"Just leave it to me, I have experience."
Zoro skillfully dodged Kuina's clutches, wiped his nose vigorously, and strutted into the kitchen.
Soon enough, he triumphantly returned with a cup of hot water, handing it to Nami, "Here, drink this water, and you'll feel better immediately."
Nami looked up in disbelief, staring at this green algae-headed idiot.
"...Thank you," Nami whispered, "but I don't think a cup of hot water will help much..."
"Oh!!!"
Zoro slapped his forehead, suddenly enlightened, and dashed back into the kitchen, returning with six cups of hot water this time.
"I didn't think it through. You're Shano's sister, your constitution is not like ordinary people's; it surely takes this much hot water to be effective."
Thud!
Nami couldn't take it anymore and delivered a heavy punch to his head, "It's not about the quantity! You idiot, you're definitely an idiot!!!"
"Hahaha!!!"
Sanji burst out laughing, holding his belly, "There's really an idiot who thinks hot water works! You'd better learn some culinary skills from me, like brewing a bowl of cream mushroom soup. Of course, the most effective solution is simply to take painkillers!"
"Stop laughing, and you!" Nami also punched him on the head, "Why are you suddenly kneeling in front of me like a creepy old man showing affection? It's scary okay!!"
"Waaah, so scary..."
The two bruised and battered boys curled up in the corner, trembling and not daring to speak further.
"Anyway."
Nami turned to Shano, changing to a pitiful, weak appearance, "You saw it, right, brother~! I've been coming for two years now, I'm really not a child anymore, I'm completely a mature woman, please take me along~!"
Thud!
What greeted her was a punch from Shano, causing three bumps to swell on Nami's head, with white smoke rising.
"You're becoming more mischievous now. Three days without a beating, and you're climbing the roof."
Shano clapped his hands expressionlessly, "I asked you to go upstairs and comfort Belle-Mere, and instead you're trying to run away too, do you want her to cry all alone until nightfall?"
"I'm not crying!"
A furious voice came from the staircase, "Hurry up and leave, why are you still lazing around at home?"
"Then you better close the door properly and stop eavesdropping!" Shano shouted back.
Upstairs immediately went quiet.
After dinner, everything was fine until suddenly Belle-Mere started getting angry at him.
She said it was the last time everyone was dining together at home. With so many people, the dishes piled up like a mountain, and nobody bothered to help wash them—what a disgrace.
Then she stormed upstairs alone, declaring that he should finish washing the dishes and leave, and that she didn't want to see her unfilial son before she came back down.
Afraid she'd cry non-stop?
Or was she afraid her foster son would see her like this and wouldn't have the heart to leave?
Such poor acting.
Shano shook his head, lifted the package beside the sofa filled with his winter clothes, hand-knitted socks, scarves, wool hats... and various snacks that both he and Nojiko loved.
So heavy and dense, if thrown into the sea it would probably sink straight to the bottom, just like Belle-Mere's maternal love, unable to bear a single drop of tears.
"This time, we're really leaving!"
Shano shouted with all his might again, causing the roof tiles to buzz, afraid that the prideful woman who really closed the door wouldn't hear—
"Remember to hide well when you peek through the window at our backs later, don't let Nojiko turn around and see you crying, I'm not going to turn around!"
How unfair, always using me as a shield.
Nojiko angrily pinched the flesh at his waist. Maybe it was too hard to pinch, and she hurt herself instead, causing her eyes to unwillingly turn red as she turned her head.
Everyone then picked up their packed luggage, finally stepping out of the door.
Nami took advantage of the door opening to secretly slip something into Shano's bag, then hid to the side, sticking her tongue out and making a face at Shano's back as he walked out.
Looking back at the stairs, hesitating for a moment, she still picked up the napkins from the table and went upstairs.
Koushirou and Zoro and Sanji, who came to see them off, also silently came to the entrance, watching those backs gradually fade away.
"Old man!!!"
Sanji suddenly stepped forward, put his hands to his mouth, and shouted, "Make sure you find ALL BLUE! I hate trouble the most and can't wait for adulthood to sail out and enjoy the fruits of your labor!"
The old man in the distance didn't pause his steps, just raised his right hand high and gave a middle finger.
"You too, Kuina!!!"
Zoro had been holding back all along, but now he could finally release it, taking several steps forward to block Sanji, roaring in a louder voice:
"Hurry! Hurry and become the world's greatest Sword Master!! So when I sail out, I only need to defeat you, I hate trouble the most, and have no intention of challenging other swordsmen one by one!!"
Kuina also didn't turn back, raising her right hand, seemingly wanting to give a middle finger too, but somehow ended up in an "OK" gesture.
Did I have to start it? Sanji angrily stepped on Zoro's foot, and the latter retaliated in kind.
Koushirou quietly leaned against the door.
He didn't say anything, still maintaining that smiling appearance, his gaze never leaving Kuina's figure until it gradually blurred...
Blurred?
I clearly held back from crying?
Koushirou instinctively adjusted his nose bridge, only then realizing something was wrong, huh, where are my glasses?
.........
On the shaded path among coconut trees.
A group of four, carrying heaps of packages, headed towards the newly developed wharf to the northwest.
This pier was built to accommodate large cargo ships for easy transportation.
Cocoyashi Village's oranges were truly outstanding, and over the past few years, the processing business had flourished. Merchant ships came frequently each year, bringing prosperity to the entire village.
Walking along.
The roads were well-maintained, and many new spacious houses had been added. The shifting scenery along the way was the best testament to this.
But something was strange.
Everywhere was empty, hardly a shadow to be seen.
"Scar took the villagers; they're all waiting to see us off at the old pier. They think we're leaving on my family's small boat."
Kuina laughed, "But they didn't anticipate that the large cargo ship that arrived at the new pier this afternoon was actually the one we'd be taking."
"It's Old Gat's new ship."
Shano grinned, "Over the years, he's saved up a lot, and since the earlier ship was subjected to an attack by Sea King Species, he'd rather upgrade from a rifle to a cannon. When he heard I was going to sail out, he offered to see me off."
"So that's how it is."
A few years ago at the Isshin Dojo, Kuina had pestered Shano to tell her about his first impromptu sea adventure, and she remembered Old Gat's name, so she suddenly seemed enlightened.
Soon enough, everyone arrived at the new wharf.
Sure enough, due to the misdirection tactic working, it was empty here too, only Old Gat with several sailors, smoking a pipe and waiting with a smile on the dock.
"Long time no see, Shano!"
Behind him was an enormous vessel, at least a hundred meters long, even larger than the Klik Pirates' flagship Nojiko had seen at the old pier.
Was it because it nearly got crashed by the King of the Near Sea, resulting in a phobia of insufficient firepower?
Shano laughed heartily while approaching, and Kuina beside him wasn't expecting the merchant ship to look this impressive up close, extending her arms and exclaiming:
"Wow, it's huge..."
......
"Wow, it's tiny..."
On a certain island on the Grand Line, a shop boy groaned as he moved food and fresh water to the shore, seeing the tiny coffin boat, he couldn't help but stare, "Mister, are you really planning to take this to the East Sea? Aren't you afraid it'll capsize?"
"There's no need to ask unnecessary questions, just put the purchased items on board."
The man carrying the wide black sword glanced at him coldly.