"Okay, okay, stop talking! I'm already here, aren't I?"
Ian, unable to handle Village Chief Martin's incessant chatter, could only painstakingly stop him from saying anything else while offering a little flattery. "Executive Village Chief!"
"Hmph, I'm afraid you wouldn't have come if Robin hadn't dragged you along."
Village Chief Martin snorted, then took a closer look at Ian. Seeing what he was wearing, he nodded in satisfaction and said with emotion: "It's different now that you're married. Before, you wore your training clothes for everything and never bothered to dress up. Today, you're finally wearing something more formal."
He then added sternly: "When are you two going to have a child?"
"..."
Honestly, every time Ian heard Village Chief Martin mention this, he felt like he was being dragged out of the world of pirates and thrown into a story about a retired Marine officer going back home to revitalize the countryside, where the village chief nagged him about marriage and children.
Ian looked helpless, but sensing Robin's slight stiffness as she held his hand, he perfunctorily said: "It's almost there."
And changed the subject. "By the way, aren't you busy?"
"I almost forgot."
Village Chief Martin snapped back to his senses, realizing he still had things to do. He spun around in a rush, saying as he went: "I've still got a few things to handle. You two get ready, the ceremony will begin soon."
With that, he ran forward.
Ian shook his head helplessly, then glanced around, his eyes widening slightly.
He had to admit, they had made it quite grand.
He had thought it would just be gathering everyone, him saying a few words, then moving straight on to eating and drinking.
But now… They'd actually prepared an opening ceremony?
It even looked like there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony planned.
Who on earth did Village Chief Martin learn this from?
It's just a small brewery. Is it really necessary to go through so much trouble?
But seeing the villagers' excited expressions, Ian thought better of it and decided not to disturb their excitement.
Time ticked by, and soon, it was approaching noon.
"Ian, Robin, why don't you come over here?"
Village Chief Martin's urging voice rang out again.
Ian looked up and ahead. Seeing the anxious Village Chief Martin, he turned back to Robin beside him. The two exchanged a smile and, without another word, followed Village Chief Martin's invitation and headed forward.
And just as he had suspected, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was indeed underway!
At the winery gate below... A dense crowd of people stood.
It could be said that, except for the villagers still on guard at the dock, virtually all the villagers from the Sibia Village had come.
He and Robin stood in the middle, while Village Chief Martin stood to the side, his face beaming with joy, a smile so bright that he still had the energy to urge Ian to smile: "Smile, smile."
"..."
What else could Ian do? He could only smile as Robin chuckled.
And then?
And then, nothing more.
At Village Chief Martin's command, he took his newly purchased scissors and began cutting the red satin before him. Then, at Village Chief Martin's urging, he shouted: "Let the banquet begin!"
The crowd immediately erupted in cheers.
The ceremony had entered its most crucial moment.
Let's begin!
At this moment, Ian couldn't help but internally grumble: "Who taught him this winery opening ceremony?"
That's it?
All the preparations were so grand, and in the end, it was just a matter of a pair of scissors?
And then, the banquet began?
This winery's opening ceremony was both elaborate and crude!
"Quick, quick, bring out the green grape wine we brewed especially these past weeks."
Village Chief Martin said, already throwing himself into the next task.
"Let everyone taste it!"
"..."
Observing the excitement and joy on Village Chief Martin's and the others' faces, Ian internally grumbled, but without further ado, he led Robin into the banquet.
"But a banquet at noon? Then what about the evening? If it's so simple, why not just have it in the evening?"
"What do you know, kid?"
Upon hearing Ian's words, the excited Village Chief Martin rolled his eyes and said sullenly: "On such a joyous day, of course, the banquet has to last all day and night!"
"..."
These words brought Ian, the retired marine who had returned home to revitalize the countryside, back to the One Piece World.
He had almost forgotten that everyone on this sea... Just love to throw a banquet!
Not to mention noon, even early morning banquets are perfectly normal, and even lasting three days and three nights is perfectly normal.
"You guys eat and drink too! Today, there's all the meat and wine!"
Village Chief Martin said excitedly while picking up his glass and saying to Ian: "This wine was brewed by Robin. Try it! Wow, it's so fragrant and rich!"
"Yes, yes, I'll try it!"
Ian took a sip, and his eyes brightened slightly.
"It's not bad at all. Though this green grape wine wasn't strong liquor, it still carried a full-bodied taste."
"I just wrote down the brewing method."
Robin said with a faint smile. "It's all thanks to Village Chief Martin and the others' craftsmanship, and the village's green grapes that are exceptionally high-quality."
"Indeed, the green grapes from our Sibia Village are the finest!"
Upon hearing Robin's words, Village Chief Martin puffed his chest with pride.
Then, he glared at Ian: "Look, Robin's got more eloquence than you!"
Ian: "..."
Ian glanced at Village Chief Martin speechlessly, but sensing the joy emanating from all around him, he raised his glass and was about to take a swig in front of Village Chief Martin when, suddenly, a villager hurried over.
Before Ian could finish his drink, he anxiously said: "A massive warship has arrived! Ian, the Marines are here to see you!"
As soon as these words fell...
"...?!"
Marines?
315th Branch?
Ian, still holding his glass, froze in place. But sensing Robin's stiffening next to him, he calmed down and took her hand.
Robin was stunned; a hint of doubt appeared in her eyes, but then a gentle smile crossed her stiff face. "I'm fine, dear!"
"It's fine. Probably just Captain Enchi."
"It's not Captain Enchi. This ship is much bigger than the one he came with last time!"
"..."
Firmly grasping Robin's hand, which had become even stiffer, Ian stared speechlessly at the excited villager and said unhappily: "Then do you know who it is?"
Just as he finished speaking...
"Hahaha!"
A hearty laugh echoed.
Followed by a familiar voice: "Are you having a party? Looks like I've arrived just in time, Ian!"
….
Some time ago, in the West Blue, a large warship from the headquarters was sailing.
"Zephyr-sensei, the Sibia Village is just ahead!"
"Are we there yet?"
Zephyr, standing on the deck with his right hand bandaged, could see the islands ahead and couldn't help but smile. "Boy, here I come. Surprised? Didn't expect me, did you?"
My justice is justice?
Justice that reigns supreme? Absolute Justice, Lazy Justice, Unclear Justice… If you ever reached Marine Headquarters, just what kind of storm would your egoistic justice stir within?
I'm truly curious!