CHAPTER 30 — Salt for the Sea, Coins for the Future
📅 22 May, S.C. 1510
👦 Ren — 7
📍 Foosha Village → Beachside & Makino's Bar
Windmill Village returned to its calm rhythm after the lantern festival, but Ren didn't rest.
Every morning for the last four days, he checked on his basins, inspecting every grain of salt, every drying pattern, every small crack in the clay.
His mind felt clearer.
Sharper.
His workshop was starting to feel like a true laboratory.
Behind him, Zemo lifted his head weakly from his blanket near the doorway.
Ren knelt beside him.
"You're healing faster than I expected," he whispered.
Zemo blinked slowly, nudging Ren's palm with his nose.
Luffy leaned in from behind Ren—way too close.
"IS HE DEAD YET?!"
Zemo growled softly.
Kiro slapped the back of Luffy's head.
"No yelling near animals, idiot."
Ren sighed.
"Let's not stress him."
Zemo rested his head again, trusting Ren enough to fall asleep near him. A good sign.
PART 1 — MARLO RETURNS WITH BIG NEWS
A ship horn echoed across the bay.
Ren looked up to see Marlo's merchant vessel approaching—larger than usual, with extra barrels lined up near the mast.
Marlo hopped off the deck with a swagger.
"REN! Little genius! I came early again!"
Ren blinked.
"…Why?"
Marlo spread his arms wide.
"Because your salt is a HIT!"
Villagers turned their heads in surprise.
Makino stepped out of the bar with a tray.
"Marlo? What's all the shouting about?"
Marlo tossed a bag to Ren.
Ren caught it—
heavy.
Ren opened it slowly.
Silver coins.
A lot of them.
Marlo grinned.
"Your last batch? SOLD OUT in three towns."
Ren stared.
"How… how many?"
Marlo crossed his arms proudly.
"Twenty bags × 3,000 Beli each. People are begging for more."
Kiro choked.
"That's… 60,000 Beli."
Luffy's eyes sparkled.
"IS THAT ENOUGH TO BUY MEAT?!"
Makino smacked him lightly.
"Luffy…"
Marlo leaned in, speaking lower.
"Ren, I want a partnership. Proper, long-term. I'll buy every bag you make."
Ren blinked.
"A… partnership?"
Marlo nodded.
"Your salt is pure. White. Clean. Better than anything in East Blue at this price."
Ren didn't feel pride; he felt calculation.
He thought about:
bigger basins
upgraded furnaces
new tools
clay supplies
Zemo's medicine
Makino's bar repairs
long-term projects he hadn't allowed himself to imagine yet
He nodded slowly.
"…I can increase production."
Marlo smirked.
"That's my boy!"
PART 2 — NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN
Marlo crouched next to Ren like a seasoned businessman negotiating with another equal.
"I'll pay 3,000 Beli per bag consistently. Plus extra for bulk orders."
Ren frowned.
"That's fair. But if I produce more, I want access to better barrels and sealed containers."
Marlo raised an eyebrow.
"You're seven. Why do you know about sealed containers?"
Ren shrugged.
"I read."
Makino coughed to hide a laugh.
Marlo nodded.
"Alright. I'll bring barrels with wax lining next time. They keep moisture out."
Ren extended his hand.
"Deal."
Marlo took it and shook aggressively.
"Deal!"
Kiro whispered to Makino,
"…Is Ren actually an adult in disguise?"
Makino smiled faintly.
"Maybe just a very clever child."
PART 3 — SCALING UP PRODUCTION
With Marlo gone, Ren immediately began planning.
He walked to the beach, eyes scanning the drying area.
Thoughts raced:
If I add three more basins, production increases by 15 bags weekly…
If I arrange them in a grid, the wind dries faster…
Need new clay mixture from deep forest…
Must reinforce supports to survive storms…
Need racks for storing salt at night…
Kiro watched him silently.
"You look like you're plotting to conquer the world."
Ren glanced at him.
"…I'm just thinking."
"About dirt."
"Yes."
Kiro sighed.
"Right."
Luffy grabbed a clump of sand.
"REN! THE GROUND IS EVERYWHERE!"
"…Yes, Luffy."
Kiro groaned.
"Why do I hang out with you two?"
PART 4 — VILLAGE SUPPORT EXPANDS
Ren began shaping new basins.
Word spread quickly.
Old Roji brought clay.
Mrs. Muri brought rope.
Mr. Wolt brought wooden planks for covers.
Makino brought food and water.
Luffy tried carrying a huge clay bucket and immediately tripped.
"I AM HELPINGGG—"
Ren caught the bucket mid-fall.
"You almost ruined everything."
"But I'm STRONG!"
"You're STRONG at ruining things."
Kiro nodded.
"He's right."
As the villagers worked, Ren noticed something:
Everyone moved together.
Everyone smiled.
Everyone treated him like he belonged.
His chest tightened with a strange warmth.
Makino handed him a cloth to wipe his hands.
"Ren, you're building something wonderful. Let us help you."
Ren swallowed.
"Thank you."
PART 5 — ZEMO TAKES HIS FIRST STEPS
At sunset, after the basins were set to dry, Ren returned to the shed.
Zemo stirred.
For the first time since they rescued him—
Zemo pushed himself to his feet.
Unsteady.
Shaking.
But standing.
Ren rushed forward.
"Zemo—wait—"
Zemo took a step toward him.
Then another.
He pressed his forehead gently against Ren's knee.
Ren felt something unfamiliar and warm bloom in his chest.
"…You're recovering fast."
Zemo let out a soft rumble—
not a growl, but a sound of comfort.
Makino watched from the doorway, smiling softly.
"He's attached to you."
Ren blinked.
"…Why?"
Makino laughed gently.
"Because you saved him. Because you're kind. Because he can feel your heart."
Ren stiffened slightly.
His heart.
It had taken him time to understand it.
But Zemo understood it instinctively.
Ren whispered,
"…I won't let you be alone again."
Zemo nudged him, as if agreeing.
PART 6 — END OF DAY REFLECTION
In his notebook, Ren wrote:
Salt partnership: success
Production must increase
Need better tools
Need stronger clay
Need more study
Zemo: walking
Responds to voice
Trust building
Ren paused at the last line.
He wrote one more:
I want to protect them. All of them.
He closed the notebook slowly.
Outside, the sea breeze carried the faint scent of salt and lantern smoke.
Inside, Zemo curled beside him—
breathing softly.
And Ren realized something:
This small village…
this life…
these people…
They were becoming his world.
And he was willing to build something great to protect them.
END OF CHAPTER 30