The grandest weapon shop in High Town was abuzz with nervous energy. The shopkeeper followed closely behind Ritter, bowing repeatedly, his forehead glistening with cold sweat. The man in front of him wasn't just any customer he was one of the Sea Emperors. When Ritter casually tossed a black card onto the counter, the metallic clink was enough to make the man's knees tremble.
Ritter, however, looked perfectly at ease. So this is what it feels like to be a rich boss.
He couldn't help but smirk to himself. Back before he came to this world, he'd read too many overbearing CEO novels those lines still echoed in his head: "Woman, if you don't swipe my card… are you ready to be punished?"
He winced at the memory. "Man, humanity really invented some oily stuff," he muttered under his breath.
Still, it felt good being the one with the black card this time.
With a flick of his wrist, crimson mist flowed out from his palm, gently lifting an array of weapons into the air. Swords, axes, spears, and guns floated in neat rows, spinning slowly as if on display in some high-end showroom.
"Alright, kids, take a look," Ritter said, gesturing toward the glittering arsenal. "This short sword here see the gemstone? Fancy on the outside, but the quality's solid."
Not everyone could be like Ritter, of course walk into a random blacksmith's shop and somehow find a weapon worthy of legends.
Ace scrunched his nose. "It's too flashy. Looks like the kind of thing those nobles outside would wear just to show off."
Sabo, curious, ran a hand down the blade. "But it's sharp… really sharp."
Meanwhile, Ann had already wandered off toward a dark corner. There, a heavy iron greatsword taller than she was leaned quietly against the wall. Without hesitation, she grabbed the hilt with her tiny hand. The next moment, she lifted it clean off the ground and gave it an experimental swing.
Boom!
The blade hit the floor with a thunderous clang, shaking the whole shop. Swords and shields clattered off the shelves. The shopkeeper almost dropped to his knees. "M-my lady, such strength!"
Ritter's eyes gleamed. "Ann, you sure that's the one you want?"
Ann nodded firmly, her hand tracing the cold metal. There was satisfaction in her calm, determined eyes.
"Good," Ritter said, snapping his fingers. "Then it's yours. Train with it until it feels like a part of you. Once you've mastered it, I'll get you something even better."
He turned to Ace and Sabo. "You two as well. Pick your weapons. You'll need them."
Ace hesitated. "Do I really need one? I mean, I already have 'Ace' and 'Ann,' right?"
Ritter nearly choked. "You little punk, you're naming your weapons after your friends now?"
Ace only grinned sheepishly.
Sabo, ever the polite one, stepped forward first, bowing slightly. "I don't need anything, sir. I can't trouble you any more than I already have. You've done too much for us."
Ritter raised an eyebrow, smirking. "You sound like a noble again, kid."
Before Sabo could react, Ritter lightly bonked both him and Ace on the head two sharp thwacks.
The sound was crisp, and the lesson immediate.
"Kids, don't act tough," Ritter said, rubbing his knuckles. "You've been staring at those racks since we walked in. If you want something, take it. Consider it a loan pay me back when you're grown."
That was all the encouragement they needed. The two boys darted off toward the weapon displays like puppies released from a leash.
"I want this one!" Ace shouted, grabbing a black longsword with a red cord wrapped around the sheath.
Sabo, meanwhile, picked up a silver blade with delicate wave patterns engraved along the hilt. "What about this one? Is it okay?"
Ritter grinned. "Take them both."
He turned to the trembling shopkeeper. "And three sets of armor. The best you've got."
The man swallowed hard. "Sir, that would cost…"
Before he could finish, Ritter tossed a heavy bag of Berries onto the counter. The coins thudded against the wood, echoing through the shop.
"Will that do?" Ritter asked with a lazy smile.
"More than enough!" the shopkeeper stammered, bowing so low his forehead nearly touched the floor. "Right away, sir!"
