Marine Headquarters
After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Garp wore a deeply troubled expression.
"That brat Ace… how could he join Jun Lin?"
"Even being a pirate would be better than joining them!"
Though Garp appeared brash on the outside, he was surprisingly perceptive. He understood the world all too well.
Jun Lin…
Judging from their recent actions, that organization would eventually clash head-on with the World Government.
And when that day came—
Wait a minute!
Ace went back to Windmill Village to find Luffy?
He had completely forgotten to ask what Ace wanted with Luffy. Don't tell him… he's planning to recruit Luffy into Jun Lin too?
If Luo Lan knew what Garp was thinking right now, he'd be fuming.
"Of all the people in the world, Luffy is the last one I'd ever want."
"That guy's hopeless. Utterly beyond saving."
"At best, he's just a temporary pawn. Once I've used him, I'll make sure he's returned safe and sound to Windmill Village. So relax, old man…"
"No, I can't just sit here. I've got to head back to Windmill Village!"
The more Garp thought about it, the worse it felt. He immediately took out his Den Den Mushi and made a call.
Brrrr… brrrr…
"Sengoku, I need to return to the East Blue to see my grandson. Approve three months of leave. Now!"
"You bastard! You just came back from vacation! Has it even been a full month?"
Sengoku's furious roar exploded through the receiver.
He was really mad this time.
Garp asked for a three-month vacation every year to go back to East Blue. And this time was even more outrageous—he'd only just returned to HQ a month ago and was already asking for another leave?
At this point, Sengoku was ready to shout: Why even stay in the Navy? Just retire and play grandpa full-time already!
Before Garp could get another word in, Sengoku unleashed a ten-minute tirade and then slammed the connection shut.
Garp sighed heavily.
Helpless, he pulled out another Den Den Mushi.
Brrrr… brrrr…
"It's me."
"What do you want?"
A low, calm voice of a middle-aged man answered from the other side.
"Jun Lin's people went to Windmill Village. I can't leave HQ right now. Help me look into what they're doing there—especially if they're trying to contact Luffy."
"…Alright."
The man's response was brief. The line cut immediately afterward.
Garp exhaled deeply.
Then, for the third time, he picked up another Den Den Mushi.
This time, he dialed directly to—
Windmill Village.
---
Windmill Village
Luffy looked absolutely pitiful—his face swollen and bruised.
"How about now? Had enough?"
"Nope! Let's go again!"
Ace sighed.
That was Luffy for you.
He had challenged Ace to over 20 duels now, losing every single time in just one move. Yet the guy was still brimming with fighting spirit.
At this point, Ace didn't even need a proper fight—just a finger would be enough to flatten Luffy.
Another round? Completely pointless.
"Alright, enough. Luffy, I've got something to tell you."
"What is it?"
"How about coming out to sea with me for a bit?"
"But… doesn't a man have to be 17 to set out on a solo adventure?"
"This isn't solo. I'm taking you with me. So it's fine."
"Well… okay then. Where are we going?"
Luffy tilted his head, confused.
"Skypiea. Ever heard of it?"
"Skypiea?"
Luffy blinked blankly.
"It's an island in the sky."
"WHAT?! There's an island in the sky?!"
Luffy's jaw dropped as he looked upward, stunned. For someone from a quiet place like Windmill Village, that sounded like nothing short of a myth.
"How do we get there, Ace?! Tell me!"
His eyes sparkled like stars, dazzlingly bright.
"I… don't know."
"Ughhhhhhhh…"
Luffy instantly deflated.
"I don't know, but someone does. So—are you in?"
"Yeah! I'm in!"
"Great. Then come with me tomorrow. We'll be back in about half a month."
"Okay!"
Hearing Luffy agree, Ace finally relaxed.
It wasn't really about going to Skypiea. What mattered was getting Luffy to Rhodes Island. Even if Luo Lan refused to recruit him, or Luffy turned down joining the 157th Division—none of that was important.
Ace just needed one thing:
A sea king feast.
That alone could boost Luffy's Doriki by 300–500 points, completely for free.
No other place in the world could offer that kind of benefit—except for the 157th Division.
As an older brother, Ace had really gone all out for Luffy.
Watching his little brother run off toward the village—probably to pack, even though he'd definitely forget everything tomorrow—Ace couldn't help but smile bitterly.
He knew Luffy all too well.
Wait a sec... we never finished our meal earlier… and now I've been messing around with Luffy all this time...
I'm starving again.
"Makino's bar—here I come!"
---
When Ace arrived at the bar again—
Makino had already brought out a steaming plate of seafood risotto.
"Perfect timing—I just reheated this for you."
Makino knew the brothers far too well.
After all, with Garp frequently away, she'd practically helped raise them.
"Thanks, Makino!"
Ace gave a quick thanks and dug in.
"Ace…"
"Hm? What is it?"
"You're… taking Luffy with you this time, aren't you?"
"Yeah. Just for a bit—half a month, tops. I'll bring him back safe."
"I see… Then can I come too?"
"…Wait, what?"
Ace froze mid-bite and stared at her in disbelief.
He knew full well: someone had once asked Makino if she ever wanted to sail the seas, and she'd said no. She never wanted to leave Windmill Village.
So Ace always assumed she had no interest in the outside world.
But now—what was this?
Makino, of all people, volunteering to leave the village?
It made no sense!
"Makino, what's going on?"
"Nothing much. It's just… Grandpa Garp called again earlier."
"He told me to keep an eye on Luffy—to make sure you didn't abduct him."
She chuckled.
"But honestly, how could I possibly stop the two of you?"
"So I figured… I might as well tag along. That way, I can say I followed through with Grandpa Garp's orders."
Ace nodded slowly.
So that's what it was…
"Wait here a sec, Makino."
He pulled out a Den Den Mushi and made a call.
Brrrr… brrrr…
"This is Luo Lan."
A young man's voice came through.
Makino tilted her head, curious. Who was Ace calling?
"Luo Lan, it's Ace. I've settled the matter with Luffy, but… can I bring one more person?"
"Who?"
"The owner of the bar here in Windmill Village."
"…Makino?"
Luo Lan was stunned.
What the hell was Ace doing? First he wanted to bring back Luffy, and now Makino too?
"Luo Lan, it's been a while."
...
...
Makino's voice came through clearly over the line.
After all, Luo Lan had visited Windmill Village with Garp in the past.
He'd even bullied Ace a bit back then—so of course, he knew Makino.
But now?
Is Ace an idiot?
Calling me right next to Makino, with her listening in?!
Are you trying to blow my cover, Ace?!
Luo Lan cursed internally.
And silently made up his mind.
Ace had said Makino wanted to come, right?
Then let her come.
Even if she hadn't volunteered, Luo Lan would've ordered Ace to—
Knock her out and bring her anyway.
After all…
She knows too much.
---
Currently at chapter 410 on Ko-Fi
https:// ko-fi.com/sami27