Kuina said with a smile, "But they didn't expect the big cargo ship that docked at the new port this afternoon is the one we're actually taking."
"It's Old Gatt's new ship."
Shano grinned. "He's saved up a lot these past years. After the old one was damaged by a Sea King, he decided to upgrade. When he heard I was setting sail, he immediately offered to send me off."
"Ohh, I see."
Kuina remembered the name Old Gatt from a story Shano told years ago at the dojo about his first impromptu sea adventure. Realization dawned on her face.
Soon, they arrived at the new port.
Sure enough, thanks to the diversion, the place was deserted—only Old Gatt and a few sailors were waiting at the pier, grinning with a pipe in his mouth.
"Long time no see, Lord Shano!"
Behind him loomed a massive ship—easily over a hundred meters long, even larger than the Krieg Pirates' flagship Nojiko saw at the old dock.
Was this because he developed trauma from being rammed by a Sea King?
Shano laughed heartily and went up to greet him, while Kuina, standing nearby, hadn't expected the ship to be this massive. Arms outstretched, she exclaimed:
"Wow… so big…"
.........
"Wow… so small…"
Somewhere in the Grand Line, on an island—
A store clerk was hauling food and water to the shore, and upon seeing the coffin-shaped boat, his eyes widened.
"Sir, are you planning to sail this to the East Blue? Aren't you afraid it'll capsize?"
"No need for extra questions. Just put the supplies on board."
The man with a large black sword on his back glanced over coldly, his voice indifferent.