When they finally stepped out into the setting sun, the three children were radiant. Ace and Sabo proudly swung their new swords, the blades catching the orange glow of dusk, while Ann carried her enormous greatsword on her back with casual ease.
Ritter couldn't resist teasing. "You even picked up a flintlock, Ann? I know it's beautifully made, but c'mon it's still a flintlock. The world's moved on, hasn't it?"
He sighed dramatically. "Eight hundred years of progress, and we're still using wooden ships and flintlocks. You'd think by now someone like Vegapunk or Judge would've modernized things."
He paused, smirking. "Ah well. I'll unify the world's weapons industry someday."
"Where to next?" Sabo asked eagerly.
Ritter rubbed his chin. "We're buying groceries."
"Groceries?" Ace tilted his head.
"Yep," Ritter said, grinning. "We're having hot pot tonight."
"Hot pot?" all three echoed in unison.
"That's right. Time to show you kids what real food tastes like."
By the time they returned to the small house in Windmill Village, twilight had painted the world in soft orange hues. Ritter pushed open the door, the three children trailing behind him, their new weapons gleaming faintly in the dim light.
"Hey, sis, we're back!" Ritter called toward the kitchen. "And we've got a new member too good kid."
Rouge poked her head out from the kitchen, ladle in hand. "A new member? Let me see, let me see!"
Ace practically bounced forward. "Mom! We met Sabo today! His dad is super mean!"
Ann, who rarely spoke up, tugged on Rouge's apron. "He tried to hit Sabo… with a belt…"
Rouge's eyes softened immediately as she turned to the shy boy standing at the doorway. His golden hair was dusty, his clothes wrinkled, but his eyes were steady.
She knelt and gently wrapped him in a warm hug. "You poor child… but I know you don't need pity. Welcome home, Sabo."
Sabo froze, overwhelmed. The embrace was so gentle, so warm, he didn't know what to do with his hands.
"From today on," Rouge said softly, brushing the dust off his shoulders, "this is your home. You must be hungry come, let me make you something delicious."
Then she suddenly gasped, setting the ladle aside. "Oh no! I have to prepare a room for him!" She hurried upstairs, muttering, "Does he like seafood? Should the blankets be thicker? Maybe I'll "
Sabo's cheeks turned red. "I-I don't mind, really anything's fine!"
Rouge was already halfway up the stairs. "Ritter! Did you at least buy new bedding?"
Ritter froze mid-step. In all the excitement over food and weapons, he had completely forgotten.
He scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh… about that…"
Rouge sighed, already knowing the answer. "Honestly, you're hopeless."
She turned to Ace. "Sweetheart, can Sabo use some of your blankets tonight?"
"Of course!" Ace grinned. "He's sleeping with me anyway! We already planned it!" He nudged Sabo with his elbow, whispering, "Mom's just like that way too passionate."
For the first time, Sabo smiled shyly. He wasn't used to kindness that came so freely.
Night fell over Windmill Village. From the small wooden house, the aroma of simmering broth and fresh spices drifted into the cool air. Around the dining table, steam rose from a bubbling copper pot filled with glistening red soup.
"This is… hot pot?" Sabo asked, wide-eyed, poking curiously at the floating slices of meat.
"Like this!" Ace declared, dunking a piece into the boiling broth and immediately shoving it into his mouth only to yelp, "Hot! Hot hot hot!!!"
Ann silently passed him a glass of cold water.
Ritter chuckled. "You're supposed to dip it in the sauce first, kid."
Rouge smiled gently, setting a small bowl in front of Sabo. "Here, try this."
Sabo followed her example, swishing a slice of beef in the broth, then dipping it into the fragrant sauce. The moment he tasted it, his eyes lit up. "It's delicious!"
"Told you!" Ace said through a full mouth. "Uncle Ritter makes the best hot pot in the world!"
Laughter filled the room, warm and unguarded. Outside, the windmill turned slowly under the moonlight its steady rhythm carrying through the night like a lullaby for a new family, whole at last.